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March-13th-2007, 07:55 PM
Nick Eatman - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
March 13, 2007 6:55 PM
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=4DBE6C32-03B1-040A-06E77E6B850E595B
IRVING, Texas - When the free-agent signing period began back on March 2, many teams hit the ground running, signing players left and right, doling out all kinds of cash to players who had never even made the Pro Bowl.
Fullbacks were getting $3 million per-year contracts, while three different guards all received contracts in the $50 million range. The Cowboys included themselves in that game, signing big Leonard Davis to a six-year, $49.6 million deal that included a $16 million signing bonus.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones called the first week of free agency "the expensive part" of the signing period. But like most years, the free-wheeling spending sprees across the league have certainly quieted here as free agency dips into its third week.
The Cowboys made quite a splash in that first week, signing Davis and backup quarterback Brad Johnson, along with re-signing kicker Martin Gramatica and right tackle Marc Colombo. And some could even argue the Cowboys got a head start to free agency by re-signing center Andre Gurode and punter Mat McBriar to long-term deals, making sure the two Pro Bowlers never got the chance to test the open market.
"I think it's fair to say we've certainly met expectations in as good a way as I could have hoped we could," Jones said in regard to free agency. "I think it says a lot about that fact that they made long-term deals with us. These moves give us a lot of flexibility going into the draft."
And that's what all teams are shooting for heading into the April 28-29 draft weekend: Get their major needs shored up in free agency, affording them the opportunity to take the best available players in the draft.
While the draft is still about six weeks away, the Cowboys still might have a few things to do here in the second wave of free agency.
And this is usually the time where teams can find players at more of a bargain price.
The Cowboys were able to sign veteran cornerback Aaron Glenn in late April back in 2005. And back in 2002, the Cowboys waited two weeks after the start of free agency, allowing defensive tackle La'Roi Glover's price tag to fall to a price of their liking. Glover ended up making the Pro Bowl in all four of his years with the Cowboys.
But just who will be this year's leftovers? Not only that, but what exactly do the Cowboys still need?
Here's a quick look at each position and what's still out there on the free agent market, relative to the Cowboys' needs:
Quarterback:
With the signing of Johnson as the backup to Tony Romo, the Cowboys probably won't address the position any further until either late in the draft or in free agency. Remember, the Cowboys kept just two quarterbacks on the roster last season. Matt Baker, who spent the year on the practice squad, could get a chance to earn a roster spot depending what the Cowboys do, if anything, in the draft.
Running Back:
Despite the latest rumors that the Cowboys are shopping Julius Jones in a trade, don't expect last year's leading rusher to be going anywhere. The Cowboys could always listen to trade offers, but considering the Bills got two third-round picks and a seventh-rounder for Willis McGahee, it's not likely Jones will be on the move. And it's also not likely the Cowboys will have any interest in adding to an already potent stable of backs that includes Jones, Marion Barber and Tyson Thompson. Other than San Diego's Michael Turner, a restricted free agent who would cost any team a first- and third-round pick, the only other notable running back in free agency is aging veteran Corey Dillon.
Wide Receiver:
Jerry Jones calls this one of, if not the deepest position on the roster. The team already picked up the bonus on Terry Glenn and is expected to do the same with Terrell Owens, who is due a $3 million bonus on June 1. The Cowboys gave Patrick Crayton a second-round tender offer, increasing the chances to retain the restricted free-agent receiver. Then figure in last year's rookies Sam Hurd and Miles Austin, and the Cowboys are probably set at receiver, at least until the draft. The best remaining free agents are Kevin Curtis, Antonio Bryant and veteran Eric Moulds, who has played under head coach Wade Phillips in Buffalo, but the Cowboys aren't likely to add yet another receiver over the age of 30.
Tight End:
The Cowboys did release Ryan Hannam earlier this month, but there still isn't much room to add another tight end. With Jason Witten and Anthony Fasano in the mix, look for the Cowboys to hold off spending any more big contracts at this position, though there are some quality tight ends still available in Jermaine Wiggins, Jerramy Stevens and Michael Gaines.
Offensive Line:
This was the biggest priority for the Cowboys heading into free agency. But after signing Gurode, Colombo and Davis, there's really nothing left to do until the draft. Even then, the Cowboys might not have strong needs, considering Cory Procter and Pat McQuistan are still around as backups. :laugh: :laugh:
Defensive Line:
Now this is where the Cowboys might have some unfinished business. With Jason Ferguson, 32, as the only experienced nose tackle, there could be some use for a backup in the middle. The Bears have a couple of defensive tackles who might fit in Ian Scott and Alfonso Boone, while Kindal Moorehead and Anthony Adams are also possibilities. Phillips might have a different plan than Bill Parcells had for his nose tackle position. But even though this will be a different 3-4 scheme than the Cowboys ran a year ago, the defense still needs more depth at the position behind Ferguson.
Linebacker:
The Cowboys probably will not match the offer sheet Ryan Fowler signed with the Titans on Monday that will pay the third-year linebacker $11.5 million over the next four years. Fowler was expected to back up Bradie James and Akin Ayodele in the middle. If the Cowboys are interested in shelling out big bucks to a linebacker in free agency, they probably will just keep Fowler, who led the team in special teams tackles last year with 24. Look for the Cowboys to possibly add some depth later on in free agency, maybe even with a linebacker familiar with Phillips' scheme like Carlos Polk or even Randall Godfrey, who played in San Diego last year but spent four years with the Cowboys from 1996-99.
Secondary:
The Cowboys are always looking at this position. Even with huge contracts doled out to Terence Newman, Roy Williams and Anthony Henry, the secondary never seems to be without tweaking. Although Jones said he doesn't expect the Cowboys to add a veteran free safety in free agency, that could change if the price tags start to drop on players such as Ken Hamlin, Kevin Kaesviharn and Mike Doss, although only Kaesviharn is considered a true free safety from that group. The Cowboys might just wait until the draft to find either a cornerback or safety. Remember, Jones said back in January the Cowboys might consider moving Henry to free safety, but only if the team can find an adequate replacement at cornerback.
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
March 13, 2007 6:55 PM
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=4DBE6C32-03B1-040A-06E77E6B850E595B
IRVING, Texas - When the free-agent signing period began back on March 2, many teams hit the ground running, signing players left and right, doling out all kinds of cash to players who had never even made the Pro Bowl.
Fullbacks were getting $3 million per-year contracts, while three different guards all received contracts in the $50 million range. The Cowboys included themselves in that game, signing big Leonard Davis to a six-year, $49.6 million deal that included a $16 million signing bonus.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones called the first week of free agency "the expensive part" of the signing period. But like most years, the free-wheeling spending sprees across the league have certainly quieted here as free agency dips into its third week.
The Cowboys made quite a splash in that first week, signing Davis and backup quarterback Brad Johnson, along with re-signing kicker Martin Gramatica and right tackle Marc Colombo. And some could even argue the Cowboys got a head start to free agency by re-signing center Andre Gurode and punter Mat McBriar to long-term deals, making sure the two Pro Bowlers never got the chance to test the open market.
"I think it's fair to say we've certainly met expectations in as good a way as I could have hoped we could," Jones said in regard to free agency. "I think it says a lot about that fact that they made long-term deals with us. These moves give us a lot of flexibility going into the draft."
And that's what all teams are shooting for heading into the April 28-29 draft weekend: Get their major needs shored up in free agency, affording them the opportunity to take the best available players in the draft.
While the draft is still about six weeks away, the Cowboys still might have a few things to do here in the second wave of free agency.
And this is usually the time where teams can find players at more of a bargain price.
The Cowboys were able to sign veteran cornerback Aaron Glenn in late April back in 2005. And back in 2002, the Cowboys waited two weeks after the start of free agency, allowing defensive tackle La'Roi Glover's price tag to fall to a price of their liking. Glover ended up making the Pro Bowl in all four of his years with the Cowboys.
But just who will be this year's leftovers? Not only that, but what exactly do the Cowboys still need?
Here's a quick look at each position and what's still out there on the free agent market, relative to the Cowboys' needs:
Quarterback:
With the signing of Johnson as the backup to Tony Romo, the Cowboys probably won't address the position any further until either late in the draft or in free agency. Remember, the Cowboys kept just two quarterbacks on the roster last season. Matt Baker, who spent the year on the practice squad, could get a chance to earn a roster spot depending what the Cowboys do, if anything, in the draft.
Running Back:
Despite the latest rumors that the Cowboys are shopping Julius Jones in a trade, don't expect last year's leading rusher to be going anywhere. The Cowboys could always listen to trade offers, but considering the Bills got two third-round picks and a seventh-rounder for Willis McGahee, it's not likely Jones will be on the move. And it's also not likely the Cowboys will have any interest in adding to an already potent stable of backs that includes Jones, Marion Barber and Tyson Thompson. Other than San Diego's Michael Turner, a restricted free agent who would cost any team a first- and third-round pick, the only other notable running back in free agency is aging veteran Corey Dillon.
Wide Receiver:
Jerry Jones calls this one of, if not the deepest position on the roster. The team already picked up the bonus on Terry Glenn and is expected to do the same with Terrell Owens, who is due a $3 million bonus on June 1. The Cowboys gave Patrick Crayton a second-round tender offer, increasing the chances to retain the restricted free-agent receiver. Then figure in last year's rookies Sam Hurd and Miles Austin, and the Cowboys are probably set at receiver, at least until the draft. The best remaining free agents are Kevin Curtis, Antonio Bryant and veteran Eric Moulds, who has played under head coach Wade Phillips in Buffalo, but the Cowboys aren't likely to add yet another receiver over the age of 30.
Tight End:
The Cowboys did release Ryan Hannam earlier this month, but there still isn't much room to add another tight end. With Jason Witten and Anthony Fasano in the mix, look for the Cowboys to hold off spending any more big contracts at this position, though there are some quality tight ends still available in Jermaine Wiggins, Jerramy Stevens and Michael Gaines.
Offensive Line:
This was the biggest priority for the Cowboys heading into free agency. But after signing Gurode, Colombo and Davis, there's really nothing left to do until the draft. Even then, the Cowboys might not have strong needs, considering Cory Procter and Pat McQuistan are still around as backups. :laugh: :laugh:
Defensive Line:
Now this is where the Cowboys might have some unfinished business. With Jason Ferguson, 32, as the only experienced nose tackle, there could be some use for a backup in the middle. The Bears have a couple of defensive tackles who might fit in Ian Scott and Alfonso Boone, while Kindal Moorehead and Anthony Adams are also possibilities. Phillips might have a different plan than Bill Parcells had for his nose tackle position. But even though this will be a different 3-4 scheme than the Cowboys ran a year ago, the defense still needs more depth at the position behind Ferguson.
Linebacker:
The Cowboys probably will not match the offer sheet Ryan Fowler signed with the Titans on Monday that will pay the third-year linebacker $11.5 million over the next four years. Fowler was expected to back up Bradie James and Akin Ayodele in the middle. If the Cowboys are interested in shelling out big bucks to a linebacker in free agency, they probably will just keep Fowler, who led the team in special teams tackles last year with 24. Look for the Cowboys to possibly add some depth later on in free agency, maybe even with a linebacker familiar with Phillips' scheme like Carlos Polk or even Randall Godfrey, who played in San Diego last year but spent four years with the Cowboys from 1996-99.
Secondary:
The Cowboys are always looking at this position. Even with huge contracts doled out to Terence Newman, Roy Williams and Anthony Henry, the secondary never seems to be without tweaking. Although Jones said he doesn't expect the Cowboys to add a veteran free safety in free agency, that could change if the price tags start to drop on players such as Ken Hamlin, Kevin Kaesviharn and Mike Doss, although only Kaesviharn is considered a true free safety from that group. The Cowboys might just wait until the draft to find either a cornerback or safety. Remember, Jones said back in January the Cowboys might consider moving Henry to free safety, but only if the team can find an adequate replacement at cornerback.