By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News tarcher@dallasnews.com IRVING – The Dallas Cowboys and cornerback Terence Newman are close to agreeing on a new multi-year contract, according to two sources, but the deal faces a tight deadline. If NFL owners opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement at their spring meeting today in Atlanta, contracts done afterward would have to follow more stringent salary-cap rules set up for 2010 and beyond. Newman, 29, is entering the final year of his contract and is due a base salary of $1.4 million. Like they did with Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Bradie James and Jay Ratliff, the Cowboys would like to lock up Newman, who made his first Pro Bowl last season, with a long-term deal. Newman tied career highs in interceptions (four) and pass deflections (15) in 2007 despite missing three games and playing most of the year with a foot injury. Also, the Cowboys have exchanged proposals with the agents for Pro Bowlers Marion Barber and Ken Hamlin, but neither is expected to attend the voluntary organized team activities that start today.
I'm starting to get worried who won't get signed. Marion, Ware, Newman, then Hamlin...there's a poll up on the Dallas Cowboys website that asks which player you want signed the most, and I really can't decide. Ok that's not quite true, Hamlin takes a back seat, but Marion, Ware, and Newman are crucial to this team.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GMJigga @ May 20 2008, 10:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm starting to get worried who won't get signed. Marion, Ware, Newman, then Hamlin...there's a poll up on the Dallas Cowboys website that asks which player you want signed the most, and I really can't decide. Ok that's not quite true, Hamlin takes a back seat, but Marion, Ware, and Newman are crucial to this team.</div> The only player more important to the defense than Newman, is Ware. Newman is a must re-sign type player. Rumors are now circulating it is a 7 yr 51 million contract. That is a lot cheaper than what I thought it was going to be.... No news on the guaranteed portion of the contract.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GMJigga @ May 20 2008, 11:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>How do you feel about resigning a Rosenhaus-represented Marion Barber?</div> His clients include: Owens, Zach Thomas, .... and Parcells was a Rosenhaus client too. We've actually been pretty good with dealing with his clients..... I am not too worried about it.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NattaNerNuttaMan @ May 20 2008, 11:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>yeah, they need to go with Ware and Newman first. Then work to get Barber</div> Owens, Canty, Barber, Hamlin, Colombo are all free agents next year too. Owens is a must....and I think Dallas will get something done with Canty and Barber too. Colombo, I expect to be gone next year.
Although one could argue that all our new CB's makes Barber the more pressing need. While I'm excited about Jones and Choice, Barber is our running game.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GMJigga @ May 20 2008, 12:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Although one could argue that all our new CB's makes Barber the more pressing need. While I'm excited about Jones and Choice, Barber is our running game.</div> While I expect PacMan to get reinstated, he is not reinstated yet. Henry gets hurt every year, it seems like. Jenkins and Scandrick are rookies. Ball barely played last year. CB could be just as pressing of a need as RB if we look at it like this......
