Free agency: Dallas Cowboys not playing Skins' game
10:33 PM CST on Friday, February 27, 2009
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
tarcher@dallasnews.com / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – While Washington lavished more than $63 million in guaranteed money on defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and cornerback DeAngelo Hall on Friday, the Cowboys sat out the opening day of free agency.
Well before the market opened Thursday night, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he did not see his team making a splash in free agency, and the club held firm, not even setting up a visit with a prospective free agent.
The Haynesworth deal was big news at Valley Ranch because of the effect it might have on the Cowboys' talks with linebacker DeMarcus Ware.
Haynesworth's new contract is worth $100 million over seven years. According to reports, he is guaranteed $41 million, the most ever for a defensive player.
Haynesworth, a two-time Pro Bowler, had a career-high 8 ½ sacks in 2008 and has 24 for his career.
Ware, 26, is younger than Haynesworth, 28. Ware is coming off a career-high 20-sack season, plays a more lucrative position and has been to the Pro Bowl the last three seasons. The Cowboys initial offer was similar to the six-year, $72 million deal Minnesota gave Jared Allen last year that included $32 million guaranteed.
The Cowboys have repeatedly said re-signing Ware is their only priority this off-season, and it became much more expensive Friday.
The Cowboys' slow day Friday followed something of a trend for the team. In recent years, Dallas has spent most of its money on keeping its own players.
The Cowboys did not sign an unrestricted free agent last year. They signed two in 2007, inking Leonard Davis to a seven-year, $49 million deal and safety Ken Hamlin in the third week of free agency to a one-year deal.
In 2006, the Cowboys signed six free agents, but the biggest deals went to linebacker Akin Ayodele and guard Kyle Kosier, who each received a $5 million signing bonus.
The last time the Cowboys were big players in free agency was 2005, when they signed nose tackle Jason Ferguson, guard Marco Rivera and cornerback Anthony Henry to deals totaling nearly $30 million in signing bonuses.
The Cowboys lost one player Friday when backup guard Joe Berger signed a three-year deal with Miami, continuing the migration of Cowboys to the Dolphins and Bill Parcells, general manager Jeff Ireland and coach Tony Sparano.
The Cowboys paid a $500,000 roster bonus to guard Montrae Holland, all but assuring his return in 2009.
Defensive end Chris Canty will visit with the New York Giants today and is scheduled to meet with Seattle after that. He also has interest from Green Bay, Tennessee and San Francisco.
Having cut Brad Johnson on Thursday, the Cowboys have a need for a backup quarterback. The team has expressed interest in Kyle Boller, who is healthy after missing last season with shoulder surgery. A first-round pick in 2003, Boller has made 42 career starters. He has 45 touchdown passes and 44 interceptions for his career.
Staff writers Calvin Watkins and Brian Davis contributed to this report.
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