--- The Indianapolis Colts have released the oft-injured Bob Sanders and he is now available to sign with another team, according to owner Jim Irsay's tweet. Sanders is the new poster boy for injuries that derail a legendary career. He has only suited up for nine games over the past three seasons after being named Defensive Player of the Year for 2007. In 2008, his season was cut short by ankle and then knee injuries, allowing him to log only six games. He only played two games in 2009 before leaving for the year with an arm injury, and only played in the first game of the season in 2010 after tearing a biceps tendon.
--- One of our favorite discussion pieces from last year, safety OJ Atogwe, was released by the St. Louis Rams. The Rams were not interested in paying an $8 million roster bonus that he was due on February 21st. Atogwe was originally drafted in the 3rd round of the 2005 amateur draft. Last off season, the Rams refused to offer him the almost $7 million tender and he entered unrestricted free agency, only to resign with the Rams. After cutting him, I don't think he'll end up back in St. Louis. So do we still have any interest in the now 30 year old safety?
Atogwe has 18 picks over the last four seasons, although only 5 in the last two. His PFF grades over the last three seasons haven't been earth shattering, rating as a -2.7, +0.7 and +4.5 playing in 16, 12 and 15 games respectively. According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Atogwe still wants to return to the Rams, even after how they've treated his contract situation the last two years. Reminds me of that female that can't seem to get away from a boyfriend that mistreats her.
--- The Texans have released FS Eugene Wilson, although I don't think there will be much interest in him by the Cowboys. PFF.com rated him as the fourth-worst safety in the league last season, but you never know. Houston's pass defense was horrible, but I can't see us chasing a safety that rated worse than Alan Ball. Ball was the sixth worst safety in 2010.
Continue for more tidbits...
--- In current Cowboy player news, ESPN's Brian Broadus has tweeted that he thinks Marc Colombo is planning to return for a 10th season.
Got the feeling yesterday that OT Marc Colombo will be coming back for another season. Working on core strength to try improve flex
This leaves the proverbial elephant in the room. Just because Colombo wants to play and has three years remaining on his contract, doesn't mean the Cowboys still have plans for him.
--- New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan appears to see a gem in Anthony Spencer that the Wade Phillips' regime wasn't able to completely unearth.
"[Spencer] is going to be tremendous in our system, I can tell you that for sure."
A note that I saw on rotoworld.com reminded me that Spencer is an unrestricted free agent after the 2011 season. Contract-year push? Dynamic new scheme? We very well could see the Spencer we all hoped for following the end of the 2009 season.
--- Jerry Jones has given some words of support for Carolina owner Jerry Richardson's authenticity. He doesn't go as far as saying that he holds the same views, I look at his words as more of an ownership solidarity quote and nothing more, contrary to what some other people are framing it. From the Charlotte Observer:
"Jerry's greatest strength is communication," Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "The more that is at stake, the more direct and clear he is with his words. When he speaks with people he cares about deeply - players, business partners, his fellow owners - he is always particularly straightforward and to the point. That is how he shows his respect for the situation and the individuals involved.
"He is one of the most effective leaders I have ever known because he is one of the best communicators I have ever been associated with."
While Jones runs the risk of alienating future free agents the way Richardson just did with his outrageous challenges of the toughness of today's players, I think this is pretty harmless.
--- The National Football Post did a ranking of today's NFL stadiums. Under the categories of Architecture, History, Weather, Fans and Location, Cowboys Stadium came in second place to the renovated Lambeau Field. For the full breakdown, check out this link. Have any BTB'ers had the opportunity to visit both stadiums? Care to give an impartial assessment?
--- Speaking of Cowboys Stadium, the architectural firm that designed it is now going to explore options to keep snow and ice from building on the roof. North Texas natives have to clue me in. How rare is winter weather down there? To me, it seems ludicrous that a billion dollar stadium didn't pursue every natural weather possibility. I doubt that it's never snowed in Big D before. [nbcdfw.com]