If I were the GM- Dallas

The Cowboys had a breakthrough of sorts in 2009.  They won the NFC East and their first playoff game in 13 seasons.  From all accounts, the stadium owner Jerry Jones built is the jewel of Texas.  That should be a revenue generating machine for years to come.  As a team, I like the players they have in place, which I'll review in a little bit.  However, I'm still not sold on the coaching staff.  After dominating the Eagles, they were crushed by Minnesota.  That game was all but over by halftime.  They didn't seem prepared for the game, and their weaknesses were exposed early and often by the Vikings.  Also, they had some questionable play-calling when the game was still in the balance.

This is a team with many strengths, and few weaknesses.  Their stable of running backs- Marian Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice- should be the envy of the league.  All three are solid rushers, and Jones has the makings of a star.  Small tangent.  Why did it take the coaching staff, say until late December to unleash him- and don't say the Carolina game, because Barber was hurt- forcing Jones to start?  Other than Jerry Jones's command, would have he been relegated to just a handful of carries per game?  Scary thought for Cowboys fans.  Back to the post.)  Jason Witten is one of the best tight ends in the league, and backup Martellus Bennett could start for half the teams.  That says a lot, because it's one of the deeper positions in the NFL.  Miles Austin had a monster season at the wide receiver position.  Although, Roy Williams has been a disappointment, thus far, the group has talent.  Patrick Crayton can return kicks, Sam Hurd made plays down the stretch, and Kevin Ogletree has developed into a nice complimentary receiver.  Andre Gurode is a stud at center, and even though the line is aging, it still has talent.  Leonard Davis showed he still has a year or two left in the tank, and Doug Free is an up-and-comer at one of the tackle spots.  From a skill-set standpoint, I really like Tony Romo.  He can make all the throws, and make difficult plays look easy.  But what scares me when I watch him play is two things: when he gets hit early in games and his throws into coverage.  The Minnesota game is a prime example.  He was the hottest quarterback in the league coming into that one, but once he was hit by that fierce line a few times, his face showed combat fatigue.  And he was a different player there after.  (Another tangent.  Granted, he wasn't helped by some of the play-calling.  Who calls a toss play to Marian Barber, a very good, tough, inside runner when you have Felix Jones, a terrific, fast, outside runner on the bench, on 3rd and 7 around midfield early in the game anyway?  Sorry, had to get that off my chest.  Oh, and to be clear, I'm an Eagles fan.)  This season, he do this as much as in years past, but Romo's had a tendency to lock into one receiver and force him the ball into tight coverage.  Some may call this Brett Favre syndrome.  I call it over-competitiveness.  Sometimes throwing the ball away is a good thing.  Still, Romo is a good NFL quarterback.  He gets extra scrutiny, because he's the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys.  On defense, this team is strong.  The one coaching move that was wise for them, was giving the defense over to coach Wade Phillips.  This team turned it on when he took the defense's reigns.  Their front seven is awfully good.  Nose tackle Jay Ratliff is one of the best in the game.  Their linebacking corps is ridiculous- DeMarcus Ware- one of the league's premier players, Keith Brooking- aging, solid leader, Bradie James- nice player, and Anthony Spencer- budding star.  Their corners are good led by Pro Bowlers Terrence Newman and Michael Jenkins.  Backup Orlando Scandrick isn't too shabby either, as he competed with Jenkins for the starting job in the preseason.

The real weaknesses on this roster are on the offensive line and the safety position.  I mentioned earlier that the line was aging.  Gurode was drafted in 2002.  He was the last player they drafted that's developed into a starter on the line.  Other than backup swing tackle Free, there's not many young talented players on the line.  And the safety position is dangerously thin.  Gerald Sensebaugh is a restricted free agent, and could possibly be moved.  And Ken Hamlin took a step back in 2009.  After those two, there isn't much depth.

If I were the Cowboys, and have their limited needs, I would go into the draft looking to grab the best player available.  A tactic, I believe they've stated publicly.  Some players to consider are defensive backs Nate Allen, Kareem Jackson, Patrick Robinson, or Charles Brown, or linebackers Brandon Spikes or Sean Weatherspoon.