Cowboys ink JJ

[dmq]

Sorry, can't get to the article if someone else can post it from the Star Telegram.

[Cajuncowboy]

Here ya go.

Cowboys, top pick strike deal

By Jennifer Floyd Engel

Star-Telegram Staff Writer


IRVING - While Cowboys rookie running back Julius Jones is not exactly sealed or delivered yet, he is as good as signed.

Sources confirmed Wednesday that the Cowboys have agreed to terms with their first pick from the 2004 draft on a four-year contract and, barring any last-minute complications, the deal will be completed today.

Neither Jones' agent, Tom Condon, nor Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones could be reached for comment Wednesday.

They met Tuesday at Valley Ranch and, while a deal was not done before Condon left for New York to work on Eli Manning's contract with the Giants, Julius Jones is expected to be on the flight when the Cowboys leave for Oxnard, Calif., and training camp this afternoon.

Jones, the 43rd pick overall, will compete with recently signed Eddie George to be the Cowboys' starting running back. Jones is expected to get more than the standard percentage bump from what the 43rd pick from the 2003 draft, Pisa Tinoisamoa, signed for last season. The Rams' linebacker also got a four-year deal, which included a $1.69 million signing bonus and annual base salaries of $225,000 in 2003, $305,000 in 2004, $380,000 in 2005 and $460,000 in 2006.

Wednesday was a busy day for the Cowboys as guard Stephen Peterman, a third-round pick, signed a four-year deal with a $660,000 signing bonus.

Only two of the Cowboys' eight draft picks have neither signed nor agreed to terms. Second-round pick Jacob Rogers and fourth-round pick Bruce Thornton are the holdouts, but the Cowboys remain optimistic they will be signed in time for Friday's conditioning test in Oxnard. A source said the Cowboys are also negotiating four-year deals with Rogers and Thornton.

Neither Rogers' nor Thornton's agent returned calls Wednesday.

Cowboys camp

When: Friday-Aug. 20

Where: Oxnard, Calif., River Ridge Complex adjacent to the Residence Inn

Admission: Free

Parking: $5

[Wimbo]

Good. At least Parcells won't be thirsty.

[Yeagermeister]

Originally Posted by Wimbo

Good. At least Parcells won't be thirsty.

But Rogers better hurry up because now he needs his donuts

[LeonDixson]

Thornton will be at a serious disadvantage if he misses much of training camp. From most reports he showed well in mini-camp. Missing very much of training camp, though, will severely limit his chances of beating out Hunter. I would want to give myself every chance possible it were me.

I don't think he would win the starting job anyway, but at least give it a try.

[coach316]

If those two knuckleheads want to hold out, f*** 'em. Let 'em sit at home and rot. Neither one of them are "all that and a bag o' chips" as football players. Neither one of them are locks as starters and need to get their in training camp to practice if they even wanna be lucky enough to be back-ups.

[BrownSugar]

Originally Posted by coach316

If those two knuckleheads want to hold out, f*** 'em. Let 'em sit at home and rot. Neither one of them are "all that and a bag o' chips" as football players. Neither one of them are locks as starters and need to get their in training camp to practice if they even wanna be lucky enough to be back-ups.

Let us know how you really feel :p ...

[NOVA 22]

Originally Posted by coach316

If those two knuckleheads want to hold out, f*** 'em. Let 'em sit at home and rot. Neither one of them are "all that and a bag o' chips" as football players. Neither one of them are locks as starters and need to get their in training camp to practice if they even wanna be lucky enough to be back-ups.

I doubt they're holding out, its really more of the cowboys having time to sit in extended conversations with their agent. they'll both be in on Friday