IRVING – As the Cowboys begin their off-season preparations, they are attempting to lock up center Andre Gurode to a long-term deal.
Since the season ended, the Cowboys have had talks with Gurode's agent, Kennard McGuire, about a new contract. Gurode is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in March.
In his first season as a full-time center, Gurode started every game – playing a week after he suffered several cuts when Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth stomped on his face – as the Cowboys put up 425 points and had two 1,000-yard receivers and a 1,000-yard rusher.
Gurode and right tackle Marc Colombo are two of the Cowboys' top priorities among their free agents this off-season, and the team has $24.5 million available under the 2007 salary cap. Before the season, the Cowboys signed tight end Jason Witten, safety Roy Williams and linebacker Bradie James to long-term extensions before they could hit the open market.
Briefly: According to a source, Arkansas has offered its offensive coordinator position to Cowboys assistant David Lee and hopes to have an answer soon. Lee has had two stints at Arkansas.
