The Dallas Cowboys have a number of free agents to deal with in the offseason. Here is a look at the exclusive and restricted free agent players and what the Cowboys should do in regards to those players.
Exclusive-Rights Free Agents are NFL players not under contract, but with only two years of NFL experience. If Dallas makes him an offer at the three-year minimum salary, he has to take it or leave the NFL. He also has no rights to negotiate with other teams.
Restricted Free Agents are NFL players not under contract, with only three years of NFL experience. The player can negotiate with other teams, however Dallas can match any offer the player receives and keep the player. If Dallas refuses to match the offer, they get a draft pick from the new team matching the one they used to get the player originally.
Clifton Geathers (DE) - exclusive rights
Clifton Geathers was drafted in the sixth round by the Cleveland Browns and bounced between teams in 2010 before landing with the Dallas Cowboys. The nephew of Jumpy Geathers signed with Dallas in December 2010 but only played in three games, recording no stats. The chance of him sticking with Dallas outside of the taxi squad is slim.
Jesse Holley (WR) - exclusive rights
Jesse Holley was a one-week wonder for Dallas, when he caught three receptions for 86 yards and helped Dallas beat the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the season. Holley won a spot on Dallas' roster thanks to winning a reality show with Michael Irvin. He finished the season with seven receptions for 169 yards. He is not an important part of the roster but he is a cheap addition for 2012 so he will likely stick around for one more season.
Chauncey Washington (RB) - exclusive rights
The former USC running back came in at the end of the season to play third string back behind Felix Jones and newly signed Sammy Morris. There is a chance he could get to compete for the third spot again in 2012 but is more likely headed back to the practice squad.
Jeremy Parnell (OT) - exclusive rights
Jeremy Parnell has been a practice squad member of the Saints but played with Dallas since October 2010. He played backup to both Doug Free and Tyron Smith in 2011, and once again, is a cheap backup that will probably be retained for 2012.
Tony Fiammetta (FB) - restricted
Out of all the restricted free agents, Tony Fiammetta is the one the Cowboys need to re-sign the most. He does little in the way of running the ball or catching it but he is one of the most valuable members of that offense. When he played and blocked for the Cowboys, DeMarco Murray averaged close to eight yards a carry. Without him, Murray struggled with under four a carry. Dallas needs Fiammetta more than the extra fourth round pick they would get by letting him go.
Kevin Ogletree (WR) - restricted
An undrafted free agent out of college, Ogletree would fetch nothing for Dallas if he were to leave the team. He finished 2011 with 15 receptions for 164 yards and there is a good chance the Cowboys just let him walk away so they can afford to keep Laurent Robinson, who outplayed him all season long.
Chris Greisen (QB) - restricted
Chris Greisen, a seventh round pick from 1999, isn't going anywhere. I don't know any team that wants him as he has bounced between Arena ball and the Cowboys practice squad throughout his career. With Jon Kitna retiring, Dallas will look for more quarterbacks but I don't think Greisen is that player.
Author Shawn S. Lealos has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma (2000) and has been a Dallas Cowboys' fan since he was a child. His favorite players range from Roger Staubach and Tony Dorsett to the Triplets of the 90s and he enjoys talking about all Cowboys' related news, good or bad
