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Eatman: CB Heads Top 10 FA Priorities
Posted by nickeatman at 3/12/2012 5:14 PM CDT on dallascowboys.com
After months of silence around Valley Ranch, it should get rather busy come Tuesday afternoon. At least by 3:01 p.m. (CDT), there could be some news going down with the start of free agency.
There are lots of holes to fill and not a ton of money to address every need. Then again, despite the recent news the club will be penalized $10 million in cap space over the next two years, the Cowboys will have enough wiggle room to make things happen.
The team is expected to split up the $10 million over the next two years. And if they restructure some contracts as expected, there will be enough space to sign a handful of players, if not more.
Going into Tuesday, here is my personal Top 10 priority list for free agency:
10. Running back - The Cowboys are hoping they hit it big with DeMarco Murray last season and, assuming he can stay healthy, the 2011 third-round pick should be a starter with Felix Jones as a backup. With Jones having one year on his deal, a solid jack-of-all-trades running back might be a good fit, but only if he can play special teams, and possibly return kicks.
9. Tight End - With TE Martellus Bennett expected to depart in free agency, there could be a backup spot open behind Jason Witten. John Phillips has fared well as the No. 3 TE, but another solid blocker who can help in the running game would be beneficial.
8. Defensive End - This isn’t a position that has a lot of openings, but if the right guy comes along, the Cowboys would have to be interested. DEs Marcus Spears, Jason Hatcher and Sean Lissemore are all solid, but DE Kenyon Coleman might be waived to get cap space.
7. Defensive Tackle - With four-time Pro Bowler Jay Ratliff in the fold, this would be just a backup filler. But there are always rumblings that Ratliff might get moved to DE, a more natural fit for a 6-4, 287-pound lineman. The Cowboys could use some interior help inside. No lineman on the team weighs more than 320.
6. Linebacker - Two veteran UFAs – Keith Brooking and Bradie James – are without a contract but owner/GM Jerry Jones said not to link the two together. Brooking has hinted he could be returning. Either way, some ILB needs to be signed, but preferably one that can help on special teams.
5. Quarterback - With Jon Kitna retiring and Stephen McGee still unproven, the Cowboys will likely go with a veteran to back up Tony Romo. Names such as Drew Stanton and Chad Henne have been discussed and possibly Kyle Orton if he doesn’t get a chance to start.
4. Wide Receiver - The player to fill this need will likely be Laurent Robinson, who is coming off a career season in which he caught 11 TDs in 2011. Robinson’s contract is unique in that he can’t re-sign before Tuesday although it’s likely he will at least test the market to gauge his value.
3. Safety - Last year the Cowboys had two spots open but signed Gerald Sensabaugh and Abram Elam to one-year deals. Sensabaugh has since signed a five-year extension but Elam could return. The Cowboys might have an eye on Brodney Pool, a player they’ve targeted twice before.
2. Guard - Over the last few months, the Cowboys have been linked to some of the top FA guards, including Carl Nicks of New Orleans. Baltimore’s Ben Grubbs might be a good fit as well. The Cowboys had six different players line up at guard last season.
1. Cornerback - With Terence Newman expected to be cut and Mike Jenkins entering the final year of his deal, the Cowboys need some stability here. This is a position that could see an early splash in free agency. KC’s Brandon Carr and Tennessee’s Cortland Finnegan have reportedly been high on the Cowboys’ wish list.
Posted by nickeatman at 3/12/2012 5:14 PM CDT on dallascowboys.com
After months of silence around Valley Ranch, it should get rather busy come Tuesday afternoon. At least by 3:01 p.m. (CDT), there could be some news going down with the start of free agency.
There are lots of holes to fill and not a ton of money to address every need. Then again, despite the recent news the club will be penalized $10 million in cap space over the next two years, the Cowboys will have enough wiggle room to make things happen.
The team is expected to split up the $10 million over the next two years. And if they restructure some contracts as expected, there will be enough space to sign a handful of players, if not more.
Going into Tuesday, here is my personal Top 10 priority list for free agency:
10. Running back - The Cowboys are hoping they hit it big with DeMarco Murray last season and, assuming he can stay healthy, the 2011 third-round pick should be a starter with Felix Jones as a backup. With Jones having one year on his deal, a solid jack-of-all-trades running back might be a good fit, but only if he can play special teams, and possibly return kicks.
9. Tight End - With TE Martellus Bennett expected to depart in free agency, there could be a backup spot open behind Jason Witten. John Phillips has fared well as the No. 3 TE, but another solid blocker who can help in the running game would be beneficial.
8. Defensive End - This isn’t a position that has a lot of openings, but if the right guy comes along, the Cowboys would have to be interested. DEs Marcus Spears, Jason Hatcher and Sean Lissemore are all solid, but DE Kenyon Coleman might be waived to get cap space.
7. Defensive Tackle - With four-time Pro Bowler Jay Ratliff in the fold, this would be just a backup filler. But there are always rumblings that Ratliff might get moved to DE, a more natural fit for a 6-4, 287-pound lineman. The Cowboys could use some interior help inside. No lineman on the team weighs more than 320.
6. Linebacker - Two veteran UFAs – Keith Brooking and Bradie James – are without a contract but owner/GM Jerry Jones said not to link the two together. Brooking has hinted he could be returning. Either way, some ILB needs to be signed, but preferably one that can help on special teams.
5. Quarterback - With Jon Kitna retiring and Stephen McGee still unproven, the Cowboys will likely go with a veteran to back up Tony Romo. Names such as Drew Stanton and Chad Henne have been discussed and possibly Kyle Orton if he doesn’t get a chance to start.
4. Wide Receiver - The player to fill this need will likely be Laurent Robinson, who is coming off a career season in which he caught 11 TDs in 2011. Robinson’s contract is unique in that he can’t re-sign before Tuesday although it’s likely he will at least test the market to gauge his value.
3. Safety - Last year the Cowboys had two spots open but signed Gerald Sensabaugh and Abram Elam to one-year deals. Sensabaugh has since signed a five-year extension but Elam could return. The Cowboys might have an eye on Brodney Pool, a player they’ve targeted twice before.
2. Guard - Over the last few months, the Cowboys have been linked to some of the top FA guards, including Carl Nicks of New Orleans. Baltimore’s Ben Grubbs might be a good fit as well. The Cowboys had six different players line up at guard last season.
1. Cornerback - With Terence Newman expected to be cut and Mike Jenkins entering the final year of his deal, the Cowboys need some stability here. This is a position that could see an early splash in free agency. KC’s Brandon Carr and Tennessee’s Cortland Finnegan have reportedly been high on the Cowboys’ wish list.
