As we've seen this summer, the NFL is definitely a business. And with that, comes tough business decisions.
While the Cowboys basically made the decision to release veteran such as Roy Williams, Marion Barber, Marc Colombo and Leonard Davis earlier in the week, they weren't official until Thursday. The Cowboys also waived WR Troy Bergeron, OL Robert Brewster, PK Kris Brown, G Travis Bright and LB Kelvin Smith.
Obviously the big news centered on the offensive starters from last year. With that, Cowboys VP and director of player personnel Stephen Jones discussed the reasoning behind such moves after Thursday's practice.
When asked why things didn't work out with Williams, who received a five-year, $45-million contract in 2008, Stephen Jones took a broad approach.
"Our thought process is always to try and get better," Jones said. "Sometimes, it's not an exact science. It's business. Things happen all the it me that it doesn't work out. It's unfortunate but you just move on."
When asked about Marion Barber, Jones only praised the running back.
"I think of good things when I think of Marion. It's all positive. He really energized our team in the years he was really carrying the ball for us. He helped us win a lot of football games. I've got nothing but the upmost respect for Marion."
And Jones reflected on Colombo's journey to the Cowboys after being a first-round pick of the Bears in 2002 but injuries forced Chicago to cut him and the Cowboys took a chance on him in 2004.
"Colombo is a great story," Jones said. "We got him off the street and he was a high draft pick but came in here and continued to work hard to get something accomplished as a tackle. He really played well for us. He was a tremendous leader and did a lot of great things for us. You always hate when those things come to an end."
