The Dallas Cowboys have re-worked the contract of quarterback Tony Romo in a move to free up more salary cap space before the start of the 2011 season.
Cowboys lock up Ratliff
NFL Network insider
Jason La Canfora reported that Dallas agreed to terms with three-time Pro Bowl selection Jay Ratliff on a new five-year, $40 million extension. **More ...**
NFL Network's Michael Lombardi confirmed Friday the Cowboys converted Romo's 2011 base salary of $9 million into a $8.19 signing bonus,dropping his base salary to $810,000. The move saved Dallas $6.552 million against this year's cap, and the club has about $18 million in salary cap space after similarly restructuring contracts with outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware and wideout Miles Austin.
ESPN first reported the deal.
According to NFL Network insider Jason La Confora, Romo's situation isn't anything out of the ordinary and he will earn the same amount of money this season.
As opposed to their dealings with Ware and Austin, the Cowboys added three years to Romo's contract that will void if Romo remains on the team through 2013, the same year his original contract stood to end. The extension allows the Cowboys to pay out the $8.19 million bonus over a five-year period instead of three, saving the club approximately $1.1 million.
