cowboys sign LB Ayodele

[spjets]

The Cowboys found the replacement for retired inside linebacker Dat Nguyen when they signed Akin Ayodele to a five-year, $17 million deal that included a $5 million signing bonus.

The 6-2, 246 pound outside linebacker of the Jaguars is going to make the conversion to inside linebacker in the Cowboys 3-4 defense. He's a fifth-year player who had four 100-plus tackle seasons with the Jaguars. His best season was 2004 when he had 150 tackles.

Bill Parcells likes his range and tackling ability and thinks he can roam sideline to sideline for tackles.

-- John Clayton