Draft History: 1993

IRVING – After focusing on special teams help in the final four rounds of the draft, the Cowboys satisfied their most pressing need by trading for New England quarterback Hugh Millen.

The Cowboys sent an undisclosed pick in the 1994 draft to the Patriots in exchange for Millen, who became expendable when New England selected Washington State's Drew Bledsoe with the first pick of the draft. The pick exchanged for Millen will be in the fifth to eighth round, a source said.

The Cowboys on Monday also signed two free-agent rookie quarterbacks, Michael Payton of Marshall and Brad Bretz of Cal State-Hayward.

Millen provides Dallas with an experienced veteran behind Troy Aikman, easing the loss of Steve Beuerlein to Phoenix.

"This is something that's been weighing on all of our minds the last month or so," coach Jimmy Johnson said. "This lets all of us be at ease. We've been interested in Millen since he went to New England, so we've studied him."

There were indications Monday that the Cowboys have restructured Millen's contract, reducing his pay from $1.4 million for 1993 to about $750,000. "We addressed the contract, and we're satisfied with it," said owner Jerry Jones, who would not elaborate.

Millen, contacted in Seattle, said he had no problems with the restructuring of his contract. "That was done based on my being a starter for New England, so it has no relevance to me being a backup in Dallas," he said.

"I'm excited about this opportunity. I certainly recognize Troy Aikman has reached the pinnacle of his profession and doesn't need input from me. I'll be there to help if I can, but my main thing is just to be ready."

In the second day of the draft, the Cowboys chose four defensive players. They selected Tulsa linebacker Barry Minter in the sixth round, safety Brock Marion of Nevada in the seventh, and cornerback Dave Thomas of Tennessee and Penn State linebacker Reggie Givens, who will be shifted to safety, in the eighth.

"I think toward the end of last year we started to drop, performance-wise, on special teams because of some key injuries to people like Tony Hill and Bill Bates," Johnson said. "Then when we lost Kelvin Martin to free agency, we wanted to address the return game, too. We think all of these players can help us on special teams."

Millen was a third-round pick of the Rams in 1986 and has gained most of his experience the past two years with New England. After signing as a Plan B free agent in 1991, he made 13 starts and passed for 3,073 yards with nine touchdowns and 18 interceptions. This past season he separated his left shoulder in the first game and finished with 1,203 yards, eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

"I couldn't sleep on my left shoulder for five months, and I lost 12 pounds during the season because I couldn't lift (weights) and maintain my strength," said Millen, who had surgery on his shoulder in December.

Offensive coordinator Norv Turner said Millen should be familiar with the Cowboys' offense because it is similar to what the Rams used.

Johnson said he plans to keep at least three quarterbacks on this year's expanded 53-man roster. Williams near deal

The Cowboys say they expect to sign wide receiver Kevin Williams to a four-year contract, averaging between $400,000 and $450,000, Tuesday morning. Negotiations continue with their other second-round pick, linebacker Darrin Smith, but no formal agreement has been reached. Owner Jerry Jones said the club is not yet negotiating with its other picks. Brooks almost a Cowboy

Notre Dame's Reggie Brooks – taken with the 45th pick by Washington, one spot ahead of Kevin Williams – said Monday the Cowboys had targeted him as their top pick. Dallas had one of its 10 "signers" in Brooks' Tulsa home for the draft.

"They gambled and lost," said Brooks, who said he had several telephone conversations with the Cowboys during the draft.

"He's a quality player, and we did have somebody with him," owner Jerry Jones said. "But I didn't talk to him all day, and that's the key. Kevin Williams was going to be our first pick, no matter who was there."

Briefly ...

Linebacker Bobby Abrams, who spent the first four games of the 1992 regular season with the Cowboys before being waived, re-signed with the club Monday. He played with Cleveland and the New York Giants after leaving the Cowboys. ... Guard Alan Luther of Texas was among the free-agent signees. ... Miami linebacker Darrin Smith, on becoming the team's fifth Smith: "I hope to distinguish myself as one of the Smiths that can play some ball, like that running back Smith on this team."