Wednesday Why’s: Why would the Cowboys be interested in signing Ray Lewis?

FROM ANDREW BRANDT:

The Cowboys have become the Yankees of the NFL (not surprisingly, the two iconic brands have joined forces as marketing partners). They see a big name with a big reputation, want him and will overpay to get him. Ray Lewis will be 34 when he plays his next game. There are linebackers who continue to be productive and effective into their mid-thirties, but these players – such as current Cowboys linebacker Zach Thomas – are the exception rather than the rule. The bigger issue in signing Lewis, as the Ravens are now wrestling with, is the type of contractual commitment required.

Lewis is sure to be looking for the magic number with top-level players now – $20M guaranteed (DeMarcus Ware will get at least $30M in guarantees when the Cowboys do his deal this offseason). Although owner Jerry Jones has made that level of commitment to lesser players than Lewis – Roy Williams a couple months ago comes to mind – this would certainly not be the sensible thing to do. Good sense, however, does not appear to be a priority for the Cowboys.