Cowboys Insider: Jones' latest moves worthy of applause
Tom Orsborn
San Antonio Express-News
Although Cowboys owner Jerry Jones still hasn’t met his stated No. 1 offseason goal of adding more “wow” to the offense, he deserves to take a bow for his most recent moves.
One of the ingredients for a successful free agent season is to prevent your own big-name players from testing the open market. While re-signing four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Flozell Adams lacked the sizzle fans desire from free agency, it’s the kind of shrewd move that’s the hallmark of top-flight franchises.
The Cowboys could ill afford to lose Adams. One of the league’s premier pass blockers, the former Michigan State standout gave up just 3½ sacks last season while protecting Tony Romo’s blindside. That’s quite an accomplishment in a division that includes the likes of right defensive ends Osi Umenyiora (Giants) and Trent Cole (Eagles).
Without Adams anchoring the line, Romo wouldn’t have had nearly as much time to scan the field for Terrell Owens and Jason Witten. That’s why Romo wasted little time placing a congratulatory phone call to Adams after learning the big fellow had gained a six-year deal worth more than $43 million, including a guaranteed $15 million.
The deal, which is in line with what other top left tackles have received, should allow Adams, who turns 33 in May, to finish his career in Dallas.
Jones also deserves praise for pulling the trigger on the trade that sent veteran nose tackle Jason Ferguson to the Dolphins for a 2009 sixth-round pick. The teams will also exchange sixth-round picks this year, a move that allows the Cowboys to jump from the back to the front of the round.
The sixth round is where the Cowboys last year found Pro Bowl kicker Nick Folk and fullback Deon Anderson, who was on his way to a solid rookie campaign before he tore his rotator cuff in Week 9 and landed on injured reserve.
But the most important aspect of the deal is it clears about $2.4 million on this year’s salary cap. It also shows the club has complete confidence in Jay Ratliff and Tank Johnson to man one of the most important positions in the 3-4 scheme.
And for all of you wondering why the Cowboys apparently aren’t going after any big-name free agents, consider this quote to Pro Football Weekly from an NFL front-office type who requested anonymity:
“The best time to enter the free-agent market is after the first wave. You get in early and you’re going to pay through the roof. The market always pushes up the price tag. I’m not interested in overpaying anyone. To me, you can find good value after the first wave every year. You just have to go back to the tape and look hard for it. A lot of money every year goes to the guys with big names – the Jevon Kearses. He was done when the Eagles signed him. What has he done since? But his name was a big draw.”
Philadelphia, by the way, released Kearse this week.
San Antonio Express-News
Although Cowboys owner Jerry Jones still hasn’t met his stated No. 1 offseason goal of adding more “wow” to the offense, he deserves to take a bow for his most recent moves.
One of the ingredients for a successful free agent season is to prevent your own big-name players from testing the open market. While re-signing four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Flozell Adams lacked the sizzle fans desire from free agency, it’s the kind of shrewd move that’s the hallmark of top-flight franchises.
The Cowboys could ill afford to lose Adams. One of the league’s premier pass blockers, the former Michigan State standout gave up just 3½ sacks last season while protecting Tony Romo’s blindside. That’s quite an accomplishment in a division that includes the likes of right defensive ends Osi Umenyiora (Giants) and Trent Cole (Eagles).
Without Adams anchoring the line, Romo wouldn’t have had nearly as much time to scan the field for Terrell Owens and Jason Witten. That’s why Romo wasted little time placing a congratulatory phone call to Adams after learning the big fellow had gained a six-year deal worth more than $43 million, including a guaranteed $15 million.
The deal, which is in line with what other top left tackles have received, should allow Adams, who turns 33 in May, to finish his career in Dallas.
Jones also deserves praise for pulling the trigger on the trade that sent veteran nose tackle Jason Ferguson to the Dolphins for a 2009 sixth-round pick. The teams will also exchange sixth-round picks this year, a move that allows the Cowboys to jump from the back to the front of the round.
The sixth round is where the Cowboys last year found Pro Bowl kicker Nick Folk and fullback Deon Anderson, who was on his way to a solid rookie campaign before he tore his rotator cuff in Week 9 and landed on injured reserve.
But the most important aspect of the deal is it clears about $2.4 million on this year’s salary cap. It also shows the club has complete confidence in Jay Ratliff and Tank Johnson to man one of the most important positions in the 3-4 scheme.
And for all of you wondering why the Cowboys apparently aren’t going after any big-name free agents, consider this quote to Pro Football Weekly from an NFL front-office type who requested anonymity:
“The best time to enter the free-agent market is after the first wave. You get in early and you’re going to pay through the roof. The market always pushes up the price tag. I’m not interested in overpaying anyone. To me, you can find good value after the first wave every year. You just have to go back to the tape and look hard for it. A lot of money every year goes to the guys with big names – the Jevon Kearses. He was done when the Eagles signed him. What has he done since? But his name was a big draw.”
Philadelphia, by the way, released Kearse this week.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:08 PM
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