Offensive line tops Dallas Cowboys' priorities
Football: Offensive line tops Cowboys' priorities
Web Posted: 01/08/2006 12:00 AM CST
Tom OrsbornExpress-News Staff Writer
With his team coming off a disappointing 6-10 finish in 2004, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reached into both pockets last spring for an aggressive foray into free agency.
Where the Cowboys stand
OFFSEASON NEEDS 1. Offensive line: The team's weak link had, for the most part, pedestrian starters and backups, a dangerous combination in the NFL. 2. Receiver: Keyshawn Johnson will be 34 in July. Terry Glenn is 32. Enough said. 3. Linebacker: Neck and back injuries could force veteran Dat Nguyen to retire. There also are doubts about whether veteran Al Singleton will return after missing most of the season with a broken collarbone. 4. Free safety: Keith Davis excelled on special teams but was ordinary as a starter. 5. Kicker: Bill Parcells was held hostage by this position all season. Perhaps it's time to draft one.
FREE AGENTS Unrestricted (9): Linebacker Micheal Barrow, tight end Dan Campbell, linebacker Quinton Caver, safety Tony Dixon, linebacker Scott Fujita, offensive lineman Andre Gurode, defensive end Eric Ogbogu, offensive tackle Marcus Price, safety Lynn Scott Restricted (3): Safety Keith Davis, linebacker Scott Shanle, offensive tackle Torrin Tucker Exclusive rights free agents (7): Receiver Terrance Copper, receiver Patrick Crayton, long snapper L.P. LaDouceur, punter Mat McBriar, safety Willie Pile, fullback Lousaka Polite, cornerback Jacques Reeves
DRAFT CHOICES First-round pick (18th overall); second-round pick; third-round pick; fourth-round pick was traded to Philadelphia as part of Chris Canty trade; fifth-round pick; sixth-round pick was traded to Kansas City for Scott Fujita; sixth-round pick acquired from Philadelphia in the Canty trade; seventh-round pick
2006 OPPONENTS Home: Giants, Eagles, Redskins, Saints, Buccaneers, Texans, Colts, Lions Away: Giants, Eagles, Redskins, Falcons, Panthers, Jaguars, Titans, Cardinals
Jones will slip into his pockets again in the coming months, but he likely won't go nearly as deep as he did a year ago. "We have less needs and more doable needs," Jones told the Dallas Morning News before the Cowboys lost to St. Louis on New Year's Day to finish 9-7. Jones handed out more than $30million in signing bonuses last March, mainly to plug some major holes on defense. Now his focus will be on shoring up an offense plagued by a mediocre line that surrendered 49 sacks and struggled to open holes for Julius Jones and Marion Barber. The return of left tackle Flozell Adams from knee surgery will provide a huge boost. Jerry Jones also doesn't appear to be worried about right guard Marco Rivera, who had back surgery shortly after signing last spring. But center, right tackle and left guard are all concerns for a team that was second in the NFL behind Denver in time of possession but averaged only 3.6 yards per rushing attempt. Coach Bill Parcells was worried all season about center Al Johnson being overpowered. Right tackle Rob Petitti was serviceable but doesn't look like a long-term solution. Then there's left guard Larry Allen, who is 34 and has a $7.5million cap figure and a contract that calls for a $2million roster bonus in March. Depth also is an issue. Torrin Tucker filled in at right tackle for Adams, but he's hardly a reliable starter and is a restricted free agent. Backup center-guard Andre Gurode is an unrestricted free agent, and the Cowboys would gladly let him go. Guard Stephen Peterman, a third-round pick in 2004, appears to be a bust. Detroit's Jeff Backus, 28, is expected to head the list of free-agent offensive linemen. Philadelphia's Jon Runyan also should be available, but he is 32. Help also could come in the draft, where the Cowboys own the 18th overall pick. Offensive tackles that could be available when Dallas is on the clock in the first or second rounds include Auburn's Marcus McNeil (6-foot-7, 332 pounds), USC's Winston Justice (6-5, 302) and Wisconsin's Joe Thomas (6-6, 307). The Cowboys also have needs at receiver, safety, inside linebacker and kicker. Although Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn combined for 133 catches, 1,975 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, they are aging.
Many league observers expect Dallas to go after Terrell Owens should Philadelphia release him. The Eagles suspended, then deactivated Owens for conduct detrimental to the team. Acquiring Owens would give the Cowboys one of the game's top players. But such a move could also disrupt chemistry in the locker room, something Jones and Parcells have worked hard the past three years to develop. But Parcells, who agreed Friday to a new contract to coach Dallas through the 2007 season, has a history of winning over high-strung players. Jones and Parcells must also decide whether to keep veteran defensive linemen Greg Ellis and La'Roi Glover. The two had their playing time cut this season and have cap figures of $3.4million and $7.2million, respectively. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------torsborn@express-news.net
Web Posted: 01/08/2006 12:00 AM CST
Tom OrsbornExpress-News Staff Writer
With his team coming off a disappointing 6-10 finish in 2004, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reached into both pockets last spring for an aggressive foray into free agency.
Where the Cowboys stand
OFFSEASON NEEDS 1. Offensive line: The team's weak link had, for the most part, pedestrian starters and backups, a dangerous combination in the NFL. 2. Receiver: Keyshawn Johnson will be 34 in July. Terry Glenn is 32. Enough said. 3. Linebacker: Neck and back injuries could force veteran Dat Nguyen to retire. There also are doubts about whether veteran Al Singleton will return after missing most of the season with a broken collarbone. 4. Free safety: Keith Davis excelled on special teams but was ordinary as a starter. 5. Kicker: Bill Parcells was held hostage by this position all season. Perhaps it's time to draft one.
FREE AGENTS Unrestricted (9): Linebacker Micheal Barrow, tight end Dan Campbell, linebacker Quinton Caver, safety Tony Dixon, linebacker Scott Fujita, offensive lineman Andre Gurode, defensive end Eric Ogbogu, offensive tackle Marcus Price, safety Lynn Scott Restricted (3): Safety Keith Davis, linebacker Scott Shanle, offensive tackle Torrin Tucker Exclusive rights free agents (7): Receiver Terrance Copper, receiver Patrick Crayton, long snapper L.P. LaDouceur, punter Mat McBriar, safety Willie Pile, fullback Lousaka Polite, cornerback Jacques Reeves
DRAFT CHOICES First-round pick (18th overall); second-round pick; third-round pick; fourth-round pick was traded to Philadelphia as part of Chris Canty trade; fifth-round pick; sixth-round pick was traded to Kansas City for Scott Fujita; sixth-round pick acquired from Philadelphia in the Canty trade; seventh-round pick
2006 OPPONENTS Home: Giants, Eagles, Redskins, Saints, Buccaneers, Texans, Colts, Lions Away: Giants, Eagles, Redskins, Falcons, Panthers, Jaguars, Titans, Cardinals
Jones will slip into his pockets again in the coming months, but he likely won't go nearly as deep as he did a year ago. "We have less needs and more doable needs," Jones told the Dallas Morning News before the Cowboys lost to St. Louis on New Year's Day to finish 9-7. Jones handed out more than $30million in signing bonuses last March, mainly to plug some major holes on defense. Now his focus will be on shoring up an offense plagued by a mediocre line that surrendered 49 sacks and struggled to open holes for Julius Jones and Marion Barber. The return of left tackle Flozell Adams from knee surgery will provide a huge boost. Jerry Jones also doesn't appear to be worried about right guard Marco Rivera, who had back surgery shortly after signing last spring. But center, right tackle and left guard are all concerns for a team that was second in the NFL behind Denver in time of possession but averaged only 3.6 yards per rushing attempt. Coach Bill Parcells was worried all season about center Al Johnson being overpowered. Right tackle Rob Petitti was serviceable but doesn't look like a long-term solution. Then there's left guard Larry Allen, who is 34 and has a $7.5million cap figure and a contract that calls for a $2million roster bonus in March. Depth also is an issue. Torrin Tucker filled in at right tackle for Adams, but he's hardly a reliable starter and is a restricted free agent. Backup center-guard Andre Gurode is an unrestricted free agent, and the Cowboys would gladly let him go. Guard Stephen Peterman, a third-round pick in 2004, appears to be a bust. Detroit's Jeff Backus, 28, is expected to head the list of free-agent offensive linemen. Philadelphia's Jon Runyan also should be available, but he is 32. Help also could come in the draft, where the Cowboys own the 18th overall pick. Offensive tackles that could be available when Dallas is on the clock in the first or second rounds include Auburn's Marcus McNeil (6-foot-7, 332 pounds), USC's Winston Justice (6-5, 302) and Wisconsin's Joe Thomas (6-6, 307). The Cowboys also have needs at receiver, safety, inside linebacker and kicker. Although Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn combined for 133 catches, 1,975 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, they are aging.
Many league observers expect Dallas to go after Terrell Owens should Philadelphia release him. The Eagles suspended, then deactivated Owens for conduct detrimental to the team. Acquiring Owens would give the Cowboys one of the game's top players. But such a move could also disrupt chemistry in the locker room, something Jones and Parcells have worked hard the past three years to develop. But Parcells, who agreed Friday to a new contract to coach Dallas through the 2007 season, has a history of winning over high-strung players. Jones and Parcells must also decide whether to keep veteran defensive linemen Greg Ellis and La'Roi Glover. The two had their playing time cut this season and have cap figures of $3.4million and $7.2million, respectively. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------torsborn@express-news.net
posted by The Gryphon at 11:45 AM
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