It has been a while and I don’t really have an excuse for not posting anything the last couple weeks. I guess since the Cowboys got trounced by the Minnesota Vikings I just haven’t had much inspiration. But I’ve come out of my temporary depression and have officially transitioned to the off-season. In between cartons of Ben & Jerry’s and episodes of Cash Cab I have thought long and hard about what the Cowboys need to do over the next 6-7 months in order to take the next step from playoff team to Super Bowl contender.
The good thing about getting beat up on in the playoffs is that your flaws get exposed. You definitely don’t leave with the feeling that you are one of the elite teams when you get beat 34-3. For one, it would certainly help to secure one of those top seeds. Having homefield advantage was huge in this years playoffs (unless you were the Jets) and the Cowboys could literally have homefield advantage for the entire playoffs and the Super Bowl if they play their cards right. The two top seeds faced each other in the big game this year and I’d be willing to bet that at least one #1 seed will be in the Super Bowl in 2011. Now if the Cowboys want that #1 seed, they will have to improve on their performance from this season. They may not need to make a lot of personnel changes but some things will need to be solidified.
1.) Offensive Line
Although I fully expect everyone on the offensive line to return next season, the Cowboys could definitely continue to build depth at that position. Nearly every draft expert has the Cowboys picking an offensive tackle at #27 and I can’t disagree with that assessment. Someone is probably going to get hurt on this aging line and you need a tackle for the future and the present. It wouldn’t hurt to get a couple of interior guys either.
2.) Wide receiver
I know that I was extra hard on Roy Williams this year, but unlike everyone else, I am going to give him a pass this year. I think he has ability and will be a better receiver, but they still need to continue to build the receiving corp. They need a receiver that can get open quickly over the middle, the “Wes Welker type” if you will. But you don’t have to get that guy anytime before the 3rd round. I don’t think the Cowboys need a starting receiver right now. With the emergence of Miles Austin and the untapped potential of Roy Williams, and Kevin Ogletree I think you have a solid receiving core that can continue to make plays. But when you are dealing with a pass rush as fierce as Minnesota you need a plethora of guys who cause match-up problems over the middle so plays can be made quickly and efficiently.
3.) Fullback
It may sound crazy to mention fullback as a position of need in this pass happy league but if there is a spot where the Cowboys could use some athleticism and play making ability, fullback is where it is at. Deon Anderson was recently cited on a weapons charge and there is a good chance he won’t be back next season. Why not use a mid-round pick on Virginia fullback Rashawn Jackson. I must admit that I am a bit biased but watching this guy mature into the player that he is now and watching him make blocks and big plays in the Senior Bowl has me giddy about his potential. Despite some criticism Jackson showed some tremendous blocking in the senior bowl and he is a converted tailback. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and he’s deceptively fast. Not to mention he will run your ass over. He could eventually take over for Marion Barber as the short yardage back. This offense needs weapons to help them sustain drives and Jackson fits that mold. And it only makes sense to continue to add that UVA pedigree to the skill positions in Dallas.
4.) Safety/Corner
Many scouts/experts are saying that safety is a position of need for the Cowboys and I have to agree with that assessment as well. Although the Cowboys can get by with Hamlin and Sensebaugh, they could use more playmakers back there than just caretakers. They didn’t give up big plays and they brought veteran leadership but they didn’t wow you with their play-making abilities. At the risk of being a homer I must once again turn my attention to an Al Groh product by the name of Chris Cook. Cook also played well in the Senior Bowl and offers so much to any pro team that picks him up. He can play corner, safety, or contribute in the return game and the Cowboys could use all three. The fact that they don’t have an immediate need allows them to pick up a guy like Cook and let him develop in the system before he takes over as a starter. And if someone goes down, you have a player that is smart and versatile who can fill in at any position. But they may want to look at him in the 2nd round because he may not last much longer than that. Someone will recognize his value and I’m hoping it Jerry and the ‘Boys.
5.) Kicker
Last but not least, the Cowboys are going to have to find a kicker. Where is Martin Gramatica when you need him? The state of field goal kicking is as bad as it has ever been in the NFL and good kickers are hard to find. I can’t even think of a kicker who I’d undoubtedly trust to hit a 48 yard game winner for me (not even Garrett Hartley). The Cowboys need to treat their kicker search like American Idol. Go out all over the country and hold auditions and give the best of the best the golden ticket to Jerry World. Heck, they could even make a reality show out of it and call it “Kickmakers” (I’m so original). But I think 90% of teams are going to be in the kicker market next year so you better do your research or else you’ll end up out in the cold.
These are just a few things that I think would put the Cowboys over the top, but I’m sure my opinion will change dozens of times over the next 200 or so days. The most important thing that can happen is for the ‘Boys not to get complacent. They did that in 2008 and ended up out of the playoffs in embarrassing fashion. Hopefully they’ll keep that chip firmly implanted on their shoulder and play like the team that took the eventual Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints to the woodshed. Otherwise I’ll be taking my seasonal hiatus from blogging and hiding under my covers.
Keep your eyes peeled for a report from the French Quarter as I will be in New Orleans this weekend. Drew Brees (hyperlink) promised me an interview if I get 1,000 followers by Sunday. So help a brotha out…
Later nation
