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Underdog · 01-09-2009, 09:08 AM

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Cowboys Have Tough Free-Agent Decisions To Make

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IRVING, Texas - Whether or not the Cowboys thought they'd be ready to evaluate their free agents here in early January, that is certainly the business at hand.

Instead of preparing for a playoff game, the Cowboys are now fixated on formulating the off-season game plan.

And while the NFL Draft is a big part of that - especially for the Cowboys this year with nine draft picks, although excluding a first-round draft pick - first things are first.

Before they can get to the draft, the Cowboys will have to figure out free agency.

For the second straight year, it appears the Cowboys will have more decisions to make regarding their own players, than scanning the open market for new additions.

There will always be a little bit of both. Despite owner Jerry Jones stating after the team's season-ending loss to the Eagles that the Cowboys will not be major players in the free-agent market, it's likely a new player or two will be added to the mix.

More importantly, the Cowboys must make some tough decisions on their own free agents, particularly the eight unrestricted players whose contracts are up at the start of March.

The headline of that group could be defensive end Chris Canty, a restricted free agent last year who played for the one-year tender. Starting all 16 games, Canty finished seventh on the team with 64 tackles. He also had three sacks and had seven pass deflections, leading all non-defensive backs.

The Cowboys wanted to re-sign Canty during last year's off-season, but the club opted to re-sign players such as Terence Newman, Marion Barber, Terrell Owens and Ken Hamlin, pushing Canty's contract to the backburner.

This year, the Cowboys would again like to get a deal in place with the defensive end, presumably before the start of the NFL's free-agent signing period. If they don't, then the Cowboys would have another dilemma on their hands, maybe one that will become more obvious this time next season.

Without Canty, the Cowboys could possibly get by with Jason Hatcher or Stephen Bowen - a restricted free agent - at defensive end. Pro Bowl nose tackle Jay Ratliff could move back to his regular position at end, but then that would leave a huge void at tackle.

One of the eight free agents is Tank Johnson, whose return to the club next season is doubtful.

Also, if the Cowboys fail to re-sign Canty this season that would put added pressure on the club re-signing Spears and Hatcher - both are free agents after the 2009 season. And arguably, Canty has been the most productive of those three.

Another position figured to be affected by free agency is linebacker, particularly the inside spots.

Both Zach Thomas and Kevin Burnett are free agents, and Thomas even said after the Eagles loss that he doesn't expect to return to the Cowboys in 2009. However, the 35-year-old linebacker somewhat softened his stance the following day and said he would weigh all of his options.

Thomas recorded 177 tackles this season, second on the team to Bradie James (202) but good for third-most in Cowboys history. However, Thomas said he wasn't as comfortable in this particular 3-4 system and said he could try and play on another defense next year.

As for Burnett, it will be interesting to see what kind of market is out there for him.

He's had seven surgeries during his four-year career, although only one was considered major, when he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery at the end of the 2005 season. Burnett has only missed three games in his career, and is arguably coming off his best season, when he was a mainstay on the team's dime defense. Burnett had 38 tackles and two sacks in a limited role on defense, but finished second on special teams with 19 tackles.

The Cowboys would like to retain Burnett, who is probably the team's best cover linebacker, but at the right price. Don't be surprised if Burnett waits to sign until he tests the open market. And what happens with Burnett might affect what the Cowboys do with Thomas, if not the other way around.

The player who finished just ahead of Burnett in special teams tackles was Keith Davis, the special teams captain. He's also one of the overall team leaders and for that, the Cowboys can see his value.

It's unlikely the club will make the same mistake twice in two seasons and let Davis walk to another team. He signed with the Dolphins last year with hopes of starting at safety. Instead, Miami cut him just before the season, allowing him to return to Dallas.

The Cowboys should be able to re-sign Davis for the right price and with the idea that Davis would again spearhead the special teams, and be the team's third or fourth safety.

Don't be surprised if linebacker Carlos Polk, a mid-season addition for special teams, is also re-signed.

Quarterback Brooks Bollinger is also a free agent, and it wouldn't be surprising if the Cowboys brought him back. In fact, Bollinger has a better chance of returning than Brad Johnson, who still has another year remaining on his deal.

The Cowboys could get Bollinger back, along with drafting a rookie to groom as possibly the No. 3 quarterback.

As for restricted free agents, the Cowboys have just five - wide receivers Sam Hurd and Miles Austin, defensive end Stephen Bowen, tight end Tony Curtis and guard Cory Procter.

Since all five were undrafted free agents, the Cowboys would get no draft pick compensation should they sign tenders with other clubs this year - assuming the team designates them all as right-of-first-refusal tenders, for the minimum $1.01 million.

And the Cowboys would probably do that with four of the five. Austin might get a higher tender, considering his speed and upside. If the Cowboys designated a second-round tender, he would get a one-year, $1.545 contract. Should another team sign him to an offer sheet, the Cowboys would get the chance to either match the deal or sign him to their own long-term contract. If not, they would get a second-round pick in return.

Last year, the Cowboys tendered Marion Barber with a first- and third-round offer - the highest possible designation - only to sign him to a seven-year deal later in the summer.

Here's a look at the Cowboys' 2009 free agents:

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
OG Joe Berger
LB Kevin Burnett
QB Brooks Bollinger
DE Chris Canty
S Keith Davis
DT Tank Johnson
LB Carlos Polk
LB Zach Thomas

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
WR Miles Austin
DE Stephen Bowen
TE Tony Curtis
WR Sam Hurd
OG Cory Procter

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
RB Alonzo Coleman
TE Rodney Hannah
P Sam Paulescu

01-09-2009, 09:08 AM	#37
Underdog Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: 41.21.1 Posts: 36,143	Priority Lists Cowboys Have Tough Free-Agent Decisions To Make link IRVING, Texas - Whether or not the Cowboys thought they'd be ready to evaluate their free agents here in early January, that is certainly the business at hand. Instead of preparing for a playoff game, the Cowboys are now fixated on formulating the off-season game plan. And while the NFL Draft is a big part of that - especially for the Cowboys this year with nine draft picks, although excluding a first-round draft pick - first things are first. Before they can get to the draft, the Cowboys will have to figure out free agency. For the second straight year, it appears the Cowboys will have more decisions to make regarding their own players, than scanning the open market for new additions. There will always be a little bit of both. Despite owner Jerry Jones stating after the team's season-ending loss to the Eagles that the Cowboys will not be major players in the free-agent market, it's likely a new player or two will be added to the mix. More importantly, the Cowboys must make some tough decisions on their own free agents, particularly the eight unrestricted players whose contracts are up at the start of March. The headline of that group could be defensive end Chris Canty, a restricted free agent last year who played for the one-year tender. Starting all 16 games, Canty finished seventh on the team with 64 tackles. He also had three sacks and had seven pass deflections, leading all non-defensive backs. The Cowboys wanted to re-sign Canty during last year's off-season, but the club opted to re-sign players such as Terence Newman, Marion Barber, Terrell Owens and Ken Hamlin, pushing Canty's contract to the backburner. This year, the Cowboys would again like to get a deal in place with the defensive end, presumably before the start of the NFL's free-agent signing period. If they don't, then the Cowboys would have another dilemma on their hands, maybe one that will become more obvious this time next season. Without Canty, the Cowboys could possibly get by with Jason Hatcher or Stephen Bowen - a restricted free agent - at defensive end. Pro Bowl nose tackle Jay Ratliff could move back to his regular position at end, but then that would leave a huge void at tackle. One of the eight free agents is Tank Johnson, whose return to the club next season is doubtful. Also, if the Cowboys fail to re-sign Canty this season that would put added pressure on the club re-signing Spears and Hatcher - both are free agents after the 2009 season. And arguably, Canty has been the most productive of those three. Another position figured to be affected by free agency is linebacker, particularly the inside spots. Both Zach Thomas and Kevin Burnett are free agents, and Thomas even said after the Eagles loss that he doesn't expect to return to the Cowboys in 2009. However, the 35-year-old linebacker somewhat softened his stance the following day and said he would weigh all of his options. Thomas recorded 177 tackles this season, second on the team to Bradie James (202) but good for third-most in Cowboys history. However, Thomas said he wasn't as comfortable in this particular 3-4 system and said he could try and play on another defense next year. As for Burnett, it will be interesting to see what kind of market is out there for him. He's had seven surgeries during his four-year career, although only one was considered major, when he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery at the end of the 2005 season. Burnett has only missed three games in his career, and is arguably coming off his best season, when he was a mainstay on the team's dime defense. Burnett had 38 tackles and two sacks in a limited role on defense, but finished second on special teams with 19 tackles. The Cowboys would like to retain Burnett, who is probably the team's best cover linebacker, but at the right price. Don't be surprised if Burnett waits to sign until he tests the open market. And what happens with Burnett might affect what the Cowboys do with Thomas, if not the other way around. The player who finished just ahead of Burnett in special teams tackles was Keith Davis, the special teams captain. He's also one of the overall team leaders and for that, the Cowboys can see his value. It's unlikely the club will make the same mistake twice in two seasons and let Davis walk to another team. He signed with the Dolphins last year with hopes of starting at safety. Instead, Miami cut him just before the season, allowing him to return to Dallas. The Cowboys should be able to re-sign Davis for the right price and with the idea that Davis would again spearhead the special teams, and be the team's third or fourth safety. Don't be surprised if linebacker Carlos Polk, a mid-season addition for special teams, is also re-signed. Quarterback Brooks Bollinger is also a free agent, and it wouldn't be surprising if the Cowboys brought him back. In fact, Bollinger has a better chance of returning than Brad Johnson, who still has another year remaining on his deal. The Cowboys could get Bollinger back, along with drafting a rookie to groom as possibly the No. 3 quarterback. As for restricted free agents, the Cowboys have just five - wide receivers Sam Hurd and Miles Austin, defensive end Stephen Bowen, tight end Tony Curtis and guard Cory Procter. Since all five were undrafted free agents, the Cowboys would get no draft pick compensation should they sign tenders with other clubs this year - assuming the team designates them all as right-of-first-refusal tenders, for the minimum $1.01 million. And the Cowboys would probably do that with four of the five. Austin might get a higher tender, considering his speed and upside. If the Cowboys designated a second-round tender, he would get a one-year, $1.545 contract. Should another team sign him to an offer sheet, the Cowboys would get the chance to either match the deal or sign him to their own long-term contract. If not, they would get a second-round pick in return. Last year, the Cowboys tendered Marion Barber with a first- and third-round offer - the highest possible designation - only to sign him to a seven-year deal later in the summer. Here's a look at the Cowboys' 2009 free agents: UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS OG Joe Berger LB Kevin Burnett QB Brooks Bollinger DE Chris Canty S Keith Davis DT Tank Johnson LB Carlos Polk LB Zach Thomas RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS WR Miles Austin DE Stephen Bowen TE Tony Curtis WR Sam Hurd OG Cory Procter EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS RB Alonzo Coleman TE Rodney Hannah P Sam Paulescu __________________ These days being a fan is a competition to see who can be the most upset when your team loses. That proves you love winning more. That's how it works.