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Cowboys sign Dimitrius Underwood
Posted: Saturday March 11, 2000 09:10 AM
IRVING, Texas (AP) -- After successfully rehabilitating Alonzo Spellman's career following a mental illness, the Dallas Cowboys are hoping to do it again with Dimitrius Underwood. The 6-foot-6, 280-pound defensive end signed a two-year contract Friday with the Cowboys, his third organization in less than a year. "After looking at everything, Dallas just looked like the right place for Dimitrius," Robert Huebner, Underwood's agent, said. "It was a really good opportunity." A big lure was the team's player program department, a unit headed by former Cowboys star Calvin Hill. That group helped Spellman become a quality player again after off-field problems knocked him out of the NFL. "It is common knowledge that he succeeded there. That part is something we took into consideration," Huebner said. Huebner said other teams were interested, but he focused on Dallas. Asked if Underwood can be ready by opening day, Huebner said: "That is our intent." Underwood already has had a checkered career and he's yet to play in a real game. Since Minnesota made him the overall 29th pick in last season's draft, Underwood: left camp the day after signing a lucrative contract; was waived after saying he didn't want football; signed with Miami; got hurt; tried killing himself; checked into a mental health center and escaped that night; then was released again. The Cowboys seem to be an unlikely match considering owner Jerry Jones' desire to avoid players with troubled reputations. That was why he didn't draft Randy Moss two years ago. But Jones likely sees this as a low-risk, high-reward gamble. Terms weren't disclosed, but Underwood is likely making the minimum -- just like Spellman did last season. "We have the opportunity to give this young man a chance, and all of our research points to the conclusion that he is deserving of that chance," Jones said in a statement. "From a big-picture perspective, we have made a long-term commitment -- in terms of resources and personnel -- to put the organization in a position to explore a situation such as this. We have a support system in place that is showing positive results. Of course, every situation is different, and there are always unique challenges involved." Hill said counselors work with players before they enter the organization, indicating they've already taken on Underwood's case. "We will utilize the support systems that we already have in place, and then make whatever adjustments are necessary to meet the specific needs of Dimitrius," said Hill, father of NBA star Grant Hill. "We have every expectation that Dimitrius will become a productive member of the Cowboys family." Underwood's potential makes him so desirable. As a junior, he was honorable mention all-Big 10 after making eight sacks and 57 tackles. He had five sacks and 37 tackles as a sophomore. He missed the 1998 season with a sprained right ankle, then opted to enter the draft rather than return to school. "If Dimitrius is able to work hard and make the most of this opportunity -- both on and off the field -- then we have a win-win situation for all the parties involved," coach Dave Campo said.
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