Dallas Cowboys: 5 Worst Free Agent Signings in Team History

Mike must know that this article is going to be about him. Just look at the way he's staring at that headline.

Jerry Jones and his wallet can never be accused of being cheap. Don’t get me wrong, he’s not throwing around Daniel Snyder money, but he can spend liberally when it comes to the Cowboys.

Jerry doesn’t have a history of signing horrible free agents. Terrell Owens was great during his time in Dallas, and La’Roi Glover recorded 21 sacks in four years for the Cowboys. Yeah, they cost a lot of dough, but it pays off sometimes.

Anddddd sometimes it doesn’t.

Remember Mike Vanderjagt? What about Anthony Thomas, the A-Train? Yeah, Dallas has taken a few missteps over the years, and sometimes it sets the team back a few seasons.

That’s why Jerry has to be careful about who he signs and how much cake he throws their way because if he signs someone like a Gilbert Arenas then his team may be shot down. Get it? Shot…down.

Ok, moving on.

Here are the five worst free agent signings in team history.

Mike Vanderjagt, 3 Years, $5.4 Million

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DALLAS - NOVEMBER 23: Mike Vanderjagt #13 of the Dallas Cowboys stands ready to kicks a field goal during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Texas Stadium November 23, 2006 in Irving, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Mike used to be money. He could boot ‘em high, long and straight, and you never hard to worry about missing a field goal. He was just that good.

But money Mike was let go by the Indianapolis Colts in the spring of 2006 as he was replaced by former New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri.

Money Mike didn’t last a full season in Dallas and was released on Nov. 27, 2006. Good thing NFL contracts aren’t guaranteed, eh?

Bryant Westbook, 1 Year, $1 Million

In terms of dollars, this wasn’t a bad deal for Jerry and crew. In terms of success, this was a straight bust.

Westbrook barely made it past his first game with the Cowboys, which turned out to be a loss to the expansion Houston Texans.

Westbrook was released by the end of the first regular season week in the National Football League. Way to go, Jerry.

Don't remember the former Texas Longhorn star? Check out his infamous hit on former Texas A&M Aggie Leeland McElroy.

Tony Banks, 1 Year, $500,000

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HOUSTON - AUGUST 13: Quarterback Tony Banks #12 of the Houston Texans looks to pass against the Denver Broncos during the preseason game on August 13, 2005 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Broncos defeated the Texans 20-14. (Photo by Ronald Ma

Here’s why the decision to sign Tony Banks was bad. He was supposed to replace three-time Super Bowl wining quarterback Troy Aikman, but instead he was released before the season started.

Banks was his usual inconsistent self in the preseason and that ultimately led to his release in Cowboy town. Plus, Tony never could get that curl right, could he?

Chris Warren, 3 Years, $2 Million

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

12 Nov 2000: Running back Chris Warren #42 of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled by Darryl Williams #31 of the Cincinnati Bengals during Sunday's game at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire/ALLSPORT

Warren spent three lackluster seasons in Dallas after he was signed to back up Emmitt Smith. But I still have to believe Jerry signed my man Warren as a stop gap until they could find a suitable replacement for Smith.

Emmitt was reaching the end of his best running days in Dallas, and the Cowboys needed a replacement. Warren was inconsistent, and his best season in Cowboy town was when he rushed for 403 yards in 1999.

Eddie George, 1 Year, $1.5 Million

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BALTIMORE - NOVEMBER 21: Running back Eddie George #27 of the Dallas Cowboys runs upfield before facing the Baltimore Ravens during the game at M&T Bank Stadium on November 21, 2004 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Cowboys 30-10. (Photo

George was a shell of himself by the time he got to Dallas. He seemed hesitant to hit the hole, and he lacked the burst and aggressiveness we saw when he played in Tennessee.

Eddie will go down as one of the greatest college running backs of all time as evidenced by his election in the College Football Hall of Fame. He was great during his day in Tennessee, but he rushed for a paltry 432 yards when he donned the No. 27 in Dallas.

That was a 600-yard drop off from his previous rushing total with the Titans. George didn’t fall off a cliff, he was riding in the trunk of that Thelma and Louise car when it took that dive.