Feb. 26, 2008

Updated at 8:15 p.m. EST Thursday, Feb. 28

The Cowboys have been fairly proactive in terms of getting their key guys signed for the long term. With QB Tony Romo, WR Patrick Crayton and NT Jay Ratliff signing extensions during last season, they have only a few key players to concern themselves with this offseason. The highest priorities appear to be Marion Barber and Chris Canty, both of whom the team would like to lock up long term. But because both are restricted free agents, the team will tender both at the first- and third-round level at least, making it difficult for them to leave. Barber, agent Drew Rosenhaus and the Cowboys have been talking about an extension for several months, and they continued their talks at the Combine in Indianapolis. The highest-priority unrestricted guys are, in order, Ken Hamlin and Flozell Adams. Because they were unable to hammer out a long-term deal with Hamlin, the club franchised him. After having pictured life without Adams, which might have caused Leonard Davis to move to left tackle, the Cowboys reached an agreement with Adams the day before the start of free agency, inking him to a six-year contract. Julius Jones is likely to sign elsewhere. The team landed ex-Dolphin LB Zach Thomas, signing him to a one-year deal during the Combine.