What's next for Cowboys?
Dallas' loss to the Giants will leave a mark for years, but I don't buy that it's the beginning of the end for the franchise.
They were the fourth-youngest team in the league and there are many pieces in place for a long run of success, starting with Tony Romo. They honestly don't have many holes to fill, but here is what should concern the team heading into the offseason.
1. Flozell Adams - He didn't have a great playoff effort, but Adams is still a Pro Bowl left tackle. He would make an enormous contract on the open market, one that may not be worth it for a 33-year-old. The franchise tag seems made for him.
2. Solidify the running game- Marion Barber is a restricted free agent and should get a long-term deal. Julius Jones should be gone. Dallas needs to find some quality depth to back up Barber, probably in the draft.
3. Get depth at wideout - Terry Glenn's career may be over. T.O. is great, but he's 35 and will need to be replaced eventually. Patrick Crayton may be better as a number three than a number two. Find another young playmaker to develop.
4. Work on secondary depth - Anthony Henry enjoyed a great comeback season, but Dallas still needs some depth behind him and Terence Newman. Jacques Reeves may have cost them a playoff win. Safety Ken Hamlin is a free agent after making the Pro Bowl.
5. Fend off staff attrition - Offensive coaches Tony Sparano and Jason Garrett could he headed for jobs elsewhere. Bill Parcells is going to want to bring in other front office and coaching cronies to Miami. Jerry Jones must protect what he can in order to keep the organizational structure in place.
Comments
Do the cowboys have a bunch of teenagers on special teams? How is it possible they are the 4th youngest team in the NFL? TO - Glenn - Flozell - Ellis - all well over 30. Is there a place to find the average age of your starters?
Posted by: Alan | January 15, 2008 12:43 PM
4 Players does not an average make. Nor does 5, even if you include Brad Johnson. They have a young defense (think Ware, Spencer, Spears, Watkins, Carpenter), a rookie kicker in Folk, and some young offensive skill players (think Romo, Barber, Crayton, and Fasano). In fact, they have a lot of guys in the 2-4 years experience range.
If you're interested in player age, you can find them on most team sites' roster pages. The pages usually only give "Years of Experience," but you'll get the same idea.
Posted by: Steven | January 15, 2008 11:57 PM
I get the info from NFL Network. Its drawn from averaging the whole 53-man roster.
Posted by: Gregg | January 16, 2008 11:16 AM
WR seems like the most needed youth movement and I think this is where they go with the draft. Rarely has Dallas ever gone offensive skill position in the first round, so maybe a WR in the second.
Losing Ken Hamlin to free agency would be unfortunate.
But what about that back-up running back position? I don't see Turner comming to Dallas to be a back-up, he will command starter money. What about Deshaun Foster or Mewelde Moore? Both would make good affordable back-ups.
Posted by: Dev Gilmore | January 18, 2008 05:12 PM
Spears britney
Posted by: Spears sigma | May 18, 2008 04:15 AM
Spears britney
Posted by: Spears sigma | May 18, 2008 04:15 AM