- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 120,131
Any fits for Cowboys in recent cuts?
March, 5, 2015
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- When the Dallas Cowboys signed Keith Rivers on Wednesday, a few of you asked how they were able to get a deal done with a player before free agency began.
Because Rivers was cut Feb. 17 by the Buffalo Bills, he was able to sign elsewhere before the beginning of the free-agency period, which starts next Tuesday.
There are more than a few players in that category who might be of interest to the Cowboys.
Defensive end Trent Cole: Yes, I called him a defensive end even if he played outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme the last two years with the Philadelphia Eagles. He turns 32 in October, but he has been durable and productive. He has 14.5 sacks the last two years and has four double-digit sack seasons. He is a bridge player to where the Cowboys can cover themselves for a year or two as they look to rebuild the line in the draft. If he’s looking for some good coin, then I think the Cowboys pass, but he would fill a need and give the Cowboys another pretty good pass-rusher to go with Jeremy Mincey and DeMarcus Lawrence.
Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork: He would also be a bridge player and he made a lot of money last season and I’d think he will be looking for some good coin this year. He is massive, which the Cowboys really don’t have on their line. But is he a scheme fit? He’s played mostly 3-4 nose tackle but the New England Patriots play multiple fronts so I don’t think it would be a difficult transition. He played in every game last season while coming back from a torn Achilles. He would be a great locker room presence as well.
Running back Reggie Bush: This is only an option if the Cowboys are unable to keep DeMarco Murray. In my view the Cowboys need to add two running backs if they lose Murray. Bush just turned 30 and is coming off a down year in Detroit. But in his one year in Detroit with Scott Linehan he flourished with 1,006 rushing yards and 54 catches for 506 yards. He wouldn’t be an every-down back by any stretch but he could be a good fit in the passing game and handle 8-10 carries a game. Again, this would only be an option if Murray goes.
Linebacker A.J. Hawk: He was a mainstay for the Green Bay Packers for years but he was definitely slowing down. The Cowboys have tried the veteran deal before with Keith Brooking and Zach Thomas with some success. The Cowboys just added Keith Rivers and want to keep Justin Durant, so this doesn’t seem like a realistic option at all.
Defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka: The longtime New York Giants defensive end/outside linebacker has been the definition of solid. He has slowed down, missed five games last season and turns 32 next week but this would be on a one-year deal at best for the Cowboys. He does not have the same pass-rush ability as Cole. If they were looking at this type of player, thenAnthony Spencer would be a better fit.
March, 5, 2015
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- When the Dallas Cowboys signed Keith Rivers on Wednesday, a few of you asked how they were able to get a deal done with a player before free agency began.
Because Rivers was cut Feb. 17 by the Buffalo Bills, he was able to sign elsewhere before the beginning of the free-agency period, which starts next Tuesday.
There are more than a few players in that category who might be of interest to the Cowboys.
Defensive end Trent Cole: Yes, I called him a defensive end even if he played outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme the last two years with the Philadelphia Eagles. He turns 32 in October, but he has been durable and productive. He has 14.5 sacks the last two years and has four double-digit sack seasons. He is a bridge player to where the Cowboys can cover themselves for a year or two as they look to rebuild the line in the draft. If he’s looking for some good coin, then I think the Cowboys pass, but he would fill a need and give the Cowboys another pretty good pass-rusher to go with Jeremy Mincey and DeMarcus Lawrence.
Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork: He would also be a bridge player and he made a lot of money last season and I’d think he will be looking for some good coin this year. He is massive, which the Cowboys really don’t have on their line. But is he a scheme fit? He’s played mostly 3-4 nose tackle but the New England Patriots play multiple fronts so I don’t think it would be a difficult transition. He played in every game last season while coming back from a torn Achilles. He would be a great locker room presence as well.
Running back Reggie Bush: This is only an option if the Cowboys are unable to keep DeMarco Murray. In my view the Cowboys need to add two running backs if they lose Murray. Bush just turned 30 and is coming off a down year in Detroit. But in his one year in Detroit with Scott Linehan he flourished with 1,006 rushing yards and 54 catches for 506 yards. He wouldn’t be an every-down back by any stretch but he could be a good fit in the passing game and handle 8-10 carries a game. Again, this would only be an option if Murray goes.
Linebacker A.J. Hawk: He was a mainstay for the Green Bay Packers for years but he was definitely slowing down. The Cowboys have tried the veteran deal before with Keith Brooking and Zach Thomas with some success. The Cowboys just added Keith Rivers and want to keep Justin Durant, so this doesn’t seem like a realistic option at all.
Defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka: The longtime New York Giants defensive end/outside linebacker has been the definition of solid. He has slowed down, missed five games last season and turns 32 next week but this would be on a one-year deal at best for the Cowboys. He does not have the same pass-rush ability as Cole. If they were looking at this type of player, thenAnthony Spencer would be a better fit.
