Cowboys releasing expensive DE DeMarcus Ware

Neither side was bluffing, and now Ware will leave Dallas. (USATSI)

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The Cowboys have released their all-time sack leader DeMarcus Ware

Can confirm NFL Network report that Cowboys have notified D. Ware of his release. He hits the open market

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 11, 2014

The team announced the move as well.

“A decision like this, involving a man who is a cornerstone player in the history of your franchise, is extremely difficult,” said owner/general manager Jerry Jones in a statement.

Ware reportedly refused to take a pay cut from the Cowboys, leaving them little choice but to release him.

The Cowboys, who had an absolutely awful defense in 2013, will now lose their best player heading into 2014.

They will pick up $7.4 million in cap space as a result of the move but also now stare down more than $8 million in dead money as a result.

Ware's definitely older and slowing down a little bit, but he's going to find work quickly. He can land with a contender who will give him playing time in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defense. And he'll sack the quarterback.

The Cowboys better hope he doesn't land in the NFC East.

NFL Hot News

Report: Saints won't release RB Darren Sproles, want to trade him instead



Last week, it looked like Darren Sproles and Lance Moore were going to share a plane ticket out of New Orleans. Yet, while Moore was indeed released, Sproles remains the Saints' property. And according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Saints don't want to release him. No, they want to trade Sproles "due to heavy interest," sources have told Schefter.Sproles has one year remaining with a $3.4 million salary on his current contract.



Where he could go is anyone's guess. Rumors surfaced earlier today that the Redskins are interested in Sproles, although I wonder if that's changed following the signing of Andre Roberts. NFL.com's Albert Breer said the Vikings are a team to watch in the sweepstakes. The earlier reports that the Saints might cut Sproles could make him more difficult to trade or lower their haul -- why would a team give up a lot for a player that might just be released? But that contract should be easy to move, and it's understandable that many teams would be intrigued to own a back who is a true triple threat as a runner, returner, and pass-catcher.Oh, and Sproles found out that he is being shopped around the league via Twitter. Viva social media!