Demise of the Cowboys?

[Paintrain]

Interesting take from ESPN Insider:

Dallas losing ground in NFC East
By Darrell Trimble
NFL Insider

When the Dallas Cowboys finished their season with a crushing loss
to the Carolina Panthers, they went into the offseason with $16
million in cap space and a plan to increase the talent level on the
team. But over a month into the process, the Cowboys are a much
weaker on paper.
The Cowboys' biggest areas of need were running back, defensive end,
offensive line and quarterback. And so far little if anything has
been done to make sure those positions will be stronger in 2004.
Granted, when Parcells coaches a team he finds ways to get the most
out of the talent he has at his disposal. Last year wasn't the first
time in his coaching career that he took a team that looked lean on
paper and propelled it into the postseason.

Bill Parcells will need to be patient with QB Drew Henson.
That being said, the team's offseason has been far from successful.
One of the strongest parts of Dallas' squad was the receiving corps.
But one of the major moves Parcells made was to trade Joey Galloway
for Keyshawn Johnson. Given the fact that Galloway disappeared as
the season progressed the move could be considered an upgrade, but
teams usually look to strengthen their weakest joints, not their
strongest ones.
The Cowboys needed help along the defensive line, specifically at
end. Dallas was forced to blitz a lot to generate pressure on the
quarterback. The Cowboys brought in Marcellus Wiley to replace
Ebenezer Ekuban., and Wiley should prove to be a better player. But
he was let go by San Diego because he only had nine sacks in his
last two seasons.
The only other major move the team made was to trade a third-rounder
in 2005 to acquire quarterback Drew Henson. He is no doubt a fine
prospect, but the chances of him contributing next year are slim.
Quincy Carter may have his share of warts, but it's highly doubtful
that a player who hasn't thrown a meaningful pass in
three-and-a-half years could play better than Carter did last
season.
The news has gotten worse for the Cowboys as they just lost
cornerback Mario Edwards and announced that offensive lineman Larry
Allen won't be back next year. Edwards gave up his share of big
plays in 2003, but he is a quality starting corner. He might not be
worth the $18 million the Tampa Bay Bucs gave him, but now there is
a hole that no one on the roster is ready to fill.
Allen suffered through some injuries last season and his performance
slipped, but losing him makes a questionable offensive line just
plain bad. There are significant question marks at every position
along the line except left tackle. Parcells and the Cowboys still
have the draft and June 1 cuts to make the necessary improvements,
but not much talent is expected to be available this summer.
The lack of activity is especially disturbing because the NFC East
is shaping up to be one of the toughest divisions in football. The
Eagles have made major additions after reaching the conference
championship game three straight years. The Giants underachieved but
brought in a new coach and made some key additions. The Washington
Redskins were as active as always and brought in a proven coach to
lead the new recruits.
If the Cowboys don't turn their offseason around, they could finish
at the bottom of the standings.




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