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The Cowboys say they won't franchise Miles Austin, believing the highest restricted free agent tender will be enough. Given Austin's ability and the number of teams on the lookout for a top wide receiver this offseason, it's a decision they may come to regret.
The highest restricted free agent tender would give the Cowboys the right to match any offer for their No. 1 wideout, or receive first- and third-round picks as compensation should they decline. "We don't need to use the franchise tag," says team VP Stephen Jones. "How many times have you seen another team give up a one and a three?"
Jones' quotes can be found in this story in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
One instance that comes to mind was when the Jets gave up first- and third-round picks in order to sign franchise running back Curtis Martin away from the Patriots a little over a decade ago. The executive willing to make that sacrifice to steal his former team's best player? Bill Parcells, who currently makes the personnel decisions for the Miami Dolphins. A team, coincidentally, that is one of several in dire need of a legitimate franchise wideout.
The Cowboys say Austin isn't going anywhere, and will match any offer for him. Still, unmatchable "poison-pill" deals have cost teams players they didn't want to lose in the past. Austin, who comes off a breakout season, could be the next such example.
--Andy Richardson
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Posted by ADAM HOLTZ | Feb. 18 at 08:21 PM
Even more of a weird coincidence about Parcells - he took Martin from the Pats just a year or two after Parcells himself left New England. Now in Miami, Parcells just left Dallas on a similar time frame......
Posted by CURT GOLDGRABE | Feb. 19 at 02:50 AM
Good thing Minnesota already has a plethora of WRs. They pulled the worst (best?) poison pill of all time when they took Steve Hutchinson from the Seahawks. My birds still haven't recovered from that one.