ESPN Dallas: Cowboys Show Interest In Released Stanford Routt

Calvin Watkins of ESPN Dallas says that the Cowboys have contacted Stanford Routt’s agent to express their interest. Routt was released by the Raiders quickly after signing a huge deal.

Last year, Routt signed a restructured contract for five-years worth $54.5 million with the Raiders, with at least $20 million in guarantees the first two seasons of the deal.

According to STATS LLC, opponents were held to a 47.4 completion percentage against Routt. But he allowed eight touchdown passes, tied for the second-most in the NFL, and led the league with 17 penalties committed. The Raiders had to make a decision regarding Routt because if he was still on the roster Friday, he would have been guaranteed a base salary of $5 million.

Watkins says that Routt has visits scheduled with the Bills and Titans so far. Routt was with Dallas defensive coordinator Rob Ryan when Ryan was in Oakland, so there is a connection.

The Cowboys do have Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick returning at corner, but Terence Newman an expected casualty, and Jenkins and Scandrick weren’t enough to get it done in 2011. They clearly need at least one high quality addition at the position, either via the draft or free agency.