As expected, the Dallas Cowboys have released left tackle Flozell Adams, after 12 seasons with the team. The franchise has issued a statement from owner Jerry Jones regarding the move.
“Having a left tackle of Flozell Adams caliber has been a luxury for the Dallas Cowboys for the past 12 years,” Jones said. “That position is one of the most difficult to play and one of the three or four most important spots on an NFL roster. Throughout our entire time here with the Cowboys this franchise has been blessed to first have Mark Tuinei and then be able to plug Flozell right in there as a second round pick in 1998.
“I have never experienced what it is like to have a team that doesn’t enjoy excellent play at the left tackle position. When we first selected Flozell, we thought we would move Larry Allen to left tackle, but that never happened because Flo was able to step right in and play at a high level very early on in his career. We just put him in there and never looked back.”
So now they have to look forward. Todd Archer of the Dallas Morning News points out that Doug Free could replace Adams, or that the Cowboys could look to the draft.
(If it’s Free, Jared Allen is gonna need more rope.)
In our view, another possibility is guard Leonard Davis, who entered the league nine years ago as a tackle.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether a market emerges for Adams. Presumably, the Cowboys tried to trade him before cutting him. Even more presumably, no one wanted to take on a contract with remaining base salaries of $5 million in 2010, $5.1 million in 2011, $5.1 million in 2012, and $5.1 million in 2013.
