Cowboys-Rams trade moving forward

By Calvin Watkins
ESPNDallas.com

The proposed trade of Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter for St. Louis Rams offensive tackle Alex Barron is moving forward, with the players scheduled to take physicals Sunday, a source said Friday.

In addition to the physicals, there are contract details that need to be worked out before the trade could be completed. Barron has yet to sign his restricted free-agent tender offer of $2.62 million. Carpenter, in the last year of his contract, has an incentive clause worth up to $1.895 million that the Rams might want to renegotiate.

On Thursday, ESPNDallas.com reported that the teams were negotiating the swap of first-round picks who failed to live up to expectations.

Carpenter has been unable to earn a starting job with the Cowboys since being drafted in 2006. The Cowboys picked up his potential replacement in Penn State linebacker Sean Lee in the second round last month.

Barron, a first-rounder in 2005, was called for an NFL-high five holding penalties last year and has allowed 33 sacks in his career.

The Cowboys have a need for offensive line depth after promoting Doug Free to the starting left tackle position to replace veteran Flozell Adams, who was waived.