JonJon
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Dallas Cowboys (Last Year: 13-3)
Season Summary:
Ever have deja vu? If you're a Cowboys fan, you definitely should be nodding your head right now. Dallas' 2007 campaign mirrored its 2006 season. Tony Romo started hot; Dallas looked like the team to beat in the NFC East; Romo began dating a succubus around Thanksgiving; he started tossing picks and committing fumbles at an alarming rate; a divisional foe passed his team by; and the Cowboys lost a heart-breaker in the playoffs. Note to Romo: Date chicks in the offseason and focus on football between September and February.
Offseason Needs:
- Two Cornerbacks: Besides an anti-Jessica Simpson repellent (i.e. an encyclopedia), what the Cowboys need most is a cornerback to play across from Terence Newman. Anthony Henry is old and is now a better fit at free safety. Meanwhile, Jacques Reeves and Nathan Jones, a pair of free agents this offseason, leave much to be desired. How incredible would Dallas' defense look with a stud corner like Nnamdi Asomugha in the starting lineup? If the Cowboys can't get him - he'll cost a lot of money, but he's well worth it - I could see them drafting a corner late in the first or second rounds, and picking up a guy like Randall Gay for depth purposes.
- Wide Receiver: Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn will both be 34 years old for the majority of the 2008 campaign. The Cowboys must acquire a young receiver this offseason - perhaps DeSean Jackson at No. 22 overall.
- Strong Safety: I find it unbelievable that Roy Williams made the Pro Bowl this year, as there is a good chance Dallas could cut him. Williams is terrible in coverage and happens to be a huge liability in the secondary. Whether Williams is released or not - a move that would stun a lot of casual fans - the Cowboys could be looking for a new strong safety. There aren't many of those in free agency, so Tom Zbikowski, Craig Steltz and a few others could be options in the third round.
- Offensive Tackle: Flozell "The Hotel" Adams, another old Cowboy (33), will be hitting free agency if he's not re-signed before the market opens. I'd sign him to a short-term deal and draft his heir apparent in April.
- Running Back: Both Marion Barber and Julius Jones will be free agents this offseason. I don't expect the latter to return, but I am concerned with the former's ability to carry the load. If he could, why didn't the Cowboys give Barber the bulk of the carries the past two years when it was obvious that he was far superior to Jones? Look for Dallas to re-sign Barber, and obtain a running back between Rounds 3 and 5, as this draft class is extremely deep at that position. Felix Jones is also an option toward the end of the first round.
- Inside Linebacker: Bobby Carpenter has been a bust thus far (perhaps just a poor fit in the 3-4), and I'm not really high on Akin Ayodele. There aren't many quality free-agent inside linebackers, so the Cowboys must search for one in the draft.
- Nose Tackle: It wouldn't hurt Dallas if it obtained a massive nose tackle to eventually replace Jason Ferguson. Doing so would allow Jay Ratliff to move to defensive end. This isn't a huge need this offseason, but more of a luxury.
- Interior Line Depth: The Cowboys don't really have much behind Kyle Kosier, Andre Gurode and Leonard Davis. A late-round selection could be used to fix this.
Salary Cap (As of Feb. 11): $20.61 million
- Marion Barber (RFA), RB. Age: 25. http://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gifhttp://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gifhttp://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gifhttp://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gif
I'll never understand why the Cowboys messed around with Julius Jones so much instead of giving Marion Barber 80 percent of the workload. Barber is infinitely better than Jones. But I'm listing him below Ryan Grant because we have no evidence he can carry the load for an entire year. - Ken Hamlin, FS. Age: 27. http://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gifhttp://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gifhttp://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gifhttp://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gif
Ken Hamlin will be looking for tons of cash this offseason, as he will be the starting free safety for the NFC in the Pro Bowl. Given the problems in their secondary, the Cowboys cannot afford to let him go. - Chris Canty (RFA), DE. Age: 25. http://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gifhttp://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gifhttp://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gifhttp://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/halfstar.gif
The Cowboys are likely to tender Chris Canty, who works really well up front in their 3-4. - Flozell Adams, OT. Age: 33. http://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gifhttp://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gifhttp://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gif
Flozell "The Hotel" Adams is one of the better offensive tackles in the NFL. But given that he's reached the age of regression (33), I wouldn't give him a huge deal. - Keith Davis, FS. Age: 29. http://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gifhttp://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gif
Assuming he's not asking for anything crazy, the Cowboys should re-sign Keith Davis, a solid reserve defensive back and a great special teams player. - Julius Jones, RB. Age: 27. http://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gifhttp://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gif
I really have no idea why Wade Phillips kept Julius Jones in the lineup for so long. He's not a starter. He's a solid change-of-pace back, but nothing more. - Jacques Reeves, CB. Age: 25. http://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gif
- Tyson Thompson (ERFA), RB. Age: 27. http://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gif
- Stephen Bowen (ERFA), DE. Age: 24. http://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gif
- Nathan Jones, CB. Age: 26. http://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gif
- Cory Procter (ERFA), G. Age: 25. http://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gif
- Remi Ayodele, NT. Age: 25. http://www.BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/images/fball/star.gif
