The Cowboys thought about moving on from right tackle Doug Free at points this offseason and spoke to various veteran free agent options, but they ultimately wound up cutting Free’s pay in half instead.
That doesn’t mean they will stand pat at tackle, however. Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com reports that the Cowboys, who open camp in Oxnard, California this weekend, plan to sign former Eagle Demetress Bell. Per Archer, Bell needs to pass a physical before any deal would become official.
Bell struggled mightily with the Eagles last year after signing with them as part of the team’s plan to deal with Jason Peters’ Achilles injury. He was beated out by King Dunlap for the starting left tackle job and wound up playing just nine games in Philly before getting released early this offseason. He was more successful during his years with the Bills, but Bell has always been a player who looked the part more than he actually played in on Sundays.
That said, Free and Jermey Parnell are set to compete for the right tackle job and their play last season leaves no reason to think it is a bad idea to have some other options available.
Archer reports that the Cowboys also plan to sign quarterback Alex Tanney and wide receiver Lavasier Tuinei assuming they pass their physicals. That would leave them with one open roster spot to fill as camp gets underway.