Going back to Cali
It’s official. The Cowboys will be training in Oxnard this year. Read about it here and here.
Here’s a better breakdown on the Flozell Adams deal.
The six-year deal Flozell Adams signed with the Cowboys will carry cap numbers of $3.6 million in 2008 and '09. Adams got $13 million to sign and guaranteed $1 million base salaries the next two years.
Adams will receive $22.5 million in the first three years of the deal, which is just below the $24 million Leonard Davis will get in the first three years of the contract he signed last year.
Cap number of $3.6 million for each of the next two years. Not bad at all.
If Javon Walker doesn’t need a walker, he could be a good deal for the ‘Boys. But those knee injuries are tricky things.
The Denver Broncos released receiver Javon Walker on Friday, and the Cowboys have stepped up to the plate and expressed an immediate interest, according to numerous sources.
[snip]
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan told Denver reporters that Walker might need microfracture surgery, but agent Kennard McGuire says his client is healthy. In Walker's last two healthy seasons, 2004 with the Packers and 2006 with the Broncos, he hit the 1,000-yard milestone in receiving yards.
The Cowboys are not in a rush to sign Walker and will gauge how to pay him before seriously pursuing him.
Again, this one is dicey. We’ll have to wait until the Cowboys medical staff can take a good look at that knee.
Here’s a DMN article covering our activity, or lack thereof, in free agency.
Javon Walker and Tatum Bell: Future Cowboys?
Dallas may have an eye on two former Broncos.
Tatum Bell, a Texas native who was traded from Denver to Detroit last year, may be the change-up back to replace Julius Jones. He’s got wheels and he desperately wants to get out of Motown, although he claims speculation of trade demands were inaccurate. He was just frustrated with the lack of playing time. Apparently Dallas has shown interest and we've got plenty of playing time to spare.
Seems odd that the 'Boys would want to replace Jones with Bell. Some of the criticism that bugged us about Jones applies to Bell. He's fast but he's not going to break any tackles. He's had injury problems. He has rushed for 1,000 yards in this league and does have big play ability. Just seems like we'd be switching one type of runner for that exact type of runner. But then again, if the money is right and he understands his role as the change-up back and not the featured back, maybe that's the point. A cheaper version of Jones who's more appreciative of his chance to be part of an offensive juggernaut.
Hat tip to silverblue5 for his diary on Tatum Bell here.
Also Javon Walker has been released by the Broncos. I’ve discussed my thoughts on a potential move to get him here. Nonetheless, he’s available now. He’s also a big fan of receivers coach Ray Sherman. Key quote:
If the Cowboys are interested, then they could have a potential closer on their side.
Walker holds receivers coach Ray Sherman in the highest regard. Sherman coached Walker in Green Bay and helped him become a Pro Bowler. He was also instrumental in Walker dealing with the death of Darrent Williams last off-season.
Again, if the Cowboys are interested, money will play a part - and they don't have a lot of it at the moment - but Sherman can give the Cowboys a big advantage.
I'm notoriously fickle, so I could warm up to a Walker deal. He's a unique weapon when he's healthy. He can run, jump, make tough catches, break tackles. I just worry about his affect on our locker room. Normally, I'm not a guy who thinks all players need to get along, go out to eat and pay for each other's lapdances at the local strip club. But the fact that Walker has complained his way out of two good situations worries me. If he comes here, he's got to understand he's not the man. He's the man sitting next to the man (Jason Witten) sitting next to the man (T.O). Just saying.
Seems like Asante Samuel is headed to the Eagles. Great. That’s just what we need. Another great cornerback in Philly. Just awesome.
Hat tip of the hat to sduncan24 for his diary on the Samuel signing here.
Here’s a wrap-up of free agency news at ESPN's Harshmarks. Jerry Porter just signed with the Jags. I thought he'd be a good fit here but $30 million is way too rich for my blood. Also Jacques Reeves is visiting four teams. Have they seen some of his work in the playoff game? How 'bout the New England game? Good luck with that.
Actually, Reeves played pretty well for us. All sarcasm aside, I wish him well. I'm also wishing for an upgrade at the position.
Don Banks throws his two cents into the ring about free agency. How narcissitic do you have to be to criticize moves ONE DAY after free agency started? Anyways, he’s not a big fan of what Tuna’s doing up in Miami.
The same can't be said about Jerry Jones. Tom Orsborn believes Jerry Jones deserves a standing ovation for recent moves to sign Flo and trade Fergie.
Jason Ferguson Traded to Miami
The Cowboys never seem to wait too long before making moves in the off season, and this year is no different. Just one day after locking up Adams the Cowboys have arranged a trade agreement with Miami for Jason Ferguson.
Jason Ferguson is being traded to the Miami Dolphins for their sixth round draft choice. Not the pick that many Cowboys fans were hoping for since so many fans have had their hopes set high for Darren McFadden, but rest assure this is a good deal. The Cowboys were going to run into a problem at some point this off season with running out of cap room. Ferguson being traded now frees up 2 million dollars in cap space for this season.
Jason Ferguson has played well for the Cowboys over the years, but became expendable when he tore his bicep and Jay Ratliff filled in at Nose admirably. After the Cowboys re-signed Ratliff to a 20.5 million dollar deal, it became increasingly easy to see that Ferguson could be somewhere else next season. Tank Johnson will continue to back up Ratliff this season.
Cowboys clear cap room by trade; still unlikely to make splash in free agency
So the Tuna is collecting some of his old players, in this case our very own Jason Ferguson. At least the Cowboys were able to get something for Fergy, even though it’s clear this was an effort to gain some cap space.
The Cowboys are trading Ferguson to the Dolphins for a 2009 sixth-round pick, and the teams will swap sixth-rounders this year. Dealing Ferguson clears about $2.4 million on this year's salary cap.
Moving from the back of the 6th round to the front is not too bad, it will be nice to pick almost back-to-back in rounds five and six – with compensatory picks slid in between. Or maybe it will allow the Cowboys some more firepower to jump up in an earlier round to get someone they really want. And we get a 6th-round pick next year, which is nice. But clearly this was about the cap and about the Cowboys belief in Jay Ratliff AND Tank Johnson. Now, the Cowboys could go for a 3-4 NT in the draft that would allow them some flexibility along the line – yes, I would still like to see Ratliff at DE. That seems less likely now, but we’ll have to wait until the draft to divine Dallas’ true intentions.
It doesn’t look like the Cowboys will be major players in free agency this year besides our own guys and Zach Thomas. We are pushing up against the cap with all our recent moves, including the Flozell deal. The DMN blog says:
According to my capologist (Todd Archer), the Cowboys have about $2 million to play with after the flurry of moves in the last 24 hours (Adams signing, tenders to restricted free agents, Jason Ferguson trade).
That’s not a whole lot and we still have to worry about the rookie class from the draft. Akin Ayodele could be another casualty somewhere down the line.
I still haven’t seen an exact breakdown of the Flozell deal but it appears to be a reasonable contract not out of line with some of the better LT’s in the league. Of course, the six-year aspect was somewhat surprising but that was probably a case of spreading some of the impact over the long-term that will help the Cowboys. I'm not a contract or cap specialist but Stephen Jones seems to be very adept at keeping us out of salary-cap hell, so I’m trusting him on this one. You can read about the Flozell deal here and here.
ProFootballTalk , for all their flaws, is a good place to keep up with free agent signings.
Since we probably won’t be doing much in free agency, I thought I’d throw a new mock draft from Todd McShay at you.
- Dallas Cowboys (from 10-6 Cleveland) -- Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Assuming owner Jerry Jones doesn't package picks to trade up, expect Dallas to use its two picks to address needs at corner, receiver, offensive tackle and possibly running back. Jenkins' combination of size, speed and athleticism is outstanding and his recognition skills continue to improve each season. Jenkins also brings versatility to the table as a cornerback who can also play some safety and chip in on returns if necessary.
- Dallas Cowboys -- Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
If owner Jerry Jones can't strike a deal for McFadden, he could settle for Arkansas' other first-round running back prospect. Jones is a speedster who could complement current Dallas RB Marion Barber well and provide a home run threat in the return game.
I like this draft also. I liked the one with DRC and Felix Jones from Don Banks and I like this one. If we can pick up a top-flight CB and RB in round one, I’m happy.
Day One of Free Agency and What Do We Know?
Nose tackle is getting a lot of attention.
– Dallas traded Jason Ferguson to the Dolphins for an ‘09 6th rounder and a swap of 6th round picks this year.
– The Packers traded DT/NT Corey Williams to the Browns for a second round pick.
– The Eagles apparently have a deal in place with CB Asante Samuel.
– The Vikings are working on a deal for Bengals FS Madieu Williams, to replace Darren Sharper, I presume.
– Cowboys CB Jacques Reeves has visits set up with the Rams, Chiefs, Saints, Texans and Bucs. He and Samuel are the top two tiers of free agent CBs folks. You better believe CB will be a hot position in rounds one and two of the draft.
– The Dolphins are one of several teams pursuing Lions DT/NT Shaun Rogers. They’ve heard the reports in Miami about the Cowboys and Dolphins discussing a trade for Jason Ferguson.
The Miami scribes apparently don’t know Bill Parcells that well. They’re ready to flip a high pick for Rogers, feeling Parcells “is the guy to finally motivate him,” but feel Ferguson is only worth perhaps a 7th round pick, cause he’s an eleven year vet.
Ferguson isn’t worth a day one pick, but Parcells values certainty. He “likes to know what he has” in a player, I’ve often been told. He knows what he has in Ferguson, who is a guy who grinds and produces. Neither he nor any other coach/GM would know what he has in Rogers, who flashes dominance and then eats himself out of the lineup.
– Kris Jenkins was another DT/NT the Dolphins were tracking but the rival Jets have acquired him from the Panthers. This should enhance whatever value Ferguson has for his old coach.
Update: Espn claims the Jets gave up a 3rd and a 5th for Jenkins.
Cowboys Still Looking To Trade With Dolphins
It’s being circulated around the rumor mill and in the Dallas Morning News that “Dallas South” and the Cowboys are looking to possibly make a trade for NT Jason Ferguson. In exchange the Cowboys would get a couple of draft picks and free up some room on the salary cap, about $2.4 mil is the approximate amount it would save them.
Ferguson would make a good fit in Miami having played for new GM Parcells in New York and at Dallas. Also his old position coach, Kacy Rodgers, is now gone to “Dallas South”, what some are calling Miami since the recent influx of ex-Cowboy coaches and now players. There seems to be some fast-flowing highway from Dallas to Miami these days.
Sources: Cowboys trading Ferguson
The Dallas Morning News is reporting the Cowboys will trade Jason Ferguson to the Miami Dolphins.
Will update with the details as they come available.
Update [2008-2-29 11:47:32 by Brandon]: Todd Archer gives the details:
The Cowboys and Dolphins will swap sixth-round picks this year and the Cowboys will receive Miami's sixth-rounder in 2009. The order of the picks in the '08 draft will be revealed when the league sets the compensatory picks at the NFL owners' meetings. But the Cowboys will have the first pick in the sixth round based on Miami's 1-15 record last season.
This trade was mainly about freeing up cap space and the Cowboys essentially received two sixth round draft picks. I was hoping for something higher but I am happy with this.
Video and More: Flozell Adams as a Rookie in 1998
The big news of the week is that the Cowboys have resigned Flozell Adams to a six-year contract, meaning that Dallas will have both security on the left side of the line along with periodic false starts.
Adams was one of the best draft picks (if not the best) for the Cowboys during the last half of the 1990s. And you know your trivia if you can answer this: what three positions did Adams play that season? Keep reading…
Draft Day
Here is the Dallas Morning News blurb on Adams when he was selected in the second round of the 1998 draft:
Flozell Adams
* Position: Offensive tackle
* Height: 6-7 * Weight: 335
* Age: 22 * School: Michigan State
* Drafted: No. 2 (38th overall)
* Notable: Has a slight hearing impairment in his right ear, which scouts say may hurt his ability to play left tackle . . . Apparently dropped to the second round because of lingering concerns about a severe ankle sprain suffered in the pre-season . . . Three-year starter and first-team All-Big Ten Conference selection as a senior . . . Named Big Ten offensive lineman of the year by the league’s coaches . . . Shifted to left tackle as a senior and recorded 91 knockdowns blocks while the Spartans averaged 199.5 yards per game rushing . . . Had 14 knockdown blocks against Notre Dame last season in a 23-7 Michigan State victory that saw the Spartans run for 222 yards . . . Second-team All-Big Ten as a junior and sophomore at right tackle . . . Voted the team’s most improved player as a sophomore along with wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, now of the Carolina Panthers . . . Recently timed at 5.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash and bench-pressed 225 pounds 28 times . . . Cousin of Seattle SuperSonics guard Hersey Hawkins . . . Criminal justice major born in Chicago.
. . .
Where will he play?
Coach Chan Gailey said his goal is to get the Cowboys’ five best offensive linemen on the field.
If second-round pick Flozell Adams is one of them, then so be it.
Adams, who played tackle at Michigan State, said he can learn to play guard if he has to. Two seasons ago, Baltimore put tackle Jonathan Ogden at guard for a season until he moved to left tackle.
“I think we’re wrong if we don’t consider everything,” Gailey said. “We have to put the best players on the field.”
Moving Around During His Rookie Season
As you can see from the video below, Adams lined up at tight end for his first NFL play on September 6, 1998. About a month later, Adams was called upon to fill in for Everett McIver at right guard, a position you can see him play on the same clip. In addition, Adams played a little bit at right tackle in 1998, filling in for an injured Erik Williams.
Good Reviews
Here is a short article on Adams that appeared after his first start at right guard on October 11, 1998 against Carolina in a 27-20 Dallas win.
Flozell Adams made his regular-season NFL debut at right guard Sunday afternoon in the Cowboys’ 27-20 victory.
But he did not want to discuss it too much.
He uttered the usual phrases about the game being a learning experience and trying to improve, before quickly leaving the locker room.
His teammates were a lot more vocal.
Right tackle Erik Williams said Adams is only going to get better, bad news for opposing defenses. Dallas rolled up 428 yards of offense with two 100-yard receivers and a 100-yard running back against Carolina.
“Flozell is going to be a great one,” Williams said. “He showed a lot of poise out there, and he’s far more advanced than most rookies.
“He should have been a first-round pick, probably in the Top 10, but those rumors started that he couldn’t hear out of one of his ears. I’m glad we’ve got him.”
Center Clay Shiver said aside from a couple of communication miscues, he and Adams worked well together.
“He stepped in and did a tremendous job,” Shiver said.
Adams, a second-round pick from Michigan State, is replacing Everett McIver, who sprained his knee last week and is expected to miss 5-7 weeks.
Adams, 6-7 and 335 pounds, is a tackle who showed he could play guard during training camp, when McIver sustained a deep cut to his neck during a dormitory incident.
Adams started two pre-season games and played well, which helped make Gailey’s decision about whether to start Adams or Mike Kiselak pretty easy.
“My initial impression is that Flozell played a good game,” offensive line coach Hudson Houck said. “He didn’t have any false starts or holding penalties, and I didn’t notice any mental errors. I’m not surprised, I thought he’d play well.”
Adams was simply one member of a unit that played one of its best games of the season.
The offensive line gave quarterback Jason Garrett time to throw and Emmitt Smith room to run. Smith and receiver Michael Irvin each had 100-yard games for the second time this season and the 19th time in their careers.
Dallas is undefeated when that happens.
“I think we’re feeling pretty good about what the offensive line is doing so far,” Houck said. “The important thing is that we’re getting better every week.”
The biggest improvement from last season has been in the Cowboys’ pass protection and run blocking.
Dallas has allowed only seven sacks this season, and Sunday’s performance marked the fourth time this season the Cowboys have rushed for more than 150 yards.
Last season, it happened twice.
“I don’t want to hear all this stuff about how great the line is,” Williams said. “Last year, you guys said we were fat, out-of-shape and couldn’t block our way out of a wet paper bag.
“One game doesn’t make a great line. It takes time and preparation for that to happen. I see our line getting back to the way we were in 1992 and 1993, but we aren’t there yet.”
The Hotel Stays Put! Great Move Cowboys!
IRVING, Texas - For the last 10 years, Flozell Adams has been protecting the Cowboys’ starting quarterback.
But he was only a few hours from being unprotected himself.
Instead, the Cowboys avoided free agency with their starting left tackle, signing Flozell Adams to a six-year contract late Thursday afternoon. The deal is in the neighborhood of $42 million, including $15 million in guaranteed money and about $13 million in signing bonus.
With free agency officially beginning at 11:01 p.m. (CST) Thursday night, Adams would’ve been able to start negotiating with other clubs. Now he returns with a contract that will likely keep him in a Cowboys uniform for the remainder of his career.
Adams, who rarely does interviews with the media, stopped briefly on his way out of the Valley Ranch complex Thursday afternoon.
“I’m just really happy to be here,” said Adams, who quickly answered when asked if he had any thoughts of playing for another team, “Nope. Not at all.”
The Cowboys do have four players now who remain unrestricted - running back Julius Jones, cornerbacks Jacques Reeves and Nate Jones and safety Keith Davis.
And as of Thursday night, the Cowboys and Dolphins were in discussions of a trade that would involve defensive tackle Jason Ferguson, probably for late-round draft picks.
While Adams will turn 33 in May, the Cowboys obviously couldn’t risk the chance of losing him to another team. Although the Cowboys are hopeful of three young tackles - Pat McQuistan, Doug Free and James Marten, Adams has proven himself as one of the NFL’s best tackles, especially in the last five years.
Since the Cowboys gave Adams a five-year, $25 million contract that included $10 million to sign back in 2003, he has made four Pro Bowls, only missing out in 2005 when he suffered a torn ACL early in the season.
Adams was named a starter last year in the Pro Bowl, one of three Cowboys offensive line selections.
The Cowboys contemplated putting the franchise tag on Adams instead of safety Ken Hamlin last week. But his franchise tender for offensive tackles would’ve been about $9 million. The Cowboys could’ve lowered the cap charge with a multi-year deal, but even giving him the tag sets a market value for Adams of at least $9 million per season.
Hamlin’s franchise tag is only $4.392 million, although expect the Cowboys to sign him to a multi-year as well that will lower his cap charge for this season.
Dallas Cowboys in trade talks; hang onto key free agents
The DMN blog reports that the Cowboys are in the works to trade Jason Ferguson to Miami.
Sources inform Calvin "Lucky" Watkins that the Cowboys and Dolphins are discussing a trade that would send NT Jason Ferguson, a Bill Parcells favorite for years, to Miami. Not clear yet what the Cowboys might get in return.
Depending on the return, that move could free up some cap space.
Flozell Adams has signed a long term deal and Ken Hamlin is locked up for at least 2008. Marion Barber and Chris Canty both received the restricted free agent tenders they were expected; Barber at $2.56 million and Canty at $2.01 million. Good to go, right? Not so fast, according to Canty's agent:
"Chris was smiling and he likes it in Dallas, but there are still several possibilities here. One is trying to get an offer from another team, which would probably be one with a low first-round pick, for obvious reasons. Another is to redo a deal with Dallas, which I haven't heard from them on yet. And finally, with all these guys get tendered high, there's the possibility they wind up getting traded for something lower than the tender (compensation)."
Drew Rosenhaus, Barber's agent, has also made it clear that he will be looking for the maximum deal possible for his client. This type of talk is expected from sports agents but there is some validity to their points. A player is not completely protected as a restricted free agent and teams could put the dreaded "poison pill" into a competing contract which would make it tough for the Cowboys to match. Barber is most likely safe with his high tender but Canty is not a sure thing. A defensive end of his ability would be valuable to teams looking for playmakers on defense; there are several teams with plenty of cap room that would be able to make a large contract offer for Canty.
It will be interesting to see what might happen. Would you be willing to give up Canty for an extra first round draft pick?
Jerry Jones took care of some needed business today and signed Flozell Adams to a long term deal before he hit the free agent market. The best news is that it seems the deal won't break the bank.
ESPN reports that it's a 6 year deal worth $42 million, with $15 million guaranteed. As Grizz mentioned below, it will be interesting to see how the deal is set up and how much of a cap hit that Cowboys will take over the next few years. I think that this was a great move on both sides and the Flozell might have decided to take less money to stay in Dallas. If he had gone into tomorrow a free agent he could have attracted a relatively astronomical contract as the top left tackle on the market; if that happened he was as good as gone.
Now the question remains on what the Cowboys will be able to do in free agency with their top free agents all taken care of. I do not even attempt to be a salary cap expert but you have to think things are getting pretty tight, especially if you factor in the Cowboys will have to sign at least one first round draft pick this year. A Jason Ferguson trade would free up some cap space, but other moves might have to be made as well.
Read the Star-Telegram story on the Flozell Adams signing here.
Todd Archer pens a pretty good piece about Zach Thomas and makes some interesting points about his work ethic and drive. There is no doubt that Dallas acquired one of the hardest working guys in the NFL, along with one it's best leaders. The problem is his signing causes a surplus of starting linebackers on the team:
They have five guys for four spots. Bradie James isn't going anywhere. Kevin Burnett and Bobby Carpenter are core special teamers and don't cost a lot of money against the cap. By process of elimination, Akin Ayodele appears to be the odd man out. Should the Cowboys trade or cut him, they would save $500,000 against the cap this year.
I like Akin Ayodele and think that he is a solid player; unfortunately he may be the odd man out. The Cowboys could package him in a trade but I think the most likely scenario is they just cut him. It's a sad part about the business side of the game.
Nick Eatman talks about the restricted free agents and addresses the Akin Ayodele issue as well.
Lenny P. over at ESPN talks about under-the-radar free agents.
Don Banks at si.com has another mock draft. This one plays out the outrageous scenario of Dallas making a draft day trade with New England.