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Hope this isn't a repost. [Mods: please move to Daily Zone (whenever I try to post a new thread there, it asks whether I've activated my account???) ]
Inside Slant
Posted 3/4/2007 2:16 PM
The Cowboys say they have learned a lesson from last year and will tread cautiously into the free-agent market.
Add in mistakes the Cowboys made on the free-agent market last year and owner Jerry Jones said he will tread cautiously.
Five free-agent additions, including tackle Jason Fabini, kicker Mike Vanderjagt, linebacker Rocky Boiman, safety Marcus Coleman and tight end Ryan Hannam, were huge disappointments or had no impact on the team last year.
So although the team has roughly $20 million under the camp, don't look for them to be big spenders.
"We spent $6 million that almost before the season started (was wasted)," Jones said. "Of course we didn't get that up front value out of Fabini. We've got to do better than that."
Vanderjagt was the biggest miss, considering he was given a $2.5 million signing bonus. He struggled in camp and was cut midway through the season. Fabini was signed to play right tackle but lost the starting job in training camp. Boiman was cut. Hannam came to camp injured and never recovered. Coleman was suspended for the first four games for violating the substance abuse policy. Shortly after returning to the field, he was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated and released by the Cowboys.
Jones said they have evaluated their mistakes from a year ago and will do a better job.
It helps that the Cowboys have already accomplished a lot in free agency, considering they have signed their top prospective free agents to contract extensions before they hit the market, including safety Roy Williams, tight end Jason Witten, linebacker Bradie James and center Andre Gurode and restricted free-agent punter Mat McBriar.
It also helps that this is sub-par free-agent market.
And it doesn't hurt at all that Jones believes the Cowboys are heading into the offseason with no major priorities.
He said the Cowboys are in a position to just take the best available players in the draft and free agency.
Yet that doesn't mean the Cowboys aren't planning to jump out there.
On the first day of free agency they were making progress with Arizona Cardinals tackle/guard Leonard Davis, who could be an option at right guard or right tackle.
The Cowboys still want to bring back unrestricted free agent Marc Colombo at right tackle but Davis gives them insurance there as well as insurance at right guard for Marco Rivera, who could be forced to retire following back surgery.
NOTES, QUOTES
—The Cowboys have finally completed their coaching staff with the hiring of Brian Stewart to be defensive coordinator.
The Cowboys had courted Stewart since Wade Phillips was hired to replace Bill Parcells as head coach.
—P Mat McBriar was rewarded for his Pro Bowl season with a five-year contract worth $8.5 million. It includes a $2.5 million signing bonus. McBriar has yet to sign the deal because he is currently in his native Australia.
—WR Pat Crayton was tendered a one-year restricted free-agent qualifying offer of $1.3 million. If he signs with another team, the Cowboys will get a second-round pick in return. CB Nate Jones, CB Jacques Reeves and LB Ryan Fowler were tendered restricted free-agent minimum offers of one-year, $850,000. The Cowboys signed restricted free agent Junior Glymph to the fourth-year minimum of $510,000.
—QB Drew Bledsoe was one of three players released by the Cowboys on Thursday. The others were tight end Ryan Hannam and tackle E. J. Whitley.
The Cowboys were due to pay Bledsoe a $1 million roster bonus if he was on the team March 2.
The Cowboys are now searching for a backup quarterback for Tony Romo.
—WR Terrell Owens underwent successful surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right ring finger. He says he is day to day and doesn't know when he will be able to start the offseason program. The Cowboys don't expect him to start catching passes until training camp in July.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I can easily say we need to address offense with our draft picks. It's been years since we've done that with top picks, so if you want to call that a priority, you can, but on the other hand if we got a value on defense I'd do it." — Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
—DE Kenyon Coleman came out of nowhere to have his best season in 2006. But he is not a starter. So the Cowboys will only pay so much. Will get a chance to return as a role player.
—OT Marc Colombo came out of nowhere and was the biggest surprise of 2006 not named Tony Romo. Will be back.
—K Martin Gramatica solved the team's questions at kicker. The Cowboys want him back at the right price. They will not pay big money for a kicker again.
—C Al Johnson lost his starting job. There is no need for him to come back. The Cowboys have upgraded the position. He will look for a starter's job elsewhere in 2007.
—S Tony Parrish never really got a chance to show what he can do. It's unlikely he will be back. But he could be invited to camp at the right price.
—LB Al Singleton was a luxury for the Cowboys last season. His run here is probably over. He is no longer a starter and costs too much to be a spot backup.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offers)
—TE Brett Pierce (not tendered as RFA) is just snake bit. The Cowboys liked his potential but he missed much of the past two years with a knee injury. Could be brought back to camp at lower salary than tender.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
—WR Patrick Crayton (tendered at $1.3M with 2nd-round pick as compensation) is a solid third receiver held in high regard.
—LB Ryan Fowler (tendered at $850,000 with no compensation) is a solid backup inside linebacker and special teams performer. But he has no future as a starter in Dallas.
—CB Nate Jones (tendered at $850,000 with 7th-round pick as compensation) has had a nice run for someone who has no future as a starter. The Cowboys like his versatility at safety, cornerback and special teams. They don't want to let him go.
—CB Jacques Reeves (tendered at $850,000 with 7th-round pick as compensation) is a quality backup and special teams player. But he is not starting material.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
—DE Stephen Bowen had one sack in the only game played this year. Might have something for next year.
—S Abram Elam is a very good special teams player and has some potential as a safety. This could be make or break.
—G Cory Procter has shown potential in practice, but he has yet to play. He might be needed next year with Marco Rivera facing surgery.
—G Joe Berger was picked up late in the season for future potential. The Cowboys hope he can develop like Marc Colombo.
—DT Montavious Stanley was a 2006 draft pick who was cut in training camp. He was brought back late in the season for depth purposes. He still has yet to make an impact.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
—DE Junior Glymph: Potential RFA; $510,000/1 yr.
—C Andre Gurode: Potential UFA; $30M/6 yrs, $10M SB.
—P Mat McBriar: Potential RFA; $8.5M/5 yrs, $2.5M SB.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED: None.
PLAYERS LOST
—QB Drew Bledsoe (released).
—TE Ryan Hannam (released/failed physical).
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/cowboys/home.htm
Inside Slant
Posted 3/4/2007 2:16 PM
The Cowboys say they have learned a lesson from last year and will tread cautiously into the free-agent market.
Add in mistakes the Cowboys made on the free-agent market last year and owner Jerry Jones said he will tread cautiously.
Five free-agent additions, including tackle Jason Fabini, kicker Mike Vanderjagt, linebacker Rocky Boiman, safety Marcus Coleman and tight end Ryan Hannam, were huge disappointments or had no impact on the team last year.
So although the team has roughly $20 million under the camp, don't look for them to be big spenders.
"We spent $6 million that almost before the season started (was wasted)," Jones said. "Of course we didn't get that up front value out of Fabini. We've got to do better than that."
Vanderjagt was the biggest miss, considering he was given a $2.5 million signing bonus. He struggled in camp and was cut midway through the season. Fabini was signed to play right tackle but lost the starting job in training camp. Boiman was cut. Hannam came to camp injured and never recovered. Coleman was suspended for the first four games for violating the substance abuse policy. Shortly after returning to the field, he was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated and released by the Cowboys.
Jones said they have evaluated their mistakes from a year ago and will do a better job.
It helps that the Cowboys have already accomplished a lot in free agency, considering they have signed their top prospective free agents to contract extensions before they hit the market, including safety Roy Williams, tight end Jason Witten, linebacker Bradie James and center Andre Gurode and restricted free-agent punter Mat McBriar.
It also helps that this is sub-par free-agent market.
And it doesn't hurt at all that Jones believes the Cowboys are heading into the offseason with no major priorities.
He said the Cowboys are in a position to just take the best available players in the draft and free agency.
Yet that doesn't mean the Cowboys aren't planning to jump out there.
On the first day of free agency they were making progress with Arizona Cardinals tackle/guard Leonard Davis, who could be an option at right guard or right tackle.
The Cowboys still want to bring back unrestricted free agent Marc Colombo at right tackle but Davis gives them insurance there as well as insurance at right guard for Marco Rivera, who could be forced to retire following back surgery.
NOTES, QUOTES
—The Cowboys have finally completed their coaching staff with the hiring of Brian Stewart to be defensive coordinator.
The Cowboys had courted Stewart since Wade Phillips was hired to replace Bill Parcells as head coach.
—P Mat McBriar was rewarded for his Pro Bowl season with a five-year contract worth $8.5 million. It includes a $2.5 million signing bonus. McBriar has yet to sign the deal because he is currently in his native Australia.
—WR Pat Crayton was tendered a one-year restricted free-agent qualifying offer of $1.3 million. If he signs with another team, the Cowboys will get a second-round pick in return. CB Nate Jones, CB Jacques Reeves and LB Ryan Fowler were tendered restricted free-agent minimum offers of one-year, $850,000. The Cowboys signed restricted free agent Junior Glymph to the fourth-year minimum of $510,000.
—QB Drew Bledsoe was one of three players released by the Cowboys on Thursday. The others were tight end Ryan Hannam and tackle E. J. Whitley.
The Cowboys were due to pay Bledsoe a $1 million roster bonus if he was on the team March 2.
The Cowboys are now searching for a backup quarterback for Tony Romo.
—WR Terrell Owens underwent successful surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right ring finger. He says he is day to day and doesn't know when he will be able to start the offseason program. The Cowboys don't expect him to start catching passes until training camp in July.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I can easily say we need to address offense with our draft picks. It's been years since we've done that with top picks, so if you want to call that a priority, you can, but on the other hand if we got a value on defense I'd do it." — Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
—DE Kenyon Coleman came out of nowhere to have his best season in 2006. But he is not a starter. So the Cowboys will only pay so much. Will get a chance to return as a role player.
—OT Marc Colombo came out of nowhere and was the biggest surprise of 2006 not named Tony Romo. Will be back.
—K Martin Gramatica solved the team's questions at kicker. The Cowboys want him back at the right price. They will not pay big money for a kicker again.
—C Al Johnson lost his starting job. There is no need for him to come back. The Cowboys have upgraded the position. He will look for a starter's job elsewhere in 2007.
—S Tony Parrish never really got a chance to show what he can do. It's unlikely he will be back. But he could be invited to camp at the right price.
—LB Al Singleton was a luxury for the Cowboys last season. His run here is probably over. He is no longer a starter and costs too much to be a spot backup.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offers)
—TE Brett Pierce (not tendered as RFA) is just snake bit. The Cowboys liked his potential but he missed much of the past two years with a knee injury. Could be brought back to camp at lower salary than tender.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
—WR Patrick Crayton (tendered at $1.3M with 2nd-round pick as compensation) is a solid third receiver held in high regard.
—LB Ryan Fowler (tendered at $850,000 with no compensation) is a solid backup inside linebacker and special teams performer. But he has no future as a starter in Dallas.
—CB Nate Jones (tendered at $850,000 with 7th-round pick as compensation) has had a nice run for someone who has no future as a starter. The Cowboys like his versatility at safety, cornerback and special teams. They don't want to let him go.
—CB Jacques Reeves (tendered at $850,000 with 7th-round pick as compensation) is a quality backup and special teams player. But he is not starting material.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
—DE Stephen Bowen had one sack in the only game played this year. Might have something for next year.
—S Abram Elam is a very good special teams player and has some potential as a safety. This could be make or break.
—G Cory Procter has shown potential in practice, but he has yet to play. He might be needed next year with Marco Rivera facing surgery.
—G Joe Berger was picked up late in the season for future potential. The Cowboys hope he can develop like Marc Colombo.
—DT Montavious Stanley was a 2006 draft pick who was cut in training camp. He was brought back late in the season for depth purposes. He still has yet to make an impact.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
—DE Junior Glymph: Potential RFA; $510,000/1 yr.
—C Andre Gurode: Potential UFA; $30M/6 yrs, $10M SB.
—P Mat McBriar: Potential RFA; $8.5M/5 yrs, $2.5M SB.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED: None.
PLAYERS LOST
—QB Drew Bledsoe (released).
—TE Ryan Hannam (released/failed physical).
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/cowboys/home.htm