Offseason Turnover
After news reports about a 2007 shooting allegation surfaced, the Cowboys released talented but controversial starting cornerback Adam Jones on February 9, 2009.[2] Their next move was to release backup quarterback Brad Johnson on February 26, 2009 and to not re-sign QB Brooks Bollinger.[3] The Cowboys had been 1-3 when Johnson started in 2008. Two days later, the Cowboys traded starting cornerback Anthony Henry, age 32, to the Detroit Lions in exchange for quarterback John Kitna to back up starting quarterback Tony Romo.[4] The same day the team signed five-time Pro Bowl, two-time second-team All-Pro linebacker Keith Brooking away from the Atlanta Falcons.[5] The 33-year-old Brooking had led the Falcons in sacks the previous eight seasons, and he signed a three-year deal worth $7.8 million and includes $2.5 million guaranteed.[6]
The team lost starting defensive end Chris Canty to the New York Giants on March 1, 2009.[7] To fill the need left by Canty’s departure, the team signed former Chargers defensive end Igor Olshansky to a four-year, $18 million contract, with $8 million guaranteed on March 6, 2009.[8] Linebacker Matt Stewart, who played for Wade Phillips in Atlanta, and had 108 tackles in 2003, signed a one-year contract on March 3, 2009.[9] Stewart helped replace free-agent linebacker Kevin Burnett, who signed a two-year contract worth $5.5 million with a $2 million signing bonus to play for the San Diego Chargers.[10]
On March 4, 2009, the Cowboys cut Terrell Owens, a five-time All-Pro wide receiver who ranks second in NFL history in career touchdowns.[11] The next morning, the team also released five-time Pro Bowl strong safety Roy Williams. Williams had struggled to excel in the 3-4 defense Phillips installed when he became head coach.[12] The Cowboys bolstered its secondary in the wake of Willaims’ departure by signing strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh, who started 13 games in 2008 for the Jacksonville Jaguars, to a one-year, $1.75 million deal.[10]
In April, the Cowboys addressed their restricted free agents, whose signing period ran through April 17, 2009.[13] Offensive lineman Cory Procter signed a one-year tender offer on April 4, 2009.[14] Defensive end Stephen Bowen also signed a tender offer two days later.[15] Wide receiver Sam Hurd signed a one-year offer worth $1.545 million on April 20, 2009.[13] The team signed their final restricted free agent, wide receiver Miles Austin, and both exclusive-rights free agents, running back Alonzo Coleman and tight end Rodney Hannah, to one-year contracts worth $1.54 million, $385,000, and $310,000 respectively on April 23, 2009.[16]
The team released thirty-four year-old, Pro-Bowl defensive end Greg Ellis on June 2, 2009. The move saved the Cowboys $4.15 million.
