The Cowboys calm before the storm
USATODAY
Inside Slant
Like most observers, linebacker Bradie James had pegged the early slow play by the Cowboys in free agency as the calm before the storm.
He said he knew they had something big planned. He was just waiting for them to show their hand.
It's safe to say that signing receiver Terrell Owens to a five-year, $25 million contract rates as something big, and controversial to boot.
The multi-talented receiver brings explosion to the Cowboys offense.
He makes quarterback Drew Bledsoe better.
His ability to draw double teams and zone coverage should open up holes for running back Julius Jones. Opponents won't get to crowd the line of scrimmage to stop the run.
Simply, Owens makes the Cowboys better.
They just missed the playoffs last season, going 9-7.
They promised to do what it took to put a big winner on the field in 2006. Signing Owens rates as doing whatever it takes.
But it's not just the signing of Owens that makes the Cowboys Super Bowl contenders in 2006.
Suddenly, they addressed the majority of their free agent needs - tackle, linebacker, receiver, kicker and tight end.
Lost amid the Owens' signing was the acquisition of veteran tackle Jason Fabini from the Jets.
He will replace Rob Petitti at right tackle, which was deemed the biggest priority of the off-season.
Not to be overlooked was the signing of veteran kicker Mike Vanderjagt. He upgrades a position that was a decided weak link for the Cowboys last season.
It's also a departure from the Cowboys' past strategy of going with inexperienced and unknown kickers because of their bargain basement price tag.
Vanderjagt, the most accurate kicker in NFL history, signed for $5.5 million over three years, including a $2.5 million signing bonus.
Add in the additions of linebacker Rocky Boiman and Akin Ayodele, guard Kyle Kosier and tight end Ryan Hannam and the slow Cowboys have been big in free agency indeed.
Inside Slant
Like most observers, linebacker Bradie James had pegged the early slow play by the Cowboys in free agency as the calm before the storm.
He said he knew they had something big planned. He was just waiting for them to show their hand.
It's safe to say that signing receiver Terrell Owens to a five-year, $25 million contract rates as something big, and controversial to boot.
The multi-talented receiver brings explosion to the Cowboys offense.
He makes quarterback Drew Bledsoe better.
His ability to draw double teams and zone coverage should open up holes for running back Julius Jones. Opponents won't get to crowd the line of scrimmage to stop the run.
Simply, Owens makes the Cowboys better.
They just missed the playoffs last season, going 9-7.
They promised to do what it took to put a big winner on the field in 2006. Signing Owens rates as doing whatever it takes.
But it's not just the signing of Owens that makes the Cowboys Super Bowl contenders in 2006.
Suddenly, they addressed the majority of their free agent needs - tackle, linebacker, receiver, kicker and tight end.
Lost amid the Owens' signing was the acquisition of veteran tackle Jason Fabini from the Jets.
He will replace Rob Petitti at right tackle, which was deemed the biggest priority of the off-season.
Not to be overlooked was the signing of veteran kicker Mike Vanderjagt. He upgrades a position that was a decided weak link for the Cowboys last season.
It's also a departure from the Cowboys' past strategy of going with inexperienced and unknown kickers because of their bargain basement price tag.
Vanderjagt, the most accurate kicker in NFL history, signed for $5.5 million over three years, including a $2.5 million signing bonus.
Add in the additions of linebacker Rocky Boiman and Akin Ayodele, guard Kyle Kosier and tight end Ryan Hannam and the slow Cowboys have been big in free agency indeed.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:04 PM
<< Home