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HOT TOPIC
Kyle Kosier is the biggest free-agent gamble the Cowboys made this offseason.
Despite the splashier moves with Terrell Owens and Mike Vanderjagt, Kosier may be the one that has to pay off if the Cowboys hope to realize their Super Bowl dreams.
You see, Kosier got a five-year, $15 million deal to not only play left guard but to replace future Hall of Famer Larry Allen, who was released this offseason.
Allen was simply the best offensive lineman in team history. Although he was declining, he was still a Pro Bowler last season.
Now the Cowboys are hoping Kosier can actually provide an upgrade.
"Well, I know I've got some pretty big shoes to fill," Kosier said. "He's a great player, probably one of the best guards to ever play the game."
Allen was great, but his limited mobility was a handicap to the Cowboys. They could run behind Allen but had trouble running away from him because he couldn't pull anymore. The versatile Kosier brings more athletic ability to the position, offensive line coach Tony Sparano said. Kosier has started 40 games and has played every position on the line except center.
"(Kosier) gives us the ability to be both right- and left-handed," Sparano said. "No disrespect to Larry Allen, he's a Hall-of-Fame player and I loved coaching Larry, but at the end of the day, sometimes you wanted to run the ball more at Larry than away from Larry -- it made common sense. Here with Kyle, you can run the ball at him or away from him. He's an intelligent guy, which Larry was a very smart guy as well.
"But Kosier can really help us, too. This guy is a pro in everything he does -- in the weight room, on the field. I'm glad he's here with us."
Kosier is ready to do whatever he's asked. He said he's comfortable playing any position and if guard is where the Cowboys want him then that's where he will play.
True to his underdog pedigree, Kosier is the favorite but not a lock to the position. Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said he wants to take a look at Stephen Peterman and Cory Proctor.
"I think I know what I have with him," Parcells said. "He started and played pretty well last year in Detroit. But I have to see what these other two guys have, too."
Kosier is ready for that too.
"I have no problems competing for anything," Kosier said. "That's what you're supposed to do. I don't think anyone should get anything handed to him. I came here to work hard and do my best. That's what they pay me to do and that's what I'm going to do.
"I have confidence in myself that I can get the job done. And I have confidence with the guys around me. But I know I have to come in here and work hard and make sure they have the same confidence in me."
PLAYER NOTES
--The Cowboys have set their dates for training camp. They leave for Oxnard on July 27 and will have their first practice on July 29. The Cowboys will have 18 practices before breaking camp on Aug. 20
--G D'Anthony Baptiste has been signed to one-year deal. He finished college in 2004 at Louisiana Lafayette but played in AFL2 last year. He went to training camp with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL but was released.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--LB Michael Barrow (not tendered June 1).
--LB Quinton Caver (not tendered June 1).
--S Tony Dixon (not tendered June 1).
--LB Eric Ogbogu (not tendered June 1).
--T Marcus Price (not tendered June 1).
--S Lynn Scott (not tendered June 1).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--WR Terrance Copper: Potential ERFA; $425,000/1 yr.
--WR Patrick Crayton: Potential ERFA; $425,000/1 yr.
--S Keith Davis: RFA; $2.95M/2 yrs, $1.2M RB; 2006 cap: $2.025M; Cowboys matched Saints offer.
--G/C Andre Gurode: UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--LS L.P. Ladouceur: ERFA; $350,000/1 yr.
--P Matt McBriar: Potential ERFA; $425,000/1 yr.
--S Willie Pile: ERFA; terms unknown.
--FB Lousaka Polite: ERFA; $425,000/1 yr.
--CB Jacques Reeves: ERFA; terms unknown.
--LB Scott Shanle: RFA; $721,600/1 yr.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--LB Akin Ayodele: UFA Jaguars; $17M/5 yrs, $5M SB.
--LB Rocky Boiman: UFA Titans; $3.5M/3 yrs, $1M SB.
--S Marcus Coleman: FA Texans; $850,000/1 yr, $40,000 RB.
--OT Jason Fabini: FA Jets; $4.5M/3 yrs, $1.75M SB.
--TE Ryan Hannam: UFA Seahawks; $5M/4 yrs, $1.25M SB.
--OG Kyle Kosier: UFA Lions; $15M/5 yrs, $5M SB.
--WR Terrell Owens: FA Eagles; $25M/3 yrs; $5M SB/$3M RB '07-'08; 2006 cap: $6.67M.
--PK Mike Vanderjagt: UFA Colts; $5.5M/3 yrs, $2.5M SB.
PLAYERS LOST
--OG Larry Allen (released).
--DT Willie Blade (released; failed physical/leg).
--TE Dan Campbell: UFA Lions; 5 yrs, terms unknown.
--LB Scott Fujita: UFA Saints; terms unknown.
--DT La'Roi Glover (released).
--WR Keyshawn Johnson (released).
--LB Dat Nguyen (retired).
--OT Jacob Rogers (released/failed physical).
--OT Torrin Tucker: RFA Buccaneers; $2.6M/2 yrs, $100,000 RB: 2006 cap: $1.3M (Cowboys did not match offer; no compensation).
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
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