Cowboys Free Agency Update: Late Night Snack
February 28, 2009
What have we learned today?
Dallas swapped a 40 year old Brad Johnson for a 36 year old Jon Kitna. They swapped a 35 year old, undersized Zach Thomas for a 33 year old Keith Brooking, who has the size to play inside. He also has the experience, posting his two best statistical seasons playing ILB for Wade Phillips in 2002 and 2003.
It’s clear that Brooking could no longer play outside in a 4-3, which he tried to do for this year’s Falcons, but he may be stout enough and smart enough to provide production. I hope so. My lingering memories of Zach Thomas are from the two Redskins games, where Thomas played the pinata and Chris Samuels and Pete Kendall played the stick swinging kids — without blindfolds.
This increases the odds that Dallas takes an ILB in the earlier rounds, but takes the pressure off that draftee to perform immediately.
The moves also show that Wade Phillips is treating ‘09 as his last, as well he should. If Phillips is going down, he’s going down with players he knows and trusts. Wade made Brooking a lot of money and Brooking can help prolong Wade’s career if he has any gas left in his tank.
Other News of Note:
Funky Dollar Bill — Chris Canty remains in New York and one report says the Giants are toying with the idea of adding him to their DT rotation.
The same report also claims Canty’s agent is contemplating moving his agent to other stops. Canty apparently wants $8M a season, which may explain why he lost out to Albert Hayesworth in Washington and Rocky Bernard in New York.
That’s right — $8 million a year.
Springs Loaded? – Free agent DB Shawn Springs will visit the Patriots tomorrow. Gil Brandt told Sirius NFL Radio tonight that the Cowboys should bring Springs in for a visit. They might not get the chance.
Note the linked story claims the Patriots are contemplating moving the 6′0″, 207 lb. Springs to free safety.
Cowboys and LB Keith Brooking reach agreement
February 28, 2009
Well, the Cowboys decided to wait a day before getting active. On the heels of the Anthony Henry for Jon Kitna trade, Dallas is going to bring veteran Atlanta linebacker Keith Brooking on board.
A day after he was unable to reach a deal to remain in Atlanta linebacker Keith Brooking has joined the. Cowboys.
Brooking will sign a three year deal.
The move reunites Brooking with coach Wade Phillips, who was his defensive coordinator in Atlanta
Brooking is a Georgia Tech guy, so you know he’s good. I kid! With this move Zach Thomas is almost assuredly done as a Cowboy and it would pretty much put the nail in the coffin of a move for Ray Lewis. The question now is what becomes of Kevin Burnett?
[UPDATE, from the threads]: Blogger Tarheel Paul quotes former Cowboys GM Gil Brandt, who told Sirius NFL Radio that the Cowboys have scheduled a visit for former Redskins CB Shawn Springs.
[UPDATE II]: The Keith Brooking deal is relatively cheap. DC.com says about $6 million for three years with $2.5 million guaranteed.
UPDATE: Cowboys acquire QB Jon Kitna, send Anthony Henry to Lions
February 28, 2009
[UPDATE] Confirmed by the Cowboys, Dallas traded CB Anthony Henry to the Lions for Jon Kitna.
The Cowboys search for a backup quarterback has ended with a trade for Detroit’s Jon Kitna but it cost them cornerback Anthony Henry.
[END UPDATE]
The National Football Post and Adam Schefter are reporting that the Cowboys have traded for QB Jon Kitna from the Lions.
The Detroit Lions have traded quarterback Jon Kitna to the Dallas Cowboys. The compensation is not available at this point.
The Detroit Lions have just agreed to trade quarterback Jon Kitna to the Dallas Cowboys, sources close to the teams have just informed me. As of right now, all I’ve heard is that the Cowboys have given up “late picks” in exchange for Kitna.
Report: Cowboys acquire QB Jon Kitna in trade
February 28, 2009
The National Football Post and Adam Schefter are reporting that the Cowboys have traded for QB Jon Kitna from the Lions.
The Detroit Lions have traded quarterback Jon Kitna to the Dallas Cowboys. The compensation is not available at this point.
The Detroit Lions have just agreed to trade quarterback Jon Kitna to the Dallas Cowboys, sources close to the teams have just informed me. As of right now, all I’ve heard is that the Cowboys have given up “late picks” in exchange for Kitna.
Free Agency ‘09, PM Edition: Cowboys’ Canty Playing Musical Chairs?
February 27, 2009
A quick tour around the division:
Washington: Hey, big spender! The money flows like burgundy at Redskins Park. A nine figure deal for DT Albert Haynesworth. A huge deal for CB D’Angelo Hall. And tonight, the Redskins welcomed OG Derrick Dockery back after two years in Buffalo.
Washington jettisoned CB Shawn Springs to make cap space for Hall. A meme developed, first on the Washington Post’s Redskins blog, then on an ESPN blog, that Springs could find his way to Dallas. I’ve seen nothing other than name association — Springs father Ron was a Cowboys fullback for Tom Landry — to give this idea merit. It may be the internet echo chamber at work, were one person tosses out an idea and it gains some creedence as more people repeat it.
New York: The Cowboys Nation cringes in December. This year, Giants Nation did too. The Giants entered December 11-1, staggered through the month at 1-3, and went one and out in January.
Many point to Plaxico Burress‘ absence as the prime reason for New York’s slide. The team appears far more concerned about the defense. New York made a strong push for Haynesworth, but was outbid by Washington. New York now has two other DTs slated for visits. Seahawks DT Rocky Bernard is visiting and says he will cancel his other visits if he “hears the right things” from the Giants.
A Bernard signing could leave Chris Canty on the outside a second time. He was the Redskins fallback option and cancelled there after Haynesworth signed. The Packers, Seahawks and 49ers have expressed interest in him as well.
The Giants may lose S James Butler to the Rams, where former Giants DC Steve Spagnuolo wants to bolster his secondary.
New York did sign former Falcons LB Michael Boley today.
Philadelphia: The Eagles signed former Bengals OT Stacy Andrews and hope to pair him with brother Shawn on the right side of their line. Andrews replaces long time RT Jon Runyan.
The reception there has been lukewarm, because Andrews is rehabbing a torn ACL and MCL suffered late last year.
Many Eagles fans are apoplectic about news that long-time S Brian Dawkins may soon sign with Denver. Reports that the deal had been completed proved false, but Dawkins is in Denver at this time. The Broncos also signed former Eagles RB Correll Buckhalter today.
The Eagles are close to trading CB Lito Sheppard to the Jets for a 5th round pick this year and a conditional pick in 2010 that could rise as high as the 2nd round.
DMN: Dallas Cowboys in preliminary talks with Kyle Boller
February 27, 2009
The Cowboys have talked with the agent of free agent quarterback Kyle Boller.
Jerry Jones is interested in a veteran as a backup and Boller appears to be a good fit. However, Boller didn’t play last season because of a rotator cuff injury. But his agent, Justin Schulman, said Boller is healthy.
When Brad Johnson was cut yesterday it opened up debate over who would be a good fit behind Tony Romo. Of the available free agents, Boller may be the best of the bunch. If the Cowboys don’t sign a veteran backup then we’re looking at a rookie and Brooks Bolliinger fighting for a spot behind Romo. Let’s hope the Cowboys make a decent offer.
Kyle Boller is a six year veteran out of the University of California. His best season came in 2004 with the Ravens when he started all 16 games and threw for 2,559 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for a QB rating of 70.9
Cowboys made offer to Kevin Burnett, Joe Berger signs with Miami
February 27, 2009
Things have been awfully quiet on the Cowboys front in free agency. Not only are the coaches not talking, but are the players under a gag order, too?
Leave it to the agents to get a little news out there in the public space.
Last weekend, the Cowboys made an offer to [Kevin] Burnett’s agent, Ricky Lefft. Burnett, who excelled in the sub packages in 2008, is looking for a starting job. That could come with the Cowboys, considering the only inside linebackers signed for 2009 are Bradie James and Bobby Carpenter.
“It was not lucrative enough to not go into free agency,” Lefft said of the Cowboys’ offer. “We’ve got five to six teams I’m pretty confident in we will talk to.”
Well, at least we took a shot. Now, you can’t always believe agents so the idea of five or six teams wanting to talk about Burnett could be a smokescreen to drum up interest. But in this case I think it’s real. Burnett is still young and definitely has potential if he can stay healthy and I’m sure the Cowboys would want him back if they could afford him. The question now is what kind of deal can he get out on the open market and will any team offer up a starting position.
Backup G/C Joe Berger went back to Miami where he briefly played before and reunites with the Tuna and all the other ex-Cowboys in South Beach. I’ve noticed a little teeth-gnashing over this in the comments but come on everybody, this is Joe Berger we’re talking about. The guy couldn’t even get on the field in place of defensive tackle welcome mats Cory Procter and Montrae Holland. I’m not losing one iota of sleep over this development. My only complaint is he didn’t take Procter with him.
Some quick housekeeping; we tendered ERFAs Rodney Hannah ($310,000) and Alonzo Coleman ($385,000).
Add Green Bay to the possible destinations for Chris Canty.
The Ray Lewis saga continues with the news that Ray is softening his stance about going back to Baltimore. To this point, the Cowboys have showed no interest. The whole story in Baltimore gets more intriguing with the news that Bart Scott is supposedly creating a bidding war between the Jets and the Ravens, even though everybody had reported that he was locked-up by the Jets.
If the Cowboys were contemplating any safeties in free agency, they better get cracking. Free agent safeties are getting contracts and in a major surprise, the Broncos look like they might have landed the Eagles Brian Dawkins. S Vincent Fuller is going back to the Titans and S Chris Crocker re-upped with the Bengals.
Update on NFL free agency
February 27, 2009
So far in free agency, Dallas Cowboys head-honcho Jerry Jones has been true to his word. Dallas have not been players on the first day and nothing has leaked out to suggest otherwise. Still, that has never stopped us from concocting our own theories!
So what has happened that might tangentially affect the Cowboys?
Well, Bart Scott is expected to agree to a deal with the New York Jets (5 year/ $40 million). Scott had been on the rumor mill as a possible Dallas target but that’s not going to happen.
This also touches on the future of the other Ravens LB Ray Lewis. Long-rumored to be a possible target for Dallas even though Jerry has denied it in a roundabout way, Lewis has reportedly become very disenchanted with the Ravens and does not want to return to Baltimore. Adam Schefter reports that sources close to Lewis have stated that Ray will not go back to his old team. Now, if Ray is not willing to go back to Baltimore, and the Bart Scott signing takes the Jets out of the running, what are his options? Could Jerry now enter into the sweepstakes and get the ILB for a reasonable price. I have no idea and I’m just speculating but it is a situation that warrants keeping an eye on. But The National Football Post says the Ravens are still talking to Ray’s agent.
As for our own free agents, Chris Canty has a list of visits set up.
Canty is scheduled to go to the Redskins Friday, Titans Saturday, Seahawks Monday, and then the 49ers if he’s still unsigned.
But you can scratch the Redskins off that list now that they paid Albert Haynesworth in a big way. Still, Canty is in demand and will likely get a deal with the next few days that will take him away from Dallas.
No word yet on anything for Kevin Burnett. But Joe Berger is supposedly on his way to talk to the Tuna in Miami.
In other news:
Eugene Wilson has re-signed with the Texans.
The Browns traded Kellen Winslow to the Bucs for undisclosed draft picks.
The Ravens signed Dominique Foxworth.
Fred Taylor is signing with the Patriots.
Brian Dawkins is reportedly on the way to Denver to talk turkey with them, so says Adam Schefter.
LB Michael Boley is supposed to visit the Giants.
T.J. “Who’s Your Mama” supposedly has interest in the Giants, Vikings, Eagles and Seahawks.
The Redskins dumped Shawn Springs.
While You Were Sleeping: Free Agents Busy in the Wee Hours
February 27, 2009
Here we are at last. The free agent signing period has officially begun. It is 5:44 AM (CST) and I am up scouring the internet for free agency news and rumors. You should all consider yourselves fortunate to know a loser like me. Here are a few of the signings and rumblings you may have missed while you were sleeping.
Redskins at it again - As usual, Daniel Snyder was coiled back in the chute like rodeo bull, waiting for that gate to drop at midnight. About a half hour into the free agent signing period, the Redskins re-signed DeAngelo Hall to a six-year pact worth a maximum value of $55 million ($23 million guaranteed). This is not Nmamdi Asomugha money, but that’s a pretty healthy chunk of change for a second-tier corner. Have fun with that Daniel.
The Redskins have also reportedly backed out of the Albert Haynesworth sweepstakes, and may be more intently focused on signing former Cowboy (can I just call him that now?) Chris Canty. The Redskins were in contact with Canty minutes after free agency officially begun, and have reportedly now set up a visit. The Redskins do however have a little more competition for Canty’s services, as the Titans, Seahawks, and 49ers have all thrown their names in the hat as well.
The Redskins are also in negotiations with Buffalo Bills guard Derrick Dockery, whom they whiffed on before the 2007 season.
Ray Ray to Denver? - Ray Lewis walked away from a last-minute 3-year $25 million offer from the Ravens. The Baltimore Sun believes that Denver may be a more realistic landing spot for the linebacker than either the Cowboys or Jets. The Sun connects a set of dots that I had not thought much about. Ray Lewis did enjoy some of his best years under the command of former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, who is now running the defense in Denver.
In other news out of Baltimore, Sports Illustrated’s Peter King believes that the New York Jets have linebacker Bart Scott virtually in the bag. It will be interesting to see if the Ravens intensify efforts to retain Ray Lewis if Scott signs elsewhere.
Other free agency tidbits:
- The Giants are reportedly ready to throw about $5 million a year at Atlanta linebacker Michael Boley. Boley is a heck of an underrated player and could thrive in a defense that generates so much pressure with it’s front four.
- The Dolphins are hosting Dallas reserve guard Joe Berger. It always makes me queasy when Bill Parcells starts rummaging through the bottom of our roster. I sure hope we didn’t tender the wrong backup lineman.
- The Eagles have been listed among teams interested in the services of Bengals wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh…Yipeee! They are also expected to make an attempt to sign Bengals offensive tackle Stacy Andrews.
Not a lot of other news that affects the Cowboys, or the NFC East at this point. We are however only about seven hours into this thing. I wouldn’t look for the Cowboys to be very active for at least a few days, maybe a week. Look for Jerry Jones and company to jump on a few second-tier, or role player types after the prices come down. Let the games begin!
UPDATE: Albert Haynesworth has just signed a 7-year/$100 million deal with Washington.
The uncapped season: Can the Cowboys gain an advantage?
February 27, 2009
[Intro by Dave Halprin] Not much happening for the Cowboys so far in free agency and the only story of interest is the potential trade/cut of safety Roy Williams. Hat tip to Masada for breaking it on BTB with this FanPost. So while we wait, read Jim Vance’s story below about next year’s free agency which could be a strange one with 2010 potentially an uncapped year. [End intro]
We have all heard that 2010 is an ‘uncapped’ year and that can have wondrous or disastrous effects on the NFL depending on the reader’s perspective. There is speculation that some teams may benefit more than others. In fact, there is speculation that some teams may surge so far ahead of others in talent acquisition that the league may become two tiered, imagine the Durham Bulls playing against the Yankees. At first glance, an uncapped year would seem to be a boon for players and for those owners who are willing to spend what it takes to get the right players - but, like Mom used to say , “Don’t leave home without your cap.”
An uncapped year seems like an opportunity for Jerry Jones and Dan Snyder to bring in enough star players to put their respective teams in a strong position for a championship run long after the owners and players union come back together and agree on a new contract. I don’t think that will happen, here’s why.
This is what we know - during their spring meeting in 2008 the owners voted unanimously to end the CBA (collective bargaining agreement) with the players union two years before its planned termination. The agreement gave the owners and the NFLPA options to end the agreement early and provided for mutually agreed upon ‘incentives’ designed to drive both parties back to the table and reach a new agreement. The 2009 season will be status quo, the first ‘incentive’ kicks in before the 2010 season. I’ll come back to those incentives in a moment but first let’s look at why the owners wanted change and how we might get to an uncapped 2010.
The key issue that led the owners to vote to terminate the current agreement after the 2011 season - money! The CBA now in effect (signed in March 2006) guarantees that roughly 60% of revenues go to player salaries and the owners state that this business model does not work.
The owners stated the following three issues forced their decision:
- The owners debt on new stadium construction projects and other related expenses
- The owners inability to recapture signing bonuses from players who don’t fulfill their contracts
- The owners desire for a rookie wage scale to prevent first year players from making more than established and proven veterans
A recent Forbes report supports the owners contention that profits have decreased. In the same report, Forbes states that the most valuable franchises are those who have negotiated new stadium deals and will therefore generate revenue from luxury suites, stadium advertising and retail operations surrounding the stadium.
Of those three owner issues, the rookie wage scale will be the easiest one to resolve. Incoming rookies will have no input in the negotiations and current players and owners will benefit from restructuring how rookies are paid. The other two issues, stadium debt and recapturing signing bonuses will be more contentious. In any negotiation it is natural for both parties to want to gain more than they give. The owners are claiming the new stadiums are required to increase profits. These new stadiums are risky and expensive and the owners feel they are taking all the risk and should therefore benefit from the rewards - the players union is going to try to get access to that revenue as well.
The NFLPA’s new President Kevin Mawae says, “Rookie salaries are not the big issue. What is a bigger issue is teams not willing to share all total monies with other teams. There are 25 new owners in play since the CBA of ‘93. Those guys brought in different business models. Somewhere along the line, the owners have to find common ground, too. Old money. New money. Some sell their stadium rights. Some don’t. Should those monies be part of total revenue sharing?”
So, this is what led us to an uncapped 2010 season. Will this uncapped season allow Jerry Jones to stock up on talent and give the Cowboys a significant competitive edge before the next contract is agreed on? I don’t think so.
Here are the ‘incentives’ that will be in effect in 2010 that are designed to force both sides back to the negotiating table.
Incentive Point One- A player must have 6 years of service (instead of 4) to become a free agent. Consider that the average playing life span of an NFL player is 3.5 years - increasing the qualifying time for free agency will significantly decrease the number of players available.
Incentive Point Two - Teams will have one franchise tag and two transition tags (currently teams have one each) to place on key players to prevent their departure. If each team used all three tags there would be 96 of the league’s top players eliminated from free agency in addition to every player with less than six years service. This results in a further decrease in available free agents.
Incentive Point Three - Playoff Teams will have a ‘Final 8 Rule’. The rule will restrict the final eight teams in the playoffs from signing free agents. The final four teams shall not be permitted to negotiate and sign any unrestricted free agent to a player contract except for players who acquired their status by being cut or were on a final four team when their contract expired. Playoff teams five thru eight will be allowed to sign one player with a salary of $4,925,000 or more and any number of players with a first-year salary of no more than $3,275,000 and an annual increase of no more than 30 percent in the following years.
There is a mechanism to permit the final eight teams to sign an unrestricted free agent for each one of their own unrestricted free agents who sign with another club as long as they don’t spend more than what their own lost player received from his new club.
In the uncapped year, these limitations on free agency will decrease the number of available players. One trend to look for in 2009 is a team attempting to sign the better players to longer term contracts thus tying up their services beyond 2011 and further reducing the pool of attractive free agents.
An uncapped year sounded like a gift from heaven for a free spender like Jerry Jones. However, these free agency limits will deplete the pool of players and the big spending owners will be forced to shop at Sears instead of Nieman’s. I don’t think the uncapped year will be as exciting as I had hoped.
Dallas Cowboys cut Brad Johnson
February 26, 2009
From Todd Archer of the DMN:
The Cowboys have officially decided to part ways with Brad Johnson, informing the veteran backup quarterback of his release Thursday.
The move saves the Cowboys about $2 million against the salary cap. He was scheduled to make $2 million this season and was due a $500,000 roster bonuses. He also had $1 million in incentives.
Now the Cowboys are officially in the market for a backup via free agency or the draft.
Calvin Watkins then proceeded to mention Rex Grossman as a possible backup to Tony Romo. Grossman, who was on Sirius radio earlier today, had this to say about a possible job in Dallas:
“They’ve got all the talent at running back, tight end, wide receiver, offensive line, coordinator. They’ve got everything in place that you’d want. Good weather, new stadium. I’m sure they are going to cover it if it is windy or cold. So that would be the ideal situation to back up. There may be a few others, I’m not sure, but that would be intriguing if I’m in a situation where I have to back up.”
It’s Thursday. The Cowboys Free Agent Pool Has Dropped Another Foot
February 26, 2009
The starting gun for free agency is fast approaching, and the Cowboys options continue to diminish.
– At safety, SS prospect Gibril Wilson has signed a five-year deal with the Miami Dolphins. The terms are undisclosed, but five years means Wilson likely got a fair amount, just one year after he pocketed a $16 million signing bonus from Oakland. Wilson is a good but not great safety, and getting two meaty bonuses in two years should prompt Wilson to send his agent on a posh vacation.
Wilson’s signing means there are no good young safety prospects available. (He is 27.) Miami’s Yeremiah Bell, whom Wilson has likely displaced, turned 30 recently, and Philly’s Brian Dawkins is 35.
Dawkins might be had for a decent short-term deal, though he told reporters that his “big money days are probably over.“ Jerry Jones might be contemplating a move for him, given that he’s still productive, but I think it would take a fat short-term deal to get Dawkins to relocate.
– In Washington, the Redskins have apparently targeted Tennessee DL Albert Haynesworth, and have Chris Canty as a fallback option, according to the Washington Post.
– In Baltimore, Ray Lewis continues to negotiate with Baltimore, though reports claim the team has made more progress with fellow ILB Bart Scott. We’ll know soon enough.
Cowboys tender their RFAs
February 26, 2009
The Dallas Cowboys finally got down to business and made tender offers to their RFAs. Surprisingly, four out of the five got tendered at the second-round level.
Wide receiver Miles Austin, defensive end Stephen Bowen, wide receiver Sam Hurd and guard Cory Procter each received the league’s $1.545 million restricted tender, which secures right of first refusal and second-round compensation should the Cowboys choose not to match another team’s offer sheet.
Second-round tender
Miles Austin - Kind of a no-brainer. In fact, the only real question was if the Cowboys might go to a first-round tender. But I think they got it right. Austin has the physical gifts you want in a WR. Size and speed. He’s also started to round into form in terms of catching the ball, something he struggled with for quite a while. Before this year, I used to think his best play was go deep and get a pass interference call, but he began showing signs of being a serious deep threat before he got hurt. Without the second-round tender he would have surely gotten offers from other teams. With the tender, teams will think twice, or three times, before making an offer. Sure, he looks the part and is still young and improving, but dishing out a second round pick based on potential is a tough pill to swallow for another team.
Stephen Bowen - This was a must, not because Bowen is such a great player but because with the likelihood that Chris Canty has played his last game as a Cowboy, Dallas had to protect themselves. Either Bowen or Jason Hatcher is going to get the first shot at replacing Canty (assuming he does leave) unless they figure out a way to get some serious help at NT and are able to move Jay Ratliff back to DE. I don’t expect any team to give up a second-round pick to acquire Bowen.
Sam Hurd - Kind of curious, they probably could have gone with the lower ($1.01 million) tender and still gotten away with it. I don’t think Hurd is going to be targeted by other teams for WR purposes, but they may have feared a team coming in and grabbing him for special teams. Hurd does do a very good job on those units and he could still contribute as a WR if needed. I’m OK with the move considering its only half-a-million dollars more. (Notice how nonchalant I am with Jerry’s money)
Cory Procter - WTF? I just have no words for this.
Not tendered
Tony Curtis - Star of stage and screen Tony Curtis no longer a Cowboy? Say it isn’t so. I kid! Maybe they bring him back at a cheap price or maybe they like Rodney Hannah enough to go with him as the third TE. Either way, I’m good with this move.
By the way, the Cowboys and every team in the NFL just got an extra $4 million in cap room. We could use it.
Combine in the Books, Cowboys Draft Picture Begins to Take Shape
February 24, 2009
As is the case every February, the NFL’s annual scouting combine is the place where millions are both made and squandered by NFL hopefuls. Every year a few virtual-unknowns improve their draft futures with impressive workouts, and a few household names see their stock plummet after a week of poking and prodding. Though individual workouts and pro-days still lie ahead, this draft class has now at least begun to take shape. Now, for the first time we can begin to apply some educated speculation to the Dallas Cowboys’ 2009 draft plans.
Inside linebacker is a glaring need for Dallas, but if Wake Forest’s Aaron Curry and the almost equally impressive Brian Cushing (USC) create an early run on linebackers, the Cowboys may be forced to try to fill the need early on in day two. One player to watch in that situation is South Carolina inside linebacker Jasper Brinkley. Brinkley certainly did not hurt himself at he combine measuring out at 6′2″ and 252 lbs., yet still managing a 4.72 forty. Most importantly, Brinkley displayed good strength (26 reps) and short area quickness (4.32 sec. 20-yard shuttle). Other second day options may include Pittsburgh linebacker Scott McKillop, LSU’s Darry Beckwith, and UCLA’s Zach Follett.
With Greg Ellis’ future in question and incumbent Anthony Spencer still unproven, the Cowboys would be wise to add some depth at outside linebacker. Despite 11 sacks last season, Cincinnati defensive end Connor Barwin (6′4″, 256) was a projected mid-to-late round selection prior to the combine. He would have a been fantastic middle round steal for the Cowboys but a stellar workout has almost certainly pushed him out of that range. Barwin logged the second fastest 40-yard dash (4.66) among defensive ends and showed the best short area quickness (4.18 short shuttle). Barwin is now probably the fourth or fifth rated 3-4 outside linebacker prospect in this years class, and with more teams moving towards the scheme, he may now be gone as early as round two. With many other more pressing needs, the Cowboys may not be able to justify selecting a non-starter with their first pick. Fortunately, this is an extremely deep year for hybrid linebackers so Dallas should be able to bag at least one in this year’s draft.
During the combine the Cowboys were reportedly showing interest in Penn State wide receiver Derrick Williams. Once a second round projection, Williams has hurt himself drastically by posting pedestrian 4.58 and 4.67 forties. Meanwhile former teammate Deon Butler saw his stock rise after logging a 4.38. There are simply too many burners at the wide receiver position for the Cowboys too ignore the position in yet another draft. The ideal situation would be to grab a guy like Ole Miss’ Mike Wallace (6′0″, 199, 4.33) who can provide a spark in the return game while honing his craft as a wideout. The 2008 draft saw no wide receivers selected in the first round. 2006’s wide receiver class had one first rounder. The position is trending downward as far as perceived value so the Cowboys should be able to land a solid prospect whenever they decide to take one.
We are finally beginning to learn a bit about this year’s crop of defensive backs. One thing is for certain, they must eat good at the Davis house. Illinois cornerback Vontae Davis, younger brother of San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, carried on the family tradition of blowing up the combine with a ridiculous workout. After a poor showing by Ohio State’s Malcolm Jenkins, Davis is sure to be the first corner to come off the board.
Safety is a major area of need for the Cowboys, but the picture is still cloudy at the position. No prospect has separated himself from the group and there may not be a first rounder in the bunch. One guy who really helped himself has been Notre Dame’s David Bruton (6′2″, 219), who turned in a 4.46 forty and finished at or near the top of his group in all other tests. He is a realistic possibility for the Cowboys first pick, but it is tough to imagine feeling too great about selecting anyone from Notre Dame’s 2008 defense. The Cowboys may have to take a long look at filling this need via free agency as the value simply may not be there by the 51st selection.
A few things really stood out at this year’s combine, one being the lack of speed at running back. It is hard to imagine that not one running back was able to run under 4.45. Not one! Not even Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno. Another thing that became evident at the combine is the fact that this is a great year for offensive tackles. If you were watching the individual drills you saw a lot of really good hand and footwork. The Cowboys are set as far as the starting five along the offensive line, but we learned last season the Cowboys don’t have anything better than a warm body for a first alternate.
Say what you will about the overemphasis on the combine. It’s true that you don’t know who can really play until the pads go on, but even in a T-shirt and shorts, you can find out who can’t play in a hurry. Game film is still the key, but the battery of physical and psychological tests at the combine give teams a way of comparing college hopefuls with certified NFL talent. With the combine coming to a close, we can now begin to develop a clearer picture of what the 2009 NFL draft may hold for the Dallas Cowboys.
Jerry Jones talks draft, Tony Romo and T.O.
February 24, 2009
Jerry Jones talked to the media again.
Some interesting snippets from the Grand Poobah.
“…we sure want them on the team,” the owner said of a few unrestricted players. “Zach (Thomas), and we’d like to have Chris (Canty), and we’d like to have (Kevin) Burnett.”
After all the hub-bub about Zach wanting out, then not being sure he wants out, and the Cowboys being thin at ILB, and the need to get some youth involved, or the need to get a leader like Ray Lewis or to grab his sidekick Bart Scott - it might just turn out that Bradie James and Zach Thomas are once again our starting ILB’s for 2009.
Jerry was asked several questions about team chemistry, locker room issues, Wade being tough enough, Romo and Garrett’s relationship and things of that nature. He was haven’t any of it, claiming it wasn’t an issue for the team.
Do you need to find another quarterback, veteran or rookie?
It’s a real priority for us to get where we’d like to be with our backup situation at quarterback. A real priority.
Jerry went on to say that we were lucky to win even one of the three games that Tony Romo missed last year. Sounds like a lesson learned.
What is the high priority [for the team]?
I think being as Romo-friendly as our team can be. Romo friendly means let’s utilize his skills to the fullest and make sure everything we do maximizes his abilities.
Interesting comment. I think you could spin that one a few different ways or take it at face value.
You hinted last week that you plan to keep Terrell Owens. Do you?
You got my drift. And that’s all I want to say about that.
Sounds like that case is almost closed. He just hasn’t come out and definitively said it yet.
Are your draft priorities safety, linebacker, defensive line and backup offensive line?
Those could be special teams guys as well so I would certainly say those are positions that we would look to that could help us this year as well as be potential players for the future at those positions.
That sounds like my priorities, too.
And on a closing note, Jerry doesn’t like the reference of Jerry World about the new stadium. Sorry JJ, but it fits so well. I say embrace it and slap your name right across the middle of the field.
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