Safeties aren’t a priority in Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli‘s scheme, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com, which could help explain why Dallas didn’t seriously attempt to re-sign Barry Church or J.J. Wilcox. Church landed a four-year, $26MM deal with the Jaguars, while Wilcox inked a two-year, $6.5MM pact with the Buccaneers. Former first-round pick Byron Jones, meanwhile, is signed for two more years (plus a fifth-year option), and could be an interesting “case study” as Dallas will be forced to consider handing a hefty contract to a safety, per Archer.
Here’s more from the NFC East:
- The Eagles hosted UConn safety Obi Melifonwu for a top-30 draft visit on Thursday, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. At least seven other NFL teams have expressed interest in Melifonwu, who is expected to be drafted in the the first or second round. Philadelphia is set at safety for the immediate future, although veteran Malcolm Jenkins has reportedly been discussed in trade talks.
- Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham has “attracted the interest” of the Giants, and could be in the mix for New York when it picks at No. 23, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com writes. While the Giants famously haven’t selected a first-round linebacker since 1984, the club needs reinforcements at the position, as Devon Kennard, Keenan Robinson, and Jonathan Casillas isn’t exactly a world-beating starting group. Earlier this year, a scout told Matt Miller of Bleacher Report that Cunningham “needs to gain strength” and “make more tackles.”
- Offensive lineman Byron Bell‘s one-year deal with the Cowboys has a base value of $2MM, reports Wilson (Twitter link). Bell, 28, will receive a $1MM base salary, a $250K signing bonus, and $300K in per-game roster bonuses. He can also earn another $450K through weight bonuses, which will immediately count on Dallas’ salary cap as likely-to-be-earned because they’re considered to be under the player’s control.
Wouldn’t mind having Obi on the Browns.
Malcolm Jenkins was talked about in 1 trade,for Brandin Cooks.and Howies response to that rumor,”teams might ask about our players”,don’t imply we’re shopping him.
guess Kiwanuka doesn’t count as a first round pick at linebacker?
No, defensive end for Kiwi
I am loving the Cowboys offseason thus far. The strength of the team has taken a Huge Hit. Doug Free was a monster run blocker and so was Ron Leary. Now Dallas has gone from a Great line to a very good line…but with even one injury to any one of those 3 Pro Bowl linemen the OL becomes closer to average.
Combine those losses with the 7 losses on Defense and suddenly this team doesn’t look like the awesome division winner anymore. Giants are geared up for a 1 year run and are all in with the money they have spent. N.Y will win this division….unless they have Massive injuries and the Redskins will compete with Dallas for 2nd place.
Poor short minded GFan. Average is your line with A LT which you don’t have.
Rick, Free was by for the weakest link on the offensive line…Collins will replace Leary and the line won’t skip a beat … as for as all those defensive losses, watch any game where they were passed all over on and watch all that secondary chasing the receivers down the field…none of them are here any longer, thank God. Whoever they bring him will be in the median an immediate upgrade…
I’m guessing you’re a Giants fan or Cowboys hater. We’ll see. Cowboys stay healthy they will beat G men this year.
The Cowgirls defense isn’t a priority either…….
Don’t be so sure of that.you’s already brought in Nolan Carroll,and trust me,he’s had to chase down plenty of receivers during his time here in Philly.