Since shedding two January game titles in six days at Cowboys Stadium, the Cowboys' feathered opponents have parted with 8 major players: McNabb, Brian Westbrook, Sheldon Brown, Chris Gocong, Darren Howard, Kevin Curtis, Shawn Andrews and can Witherspoon. typical age: 29.9 many years old.
Now they are one specific of the NFL's youngest night clubs and going to get younger, armed with eleven draft picks. Only the Patriots have more.
The Cowboys' the year 2010 youth movement is one-eighth that size. very last month they launched their longest-tenured player, soon-to-be 34-year-old still left tackle Flozell Adams.
Bold, singular move. does not compare in the direction of the Eagles' springtime cleaning, nonetheless it follows a similar style tracing back once more to very last off-season:
Like Philly, the Cowboys are retooling around the fly, attempting to continue being uber-competitive while obtaining more youthful and remaining cost-effective for once the salary hat arrives back.
They're not replacing Tony Romo with Stephen McGee. The Kevin Kolb-for-McNabb proceed by yourself produces the Eagles' makeover bigger.
But don't anticipate Andy Reid's group to perform 5-11 within NFC East cellar. they are too proud and however too talented. Reid's always been one specific of the very best at maximizing his players' potential.
And, most important, they believe within their judgment on playing more youthful players.
Kolb for McNabb. LeSean McCoy for Westbrook. Ellis Hobbs and/or Joselio Hanson for Brown.
That's the very best way I can explain the Cowboys' choice to launch Adams now, just before they've noticed what is offered within draft.
They must believe in Doug Free.
Even if they utilized an improved pick on an offensive tackle, would you really feel comfortable with him protecting Tony Romo's blindside? Nope. I could be completely wrong - possibly there may be a veteran worth signing or trading for (based on e-mails, the fans' choice is Baltimore's Jared Gaither) - but I just don't see it.
The Cowboys feel they could maintain enhancing at major positions in-house or obtaining a moderately-priced signing. such as the Eagles, it is up returning man up.
The philosophy worked very last year. bring a seem at the modifications made:
(The Departed) Cornerback Anthony Henry, linebacker Greg Ellis, basic safety Roy Williams, substantial receiver Terrell Owens. typical age: 33.
(The Replacements) Cornerback Mike Jenkins, linebacker Anthony Spencer, basic safety Gerald Sensabaugh, substantial receiver Miles Austin. typical age: 25.5.
Now, you may say Roy Williams, not Austin, was tabbed as Owens' replacement then. That's true, and Williams hasn't performed up to expectations depending on the significant contract, but Austin's achievable also must have been a aspect in Owens' launch and he has established himself since the lead receiver since.
To a lesser degree, Ken Hamlin's launch is surely an additional example. Money and overall performance happen to be the major factors, not age, but obviously the Cowboys really feel they could add a more youthful basic safety or plug within an incumbent like Alan Ball or Michael Hamlin.
Then there may be Adams. Like Hamlin, the Cowboys can continue being apparent of dumping a bunch of lifeless money within 2011 salary hat (assuming a company new collective bargaining agreement is drafted by then) by clipping bait now. you can can come around sensible monetary motivations here.
But much like Ellis' launch very last June, the timing of the proceed however surprises me. Why not wait to decide how the more youthful guys hold out in training camp? within this case, why not see what the draft holds in two weeks?
All indicators period to no cost getting the guy, or a minimal of getting the within observe in the direction of the work when camp opens. His in-season audition came at correct tackle, not left, but Jerry Jones has pointed out repeatedly how the past fourth-round pick is athletic sufficient to take proper care of rate rushers. correct guard Leonard Davis could be an emergency choice if it didn't work.
So while some feel money's the ultimate aspect here - Adams was credited a $2.5 , 000, 000 roster repay and Free's bottom is below $1 , 000, 000 - Jones wouldn't have done it if he didn't think about he experienced identical or much better options. Adams just wouldn't go with around the group as a high-priced backup.
The urgency Jones spoke of when announcing Wade Phillips' two-year agreement extension signifies a deeper playoff operate is expected. You don't see Jones clipping Keith Brooking and starting Jason Williams, who's however finding out the 3-4 defense, just to conserve a minor change. It arrives right down to expenditure and readiness.
There's a delicate stability in at the same time obtaining more youthful and obtaining better. Austin, Jenkins and Spencer took them farther with bigger roles. Free's move could be next.
