For what purpose is Mike Jenkins missing OTA's? Are his feelings hurt? Have the Cowboys shown him a lack of respect by again drafting a cornerback early? When the Cowboys speak so glowingly of Mo, calling him their highest rated cornerback to come out since Deion, does this mean that they have lost faith in Jenkins? Is Jenkins not going to get a fair shake at competing with Brandon Carr? These are all issues that may have some impact on Jenkins missing OTA's. They are not, in my opinion the real reason Jenkins is not in Dallas. The real reason... after the jump!

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I have been thinking of the new starters for the Cowboys in 2012 on offense and defense and I am beginning to get really excited.

On defense there are probably no new starters on the d-line. Maybe the rookie from Boise gets some PT but I don't believe there is an improvement there initially. However, the linebackers will improve with Connor and a healthy Bruce Carter. The secondary, which folks agree along with the truly offensive line was the most putrid group last year, will be much improved. Cornerback will look nothing the same, safety moves sideways unless Church or Johnson get more play. Johnson looks like he could be what the defense really needs, so I am optimistic there.

On offense, the quarterback situation is improved with a fresh veteran backup and a healthy focused Romo. Running back will be better, Jones is slimmer, Murray is healthy and we have a fullback who will really help. Wide receivers are healthier, Dez might know his routes better and there is no reason to believe that they won't be at least as good as last year. Tight ends are close, probably degraded with the loss of Bennett as a blocker but the fullback might even that out. The offensive line should be better. And it could be that it is entirely new. The tackles swap, two new guards in free agency and every other young lineman should be stronger. It is hard for me to believe that they won't improve.

Special teams will probably be slightly worse because of the loss of McBriar. Other than that we have a chance to be really good. I like Bailey with another year of work, and I love the loss of Buehler... Buehler?... Buehler? because it gives the roster another body.

So, I see major improvement in:

Defensive linebackers and secondary

Regular improvement in:

Quarterback, Running back, and truly offensive line

Staying the same at:

Defensive line and wide receiver

And a slight down turn at:

Tight end and special teams.

I say the team as a whole is much improved. I am very excited to see the 2012 Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys defensive line is very deep.  It seems too deep until you realize that three players are presently playing on one year contracts.  If the Cowboys personnel folks really like the young guys Lissemore and Brent and think they can play next year as back ups, then they can trade someone right now and get a draft pick in return.  If they stand pat, then they are going to tie up roster spots for at least two people who are not going to make the 45.  The longer they wait to trade someone, the less likely they will get much in return.  Assuming I am right, ( yes, I have known for forty years what happens) who would you trade?

Wade was talking during his press conference yesterday about which players the team was keeping.  He said, "You keep the best players."  And it seemed to me the inference was best players RIGHT NOW.  Of course there are reasonable exceptions. High draft picks get kept based upon potential.

So, with that idea in mind, how do we see the wide receiver position shaking out after three preseason games.  Kevin Ogletree is the player that I am most interested in seeing if he makes the roster.  Ogletree, Crayton and Bryant all are the same player in my eyes.  That is, they all provide the team the same things.  A return guy for special teams, although Crayton is no way a kickoff guy, and a backup wideout.  (I also started to include Hurd, but he provides a different role on special teams.)

So, what do the Cowboys prize more, the future of Kevin Ogletree or the present of Patrick Crayton?

In my opinion, the Cowboys have two really good options at receiver for the future on this team right now (Austin and Bryant).   I am not sure they need a third.  I think Crayton is easily a better special teams player and receiver than Ogletree this year and I think he will be again next year.  That's my take.  I choose Crayton.  I think the Cowboys need to win right now, Crayton doesn't hurt the future of the team at receiver, and the future focus needs to turn to offensive line.  The Cowboys need to go deep there on the roster, if not with the guys they have now, with others cast offs.