You can do a lot worse than Gerald SensabaughAnd let's face it, no matter what the media tells us, keeping the aging veterans in to win meaningless games at the end of a lost season has nothing to do with the fans and everything to do with the owner.
Again, this team will not win a significant football game until Jerry Jones is no longer the general manager because his ego and his business leanings thwart the abilities of this franchise. And fans know exactly how they can change this. Don't go to games.
That'll never happen.
These are the people we do know about now:
Paul Pasqualoni
God bless and keep you, Paul Pasqualoni. You were thrust into a position that maybe you never wanted, yet, you grabbed the opportunity by the horns and have made the best of it. However your defense is allowing 30 points a game to good and bad teams. Granted, the sacks and turnovers are up, but those only go so far. Pasqualoni's won this team some games with the change, but I think he has a much bigger and more suitable role outside of the coordinator's spot.
Jon Kitna
Any ideas that he can't back you up at quarterback have been answered. That trick-play pass to Felix Jones was marvelous.
Alan Ball
He can not be your starting safety. Unless you want to lose 10 games a season.
Bryan McCann
He should be struggling for a roster spot in six months. The guy has something.
Keith Brooking
Is washed up. At the time, exactly what the team needed. Now, a liability.
Terence Newman
I've never thought he was that great. I daresay now, he's not even very good in the sense that I'm not very good at playing cornerback in the NFL. The game-sealing interception does not erase the afternoon of chasing down Redskins as Santana Moss feasted on the Cowboys secondary.
Grades:
Quarterback -- A
Question: Is Jon Kitna a free agent? Question: If so, would it be out of the question that a talented team like the Minnesota Vikings take a good long look at him as a ... starter? I honestly would not be shocked the way he's played. A rebuilding team would never (or shouldn't ever) take a chance. But a team in desperate need might kick the tires.
Running Back -- C
I would seriously suggest to the Dallas Cowboys that they trade Felix Jones if they are not going to use him. Despite Marion Barber being out and the third-stringer Tashard Choice not getting on the field due to his special teams play, you'd think Jones' touches would go up. Nope. Instead, they benched him in the red zone as the Cowboys' offense was befuddled around the goalline. If he's your best back, you give him the ball!
Wide Receiver -- C
Kitna has zero chemistry with Miles Austin. I'm convinced. They're just on different pages and I don't think it'll change in two games despite Kitna targeting him seven times to the tune of three catches. Sam Hurd has four catches. Should've been six with two touchdowns.
Tight End -- A
It is no mistake that Jason Witten had a monster day and, still, the Cowboys almost lost. I'm telling you, teams are willing to let Witten go as long as they stop the speedster skill guys.
Offensive Line -- B+
I assume this crew did well as long as I didn't necessarily notice them throughout the game. And I didn't. Frankly, I haven't heard Doug Free's name called in eight weeks. I do remember a Kyle Kosier penalty. By the way, what were Donovan McNabb and Andre Gurode talking about after the game on the field? What the hell would McNabb have to say to a lout like Gurode?
Defensive Line -- C-
Blah. I thought they did good against the running game early to take the Redskins out of their gameplan to pump Ryan Torain over and over. Otherwise, pretty non-existent. Nowadays, I'm noticing the second-stringers like Jason Hatcher, Stephen Bowen and Josh Brent more and more.
Linebackers -- B+
If play is any indication, Bradie James must have absolutely hated Wade Phillips. He's been 100 times better post-Phillips. DeMarcus Ware probably had his best game of the season. And you can't convince me that Vic Butler doesn't need more snaps.
Secondary -- F
Gerald Sensabaugh had a huge game. Orlando Scandrick was good. The others would probably like to put a pillow over their head and forget it. Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins and Alan Ball were embarrassing.
Special Teams -- A
Again, Bryan McCann has something. Had 143 return yards yesterday helping the Cowboys offense start their first four possessions near midfield or in Washington territory. I think David Buehler's won the kicking job for next season despite him being good for one dumb miss per contest. I think they like him enough to keep him around and work with him. If he's kicking 75 percent in his first year, they assume he'll be good for 85 percent in his second.
Coaching -- C
That's three straight games in which the opponent's won it or tied it late. These players are either wearing down mentally or physically (or both) and you pin that on the coaching staff.
