Trading For Kitna
Anthony Henry Sent To Detroit For Veteran QB
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IRVING, Texas - The Cowboys and Lions pulled off a huge trade last season.
They've just completed another big one Saturday.
The Cowboys have sent cornerback Anthony Henry to the Lions in exchange for veteran quarterback Jon Kitna. However, there could be some more moving parts to this trade.
Kitna, although expected to back up Tony Romo, will reunite with wide receiver Roy Williams, who was sent from the Lions to the Cowboys for three draft picks last October.
The move is somewhat surprising considering the Cowboys appeared content to keep Henry as the starting right cornerback. There had also been discussions of moving Henry to free safety.
Instead, the Cowboys have sent him to the Lions.
Henry was entering the final season of his five-year deal he signed in 2005. He was expected to count $3.6 million on the salary cap this year - with a $2.6 million base salary and a $1 million roster bonus due in June. Overall, Henry's cap hit was scheduled to be $5.6 million; now it will count about $2 million.
Kitna is also entering the final year of his deal, and his $1.95 million base salary will be on the Cowboys' books next year.
The veteran quarterback spent most of last season on injured reserve because of a back injury, though Kitna publicly said the injury didn't warrant being shelved for the season.
Without Henry, the Cowboys are apparently ready to call on second-year veterans Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins to possibly replace him at right cornerback. Terence Newman is expected to return as the Cowboys' starting left cornerback, but like Henry, he has also been somewhat injury-riddled the last few years.
Henry did start all 16 games in 2008, recording 55 tackles but just one interception. He tied for third on the team with seven pass deflections, but did have two sacks.
Given the talks of Henry maybe moving to safety, this trade could mean the Cowboys won't be parting ways with strong safety Roy Williams. The Cowboys could save $2 million in cap space by either trading or cutting the veteran, who spent most of last year on injured reserve after breaking his forearm on two separate occasions.
Linebacker Vet Keith Brooking Gets 3-Year Deal
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IRVING, Texas - So much for the Cowboys staying quiet early in free agency.
Hours after trading cornerback Anthony Henry to Detroit for backup quarterback Jon Kitna, the Cowboys signed free-agent linebacker Keith Brooking to a three-year contract worth roughly $6 million with $2.5 million guaranteed.
Brooking, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, led the Atlanta in tackles for the last eight seasons (2001-08). The 11-year veteran became a free agent Thursday night when he and the Falcons couldn't come to terms on a new contract.
Brooking (6-2, 241) fills a potential hole at inside linebacker with Zach Thomas and Kevin Burnett entering unrestricted free agency.
He played for Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips from 2002-03 when Phillips was the Falcons' defensive coordinator/interim head coach. Brooking's agent, Pat Dye, also represents Pro Bowl outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, whom the Cowboys are negotiating with on a long-term extension.
Brooking, 33, started all 16 games for the Falcons in 2008, recording a team-high 133 tackles (80 solo) and adding three pass breakups. He made the Pro Bowl five straight times from 2001-05 and was the last link to Atlanta's 1998 Super Bowl roster.
Brooking's signing doesn't necessarily preclude the Cowboys from re-signing Burnett. The Cowboys' chances of retaining Thomas, however, looked slim immediately after the season when the veteran linebacker indicated he wouldn't be back. Thomas later said he'd be open to returning, but it appears he might prefer to play a 4-3 scheme again somewhere else.
Burnett, meanwhile, flourished as a nickel linebacker last season but would like the opportunity to start. The three-year veteran had 38 tackles, three pass deflections and two sacks on defense and ranked second with 19 special teams tackles.
The Cowboys have allowed Burnett, Thomas and their other six unrestricted free agents to test the market. Defensive end Chris Canty, in particular, has attracted interest from the Giants, 49ers, Seahawks, Titans and Packers and might command a contract too large for the Cowboys to match. The club's first priority is re-signing Ware, who still has one year left on his deal.
Brooking and Kitna, however, fill two immediate needs. Kitna, 36, is expected to replace Brad Johnson as Tony Romo's backup. The Cowboys' other backup quarterback, Brooks Bollinger, is a free agent.