Cowboys sign free-agent linebacker Akin Ayodele (1 Viewer)

[Bankerguy]

I will post a link asap.

Good signing for the Pokes..depending on the $$$.

Needed help at LB.

 

[Bankerguy]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/

 

[jcool]

Good signing here!

http://www.cowboysplus.com/topstorync/stor...e.20628b8a.html

IRVING – The Cowboys agreed to a five-year deal Monday with linebacker Akin Ayodele, the second free agent to come to terms with Dallas since the market opened Saturday.

Also Online

Ayodele bio, stats

Guard Kyle Kosier, a former Lion, signed a five-year, $15 million deal with Dallas on Saturday that included a $5 million signing bonus.

Growing up, Ayodele, an Irving MacArthur product, served as a ballboy for some Cowboys games at Texas Stadium.

The Cowboys visited with Ayodele (6-2, 251) on Saturday. The Cowboys had extensive talks with the agent for linebacker Scott Fujita, who started the final eight games of 2005 for Dallas, but he is visiting with Jacksonville, Oakland and New Orleans.

To acquire Fujita last year, the Cowboys gave up a sixth-round pick in 2006 and a conditional fifth-round pick in 2007, but he did not meet certain playing-time requirements last season to make the Cowboys give up that pick too.

In 64 games with Jacksonville, Ayodele, 26, had 343 tackles and 8½ sacks with three interceptions, eight pass deflections and eight forced fumbles. He forced four fumbles in 2005, finishing with 72 tackles.

Ayodele was the Jaguars third-round pick in 2002 out of Purdue, where he played defensive end and finished with 29 sacks in three years.

 

[harrycarey]

Will he take over the OLB spot opposite Ware? I think I remember he was a DE/OLB tweener coming out of Purdue.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

So can we pencil him opposite Ware on the outside? I would think that leaves the inside spot next to Bradie James as the next hole to fill... Bobby Carpenter at 18?

 

[harrycarey]

So can we pencil him opposite Ware on the outside? I would think that leaves the inside spot next to Bradie James as the next hole to fill... Bobby Carpenter at 18?

Kevin Burnett? It seems Carpenter will be better served as an OLB in a 3-4... D'Qwell Jackson or Abdul Hodge?

 

[jcool]

Its all taking shape. This is the second year with the 3-4 defense. Last year I was surprised at how well they came together and now this year with it being the second year of them running this system. They are bringing in guys that have played this system before and a safety like Demps would solidify the defense that much more.

 

[Bankerguy]

So can we pencil him opposite Ware on the outside? I would think that leaves the inside spot next to Bradie James as the next hole to fill... Bobby Carpenter at 18?

The jury is still out. They may to try and bulk him up a bit and let him play ILB. Coverage skills are average from everything I've seen and read.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

So can we pencil him opposite Ware on the outside? I would think that leaves the inside spot next to Bradie James as the next hole to fill... Bobby Carpenter at 18?

Kevin Burnett? It seems Carpenter will be better served as an OLB in a 3-4... D'Qwell Jackson or Abdul Hodge?

Burnett tore his ACL late in the season. We won't see what he can really do until 07. I agree that Carpenter is a better fit outside, but he has the bulk and physical style to move inside.

 

[cstu]

So can we pencil him opposite Ware on the outside? I would think that leaves the inside spot next to Bradie James as the next hole to fill... Bobby Carpenter at 18?

Kevin Burnett? It seems Carpenter will be better served as an OLB in a 3-4... D'Qwell Jackson or Abdul Hodge?

Burnett tore his ACL late in the season. We won't see what he can really do until 07. I agree that Carpenter is a better fit outside, but he has the bulk and physical style to move inside.

#18 seems way too early for Carpenter. I thought he'd end up with the Broncos at #29.

 

[simmonjm]

So can we pencil him opposite Ware on the outside? I would think that leaves the inside spot next to Bradie James as the next hole to fill... Bobby Carpenter at 18?

The jury is still out. They may to try and bulk him up a bit and let him play ILB. Coverage skills are average from everything I've seen and read.

How much bigger does he have to get. He already weighs 250 lbs. He was just interviewed on Sirius NFL Network and the announcers said he would play ILB and take over for Dat Ngyuen.

 

[Bankerguy]

So can we pencil him opposite Ware on the outside? I would think that leaves the inside spot next to Bradie James as the next hole to fill... Bobby Carpenter at 18?

The jury is still out. They may to try and bulk him up a bit and let him play ILB. Coverage skills are average from everything I've seen and read.

How much bigger does he have to get. He already weighs 250 lbs. He was just interviewed on Sirius NFL Network and the announcers said he would play ILB and take over for Dat Ngyuen.

I heard on another site that they are definetely considering either position. (OLB/ILB) They will try him at both spots during camp and see where he fits. Also what we do at the draft may dictate where he plays.Good contract and did not over-pal ala the Skins. Here is the breakdown on his contract:

As reported, it's five years, $17 million, with a $5 million signing bonus. He has base salaries of $600,000 this year, $2.4 million in 2007, $2.5 million in 2008, $2.75 million in 2009 and $3.25 million in 2010. He also has a $500,000 roster bonus in 2010.

His cap number this year is $1.6 million. The next four years' cap numbers are $3.4 million, $3.5 million, $3.75 million and $4.25 million.

Because of the Rule of 51, he lowers our available cap room by $1.25 million.

 

[Texasmouth]

So, is this a good signing for us or not? I am not familiar with this guy....

 

[simmonjm]

So, is this a good signing for us or not? I am not familiar with this guy....

This is a GREAT signing. The Cowboys definetly needed depth at LB and he brings that. Now if the Cowboys can draft Manny Lawson and Bullocks they would have a dominant defense for years to come.