Mike Vanderjagt is the key signing for the Cowboys, according to this article. I agree that Vanderjagt should solve an issue that cost us at least two games last year, maybe three. What I'm worried about is the kickoff situation and having to carry an extra player on the roster. Even though I like the Vanderjagt signing, I still wonder why we didn't make more of a run at Adam Vinatieri, the Colts didn't pay that much more for Vinatieri and he can handle the kickoff duties.
Maybe it was the fact that they were intent on signing Matt Bryant, and according to an NFL source I spoke with who had knowledge of the situation, Parcells was actually very confident he would sign Bryant the second free-agency began. At the last moment, Bryant instead opted to re-sign with the Bucs, leaving Dallas to scramble for a replacement.
All in all though, Vanderjagt is very accurate FG kicker and more than anything else, we need a guy who can get those points. Parcells likes to play conservative in the redzone, so having a kicker who can cash those in is doubly important for the Cowboys.
Scott Wright has written a pretty good article examining our draft. He gives the draft the same grade as me, agrees that Bobby Carpenter was the right pick for our scheme and that Jason Hatcher might have been a reach in the 3rd round - all things I agree with - so I'm recommending his article. See how easy that is - just agree with me and I'll recommend your article. Just kidding, but I do agree with most of what he wrote. Here's the summary:
GRADE: B-