NFL NEWS
Cowboys Sign Barber, Newman to Long-Term Deals
Published by MoonDog on May 21, 2008
The Dallas Cowboys signed running back Marion Barber and cornerback Terence Newman to long-term extensions Tuesday, just before the deadline the NFL set for opting out of the current collective bargaining agreement.
The signings continued the Cowboys’ penchant for locking up their core group of players. Dallas owner Jerry Jones shelled out $24 million yesterday in signing bonuses and is committed to another $71.6 million in salary to both players through the 2014 season.
Barber, a restricted free agent, had been tendered a one-year, $2.562 million offer which Barber hadn’t yet signed. With the announcement of the long-term deal, Barber and the Cowboys can relax, as can Cowboy fans.
Barber had become a fan favorite and is very simply one of the best running backs in the NFL. He’s the hardest running and most difficult back in the league to bring down. Barber’s deal is for seven years and $45 million including $16 million in guaranteed bonuses. It’s worth $21 million over the first three years, all of which puts him in the salary range of the highest paid running backs in the NFL, including San Diego’s LaDanian Tomlinson.
He ran for 975 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, plus had 44 catches for 282 yards and two touchdowns. Acknowledging he’d be the starter in 2008, the Cowboys moved him into the lineup for a playoff game against the New York Giants. He responded with a career-high 129 yards and a touchdown on a career-high 27 carries.
Newman’s deal is a six-year extension to the final year left on his initial contract. It’s worth $50.6 million, with a $12 million signing bonus and $22.5 million guaranteed over the first three years.
Newman’s contract will rank right up with other cornerbacks who have recently signed new contract, including Seattle’s Marcus Trufant, who signed a six-year, $50.2 million deal in March.
A five-year veteran who was drafted fifth overall in 2003, Newman missed three games and six starts because of injuries this past season. Despite the missed playing time, Newman was selected to his first Pro Bowl, with four interceptions, 62 tackles and tying for the team high with 15 pass deflections.
The Cowboys were able to beat the deadline to sign players under the current collective bargaining agreement. The NFL owners announced they will opt out of the current CBA agreement in 2011. All contracts completed after 3 p.m. Tuesday will follow new rules, which would’ve prevented the Cowboys from prorating the players’ signing and roster bonuses past five seasons.
Contract discussions have begun in earnest between the Cowboys and safety Ken Hamlin, who was given a franchise tag of $4.33 million in February. The Cowboys would like to sign Hamlin to a long-term deal although now that the CBA deadline has passed, the deal likely won’t be longer than five years.
Dallas is also attempting to re-sign defensive end Chris Canty to a long-term contract. Canty, a restricted free agent, was given a tender in February. If a long-term deal is not completed, he could play the 2008 season on a one-year, $2.017 million deal.
The Cowboys also have Terrell Owens, Marc Colombo and Tank Johnson entering the final years of their contracts, and DeMarcus Ware will be a free agent after the 2009 season.
The Cowboys began organized team activities Tuesday and will continue working Tuesdays through Thursdays for the next several weeks.
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