As Dwight Freeney continues to make the free agent rounds, we know one team that will not be making a play for him. Cowboys COO Stephen Jones says the Cowboys are not in the market for a veteran defensive end like Freeney (Twitter link via Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram). Instead, Dallas wants to see what they have in their young bookends. 
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The Cowboys are currently projected to start Demarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory at defensive end with Ryan Russell, David Irving, rookie Charles Tapper, Jack Crawford, and offseason pickup Benson Mayowa in support. One would think that the Cowboys would like to add a veteran presence to that group of bookends, particularly since Lawrence and Gregory are facing four-game bans for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, but they’re apparently content with what they have.
Freeney met with the Bengals earlier this week but left Cincinnati without a deal. Now, the 36-year-old is slated to meet with the Falcons next week. In Dallas Robinson’s recent rundown of the best defensive free agents left on the board, he also pointed to the Ravens, Bengals, Panthers, Jets, Patriots, Lions, Chiefs, and Bills as logical destinations for the multiple-time Pro Bowler.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
If we are going to sign a veteran DE I think we were looking more for an every down player. Freeney is more of a situational pass rusher at this point in his career. I think it has been confirmed that Tyrone Crawford will be moving outside to end at least part of the time to start this season. Hopefully our young guys behind Gregory and Lawrence can show some development this season and keep us in the first few games.
Agreed, I think Freeney’s limitations (only passing downs) are hurting his market and limiting his appeal to teams like the Cowboys.