Cowboys’ linebacker Dexter Coakley was released by the team on Monday after he refused to renegotiate his contract. The next day, the three-time Pro Bow linebacker appears ready to ink a five-year deal worth $14.5 million with the St. Louis Rams, receiving a $3 million signing bonus.
Coakley was scheduled to receive a roster bonus of $502,000 today.
The move starts the recreation of the Dallas defense, which now appears to be headed towards the 3-4 alignment that head coach Bill Parcells is accustomed to.
Coakley started all 127 games since being selected from Appalachian State in 1997. Reportedly too small to play linebacker, he played at a Pro Bowl level up to a couple of years ago.
In releasing him, the Cowboys will accelerate the remaining $1.8 million prorated signing bonus, but adding his $3.3 million salary for 2005 to the roster bonus that will now be unpaid, the team will save close to $2.9 million in cap space.
"Dexter has been a valuable contributor to this organization since the first day he stepped on the field," Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said on Tuesday. "He is a consummate professional, both on and off the field, whose potential return to the team is something that will be explored.
"These are difficult decisions when they involve people of the class and character of a Dexter Coakley. Hopefully his future as a player in the NFL will include the Dallas Cowboys."
A switch to the 3-4 defense will require inside linebackers to be bigger in size to take on interior offensive linemen, and the outside linebackers need to show more pass-rushing skills.
Coakley leaves Dallas tied with Dennis Thurman for the club record of five defensive touchdowns (1 fumble return and 4 interception returns). His three pro bowl appearances for a linebacker is surpassed only Chuck Howley (6) and Lee Roy Jordan (5).
Expect Bradie James to be penciled in to replace Coakley. The third year player from LSU rotated with Coakley during last season.
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