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Sharper’s Release Could Come Thursday

March 9, 2005

The Green Bay Press-Gazette is reporting that Packers’ FS Darren Sharper could be released soon, perhaps as early as tomorrow. Sharper is due a large roster bonus on Friday and has not been agreeable to accepting a pay cut.

Sharper would improve a depleted free safety pool. He might also interest Dallas, who is looking for a free safety to team with Roy Williams. If Sharper is released and Dallas is interested, they could face stiff competition from Atlanta. The Falcons are also in need of a free safety and Falcons’ coordinator Ed Donatell coached Sharper in Green Bay.

Update: The Packers did indeed release Sharper Thursday and the safety wasted no time, scheduling a Friday meeting with the Vikings. Minnesota has spent big money on its secondary the past two years, signing CBs Antoine Winfield and Fred Smoot. The Vikings entered free agency with a whopping $33 million in cap room, more than any other team. If Minnesota feels like spending freely again Sharper is a lost cause.

Friday Update: The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that at least five teams have contacted Darren Sharper in the hours after he was cut by the Packers. While the Vikings and Falcons are certain, the identity of the other teams is unknown. Sharper appears to be in no hurry to sign a contract and will schedule several visits after tomorrow’s trip to the Vikings. His agent claims Sharper has already received offers exceeding his final proposal from Green Bay.

Friday Update II: Two more teams linked to Sharper are the Cincinnati Bengals and the Miami Dolphins. Sharper’s agent claims that Sharper, a Miami resident, would welcome playing at home.

Final update: The four year deal Sharper signed Friday with the Minnesota Vikings is for $16 million. There was never any official word that Dallas was interested in Sharper, but it is all but certain they would not want him at that price.

Written by Rafael Vela · Filed Under News | 7 Comments 

The Free Agency Pool is Drying Up. How Will Dallas Adapt?

March 9, 2005

Just one week after it began, the free agent free-for-all appears to be slowing. Only three unrestricted free agents remain from Pro Football Weekly’s top 30: LB Ed Hartwell, CB Ty Law and WR Plaxico Burress, and Burress could sign with the Giants soon.

Key positions such as cornerback, wide receiver and running back are tapped out. After Fred Smoot signed with Minnesota yesterday, the top free-agent options at cornerback are former Patriot Ty Law and Titans’ CB Andre Dyson. Law is still in a walking boot after foot surgery and will not shed it until the end of the month. That is why teams are now looking at players who are restricted free agents or contract players available for trade; Miami CB Patrick Surtain is now the most desirable cornerback, even though he could cost a second round pick to obtain.

This impacts the Cowboys because they have needs at some of these thin positions, namely free safety and backup running back. Since the best options at running back are currently restricted free agents, the Cowboys will have to consider whether they value certainty or cap money more.

A case in point is Ravens’ restricted-free-agent Chester Taylor. Taylor is a 5′10″, 213 lb. third year back from Toledo. He has been a capable backup for Jamal Lewis and has a respectable career yards-per-carry average of 4.3. He would seem a low priority for Baltimore, who drafted RB Musa Smith to spell Lewis two years ago and a possible target for the Cowboys, who need a dependable backup for Julius Jones. Though he is a restricted free agent, signing Taylor would only cost Dallas a fifth-round pick. The certainty of a player like Taylor would seemingly outweigh the risk of a typical fifth-round selection.

But certainty is only one factor to consider. The minimum NFL salary for a fourth year player is $455,000. The minimum salary for a rookie is $230,000. Signing a player away from his current team will require the Cowboys to go beyond the league minimum. This year’s draft is rich in running back prospects, and running backs traditionally slide on draft day. Should Dallas roll the dice and hope a good back falls to it in the middle rounds (it doesn’t have a third round pick) or pay the extra money and fill a need now? This is the type of “mid-level” decision that can impact a season as much as a big-money, high-profile signing.

Written by Rafael Vela · Filed Under News | 7 Comments 

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