OXNARD, Calif. — Based on eye-witness accounts from the first eight days of camp, the kicker who will open the season for the Cowboys isn’t on the roster.
The lack of proven depth at receiver is undeniable.
So, what did the organization do Wednesday?
Sign a linebacker.
The addition of Anthony Barr is unlikely to appease critics howling with specific ideas about what this team must address. But his acquisition, confirmed privately by a club official, makes sense on several levels.
One: he should allow defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to double-down on this unit’s versatility and creativity even more. Have a matchup that dictates the Dallas defense will be at its best with Micah Parsons getting most or all of his snaps at defensive end?
Quinn can now pair Barr with Leighton Vander Esch, who finished strong last season and has kept going in this camp, to keep the linebacker rotation intact.
Barr spent the first seven years of his career with Minnesota, collecting 16 sacks and four interceptions while breaking up 24 passes and forcing seven fumbles. He’s coming off a season in which he had 2.5 sacks, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries in 11 games.
Two: the Cowboys know what they’re getting. Barr played for George Edwards, the team’s senior defensive assistant, with the Vikings. Mike McCarthy is fully acquainted with what Barr can do defensively from his time with the Green Bay Packers.
Three: the price is right. Barr signed a one-year deal for $2 million that could escalate to roughly $3 million with incentives, a person familiar with the terms said.
That’s in line with what Vander Esch received this offseason.
The club released linebacker Aaron Hansford earlier in the day to make room for Barr.
