August 13, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) makes a catch in front of Oakland Raiders defensive back Ron Bartell (21) in the first quarter at O.Co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE

1) Dez Bryant is acrobatic and physical beast. The leaping back shoulder grab he made was almost perfect, and that throw is almost indefensible, especially with defenses worrying about his down field big play ability. If he can stay healthy and no suspensions are levied by Commissioner Goodell, this could be a breakout and Pro Bowl year for the 3rd year Veteran.

2) Who starts between Dan Conner and Bruce Carter? Who cares! They both were on the field with the first team defense. Bruce Carter took snaps at the vacant OLB spot because of an injured Anthony Spencer. He showed some good quickness, but a little bit of assignment “brain fart” (if you will). This is to be expected because it is not his normal position and this is the first preseason game; no harm, no foul.

3) Our safeties are better this year than they have been the previous three years. I am so glad that Ken Hamlin, Alan Ball, and Abe Elam are no longer back there. Maybe it was beginners luck, but Barry Church likes to hit. He has quick instincts and breaks on the ball. What is even better, is that he is a “wrap up” tackler. He can bruise with his hits, but he follows through the tackle to ensure the ball carrier is on the ground. With the upgrades made at corner with Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne, I can see a good year (secondary wise) from our Dallas Cowboys. This all rests on the health of Morris Claiborne AND Mike Jenkins. We need both of them back and pronto.

4) Marcus Spears doesn’t want to lose his job. He pulled a page out of Denzel Washington’s book and played like a Man on Fire Monday night. He was using that huge frame and 1st round draft pick pedigree, throwing his weight around, and making plays. Why haven’t we seen this the entire time he’s been here?? He is one of the main reasons I celebrated when the Cowboys didn’t draft Michael Brockers (another 1st round bust DL out of LSU). Has he done enough to save himself a roster spot. or will the Cowboys give it to the youngsters (Sean Lissemore & Clifton Gathers)?

5) Dan Bailey is still the man. This kid has had ice water running through his veins since he joined the Cowboys camp last year. My only question is… How is Bailey only kicking four or five FG’s per practice session? I am following undrafted rookie kicker, Justin Tucker, (formerly kicker for the Texas Longhorns) and son of a co-worker of my wife. I see reports that he has kicked over 60 FG’s at the Ravens practice. I want to see that from Bailey, and whoever else we have on the roster. That is all.

6) I don’t even want to talk about the offensive line today. Plus, I told you in the beginning that it would only be five things… stay tuned next week. It won’t be as bad; I hope.

Regardless of draft boards, rumors and last minute visits the Cowboys will need to address the center position of the offensive line and the team could end up doing just that as early as the second round. If choosing to do in the second round, the Cowboys will need a can’t miss center and may need to trade up in order to acquire one such as Peter Konz from Wisconsin.

Sep 17, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Peter Konz (66) blocks during the game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Soldier Field. Wisconsin defeated Illinois 49-7. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Every Dallas Cowboys fan who watched the team last year is well aware of the struggles at the center position. And if your a frequent visitor here to the Landry Hat then you are also aware of our affinity for Baylor Bears center Phillip Blake. Last season’s production from the center of the offensive line was border-line comical at times and dominating at other times all the while consistent inconsistency plagued the position throughout the season.

Prime examples of the inconsistencies along the front line are last season’s games against the New York Jets and the St. Louis Rams. Granted coming into Sunday night’s game against the Jets on opening weekend of the NFL season was after a lock-out shortened off season. Nonetheless the Cowboys were limited to 64 yards rushing on 26 attempts, a meager 2.4 yards per carry, against the Jets at MetLife Stadium.

Coming into week seven of last season against the Rams it was evident that inconsistencies within the offensive line existed. Never rushing for more than 64 total yards in the Cowboys’ six previous games, Dallas entered into the match-up as the league’s fourth-worst rushing offense. Yet the offensive line managed to put on a blocking clinic. A performance that helped then rookie running back DeMarco Murray amass 253 yards rushing, breaking former Cowboys great Emmitt Smith’s single-game rushing record.

Dallas has two centers on the current roster and both are undrafted free agents and in each of the last three seasons the Cowboys have went from 7^th in the league in rushing during the 2009 season, to 16^th in 2010 and 18^th in overall rushing during last season’s compaign.

Phil Costa an undrafted free agent from Maryland became the third first-year starter on the Dallas offensive line last year and the only undrafted free agent to start the season on any team last year. Although this is an impressive feat at times last year Costa showed exactly why he went undrafted in the 2011 NFL draft. Phil Costa was 29th in the NFL among centers with 2.7% pass protection efficiency.

Toledo alum Kevin Kowalski was signed byDallasas an undrafted free agent in 2011 did show promise at times in spot duty at the center position but is still be a couple years away from the minimum talent needed to perform on a constant basis at the NFL level.

Having the young talented undrafted free agents obviously provide nice cap relief for the Dallas Cowboys as both centers are only slated to earn a combined total of just under $1,000,000 in 2012. Both Costa and Kowalski appear to be nothing more than viable back-ups providing depth along the offensive line at this point.

It’s a fact that eventual NFL journeymen are currently filling-in at center for the Cowboys. This alone is responsible for the current dilemma that has Dallas needing to address the center position, with a solid NFL caliber anchor, at center-stage in the 2012 upcoming NFL draft.

Hit me up on twitter @j0eo1s for any and all draft and NFL questions

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Dec. 4, 2011; Glendale, AZ, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Many fans will tell you they don’t like him.  Most will point to the unceremonious dismissal of the Tom Landry (who’s hat is this fansite’s namesake) as the reason.   The rest will tell you it’s because of that and because he chased Jimmy Johnson away.

On the surface, the first reason is understandable.  After all, how can you fire a legend?  The second reason I find a little ironic.  To say you don’t like Jerry Jones because he let Jimmy Johnson leave, (thereby denying the Dallas Cowboys a chance of winning a bunch more Superbowls), while also maintaining you don’t like him because he replaced Tom Landry with Jimmy Johnson in the first place just doesn’t make sense.  Regardless, if you look below the surface, it’s not fair to hold Jerry Jones completely responsible for either of those incidents. (more…)