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Tuesday, April 8, 1997

Surprise ... Brock Marion not a Raven, but signs with Cowboys

By JAIME ARON

Associated Press

IRVING - A few weeks ago, free agent Brock Marion thought he was a Baltimore Raven. On Monday, he rejoined the Dallas Cowboys and insisted he couldn't be happier.

Marion attended a March 20 news conference at the Ravens' training complex to announce he'd agreed to a reported four-year, $6.5 million deal. Instead, team owner Art Modell said he wanted more doctors to examine Marion's left shoulder blade, which he broke in November.

After more tests, the Ravens told agent Jordan Woy they weren't interested. Woy continued talking to them until late last week, then called the Cowboys and quickly worked out a one-year deal with incentives.

"I signed with the Cowboys because I chose to," said Marion, a starting safety the last two years and a contributor on Dallas' last three Super Bowl champion teams.

"It doesn't have to do with anything with other teams falling through. I chose to sign here for the fact that every year we compete for the championship."

Woy, however, said he's considering taking action against Baltimore, either with a lawsuit or by filing a grievance with the league.

He's upset because he felt the "memo of agreement" Marion signed with the Ravens took him off the market, and that the March 20 news conference portrayed Marion as damaged goods.

"When Baltimore made this announcement that Brock Marion has to have shoulder surgery, I had about 10 teams call me and say 'What's going on?' Obviously, it put a lot of thoughts in people's minds," Woy said.

Dallas never even gave Marion a physical. The team had been monitoring his rehabilitation and was confident he could pick up where he left off last season.

The signing came at a good time for the Cowboys. With the draft less than two weeks away, they no longer have to worry about finding a safety. Marion will resume his spot in one of the NFL's best secondaries alongside safety Darren Woodson and cornerbacks Deion Sanders and Kevin Smith.

"The continuity of players in our scheme is so important," coach Barry Switzer said. "Having a truly experienced secondary with Brock coming back is something we didn't count on."

By signing for only one year, Marion can prove his health and try upping his value, then go back on the market next year.

"He may have been able to get more money this year, but this made the most sense for Brock in many ways," Woy said. "At this point, he's happy he's going to play here for another year. We'll see where things go when the year's over with."