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Dallas Cowboys: 4 best moves of the offseason … (so far)

By Tyrone Starr

BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Offensive lineman Connor Williams #55 of the Texas Longhorns waits for the snap against the California Golden Bears in the fourth quarter on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Cal won 50-43. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Offensive lineman Connor Williams #55 of the Texas Longhorns waits for the snap against the California Golden Bears in the fourth quarter on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Cal won 50-43. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 27: Wide receiver Tavon Austin #11 of the St. Louis Rams warms up before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 27, 2015 in Seattle,Washington. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 27: Wide receiver Tavon Austin #11 of the St. Louis Rams warms up before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 27, 2015 in Seattle,Washington. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

Influx of speed

One of the missions of the front office this year was to increase team speed. Some of that happened organically with the retirement of tight end Jason Witten. Speed was also one of the reasons for deciding to cut star receiver Dez Bryant. The same could be said for long-time cornerback Orlando Scandrick.

To replace these aging stalwarts, Dallas has completely revamped their wide receiving corps. In addition to Gallup, Deonte Thompson (4.31-forty) and Tavon Austin (4.34-forty) came to the Cowboys via free agency and trade respectively.

Defensively, Byron Jones (4.36-forty) was moved from safety to cornerback to supply more youth and speed to that position. Lastly, with the draft of Vander Esch and another year of positive news regarding the health of Jaylon Smith, the linebacker corps should be the fastest it’s been in years.

If the goal was to be faster, the 2018 Dallas Cowboys will surely be just that. Speed does not always translate to success but missing it is bad news for your defense.

With that, I bring to the last huge positive from this offseason…

No news is good news

For the first time in what feels like forever, the Dallas Cowboys as individuals have stayed out of the news for nefarious reasons. Going back to 2015, each season at least one player has been facing suspension for their behavior during the offseason.

Last year showcased the entire Elliott debacle but he was not alone. Defensive linemen Randy Gregory, David Irving and Damontre Moore all missed time due to violation of the substance abuse policy.

In 2016, Gregory once again missed time. He was joined by DeMarcus Lawrence and Rolando McClain. McClain made the list in 2015 as well, joined by Greg Hardy.

This year, the drama in Dallas has been relatively non-existent. There was a small incident regarding a domestic dispute and Irving but that seems to be much ado about nothing.

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All in all, that has to be considered a major win for this team.

So there you have it, my best offseason moves for the Dallas Cowboys.  Feel free to comment below if you have one you think should have made the list.

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