Cowboys free agent stuff 2014
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Earl Mitchell moving on from the Texans
March, 10, 2014
By Tania Ganguli | ESPN.com
Nose tackle Earl Mitchell won't be returning to the Houston Texans.
The Houston native, one of the top defensive tackles on the market, has options that have priced him out of the Texans' range, according to a source. The Dolphins, Chargers, Buccaneers, Seahawks, Bears and Cowboys have all expressed interest.
Mitchell was drafted by the Texans in 2010 and became a starter in 2013, replacing Shaun Cody as the Texans nose tackle. He played better than Cody in relief at times, but bided his time until he became a full-time starter in 2013. Mitchell's quickness and athleticism are assets that set him apart from other nose tackles.
He wasn't used as much in Wade Phillips' defense as he might have been on a defense that ran a 4-3 base. And Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennell's system generally uses stouter nose tackles, so the fit might be better for Mitchell somewhere else. But the main issue was money. Houston's salary cap situation, though better than last season, is still constraining.
While the Texans are in a better financial position, so are a lot of other teams. There's more money this year and Mitchell will benefit from that.
March, 10, 2014
By Tania Ganguli | ESPN.com
Nose tackle Earl Mitchell won't be returning to the Houston Texans.
The Houston native, one of the top defensive tackles on the market, has options that have priced him out of the Texans' range, according to a source. The Dolphins, Chargers, Buccaneers, Seahawks, Bears and Cowboys have all expressed interest.
Mitchell was drafted by the Texans in 2010 and became a starter in 2013, replacing Shaun Cody as the Texans nose tackle. He played better than Cody in relief at times, but bided his time until he became a full-time starter in 2013. Mitchell's quickness and athleticism are assets that set him apart from other nose tackles.
He wasn't used as much in Wade Phillips' defense as he might have been on a defense that ran a 4-3 base. And Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennell's system generally uses stouter nose tackles, so the fit might be better for Mitchell somewhere else. But the main issue was money. Houston's salary cap situation, though better than last season, is still constraining.
While the Texans are in a better financial position, so are a lot of other teams. There's more money this year and Mitchell will benefit from that.
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Sources: Ware decision could come quickly
March, 10, 2014
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- The working relationship between the Dallas Cowboys and DeMarcus Ware could be decided by the time free agency begins Tuesday, according to sources.
According to a source, the Cowboys have been negotiating with Ware on a reworked contract after the team let the seven-time Pro Bowler know last week they want him back in 2014, but not at the $12.25 million base salary.
The free-agent market opens at 3 p.m. CT Tuesday. Teams and agents have been able to talk about interest and parameters since Saturday, but players have not been able to talk directly to clubs or set up visits.
Whether the Cowboys release Ware or reach an agreement on a new contract, they will gain salary-cap space. By cutting Ware, the Cowboys would gain $7.4 million in cap space.
But the Cowboys do not need to cut Ware to get under the cap. After restructuring three deals (Tony Romo, Sean Lee, Orlando Scandrick), reducing one (Mackenzy Bernadeau) and releasing Phil Costa last week, the Cowboys are roughly $2 million under the cap.
While that is enough to sign a player to a reasonable deal, it is not enough to help fill multiple holes on a defense that finished last in the NFL in 2013. It would not be enough to keep last year's sack leader, Jason Hatcher, who is expected to receive heavy interest from teams in free agency.
Ware's camp would like a quick decision so that if he is cut, he would be able to hit the open market when teams have the most money to spend.
Ware's 117 career sacks are the most in franchise history, and he earned Pro Bowl honors from 2006 to 2012, but posted a career-low six sacks in 2013. Ware, who turns 32 in July, missed three games with a quadriceps strain and was bothered by a nerve issue in his elbow that required surgery after the season.
At the NFL scouting combine, executive vice president Stephen Jones said the Cowboys would be efficient spenders in free agency. In the past, they have set the markets on players -- like cornerback Brandon Carr, who received a five-year, $50 million deal in 2012 -- only to not get enough payoff on the deals.
With Dez Bryant and Tyron Smith nearing the end of their contracts, the Cowboys want to have enough cap room to keep their two young Pro Bowl performers.
March, 10, 2014
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- The working relationship between the Dallas Cowboys and DeMarcus Ware could be decided by the time free agency begins Tuesday, according to sources.
According to a source, the Cowboys have been negotiating with Ware on a reworked contract after the team let the seven-time Pro Bowler know last week they want him back in 2014, but not at the $12.25 million base salary.
The free-agent market opens at 3 p.m. CT Tuesday. Teams and agents have been able to talk about interest and parameters since Saturday, but players have not been able to talk directly to clubs or set up visits.
Whether the Cowboys release Ware or reach an agreement on a new contract, they will gain salary-cap space. By cutting Ware, the Cowboys would gain $7.4 million in cap space.
But the Cowboys do not need to cut Ware to get under the cap. After restructuring three deals (Tony Romo, Sean Lee, Orlando Scandrick), reducing one (Mackenzy Bernadeau) and releasing Phil Costa last week, the Cowboys are roughly $2 million under the cap.
While that is enough to sign a player to a reasonable deal, it is not enough to help fill multiple holes on a defense that finished last in the NFL in 2013. It would not be enough to keep last year's sack leader, Jason Hatcher, who is expected to receive heavy interest from teams in free agency.
Ware's camp would like a quick decision so that if he is cut, he would be able to hit the open market when teams have the most money to spend.
Ware's 117 career sacks are the most in franchise history, and he earned Pro Bowl honors from 2006 to 2012, but posted a career-low six sacks in 2013. Ware, who turns 32 in July, missed three games with a quadriceps strain and was bothered by a nerve issue in his elbow that required surgery after the season.
At the NFL scouting combine, executive vice president Stephen Jones said the Cowboys would be efficient spenders in free agency. In the past, they have set the markets on players -- like cornerback Brandon Carr, who received a five-year, $50 million deal in 2012 -- only to not get enough payoff on the deals.
With Dez Bryant and Tyron Smith nearing the end of their contracts, the Cowboys want to have enough cap room to keep their two young Pro Bowl performers.
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Cowboys interested in LB Woodyard
March, 10, 2014
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
On the eve of the start of free agency, the Cowboys have expressed some interest in Denver weakside linebacker Wesley Woodyard.
Woodyard compiled 84 tackles, three forced fumbles and four pass breakups in 2013. In the past two seasons, Woodyard has 10 pass breakups and four interceptions.
Last year, the Cowboys used the free-agency period to sign veteran linebacker Justin Durant to a two-year, $2.3 million deal with $400,000 guaranteed.
Durant battled injuries last season as the strongside linebacker, playing in 10 games before getting placed on injured reserve. The Cowboys could promote Kyle Wilber to the starting role at strongside linebacker and create competition on the weakside spot for Bruce Carter with a veteran signee.
If the Cowboys release Durant, it'll save the team $1.25 million on the salary cap.
The Cowboys are looking for upgrades along a defense that finished last in total yards (6,645), 30th against the pass (4,589) and 27th against the run (2,056) last season.
March, 10, 2014
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
On the eve of the start of free agency, the Cowboys have expressed some interest in Denver weakside linebacker Wesley Woodyard.
Woodyard compiled 84 tackles, three forced fumbles and four pass breakups in 2013. In the past two seasons, Woodyard has 10 pass breakups and four interceptions.
Last year, the Cowboys used the free-agency period to sign veteran linebacker Justin Durant to a two-year, $2.3 million deal with $400,000 guaranteed.
Durant battled injuries last season as the strongside linebacker, playing in 10 games before getting placed on injured reserve. The Cowboys could promote Kyle Wilber to the starting role at strongside linebacker and create competition on the weakside spot for Bruce Carter with a veteran signee.
If the Cowboys release Durant, it'll save the team $1.25 million on the salary cap.
The Cowboys are looking for upgrades along a defense that finished last in total yards (6,645), 30th against the pass (4,589) and 27th against the run (2,056) last season.
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Hope we sign Melton