[WAREWOLFE94]

Center agrees to six-year contract:

John Clayton
ESPN.com


The Dallas Cowboys, fresh off their hiring of head coach Wade Phillips as Bill Parcells' replacement, resolved their top free agent priority by reaching agreement on a six-year deal with center Andre Gurode.

Gurode

Terms on the contract were not immediately available, but it is safe to assume Gurode has become one of the highest-paid centers in the league.

The start of free agency is only two weeks away and Gurode and New York Giants center Shaun O'Hara were going to be a hottest free agents at their position.

To get Gurode off the market, the Cowboys had to strike the right kind of deal and did just that.

Gurode's agent, Kennard McGuire, was unavailable for comment Tuesday.
Negotiations with the 6-foot-4, 314-pound Gurode began last week and turned hot and heavy during the weekend.

The Cowboys wanted to maintain continuity along their offensive line but faced the possibility of losing Gurode at center and Marc Colombo at right tackle. Gurode's backup, Al Johnson, is also a free agent.

The Cowboys drafted Gurode in the second round in 2002 and he's been starting since his rookie season.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2771981


Good move Jerry. If you want to build continuity on the offensive line you need to keep the core of your of the halfway decent player's on the roster.Better to sign Gurode before he hit free-agent market.

[ThePundit]

Good signing. Six years may be a lot but Gurode had a good year at center.

[WAREWOLFE94]

Yeah Pundit Cowboy's had to put out the doe for Gurode not much choice really,good center's are not easily found.Nick Mangold being the exception out of the draft last year... and practically nonexistant in the free agent market.I hope Andre continue's to improve his play and intensity and does'nt lose any of his fire now that he got his payday.