Dexter, We Hardly Knew Ye
March 2, 2005
Dexter Coakley’s free agent time lasted only hours. The Rams signed Coakley today to a multi-year contract.
Sharper Update
March 2, 2005
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Packers free safety Darren Sharper is not due his large reporting bonus until March 11. There is speculation that Sharper may be cut, since he had a down 2004. The Packers have asked Sharper to accept a pay cut, but he has balked thus far.
With his bonus coming due a week later than most veterans, a decision on his future might not be made until next week.
Henry Next?
March 2, 2005
The Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram are both speculating that Browns’ CB Anthony Henry will be a new Cowboy.
Signing Henry would demonstrate the immediate influence of new secondary coach Todd Bowles. Bowles last coached at Cleveland and knows Henry well.
Ferguson First?
March 2, 2005
As of 8 am Wednesday there has been no word on signings from Valley Ranch, but the New York Daily News is reporting that the Jets failed in a last-minute attempt to reach an agreement with nose tackle Jason Ferguson. The article also claims that league sources expect the Cowboys to offer Ferguson a deal of approximately $4 million per year, which could bring the former Georgia Bulldog to Dallas.
Update: The Newark Star Ledger’s story on Ferguson makes a move to Dallas sound like a done deal.
– Rafael Vela
Coakley Released, 3-4 Looms
March 2, 2005
Veteran linebacker Dexter Coakley was released Tuesday afternoon after refusing to negotiate a pay cut. His departure lessens the number of players drafted to fit the Cowboys old wide-end 4-3 scheme.
A shift to the 3-4 alignment Bill Parcells has used at every one of his previous stops looks more likely by the minute.
– Rafael Vela
Free Agency Predictions: Get a Jet
March 2, 2005
With the start of free agency just hours away, here are my predictions for the Cowboys.
The first point I’ll make is that Dallas has too many needs to fill in one session. By my count, the team has at least eight needs in its starting ranks and ten if backups are taken into consideration. On defense, if the 3-4 is implemented, Dallas will need a nose tackle, a defensive end, and inside linebacker, and outside linebacker, a right cornerback and a free safety. On offense, the teams needs a right tackle and a speed receiver. Dallas also needs a backup blocking tight end and a running back to spell Julius Jones.
With $15 million to spend, Dallas can realistically target three or perhaps four players. I think the Cowboys’ priorities will be as follows:
Defense
1. NT Jason Ferguson, Jets. Nose tackle is the key to a 3-4 scheme. Ferguson is relatively young (at 30, he is two years younger than Pat Williams, the other top-tier NT). He has played for Parcells before.
2. NT Pat Williams, Bills. He would be plan B if Ferguson re-signs with the Jets. The problem for Dallas is that Williams might actually cost more than Ferguson, even though he is older.
3. CB Ken Lucas, Seahawks. Lucas is one of four corners the Cowboys figure to pursue. He’s young and is coming off a career year. While all free agent corners will be expensive, Lucas most likely will be the cheapest.
4. CB Gary Baxter, Ravens. Another four year vet who won’t break the bank. Baxter has maintained for weeks that he would like to return to Baltimore, so he’s downgraded on this list.
5. CB Fred Smoot, Redskins. Smoot would be an excellent fit, and has had a better career to this point than Lucas and Baxter. But he is apparently asking for a signing bonus in the neighborhood of $14 million, which may be too rich for Jerry Jones’ blood.
6. CB Samari Rolle, Titans. A top-flight cover corner with off-the-field issues. Rolle was arrested on a domestic abuse charge recently, and his character will need a thorough review. Rolle is also the oldest CB on this list.
7. ILB Ed Hartwell, Ravens. He’s young, effective and durable. And he’s about to step out of Ray Lewis’ shadow. The Cowboys’ problem is that Hartwell is not a secret to NFL personnel directors and as a result will likely be too expensive.
8. ILB Kendrell Bell, Steelers. The Cowboys had a chance to draft Bell a few years ago, but passed on him to take Quincy Carter. Bell had a monster rookie year for Pittsburgh, but has suffered recurring ankle injuries the past two seasons. He’s more athletic than Hartwell, but his ankle will have to be checked out. Bell’s medical past could be a blessing in disguise for Dallas if he is indeed healthy, since it could drive his price down.
Offense
9. OL Mike Wahle, Packers. Wahle was finally cut Tuesday afternoon by Green Bay. The Cowboys will certainly be interested, but Wahle could get the most expensive free-agent contract this year.
10. OT Kareem McKenzie, Jets. The best true right tackle on the market. McKenzie won’t come cheaply but he won’t cost as much as Wahle.
Prediction
The Cowboys will strike quickly, avoid bidding wars and land a couple more former Parcells players in Ferguson and McKenzie. Lucas will fill the black hole at right corner. The team will also try to avoid older players as much as possible. If their initial deals are not prohibitive, the Cowboys may pursue one of the ILBs. But their cap money will only go so far, and teams that spend extravagantly in free agency rarely get a full return on their investments.
– Rafael Vela
What are Dallas Free Agency Needs? Part Five, Skill Position Players
March 2, 2005
The Cowboys have made no secret of their desire to obtain a playmaker on offense, particularly at the receiver position. The problem facing Dallas this offseason is one of opportunity; there has to be a match at a reasonable price.
Right now, the receiver position does not appear to provide what the Cowboys need. That need is for a large, speed receiver who can stretch defenses and give Keyshawn Johnson and Jason Witten room to operate underneath. The Cowboys entered 2004 with only Terry Glenn as a speed option and once he was lost to injury, teams moved their safeties closer to the line. The Cowboys passing game was choked off as a result.
The talent pool for speedy receiver is thin. The best options are Plaxico Burress of Pittsburgh and Derrick Mason of Tennessee. Burress will likely command a top contract, though there is much uncertainly about his consistency. Mason is productive, but he will also draw a lot of suitors. The Cowboys would likely have to overpay for someone who is already past 30. Since Johnson and Glenn are both over 30, Dallas’ best option may be the draft. Look for Dallas to give South Carolina WR Troy Williamson a long look if he is on the board when the 11th pick rolls around.
Tight End
This position does not get a lot of attention, but don’t be surprised if Dallas makes a run at a backup blocking tight end. Bill Parcells was grousing that he did not have enough tight ends before Dan Campbell was lost to a serious foot injury in the first Redskins win. Once Campbell was gone, Dallas two tight end set, which worked so effectively, was mothballed. Dallas tried several replacements, but none could approach Campbell’s level of effectiveness. If a cheap option presents itself, look for Jerry Jones to open his wallet. As good as he was in ‘04, Julius Jones will be even more effective if he gets better blocking on the perimeter.
Running Back
Parcells has made his desire to get a backup for Jones well known. With Richie Anderson facing neck surgery, the odds of obtaining a quality second back are that much more certain. With Dallas looking at so many other needs in free agency, I expect the team to fill this need in the draft, which offers a deep running backs pool.
– Rafael Vela
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