I thought I could stay away from it all for a few days, but that proved to be an impossible task. I found myself checking a rechecking papers and every media outlet I could find for Cowboys (and any NFL) news coming from the free agency hot stove. It started off slow, but things have picked up now that Culpeper has been moved to the Dolphins, and with Key’s recent release (!!) it seems Terrell Owens is closer to Dallas than ever. Since the ‘Boys have made a few moves before now, Id like to take a look at those, and in case I donut get back to a computer before Thursday we’ll take a look at this thing as if Terrell Owens is going to be a Cowboy. It seems like a near certainty at this point, and I've gotta tell you.

Cowboys re-sign Andre Gurode - To be honest, this surprised me. I'm on record as saying that without a full compliment of offensive linemen, a sixth man there didn't make a whole lot of sense… and make no mistake, Andre is a sixth man. Since we know and have seen Gurode (and I've talked about him so much - heck, I gave him a eulogy as a Cowboy last week), I wont spend too much time here. All I can really say is that with this move, I expected some kind of lineman to be signed off of the free agent market, and what do you know…

Cowboys sign UFA G/T Kyle Kosier - Like most of you, my first reaction was “who?” I have to say that even as a self-professed NFL superfan, Kosier’s name had never crossed my lips, but when I checked him out my spirits rose. As versatile as they come, Kosier has played 43 games over the past four years at four different positions - both guard and tackle spots. If the prospect of a lineman who can actually spot-start anywhere on the line doesn't excite you, you weren't paying attention to the horrid line-play last season.

Now the first thing I thought of when I thought Detroit Lions offensive line was their terrible, terrible performance against the Cowboys last season… 17 penalties, if I remember correctly. I cant speak to Kosier’s specific performance(s), but despite that, there is a lot to be excited about here. A fresh face that wasn't present for last years debacle is always a good thing, and who knows, perhaps he turns into that dependable (not spectacular, but dependable), cheap RT that we’ve been bargain-hunting for. Who needs Runyan when you can get somebody who can play 3/4’s as well for 1/2 the cost? Of course he could turn out to be completely unusable, but that is rarely the case with these kinds of offensive linemen. If you're a hogmolie and you've lasted those first few difficult years, you have the stuff to start consistently in the NFL. I haven't seen him play (specifically) before, but I'm excited to see where he and Andre will fill into the grand scheme of the line.

Signing of Akin Ayodele - Unlike Kosier, I had heard about Ayodele prior to his signing on with the ‘Boys. He had been on the minds of a few guys in the front office because he was more of a high-profile player and more of an obvious choice for that ILB position left weakened by Dat Nguyen’s retirement. Also unlike Kosier, I have seen a little bit out of this fella, and he’s good. Dare I say, very good. He's very fast, light on his feet and has incredible range. The only reason his name wasn't bigger was because he played in Jacksonville, a black hole for all kinds of media. Ayodele has managed 100-tackle seasons every year for the past four years and has even registered 150+ in that span… can you even remember the last Cowboys LB to be up in that range? In the 3-4 playing alongside the resurgent Bradie James, he could easily be up in the 100+ range for the fifth straight season.

Its also pretty notable as to who is forming around Ayodele and how he will fit into the scheme. While he is a natural OLB, his move to the inside will almost be just as eau naturale. With his size and natural ability, he couls play virtually any linebacker position the Cowboys want him to, which will be an invaluable asset when you think about how shallow the talent pool is at the position. It will truly allow Kevin Burnett to fill in on the outside if Parcells still feels that he isn't an ILB. With Ayodele and James in the middle, it gives the Cowboys the ability to focus on Al Singleton’s side. Despite the fact that there is little to no depth there, things are filling out rather nicely in the linebacking corps. With a bunch of guys returning from injury, that could be this season what the secondary was last season.

Key cut - Its funny - why do you think the Eagles waited until the final day to release TO? Could it be because they know a rising division rival would jump on him and use him against them twice a year? And why do you think Keyshawn was cut on the same day? Of course there are a lot of questions and not a whole lot of answers as of yet, but the speculation is flying. It is no secret that Key’s release also means that the ‘Boys save $1 mil off of that roster bonus, but is that really a reason to release a guy who will grab 800+ yards and 4-5 TDs a year on a team devoid of anybody to truly back him up? I love Patrick Crayton as much as the next guy, but after his injury in Week 6 he is going to need another season as a 3-receiver to ease into the 2-role, if that is what is in the cards for him. If not, losing Keyshawn can only mean one thing…

Terrell Owens could very well be a lock as a Cowboy. Whether or not you’re celebrating or mourning this news, understand what it really means for the team (on the field, at least). This elevates the team to instant players in the race for the NFC championship. With the revival of the NFC East that is still no easy task, but with an explosive threat on offense the Cowboys will now be tough to top. None of this matters if the offensive line cant come together, but new pieces are being brought into place on that front as well. With the assumed high draft pick an o-lineman will bring, its safe to assume (and we’re doing a lot of this right now), that it'll be well into the realm of ‘okayness.’ That should be more than enough to make that 9-7 a whole lot better. Now even though TO coming to Dallas seems to be a higher possibility now that Key is gone, Keyshawn can still be re-signed if things don't work out. With the relationship KJ has with Parcells, you have to think that he’ll be keeping his options open until he knows where Owens’ home will be.

Keep in mind that the TO signing probably won’t go down in the next 24 hours. With how big the contract will be, how many stipulations will undoubtedly be involved, the number of suitors involved and Drew Rosenhaus in the mix, expect things to take a little while to unfold. Now with the ridiculous pace that has been set in FA this year, ‘a little while’ could be 36 hours, but Id be surprised if we knew of TO’s destination at any point before this time tomorrow. If so, then bully for us. Denver and KC are still very viable candidates for TO, so it could go in any direction.

Around the NFL, free agency has gone ‘roid-raging. About 60 guys will have moved by the end of today, and some big names have been among those. Brees is now a Saint (I wonder what this will do to the Leinart/Young drafting now?), Culpepper is now a Dolphin, Randle El is a Redskin, Dan Campbell and Jon Kitna go to the Lions etc… I’ve been paying closer attention to the Eagles and ’skins, and the Redskins moves have been baffling me. How they are able to sign the number of players they did for the price tag they tote in their cap situation is beyond me. While I hate to admit it, they've done pretty well. I have to think they're done, but Andre Carter, Randle El and Adam Archuleta are all solid players and will make their cap situation all the more precarious. No complaints from me. Just more weeping Redskins when the Cowboys crush them next season…

If I cant get back to a computer before Thursday, I will definitely post some more detailed musings then. Be sure to come back then for more on Ayodele, Kosier, TO, Keyshawn and their impact on the players they will be surrounded with. While the Cowboys definitely could have pulled off a few more moves thus far, it’s hard to complain with the areas they've shored up… and I'm sure there are more moves on the way.