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• There are two ways to look at the Cowboys decision to reward Terrell Owens with a three-year, $27 million contract extension this week. Some league observers were skeptical of paying that much for a 34-year-old receiver. "Typically, you shy away from paying a premium for older players because their performance has a tendency to fall off dramatically," says an AFC personnel executive. But at least one AFC scout applauded Dallas for paying the guy who makes their offense go, saying, "Conventional wisdom says that you avoid paying an older receiver, but his value to their team is significant and justifies the size of the deal."
Owens, who has an NFL-high 28 touchdown receptions during his two-year tenure with the Cowboys, continues to be one of the top playmakers in the league. He's one reason the Cowboys have ranked near the top of every offensive category the past two seasons. With defenses primarily focused on slowing down Owens with some form of double coverage, the Cowboys' other weapons (Jason Witten, Patrick Crayton and Marion Barber III) have benefited from operating against single coverage or seven-man fronts.
Though his detractors often cite his age (34) and penchant for drops (an NFL-high 24 in past two seasons) as reasons for not making a deal, Owens' superb physical conditioning and dynamic playmaking ability make this a good deal for the Cowboys.
• The Cowboys' insistence on having Terry Glenn sign an injury settlement worth $500,000 makes sense given the veteran receiver's recent injury history.
Glenn, who is due to earn nearly $2 million this season, missed the majority of 2007 because of two knee surgeries. He hadn't practiced with the team during the offseason due to a series of failed physicals. By offering Glenn a "split-contract" (player agrees to take a reduced salary if he finishes the season on injured reserve), the Cowboys are attempting to protect themselves against another injury-riddled season.
"This is a smart business move by the team," said an AFC personnel executive. "When dealing with a veteran player with a significant injury history, you need to take measures to protect the team financially."
Glenn has balked at signing the settlement, but has little leverage. "If he hits the streets, he is likely looking at a 'split-contract' on a veteran minimum contract [$830,000],"said the AFC personnel executive. "This is his best chance to make significant money as a veteran."
Although Glenn has played hardball with the team to date, expect the veteran to agree to some form of an injury settlement prior to training camp.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/bucky_brooks/06/06/buzz/?eref=sircrc
Owens, who has an NFL-high 28 touchdown receptions during his two-year tenure with the Cowboys, continues to be one of the top playmakers in the league. He's one reason the Cowboys have ranked near the top of every offensive category the past two seasons. With defenses primarily focused on slowing down Owens with some form of double coverage, the Cowboys' other weapons (Jason Witten, Patrick Crayton and Marion Barber III) have benefited from operating against single coverage or seven-man fronts.
Though his detractors often cite his age (34) and penchant for drops (an NFL-high 24 in past two seasons) as reasons for not making a deal, Owens' superb physical conditioning and dynamic playmaking ability make this a good deal for the Cowboys.
• The Cowboys' insistence on having Terry Glenn sign an injury settlement worth $500,000 makes sense given the veteran receiver's recent injury history.
Glenn, who is due to earn nearly $2 million this season, missed the majority of 2007 because of two knee surgeries. He hadn't practiced with the team during the offseason due to a series of failed physicals. By offering Glenn a "split-contract" (player agrees to take a reduced salary if he finishes the season on injured reserve), the Cowboys are attempting to protect themselves against another injury-riddled season.
"This is a smart business move by the team," said an AFC personnel executive. "When dealing with a veteran player with a significant injury history, you need to take measures to protect the team financially."
Glenn has balked at signing the settlement, but has little leverage. "If he hits the streets, he is likely looking at a 'split-contract' on a veteran minimum contract [$830,000],"said the AFC personnel executive. "This is his best chance to make significant money as a veteran."
Although Glenn has played hardball with the team to date, expect the veteran to agree to some form of an injury settlement prior to training camp.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/bucky_brooks/06/06/buzz/?eref=sircrc
