Hashmarks (Mosley) on the signings today

[Chocolate Lab]

Cowboys re-sign Newman, Barber

May 20, 2008 4:59 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

The Cowboys agreed to contract extensions with both starting cornerback Terence Newman and running back Marion Barber on Tuesday. Newman had been close to signing a deal for several days, but he ended up agreeing to a six-year contract extension worth $50.2 million, including $22.5 million in guarantees.

The deal is slightly less than the one former Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel signed with the Eagles during free agency, but includes similar guaranteed money. Samuel received $23 million in guarantees. Marion Barber

Barber agreed to a seven-year deal worth $45 million, which includes $16 million in guaranteed money. Barber and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, started out asking for an obscene amount, but the $16 million is a good number for a back who didn't officially become the starter in Dallas until last season's playoff game against the Giants.

The fact that the Cowboys selected Felix Jones with their first pick in last month's draft probably kept Barber from getting a larger amount. Still, $16 million for a former fourth-round draft pick is pretty heady stuff.

Barber rushed for 975 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2007. He became the team's feature back despite the fact that he wasn't starting. When the Cowboys didn't make a play for Julius Jones, it was obvious how much they valued Barber.

Newman has 16 career interceptions and 13 tackles for a loss since being selected in the first round of the 2003 draft. At age 29, he's coming off his first Pro Bowl. He's always had strong cover skills, but he's never received a lot of attention because teams throw away from him.

Newman's also regarded as perhaps the hardest worker on the team. He generally relaxes for about two days after the season before returning to the weight room. When he came out of Kansas State in 2003, he was one of the smaller players on the team. He's since re-shaped his body by working with strength and conditioning coach Joe Juraszek.

Last season, he missed three games because of a foot injury, but he still managed to finish with four interceptions. I'm planning to spend some time with Newman on Wednesday and I'll let you know what he thinks of the new contract.

The one player the Cowboys still need to take care of is safety Kenny Hamlin. There's been speculation around Valley Ranch that the team might release former first-round pick Roy Williams, but a high-ranking source told me it will never happen.

Much more to come.

(Photo: Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Marion Barber, Terence Newman, Roy Williams, Ken Hamlin

Read comments or leave a comment

 

[Skinsmaniac]

That's a lot of money for a soon to be 30 CB. It will be a good deal if he can continue to play well for the duration of the contract.

 

[tomson75]

That's a lot of money for a soon to be 30 CB. It will be a good deal if he can continue to play well for the duration of the contract.

He hasn't played that long, so he's had considerably less wear and tear than most 30yr old CB's. He's also widely regarded as one of the teams hardest workers as far as conditioning.

Not many people are worried about his age. Those that are, are likely the overreactive type anyway.

Either way, you better hope that those rookie WR's pan out soon...

 

[Duane]

That's a lot of money for a soon to be 30 CB. It will be a good deal if he can continue to play well for the duration of the contract.

You had a corner that played well into his 30's at a high level. Hopefully Newman can do what Green did.

 

[Skinsmaniac]

He hasn't played that long, so he's had considerably less wear and tear than most 30yr old CB's. He's also widely regarded as one of the teams hardest workers as far as conditioning.

Not many people are worried about his age. Those that are, are likely the overreactive type anyway.

Either way, you better hope that those rookie WR's pan out soon...

Hehe, you have a good secondary, no doubt. Just be prepared for our 4-lineman front, with 4-WRs and Cooley and Davis split wide. There's no stopping that.

 

[sjordan6]

I think Newman has at least four high level years ahead of him. I consider him another D. Green from the Commanders. Good character, great speed, and takes care of his body. He will not be a HOF and may not get more than three pro bowls but he will be a solid corner we can depend on. Good signing and I think the Cowboys got a great deal cosidering what Newman could have gotten on the open market. What a discount!

 

[Vintage]

Hehe, you have a good secondary, no doubt. Just be prepared for our 4-lineman front, with 4-WRs and Cooley and Davis split wide. There's no stopping that.

That'd be cool to see happen....I hope you guys utilize it once or twice during the season.

 

[sjordan6]

Also this deal makes you wonder. With pacman now signed to a incentive type deal for a few years and Newman now signed and Jenkins being the new kid on the block as a 1st rounder, do we have any more needs in the secondary (outside of RW)?

 

[AmishCowboy]

Hehe, you have a good secondary, no doubt. Just be prepared for our 4-lineman front, with 4-WRs and Cooley and Davis split wide. There's no stopping that.

Danny's not trying to play Arena Football is he?.

 

[Skinsmaniac]

Danny's not trying to play Arena Football is he?.

I don't know how else he thinks he'll get four WRs and two TEs on the field.
/sorry for the thread jack

 

[jobberone]

Hehe, you have a good secondary, no doubt. Just be prepared for our 4-lineman front, with 4-WRs and Cooley and Davis split wide. There's no stopping that.

I think you will have a good team but it may take awhile for both Campbell and the new guys to get there. The East should be a beast this year. What is a AFC East???

 

[Vintage]

I don't know how else he thinks he'll get four WRs and two TEs on the field.
/sorry for the thread jack

I actually didn't think the Davis and Thomas picks were bad. What I questioned was the Malcolm Kelly pick.

 

[Cowboys22]

That'd be cool to see happen....I hope you guys utilize it once or twice during the season.

I'd love to see it much more than that because I think they will be called for illegal formation everytime.

 

[Skinsmaniac]

I'd love to see it much more than that because I think they will be called for illegal formation everytime.

I didn't say where the WRs would line up:

 

[AdamJT13]

I didn't say where the WRs would line up

The defense still would know which one is an ineligible receiver.

 

[TheSkaven]

What a great day! I am overseas and it's nice to wake up to this!

If you told me in January that we'd re-sign all of these players in the off-season I wouldn't have believed it. I felt sure that we'd lose a few. We now only have Hamlin, Owens and Colombo left to finish.

 

[Stash]

What a great day! I am overseas and it's nice to wake up to this!

If you told me in January that we'd re-sign all of these players in the off-season I wouldn't have believed it. I felt sure that we'd lose a few. We now only have Hamlin, Owens and Colombo left to finish.

I wouldn't get my hopes up about Colombo if I were you.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

exciting times for cowboy fans!

 

[big dog cowboy]

That's a lot of money for a soon to be 30 CB. It will be a good deal if he can continue to play well for the duration of the contract.

Frankly I'm more concerned about MBIII than TNew because of the position he plays. RB's just don't generally last as long as CB's.

 

[Skinsmaniac]

Frankly I'm more concerned about MBIII than TNew because of the position he plays. RB's just don't generally last as long as CB's.

That's true. Clinton Portis also is very physical and, in my eyes, he is showing signs of slowing down. And he's only 26. I'm hoping that under Zorn he's not required to run between the tackles as much and will be able to prolong his career. But it is amazing how quickly RBs wear down. Still, Barber's only 24, if you continue to rotate him, he should be able to play out the contract.