OXNARD, Calif. (July 30, 2005) -- Dallas Cowboys first-round picks Demarcus Ware and Marcus Spears agreed to five-year contracts July 30 after missing the first day of training camp.
The two defensive ends were expected to sign their deals and be on the field in time for the Cowboys' next practice July 31.
Ware was the 11th overall pick in April out of Troy, and nine picks later Spears was drafted from LSU. Both are expected to be immediate contributors for Dallas, which is switching to a primary three-man defensive front.
"It's just good to get it done and get them in so they can get to work," said Stephen Jones, the team's executive vice president who handles negotiations. "It was just working through all the different options that we had, getting everybody comfortable with everything, and it worked out."
One reason for the delay was that the bonuses could only be spread over a maximum of five years because the NFL's collective bargaining agreement hasn't been extended, Jones said.
Financial terms weren't released.
Linebacker Kevin Burnett, the team's second-round pick from Tennessee, agreed to terms earlier in the morning and signed in time to be on the field for the first two practices. The other five drafted players were also signed before the start of camp.
