And We're Off ... Cowboys Signing Rookie Free Agents

With their first practice in San Antonio's Alamodome in about 48 hours, the Cowboys are scrambling to piece together a roster. The first step in that process is signing undrafted free agents, which can begin today per the post-lockout NFL rules. Who knows, maybe Cowboys director of scouting Tom Ciscowski and college scouting...

By Richie Whitt

July 26, 2011

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With their first practice in San Antonio's Alamodome in about 48 hours, the Cowboys are scrambling to piece together a roster. The first step in that process is signing undrafted free agents, which can begin today per the post-lockout NFL rules.

Who knows, maybe Cowboys director of scouting Tom Ciscowski and college scouting guru Chris Hall can find another Tony Romo or Miles Austin out of this year's crop of undrafted rookie signees.

Included on the list is former Texas Tech receiver Lyle Leong. A long shot, yes. But the kid caught 19 touchdowns in Lubbock last season and, though only 6-1, was a two-time high jump champion at Abilene. Ya nevuh know.

Also on the Cowboys' list of signed rookie free agents is 2010 Lou Groza Award-winning kicker Dan Bailey from Oklahoma State. You hear that, David Buehler?

The full list ...

WR Harry Seaward (Wyoming)

OL Jose Acuna (Nevada)

OL Kevin Kowalski (Toledo)

OL Leupapa Letuli (Hawaii)

DB Justin Taplin-Ross (Utah)

CB Chris Randle (Utah State)

CB Mario Butler (Georgia Tech)

WR Lyle Leong (Texas Tech)

K Dan Bailey (Oklahoma State)

To be continued ...

As part of the league's "transition rules," Valley Ranch will open this morning at 9 for signed players. Also at that time teams can sign draft picks, begin making trades and having conversations with veteran free agents from all teams. However, no veteran player can officially sign until Friday at 5, meaning even if Doug Free agreed to a contract with Dallas today he couldn't sign for another three days and couldn't participate in practice until the official start of the league's 2011 calendar, which is August 4.

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