Archives for February 2005

‘Bledsoe likely will become the new starter for a Cowboys club that went 6-10 last season, but perhaps could improve rapidly. The Cowboys have abundant salary cap space to sign free agents, and have two first-round picks in the April draft. Dallas will turn over its running game to tailback Julius Jones, who was highly productive as a rookie last season after recovering from a shoulder injury, and Bledsoe almost certainly will start at quarterback ahead of youngsters Drew Henson and Tony Romo.’

‘In the long run, this could be a heck of move for the Cowboys — perhaps a last-gasp effort by Parcells to turn things around. The talk is he will leave the team after the 2005 season if they don’t make the playoffs. Henson wouldn’t do that. Bledsoe can.’

‘The signing reunites Bledsoe with Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells, who drafted the signal-caller into the NFL when he was the head coach of the New England Patriots in 1993.’

‘And so it came to pass; Drew Bledsoe is going to Dallas to play for coach Bill Parcells again.’

‘If the Bills can’t work out a deal with the Cardinals, there will be a definite alternative route with other teams. Henry’s numbers from previous years aren’t a fluke, and he’ll make a team extremely happy next season. Just look at how quickly the NFL evolves. Not even two years ago the Bills were going into the 2003 season with Drew Bledsoe and Travis Henry as their future leaders, now it’s JP Losman and Willis McGahee. This duo should be a tandem for a decent amount of time.’

‘So how do you look in blue and red compared to orange and black?

Spikes: I look like a winner.’

‘No, the best defense of the 2004 season was in Buffalo.’

‘The addition of Bledsoe signals the end of Vinny Testaverde’s time in Dallas. Testaverde, who will become an unrestricted free agent on March 2, threw for 3,532 yards, 17 touchdowns and 20 interceptions last season.’

‘Jones has been pushing for Drew Henson to take over as the starter, but Parcells felt that Henson, who spent the previous three years playing third base in the New York Yankees’ farm system, did not have enough football experience.’

‘The Cowboys have said all along they wanted to go with a veteran quarterback rather than turn to one of their youngsters, Drew Henson or Tony Romo.’

‘Bledsoe will likely be introduced Wednesday at the Cowboys’ Valley Ranch headquarters.’

‘Bledsoe should be in Dallas on Wednesday to finalize the deal and also talk with coaches.’

‘Multiple league sources confirmed Tuesday night that Bledsoe, whose release by the Buffalo Bills became official earlier Tuesday, has reached agreement in principle with the Cowboys on most of the major components of a contract. Bledsoe will fly to Dallas on Wednesday, meet with coaches and team officials, and likely finish the deal.’

‘Drew Bledsoe arrived in Buffalo in 2002 and in his first season as the Bills starting quarterback proceeded to set 10 franchise records including most yards (4,359), attempts (610), completions (375) and 300-yard games (seven). He also helped Buffalo increase its win total from three in 2001 to eight in 2002. Things appeared to heading in the right direction for the team and the quarterback. But after Bledsoe struggled in 2003 and the team finished with a disappointing 6-10 record, the franchise made a 2004 NFL Draft-day trade to acquire Tulane quarterback J.P. Losman with the 22nd overall selection.’

‘Today was the first day that the Bills could officially release him.’