Jennifer Engel on Boys free agency start

[Cowboy from New York]

Cowboys ready to open checkbook

By Jennifer Floyd Engel

Star-Telegram Staff Writer


IRVING - Free agency began at 12:01 a.m. today. Don't be surprised if the Cowboys did, too.

In fact, don't be surprised if right now, while you are eating your Wheaties and reading this sentence, they are finalizing the details of deals to make defensive tackle Jason Ferguson and cornerback Anthony Henry Cowboys. They could be introduced as early as today.

Unlike last season, when they were about as active as Anna Nicole Smith's library card, the Cowboys are going into free agency with checkbooks blazing.

They have more than $15 million in available salary-cap space and players they believe are worth spending it on.

"You can't go out and pay Rolls-Royce dollars and end up with a '70 Chevy," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "The players that are out there this year are at an age and stage of their careers where it could be appealing to us to make a big commitment."

Let the spending begin.

High five

Five top free agents who might fit the Cowboys' off-season agenda:

Jason Ferguson DT, Jets

--A big, physical, run-stopping presence in the middle. The Cowboys' No. 1 target.

Anthony Henry CB, Browns

--Henry, 28, could be a bargain. His best days are in front of him.

Mike Wahle OL, Packers

--Plays tackle and guard. He is also relatively young at 27, but he'll have lots of suitors.

Marques Douglas DE, Ravens

--Held his own as a DE in a 3-4 defense despite being somewhat undersized.

Dwight Smith S, Buccaneers

--Might have cost himself some cash after being arrested for pulling a pellet gun on some fans.

[Crown Royal]

Cowboys ready to open checkbook

By Jennifer Floyd Engel

Star-Telegram Staff Writer


IRVING - Free agency began at 12:01 a.m. today. Don't be surprised if the Cowboys did, too.

In fact, don't be surprised if right now, while you are eating your Wheaties and reading this sentence, they are finalizing the details of deals to make defensive tackle Jason Ferguson and cornerback Anthony Henry Cowboys. They could be introduced as early as today.

Unlike last season, when they were about as active as Anna Nicole Smith's library card, the Cowboys are going into free agency with checkbooks blazing.

They have more than $15 million in available salary-cap space and players they believe are worth spending it on.

"You can't go out and pay Rolls-Royce dollars and end up with a '70 Chevy," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "The players that are out there this year are at an age and stage of their careers where it could be appealing to us to make a big commitment."

Let the spending begin.

High five

Five top free agents who might fit the Cowboys' off-season agenda:

Jason Ferguson DT, Jets

--A big, physical, run-stopping presence in the middle. The Cowboys' No. 1 target.

Anthony Henry CB, Browns

--Henry, 28, could be a bargain. His best days are in front of him.

Mike Wahle OL, Packers

--Plays tackle and guard. He is also relatively young at 27, but he'll have lots of suitors.

Marques Douglas DE, Ravens

--Held his own as a DE in a 3-4 defense despite being somewhat undersized.

Dwight Smith S, Buccaneers

--Might have cost himself some cash after being arrested for pulling a pellet gun on some fans.

MIKE WAHLE IS ONLY 27?!?! My God, please please please Jerry, go get him for me. He would be my favorite FA aquisition. By FAR

[Smith22]

MIKE WAHLE IS ONLY 27?!?! My God, please please please Jerry, go get him for me. He would be my favorite FA aquisition. By FAR

Some teams have him targeted as a tackle. Wonder how much he will go for....

[Juke99]

I would LOVE to see us go after Mike Wahle....

He's not an old geezer...he'll solve an immediate problem...great work ethic...tough as nails....great size...he's a better run blocker than pass protector but with his size, he can clog up the middle against the big DT's..

[Crown Royal]

Some teams have him targeted as a tackle. Wonder how much he will go for....

Curses. Tackles usually get LOTS more money than guards. Well, here's to dreaming.

[ravidubey]

Wahle would be the biggest signing in FA without question. Dallas already has big money tied up on the OL in LA and Flozell, but an OL with Wahle in at RG would be amazing. Dallas would still have a hole at RT, though (I guess there's the whole Flozell/Rogers switcheroo to consider...).

[ZenItRam]

A Wahle signing would make this FA season a success ... at least IMHO!

[DallasDW00ds0n]

Dwight has made it clear he wont be a S this year, so scratch that off.

[Juke99]

Curses. Tackles usually get LOTS more money than guards. Well, here's to dreaming.


I don't think he's got the kinda footwork that would allow him to handle speed guys and the quicker DE's...

I think he's much better as a guard...

I guess we'll see how his agent is going to "market" him...

[Nors]

Hope we do not go more than 3 years, 4 max

[Dale]

I think we must make one key signing along the offensive line, but two will be unrealistic. Whether we go for a Wahle or a McKenzie type, or a lower priced guy, remains to be seen.

Considering we have high picks invested in Peterman and Rogers, I don't think the team will push both out the door after one inactive season in the league. I think we'll most definitely replace one as a potential starter, but not two.

Do the Cowboys have higher hopes for Peterman, or Rogers?

[Crown Royal]

I don't think he's got the kinda footwork that would allow him to handle speed guys and the quicker DE's...

I think he's much better as a guard...

I guess we'll see how his agent is going to "market" him...

That is true on the left side, but I had him tabbed as a RT kinda guy anyway. Go against the larger end and be a beast on running downs.

[Juke99]

Wahle would be the biggest signing in FA without question. Dallas already has big money tied up on the OL in LA and Flozell, but an OL with Wahle in at RG would be amazing. Dallas would still have a hole at RT, though (I guess there's the whole Flozell/Rogers switcheroo to consider...).


Hey...I like the saying in your sig line... :)

http://img47.exs.cx/img47/3233/landrywallpaper10244uz.th.jpg (http://img47.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img47&image=landrywallpaper10244uz.jpg)

[Nors]

Dwight has made it clear he wont be a S this year, so scratch that off.

he has made it clear he won't put his pellet gun away wherever he goes either

[DallasDW00ds0n]

Wahle would help our offense considerably, would be the best FA pickup hands down

[DallasDW00ds0n]

he has made it clear he won't put his pellet gun away wherever he goes either

:laugh2:

[Hollywood Henderson]

Geez, Wahle is good, but not great...I saw him get stuffed ALOT this year for the pack...

However, he does offer the ability to play both OG & OT...

Dale: Good point on Petterman or Rogers...At this point it would seem Peterman has the "leg up" as Rogers will be hard pressed to be able to gain enough strength back after a late surgery...

So a FA RT might be mort needed at this point...McKenzie?

[Juke99]

So a FA RT might be mort needed at this point...McKenzie?

I almost sent you a PM about the use of inappropriate language.

:)

Btw, what do you think of Zimmer?

[Duane]

Would everyone be willing to pay Wahle what we paid Flo? Because if he wants tackle money, he'll probably be in that range.

[Shuttemdown41]

Would everyone be willing to pay Wahle what we paid Flo? Because if he wants tackle money, he'll probably be in that range.

I'd do it in a heartbeat if that's all he wanted. Look what the Skins just gave Samuels. Can you imagine a line of Adams, Allen, Johnson, Wahle, and Gurode/Tucker/Rogers? I'd take that all day everyday and twice on Sundays. JuJo would run rampant behind that.