Jerry Jones Would Like To Extend Barber And Canty Long Term..
by By TODD ARCHER
The Dallas Morning News
tarcher@dallasnews.com
ARLINGTON – As free agency creeps into its third week, the Dallas Cowboys are ready to make a move. They just haven't found one to their liking yet.
While other teams, specifically Oakland, shell out millions of dollars to players with questions of age, health or both, the Cowboys' approach to the open market has been one of patience.
"Anytime there is an abundance of cap space, and there was a big jump in the cap this year, people are going to spend their money and are going to try the best way they can to improve," executive vice president Stephen Jones said.
Last year the Cowboys signed two players through unrestricted free agency – right guard Leonard Davis, who received a team-record $16 million signing bonus, and safety Ken Hamlin – and both made the Pro Bowl.
But it's not as if the Cowboys have been inactive in the off-season.
Before free agency began, they re-signed Pro Bowl left tackle Flozell Adams to a six-year deal worth $43.8 million that included a $13 million signing bonus. They also put the franchise tag on Hamlin, signed linebacker Zach Thomas to a cap friendly deal and made tender offers to restricted free agents Marion Barber and Chris Canty that would make it difficult for other teams to pry them away.
Last season they signed quarterback Tony Romo and receiver Patrick Crayton to long-term extensions, continuing their trend of keeping their own players off the market. In 2006, tight end Jason Witten, linebacker Bradie James and safety Roy Williams re-signed before becoming unrestricted free agents.
"We feel like our resources are better spent keeping those young players than going out and overpaying for what at best is a good player in the market," Jones said. "Because rarely do your great players ever hit the market. They do what we do with the Wittens and the Romos. You don't ever see those guys out there. What ends up happening is the best of the rest end up getting paid like they're the best, and we just don't feel that's good use of our money."
Jones' eyes are already on the future with cornerback Terence Newman entering the last year of his contract and outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware having two years left. He said the team has initiated talks with Barber's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and would like to sign Canty to a long-term contract,
The Dallas Morning News
tarcher@dallasnews.com
ARLINGTON – As free agency creeps into its third week, the Dallas Cowboys are ready to make a move. They just haven't found one to their liking yet.
While other teams, specifically Oakland, shell out millions of dollars to players with questions of age, health or both, the Cowboys' approach to the open market has been one of patience.
"Anytime there is an abundance of cap space, and there was a big jump in the cap this year, people are going to spend their money and are going to try the best way they can to improve," executive vice president Stephen Jones said.
Last year the Cowboys signed two players through unrestricted free agency – right guard Leonard Davis, who received a team-record $16 million signing bonus, and safety Ken Hamlin – and both made the Pro Bowl.
But it's not as if the Cowboys have been inactive in the off-season.
Before free agency began, they re-signed Pro Bowl left tackle Flozell Adams to a six-year deal worth $43.8 million that included a $13 million signing bonus. They also put the franchise tag on Hamlin, signed linebacker Zach Thomas to a cap friendly deal and made tender offers to restricted free agents Marion Barber and Chris Canty that would make it difficult for other teams to pry them away.
Last season they signed quarterback Tony Romo and receiver Patrick Crayton to long-term extensions, continuing their trend of keeping their own players off the market. In 2006, tight end Jason Witten, linebacker Bradie James and safety Roy Williams re-signed before becoming unrestricted free agents.
"We feel like our resources are better spent keeping those young players than going out and overpaying for what at best is a good player in the market," Jones said. "Because rarely do your great players ever hit the market. They do what we do with the Wittens and the Romos. You don't ever see those guys out there. What ends up happening is the best of the rest end up getting paid like they're the best, and we just don't feel that's good use of our money."
Jones' eyes are already on the future with cornerback Terence Newman entering the last year of his contract and outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware having two years left. He said the team has initiated talks with Barber's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and would like to sign Canty to a long-term contract,
posted by The Gryphon at 6:46 PM
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