IRVING, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys blinked.

In the chess game that was the negotiations with left tackle Flozell Adams, the Cowboys decided that keeping Adams to protect the blind side of quarterback Tony Romo was too important to lose.

The Cowboys signed Adams to a six-year contract extension yesterday, hours before he would have been eligible for free agency at 11 p.m. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"He will be one of the highest-paid offensive linemen in the league, and he wanted to stay, and they wanted him to stay," said Jordan Woy, Adams' agent. "He got enough money early in the deal; that is what I was concerned with."

Woy said Adams got a higher three-year average than guard Leonard Davis received in 2007 from the Cowboys. And Woy said Adams' signing bonus was close to the $16 million that Davis received as part of his seven-year, $49.6 million contract.

In other developments, the team is in trade talks concerning nose tackle Jason Ferguson, according to a source. The Cowboys can't move Ferguson until today. According to the source, the likely destination is Miami.

The Cowboys have offered tenders to three of their four restricted free agents, including the highest offer possible to running back Marion Barber.

Barber received a one-year contract offer of $2.56 million. Although he is free to sign an offer sheet with another team, the Cowboys have seven days to match any offer. If they let him go, they would receive first- and third-round draft picks.

On Wednesday, the Cowboys had planned to give Barber the first-round tender of $2.017 million, but the expected demand for the Pro Bowl running back prompted the team to give itself more insurance.

Defensive end Chris Canty's offer was $2.017 million. The Cowboys would get a first-round draft pick if he signs with another team and they chose not to match.

Guard Joe Berger received the original draft tender of $927,000.

The Cowboys did not tender restricted free-agent running back Tyson Thompson.

Linebacker Zach Thomas, who came to terms with the Cowboys last week, signed his one-year, $3 million contract yesterday. Also, fullback Oliver Hoyte was released. Deon Anderson likely will move into the starting role.

The Cowboys have four other unrestricted free agents. Look for them to allow safety Keith Davis to test the market. They likely won't pursue running back Julius Jones in free agency.

The Cowboys are not ruling out a return for Jacques Reeves, who will likely visit the Houston Texans today and is coveted in Miami. The Cowboys are rethinking their position on Reeves, especially considering they might be priced out of the market for top free-agent cornerbacks.

The Cowboys have interest in San Diego free-agent cornerback Drayton Florence, but Florence is seeking a starting salary.