Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News was surprised that the Cowboys landed LSU lineman La’el Collins. George understands that Collins wanted to join one of the league’s best offense lines, but he figured that, as a UDFA, the LSU would have instead chosen to sign with the team that would’ve had a greater need for him long term. Collins’ contract will come up at about the same time that the Cowboys will also be looking to re-sign Pro Bowl center Travis Frederick and Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin, so there might not be enough cash to go around. Here’s more out of Dallas..
- Orlando Scandrick is in attendance for offseason workouts today, Clarence Hill Jr. of the Star Telegram tweets. It was reported on Sunday that Scandrick would likely work out for Dallas today, barring any family obligations. Scandrick is scheduled to earn just $1.5MM in base salary in 2015, and $3MM in each of the following three seasons as part of a contract (and subsequent two-year extension) he signed in 2011. After grading out as the tenth-best corner in the league last season per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), he at least has some leverage in talks.
- Cowboys QB Tony Romo is getting up there in years, but tight end Jason Witten isn’t thinking about how much time he has left playing with him, Todd Archer of ESPN.com writes. Romo, for his part, has suggested that he has four or five years left in the tank. “If we do it like last year we can,” Witten said. “But I mean, I try not to look that far ahead. I think you just go one year at a time. For him, he played as well as he’s ever played. I think the way he’s handled the back and the way he’s on top of his body, I think he can play as long as he wants to play.”
- Tim Cowlishaw of The Dallas Morning News says that the Cowboys could get by without Brandon Carr if Morris Claiborne is healthy enough to contribute at a high level. Owner Jerry Jones says that ironing out Carr’s contract situation is a priority for him, but it could be tough for the two sides to reach a compromise.