Cowboys To Sign Chris Warren

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

April 13, 1998 / 12:47 AM EDT / CBS Sportsline

Three-time Pro Bowl running back Chris Warren reportedly is on his way to Dallas to sign a three-year contract with the Cowboys on Monday, exactly one month after his release by the Seattle Seahawks.

ESPN is reporting that the 30-year-old Warren has agreed to terms with Dallas and will sign to become Emmitt Smith's backup. Smith originally was not pleased with the prospect of Warren's signing.

The Dallas Morning News reported earlier this week that the Cowboys hope to lighten the load on Smith, who turns 29 next month, and are not happy with backup Sherman Williams. Warren's former position coach in Seattle, Clarence Shelmon, is the Cowboys' new running backs coach.

The Seahawks released Warren, their all-time leading rusher, on March 13th, less than two weeks after signing former Philadelphia Eagles running back Ricky Watters to a four-year, $13 million contract.

Warren rushed for 6,706 yards in eight seasons with Seattle, breaking Curt Warner's previous team record of 6,705 on the final play of last season.

Warren rushed for at least 1,000 yards for four straight seasons, including a team-record and AFC-leading 1,545 yards in 1994, but did not get to 1,000 yards the past two seasons.

Last year, when the Seahawks went a disappointing 8-8 and missed the playoffs for the ninth season in a row, Warren rushed for 847 yards and only four touchdowns.

The Seahawks attempted to trade Warren after signing Watters as a free agent but could not make a deal.

Watters, a five-time Pro Bowler, received a $5 million signing bonus and there was no room for Warren's $4.1 million annual salary.

Smith rushed for 1,074 yards last year, his lowest total since his rookie campaign of 1990. The Cowboys lost their last five games in 1997 and failed to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1990 with a 6-10 record.