Sunday, February 14, 2010

Dallas Cowboys' Miles Austin not worried about contract status

Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin said Saturday night he's not worried about his contract status with the team.


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Dallas Cowboys Miles Austin not worried about contract status

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Austin, coming off his first Pro Bowl season, is a restricted free agent and the Cowboys have the option of using the franchise designation on him, placing a tender or working out a long-term deal.

"No, not worried at all," Austin said after watching the Sprite Slam Dunk contest at the American Airlines Center. "I have all the confidence in the world in the organization and I'm sure everything will be worked out right."

Thursday was the first day the NFL could place franchise tags on players before the Feb. 25 deadline. The Cowboys haven't placed a franchise tag on Austin, which could net him $9.5 million.

A cheaper way to settle Austin's contract issue is to give him a tender contract offer. The Cowboys could place a first- and third-round tender on Austin, which could cost the team $3.168 million. If a team wants to match the offer, it would have to surrender a first- and third-round pick to the Cowboys.

But the ultimate deal would be a long-term contract.

The Cowboys are playing fellow starting wide receiver Roy Williams an average of $9 million a season.

Austin could command about $6 million on average if he gets a long-term deal.

Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said he would like to lock Austin up.

"I don't talk to them," said a smiling Austin when asked about a long-term contract.

Austin's agent David Dunn has worked with the organization in the past and hopes to work out a deal.

When the postseason ended, Austin flew down to South Florida for the Pro Bowl where he caught six passes for 49 yards with no touchdowns.

He enjoyed the Pro Bowl with his family and now that he's back home, he's soaking in the All-Star weekend.

Austin said he's attended only one party, and was headed home on Saturday night. He did say he plans on attending Sunday's All-Star Game at Cowboys Stadium.

"I think it's awesome," Austin said of the game being at Cowboys Stadium. "It gets everyone amped up and ready for the Super Bowl [in 2011] and hopefully it gets everything setup so everyone is used [to the stadium] a little bit."



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