Dallas Cowboys’ spending spree might have Super result
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
chill@star-telegram.com
After going 13-3 and losing in the divisional playoffs to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants, the Dallas Cowboys have only one thing on their minds heading into the 2008 season: Finish.
Making a serious run at the Super Bowl, not duplicating last season’s 13-3 record, has been the off-season focus. It was at the root of their decisions to gamble on suspended cornerback Adam Jones and to draft running back Felix Jones in the first round. Both add sizzle and big-play ability to a team that returns 13 Pro Bowlers.
The Cowboys report to training camp July 24.
Three things to watch between now and the start of training camp 1:
Cornerback Adam Jones has said and done all the right things so far in his quest to be reinstated to the league. But this is an ongoing process. There is a month of dead time between now and training camp, and there are a lot of topless clubs in which to spend idle time in Dallas/Fort Worth.
2:
Who will blink first, wide receiver Terry Glenn or owner Jerry Jones? Despite the impasse over the $500,000 injury settlement, the good news is both sides want Glenn on the field in 2008. So there is some common ground. Jones has tried to reach out to Glenn in the past few days. If Glenn is going to play next season, he needs to be on the field for training camp. The two sides have a month to reach a resolution.
3:
Safety Ken Hamlin and the Cowboys remain far apart on a long-term contract extension. He has no desire to play for the $4.39 million franchise-tag salary. A deal must be done by July 15 or Hamlin can’t sign a long-term contract until after the season. So he has incentive to negotiate. The Cowboys want to reach a deal, too, but they have no intention of making him the highest-paid safety in the league. Look for a deal of about six years and $39 million, like the one Gibril Wilson signed with the Oakland Raiders.
Off-season moves
Acquired Pos. How they were acquired Contract
Adam Jones CB Trade with TEN $13.3 million/4years
Zach Thomas LB Free agent from MIA $19 million/4 years, $1 million signing bonus*
Re-signed Pos. Free agent status Contract
Flozell Adams LT Unrestricted free agent $43 million/6 years, $13 million signing bonus/$15 million guaranteed
Marion Barber RB Restricted free agent $45 million/7 years, $12 million signing bonus/ $16 million guaranteed
Joe Berger G Restricted free agent $927,000/1 year
Chris Canty DE Restricted free agent $2.017 million/ 1 year
Tony Curtis TE Exclusive rights free agent $445,000/1 year
L.P. Ladouceur LS Unrestricted free agent $4.015 million/5 years, $800,000 signing bonus
Evan Oglesby CB Exclusive rights free agent $520,000/1 year
Cory Procter C/G Exclusive rights free agent $520,000/1 year
Players lost Pos. Contract
Akin Ayodele LB Traded to MIA
Keith Davis S Free agent signs with MIA 2 years, terms unknown
Anthony Fasano TE Traded to MIA
Jason Ferguson DT Traded to MIA
Oliver Hoyte FB Released
Julius Jones RB Free agent signs with SEA $12 million/4 years, signing bonus unknown
Nate Jones CB Free agent signs with MIA 2 years, terms unknown
Jacques Reeves CB Free agent signs with HOU $20 million/6 years, $4 million signing bonus
Tyson Thompson RB Not tendered as restricted FA
Extensions Pos. Contract
Terence Newman CB $50.2 million/6 years, $12 million signing bonus/$22.5 million guaranteed
Terrell Owens WR $34 million/4years, $12.9 million signing bonus/$13 million guaranteed
*Deal can void after 2008 season
Draft picks
Rd Pick Player Pos. School
1 22 Felix Jones RB Arkansas
1 25 Mike Jenkins CB South Florida
2 61 Martellus Bennett TE Texas A&M
4 122 Tashard Choice RB Georgia Tech
5 143 Orlando Scandrick CB Boise State
6 167 Erik Walden OLB Middle Tenn. St.
Notable undrafted rookie free agents
Player Pos. School
Danny Amendola WR Texas Tech
Keon Lattimore RB Maryland
Daniel Polk WR Midwestern St.
Key dates
July 24: Cowboys report to training camp
Aug. 12: Cowboys break camp
Aug. 26: Roster cutdown to maximum of 75 players
Aug. 30: Roster cutdown to maximum of 53 players
Sept. 7: Regular-season opener at Cleveland