Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas reports that the Cowboys have released cornerback Terence Newman. Newman, 33, was owed in excess of $6 million in 2012 base salary.
If the Cowboys designated Newman as a post June 1 cap casualty, they can save $6 million under the salary cap. If not, Dallas saves $4 million. They certainly need the cap space.
Either way, this was an easy decision for the Cowboys. While Newman enjoyed a mostly impressive nine-year run with the team, he’s lost quite a bit of steam late in his career and was exposed relentlessly in coverage last season. Newman may struggle to generate contract offers worth more than the veteran’s minimum on the free agent market.
Look for Dallas to use its cap savings to land either Brandon Carr or Cortland Finnegan.