IRVING, Texas --Amid rampant speculation about Terence Newman's future, Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones wouldn't confirm last month that the veteran cornerback will be a salary cap cut this offseason.
It could happen, and the Cowboys would save at least $4 million on this year's salary cap by doing it.
Admittedly, then, it was a bit eerie to see the Seahawks making a similar decision on perhaps the league's best comparison to Newman over the last nine years: Marcus Trufant.
Trufant has been Seattle's fixture at corner since they drafted him 11th overall in 2003, six picks after the Cowboys took Newman at No. 5. Trufant has been to one Pro Bowl, Newman to two.
Even their career numbers are quite similar:
Trufant: 610 tackles, 21 interceptions (2 TDs), 100 pass breakups.
Newman: 542 tackles, 32 interceptions (3 TDs), 112 pass breakups.
Seattle finally decided to part ways with Trufant, 31, who has dealt with back problems the last two years. Newman's a little older -- he turns 34 in September -- and has battled his share of injuries, too.
Jones seemed to leave the door cracked for Newman's return next year, but it presumably might have to be at a reduced salary.
Or, like Trufant, Newman's nine-year run with the team that drafted him might be up.
