HighSchool Fan
12-31-2005, 09:04 PM
Cowboys may re-sign ex-safety Woodson
If club makes playoffs, retired star could return to give Dallas depth
07:56 PM CST on Saturday, December 31, 2005
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – When Darren Woodson announced his retirement last year, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said, smiling, "We'll always keep his rights, just in case."
That moment could be coming soon. If the Cowboys make the playoffs, they could turn to the past for help.
On Saturday, Woodson cleared waivers after the Cowboys released him from the reserve/retired list, opening the way for the team's all-time leading tackler to return. League rules would prevent Woodson from signing and playing tonight vs. St. Louis.
The Cowboys would not be able to sign Woodson had they not made the procedural move.
Coach Bill Parcells has expressed concern about the depth at safety all season. With Roy Williams bothered by a sprained ankle, the Cowboys recently added safety Tony Dixon to the roster. Keith Davis has started 14 games this year at free safety with Willie Pile and Lynn Scott as backups.
Woodson, 36, announced his retirement late last season after he was unable to return from back surgery performed a few weeks before training camp. The Cowboys kept him on the physically unable to perform list, hoping he would play in 2004, but nerve issues kept Woodson from regaining full strength.
Woodson has not worked out for the Cowboys and it's not clear what kind of condition he is in.
"We'll see what happens because they are not in the playoffs just, yet," Woodson, who was in Bristol, Conn., working for ESPN, said. "Let's wait until Monday."
Efforts to reach Cowboys officials were unsuccessful.
In 12 years with the Cowboys, Woodson was part of three Super Bowl teams, was named All-Pro four times and played in five Pro Bowls. He finished with 1,350 tackles, 23 interceptions and 11 sacks.
If club makes playoffs, retired star could return to give Dallas depth
07:56 PM CST on Saturday, December 31, 2005
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – When Darren Woodson announced his retirement last year, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said, smiling, "We'll always keep his rights, just in case."
That moment could be coming soon. If the Cowboys make the playoffs, they could turn to the past for help.
On Saturday, Woodson cleared waivers after the Cowboys released him from the reserve/retired list, opening the way for the team's all-time leading tackler to return. League rules would prevent Woodson from signing and playing tonight vs. St. Louis.
The Cowboys would not be able to sign Woodson had they not made the procedural move.
Coach Bill Parcells has expressed concern about the depth at safety all season. With Roy Williams bothered by a sprained ankle, the Cowboys recently added safety Tony Dixon to the roster. Keith Davis has started 14 games this year at free safety with Willie Pile and Lynn Scott as backups.
Woodson, 36, announced his retirement late last season after he was unable to return from back surgery performed a few weeks before training camp. The Cowboys kept him on the physically unable to perform list, hoping he would play in 2004, but nerve issues kept Woodson from regaining full strength.
Woodson has not worked out for the Cowboys and it's not clear what kind of condition he is in.
"We'll see what happens because they are not in the playoffs just, yet," Woodson, who was in Bristol, Conn., working for ESPN, said. "Let's wait until Monday."
Efforts to reach Cowboys officials were unsuccessful.
In 12 years with the Cowboys, Woodson was part of three Super Bowl teams, was named All-Pro four times and played in five Pro Bowls. He finished with 1,350 tackles, 23 interceptions and 11 sacks.