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Cowboys offense not a big problem - Calvin Watkins, ESPN Dallas
Watkins runs down the offensive achievements of the 2013 Cowboys and concludes that the offense is not a big issue in Dallas.
You can always upgrade the roster at any position. Romo's recovery from back surgery and whether Williams is ready to morph into a starting role are concerns. But overall, you can't find too much fault with the Cowboys offense in 2013.
Broaddus: Tight End Spot Had Issues In 2013 But Improving
Broaddus writes that while the 12 personnel may not have been the dominant force the Cowboys had expected it to be, it did pay dividends in the red zone.
"Early in the season, we did see a great deal of "12" but what became the most dominate [sic] package as the season wore on was the "11". Where we did see this offense take advantage of these tight ends, was in the red zone. It was very clear while our time [sic] in Oxnard, that Jason Garrett and Bill Callahan were going to get Jason Witten more involved in this area, which I had always believed was the right approach because of the physical mismatches that he can present."
Also, contrary to public opinion, Broaddus did see improved blocking from the tight ends and thinks that could bode well for next season.
If this group did improve in one area as the season wore on, it would have to be its point of attack blocking. As well as DeMarco Murray ran the ball and this offensive line was able to move people, the tight ends did their part to help. Witten, Hanna and Escobar’s ability to work with these tackles in this zone scheme gives you hope that they could continue what we were able to see. There were times where they were outstanding setting the edge and to be able to have success in the running game you have to have those types of efforts to make it work and as a group they were able to do that.
Dallas Cowboys' Doug Free has ankle surgery - Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas
Archer writes that Free had cleanup surgery on his ankle and is expected to be back to full health before the offseason program starts in April.
Cowboys WR Harris, RT Free undergo surgery - Mike Fisher, FOX Sports
Fisher runs down the list of players who have had surgery (Harris, Free) or are considering surgery (Ware, Waters), and then nonchalantly drops this little bomb in his article:
Pro Bowl receiver Dez Bryant has been informed by doctors that his back issues are of a greater magnitude than "spasms" and that he needs attention there, sources tell FOX Sports Southwest.
Cowboys' proof of purchase: Lance Dunbar - Tod Archer, ESPN Dallas
Archer does a quick profile of Lance Dunbar, who offered up a glimpse of his game-changing potential on Thanksgiving before leaving the game with a season-ending injury. According to Archer, Dunbar has been told his knee will be ready to by the time the offseason program starts for the Cowboys.
Mock draft roundup: Missouri defensive lineman Kony Ealy a popular pick for the Dallas Cowboys - Jon Machota
Machota rounds up nine mock drafts, three of which have the Cowboys taking Missouri DE Kony Ealy.
History Says Could Be Better To Lose Draft Coin Flip - Nick Eatman, DallasCowboys.com
The Cowboys have picked 17th four times in club history. They ended up with HoF Emmitt Smith and Mel as well as two other solid defensive producers. The one 16th pick the Cowboys made never played a snap for the Cowboys.
CowBuzz: What Are Players Doing Now? - DallasCowboys.com
The mothership takes a look at players' social media accounts to see what they are doing with their time off.
