With everyone's mock drafts out, it seems most people have the Cowboys taking Dre Kirkpatrick at fourteen. But is that the right choice? The Cowboys did sign Brandon Carr, and people are forgetting about Michael Jenkins. Michael Jenkins has been injury prone, but with him entering a contract year, you better believe he is coming to play this year. So with Carr on one side and Jenkins on the other, that's not a bad combination. But whoever is back there in the secondary isn't going to matter without a good pass rush, which is something the Cowboys lack right now.
    Aside from Demarcus Ware, there just isn't anyone getting pressure on the quarterback. Jay Ratliff is a great defensive tackle, but he gets double teamed quite a bit since there isn't anyone else besides Ware to generate pressure. They need help. That's why I think in the first round, they should go for a pass rusher. There are a good amount of them in this years draft. The first one that comes to mind is Courtney Upshaw from Alabama. At 6'2" 245 pounds, Upshaw is a very explosive pass rusher, but his run stopping ability is probably the best part of his game. He flows to the ball very well, and has experience in the 3-4 defense. Upshaw should still be around at fourteen, as a lot of mock drafts have him going later in the round.
    This is definitley the man they have to draft. They can upgrade the secondary more in later rounds. No need to go after Kirkpatrick or Janoris Jenkins, both of which have character problems. They don't need that here in Dallas. Get Upshaw and improve that pass rush. An average secondary can look like a great one with a great pass rush. Just look at the Giants. The Cowboys aren't far off from a Super Bowl run. Yes I'm serious. Just improve the defense and everything will fall into place.

Where they stand:
#82 Jason Witten
#80 Martellus Bennett (FA)
#89 John Phillips

2011 Review: Jason Witten was great as always. Despite his numbers being down, he still led the team in catches with 79 and receiving yards with 942.
     Martellus Bennett was just a disappointment. You can just tell he doesn't want to be here. He doesn't like the way he's being used, and its obvious that he will not be back next year.
    John Phillips, had a decent season. It's hard to tell what he will become, but it will be fun to see if he can develop into a solid tight end.

Top Free Agents: Jermichael Finley(GB), Marcedes Lewis(JAX), Visanthe Shiancoe(MIN), John Carlson(SEA)

Top Draft Prospects: Coby Fleener(Stan)Dwayne Allen(Clem) Orson Charles(UGA) Ladarius Green(LA-Lafe) Michael Egnew(MIZZ)

What should they do?: Jason Witten is entering his 10th season in the league. It's amazing isn't it? By no means is it his time to go. He is still playing at a high level. But as with all great things, his time will come to an end soon. The Cowboys need to be ready for that. There is no reason to get a tight end in free agency. It's to stacked of a market, and they'll want big money. If Jerry decides to get a tight end this off-season, he needs to get one through the draft. There are a few good tight ends in the draft such as, Ladarius Green and Michael Egnew, that are worth looking at. 

    The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Anthony Spencer this week. This move right here proves that Jerry Jones has not a clue what he is doing. These are the type of decisions that are keeping the Cowboys at a level of mediocrity. Anthony Spencer is not that good of a football player. He's just not. He's had a mere 21.5 sacks in 76 games. Jason Pierre-Paul has 21 sacks in only 32 games. Spencer is also the same guy who admitted to mailing games in. He's a quitter, and Jerry signed him back.
    You see, it's not about leadership, and it's not about Tony Romo. It's the fact that Jerry continues to give average players big deals and a starting spot on this team. There are a good amount on athletes on this team that would not have a starting job anywhere else in the league. That is unacceptable. Jerry's horrible drafting, and rewarding players of mediocrity with big deals, is crippling a team with an excellent, but aging, foundation to make a Super Bowl run.
    Jerry needs to figure it out or step down. He needs to stop looking at his three Lombardi trophies from the early 90's, and realize that he has another Super Bowl run in front of him, if he makes better decisions. Time is not on the Cowboys side. The foundation of Romo, Witten, and Ware are closing in on the end of their prime.