With right moves, Dallas can compete for Super Bowl
By Andy Targovnik on January 12, 2007 12:33 AM
With a little tweaking, the Dallas Cowboys can compete for a Super Bowl next year. Here are five suggestions that will move the Cowboys closer to their goal of a championship:
1. Pray Parcells returns.
Surprisingly, the Cowboys fell apart in the last month of the regular season. And while that was very uncharacteristic of a Bill Parcells-led team, they were still only a botched field goal away from advancing to the divisional round of the playoffs.
Keep in mind that Parcells has taken both the New York Giants and New England Patriots to the Super Bowl and was just one half away from leading the New York Jets there. Sure, it's been a long while, but the man can still coach.
And if you're down on Parcells for whatever reason, ask this question: who's worth hiring who would give Dallas a better chance to win the whole thing next season?
2. Jettison T.O., if possible.
Jerry Jones should have waited for Parcells to decide whether he's coaching next season, before he publicly proclaimed that Terrell Owens was welcomed back, too.
It doesn't take a mind reader to know that if Parcells comes back, he would prefer that Owens plays elsewhere. So you have to wonder whether T.O.'s imminent return will affect Parcells' decision one way or the other.
Of course, due to salary cap implications, waving Owens is not that cut and dry. But if it comes down to one guy or the other, the team should easily take Parcells.
3. Acquire a pass-rushing defensive end.
This is the Cowboys' most pressing need. Chris Canty and Marcus Spears had only one sack a piece. Justin Smith of the Cincinnati Bengals can get to the passer and is an unrestricted free agent in March.
Drafting an end is also an option. Some decent pass rushers were taken in 2006. Tamba Hali, who was selected two picks after Bobby Carpenter, registered eight sacks for the Kansas City Chiefs ; the Giants' Mathias Kiwanuka was the 32nd overall pick, compiling four sacks in limited action.
4. Upgrade the defensive backfield.
The Cowboys got beat on too many deep pass plays in 2006. They need to add a cornerback, and maybe more importantly, a veteran free safety while Pat Watkins develops. There are some unrestricted free agents who can fill that bill.
5. Re-sign Marc Colombo and Andre Gurode.
Both Colombo and Gurode are unrestricted free agents. Considering how unsettling the offensive line situation was entering last season, and how well both players performed, the last thing Dallas needs to do is reinvent the wheel.
With a little tweaking, the Dallas Cowboys can compete for a Super Bowl next year. Here are five suggestions that will move the Cowboys closer to their goal of a championship:
1. Pray Parcells returns.
Surprisingly, the Cowboys fell apart in the last month of the regular season. And while that was very uncharacteristic of a Bill Parcells-led team, they were still only a botched field goal away from advancing to the divisional round of the playoffs.
Keep in mind that Parcells has taken both the New York Giants and New England Patriots to the Super Bowl and was just one half away from leading the New York Jets there. Sure, it's been a long while, but the man can still coach.
And if you're down on Parcells for whatever reason, ask this question: who's worth hiring who would give Dallas a better chance to win the whole thing next season?
2. Jettison T.O., if possible.
Jerry Jones should have waited for Parcells to decide whether he's coaching next season, before he publicly proclaimed that Terrell Owens was welcomed back, too.
It doesn't take a mind reader to know that if Parcells comes back, he would prefer that Owens plays elsewhere. So you have to wonder whether T.O.'s imminent return will affect Parcells' decision one way or the other.
Of course, due to salary cap implications, waving Owens is not that cut and dry. But if it comes down to one guy or the other, the team should easily take Parcells.
3. Acquire a pass-rushing defensive end.
This is the Cowboys' most pressing need. Chris Canty and Marcus Spears had only one sack a piece. Justin Smith of the Cincinnati Bengals can get to the passer and is an unrestricted free agent in March.
Drafting an end is also an option. Some decent pass rushers were taken in 2006. Tamba Hali, who was selected two picks after Bobby Carpenter, registered eight sacks for the Kansas City Chiefs ; the Giants' Mathias Kiwanuka was the 32nd overall pick, compiling four sacks in limited action.
4. Upgrade the defensive backfield.
The Cowboys got beat on too many deep pass plays in 2006. They need to add a cornerback, and maybe more importantly, a veteran free safety while Pat Watkins develops. There are some unrestricted free agents who can fill that bill.
5. Re-sign Marc Colombo and Andre Gurode.
Both Colombo and Gurode are unrestricted free agents. Considering how unsettling the offensive line situation was entering last season, and how well both players performed, the last thing Dallas needs to do is reinvent the wheel.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:29 PM
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