Cowboys indeed are considering Eric Winston
There was a recent report the Dallas Cowboys were in talks with free agent right tackle Eric Winston and then that was shot down.
But where there is smoke, well, there might just be a fire. Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones told KRLD-FM on Tuesday that the club is indeed looking at Winston, who was released by the Kansas City Chiefs and is one of several experienced and skilled right tackles on the market with Andre Smith and Tyson Clabo.
“He’s obviously somebody that we’re taking a look at,” Jones said, according to the Dallas Morning News. “We certainly haven’t dismissed Doug (Free). We really felt like when we went to rotating him and Jermey Parnell that he really picked up his game in terms of the competition, not to mention the fact that I think he got some clarity as to what (offensive line coach) Bill Callahan was after.
“I think there’s some interest and prospects there between what we have and what we could get. Obviously on the interior part of our line the same thing holds true. I think we had some injuries there. Another year under Bill and more work, and not to mention what might happen in the draft. We’ll just have to see how that goes.”
These experienced right tackles are looking for solid pay, though, and this has been primarily a buyers’ market. Winston and Co. might not find a team willing to pay $4 million or even $3 million per year. Before the Cowboys add a tackle, though, they have to figure out what they want to do with Free, who has long been rumored to be in line for a pay reduction. Free is due to earn $7 million this season coming off a rough 2012 season. This might be a situation that unfolds following the draft.
Follow me on Twitter: @BradBiggs
Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune
Follow @footballpost on Twitter for the latest news
This story originally appeared on Nationalfootballpost.com
