After the Dallas Cowboys were unable to find a willing trade partner for Tony Romo’s fat ass contract, it looks like they’re back to releasing him. And like great white sharks trailing a wounded whale, teams are circling. The biggest shark in the sea right now is the Houston Texans, who have done absolutely nothing in free agency except wait from Romo to spring free.
They worked one of the best trades in recent memory, sending quarterback Brock Osweiler to Cleveland as a contract dump and freeing up the space to sign Romo. But they wouldn’t trade for him.
The Denver Broncos made a couple of free agent signings to bulk up their offensive line, bringing in offensive tackle Menelik Watson from the Oakland Raiders and Romo’s former teammate, guard Ronald Leary, from the Cowboys. Sunday, Denver restructured right tackle Donald Stephenson’s contract to free up more cap space. Denver’s biggest obstacle to signing Romo ahead of the Texans was the state of their offensive line. With the free agent moves bolstering themselves up front, they’re ready to hit the ground running once Romo parachutes free.
Broncos to sign G Ronald Leary to a four-year deal worth $35m with $20m gtd, source says. Big money for a guy once lost in the shuffle.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 9, 2017
The Broncos have added a couple of role players on the defensive line. Saturday they signed former Cincinnati Bengals nose tackle Domata Peko and Indianapolis Colts nose tackle Zach Kerr. Peko joins the Broncos on a two-year, $7.5 million deal. Peko spent his entire career with the Cincinnati Bengals. Last season he started all 16 games, recording 37 tackles, one fumble recovery and three pass defenses.
Kerr had four starts for the Colts and played in 12 games. He finished with 19 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.
Dallas Cowboys
Speaking of the Dallas Cowboys, they’ve been shedding players in free agency pretty much daily. One guy they won’t lose is wide receiver Terrance Williams. Williams and the Cowboys agreed to a four-year, $17 million contract with $9.5 million guaranteed. Last season Williams caught 44 passes for 594 yards and four touchdowns.
The final play on the cowboys for Tony Romo and Terrance Williams pic.twitter.com/DemYyjU9Ux
— America’s Team (@RoadToSix) March 9, 2017
In addition to Williams, the Cowboys are also keeping wide receiver Brice Butler on a one-year contract. Butler caught 16 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns in 2016.
The Cowboys have added a couple of new faces to a defense that’s seen plenty of free agency attrition. Former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nolan Carroll will join Dallas on a three-year, $10 million deal. Carroll started all 16 games for the Eagles last season and finished with 55 tackles, one forced fumble, 10 passes defended and a pick.
Dallas is adding former Seattle Seahawks reserve pass rusher Demontre Moore on a one year deal. The financial details have yet to be disclosed. Moore appeared in four games for Seattle last season, recording seven tackles and half a sack.
The biggest addition up front to the Cowboys’ defensive line is former Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Stephen Paea. It was just two seasons ago Paea was one of the best DTs in the league with the Chicago Bears, but poor fits with the Washington Redskins and Browns have caused a dip in his stats. He signed a one-year deal with Dallas with no financial details released. Last season Paea appeared in 13 games for Cleveland, started one, and had 12 tackles and half a sack. Two years ago Paea, with the Bears, had 33 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles and three passes defended.
https://twitter.com/FballPosts/status/838505161756721153
To make a little extra cap room, the Cowboys are restructuring linebacker Sean Lee’s contract. The new contract for Lee will open up $9 million in new salary cap room. Lee is one of the best linebackers in football, recording 145 tackles, one fumble recovery and one pass defended last season.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals will keep wide receiver Brandon LaFell with a two-year, $9 million contract. Last season LaFell caught 64 passes for 862 yards and six touchdowns for the Bengals.
#Bengals agreed to terms with WR Brandon LaFell per his agents.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 8, 2017
The Bengals have lost two key offensive linemen already in this free agency period, but they’ll keep offensive tackle Eric Winston in the fold. Winston stays in Cincy on a one-year deal. The finances have not yet been reported.
To be continued…
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