Roster Analysis
Post Draft Position-by-Position Breakdown
by Ken Sins
There are no eyesores on the Cowboys' roster, no glaring areas devoid of talent. From the standpoint of quality, this team resides in the high-rent district, especially following the latest infusion of playmakers.
Now the job for the coaching staff is to transform that talent into big-game victories, avoiding last season's playoff failure that shockingly sent the one-and-done Cowboys into the offseason.
Offensive starters are set in every key position, and the draft-day additions of running back Felix Jones and tight end Martellus Bennett will increase depth. On defense, the arrivals of cornerbacks Pacman Jones and rookie Mike Jenkins address the unit's primary shortcomings.
Here's a breakdown of each positional area, and at the end of each section is an assessment as to whether offseason adjustments have left the Cowboys better, worse or status quo.
Quarterback
So far: Tony Romo enters his second full season as the starter with some impressive stats, but he also has some things to prove, having gone 0-for-2 in the playoffs. The coaches think Romo still has room for improvement, and Romo concurs. Ageless Brad Johnson returns as the primary backup. Richard Bartel has a year's experience as a member of the 2007 practice squad.
Offseason assignment: Get all the QBs acclimated with new faces in the offense.
Upgrade? Status quo
Running back
So far: Marion Barber moved into the starting lineup for last season's playoff game, and he'll remain there. Barber won't become a 30-carry-per-game back, however. His reckless style won't allow it. So while he'll handle the bulk of the workload, versatile first-round pick Felix Jones should get between 10-15 touches per game. Drafting Georgia Tech's durable Tashard Choice in the fourth round bumps up the depth even further.
Offseason assignment: Get Jones and Choice into the mix.
Upgrade? Better
Fullback
So far: Oliver Hoyte started six games as the lead blocker last season before sustaining a neck injury. Rookie Deon Anderson had one start while Hoyte was sidelined, then Anderson went down for the season with a torn right rotator cuff. Anderson is back but Hoyte was released in March.
Offseason assignment: Make sure Anderson is healthy.
Upgrade? Status quo.
Wide receiver
So far: Terrell Owens returns as the lead receiver, having recovered from the high ankle sprain that limited him down the stretch and in the playoff game last season. Patrick Crayton is No. Two, and Crayton did some good things in a career year before faltering in the playoffs. Terry Glenn is trying a comeback from knee problems, and Glenn is determined to rebound. Sam Hurd and Miles Austin await more opportunities while Isaiah Stanback continues the transformation from college quarterback to pro receiver that he began last season as a rookie. The Cowboys were expected to draft a receiver, or trade for a veteran, but they came away empty. Could a deal for a vet still be in the works?
Offseason assignment: Get the position settled and blend any new faces into the group. Also, get more reps for Stanback.
Upgrade? Status quo, unless they can add a speedy No. Two to complement Owens.
Tight end
So far: Jason Witten already owns most of the Cowboys' records for his position and he's shown no signs of leveling off. The chemistry at the position changes with the drafting of athletic Martellus Bennett after the trade of backup Anthony Fasano to Miami. Bennett was a standout blocker and possession receiver in college, and if he can make the transition, he could give the Cowboys more versatility in two tight end sets. Tony Curtis was re-signed to a one-year free-agent tender chart after scoring touchdowns on all three receptions last season.
Offseason assignment: Keep Witten at a high level and get Bennett introduced into the offense.
Upgrade? Better
Offensive line
So far: Re-signing left tackle Flozell Adams was the most significant move in free agency. Adams will most likely close out his career with the Cowboys protecting the quarterback's blind side. The rest of the starting five returns intact. Age is the most pressing question, with all five starters 28 or older.
Offseason assignment: Further the development of young backups Pat McQuistan, Doug Free, James Marten, Cory Procter and Joe Berger.
Upgrade? Status quo.
Defensive line
So far: The decision to sign restricted free agent Chris Canty to a first-round offer sheet means that the starting trio up front - Canty, Marcus Spears and nose tackle Jay Ratliff - will return. With the trade of nose tackle Jason Ferguson to the Dolphins, Ratliff and Tank Johnson will hold down the top slots on the depth chart. Jason Hatcher and Stephen Bowen return as situational pass-rushers. Dallas got 15.5 sacks from its defensive linemen last season, with more expected in 2008.
Offseason assignment: Get more experience for Hatcher and Bowen.
Upgrade? Status quo
Linebacker
So far: Dallas is set on the outside with starters DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis having earned Pro Bowl slots after combining for 26.5 sacks in 2007. Last season's first-round pick, Anthony Spencer, should push Ellis after getting enough playing time as a rookie to hasten his development. On the inside, Bradie James and free agent Zach Thomas are the starters after incumbent starter Akin Ayodele was traded the day before the draft. Bobby Carpenter is expected to push the inside starters and Kevin Burnett is a versatile situational sub. Defensive end Erik Walden was drafted in the sixth round to make the conversion to pro outside linebacker as well as to fill a slot on special teams.
Offseason assignment: Get Thomas accustomed to Dallas' 3-4.
Upgrade? Better
Defensive backs
So far: Jacques Reeves, Keith Davis and Nate Jones all left via free agency, creating a depth issue. Entering the draft, there was concern at cornerback, where starters Terence Newman and Anthony Henry were limited by injuries last season. First-round pick Mike Jenkins will get a great opportunity to start, and the addition of Pacman Jones provides a further talent boost at a thin position. Alan Ball and Evan Oglesby return and are joined by fifth-round corner Orlando Scandrick (a special teams standout in college) to fill roles in the Nickel. Starting safeties Ken Hamlin and Roy Williams are coming off Pro Bowl appearances, backed by Patrick Watkins and Courtney Brown.
Offseason assignment: Dave Campo returns to the Cowboys as secondary coach, and Campo, Dallas' head coach when Williams was a rookie in 2002, will try to get Williams back on track.
Upgrade? Better
Special teams
So far: The Cowboys are solid with kicker Nick Folk, punter Mat McBriar and deep-snapper L.P. Ladouceur. Now they must improve their coverage and return units.
Offseason assignment: There are openings after Dallas finished 29th in the league in punt coverage (11.6 yards per attempt), 20th in kickoff coverage, 17th in punt returns (8.7 yards per attempt) and 19th in kickoff returns (22.3 yards per attempt). These are areas where Felix Jones, Pacman Jones, and Jenkins can help. There's also a leadership void with the exit of Davis, the special teams captain.
Upgrade? Better.
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