National Football League

Report: Cowboys-Rams trade finally official

Published May. 10, 2010 7:37 p.m. ET

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According to a report, the Cowboys and Rams have finally completed a swap of disappointing draft picks.

On the heels of reports Friday that a trade was near, ESPN is reporting that the Dallas Cowboys have traded LB Bobby Carpenter for St. Louis Rams OT Alex Barron.

Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo told FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer Monday that the trade is not yet official, but is expected to be completed by the  afternoon.

Carpenter has not fulfilled expectations in Dallas after being chosen in the first round of the 2006 draft, while the Rams' Barron as also failed to live up to his 2005 first-round status – despite starting 74 of 76 games in St. Louis.

Barron has not participated in the Rams' off-season workout program. By contrast, the Cowboys have had about a "99 percent" participation rate in their program, according to coach Wade Phillips. Running back Marion Barber, who follows his own program, and wide receiver Patrick Crayton have been the most conspicuous absentees.

Barron's agent, Roosevelt Barnes, did not return messages seeking comment on his client's physical status.

Barnes previously told St. Louis-area reporters that Barron was participating in a "personal boot camp" that would serve him well.

"Alex is planning on having the best year of his career," Barnes said. "I believe Alex will show that he'll be one of the best tackles in the NFC."

All that's left for the completion of the Barron for Bobby Carpenter trade are the physicals both players must take Monday.

On Friday, Barron signed his $2.62 million restricted free-agent tender with St. Louis. Carpenter has agreed to rework his contract to allow the Rams to avoid paying a $1.895 million incentive should he play in more than 45 percent of the snaps this season.

Carpenter is expected to be a starter for the Rams, so he would have easily met the playing-time incentive.

Carpenter is scheduled to fly to St. Louis on Sunday night for a physical the next morning. He had off-season shoulder surgery but has not been slowed in the conditioning program. Barron is scheduled to arrive in Dallas on Sunday for his physical the next day.

As Barron arrives, another Cowboys offensive lineman departs. Duke Preston will retire and attend divinity school, the office of agent Craig Domann said.

Preston was inactive for 17 games with the Cowboys last season after being picked up from Green Bay late in training camp. The Cowboys had offered Preston a contract for this season.

Fox Sports Southwest contributed to this report.

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