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Boniol, Darrin Smith have mixed feelings about return to Dallas

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Had the Dallas Cowboys chosen to spend their money differently, kicker Chris Boniol and linebacker Darrin Smith could be on their side for Monday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Instead, they will be playing for the visitors when the Eagles come to Texas Stadium.

Philadelphia lured both free agents away this summer by offering more than Dallas wanted to spend. The Cowboys have always been stingy about paying kickers and linebackers, preferring to spend their money on other positions.

Boniol and Smith knew all along they weren't likely to be back with the team that brought them into the NFL.

"I don't take it personally," Smith said. "It's a business. I look at life as a growing process. This is another opportunity to grow."

Smith had hoped to get a long-term deal, but he instead settled on a one-year deal with the Eagles.

In Dallas, Smith played on the weak side, which meant flopping sides of the field depending on how the offense lined up. In Philadelphia, he remains on the left side at all times.

"I have a great opportunity to be on a defense that allows the linebackers to be a little more aggressive in a type of scheme where linebackers are looked upon as leaders and as being important," he said.

"I most definitely feel that God led me here. I just felt that peace and ease when I got here. He just brought me here for another opportunity to grow."

Boniol doesn't see as much divine intervention in his move. To him, it's a bit sad.

"It's a big week for me," he said. "I can't pretend like it's just any other game, because it does mean a lot to go back there."

Boniol went to the Eagles facing more pressure than Smith. He had hit 27 straight field goals and was expected to be in top form right away.

"They want to see you at your peak day one of training camp," said Boniol, who hit his first attempt of the regular season but missed his next to end his streak at 28.

"In Dallas, I had established myself and nobody worried about me. That's part of being new. You have to show when it comes time you're going to be ready. There were points and times when I caught my heat early on."