The Top 2012 Free Agent Signing by the Dallas Cowboys
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As most of you great readers and awesome fans know by now free agency has indeed started. And as all of us Cowboys fans now know, we made, not just a splash, but a Chris Farley cannon ball splash in said free agency. And as everyone who has ever called themselves a follower of the NFL knows, Jerry Jones can sell a ketchup Popsicle to a women in white gloves. That’s just what he did and according to rumor, he wasn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer. So here is the list of the most impactful Dallas Cowboy’s free agent signings thus far:
1) Brandon Carr
2) Lawrence Vickers
3) Dan Connor
4) Kyle Orton
5) Nate Livings
6) Mackenzy Bernadeau
7) Brodney Pool
On that list are two names that stand out to me even more than Brandon Carr. Kyle Orton and Lawrence Vickers are the two I’m talking about. If you don’t know who Kyle Orton is, then you have been living under a cave all of last year. For those of you who don’t remember, Kyle Orton was released by the Denver Broncos when ‘Timsanity’ or ‘Tebowmania’ if you prefer struck the team and the fan base. So Kyle Orton became the first victim of Tim Tebow’s rise toAmerica’s Sweetheart (sorry Cowboy Cheerleaders). So after the benching and soon after cutting, Orton found himself on the waiver wire list. Although the Cows put in a claim for him, it was another team that got its start in Dallas who received Kyle Orton. I am of course referring to the former Dallas Texans or the Kansas City Chiefs as they are now known.
Well, after a disappointing season and only one memorable victory against the undefeated Green Bay Packers, Kyle Orton was a free agent again. He then came to Dallas because of ‘rave reviews’ of our organization, a chance to get to the play offs, and according to his quote (below) he wants to know his role and be the best back up quarterback he can be.
"“It just fit for what I was looking for,” Orton said Tuesday while appearing on New School with Shan & RJ on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “I had an idea of what I wanted to do kind of going into free agency and you don’t get too many chances to hook up with an organization like the Cowboys. From everybody that I had talked to throughout the whole process they just had rave reviews of the organization.”"
And then of course there is this:
"Orton added: “I’ve been in a couple situations where I compete with this guy, compete with that guy and long term it never works out for anybody. I just wanted to be in a situation where I knew my role and could work to fulfill that role in the best way. I just felt with the Cowboys that was the best chance for me.”"
These quotes, courtesy of the article written by Jon Machota on Sports Day DFW, speak volumes about the kind of player and person Kyle Orton is going to be for our team. It is no secret that while Stephen McGee could end up being a solid back up, we cannot rely on him to win games if Tony Romo goes down. Enter Kyle Orton, who has starter ability, but never found his ‘home’ on an NFL team. He brings in an instant upgrade from McGee, and has my confidence in his ability to win games if Romo does in fact go down with injury. I think we have found our new Jon Kitna, and coming from me that is a huge vote of confidence because I love Kitna.
Now its time to meet Larry Vickers, the new fullback of the Dallas Cowboys. Hailing from Beaumont, Texas, Vickers was taken in the 6th round (180th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He spent his first five seasons of his career with Cleveland until he signed with the Houston Texans (gross) on August 3rd 2011. After blocking for Arian Foster, who had 1,224 yards last season, he was cut by the Texans on March 13th of this year and quickly signed by the Cowboys to replace Tony Fiammetta on the following day of March 14th. Although, he was disappointed with being cut by the Texans (gross), he says “It’s going to be wonderful” blocking for the Cowboys back field.
Vickers is going to give our running back core its first 1,000 yard rushing season in a decade, and I truly believe that. Sure, Fiammetta was great, but I’ll take a hard nosed crafty veteran over a younger player, in most cases, every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Besides Brandon Carr, Lawrence Vickers and Kyle Orton were our two biggest free agency signings so far this year. Now all we need to do is shore up the defense a little more and we are back in business.
Can anyone else smell playoffs?
Go Cows.
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