OXNARD, Calif. – The Cowboys have already acquired three former first-round picks this offseason, just to see if they've got anything left in the tank.
In fact, the Cowboys actually had a fourth former first-rounder at the Oxnard practice facility Thursday.
Although the club visited with recently-cut pass-rusher Larry English, the pass rusher who was recently waived by the Chargers, left the Cowboys' training camp without signing.
The Cowboys were likely just doing their due diligence in visiting with English, who was able to drive up from the San Diego area.
English has had his share of health issues, which led to his released by the Chargers. He suffered a torn biceps injury last season in November and recently underwent a knee scope. English is likely a couple of weeks away from being able to pass a physical.
The 16th overall pick in the 2009 draft out of Northern Illinois, English started only nine games in five years and played in just 52 of a possible 80 games. Playing mostly as a 3-4 outside linebacker, English did record 11 career sacks.
So far this offseason, the Cowboys have signed former first-round [embedded_ad] picks Brandon Weeden, Amobi Okoye and linebacker Rolando McClain. Only Weeden was on the field for practice on Thursday as the backup quarterback. Okoye was placed on Non-Football Illness list while McClain was en route to Alabama for a court hearing.
The Cowboys also signed former second-round pick Ryan Williams, who will compete for a roster spot at tailback.
On Wednesday, Jerry Jones said he's always taken the approach of adding high-potential players at a low-risk cost.
"Those guys that were drafted in the first round - there can be many reasons why they are in some cases not only on a team but one of the real impact players on the team," Jones said. "And if you took those reasons or the reasons that another team may have used and you make that decision for you, then you eliminate possibility given difference circumstances another time, a few more years down the road, a little more appreciation. You stand on the outside of the NFL and look in and let a little time goes by, you might appreciate the opportunity even more. That's not uncommon."
