For the last two months, all eyes have been etched on March 2, the
first day of the free-agent signing period.

And while several star players inked deals around the league, the
Cowboys were rather busy themselves, signing one player and agreeing
to terms with yet another.

The Cowboys already signed cornerback Anthony Henry, a three-year
starter in Cleveland, and expect to finalize a deal with former Jets
tackle Jason Ferguson as well.

Henry and Ferguson were two of three players to visit the Cowboys out
at Valley Ranch Wednesday, along with Packers guard Marco Rivera, who
went into the night still trying to get a deal completed as well.

The Cowboys announced the signing of Henry late Wednesday evening and
scheduled a press conference for Thursday at 10 a.m. (CST) at Valley
Ranch to formally introduce their newest cornerback. And by then, the
Cowboys could announce the signings of Ferguson, and possibly even
Rivera.

Many thought Ferguson would be the first to sign with the Cowboys,
who brought in the defensive tackle early on Wednesday. However, the
two sides worked all day to agree on the financial terms of a
contract. It appears the Cowboys are close to signing Ferguson to a
four-year deal with a signing bonus around $9 million.

As for Rivera, the former Packers guard arrived in Dallas late
Wednesday afternoon and the Cowboys spent most of the night trying to
come to an agreement before Thursday's press conference.

But the Cowboys at least signed their cornerback, which is quite a
change from a year ago.

Last year, the Cowboys refused to participate in the cornerback-
signing frenzy across the league, which appears to be taking shape
once again, with names such as Samari Rolle, Fred Smoot and Ty Law
all expected to receive outrageous deals.

This year, instead of neglecting the position entirely, the Cowboys
zeroed in on the second-tier cornerbacks, hoping to find more value
in Henry, who still received a five-year deal with a bonus that
includes about $10 million.

Henry (6-1, 205) started 14 games for Cleveland last season,
finishing third on the Browns defense with 85 tackles and leading the
squad with four interceptions. In four years, Henry recorded 17
interceptions, including 10 as a rookie in 2001.

Henry not only gives the Cowboys more experience at the position, but
some size. At 6-1, 205, he is considered one of the more physical
corners available and should be a nice compliment to Terence Newman,
who is entering his third year in the league.

Ferguson, an eight-year veteran, was drafted by head coach Bill
Parcells when he coached the Jets in 1997. In fact, Parcells has
often called Ferguson (seventh round) one of his best draft picks
ever. And if he signed in Dallas, not only would Ferguson reunite
with his former coach, but also give the Cowboys a presence in the
middle of their defensive line that has been lacking for several
years.

Ferguson has the experience to play both the 3-4 defense, a scheme
the Cowboys toyed with some last year and have considered making a
permanent switch to this year, or the standard 4-3.

Rivera, who turns 33 next month, has spent his entire nine-year
career with the Packers, starting 111 career games, including every
game for the past six seasons.

Not only is the crafty veteran durable, but has a fiery attitude that
should appeal to Parcells, who has made it clear he is looking for
more production from the guard position. If signed, Rivera would
likely slide into the right guard position, where Andre Gurode has
manned for most of the past three years.

Cowboys Re-Sign Two

As expected, the Cowboys also re-signed a pair of unrestricted free
agents on Wednesday in safety Lynn Scott and defensive tackle
Leonardo Carson.

Instead of testing the free-agent market, both players agreed to one-
year deals.

Scott started the last nine games of the season at safety, taking
over for Tony Dixon. He finished with a career-high 46 tackles with
one interception and one sack.

Carson started all 15 games he played in, finishing with 55 tackles
and eight quarterback pressures.

Scott and Carson are just two of the Cowboys' unrestricted free
agents. However, the club is not expected to re-sign running back
Eddie George or Dixon, and by signing Drew Bledsoe last week, a
return for quarterback Vinny Testaverde is also not expected.