IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys have checked off the top item on their offseason to-do list by retaining left tackle Doug Free.
Free agreed to a contract worth $32 million over four years, with $17 million guaranteed, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the deal.
Getting this deal in place right away also means Free will join the rest of the Cowboys in reporting to training camp in San Antonio on Wednesday.
Now that they know Free will handle the left side of the offensive line, the Cowboys can get on with the rest of their offseason plans, primarily improving a defense that allowed the most points in franchise history. Re-signing linemen Stephen Bowen and possibly Jason Hatcher could be part of the focus, as well as targeting players from other teams.
Dallas still needs to shore up the offensive line. Free and top pick Tyron Smith are set at tackle, but the Cowboys plan to release right guard Leonard Davis and need to re-sign left guard Kyle Kosier or find a replacement.
Free played right tackle during the 2009 season, and it's thought that he eventually will shift back to that side once Smith develops. Either way, the pair are likely to be Romo's on-field bodyguards the next four years.
Free was supposed to be a restricted free agent this offseason and Dallas only gave him a tender offer instead of working out a deal before the lockout. Under the terms of the settlement, he became an unrestricted free agent.
Free was seen going into team headquarters, presumably for a meeting with Jones, right at the start of business Tuesday, the first day teams and players could talk.
The Cowboys also notified four veterans -- kicker Kris Brown, running back Marion Barber, wide receiver Roy Williams and Davis -- that they would be released Thursday. Dallas also is likely to drop incumbent right tackle Marc Colombo, although he could return at a reduced rate to back up both tackle spots.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
