Best Week in Big D Since 1996

FINALLY. The Cowboys not only dropped Terrell Owens, finally, but dropped Roy L. Williams as well. Many Cowboys fans had recently been pondering whether or not Jerry Jones still had any brain cells left after a series of risky and rash decisions. As the start of a new era in Dallas, this week has immense impact on the team as a whole and the chemistry of the team. Now after 2 1/2 seasons, Tony Romo finally has the chance to develop into the next Troy Aikman that the Cowboys are looking for him to be.

Since 2002, when Roy Williams was drafted, the Cowboys' defense has struggled in giving up the big play quite frequently. Williams, as good of a hitter as he is, is probably the worst cover safety in the game today. Simply put, he is just plain atrocious. There is no question that Williams has skill and will certainly be a good addition to many defenses around the league. However, it was time for him to move along from Dallas.

His absence however, may be bittersweet. Recently, the Cowboys shipped starting CB Anthony Henry to the Detroit Lions for QB Jon Kitna as Romo's veteran back-up. So now that leaves two big holes in a secondary last year that battled with injuries the whole season. First of all, SS is a hole that was filled this past season by Keith Davis when Williams was put on IR with an injured forearm. However, at the end of the season, Davis suffered an MCL sprain and injured his shoulder, yet played through the injuries. The question there is whether Davis will be able to stay healthy throughout the entire season. Most likely he'll be just fine yet he needs a backup. So there is a hole at the SS position.

Then the CB hole. Henry was the starter that the Cowboys could lean on to cover the best receiver on the opposition. Newman will be back and hopefully can stay healthy this season to take back that role. However, that leaves an opening at the other corner. Now, the Cowboys have two young CB's who are skilled players in Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins, however, both are young. That is putting a great deal of pressure on the youngsters to take over a starting role in the first few years of their careers. So there is the possibilty of a hole there.

And now to the offensive side of the ball. Although T.O. has a replacement in Roy. E. Williams (now he doesn't need the initial anymore!!) the offense is lacking a great slot receiver. Crayton can be the #2 receiver and Miles Austin is a solid #3 but a great slot receiver could add another aspect to the offense that will trip up defenses across the league. So that is another hole that could use some work.

So there are three major holes that need some work, whether through the upcoming draft or through free agency. Having just drafted a CB in the first round of last year's draft, it might be difficult to do the same thing again. Also, there are other holes that need some support as well. So Jones has an interesting few months t figure things out for himself and for his team. Because it has been 12 years since the last Dallas Super Bowl win and it has always been a source of pride for Cowboys fans to have the most Super Bowl titles, which now falls in the hands of the Steelers.

But Hallelujah Jerry. Finally, you have done something to take this team in the direction it needs to go in order to win a championship agian. Heck, maybe even a playoff game in general.