Cowboys' hunt starts with OL Davis
BY TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
tarcher@dallasnews.com
IRVING – Unlike the last two years, the Cowboys did not make a splash when the free-agent market opened, but that doesn't mean they didn't make an attempt.
The Cowboys spent the day with UT-ex Leonard Davis, who played the previous six seasons in Arizona after the Cardinals made him the No. 2 overall pick in the 2001 draft, but could not reach a deal. He flew to visit NFC East rival Washington on Friday night.
Davis, who grew up in Wortham, Texas, could be a replacement for right tackle Marc Colombo, last year's starter who is also an unrestricted free agent. Offensive linemen spent Friday cashing in mega-deals across the league, but the Cowboys were unsure if they wanted to pay that steep a price.
Davis spent the first three years at guard with the Cardinals before moving to left tackle in 2004. The ability to play different positions is attractive to the Cowboys with Colombo testing the market and the status of right guard Marco Rivera unknown because of a second back surgery in three years.
Another possibility at right tackle is Kansas City's Jordan Black, although a visit has not been set up yet.
When the Cowboys re-signed center Andre Gurode, it all but assured Al Johnson's departure, and he visited Tampa Bay on Friday. Johnson, who started 31 of 32 games in 2004-05 before losing the job to Gurode, is considered the top free-agent center available. He could meet with Arizona on Sunday.
In the market for a backup quarterback after cutting Drew Bledsoe, the Cowboys have an interest in veteran Brad Johnson, who started 14 games for Minnesota in 2006.
Johnson, who turns 39 in September, will visit Denver today. He threw for 2,750 yards with nine touchdown passes and 15 interceptions last season.
Another possibility is Patrick Ramsey, who was cut by the New York Jets on Friday. A former first-round pick by Washington in 2002, Ramsey attempted just one pass last season. He has 34 touchdown passes and 29 interceptions in his five-year career.
The Cowboys did not ignore the defensive side of the ball, talking with the agent for recently released linebacker Joey Porter. In eight years with Pittsburgh, Porter was named to the Pro Bowl three times and has 60 career sacks.
With Greg Ellis coming off a torn Achilles' tendon, Porter's familiarity with the 3-4 scheme makes him a fit.
Another 3-4 fit, Houston's Antwan Peek, has seven visits lined up, but the Cowboys aren't among them. The agent for linebacker Carlos Polk, who played for Wade Phillips in San Diego, said he had not heard from the Cowboys.
In discussing the team's defensive personnel last week, Phillips said he was surprised at the number of quality linemen, but that number might be cut by one. Kenyon Coleman, who had four sacks in a reserve role last season, visited Cleveland on Friday and is also expected to meet with the New York Jets.
Coleman had right shoulder surgery after the season, but said the rehab has progressed well and he does not expect to miss any mini-camps.
While Johnson and Coleman could have new addresses, kicker Martin Gramatica is closer to returning after his agent, Jack Reale, expressed optimism a deal could be done over the weekend. After Mike Vanderjagt flopped, the Cowboys brought in Gramatica, and he made six-of-eight field goals, including a 46-yarder to beat the New York Giants in the final seconds.
tarcher@dallasnews.com
IRVING – Unlike the last two years, the Cowboys did not make a splash when the free-agent market opened, but that doesn't mean they didn't make an attempt.
The Cowboys spent the day with UT-ex Leonard Davis, who played the previous six seasons in Arizona after the Cardinals made him the No. 2 overall pick in the 2001 draft, but could not reach a deal. He flew to visit NFC East rival Washington on Friday night.
Davis, who grew up in Wortham, Texas, could be a replacement for right tackle Marc Colombo, last year's starter who is also an unrestricted free agent. Offensive linemen spent Friday cashing in mega-deals across the league, but the Cowboys were unsure if they wanted to pay that steep a price.
Davis spent the first three years at guard with the Cardinals before moving to left tackle in 2004. The ability to play different positions is attractive to the Cowboys with Colombo testing the market and the status of right guard Marco Rivera unknown because of a second back surgery in three years.
Another possibility at right tackle is Kansas City's Jordan Black, although a visit has not been set up yet.
When the Cowboys re-signed center Andre Gurode, it all but assured Al Johnson's departure, and he visited Tampa Bay on Friday. Johnson, who started 31 of 32 games in 2004-05 before losing the job to Gurode, is considered the top free-agent center available. He could meet with Arizona on Sunday.
In the market for a backup quarterback after cutting Drew Bledsoe, the Cowboys have an interest in veteran Brad Johnson, who started 14 games for Minnesota in 2006.
Johnson, who turns 39 in September, will visit Denver today. He threw for 2,750 yards with nine touchdown passes and 15 interceptions last season.
Another possibility is Patrick Ramsey, who was cut by the New York Jets on Friday. A former first-round pick by Washington in 2002, Ramsey attempted just one pass last season. He has 34 touchdown passes and 29 interceptions in his five-year career.
The Cowboys did not ignore the defensive side of the ball, talking with the agent for recently released linebacker Joey Porter. In eight years with Pittsburgh, Porter was named to the Pro Bowl three times and has 60 career sacks.
With Greg Ellis coming off a torn Achilles' tendon, Porter's familiarity with the 3-4 scheme makes him a fit.
Another 3-4 fit, Houston's Antwan Peek, has seven visits lined up, but the Cowboys aren't among them. The agent for linebacker Carlos Polk, who played for Wade Phillips in San Diego, said he had not heard from the Cowboys.
In discussing the team's defensive personnel last week, Phillips said he was surprised at the number of quality linemen, but that number might be cut by one. Kenyon Coleman, who had four sacks in a reserve role last season, visited Cleveland on Friday and is also expected to meet with the New York Jets.
Coleman had right shoulder surgery after the season, but said the rehab has progressed well and he does not expect to miss any mini-camps.
While Johnson and Coleman could have new addresses, kicker Martin Gramatica is closer to returning after his agent, Jack Reale, expressed optimism a deal could be done over the weekend. After Mike Vanderjagt flopped, the Cowboys brought in Gramatica, and he made six-of-eight field goals, including a 46-yarder to beat the New York Giants in the final seconds.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:19 PM
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