Lawrence Vickers, who has blocked for Foster, Lewis, Hillis, will replace Tony Fiammetta at fullback

The Cowboys couldn't work out a long-term deal with Tony Fiammetta, so instead they replaced him with veteran Lawrence Vickers.

Vickers was released by the Texans earlier this week after helping Adrian Foster rush for 1,224 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. It was the fourth time in six seasons that Vickers has had a 1,000-yard rusher behind him. Jamal Lewis rushed for 1,000 yards in both 2007 and '08 while Vickers was blocking for him in Cleveland, and Peyton Hillis had 1,177 in 2010.

Vickers has only 34 carries for 87 yards and no touchdowns in his six seasons, though he has caught 45 passes for 300 yards and three touchdowns.

Fiammetta was a big part of the Cowboys' offense last season. Dallas averaged 130.4 rushing yards per game and 5.6 yards per rush in 10 games with him on the field. In the six games without Fiammetta, the Cowboys averaged 83.8 rushing yards per game and 3.3 yards per rush.

The Cowboys chose not to give Fiammetta the restricted tender of $1.32 million. They talked to his agent Tuesday about a long-term deal in hopes of lowering his cap figure for 2012. But the two sides couldn't come to an agreement.

So Vickers is the team's new fullback.

-- Charean Williams

Comments

[Extra P]

Fiametta, see ya...We got us a real FB this time..one who doesnt get hurt, always gets his RB a 1000 yards and eats beef....hahahaha....Tony you might want to find you a new agent..that wasnt a very smart move to turn down a nice multi year deal for a position that is getting phased ou by most teams...