Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware finished second to San Francisco’s Patrick Willis in voting for the Dick Butkus Award, which is awarded each offseason to the NFL’s best linebacker.

Ware won the award last year and narrowly missed repeating after tallying 39 votes and falling short to Willis who had 50.

The Butkus Award has was always been awarded to college and high school football players, but at the suggestion of Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, the NFL began  honoring pro football players as of last year when Ware became the first recipient.

Willis had 154 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles and three interceptions for the Niners last season.

Ware finished with 57 tackles, eleven sacks, five forced fumbled and six pass deflections for the Cowboys.

Even in a season when Ware’s numbers were down across the board, he still ranks with the best of them and as far as outside linebackers go, nobody is better.

By the way, we want to wish all of our friends and readers a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day.  They say that every year on this day, everybody is Irish including the always magical Jason McWitten and Patrick O’Crayton. Go grab yourselves a fine cold Irish brew and have a wonderful day.

First of all, can you imagine your team sharing a stadium with another team, even if they were in the other conference? I still find it ridiculous that they aren’t even in the state of New York. I guess some could argue that the Dallas Cowboys don’t play in Dallas but Arlington is a hell of a lot closer than say Louisiana or Oklahoma.

Another topic discussed on my morning drive radio programming also featured the Jets and their newly acquired running back LaDainian Tomlinson. The poor guy has gone from being the best in the biz to being a 3rd string back that fans hope they never see on the field. I’ve always liked LT, and I find it really sad how the world of sports works sometimes.

It seems the Jets really are trying to make some noise this offseason, but none of their moves have impressed me yet. In case you missed it they grabbed former Cowboy Nick Folk to a one year deal back in February. Their veteran kicker Jay Feely isn’t worried at all and expects a new deal despite the signing.

As for the Cowboys, everything is really quiet right now. Next month comes the draft and the release of the 2010 schedule.

For now you can relax and enjoy Spring Break, only five or so months until Preseason football…

Tonight, the show centers around legendary Cowboys running back Emmit Smith, who discovers his genealogical roots on a journey that takes him beyond his expectations.

In this short video preview, Emmitt Smith discovers that his ancestor, a slave girl named Mariah, was sold in 1826 at the age of 11 years old.

If you do watch, come back and share your thoughts after the show.

I’ve had my eye on a few players that are still available and that could really help the Cowboys in areas that they need.

The Redskins made a mistake in my opinion when they released kick returner Rock Cartwright. This is one area the Cowboys need to improve. Cartwright will give the Cowboys that return threat that is needed. Here are his numbers the last four seasons…

2009 – 39 kickoffs for 868 yards and a 22.3 yard average.

2008 - 51 kickoffs for 1,307 yards and a 25.6 yard average.

2007 - 52 kickoffs for 1,339 yards and a 25.8 yard average.  

2006 – 64 kickoffs for 1,541 yards and a 24.1 yard average with 1 TD.

The Cowboys top kick returner for 2009 was Felix Jones who returned 30 kickoffs for 678 yards. Back in 2008 it was Miles Austin as the Cowboys top kickoff returner with 29 returns for 624 yards.

What does all this mean? It means we need to go out and sign Rock Cartwright. He will greatly improve the return game and it will also save two very important pieces to the Cowboys offense in Felix Jones and Miles Austin. As fast as Felix Jones is I never liked the idea of him returning kicks due to risk of injury.

My second Free Agent signing would be Neil Rackers who has been kicking for the Cardinals since 2003 and has been in the league since 2000 when he was with the Bengals. With Nick Folk being released in 2009 and then Shaun Suisham not performing all that well. It’s time to sign a quality kicker. There have been reports that  the Cowboys would like David Buehler to try kicking field goals, but things also don’t sound convincing as far as his accuracy. Neil Rackers has been a dependable kicker over the years as you can see below..

2009 – 16 out of 17 attempts. 48 long.

2008 – 25 out of 28 attempts. 54 long.

2007 – 21 out of 30 attempts. 52 long.

2006 – 28 out of 37 attempts. 50 long.

2005 – 40 out of 42 attempts. 54 long.

2004 – 22 out of 29 attempts. 55 long.

The signing of Neil Rackers would also greatly improve the kicking game. Add to it that with Buehler handling the kickoffs it will save Rackers leg for just field goal attempts.

With Rock Cartwright and Neil Rackers being added to the Cowboys already talented roster, it will go a long way to where the Cowboys want to be. I just hope the Cowboys are thinking the same thing before other teams sign these two players.

To begin, the Oakland Raiders have released ex-Cowboy Greg Ellis after a dismal injury-plagued season. one-year stint on the West Coast. he still has some money coming to him from the guaranteed $10 million dollars he received from the Raiders. It looks like it might be the end of the road for Ellis who is still battling an arthritic knee.

Martellus Bennett continues to voice displeasure over his role with the Cowboys. In an interview which you could watch here courtesy of the DMN, he said,

“I think I could be one of the all-time greats. Probably the system has to change for me to produce. You’ve got to fit into the system. It’s not just all on the player. It’s different things that have to be done to put me in a position to make those plays.”

This isn’t the first time he has expressed his angst with his role on the team and his future with the organization.

Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones, is not the least bit concerned with the team’s lack of movement in this years free agent market.

“We’re pleased with what we have in place with the Cowboys. But if you look at our past several years, we’ve never jumped right out there in free agency, and really, I don’t ever look at what other teams are doing. I look at what we’re about, and we have some places that we can improve our team in free agency just as we will in the draft, but there’s no angst about getting anxious here. We’re just watching it unfold.”

I really don’t see the Cowboys as major players in free agency this offseason. As a whole the roster is solid and only needs some shoring up depth wise and at the offensive line which they can easily do via the draft.

 We were the better team going into that game and EVERYONE knew it. The Cowboys were FINALLY getting the credit they deserved. A stout defense, an offensive line that protected and made holes for 3 GREAT running backs. A TRUE CONTENDER! I do not know what happened that dreadful day but I am now admitting it is eating me apart from the inside out. That is all I can think about and the only way to get back to myself is to write about it.

 As for the upcoming season. Free agency has just started and what an active season it is. The SECOND and maybe even third best defensive end in the league, Julius Peppers, has gone to Chicago. Of course the first being Demarcus Ware and second Anthony Spencer. Although I think we might all agree that Spencer needs a year or two more experience! With all the free agents out there and all the teams that need help in their areas, I have not heard much talk about the Cowboys needs. To me, that means we don’t have any real “needs”. We have what we need to take this team to the next level. We are a championship team.

He is an example of the joys of free agency which give hope to struggling teams looking to improve their team by going after experienced players for lucrative contracts.

According to Sports Illustrated, Cowboys wide receiver, Patrick Crayton, has stated that he would welcome the return of Terrell Owens should he come back to the Dallas Cowboys.

However, I don’t think the Cowboys will go after Terrell due to a few reasons.

A: He’s a year older and we don’t know if he’ll keep up his previous production of the past.

B: Terrell has publicly stated many unflattering comments about former teammates like how if he had had quarterbacks like Joe Montana and Steve Young throwing to him for his career, he would have numbers like Jerry Rice.

That is a subtle way of saying, ‘My QBs are not good enough to realize how open I am at all times.’

He even posted things on his twitter page, which I thought was fake at the time, but sadly, it was confirmed to be true.

His exact words when responding to a fan that had stated he was unhappy that T.O. was no longer in Dallas were: “Neither ws i, blame the OC & romo!! but i’m happy 2 b where i am but i miss the other guys tht were & r true teammates!!”

The “OC” is offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who calls all the plays for the Cowboys. We all know who Romo is.

So, how can Dallas just welcome back a guy who has insulted the two guys that are responsible for Owens getting the ball at all?

C: We already have an accomplished receiving corp. Roy Williams is going to start next year as said by Jerry Jones, the owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, and the Cowboys are paying him starting money already with a six-year contract of $54 million and along with $26 million of that guaranteed.

Throw in the fact that Miles Austin will get a new contract soon, and he is the number one guy who will get a lot of money. Throw in the fact that the Cowboys love to run the ball just as much as they do pass it, so we can’t expect this team to be Air Coryell and play with three wide receivers every down.

Despite Roy Williams’ disappointments this year, I believe that he can improve and become that big-play wide receiver we need alongside Miles Austin.

The two guys we have now are much younger, much quieter, are more of team players, and will not have reality shows in the offseason.

I love T.O. But, we can’t have him now. We’d be wasting money on an unhappy player. Dallas is a family now. Keith Brooking is the daddy on defense and Tony is taking charge on offense, and Tony doesn’t need Terrell demanding the ball every other down.

What else is there?

Terrell Owens is not coming to Dallas. The Cowboys are going to use the receivers they have now and look to a Super Bowl win next year.

Original article posted here James Williamson is an accomplished writer for NFLTouchdown and Bleacher Report as well as a view Dallas Cowboy sites

As expected, the Arizona Cardinals released safety Antrel Rolle this afternoon to avoid ponying up a $4 million roster bonus. Expect the Cowboys to take a long, hard look at bringing Rolle in to fill the ever-vacant safety position.

Rolle is a young 27-years old, and played cornerback for the first few years of his career before being moved to safety. Because his résumé includes a stint at cornerback, he could be the candidate the Cowboys are looking for to provide adequate coverage at the safety position. If Dallas pulls the trigger on Rolle, expect Ken Hamlin to be shown the door.

Dallas could also look to add some depth at nose tackle with Jamal Williams and Jason Ferguson now on the open market. Keep in mind that Wade Phillips coached Jamal Williams in San Diego. He could be a good investment if the price is right.

Also remember that since Antrel Rolle, Jamal Williams, and Jason Ferguson were released by their respective teams instead of simply becoming unrestricted free agents, the free agent restrictions imposed on the final 8 playoff teams would not count against the Cowboys.

Should be an interesting next couple of hours.

Miles Austin, First Round Tender

Sam Hurd, Second Round Tender

Corey Procter, Second Round Tender

Jason Hatcher, Second Round Tender

Pat McQuistan, Original Draft Pick

Junior Siavii, Original Draft Pick

Marcus Spears, Original Draft Pick

Stephen Bowen, Second Round Tender

Pat Watkins, Original Draft Pick

Duke Preston, Original Draft Pick

Gerald Sensabaugh, Second Round Tender

Kicker Shaun Suisham was not offered any Tender which makes him a Free Agent.

The Cowboys also signed cornerback Cletis Gordon to a one year contract today.

I don’t expect much from the Cowboys in this years Free Agency. But when it comes to Jerry Jones anything is possible.

Let the games begin and the spending too.

You can be sure that both wide receiver Miles Austin and safety Gerald Sensabaugh will both receive high tenders from the Cowboys and that neither will be going anywhere.

Clarence E. Hill of the Star-Telegram speculates that Austin will receive the highest tender possible — a one-year salary of $3.168 million and compensation of a first- and third-round pick if he signs with another team.

Sensabaugh will likely be tagged with the first-round tender of $2.62 million. If he signs with another team, the Cowboys would get a first-round pick in return.

The other Cowboys restricted free agents include:

DT Stephen Bowen
G Cory Procter
G Duke Preston
DE Jason Hatcher
NT Junior Siavii
WR Sam Hurd
S Pat Watkins
OT Pat McQuistan
DE Marcus Spears
PK Shaun Suisham
CB Cletis Gordon

Of those eleven, I suspect that 3-4 of them may not be returning next season including Suisham and Gordon.

I was very surprised when the Cowboys decided not to place the franchise tag on Miles Austin last week which would have paid him a guaranteed one-year, $9.52 million deal that would’ve required another team to give up two first-round picks as compensation for signing him to a non-matching offer sheet.

I was a little worried that we might be exposing Miles Austin to a slight risk of employment elsewhere if another team should beat the Cowboys tender, but felt more at ease after reading this in the Dallas Morning News.

Not many teams in league history have been willing to relinquish a first- and third-round pick for a restricted free agent. Almost none, in fact. In 1998, Bill Parcells brought restricted running back Curtis Martin with him from the Patriots to the Jets. The Patriots were unwilling to match the Jets’ six-year, $36 million offer sheet and took a first- and third-rounder in return. Eighteen players received the high tender over the next 10 years. None were pried away by a rival’s offer sheet.

Good to know…