Free agent running back Eddie George agreed to terms on a contract with the Dallas Cowboys on Friday. A source informed the Associated Press of the news. The deal is pending a physical, which George will undergo on Friday. He is expected to sign for a base salary of around $1.5 million, and the contract will include many reachable incentives that could vault the deal closer to $4.25 million.
OUR VIEW
Assuming the physical goes well, the huge fantasy question is how the Cowboys will choose to mix George in with rookie Julius Jones and fullback Richie Anderson. Reports suggest that George and Jones will split carries, and Anderson is already slated for third down duties. This looks like a terrible fantasy situation.
IRVING, Texas -- Eddie George agreed to a contract with the Dallas Cowboys on Friday, just two days after being released by the Tennessee Titans, according to a team source.
George's deal was pending a physical, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The team called a news conference for 1 p.m. ET.
ESPN's Ed Werder reports that the Cowboys and RB Eddie George have agreed on a one-year contract. The base salary is $660,000 with a signing bonus of $1.54 million. With incentives, it is worth up to $3 million.
George was cut Wednesday, at his request, after he rejected Tennessee's final bid. He left the Titans after eight seasons and more than 10,000 yards.
George's only free-agent visit was to Dallas. Negotiations moved so quickly because the relationship works well for both sides.
The Cowboys had plenty of room under the salary cap and, a week before opening training camp, they were still looking for a veteran running back to ease the burden on Julius Jones, a second-round pick from Notre Dame who was expected to be the starter.
Regardless of who starts, both will get plenty of carries. The better George does -- and the Cowboys are certainly hoping his competitive nature and desire to prove he's still an elite runner will draw out his best -- the slower they can bring along Jones.
Although George has never missed a game in his 128-game career, he's been slowed by injuries typical for someone who's averaged 21.4 carries per game. He turns 31 in September.
The pounding has reduced his effectiveness. After averaging 3.9 yards per carry his first five seasons, he's been at 3.2 over the last three seasons. He was at 3.3 last year, when he gained 1,031 yards and topped the 10,000-yard mark for his career.
George's 2003 numbers are similar to what Troy Hambrick produced last season when he underwhelmingly replaced Emmitt Smith. Hambrick has since been released.
The difference is that the Cowboys believe George can still be valuable if used properly, especially as the lead back in short-yardage and goal-line situations. He scored 12 touchdowns two seasons ago. George also has averaged 8.3 yards on two receptions per game for his career.
While Cowboys coach Bill Parcells is very high on Jones, he also values proven veterans such as George. George provides other qualities Parcells values: the willingness to play hurt, good size for his position (6-foot-3, 235 pounds) and good hands (one lost fumble the last two seasons).
By signing someone of George's age and experience, the Cowboys are seemingly reversing field from last offseason, when they cut Smith. Other factors influenced that decision, such as the salary and George knowing he'll be sharing time and mentoring Jones.
George also is returning to the state where his career began. The former Heisman Trophy winner at Ohio State played his rookie season, 1996, in Houston before the franchise moved to Tennessee.
George probably will be able to keep the No. 27 he's worn his entire career as it currently belongs to rookie cornerback Bruce Thornton.
More contradiction to the reports claiming he's splitting time with Jones. Looks very unclear what his role is right now if you ask me.
Cowboys: George signing completed
by Fanball Staff - Fanball.com Friday, July 23, 2004
News Free agent running back Eddie George signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys on Friday. The team's official web site reported that George would earn a base salary of $660,000 and a $1.54 million bonus for showing up to training camp. The Titans released George on Wednesday.
Views Reports continue to say that George is the fallback option in case rookie Julius Jones isn't ready to carry the load, but we hardly see Bill Parcells keeping this future Hall of Fame runner on the bench. More than likely, George and Jones will split the running back load, and fullback Richie Anderson will mix in a few carries and handle third down duties. The main fantasy value will fall to whichever back receives the goal line duties, a task that should come to light in training camp.
Cornbread Maxwell wrote:Do you guys really see Julie Jones taking goalline situations from George??? That seems a bit ridiculous to me.
Why is it so ridiculous? We haven't seen him play yet in the NFL. Only his size seems to be a limiting factor in goalline situations, but like what most always is the case with the RB position I think his youth and lack of injury to his body will trump George's veteran experience.
If George is going to be in goalline situations, which he mostly likely will be, that will reduce JJs value even more. This makes RB even shallower. Ugh.
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by Tyr » Fri Jul 23, 2004 8:54 am 
