Then again this also may just be a ploy for either side of the party, which in a way may be beneficial to the Cowboys since it will help them decide what they will do in the draft. Right now Dallas may show interest in Winston, but in reality using Winston as a pawn will only help solidify their decision about a pick in the upcoming draft. This strategic move can help land players like D.J. Fluker and hence will prevent other teams from obtaining the Cowboys true desired player.

Now if this isn’t all some sort of plot then the Cowboys could really use a guy like Eric Winston, a player like Winston would allow the Cowboys a little more flexibility in the draft. Also it would help justify Tony Romo’s 108 million contract, if you pay a quarterback that kind of money you better be willing to spend money to protect him. It’s very predictable and obvious that another year with Doug Free would just result in more headaches for Dallas.

Whether the Cowboys decide to pursue Eric Winston or not, it’s nice to hear news that the Cowboys are looking to address the offensive line despite it all being speculation up to this point. Also the fact the Cowboys haven’t restructured Doug Frees contract may be signs that they are looking to move forward and cut their losses. I guess we just have to wait and see if the Cowboys are seriously considering signing Eric Winston or not.

The Cowboys signing of Tony Romo only confirms that the Cowboys want to win now, Romo’s the face of the Dallas Cowboys for the next couple of years and in order to justify his 108 million dollar contract the Cowboys must win big. Romo will need to accomplish what he has yet to accomplish in his career, and that is win big n the playoffs. He will need to produce at an elite level in big games, to earn a spot amongst the elite quarterbacks. Romo may not be considered an elite Superbowl wining quarterback but that can be fixed if Jerry Jones can provide Romo with an good offensive line.

Jerry Jones must start off by cutting his losses with Doug Free, who was among the worst tackles of 2012 and surely that trend will continue. Keeping a player like Doug Free at the salary the Cowboys are paying him is only going to draw free agents to Dallas for all the wrong reasons. A free agent may just look at Dallas as an opportunity to cash in as oppose to a place to win a championship. Keeping a player like Doug Free can also be a progress stopper, if he is the player he has been for the past years and if the Cowboys think he can turn it around next year they are sadly mistaken.

It’s not clear as to why the Cowboys still choose to stand behind Doug Free but they can’t afford keeping him as a starter for another year. The Cowboys must find his replacement through the draft and take their chances on a young tackle with an upside as oppose to keeping a washed up veteran like Doug. The same can be said about Miles Austin or Jay Ratliff but that’s for another time. For now lets just hope the Cowboys do the right move and let Doug “Free”.

It was no surprise as to the Cowboys silence during the first half of the free agency period, but now that the top tier talent is all but gone there are still big names out there. If the Cowboys manage to work out a new deal with Tony Romo or Anthony Spencer it may allow the Cowboys to do some bargain hunting in the second half of free agency, here are some names that the Cowboys can still go after.

Brian Urlacher LB

There have been reports that the Cowboys are keeping a close eye on Brian Urlacher’s availability. While Brian Urlacher may not be the player he once was, he will be relatively cheap considering his age 34 and his declining health. The Cowboys can plug him in the middle of this 4-3 defense and place Sean Lee on the outside to play opposite of Bruce Carter.

Josh Cribbs WR

While I believe this move wouldn’t have a big impact on the offense, adding Cribbs would give the Cowboys a difference maker in the return game and allow Dwayne Harris to focus solely on being the new 3rd receiver on the Cowboys offense.

Dwight Freeney DE

Dwight Freeney has plenty of experience in a 4-3 defense playing more than half his career in one; I think the Cowboys could get him for cheap mean while making Anthony Spencer expandable.

Sabastian Vollmer OT

He has yet to find a home and would be an immediate upgrade over Doug Free. Despite reports that the Cowboys aren’t looking to cut Doug Free just yet, acquiring Vollmer would end Doug Frees career in Dallas indefinitely.

Of course these are moves that the Cowboys can make if they manage to extend Tony Romos contract. They can also opt to give Anthony Spencer an extension but if they go that route Dallas will likely not sign Dwight Freeney. Nonetheless this is all speculation considering the fact the Cowboys are having trouble hashing out a new deal with Romo, as for Spencer I think the Cowboys will wait to till training camp to see how he performs in a 4-3 as oppose to extending him in the offseason without knowing if he can thrive in the 4-3 scheme.