Saturday News

by Rafael Vela on Feb 11, 2006 5:19 PM CST in Dallas Cowboys News

Items of importance as the Pro Bowl approaches:

-- Owners are meeting this weekend in Dallas to try and iron out revenue-sharing issues remaining between the teams. An agreement could set the stage for a new collective bargaining agreement. If the league and the players association fail to ratify a new one before free agency begins in roughly three weeks time, the '07 season will be uncapped and the free agent market will dry up considerably in the next two offseasons.

-- As things stand the top potential free agents are being removed from the market anyway. First, the Colts stated their intention to franchise WR Reggie Wayne. Earlier this week rumors spread the Jets will franchise DE John Abraham. Today comes word that Seattle will likely franchise guard Steve Hutchinson.

-- One more reason to think Dallas will go OLB in round one: Titans' GM Floyd Reese describes this year's LB crop as the best in years, leading to speculation that Tennessee will select one at the top of round two. The team does not have a third round pick and will likely use its third overall pick on either Vince Young or Matt Leinart, given Steve McNair's age and recent injury history.

-- The low relative cost of safeties could spur Dallas to sign one in March. The Baltimore Sun reports that Ravens Pro-Bowl FS Ed Reed, arguably the best at his position the past few years, is frustrated by the low pay at his position. Broncos Pro-Bowl SS John Lynch, for example, will make $2.9 million next year while Reed will make $2.19 million. Use these figures are benchmarks for a free agent deal.

Another contract to consider is the four year, $10 million deal Darren Sharper signed with the Vikings last March. Sharper received a $4 million signing bonus. Sharper was a multiyear Pro Bowler for Green Bay and made the squad again this year after snagging nine interceptions. The top free agent free safeties this year lack Sharper's, Lynch's or Reed's reputations and will certainly cost less.

-- Keep the name Chukky Okobi in mind the next couple of weeks. He's the backup C/G for the Steelers. His '05 salary was $540,000 but will jump to $2 million this year. That might lead Pittsburgh to either cut him or elevate him to starter. That choice will in turn depend on starting C Jeff Hartings, who is due a $4.75 million salary in '06. The Steelers would like Hartings to accept a pay cut and might cut him if he refuses. Hartings is the anchor of Pittsburgh's line but the ten year veteran has balky knees.

Okobi would be a big (6'1", 318 lb.) alternative to Andre Gurode. He has five years of pro experience and very little wear and tear. Okobi also plays special teams. If the Steelers like Okobi enough to consider him for starter, he must be good. Expect Dallas to inquire about him if he's the center the Steelers let go.

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Rafael:
Haven’t seen this Okobi play, with his height he has to be a low stance hard to move C which would make him a perfect Center in pass protection but a lousy run blocker.

by Chandus on Feb 11, 2006 6:14 PM CST reply actions

I like your comment about the FS position. We can go several ways here. Sign a FA like Chaveous,Demps,Hope,Vincent if he gets released and still draft one in the 3rd round. One name that i just so happened to come accross that intrigues me as a possible FS is Juran Bolden. I know he’s a CB but he is a FA this year has the size 6’3 210 and usually when CB start wearing down a bit they move over to FS just like Troy Vincent did. Just an idea. Also don’t you guys think Gurode would make a good NT. has the size strength. Probably will never happen but i can see it working.
Also did you guys read the article where it says that Ware thinks he will probably be weighing about 260lbs this year. What a Beast!

by lilbeast on Feb 11, 2006 6:29 PM CST reply actions

Did anybody watch the Pro Bowl Skills competition? Another year, another Cowboy wins the strongest man competition. LA is one mean dude, he blew away the rest of them by doing 43 reps of 225 lbs. And he didnt break a sweat, he could have done another 50 lol. I hope he and the Boys can work something out and let him play his entire career as a Cowboy.

by lou c on Feb 11, 2006 7:15 PM CST reply actions

Ed Reed is faced with a problem similar to my favorite non-Cowboys player Donovin Darius. The guy is one of the keys to making the defense as intimidating feared, and aggressive as it is, but he gets paid nearly half what a linebacker or a cornerback gets paid. It’s obvious the Jaguars know this, that is why they keep tagging Darius as a franchise player to avoid the price discovery feature of the free market. What makes it worse is that because teams do stuff like this it distorts the market value of other safeties and makes the price artificially lower than it should be. It’s a game, it really is. I sure hope the Cowboys lock Roy up tight with a contract that pays him well, I’d hate to lose him, and mostly because I think he deserves it. I realize it is a team sport, but to me middle linebacker and strong safety are like the QB’s of the defense, and they deserve to be renumerated for their leadership as well as their hard hits. I don’t blame Ed Reed for being mad about this, I’ve seen him play and he is a standout difference maker on their defense.

by Sterling on Feb 12, 2006 1:31 AM CST reply actions

lilbeast:
I heard that, it seems that Parcells isn’t happy that he got tangled and pushed around too much by the opposing LT’s. If Ware can retain his speed at that weight he could even be dangerous running straight at the Tackles…

by Chandus on Feb 12, 2006 1:32 AM CST reply actions

Two other O-Line names I am reading about as being potentially on the market are OT Kevin Shaffer and C Cory Raymer. I don’t know too much about either player other than Shaffer could be available as a FA, and Raymer could be a cap casualty. Does anyone know much about their talent and abilities?

by Sterling on Feb 12, 2006 1:58 AM CST reply actions

Raymer is old, over 33, was the starter two years ago for the Pigskins but was so bad that they signed the Ravens guy.

Now, Shaffer, he’s young, his only problem is size, he just lacks size. He’s a 6-5 and 290 pounds LT that doesn’t have any more room to get bigger. Perfect fit in the style of offensive lines that Atlanta and Denver like to play.

by Chandus on Feb 12, 2006 2:28 AM CST reply actions

If the kid can play close to their current centers ability, the Steelers would be stupid to let him go. Hartings has very little time left, so to keep HIM would mean that the kid really is not all that good.

by burmafrd on Feb 12, 2006 10:50 AM CST reply actions

burmafrd,

The question for Okobi is how does he compare to Gurode? If he’s better than Gurode, he’s an upgrade for Dallas. And on the market, it appears he can be had for around $1M a year. Given the concerns we have with Johnson and Rivera, a dependable guy who can back both of them up is worth that to me.

The Steelers probably should be cold blooded and let Hartings go. But they’re not perfect. They let Mike Vrabel languish on their bench. The Pats stole him and he’s been a star for them. They’re one of the best organizations but they’re not perfect.

by Rafael Vela on Feb 12, 2006 10:59 AM CST reply actions

That is true about comparing him to Gurode. That would be the big question for us. But my point was that Hartings really has to be just about done- and the steelers have to know that. So IF they keep him- that has to make you wonder….

by burmafrd on Feb 12, 2006 2:56 PM CST reply actions