Would this really be a surprise? It most likely is one of the major makeovers the Dallas Cowboys are planning to improve team chemistry and change the whole leadership of the team after a disappointing season and more than a dozen years without a playoff win. It hurts to even say that.

If the Cowboys can trade Owens, maybe a draft day trade, it would be an amazing move for the team, but it is almost certain that teams will just let the Cowboys release the player before anyone honors a trade for his high salary. It means a hefty cap hit, but the Cowboys don’t need a whole lot on this team to win.

It is very possible, as I told some buddies last night during my birthday bash, that the Cowboys may trade away most, if not all, of their 2009 draft picks and just not do much in free agency or the draft to save cash flow. The first priority is signing DeMarcus Ware and cleaning up the locker room.

Also, expect Greg Ellis to be released or traded. He once again is doing his annual whining about his playing time and it’s just getting old. The Cowboys may not be too happy with Anthony Spencer, either, but he’s the obvious replacement for Ellis and there are teams who would love to take on Ellis, who still performs at a pretty high level. As I mentioned before, would the Cowboys be interested in Julius Peppers?

And personally, I think Ray Lewis would love to play for the Dallas Cowboys, and I don’t care what any Baltimore native says.

Dallas Cowboys Examiner

I’m not one to dwell on failure, which is what the 2008-2009 season was for the Dallas Cowboys. Finishing 9-7 with that much talent on the team is woeful, but since no heads have rolled in Dallas’ coaching staff minus ex-special teams coach Bruce Read, it doesn’t look like there will be any firings or hirings unless Jason Garrett takes a head coach job somewhere. That being said, we’re likely to lose a few players to free agency and we had a few obvious holes that need filling.

Here’s what we need:

1. Safety: It’s no secret that Roy Williams is a liability in the defensive backfield. He has looked lost in coverage ever since former Cowboy Darren Woodson hung up his cleats. There’s also a chance that we could lose Keith Davis to free agency, so there’s another roster spot at safety that is open. USC’s Taylor Mays is staying in L.A. for his 4th year of eligibility and I think Jerry could have pulled off a trade for him. Look for Dallas to try for Oregon’s Patrick Chung or Utah’s Sean Smith in the 2nd round or Sherrod Martin from DeMarcus Ware’s alma mater, Troy State in the 4th-5th. Tampa Bay’s Jermaine Phillips is an unrestricted free agent this year or, even better, Chicago’s Mike Brown. Either way, we need a rangy safety to play FS so we can move Ken Hamlin to SS, his more natural position.

2. Inside linebacker: Zach Thomas voided the rest of his contract and is gone. Kevin Burnett is probably gone to free agency. I don’t want to see Bobby Carpenter at inside linebacker, so look for Dallas to take someone in the 3rd round like TCU’s Jason Phillips, but I have my eyes on Scott McKillop, who registered 137 total tackles, 17.5 TFL, four sacks and four passes broken up this year and Cal’s Worrell Williams, who has experience playing in a 3-4. But I think the move here is to go for another veteran in Jacksonville’s Mike Peterson. He’s had injury problems, but Bradie James was on fire this year next to a strong, smart inside backer in Zach Thomas. I’d like to see that happen again.

3. Backup quarterback: Those games that Tony Romo was hurt were painful for Dallas fans. We were hurting for the days when we had backups that were at least competent. That being said, this year is a good year for quarterbacks in the draft. There’s a chance that we wouldn’t have to look outside the state of Texas for this one, with Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell probably available until the 3rd or 4th round. If he’s still there that late, we have to pull the trigger on him. Another quarterback that we could take as a project that will be around until late is Clemson’s Cullen Harper. This year, Harper had 2,601 yards, 13 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. But last year, he threw for 2,887 yards, 27 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He’s obviously coachable and has the physical tools. I’d be willing to use a 6th rounder on chance like Harper. There are tons of obvious backup options like free agents Jeff Garcia, Kyle Boller, Charlie Batch, Rex Grossman, etc. But there needs to be at least one young quarterback kept on Dallas’ roster this year as a project.