The Dallas Cowboys are attempting to piece together an offensive line that will protect their latest investment in quarterback Tony Romo. The team has looked at multiple options, but has yet to make anything permanent. Dallas has shown a high amount of interest in Eric Fisher, but has not offered him a contract. As teams enter into trainings camps and take a closer look at needs, certain free agents will start to get picked up. The Cowboys are now considering free agent Tyson Clabo, which could lead to the release of Doug Free.
Clabo was released by the Atlanta Falcons in order to alleviate some salary cap space so the team can sign quarterback Matt Ryan to a new contract extension. The free agent market has not been kind to aging players and he has yet to sign with a team. Dallas has been interested in acquiring a veteran and they may be able to sign Clabo to a cheap contract that works for the team's salary cap. Clabo has been in the league since 2004 and spent a majority of that time in Atlanta. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2010.
If Dallas does make a push to sign Clabo, it will likely lead to the release of Free. The right tackle has been on the chopping block ever since he struggled last season splitting playing time with Jermey Parnell. Free currently has the fourth-highest salary cap number for the 2013 season. He is a $10.02 hit. In 2014, his number would jump to $11.020.
Dallas has not commented on the status of Free, but with their salary cap struggles, if they do sign Clabo then Free is gone. The flip side will be keeping Free and asking him to take a pay cut in order for the team. That could help him save his career in Dallas. If he is cut by June 1, Dallas will save $7 million.
"There's more to it. That implies a decision after the draft on Free, and we may be things there with our offensive line before the draft, relative to Free," owner Jerry Jones said.
The Cowboys do still have the NFL draft to address needs on the line. The team is targeting players like Chance Warmack with their No. 18 pick. They could also make a run at D.J. Fluker. Once Dallas decides the fate of Free, it will open up their options in free agency and the draft.
