What Does Re-Signing a 29-Year-Old Former Giants Cornerback Mean for the Cowboys?
The Dallas Cowboys have decided to retain 29-year-old Corey Ballentine, a veteran cornerback and former New York Giants player, as part of their offseason roster moves on Tuesday. The deal is reportedly worth just over one million dollars. With limited recent playing time, totaling around 70 snaps, Ballentine still brings experience and depth to a position the Cowboys have struggled to solidify. His familiarity with Dallas’ defensive schemes and contributions on special teams could make him a valuable rotational piece during the next season.
With a career total of 103 tackles, nine passes, and one interception, he does have the stats to help the Cowboys improve their odds of winning games. Considering that corners have been a bit of their kryptonite, as it were, they desperately need to add more defensive players to the roster, as well as hold onto the ones that they already have. He is able to be one of the multiple players needed to stop the run. Instead of spending more of their salary cap, which is at over 85% gone, retaining someone who can play the needed position is a very smart and fiscally responsible move.
With his retention contract adding an extra year, it appears that the Cowboys are not looking to commit too much to him just yet. In addition, there is time to potentially adjust the cap funds, freeing up money to sign him on a more long-term basis. With yet another cheap player in the bag, Jerry Jones and Christian Parker are certainly showing their expertise as well as beating back that potential fear Jones had that they would need to burst the Cowboys’ budget in order to cover for their future needs. After spending last season on the practice squad, Ballentine now has an opportunity to establish himself on the Cowboys’ active roster. While he is not a game-changing addition, he represents another important piece if the Cowboys want to strengthen their defense. Jones has demonstrated that the team can effectively manage its salary cap while still addressing key positional needs, positioning them to compete in the NFC East if they play their cards just right.
