Tweet
Price Decides to Join Cowboys, Reunites With Bledsoe
Receiver Peerless Price decided Saturday to join the Dallas Cowboys, primarily because of the chance to be reunited with quarterback Drew Bledsoe.
Price accepted a one-year deal, agent Tim McGee said, giving him a chance to become a free agent again next season when he'll have more time to look around. He landed on the market this week after being cut by Atlanta, and teams wanted him to make his choice by Saturday's roster deadline.
The Cowboys ended up not including Price on the 53-man roster released Saturday evening, an indication the deal must still be signed. When that happens, perhaps as soon as Sunday, Dallas likely will drop receiver Quincy Morgan, who made the final cut.
The club did announce one newcomer - linebacker Scott Fujita, who was acquired from Kansas City for a sixth-round draft choice in 2006 and a conditional pick in 2007.
Fujita has started 41 of the Chiefs' last 43 games on the strong side and led the team in tackles the last two years. Cowboys coach Bill Parcells has been concerned about depth at linebacker as the team converts to a 3-4 formation.
The most notable players among the 15 released Saturday were offensive linemen Kurt Vollers and Tyson Walter, defensive tackle Leo Carson, deep snapper Jeff Robinson and safety Lynn Scott, whose departure leaves only two safeties - starters Roy Williams and Keith Davis.
Price took several days before picking Dallas, also visiting with Miami, New England, Dallas and the Saints.
He picked the Cowboys because he liked the idea of again catching passes from Bledsoe while being in a receiving corps that also features Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten and Patrick Crayton, a promising second-year player coming off a strong preseason.
"Drew and Peerless had a relationship and that's what it came down to," McGee said.
Price had his best season in 2002, his only year with Bledsoe in Buffalo. Price then parlayed his 1,252-yard, 94-catch season into a $37 million, seven-year contract with Atlanta, but never lived up to expectations.
Bledsoe vouched for Price to Parcells and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who also heard rave reviews from players who'd tried covering him.
"I think he does have quickness," Parcells said Friday. "I think he is receptive to coaching, and he has been productive in the league."
McGee said Price became less important to the Falcons because his role changed when a new coaching staff switched offenses. He knows the Cowboys are set in their ways under Parcells.
"It's not just Drew and Peerless connecting," McGee added. "Please make sure this is clear: It was Drew selling Peerless on the combination of him, Keyshawn, Terry and (Crayton)."
A lot of receivers and only one ball can sometimes cause a problem, but not in this case, McGee said, because Price is focused more on wins than catches.
"Put it this way - you got four guys and how many Super Bowls have they been to? One. I think it comes down to sacrifice," said McGee, himself a former NFL receiver.
Parcells said Friday that he told Price he would have to earn his spot in the rotation.
"I can't tell you what it is going to be because I don't know," Parcells said. "I haven't been on the field with him, and I don't really know the player. I have to know him before I can really tell him."
The release of Vollers and Walter was a surprise because both were mentioned as top backups at multiple spots. Carson started 15 games last season but was squeezed out by the arrival of Jason Ferguson and the change to a three-man line. Robinson's job went to Jon Condo, one of 10 rookies to make the club.
Rookie safety Justin Beriault and second-year linebacker Kalen Thornton were put on injured reserve. Both have knee problems, with Beriault's likely requiring surgery.
Those relieved to make it include running back Marion Barber III, fullback Lousaka Polite and offensive lineman Ben Noll. Jose Cortez goes in as the kicker, although Parcells has repeatedly warned that's subject to change.
Veterans released included linebacker Keith O'Neil, recently added safety Rich Coady and safety Woody Dantzler.
Tight end Sean Ryan and offensive lineman Matt Tarullo - two Parcells favorites - could be among the candidates to make the practice squad if they clear waivers. Others include receiver Tom Crowder and tight end Tony Curtis.
Running backs Erik Bickerstaff and Keylon Kincade and kicker Nick Novak round out those who didn't make it.
Source: AP
Price accepted a one-year deal, agent Tim McGee said, giving him a chance to become a free agent again next season when he'll have more time to look around. He landed on the market this week after being cut by Atlanta, and teams wanted him to make his choice by Saturday's roster deadline.
The Cowboys ended up not including Price on the 53-man roster released Saturday evening, an indication the deal must still be signed. When that happens, perhaps as soon as Sunday, Dallas likely will drop receiver Quincy Morgan, who made the final cut.
The club did announce one newcomer - linebacker Scott Fujita, who was acquired from Kansas City for a sixth-round draft choice in 2006 and a conditional pick in 2007.
Fujita has started 41 of the Chiefs' last 43 games on the strong side and led the team in tackles the last two years. Cowboys coach Bill Parcells has been concerned about depth at linebacker as the team converts to a 3-4 formation.
The most notable players among the 15 released Saturday were offensive linemen Kurt Vollers and Tyson Walter, defensive tackle Leo Carson, deep snapper Jeff Robinson and safety Lynn Scott, whose departure leaves only two safeties - starters Roy Williams and Keith Davis.
Price took several days before picking Dallas, also visiting with Miami, New England, Dallas and the Saints.
He picked the Cowboys because he liked the idea of again catching passes from Bledsoe while being in a receiving corps that also features Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten and Patrick Crayton, a promising second-year player coming off a strong preseason.
"Drew and Peerless had a relationship and that's what it came down to," McGee said.
Price had his best season in 2002, his only year with Bledsoe in Buffalo. Price then parlayed his 1,252-yard, 94-catch season into a $37 million, seven-year contract with Atlanta, but never lived up to expectations.
Bledsoe vouched for Price to Parcells and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who also heard rave reviews from players who'd tried covering him.
"I think he does have quickness," Parcells said Friday. "I think he is receptive to coaching, and he has been productive in the league."
McGee said Price became less important to the Falcons because his role changed when a new coaching staff switched offenses. He knows the Cowboys are set in their ways under Parcells.
"It's not just Drew and Peerless connecting," McGee added. "Please make sure this is clear: It was Drew selling Peerless on the combination of him, Keyshawn, Terry and (Crayton)."
A lot of receivers and only one ball can sometimes cause a problem, but not in this case, McGee said, because Price is focused more on wins than catches.
"Put it this way - you got four guys and how many Super Bowls have they been to? One. I think it comes down to sacrifice," said McGee, himself a former NFL receiver.
Parcells said Friday that he told Price he would have to earn his spot in the rotation.
"I can't tell you what it is going to be because I don't know," Parcells said. "I haven't been on the field with him, and I don't really know the player. I have to know him before I can really tell him."
The release of Vollers and Walter was a surprise because both were mentioned as top backups at multiple spots. Carson started 15 games last season but was squeezed out by the arrival of Jason Ferguson and the change to a three-man line. Robinson's job went to Jon Condo, one of 10 rookies to make the club.
Rookie safety Justin Beriault and second-year linebacker Kalen Thornton were put on injured reserve. Both have knee problems, with Beriault's likely requiring surgery.
Those relieved to make it include running back Marion Barber III, fullback Lousaka Polite and offensive lineman Ben Noll. Jose Cortez goes in as the kicker, although Parcells has repeatedly warned that's subject to change.
Veterans released included linebacker Keith O'Neil, recently added safety Rich Coady and safety Woody Dantzler.
Tight end Sean Ryan and offensive lineman Matt Tarullo - two Parcells favorites - could be among the candidates to make the practice squad if they clear waivers. Others include receiver Tom Crowder and tight end Tony Curtis.
Running backs Erik Bickerstaff and Keylon Kincade and kicker Nick Novak round out those who didn't make it.
Source: AP