Last updated: 21st May 2008
Barber: New deal
Now that he's going to be the starter and one of the highest-paid players at his position, you'll see his coming-out party.
Marion Barber's agent Drew Rosenhaus
Quotes of the week
Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber and cornerback Terence Newman have both signed big-money deals to secure their long-term future with the franchise.
Owner Jerry Jones has splashed out almost $100 million on keeping hold of two of his team's star performers.
Newman has been handed a six-year extension worth around $50 million with $22.5 million of that guaranteed, while Barber's deal is worth $45 million with $16 million of that in guaranteed money.
Barber, a restricted free agent, led the NFC in rushing touchdowns two seasons ago, and performed even better last year despite being a back-up to Julius Jones for most of the campaign.
The new contract for Barber signals his promotion to starting running back for the Cowboys, and he will be expected to improve on his statistics last season of 975 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing, plus 44 catches for 282 yards and two touchdowns.
"He kept repeating the numbers over and over," agent Drew Rosenhaus said.
"He sat there at least an extra 20 minutes after we got the deal done in a state of shock.
"Now that he's going to be the starter and one of the highest-paid players at his position, you'll see his coming-out party."
Newman's new deal catapults him into the higher echelons of money earners in his position.
The 29-year-old made 50 tackles and four interceptions last season and his deal rivals that of Oakland's DeAngelo Hall and Philadelphia's Asante Samuel.
Dallas also have controversial cornerback Adam 'Pacman' Jones on their roster after picking him up from Tennessee last month, but he is still under an NFL-imposed suspension.
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