Jones Not Worried About Barber, Hamlin Absence
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
May 14, 2008 6:05 PM
The Cowboys are almost seven full weeks into their off-season conditioning program, which is nearing its halfway point.
While nearly all the players have participated in full, Marion Barber and Ken Hamlin have not been among them.
When the Cowboys conduct a three-day OTA (organized team activity) practice schedule next week, it's likely those two players will not be in attendance.
Both Barber and Hamlin have yet to sign their contract tenders for this season. Hamlin, who was set to be an unrestricted free agent, received a franchise tag of one-year, $4.33 million. The Cowboys gave Barber a one-year tender of $2.56 million, the highest designation for restricted free agents.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said on Wednesday that he's not thrilled about those two players missing workouts and practices, but he understands. And more importantly, he's not worried.
"Not at all," Jones said during the team's annual golf tournament for sponsors, held at the Cowboys Golf Course in Grapevine. "I would like them to be here. But right now, we're working on a few things. I think when the time comes, they'll be ready to go."
Neither player has any leverage to sign with another team this year. In fact, if they have not signed by June 1, the Cowboys will have to redo the tenders, with the option to lower the tender if desired.
Defensive end Chris Canty, also a restricted free agent, has not signed his $2.01 million tender. But unlike Hamlin and Barber, he participated in the off-season program and is expected to practice next week in the OTA's.
The Cowboys have remained in negotiations with all three players about possibly signing long-term deals, which would ultimately lower their salary cap charge for this year.
"If their contracts were done I would expect them to be a part of the OTAs and mini-camp," said Jones. "I'm not disappointed. We've got some time there."
But Jones did sound a little uneasy about Barber's status, considering they drafted Felix Jones in the first round to complement his running style. In fact, Jones said having Barber gave the Cowboys "the luxury" to draft Felix Jones, more of an elusive runner who is not expected to be the featured runner of the offense.
"I just want us to be able to get something done because he's a big part of our future," Jones said of Barber. "But I need to get it done in a way that is good for our team. That's not a negotiating ploy, that's just a fact. As far as being disappointed in his preparation, I don't see that this will have a negative impact, with him not being here."
Barber has been working out this off-season in Miami, alongside other clients of his agent Drew Rosenhaus.
It was reported back in March that Barber's camp was looking for a contract in the neighborhood of $50 million, similar to players such as LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson. With Barber only starting two career games and another in the playoffs, the Cowboys were looking for a deal in the range of $30 million, much like Atlanta gave this off-season to Michael Turner, who has been Tomlinson's backup for the last four years.
As for Hamlin, his market value might have been altered after Oakland gave free agent Gibril Wilson a six-year, $39 million deal this off-season. Wilson has yet to earn a Pro Bowl, unlike Hamlin, who started the all-star game this year.
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
May 14, 2008 6:05 PM
The Cowboys are almost seven full weeks into their off-season conditioning program, which is nearing its halfway point.
While nearly all the players have participated in full, Marion Barber and Ken Hamlin have not been among them.
When the Cowboys conduct a three-day OTA (organized team activity) practice schedule next week, it's likely those two players will not be in attendance.
Both Barber and Hamlin have yet to sign their contract tenders for this season. Hamlin, who was set to be an unrestricted free agent, received a franchise tag of one-year, $4.33 million. The Cowboys gave Barber a one-year tender of $2.56 million, the highest designation for restricted free agents.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said on Wednesday that he's not thrilled about those two players missing workouts and practices, but he understands. And more importantly, he's not worried.
"Not at all," Jones said during the team's annual golf tournament for sponsors, held at the Cowboys Golf Course in Grapevine. "I would like them to be here. But right now, we're working on a few things. I think when the time comes, they'll be ready to go."
Neither player has any leverage to sign with another team this year. In fact, if they have not signed by June 1, the Cowboys will have to redo the tenders, with the option to lower the tender if desired.
Defensive end Chris Canty, also a restricted free agent, has not signed his $2.01 million tender. But unlike Hamlin and Barber, he participated in the off-season program and is expected to practice next week in the OTA's.
The Cowboys have remained in negotiations with all three players about possibly signing long-term deals, which would ultimately lower their salary cap charge for this year.
"If their contracts were done I would expect them to be a part of the OTAs and mini-camp," said Jones. "I'm not disappointed. We've got some time there."
But Jones did sound a little uneasy about Barber's status, considering they drafted Felix Jones in the first round to complement his running style. In fact, Jones said having Barber gave the Cowboys "the luxury" to draft Felix Jones, more of an elusive runner who is not expected to be the featured runner of the offense.
"I just want us to be able to get something done because he's a big part of our future," Jones said of Barber. "But I need to get it done in a way that is good for our team. That's not a negotiating ploy, that's just a fact. As far as being disappointed in his preparation, I don't see that this will have a negative impact, with him not being here."
Barber has been working out this off-season in Miami, alongside other clients of his agent Drew Rosenhaus.
It was reported back in March that Barber's camp was looking for a contract in the neighborhood of $50 million, similar to players such as LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson. With Barber only starting two career games and another in the playoffs, the Cowboys were looking for a deal in the range of $30 million, much like Atlanta gave this off-season to Michael Turner, who has been Tomlinson's backup for the last four years.
As for Hamlin, his market value might have been altered after Oakland gave free agent Gibril Wilson a six-year, $39 million deal this off-season. Wilson has yet to earn a Pro Bowl, unlike Hamlin, who started the all-star game this year.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:29 AM
<< Home