COWBOYS FANTASY NEWS

February 17, 2006 12:00 PM ET

In 2005, the Cowboys had their second winning season in three years under head coach Bill Parcells. Unfortunately, they failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive season, and rumors surfaced that the Big Tuna was strongly considering calling it quits.

Fortunately for the Cowboys, Parcells put the rumors to rest by signing a two-year contract that will keep him in Dallas through 2007. However, he lost assistant head coach Sean Payton, who is the new head coach of the Saints. Payton also hired former Cowboys linebacker Gary Gibbs to serve as the defensive coordinator.

Despite losing his top offensive assistant, Parcells can take solace in the fact that he has a veteran quarterback in Drew Bledsoe, who probably won't struggle as much as a younger quarterback would without Payton. Bledsoe is as familiar as anyone with Parcells' offense, and he's had a full season to get acquainted with his new teammates, so expectations are high in Big D for the veteran signal caller.

Needs
The offensive line was an eyesore last season. And things could get even worse if guard/strong man Larry Allen decides to retire. Either way, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who has never been afraid to open his wallet, must address the line issues during the offseason, particularly at right tackle. If Jones and Parcells can upgrade the line, it could result in the statuesque Bledsoe staying healthy, just as it could open holes for the running back tandem of Julius Jones and Marion Barber.

Speaking of the running backs, the situation with Jones, Barber, and even Tyson Thompson has fantasy headache written all over it. Parcells wasn't afraid to give carries to all three backs last season, and we assume he'll do so again this season, with Jones and Barber splitting the bulk of the carries. In other words, Jones probably won't emerge as the every-down back that so many fantasy owners thought he would be prior to last season, and fantasy owners should be hopeful that one of the young tailbacks will carry the role of goal line back.

This could be the year the Cowboys start planning for the future at wide receiver. Although Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn played well last season, both wideouts are on the wrong side of 30. In fact, there is some talk that Johnson could be a salary cap casualty. He will cost roughly $3.6 million against the cap this season, according to the team's official website, but there's a good chance he and Glenn will seek raises during the offseason. If Johnson's demands get out of control, there is a chance that the Cowboys will release him rather than let him become a distraction.

Re-signing tight end Dan Campbell is a bigger priority than most fantasy owners probably realize. Campbell doesn't draw much fantasy attention because of his role as a blocking tight end. However, failing to re-sign Campbell could result in fantasy favorite Jason Witten being called on to block more often.

The Cowboys desperately need a reliable kicker. Last year, they suffered with three different kickers: Bill Cundiff, Jose Cortez, and Shaun Suisham. Among the top free agent possibilities are Ryan Longwell, Mike Vanderjagt, Paul Edinger, Joe Nedney, Matt Bryant, and Todd Peterson. Cundiff has already signed with the Buccaneers, although it's hard to imagine the Cowboys would have been interested in re-signing him, anyway.

Dallas showed major improvement on the defensive side of the ball last season. But the overhaul isn't complete yet. Defensive tackle La'Roi Glover is scheduled to earn a $1.5 million roster bonus next month, which makes him a potential cap casualty. Defensive end Greg Ellis told reporters after the season finale in January that his days with the team might be numbered. "I just don't think (Parcells) feels I fit the scheme," Ellis told the team's official website. However, Parcells later stated that Glover, who tied for the team lead with eight sacks, is "still a good player," so there's no guarantee he's on his way out the door.

Salary Cap Situation
The Cowboys are reportedly $2 million over the projected salary cap for 2006. They should have no trouble getting below the cap, but we do not expect them to be major players in free agency.

Unrestricted Free Agents
WR Peerless Price, TE Dan Campbell, T Ethan Brooks, DT Willie Blade, LB Scott Fujita, LB Eric Ogbogu, S Lynn Scott

Restricted Free Agents
T Torrin Tucker, LB Scott Shanle, S Willie Pile, S Keith Davis

The Draft
The Cowboys hold the No. 18 overall pick in the draft. They are expected to target offensive line and free safety with their top picks if they don't address those needs via free agency.

If the Cowboys target offensive linemen, the top tackles are D'Brickshaw Ferguson (Virginia) and Winston Justice (USC). The Cowboys would have to trade up to have a realistic chance at selecting either one of those players. It's more likely that they will look at players such as tackle Marcus McNeill (Auburn) and guard Charles Spencer (Pittsburgh).

The top safeties are Michael Huff (Texas), Ko Simpson (South Carolina), and Darnell Bing (USC). Huff will most likely go in the top10, while Simpson and Bing might still be on the board when the Cowboys go on the clock.

Injury Watch
There is speculation on the team's official website that linebacker Dat Nguyen might retire due to the neck injury that caused him to miss eight games last season. Nguyen topped 100 tackles in the two previous seasons, so finding a suitable replacement wouldn't be easy.

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