June 3, 2008

Mission accomplished: The team addressed depth issues at running back and cornerback, and now those stand as potential strengths if everything holds up. The long-term deals given to RB Marion Barber and CB Terence Newman not only help clear up salary-cap space for this season, but because owner Jerry Jones got the deals done before the owners opted out of the CBA, the team sidestepped some tricky accounting had it waited. First-rounders RB Felix Jones and CB Mike Jenkins also stand to help immediately, at least on special teams, and if CB Pacman Jones is reinstated, he has major potential.

Unfinished business: There’s concern with the safety depth, especially with franchise FS Ken Hamlin likely to be playing on a one-year tender offer and SS Roy Williams possibly in his final year in Dallas. Signing Hamlin to a long-term deal might bring immediate cap relief, but it’s not clear with the league’s cloudy economic forecast if that can be done soon. As it stands, the receivers are unchanged, and though they helped the team pass for 4,105 yards, one thing is clear: Terrell Owens can’t get hurt. Anything an injured Terry Glenn and converted QB Isaiah Stanback give them is gravy. Other than Jones, LB Zach Thomas was the only veteran addition to a slightly disappointing defense from ’07.