Gurode Signs, Coaching Update

Andre Gurode, who seems to have been the Cowboys top free agent priority, has signed on to play another six years with the Cowboys. After being named to the pro bowl the Cowboys knew they were going to have to make a big push to keep him. Negotiations took longer then anticipated and they wound up paying Gurode more then they wanted to. The exact figures of the deal are not current available. In my opinion, it was a good sign. Being an alternate in the Pro Bowl means he was one of the top six centers in the league and he probably deserves the pay check he is going to be receiving.

As far as the coaches go, Ray Sherman has been hired to coach the Wide Receivers. I don't know much about him, but he will bring experience to the staff being that he has been an offensive coordinator in the past. Skip Peete has been hired to coach the running backs. I really know nothing about him, but I am hoping he can put that fire back into Julius Jones. Wade Wilson, who was also a backup under Troy Aikman, will be making his second stint as the Cowboys quarterback coach. He did some good things with Quincy Carter back in the day, so I think this is a good hire. Also, Jason Garrett's brother John has been hired to coach the tight ends. This is probably a courtesy hire, but he won't have much to do because the Witten/Fasano combo is one of the best in the league. Jason Garrett's expected role of Offensive Coordinator has finally been set in stone. Jason seems like he is going to be calling all of the plays, but he will be working very closely with Tony Sparano. Sparano is going to remain the team's Assistant Head Coach and as usual he will be in charge of the offensive line. So, for the most part the offensive coaching staff has been finalized, howvever the defense remains up in the air.

In other recent news, Norv Turner has been hired by the San Diego Chargers to replace the recently fired Marty Shottenheimer. Ted Cotrell is going to replace Wade Phillips there as the defensive coordinator and Ron Rivera will be on staff as the linebackers coach. This is a great situation for the Chargers and they really have gotten some great coaches to come in there. This however presents an interesting situation for the Cowboys because they seemingly could have had the same staff had they not chose Wade Phillips. All I am saying is that if the Chargers continue on their path to success and the Cowboys do not, Jerry Jones is going to take a lot of heat from the press (myself included). Let the comparisons begin!