The Cowboys started slow but on Wednesday made a bold move..They cut veterans Michael Hamlin and Flozell Adams..The moves save the Cowboys nearly 13 million in cap space.
Rumors have surfaced about the Cowboys having interest in the Ravens mountain of a left tackle Jared Gaither..He is 6'9"..340 lbs and is only 24 years old..He is a restricted free agent and was only given a second round tender..Meaning the Cowboys can sign him and give up their second..or..make a trade, which makes more sense..Gaither became available when the Ravens drafted their RT of the future Michael Oher..the guy the movie "Blind Side" was made about..
Michael Hamlin has been a disappointment since the Cowboys signed him to a new contract worth 39 million in 2007..Following a career high in tackles(102) and interceptions(5) in 07 he came back in 08 with 92 tackles and only 1 interception..Last year he missed games and saw his number slip to 35 tackles and no ints in 10 games..
For now the Cowboys seem to imply they have faith in Allen Ball..I think that is smoke screen..Ball had 15 tackles in 10 games..while playing limited time..I can't believe the Cowboys would turn over a valuable position to a guy who has show nothing..I think the Cowboys will draft a safety or possibly look to last seasons fifth round pick Michael Hamlin(no relation)..
There has been speculation the Cowboys may also not be done..Terrance Newman is do to make 9 million next season..Do the Cowboys have the gonads to release TNew and play Scandrick opposite Jenkins? Probably not but Newman has had a history of injuries..although he was relatively healthy last season..Can he get through another season?
The Cowboys announced that Roy Williams is going nowhere yet they have been said by people in the know to have interest in drafting a wide receiver..They brought in Dez Bryant(WR Ok State) and JJ Taylor/Dallas Morning News said he believes that was not a smoke screen, the Cowboys do have a serious interest in Dez..
There is one other thing..The Cowboys released Adams and Hamlin to allow them to try and sign on with another team..The team was under no obligation to do this but it once again shows why Jerry Jones is so respected by his players..However..other teams have no such obligation..There will be releases of big names in June..Most roster bonus' are due in June so there is no real need to do anything until after the draft..Do the Cowboys have some inside information, like say a agent telling them that their guy will probably be available? I don't know but it is very possible..Plus players have a way of communicating through other players to the Cowboys..Friends talk!
The draft this year is spread out over three days..The first round will be on Thurs/April 22..followed by rounds two and three on Fri/23rd..The fourth through seventh rounds will be on Saturday..I think this will make the second and third round choices most interesting..Teams will have the overnight to make deals..
Finally with no salary cap this season..I expect a lot of draft day trades..Usually the NFL doesn't have many traded because of the cap implications..With that being gone, teams can take on debt or get rid of debt without any cap implications..With no maximum there is the other part, there is no minimum teams can spend..It is going to get crazier as the draft and June 1st approach..I for one am going to enjoy all of it..
Update:...Seems there is a rumor out of Miami..The Miami Herald is reporting that the Dolphins and the Cowboys are talking about a trade..The Dolphins would send Dallas the number 12 pick in this draft to the Cowboys who would send them the number 27 pick and Marion Barber..
Bill Parcells has always loved MBIII and the pick makes sense from both teams standpoint..Could the Boys be looking at safety?(Earl Thomas)..or..could a WR(Dez Bryant) be their possible target?..Stay tuned..
