kepdawg
03-01-2007, 06:56 PM
Cowboys release Bledsoe
04:42 PM CST on Thursday, March 1, 2007
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
tarcher@dallasnews.com
IRVING – The Cowboys made the expected move Thursday when they released quarterback Drew Bledsoe before he was due a $1 million roster bonus.
By cutting Bledsoe, the Cowboys save about $6 million against the $109 million salary cap and put themselves in the market for a quarterback.
In two years, Bledsoe had a 12-10 record with the Cowboys, barely missing the 2005 playoffs with a 9-7 mark. He was replaced by Tony Romo after a 3-3 start to the 2006 season in which he had seven touchdown passes and eight interceptions to go with being sacked 16 times. Despite the demotion, Bledsoe remained the offensive captain for the rest of the season.
Bledsoe had 30 touchdown passes and 25 interceptions in his 22 starts, throwing for 4,803 yards. He had at least one touchdown pass in 19 of his 22 starts and his 23 touchdown passes in 2005 were the most by a Dallas quarterback since Troy Aikman had 23 in 1992.
In 14 years with New England, Buffalo and the Cowboys, Bledsoe ranks in the top 10 in pass attempts (6,717), completions (3,839), yards (44,611) and his 251 touchdown passes are 13th all-time.
At the end of last season, he said he was unsure if he would play again. With a young family, Bledsoe was unsure if he wanted to go to another team and he had said he did not want to be a backup.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones left the door open to a possible return with the Cowboys.
"I spoke with Drew today and told him that this was primarily a cap decision and that the door was very much open for him being a part of our future," Jones said in a statement. "Drew has been a solid leader for our team and a true professional both on and off the field. He has also been a great role model to all of our players through his love of children and his interaction with kids in need. He has been a special contributor to this organization on many levels."
The Cowboys also cut tight end Ryan Hannam, who missed most of last season with a knee injury, and offensive lineman E.J. Whitley, who spent the year on injured reserve.
04:42 PM CST on Thursday, March 1, 2007
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
tarcher@dallasnews.com
IRVING – The Cowboys made the expected move Thursday when they released quarterback Drew Bledsoe before he was due a $1 million roster bonus.
By cutting Bledsoe, the Cowboys save about $6 million against the $109 million salary cap and put themselves in the market for a quarterback.
In two years, Bledsoe had a 12-10 record with the Cowboys, barely missing the 2005 playoffs with a 9-7 mark. He was replaced by Tony Romo after a 3-3 start to the 2006 season in which he had seven touchdown passes and eight interceptions to go with being sacked 16 times. Despite the demotion, Bledsoe remained the offensive captain for the rest of the season.
Bledsoe had 30 touchdown passes and 25 interceptions in his 22 starts, throwing for 4,803 yards. He had at least one touchdown pass in 19 of his 22 starts and his 23 touchdown passes in 2005 were the most by a Dallas quarterback since Troy Aikman had 23 in 1992.
In 14 years with New England, Buffalo and the Cowboys, Bledsoe ranks in the top 10 in pass attempts (6,717), completions (3,839), yards (44,611) and his 251 touchdown passes are 13th all-time.
At the end of last season, he said he was unsure if he would play again. With a young family, Bledsoe was unsure if he wanted to go to another team and he had said he did not want to be a backup.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones left the door open to a possible return with the Cowboys.
"I spoke with Drew today and told him that this was primarily a cap decision and that the door was very much open for him being a part of our future," Jones said in a statement. "Drew has been a solid leader for our team and a true professional both on and off the field. He has also been a great role model to all of our players through his love of children and his interaction with kids in need. He has been a special contributor to this organization on many levels."
The Cowboys also cut tight end Ryan Hannam, who missed most of last season with a knee injury, and offensive lineman E.J. Whitley, who spent the year on injured reserve.