Dallas Cowboys Off-season Team Needs

We have had major problems at free safety the last three seasons
since Darren Woodson retired. This need must be filled in free
agency or the first two rounds of the draft. The free agent market
seems bare with Deon Grant and Kevin Kaesviharn being the only
suitable options. The draft is extraordinarily deep at free safety.
There are five prospects capable of coming in and manning the FS
position from Day 1. These guys are Reggie Nelson, LaRon
Landry, Michael Griffin, Eric Weddle, and Brandon Meriweather. I
think we fill this need in the draft since there are so many good FS
prosects.

Guard

I think Marco Rivera is as good as gone after blowing another disc
in his back. He is 35, and we know how poorly he played his first
season with a back problem. Kyle Kosier is a good starting quality
guard, but you have problems if he is your team's best guard. I
think we will spend the big bucks on guard. Kris Dielman or Eric
Steinbach are both intriguing options. If we wait until the draft, I
would suspect us to spend a 1st or 2nd round pick on a guard.
Basically, we need to either pick up a safety or a guard in free
agency so we can use our 1st round pick on whichever position we
didn't fill with a veteran.

Need

Veteran QB

This position really needs to be filled, but I can't put any backup
position as a must fill. We will most definitely sign one however.
Tim Rattay seems to be the perfect hit. He has really good career
numbers, and he is similar in style to Tony Romo so he is a good
fit. Brian Griese, Joey Harrington, and Damon Huard are other
options.

Outside Linebacker

Even with Greg Ellis coming back, we need some depth at OLB.
Coming back from a torn Achilles' tendon on the wrong side of 30
is always difficult. Guys like Kevin Burnett could flourish under
Wade Phillips, but they bottom line is no one on this roster stepped
up when Ellis went down so I don't see how we can go into next
season with the same group of guys. I really like the thought of
signing Tully Banta-Cain. He isn't a superstar, but he is a good
solid guy capable of giving you 5-8 sacks a seasons. He wouldn't
cost too much, and his signing wouldn't alienate Greg Ellis like
signing Adalius Thomas or LaVar Arrington would.

Nose Tackle

Jason Ferguson was probably the Cowboys' best player on
defense. He will be able to play at least two more seasons, but we
need to start developing a young guy at NT since we seem
committed to the 3-4 in the long run. Not only do we need a young
NT to groom, but we need another guy for depth purposes
because we would be in trouble if Jason Ferguson got hurt for an
extended period of time.

Wide Receiver

This is a need no matter what happens with Terrell Owens. We
need to start developing a young receiver that can team up with
Crayton in the post-Glenn/Owens era. I expect us to use a first
day pick on a speedy wide out.

Want

Backup Center

I'm assuming that we will re-sign Andre Gurode because we would
be stupid for not doing so. A proven backup or a first day choice
on a center would be great. If not though, we could make it with
the current players Joe Berger and E.J. Whitley battling it out for
the backup center spot.

Cornerback

Aaron Glenn can't play forever. I believe that Jacques Reeves is
capable of being a nickel corner, but I wouldn't bet much money on
it. You can never have enough cornerbacks and we haven't
brought in any new ones in two years. If Anthony Henry moves to
safety then cornerback would replace safety as a must.

Offensive Tackle

I'm pretty happy with our tackle situation. Flozell Adams is entering
the final year of his contract, but I see no reason not to extend his
contract. Even if we don't we can use his salary to sign a younger
version of himself next season. I hope we re-sign Marc Colombo
because I think he will only get better with more experience. The
old coaching staff loved Pat McQuistan and Jason Fabini is an
awesome veteran backup. If we retain Colombo, I see little reason
to bring in another guy who will simply push Fabini or McQuistan
off the roster.

Project QB

I would love for us to be able to spend a first day pick on a
quarterback with starting potential in case Tony Romo isn't the
player I think he is. Even if Romo's good, and if you find the next
Matt Schaub you are going to get plenty in return. This want
should only be filled if every other position on this list has been
filled.

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