IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys still haven't come to a final decision with right tackle Doug Free.
Executive vice president Stephen Jones said the two parties need to get something resolved, but they haven't heard an answer back yet about whether or not Free will accept a pay cut.
"We want him," Jones said. "We'd love to have him here. I think he'd love to be here. Now the question is, it's got to work for him and it's got to work for us."
Free agent veteran tackles Tyson Clabo and Eric Winston are still available for the taking if the Cowboys choose to make a move after a down year for Doug Free, who ended up splitting time with Jermey Parnell.
"He wants to play better than he played," Jones said. "I think he'd be the first to tell you that. I think he played better toward the end."
The Cowboys have thrown around the idea about moving him to guard, but as of this point that doesn't appear likely.
Romo Offers Opinion
Much was made of the tidbit, revealed on Friday, that Romo himself came to Valley Ranch to evaluate Gavin Escobar and Terrance Williams ahead of their eventual selections.
Apparently, Romo visited with both Jerry and Stephen Jones for about an hour during the tight end meeting room late Friday afternoon.
But Jones was quick to point out that Romo hasn't been hard to find this offseason, following his major contract extension.
"Make no mistake about it, Romo has been all over this place this offseason," Jones said. "He hasn't been in here every day in this draft room, but he has been all over this place back here with the coaches. He's in the building; it's not much effort to bring him in."
- David Helman
The More You Can Do …
For three seasons at Georgia Southern, J.J. Wilcox played running back and receiver. Not until late August did he get the chance to move over to defense.
Less than a year later, he's a third-round pick of the Cowboys (80th overall) with a shot to compete for a starting job.
Wilcox said he believes switching positions didn't hurt his chances of becoming a higher pick, but probably enhanced them. And more importantly, will allow him to compete for a spot.
"It doesn't make you limited. You come in and the team can use you anywhere," Wilcox said. " I think it helps out a lot with ball skills, foot work, hips and dictation that you need to be a good safety such as good route running and understanding how the receivers run their routes and how they come out and what their stems are, and stuff like that. Playing offense for three years helped me out back at safety this year and hopefully this will transfer over to the NFL and I'll become one of the best safeties in the NFL."
Despite not playing the position until his senior season, Wilcox said he always eyed the safety spot.
"I always wanted to be a safety. I had love for the game from day one," Wilcox said. "Some of my favorite players are from the safety position and I grew up watching the Cowboys. It's just a blessing to just put a star on the side of my helmet."
- Nick Eatman
