IRVING, Texas - As expected, the free-agent frenzy was in full force Thursday around the league, but that wasn't really the case for the Cowboys at Valley Ranch.
When the free-agent signing period opened at 3 p.m. on Thursday, it was still rather quiet at the Cowboys' headquarters in terms of adding players.
Now, players headed to other teams was another story as some of the team's top unrestricted free agents either signed with other clubs or have deals in place to move.
Here's a quick look at some of the bigger news surrounding the Cowboys on the first day of free agency:
- Wide receiver/special teams ace Dwayne Harris has signed with the NFC East rival New York Giants. Harris is making about $3.5 million per season, inking a five-year, $17.5 million deal with more than $7 million guaranteed. Harris wasn't just the team's fourth receiver, but has been the Cowboys' primary return specialist for both punts and kickoffs, and even led the team in special teams tackles last year. With Harris gone, the Cowboys will now look to find a replacement in the return game.
- Linebacker Justin Durant also is moving on, after playing two years with the Cowboys. Durant is expected to officially sign a deal with the Falcons to pay him more than $3 million per season. Durant was having one of his best seasons of his career, playing all three linebacker spots and serving as a leader for the Cowboys before suffering a season-ending biceps injury early in the season. Durant still finished sixth on the team in tackles with 59 despite missing the last 10 games.
- Durant is one of three unrestricted free agent linebackers for the Cowboys, along with Bruce Carter and Rolando McClain. Carter has two visits lined up this week, going to Tampa Bay and Houston.
- The biggest free agent for the Cowboys, and one of the most notable in the entire league is running back DeMarco Murray, whose agent did at least meet with the Cowboys' representatives on Monday and again briefly Tuesday. While the NFL's leading rusher and 2014 Offensive MVP didn't officially meet with another team, he has been linked to having "mutual interest" with the Eagles and now the Oakland Raiders are also seemingly in the mix to land Murray.
- Former Arizona cornerback Antonio Cromartie, an unrestricted free agent, went on the set of ESPN's First Take and boldly said he is "missing piece" for the Cowboys to win a title. "They're only missing one key piece and that's the piece in the secondary. I feel like I can be that piece to help and go in and win a championship and get the Dallas Cowboys back where they're supposed to be."
However, as of Tuesday afternoon, the Cowboys had not even spoken to Cromartie or his agent. It's likely his asking price would be way out of the Cowboys' price range, especially if they plan to keep Brandon Carr on his current contract without asking him to restructure. So far, the Cowboys have yet to ask Carr to rework his deal that will pay him more than $8 million in 2015.
- As reported on Monday, the Cowboys officially lost tackle Jermey Parnell to the Jaguars for a deal that will pay him more than $31 million over the next five years. Parnell was the team's swing tackle for the past three seasons and started seven games in 2014, including two in the playoffs. The Cowboys instead chose to re-sign Doug Free, who got a three-year deal worth $15 million.
- The Cowboys do not have any free agents lined up to visit as of Tuesday evening.
[embeddedad0]
