Released wideout Laurent Robinson will get $685,000, never played a down

In the mother of all head scratchers, the front office debacle that has been this season’s Dallas Cowboy’s free agency moves continues. Wide receiver Laurent Robinson was cut yesterday in order to make room for fullback Tony Fiammetta to rejoin the team. Since Robinson was a vested veteran player signed prior to Week One, he is owed the entire amount of his contract. $685,000. And he never played one single moment for the Cowboys.

Robinson was signed last Wednesday morning after a Valley Ranch tryout two days before. It was initially thought that Robinson was brought in to compete for the third wide receiver position on the Cowboy’s depth chart. But after yesterday actions, he was clearly signed on as insurance just in case Miles Austin missed Sunday night’s game due to his hamstring issues.

During his first practice as a Cowboy, Robinson injured his hamstring and ended up being inactive for the week one match-up himself. Austin was listed as probable on the final injury report and did end up playing in that game. After spending all of six days as a Dallas Cowboy, and never playing a single down, Robinson was released Tuesday.

For all of you fans that claimed the Cowboys were being fiscally responsible this off-season by avoiding big free agent signings like Nnamdi Asomugha: Do you want to re-think that theory a little? We just handed a guy $685,000 (I imagine in a brown paper bag, for some reason) to tryout, practice once, get some in-house therapy, and to get the ___ out. How does that make fiscal sense?

In an ironic twist, Robinson was cut to make room for the very same player that was dropped to make room for his addition last week. Fullback Tony Fiammetta was waived by the Carolina Panthers during their process of cuts to reach their 53 man roster limit. Dallas picked up Fiammetta off waivers only to cut him three days later for Robinson.

Fiammetta will most likely have a longer tour of duty with the Cowboys this go-around, since he is the only fullback on the team. During Sunday night’s game in New York, tight end John Phillips and nose tackle Josh Brent played the fullback position in goal-line packages. They struggled opening holes for our running backs against the Jets, as did our offensive line.

Fiammetta is in his third year and was primarily used as a lead blocker in Carolina. He’s a beast at 6’0 and 242 lbs. All this guy does is punch holes. I know…I know. That’s what she said.

On a related note, the Cowboys did sign eight year veteran cornerback Frank Walker to sure up  our depleted defensive backfield. Orlando Scandrick is expected to miss time with an ankle injury. Starters Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins are both still banged up, but are expected to return this week. Walker tweeted about his recent acquisition:

"@FRANKWALKER41 (FRANK B. WALKER II) – “New team got dat STAR on my helmet now. Glad be be in Dallas “save a horse ride a COWBOY” thank u dallas.”"

Walker was a sixth round draft pick back in 2003 by the New York Giants. He has played for several different teams since and but he’s been nothing more than a back-up his entire career.

To make room for Walker on the roster, tight end Martin Rucker was released. With the return of Martellus Bennett expected this week, Rucker became expendable.

I wonder if the Cowboy’s Front Office gave Rucker a brown paper bag full of cash when he left too?

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