http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cf...4343C631980B1F
Veteran CB Nearing Deal Following Houston Release
By Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
April 26, 2005, 7:15 PM (CDT)
IRVING, Texas - For only the second time in the last six years, the Cowboys went through an entire draft without taking a cornerback, having selected 10 in the previous five drafts.
However, the Cowboys are getting close to acquiring a veteran cornerback in free agency, one with ties to not only the state, but to the head coach as well.
Aaron Glenn, an 11-year veteran, was released by the Texans on Tuesday after spending three seasons as the "hometown guy" in Houston, not far from where he grew up in Humble, Texas, and has been in contact with the Cowboys about a possible deal.
But Glenn likely won't be without a team for long. It appears the 32-year-old and former Texas A&M standout is close to reuniting himself with Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells, who coached him three seasons with the Jets. The Cowboys went into late Tuesday night talking with Glenn and a deal could be reached as early as Wednesday. Reports out of Houston claim the two sides already had reached a tentative agreement.
Glenn started his career with the Jets in 1994, playing eight seasons in New York, including three when Parcells was head coach (1997-99). A two-time Pro Bowler with the Jets, Glenn was drafted by the Texans in the 2002 expansion draft and quickly became a local favorite. Glenn earned another trip to the Pro Bowl in 2002, when he had five interceptions, including a pair of interception returns (70 and 65 yards) for touchdowns in one game against the Steelers.
This past season with the Texans, Glenn finished second on the team in both interceptions (five) and pass deflections (11), and had 59 tackles, starting all 16 games. In 11 seasons, Glenn has started all but one of his 154 career games played, and has missed only 12 in his career.
If signed, Glenn will join an ever-growing list of former players to reunite with Parcells, including quarterback Drew Bledsoe and defensive tackle Jason Ferguson, during this off-season. And since Parcells took over in Dallas in 2003, he has re-signed former players such as wide receivers Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, Dedric Ward, fullback Richie Anderson, quarterback Vinny Testaverde and offensive tackle Ryan Young.
Glenn would also join a rather young cornerback position, which includes projected starters Terence Newman and Anthony Henry, one of the top free agents signed this off-season. The Cowboys also re-signed fourth-year pro Pete Hunter as a restricted free agent. And then there are the four rookies from last year, including Lance Frazier, who started nine games, along with unproven draft picks Bruce Thornton, Jacques Reeves and Nate Jones.
The seven current cornerbacks on the roster combine for just 13 years of NFL experience. If signed, Glenn would immediately push that number to 24.
The Texans not only saved some cap room by releasing Glenn, but also opened up a starting cornerback job for Philip Buchanan, acquired by the Texans in a trade with the Raiders last week. Glenn had three years remaining on his contract and was scheduled to receive $4 in base salary this upcoming season.
"I have tremendous respect for Aaron Glenn," Houston head coach Dom Capers said on the Texans official website. "I appreciate all that he has done for us in the time that he's been here. He set the tone as far as leadership and work ethic for our franchise over the first three years. He's the type of player you enjoy coaching. You hate to lose him, but it's the nature of the business and we wish Aaron Glenn nothing but the best."
Surgery For Anderson
Cowboys running back Richie Anderson has returned home from New York, where he underwent neck surgery last week. Doctors performed an anterior cervical fusion procedure to repair the damaged disk in his neck, similar to the surgeries performed on other former Cowboys, including Daryl Johnston, Chad Hennings and Rocket Ismail.
Anderson has yet to announce his intentions for the coming season, whether he will return for a 12th year or retire as some expect. Seems as though Anderson might have had the surgery sooner if he had plans to play this year. He's facing about a five-month rehab.
Anderson, who just bought a house in nearby Colleyville, Texas, suffered the injury late last year, and spent the last game on injured reserve. Since the injury occurred at the end of last season, the Cowboys would be responsible for his 2005 contract until he was healthy enough to pass a physical.
Passing On Marion
Despite the team's need for a safety, the Cowboys aren't very interested in 12-year veteran Brock Marion, who was released Monday by the Lions.
Marion, a seventh-round pick of the Cowboys in 1993, played five years in Dallas, starting 43 games alongside strong safety Darren Woodson. Since leaving the Cowboys after the 1997 season, Marion signed a free-agent deal with Miami, where he earned three Pro Bowl selections in his six seasons. Marion finished third on the Lions defense with 112 tackles this past season and was second on the team with three interceptions, starting all 16 games.
The Cowboys studied film on Marion Tuesday, but want to go with more youth at the position. Currently, the team is expecting Lynn Scott, Keith Davis, Clint Finley and now sixth-round pick Justin Beriault to compete for the free safety position, with Roy Williams sliding over to strong safety.
The Cowboys also had their eyes on Atlanta safety Cory Hall, who was re-signed by the Falcons on Friday. Hall, a six-year veteran, was released by Atlanta in the off-season after recording 60 tackles and an interception in 13 starts last year. But Hall re-signed last week and will likely compete for a starting job once again this year.
Now the Cowboys will have 2 Glenns, Aaron and Terry.
They are talking about using Aaron as a nickle back. The Cowboys are actually bringing in some guys with good interception skills (Anthony Henry and Glenn). When was the last time the Cowboys had a DB with decent numbers in that category? Everson Walls?
That is better than two Aaron's, because Aaron Kyle is 51 years old.
Aaron Kyle, now that's a name from the past. The great under-acheiver.
Two Glenns. One he and one she. (A Bill Parcells joke).
and glenn is no longer that great...last season he got burned for tds like every game..
that is why being a nickel back will best suit him....he won't be out on an island having to cover one on one.
Yep, that would work fine. Typical of the Houston Texas misusing everyone they have and not using their personnel as they should
they're out there sending Glenn's old ass to cover Randy Moss or Joe Porter or Marvin Harrison one on one as if he was the 2nd coming of Darryl Green.
he was good 2 seasons ago, but after injury he was slow and weak.. i am still rooting for houston though!Yep, that would work fine. Typical of the Houston Texas misusing everyone they have and not using their personnel as they should
they're out there sending Glenn's old ass to cover Randy Moss or Joe Porter or Marvin Harrison one on one as if he was the 2nd coming of Darryl Green.
Maybe he'll help. A little savvy might help make up for a lost step as a nickel guy.
BTW, it's now a "done deal". He signed today.
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