Cowboys Team Report
by Jean-Jacques Taylor
For Sporting News
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: The Cowboys have tendered a one-year offer to Marion Barber, but they would still like to work out a long-term deal with the restricted free-agent running back. It's unlikely such a deal will get done anytime soon, though. The Cowboys have offered Barber, who is not participating in the club's offseason workout program, a five-year deal worth $30 million. Barber wants a deal in the $40-$60 million range, which would be similar to contracts given to Chiefs RB Larry Johnson and Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson. Unlike those two backs, though, Barber has yet to record even one 1,000-yard rushing season. Although Barber is one of the league's more dynamic runners because of his physical, slashing style and made the Pro Bowl in 2007, he has never had more than 204 carries in a season. He split time with Julius Jones since his arrival in Dallas as a fourth-round pick in 2005. Jones left as a free-agent this offseason, but the Cowboys are expected to take a runner in the first or second round of this year's draft and pair him with Barber. ...
Free-agent pickup Zach Thomas says he has not been promised anything but an opportunity to compete with Akin Ayodele and Kevin Burnett for the starting inside linebacker job on the weak side. Thomas says if he's healthy, he can still be a pretty good player and has no problem competing for the job. Ayodele has been a solid player for the Cowboys, but they think Thomas can provide greater leadership and make more big plays.
SCOUTING REPORT: Chris Canty, a restricted free agent who has received a tender from the Cowboys, has played like the first-round pick he was projected to be before knee and eye injuries dropped him into the fourth round in 2005. He is terrific against the run, holding strong at the point of attack with the ability to shed blockers and make plays behind the line. Although he is 6-7, he plays with a good pad level much of the time. When Canty doesn't stay low, though, offensive tackles can neutralize him.He has improved as a pass rusher, although that's not the best part of his game. He used to be just a bull rusher, but he has expanded his pass-rush arsenal so tackles can't just sit on one move. Canty is the next Cowboys player on pace to become a Pro Bowl performer.
For Sporting News
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: The Cowboys have tendered a one-year offer to Marion Barber, but they would still like to work out a long-term deal with the restricted free-agent running back. It's unlikely such a deal will get done anytime soon, though. The Cowboys have offered Barber, who is not participating in the club's offseason workout program, a five-year deal worth $30 million. Barber wants a deal in the $40-$60 million range, which would be similar to contracts given to Chiefs RB Larry Johnson and Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson. Unlike those two backs, though, Barber has yet to record even one 1,000-yard rushing season. Although Barber is one of the league's more dynamic runners because of his physical, slashing style and made the Pro Bowl in 2007, he has never had more than 204 carries in a season. He split time with Julius Jones since his arrival in Dallas as a fourth-round pick in 2005. Jones left as a free-agent this offseason, but the Cowboys are expected to take a runner in the first or second round of this year's draft and pair him with Barber. ...
Free-agent pickup Zach Thomas says he has not been promised anything but an opportunity to compete with Akin Ayodele and Kevin Burnett for the starting inside linebacker job on the weak side. Thomas says if he's healthy, he can still be a pretty good player and has no problem competing for the job. Ayodele has been a solid player for the Cowboys, but they think Thomas can provide greater leadership and make more big plays.
SCOUTING REPORT: Chris Canty, a restricted free agent who has received a tender from the Cowboys, has played like the first-round pick he was projected to be before knee and eye injuries dropped him into the fourth round in 2005. He is terrific against the run, holding strong at the point of attack with the ability to shed blockers and make plays behind the line. Although he is 6-7, he plays with a good pad level much of the time. When Canty doesn't stay low, though, offensive tackles can neutralize him.He has improved as a pass rusher, although that's not the best part of his game. He used to be just a bull rusher, but he has expanded his pass-rush arsenal so tackles can't just sit on one move. Canty is the next Cowboys player on pace to become a Pro Bowl performer.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:09 PM
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