Cowboys offered WR Austin the highest possible tender

On the last before the deadline for free agency, the Dallas Cowboys made a long-expected move to retain restricted free agent wide receiver Miles Austin: they gave the receiver the highest possible tender on Thursday, allowing Austin to earn at least $3.168 million for 2010 season.

The offer will require any team that wants to sign the Pro Bowl receiver to give up a first- and third-round draft pick as compensation to the Cowboys. On the other side, the Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones has said he would like to give Austin a long-term lucrative contract. So it is very likely that Austin will remain in Cowboys jersey with a satisfying deal being done.

The Cowboys also offered tenders to 11 other restricted free agents and signed another to a one-year contract, leaving only kicker Shaun Suisham to struggle with his career future. Defensive tackle Marcus Spears is the only other RFA to receiver a first-round tender offer but that was at the original draft choice level, meaning less salary than Austin and a second round compensation for his departure.

Cowboys WR Irvin is facing one-million-dollar extortion

Another woman filed lawsuit against another NFL player, seeking $1 million because of a rape happened two years ago. As expected, the lawyer for the player claimed that it was another story of extorting big money from sports figures.

This time the player getting involved is former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin. A Florida woman filed a lawsuit against him Thursday, claiming that Irvin and another man raped her more than two years ago.

The lawsuit claims that a woman referred to as Jane Doe met Irvin and another man at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on July 4, 2007 and Irvin bought her drinks. The two men then raped her in Irvin’s hotel room, according to the suit.

Working as an analyst for NFL Network after officially taking off his NFL jersey, Irvin could not expect what would happen today when he was enjoying the amorous meet. Something may indeed happen, but calling it a rape more than two years later and asking for compensation just sounds unreasonable. No wonder Irvin’s lawyer called it extortion, the price one has to pay for fame day.

Cowboys RT Colombo returned to practice and may play Saturday

The Dallas Cowboys right tackle Mark Colombo did not put on his Cowboys jersey to play the last seven games of the regular season because of a broken left leg, but may be able to play for the team in the Saturday’s playoff against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Colombo broke his leg and sustained ligament damage in his ankle on Nov. 15 while playing against the Green Bay Packers. He returned to practice Tuesday. According to Cowboys Coach Wade Philips, Colombo worked some with the first-team offense during practice in preparation for starting Saturday’s playoff. Before being hurt, he had started 57 consecutive games.

Two other starters who were injured may not be able to play Saturday. Running back Tashard Choice sustained a concussion in last Sunday’s season finale against the Eagles and was held out of Tuesday practice but worked on the side with a team trainer. Safety Pat Watkins missed the past three games with a sprained left knee but took full part in practice.