ESPN Insider: Dallas Cowboys
ESPN Insider: Dallas Cowboys
Free safety: Keith Davis is a physical run stuffer who plays with a mean streak, but he lacks ideal range and can't recover when he gets caught out of position, which happens far too much considering his experience. As a result, he is more of a situational run stuffer than he is an every-down player. Because Roy Williams is at his best lining up close to the line of scrimmage, Dallas needs a ball-hawk who has the range to play a center fielder-role and the cover skills to match up with slot receivers.
FabiniOffensive tackle: This might not appear to be a need with the signing Jason Fabini to start opposite Flozell Adams. However, Adams and Fabini are both on the wrong side of 30 and coming off season-ending injuries. In addition, the Jets released Fabini for good reason. He has had problems staying healthy and holding up in pass protection. Depth is also an issue. Jacob Rogers was released, Torrin Tucker was signed to an offer sheet by the Buccaneers and Rob Petitti was a liability in pass protection. Dallas needs to improve the depth and add a tackle who can push Fabini for playing time.
Cornerback:Terence Newman and Anthony Henry form a talented starting tandem. In addition, nickel back Aaron Glenn has the ball skills to make some big plays. However, this remains a need. Newman and Henry are inconsistent, and the undersized Glenn is on the downside of his career. Dallas needs a corner who has the cover skills to compete with Glenn for the nickel back job and the size to eventually push the starters for playing time.
FergusonNose tackle: Jason Ferguson is strong and can hold his own working against double teams, but he lacks the size of a prototypical nose tackle. As a result, he fatigues when teams consistently pound the ball inside. That's reason for concern because there isn't great depth. Backup Thomas Johnson is a developmental prospect who isn't expected to play a substantial role this year. It's also worth noting that Ferguson is 31. Keeping that in mind, adding a young situational run stuffer who can spell Ferguson makes sense.
Guard: Larry Allen is clearly on the downside of his career and it came as little surprise when the Cowboys made him a cap casualty. Marco Rivera, who lined up opposite Allen last year, turns 34 this year and has had some problems staying healthy. Although Dallas signed Kyle Kosier, he lacks ideal power for an interior offensive lineman. The Cowboys need to improve depth and add a guard who is capable of pushing Kosier for playing time.
Other possibilities
Free safety: Keith Davis is a physical run stuffer who plays with a mean streak, but he lacks ideal range and can't recover when he gets caught out of position, which happens far too much considering his experience. As a result, he is more of a situational run stuffer than he is an every-down player. Because Roy Williams is at his best lining up close to the line of scrimmage, Dallas needs a ball-hawk who has the range to play a center fielder-role and the cover skills to match up with slot receivers.
FabiniOffensive tackle: This might not appear to be a need with the signing Jason Fabini to start opposite Flozell Adams. However, Adams and Fabini are both on the wrong side of 30 and coming off season-ending injuries. In addition, the Jets released Fabini for good reason. He has had problems staying healthy and holding up in pass protection. Depth is also an issue. Jacob Rogers was released, Torrin Tucker was signed to an offer sheet by the Buccaneers and Rob Petitti was a liability in pass protection. Dallas needs to improve the depth and add a tackle who can push Fabini for playing time.
Cornerback:Terence Newman and Anthony Henry form a talented starting tandem. In addition, nickel back Aaron Glenn has the ball skills to make some big plays. However, this remains a need. Newman and Henry are inconsistent, and the undersized Glenn is on the downside of his career. Dallas needs a corner who has the cover skills to compete with Glenn for the nickel back job and the size to eventually push the starters for playing time.
FergusonNose tackle: Jason Ferguson is strong and can hold his own working against double teams, but he lacks the size of a prototypical nose tackle. As a result, he fatigues when teams consistently pound the ball inside. That's reason for concern because there isn't great depth. Backup Thomas Johnson is a developmental prospect who isn't expected to play a substantial role this year. It's also worth noting that Ferguson is 31. Keeping that in mind, adding a young situational run stuffer who can spell Ferguson makes sense.
Guard: Larry Allen is clearly on the downside of his career and it came as little surprise when the Cowboys made him a cap casualty. Marco Rivera, who lined up opposite Allen last year, turns 34 this year and has had some problems staying healthy. Although Dallas signed Kyle Kosier, he lacks ideal power for an interior offensive lineman. The Cowboys need to improve depth and add a guard who is capable of pushing Kosier for playing time.
Other possibilities
posted by The Gryphon at 6:47 PM
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