Dallas Cowboys Strategy and Personnel
by Sports Xchange
TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY
The Cowboys haven't spent a lot of money, but they have gone about their business of filling needs. They got a new inside linebacker in Keith Brooking and special teams player in Matt Stewart.
They also filled their need for a backup quarterback with Jon Kitna. And most recently they signed defensive end Igor Olshanksy and safety Gerald Sensabaugh. Olshansky got a four-year deal worth $18 million with approximately $8 million guaranteed. He will replace Chris Canty at right end. Canty signed with the Giants. Olshansky came from San Diego where he played under Cowboys coach Wade Phillips to begin his career and is familiar with the Cowboys system.
Familiarity was also a key with Sensabaugh. He came to Dallas from Jacksonville, where he played for secondary coach Dave Campo, a former Cowboys coach. Sensabaugh got a one-year deal for $1.75 million. He will play strong safety alongside free safety Ken Hamlin.
That means that the Cowboys won't move cornerback Orlando Scandrick to safety. The Cowboys still could use a veteran cornerback in free agency.
TEAM NEEDS
1. Receiver: The departure of Terrell Owens means the Cowboys will look at a receiver in the draft. Roy Williams will be the focal point, but they need another receiver to stretch the field.
2.Cornerback: The Cowboys traded Anthony Henry. And although they plan to let Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick compete for the starting role at right cornerback opposite Terence Newman, they are thin at the position. They need to sign a veteran and still target a cornerback or two in the draft.
3. Safety: Roy Williams has been cut. Keith Davis is a free agent. The Cowboys don't have any answers and few options at a position that is arguably the weakest on the team. An upgrade is a must. The Cowboys signed Gerald Sensabaugh, but this will still be a focus in the draft.
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--QB Brooks Bollinger's future with the Cowboys was likely impacted by the signing of Jon Kitna.
--S Keith Davis wants to come back and the Cowboys want him back. Money won't be an issue.
--DT Tank Johnson walked off the field in Philadelphia saying "I'm a free agent." The Cowboys will likely let him keep walking.
--LB Carlos Polk was a good special teams addition. Will likely be resigned to minimum deal and brought to camp.
--LB Zach Thomas will look for a better fit, especially after the addition of Keith Brooking.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered)
--TE Tony Curtis (not tendered as RFA) might be re-signed for minimum salary of $535,000.
--P Sam Paulescu (not tendered as ERFA).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--WR Miles Austin (tendered at $1.545M with second-round pick as compensation) showed enough flashes to earn that tender.
--DE Stephen Bowen (tendered at $1.545M with second-round pick as compensation) will be brought back as insurance for Chris Canty.
--WR Sam Hurd (tendered at $1.545M with second-round pick as compensation) was missed on special teams and could be squeezed out eventually by the addition of Roy Williams.
--OG Cory Procter (tendered at $1.545M with second-round pick as compensation) got an opportunity to play in 2008 but did not to cement himself as a future starter.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
--RB Alonzo Coleman (tendered at $385,000) will certainly be brought to camp but the logjam at running back is pretty thick.
--TE Rodney Hannah (tendered at $310,000) showed some flashes at the end of the season and will finally get a chance to push out Tony Curtis as the third tight end.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED: None.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--LB Keith Brooking: UFA Falcons; $6M/3 yrs, $2.5M guaranteed.
--QB Jon Kitna (trade Lions).
--DE Igor Olshansky: UFA Chargers; $18M/4 yrs, $8M guaranteed.
--S Gerald Sensabaugh: UFA Jaguars; $1.75M/1 yr, guarantees unknown.
PLAYERS LOST
--OG Joe Berger: UFA Dolphins; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
--LB Kevin Burnett: UFA Chargers; $5.5M/2 yrs, $2M SB.
--DE Chris Canty: UFA Giants; $42M/6 yrs, $8.5M SB/$17.25M guaranteed.
--CB Anthony Henry (traded Lions).
--QB Brad Johnson (released).
--CB Adam Jones (released).
--WR Terrell Owens (released).
--S Roy Williams (released).
TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY
The Cowboys haven't spent a lot of money, but they have gone about their business of filling needs. They got a new inside linebacker in Keith Brooking and special teams player in Matt Stewart.
They also filled their need for a backup quarterback with Jon Kitna. And most recently they signed defensive end Igor Olshanksy and safety Gerald Sensabaugh. Olshansky got a four-year deal worth $18 million with approximately $8 million guaranteed. He will replace Chris Canty at right end. Canty signed with the Giants. Olshansky came from San Diego where he played under Cowboys coach Wade Phillips to begin his career and is familiar with the Cowboys system.
Familiarity was also a key with Sensabaugh. He came to Dallas from Jacksonville, where he played for secondary coach Dave Campo, a former Cowboys coach. Sensabaugh got a one-year deal for $1.75 million. He will play strong safety alongside free safety Ken Hamlin.
That means that the Cowboys won't move cornerback Orlando Scandrick to safety. The Cowboys still could use a veteran cornerback in free agency.
TEAM NEEDS
1. Receiver: The departure of Terrell Owens means the Cowboys will look at a receiver in the draft. Roy Williams will be the focal point, but they need another receiver to stretch the field.
2.Cornerback: The Cowboys traded Anthony Henry. And although they plan to let Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick compete for the starting role at right cornerback opposite Terence Newman, they are thin at the position. They need to sign a veteran and still target a cornerback or two in the draft.
3. Safety: Roy Williams has been cut. Keith Davis is a free agent. The Cowboys don't have any answers and few options at a position that is arguably the weakest on the team. An upgrade is a must. The Cowboys signed Gerald Sensabaugh, but this will still be a focus in the draft.
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--QB Brooks Bollinger's future with the Cowboys was likely impacted by the signing of Jon Kitna.
--S Keith Davis wants to come back and the Cowboys want him back. Money won't be an issue.
--DT Tank Johnson walked off the field in Philadelphia saying "I'm a free agent." The Cowboys will likely let him keep walking.
--LB Carlos Polk was a good special teams addition. Will likely be resigned to minimum deal and brought to camp.
--LB Zach Thomas will look for a better fit, especially after the addition of Keith Brooking.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered)
--TE Tony Curtis (not tendered as RFA) might be re-signed for minimum salary of $535,000.
--P Sam Paulescu (not tendered as ERFA).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--WR Miles Austin (tendered at $1.545M with second-round pick as compensation) showed enough flashes to earn that tender.
--DE Stephen Bowen (tendered at $1.545M with second-round pick as compensation) will be brought back as insurance for Chris Canty.
--WR Sam Hurd (tendered at $1.545M with second-round pick as compensation) was missed on special teams and could be squeezed out eventually by the addition of Roy Williams.
--OG Cory Procter (tendered at $1.545M with second-round pick as compensation) got an opportunity to play in 2008 but did not to cement himself as a future starter.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
--RB Alonzo Coleman (tendered at $385,000) will certainly be brought to camp but the logjam at running back is pretty thick.
--TE Rodney Hannah (tendered at $310,000) showed some flashes at the end of the season and will finally get a chance to push out Tony Curtis as the third tight end.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED: None.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--LB Keith Brooking: UFA Falcons; $6M/3 yrs, $2.5M guaranteed.
--QB Jon Kitna (trade Lions).
--DE Igor Olshansky: UFA Chargers; $18M/4 yrs, $8M guaranteed.
--S Gerald Sensabaugh: UFA Jaguars; $1.75M/1 yr, guarantees unknown.
PLAYERS LOST
--OG Joe Berger: UFA Dolphins; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
--LB Kevin Burnett: UFA Chargers; $5.5M/2 yrs, $2M SB.
--DE Chris Canty: UFA Giants; $42M/6 yrs, $8.5M SB/$17.25M guaranteed.
--CB Anthony Henry (traded Lions).
--QB Brad Johnson (released).
--CB Adam Jones (released).
--WR Terrell Owens (released).
--S Roy Williams (released).
posted by The Gryphon at 8:19 AM
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