With Scott Linehan’s departure, we are left waiting (as of this being writte

For a few days Cheap Zack Martin Jersey , the Dallas Cowboys have been all about the coaching staff, or more specifically, the offensive coordinator position. n) to find out if Kellen Moore is in fact the new OC, as well as a formal announcement of the hiring of Jon Kitna to be the new QB coach. We are also very interested in knowing just who is going to be calling plays. That’s all going to sort itself out soon. Meanwhile, the Pro Bowl and Senior Bowl are this week. Those are places for teams to study the market out there for new talent (the Cowboys’ staff will be coaching the Pro Bowl). And for the next several months, adding players to the roster is going to be the big story, starting with free agency, and reaching a climax with the NFL Draft. It is this pursuit of new pieces for the roster that makes the offseason so riveting for fans. It also means the staff, particularly Will McClay, have a lot of work ahead of them. But before they can start figuring out which free agents to make offers to and building their draft board, they have to decide where those new bodies would fit in. Earlier, I did an article on who the Cowboys currently have under contract, and who their free agents are. This is more or less a sequel to that to more clearly identify the needs of the team, and ways to go about filling them.Let’s start with an offseason depth chart. UntitledPositionStarterBackupsThird stringPositionStarterBackupsThird stringThis is, of course, my interpretation of things, and subject to change. But based on this, here are the places the Cowboys need help, an attempt at prioritizing them, and the ways they can go about addressing them.First thing, though, is that overall, there are few pressing needs. Of the 24 starting positions, plus the three specialists, there are only three holes and one additional that is rather shaky - and there are some fixes at hand for those. (I list 24 starters to have both the SAM linebacker and the nickel cornerback included, and a fullback, since the Cowboys kinda insist they are gonna have one, or at least have to date.)QuarterbackNeed level: Low. It’s great to have a starting quarterback who can lead the team to winning seasons and the playoffs while still on his rookie contract. And the staff seems content with the backups, at least until training camp. All that they really are looking for is a camp body, since the team needs four arms to spread the workload around. It is nice to have someone good enough to offer at least a minimal chance of challenging the next guy on the chart, but there aren’t enough good quarterbacks in the league to fill all the starting jobs, much less come in as your fourth option on the roster.How to fill: UDFA is the most likely route here. There is no reason to bring in an experienced passer, especially since the staff now has four former QBs to oversee and mentor the position (Doug Nussmeier is the fourth.) Running back/fullbackNeed level: High. You have arguably the best running back in the league, and one journeyman, and no incumbent at fullback. That looks like a minimum of two and more likely three players they need to add.How to fill: Maybe every way. First, Rod Smith and Jamize Olawale are both free agents, and could be extended offers. Smith might find greener pastures elsewhere Cheap Cole Beasley Jersey , but you have to think Olawale is going to be available at the team’s price. Second, RBs are rather undervalued, and there is some evidence that it is the most plug-and-play job in the NFL, with teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers replacing a Pro Bowl back with a newcomer and not missing a beat. So Dallas might go bargain shopping for a depth RB or new FB. And the evidence is not just convincing, it is overwhelming that you can find quality runners in almost all rounds of the draft. Look for the Cowboys to bring in four or five candidates from a variety of sources and then whittle them down.Tight endNeed level: Moderate to high. Part of this depends on Geoff Swaim, who is a free agent after spending most of last season on IR. Demand is not likely to drive his price up, and since he was the starter, he would provide a good three man rotation, given the way Jarwin and Schultz were coming on late in the season. The health question is a concern at the moment, but should be cleared up before the draft. The Rico Gathers experiment should be ended, however. How to fill: The draft is far and away the best bet here. There is some good talent in rounds two and on (which is of course pertinent for Dallas). Wide receiverNeed level: Moderate to high. Of course, they already addressed this need with their first pick of the 2019 draft, which they turned into WR1 Amari Cooper. Gallup looks like the real deal at WR2. But depth and the slot position are dicey. Brown is almost certain to be part of the mix, and Wilson brings hope if he is fully recovered from his injury. The team could try to re-sign Cole Beasley and/or Tavon Austin. Beasley was seen as definitely leaving if Linehan had stayed, but that is no longer an issue. The question for him is price. He may get a lot more from some other team than the Cowboys are willing to commit in cap space. Austin may be back largely as a return man, since he gave that part of the game a real spark once he came back from injury - but that injury problem is why he should not be relied on too much. Hurns is currently on the roster, but there may be a settlement in the offing after his horribleinjury.How to fill: Again, the draft should be the best option, especially after free agency didn’t pan out so well last year. Numbers alone may lead to a free agent or two getting added from outside the team, but it is definitely a secondary route.Offensive tackleNeed level: Moderate to high. This is probably one of the biggest needs for quality depth. How to fill: Cameron Fleming is now a free agent, so the team has to decide if (a) they want to keep him (probably yes), and (b) how much they will pay to do so. Free agency may be the best route here, since the draft has some talent at the top, but by the time the Cowboys go on the clock, things could be pretty well picked over.Interior offensive lineNeed level: Low. With Williams coming on late, Frederick expected back, and Martin having a good year despite the issues elsewhere on the line, the starting jobs are in great shape. Looney is an excellent backup across the line. S’ua-Filo held down the starting job when needed, but was the weak link most of the time he was in. The team probably has a decision to make on whether to cut him or not, but may defer that until camp. And we really don’t know what they have in the other depth C/G players, but at least they have numbers.How to fill: The draft looks decent if not great, and this is also a place the team might go for a second or third wave free agent signing, depending on what they think they already have.Defensive endNeed level: Moderate. The depth chart shows a vacancy, but Demarcus Lawrence is going to be re-signed, or tagged again as a last resort. So that is effectively done for a starter. But you can never have too many pass rushers. Expect the team to add at least one more.How to fill. Good news, the draft is seen as deep in edge rushers. That is the way to go.Defensive tackleNeed level: Moderate. Thank you, Will McClay, for finding Antwaun Woods. For the first time in a long time Youth Chidobe Awuzie Jersey , the need for a 1-tech is filled. Still need some depth.How to fill: They should look to their own free agents first, as Caraun Reid and Daniel Ross are both in this category, with Ross an ERFA, giving them control in his case. And the draft is perhaps deepest here, so look for a mid-round draft pick investment.LinebackerNeed level: Low. Smith and Vander Esch are arguably the best duo in the league, especially given their youth. And Lee has already indicated his willingness to be a backup if he elects to return rather than retire, which seems to be the way he is leaning. Add Thomas to the mix, and they are in good shape here, even with Damien Wilson expected to leave in free agency.How to fill: The team probably will just look for a low-end free agent or late round pick to round out this group.CornerbackNeed level: Low. Three solid to very good starters, plus a very capable backup in Lewis. More depth is always good, but it is hardly a pressing concern.How to fill: Watch for someone that they have higher on their board than most to get snatched by McClay in the mid to late rounds of the draft.SafetyNeed level: Moderate. They are really looking for a fourth player here, since Showers is not likely to be an answer.How to fill: Many are ready for them to go after Earl Thomas, but count me as one who doesn’t think that is a good answer given his age and injury history. The more likely path is the same as for corner - remember how they found Woods?SpecialistsNeed level: It depends on L.P. Ladouceur. If he wants to come back, the team will gladly pay him. If he retires, then this has to be addressed.How to fill. This is one position you generally go free agent/UDFA for.Ordering the prioritiesSo how does it all stack up? Let’s put the needs into three tiers.Top tier: In rough order, running back, offensive tackle, wide receiver, and tight end are the big needs to fill. Those need to be addressed first.Middle tier: Safety, linebacker, edge rusher, and defensive tackle are next, although in no particular order.Bottom tier: Interior offensive line, cornerback, quarterback, and fullback are all areas the team seems to be in good shape and can just look for some depth at low cost, like UDFAs and real bargain-basement free agents. Long snapper is a bit of a special case as noted above.So that is how I see it. For once, they have plenty of cap space for any moves they need to make in free agency. With the Cowboys having six picks and probably picking up one compensatory pick, Dallas should be able to address important needs in the draft as well. The good news is that, pending some unforeseen circumstances, they are not looking for any starters for next year. All those are filled, or should be before the draft rolls around.Cowboys Texans: Four candidates to be the X-Factor player of the game for Dallas The Dallas Cowboys will head south 300 miles to face their interstate rivals, the Houston Texans. There have been some very exciting matchups between the Cowboys and teams from the city of Houston.Near the end of the ‘70s Roger Staubach faced off against the Earl Campbell-led Oilers in a Lonestar shootout that ended with Houston on top, 30-24. In the mid ‘80s, the Cowboys defense would tie an NFL record by sacking Warren Moon 12 times. These organizations went in opposite directions in the ‘90s, with Dallas winning three Super Bowls in four years, while Houston moved to Tennessee. But after 16 years of no football in Houston, the Cowboys would make the trip south to play the Houston Texans in their inaugural game in 2002. The Texans wouldn’t win many games that year (4-12) http://www.cowboyscheapauthenticstore.com/chris-jones-jersey-cheap , but they did beat the Cowboys as Dallas would finish 5-11 for the third-straight season, ending Dave Campo’s tenure as the head coach and opening the door for Bill Parcells.The last time these teams met was in 2014 where it took overtime for the Cowboys to win the game 20-17. And it consisted of everyone’s favorite play. I have no words for it, it is Watt it is.Tony Romo came up with some big plays in that game, Dez Bryant hauled down a big catch, and Dan Bailey redeemed himself with the game-winning kick. But those guys are all gone now. Instead of picking a star like Ezekiel Elliott or DeMarcus Lawrence to make the difference, we’re going to look for an out-of-the-way player who will be the x-factor, the guys who makes some big plays to change the game. Let’s check in with the front page writers and see what they have to say.Tom Ryle: Chidobe AwuzieAwuzie got picked on a lot by Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions receivers. While the numbers posted against him show a really bad day, a closer look at the video reveals that his coverage was, at times, very good, with basically perfect throws the only way some passes could be completed. Deshaun Watson has not been nearly as accurate as Stafford was last Sunday, and has thrown a pick in each of his first four games. The Cowboys, as you are aware, have not gotten an interception yet this season. Something has to give, and if the Texans give Byron Jones the “we ain’t going his way” treatment the Lions did, then Awuzie is the most likely DB to break the string for Dallas. If he is able to put last week’s game behind him, this could be a very big game for him.Danny Phantom: Jeff HeathDeshaun Watson has thrown a pick in every game so far this season, so if the Cowboys are the one team that can’t come away with an interception against him, then I’ll be thoroughly convinced they got some hocus pocus weird voodoo jinx going against them this season. And who better to end the interception drought than Jeff Heath. Over the last three seasons, no Cowboys player has more picks than Heath as he’s led the team in interceptions in two of the last three seasons. That is both exciting and sad... correction, it’s just sad.While Heath has been on the wrong end of some big plays for opposing offenses, he is one of the few defensive backs that have shown up at the end of games to seal the victory. Watson is a deep-ball thrower and it just feels like this game is going to be won or lost with how well the safeties play on Sunday night. I think we are about due for a game saving play from Mr. Heath.Dave Halprin: Randy GregoryThe Texans will be hyper-focused on trying to control DeMarcus Lawrence. They won’t succeed totally, but all that attention should open up opportunities for other players. In this game, Randy Gregory will be the beneficiary. Gregory has had a tough start to the year, failing to produce and missing time due to injury. There was plenty of hype for him heading into the season but so far it’s been a dud. This is the week that changes as he gets a sack, a couple of tackles for loss and is generally disruptive. Michael Sisemore: Red zone offenseI’m going in a different direction here but this is going to be the biggest factor in the game. Who can put the ball in the end zone? The Texans defense have allowed their opponents to score on 79% of their red zone attempts, that’s sixth-worst in the league. The Cowboys offense has only scored on 40% of their trips, which is fourth-worst in the league. Whether it’s Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Geoff Swaim, Tavon Austin, or Cole Beasley...this team needs TOUCHDOWNS! The Texans are also scoring 24 points per game to the Cowboys, who are under 17. That must change because this Houston defense is allowing 27 points per game to opponents, while Dallas is Top-10 in scoring defense. The Texans offense is also 44% in the red zone, the Cowboys defense will help their offense but they must to do their part and score points.Who do you think will be the X-Factor player of the game? Custom Arizona Cardinals Jerseys