What would a day in the offseason be without your Cowboys linkies? You must eat them to keep you strong, and warm in the winter!

Routt to visit Chiefs, three others | ProFootballScout.com

Well, it appears the Cowboys wanted to do more than just talk with recently released cornerback Stanford Routt. He has scheduled a visit to Dallas; one of four teams the DB will meet with this week. The others; the Chiefs (obviously), Texans and Titans. I have a feeling Routt is going to become a fanbase dividing entity the longer this plays out. He has stats that can excite and scare you, and it will all come down to how much money he's looking for and the team is willing to pay him. I'm sure the club already has a figure in their head and that will be hashed out at the in-person interview later this week.

Routt visited with the Buffalo Bills on Monday and will launch his other stops in KC on Tuesday.

Cowboys expected to be among bidders to host Super Bowl L | ProFootballTalk.com

When May rolls around, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hopes to get a chance at a do over. It appears he will attempt to right the wrongs from January 2011, and show that North Texas really isn't the land of the Ice Capades. Super Bowl L is the next un-awarded title game, and Jones told Daniel Kaplan of Sports Business Journal that he "absolutely" would make a bid. Super Bowl XLV was a disaster on a couple fronts, but the thing that got everyone in a foul mood was a rare ice storm that shut an unprepared Dallas/Arlington area down.

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Three cheers. Free agency begins in 28 days.

In the world of football economics, there are many ways to skin a cat. The Cowboys, for one shining example, managed the salary cap pretty badly after their dynasty run, but thanks to the apparent wizardry of Stephen Jones and his staff, avoided another such disaster as what befell them at the end of the 90's.

For years, the New England Patriots have avoided paying aging veterans high costs, often looking to release or trade them before they outlive their professional usefulness. This strategy seemed to work for them at the beginning of their dynasty, but hasn't allowed them to field a competitive defense over their last few attempts at greatness. We've seen that shortcoming manifest itself in two title games in five years; unable to stop game winning touchdown drives while trying to secure Lombardi number four.

The Washington Redskins miraculously stayed under the salary cap year after year, despite often signing some of the biggest free agent names available on the market, regardless of age or tread remaining on the tires. We all know how well that worked out for them, don't we?

Regardless, the Cowboys find themselves in a much different place than what was perceived at this time last year; able to spend with the rest of the competition. The new CBA allows teams to carry over remaining 2011 cap space and add it onto this coming season's available wiggle room. This might be where the previously unaccounted for $2-$3m of space is coming from.

According to Pro Football Talk, they rank eighth in the league, [UPDATE] of money available from the 2011 season's cap with just over $17 million available. Apologies, in the original write-up I claimed this total was their 2012 cap space, it is actually closer to the $12 million as discussed by Bill In DC and O.C.C. in the comments. [/UPDATE]

That is before the expected release of CB Terence Newman which frees up another $4-$6 million depending on when they do it, June 1st cut rules and all.

Follow the jump to see the full list from Pro Football Talk, including where the Cowboys NFC East competition ranks.

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Here's a quick look at some links from stories you may have missed over the past week.

SUNDAY

Do Cowboys Take Too Much Heat For Late Season Fades? | Dallas Morning News

Takes a look at schedule difficulty that goes deeper than just overall record. This article was written with much more depth by ColdHardFootballFacts a short while ago, here.

2011 Tackling: The Cornerbacks | Pro Football Focus

No Cowboys make the Bottom 20 or the Top 20, but the article does throw some clown mascara on the Eagles trio of corners for their matador-like season. Hey, they beat us twice. We gotta clutch to something.

FRIDAY

Jerry Jones Year In Review (video) | The Mothership

Included here, Jerry saying Dallas will go with the BPA approach to the draft. (angle courtesy of DMN writeup)

"Not at the cost of not taking the best player available," the team's owner and general manager responded. "If we're going to pinpoint a player that's probably best served in a free-agent decision. But when we get in that draft, we need to look at where we've got them on that draft board, where we've place them. That's a process I feel very good about.

"Now, if you're trying to jerry-rig that board to help at a certain position, first of all, nothing's assured that that player can come in and play for you that year. It's important to us that we look to real positions of need, and say, 'Well, if we're going to do something different, different from within, then we probably need to address that first and foremost in free agency.'"

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Withdrawal (n): the syndrome of often painful physical and psychological symptoms that follows discontinuance of an addicting drug.

Yep, it's about that time. Post-Super Bowl, we all go through a bit of withdrawal knowing that there is no more football to be played, and that we actually have to develop new excuses on why we can't go visit with the in-laws or take trips to the shopping malls. Unfortunately, as Dallas fans we are much further along in the process, as many of us tuned out this year's playoffs. Regardless, the season is upon us when all seemingly off-the-wall ideas get airtime and are given consideration; even ideas that were once considered blasphemous. Take a stroll with us around the interwebs.

Dallas Cowboys | Pro Football Weekly

PFW, not always the most reliable source (but they're working on it) but they do break quite a few rumors and stories, took a stab at outlining Dallas' offseason needs on both sides of the ball. While they had some errors in their summary (they say Bradie has a year left, he doesn't) I thought it would be an interesting discussion point to bring up their take on the QB position.

1 — QB: No one is replacing Romo. Yet. But Romo turns 32 in April and is entering a crucial season. With the heat turned up on Jason Garrett and Romo, there could be major changes in store if this team is not competitive. Stephen McGee has limited potential, and Jon Kitna could retire. Expect the Cowboys to be players for a QB in the draft, maybe even in Round One.

And... go!

Cowboys Position Series: Wide Receivers | ESPN Dallas

ESPN's motley crew is taking a look at each of the positions on the team and giving breakdowns on who is on the roster, who is available in free agency and the draft, and then giving their opinions. Fortunately, Bryan Broaddus is involved towards the tail end of the articles to give his "Scout's Take". I found this point of view particularly interesting.

Bryan Broaddus’ Scout’s Eye: The Cowboys will be set at starters with Austin and Bryant. The biggest question will be if the club makes the effort to try and re-sign Robinson or if it allows him to leave via free agency. I would not be surprised if the front office allows Robinson to walk. If that is the case, then his numbers will need to be replaced. Let's be honest, Ogletree can't do the job as the third receiver. Ogletree has been given every opportunity to step up and take that job, but he can't do it. If not Robinson or Ogletree, there is Holley, Harris, Radway and Holmes. Holley had some productive snaps but mainly on special teams. Harris was off and on the practice squad. Radway is an interesting player because if he didn't get injured on the last play of the preseason game against the Dolphins, there was a great chance he was going to make the roster. The plan will be to try and find another Robinson in free agency with the available receivers. I don't see them using a high pick on a receiver but taking the approach of looking at a height-weight-speed player later.

I love Broaddus, so it's interesting to think that the Dallas front office wouldn't be looking to bring Robinson back, especially seeing how bent he is on staying with the Cowboys...

Robinson: 'Hopefully my dream can come true and I can stay a Cowboy' | SportsDay DFW

"I’m loving wearing this jersey," Robinson said at the "Baskets of Hope" event. "I’m hoping to stay here as a Cowboy. But we’ll see on March 13 when free agency starts. Hopefully my dream can come true and I can stay a Cowboy."

And his wife, Kat Robinson, is on the same page, adding that they love Dallas and don’t want to leave.

"I know we’re not supposed to be looking at houses, but we are ready," Kat said. "It’s an amazing city and even when he’s done with his NFL career, I can see us possibly retiring in Dallas."

While I'm not in total disagreement that Robinson's opportunities came because of the focus defenses had for Austin and Bryant, there is a big something to be said for making good on said opportunities.

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NFL Commisssioner Roger Goodell gave his annual State-Of-The-League address yesterday, from Indianapolis, site of this Sunday's Super Bowl. There were a handful of items that Goodell spoke to, a few with immediate impact, some with plans to be taken to the NFL Competition Committee and others that may be further down the line.

Immediately, the Commish stated that starting in 2012, the schedule will expand it's Thursday night lineup to start in Week Two and running through Week 15. That is a bit confusing, as the NFL has been running it's kickoff weekend, starting with a Thursday night game to great success. I'd assume that game will still happen and remain on ESPN, while the Week 2 through 15 schedule will be on NFL Network. This addition also comes with the guarantee that all 32 current NFL teams will play at least one primetime game a season.

I love the NFL as much as the next guy... heck, maybe I have more of an addiction than most. I worry that the primetime schedule will now be littered with Chiefs, Browns and Jaguars games and my addiction will force me to at least tune into the first half if the NFL is being broadcast. Damn you, crafty Goodell!

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It's the final week of the 2011-12 NFL season, mercifully. These past two weeks of Super Bowl build up have done a great job of tugging a Cowboys fans emotions between disdain and disappointment. Obviously, we know that this version of the Dallas Cowboys wasn't good enough to make it to this level. However, this Dallas team was "almost" good enough, and you know the reasons why. That's not to say that Dallas is a player or two away, just that they were almost good enough. The reasons why remain open for speculation all offseason long.

In the news this week:

FRIDAY

Only 246 fans displaced at 2011 Super Bowl took seats for XLVI | NFL.com

Remember that whole seating fiasco that took place at last year's SB at Cowboys Stadium? It appears "we got you next year" didn't float for most affected.

Mocking The NFC East | Dan Graziano, ESPN NFC East Blog

And with the 14th pick, the Cowboys select CB Janoris Jenkins.

Jason Witten's expectations are high | ESPN (video)

The Senator sits down with ESPN and talks Cowboys and his competition for best TE in the game.

Murray Ahead Of Schedule In Rehab | NBC-DFW

Good news, Murray told NBC 5's Matt Barrie that he is ahead of the pace set for his return.

The Official Training Partner Of The Dallas Cowboys | Tom Ryle, BTB

Awesome look at the Michael Johnson Performance Center and some of the ways it assists Cowboys and other athletes get their sport on.

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There's this sort of big event going on in Indianapolis this week, something they call the Super Bowl. I don't know, some annual event where they crown the best of the best of the National Football League teams. Anyway, sometimes players from teams not in the contest still arrive to enjoy the festivities for the final event of the league year, and one of those participants happens to be free agent offensive guard Carl Nicks of the New Orleans Saints.

Cowboys fans here on BTB know Nicks well; he is the prime offensive line target in the free agent sea; securing stable waters for All-Pro quarterback Drew Brees to tread in for the last few years. Nicks is only 26, with plenty of skill and accolade. He's a two-time pro-bowler and made First Team All-Pro this past season. And according to this interview he did for the New Orleans Times-Picayune... he knows that it's worth a lot (h/t to Jimmy of SBN's Music City Miracles).

Nicks, who was sitting across a table from fellow Saints guard Jahri Evans, joked about how Evans' seven-year, $56.7 million contract in 2010 helped set the market. At the time, that was the richest deal given to an interior lineman, but Nicks said, "It's been what, two years? You've got to add inflation. I'm not a businessman, but I know what inflation means."

Then Nicks smiled and said, "I just want what's fair."

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The news round-ups are coming at a slightly slower pace since the offseason arrived. Mostly because, with no games remaining on the schedule for the Dallas Cowboys, things that are considered newsworthy are few and far between. That will pick up once the new league year opens up and the Cowboys start hosting draft prospects and potential free agents. Also, some of the 'lack of news content' for us to link to has to do with... well, regurgitation.

This is the time of year when many media outlets simply regurgitate story ideas that they've seen elsewhere (cough, here at BTB, cough). But no matter, all's fair in the interwebs.

Onto the news that isn't a form of rehash. Here's the latest and greatest in Cowboys on the wire.

Four ex-Cowboys part of Super Bowl XLVI | ESPN Dallas

Who knew? Well, we all know about Chris Canty and his spot in the New York Giants defensive line rotation. Some are even aware that former Dallas fullback Lousaka Polite makes his home with the Patriots. But did you know that CB Nate Jones and WR Isaiah Stanback are still in the NFL, much less playing in the Super Bowl? Jones is a backup for New England while Stanback works with the Giants practice squad. Good for them.

Air Yards 2011 | Advanced NFL Stats

ANS' Brian Burke tracked a metric that basically finishes the other half of the equation to a receiver's Yards-After-Catch. Air Yards measures how many yards the pass travels before it gets to the catcher. Now, offenses are certainly constructed in different ways; some are more deep-threat oriented than others, others are more timing based and dependent on hitting receivers with fortuitous angles on defenders to keep matriculating down the field.

Whatever merit you give this metric, Dallas' Tony Romo ranked 11th overall in AirYPA; 5th in the NFC and 3rd in the NFC East, with 4.2 Air yards per attempt.

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