The Landry Hat » nfl free agency

The 2013 Dallas Cowboys Remaining Unsolved Problems – OL

Craig Cortemeglia — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 20:00:48 +0000

As the Cowboys 2012 season came to a screeching halt against RGIII and the Redskins this past December, there were multiple factors that contributed to another .500 season and a missing of the postseason once again. Some of these factors have at least been addressed (first round draft pick on the offensive line and a durable running back prospect) while others have really not been. Having written first about offensive play calling (which was finally addressed by the team this past Tuesday), the second installment of this series covered the lack of experience and options the team has at the safety position. The third issue that remains unsolved is a real upgrading of the offensive line.

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Cowboys Open Up Cap Space: Sign Durant, Allen

Steven Mullenax — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:23:15 +0000

The Dallas Cowboys restructured back-up quarterback Kyle Orton’s contract and released wide receiver Anthony Armstrong to open up some much needed salary cap space today. They then immediately turned around and signed linebacker Justin Durant and safety Will Allen.

October 28, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Will Allen (26) reacts on the field against the Washington Redskins during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 27-12. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Durant was a second round pick in 2007 who spent his first four years in the league with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He then play two solid seasons with the Detroit Lions before agreeing to a two year contract with the Cowboys today. Durant has experience in the 4-3 and is expected to compete for the starting outside linebacker job against Kyle Wilber and Alex Albright.

Allen is a career back-up who started his NFL career under current Dallas defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin in Tampa Bay. He spent his first six seasons with the Bucs and the last three with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Allen proved to be a valuable back-up in Pittsburgh last season with the various injuries suffered by starters Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark. He will compete for the starting safety job as Dallas released long time safety Gerald Sensabaugh earlier this off-season. Allen had his best season under Kiffin in Tampa Bay back in 2006, earning 77 total tackles in 16 games.

The Cowboys now have less then $25,000 in cap room after today’s signings. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reports that Dallas is also restructuring tackle Doug Free’s contract to make more cap space. Unfortunately, it will not be used on free agent safety Michael Huff, who visited the Cowboys on Monday. Huff has agreed to a three year, $6 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens. Although the Irving native wanted to play in Dallas, he also expressed his interest in playing for a Super Bowl contender.

The “Renny Rant” — Free Agency Style

Renny Mason — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:00:44 +0000

By the time this article is published, we will be exactly 24 hours into the 2013 NFL free agent frenzy. Barring any unforeseen changes, our Dallas Cowboys will still have only just under $180,000 to spend on potential free agents by that time tomorrow. In other words, don’t expect a “Brandon Carr-like” signing from now until then.

Rather, our Cowboys will merely be spectators for the initial wave of free agent frenzy this year, which will be a far cry from last offseason in which we signed seven unrestricted free agents in the first week or so of the free agent madness. With less than $180,000 of cap space available, our Cowboys can only hope to sign maybe a very cheap veteran or two close to the league minimum with the way our cap situation stands right now. (more…)