Cowboys 2012 Offseason: Free Agency 1.0

While the Cowboys will look to maximize the value of their draft picks this year, some of their improvement will come through Free Agency. The Cowboys are going to rework some contracts and release some dead weight to free up additional roster spots and cap room. With that in mind, they are projected to have somewhere in the realm of $20 million in cap space.

That means they should have the funds necessary to sign some critical free-agents and dramatically improve their roster. I'm not an accountant so I won't claim that all of these moves can be done but I will try to be as realistic as possible. With that in mind, let's start with some of the players I feel the Dallas Cowboys need to say good-bye to...

Terrance Newman (CB) - The popular pick for the "big, veteran cut" the Cowboys will make this offseason. Newman was selected fifth overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He has had a good run with the Cowboys but has been consistently hurt for the past several season. His confidence is clearly shaken, and being vaulted twice in the final game of the season can't of helped matters, and his performance has been on a steady decline.

He is 33 and that doesn't help his case. The Cowboys have probably given him a few seasons longer than necessary holding on to the hope that he could return to form. He can't keep up with speedy receivers anymore nor can he leap to out jump the taller ones. He plays so far off underneath passes are nearly undefended. Newman will find a home as a solid number three corner somewhere else but he should not play in Dallas next season.

David Buehler (K) - Buehler is kept on the roster strictly to kickoff. That's enough of a reason to cut him. Jerry Jones had some grandiose plans of recreating Sebastian Janikowski but it was never meant to be. Dan Bailey clearly surpassed Buehler as a kicker and his kickoffs were more than respectable (with a 65.3 yard average and 24 touchbacks).

Kenyon Coleman (DE) - Coleman was brought in for feel good reasons and because he had played for Rob Ryan in Cleveland. Coleman was nothing special on the line and certainly didn't get much pressure on the Quarterback (1 sack and 36 total tackles). Coleman needs to be jettisoned and open up some space for more promising linemen.

Bradie James (LB) - Another legacy Cowboy. For years he lead the 'Boys in tackles and was consistently undervalued by much of the fan-base. Those days are long since over. His decline has been rather sudden, largely over the past two seasons, but the writing is on the wall. He too will find a home as a situational player on a another team.

Abram Elam (FS) - See Kenyon Coleman above. He was brought in to communicate Rob Ryan's defense to the other players. At times, it looked like the players in the Secondary weren't even speaking the same language. Elam is as good as gone.

Martellus Bennett (TE) - Bennett has been a huge disappointment. He was perhaps the most athletic Tight End in his draft class (which is saying something given Jermichael Finley was selected by the Green Bay Packers that season, ironically, with a pick traded to them by the Cowboys). Bennett simply doesn't have a passion for football, evidenced by his flirting with declaring for the 2005 NBA Draft. Bennett may someday become a great Tight End but it won't happen in Big D.

Anthony Spencer (LB) - In my opinion, Spencer is the biggest disappoint on this list. Sure Newman has not excelled for the past few seasons but at one time he was an elite Cornerback. Many observers will give Spencer credit for being "good against the run" but you don't draft an Outside Linebacker in the first round to be "good against the run".

Spencer was taken with the 26th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. At the time, it was thought he would compliment DeMarcus Ware and provide pressure from the opposite side. This shouldn't have been too hard a task given that Ware is perhaps the best pass rusher in the league. Instead, he has averaged only 4.3 sacks per season. It's time for the Cowboys to part ways with Spencer and forget this first round mistake ever happened.

Alan Ball (CB), Derrick Dockery (G), Frank Walker (CB), Sammy Morris (RB) (note: Morris played well but his services should no longer be needed), Kevin Ogletree (WR), Chauncey Washington (RB), Kai Forbath (K), Montrae Holland (G).

Despite there being plenty of Cowboys' players who need to be dismissed there are several Cowboys' Free Agents who need to be resigned expeditiously (you need to employ little used words at every opportunity):

Laurent Robinson (WR) - Obviously Free Agent priority number one. Robinson came in a few weeks into the season put up terrific numbers (54 receptions for 858 yards and 11 touchdowns). Besides that, his instant rapport with Quarterback Tony Romo speaks to the quality he brings to the team. Robinson was one of the best number three wide receivers in the league last year and the Cowboys must lock him up.

Robinson has explicitly stated that he wants to be a Cowboy. I think too often Jerry Jones (and others) have placed too little value in the desire of players to be Cowboys. I think they fail to realize the reason so many past Cowboys teams have been successful has been because they were proud to wear the Star. The Cowboys would be in a much better place if they had more Laurent Robinsons and the Cowboys need to get this deal done forthwith.

Tony Fiammetta (FB) - Along the same lines as Robinson, Fiammetta was a huge mid-season acquisition. It was not a coincidence that DeMarco Murray's best games corresponded with Fiammetta's presence in the lineup. Fiammetta is an excellent lead blocker and helped pave the way for the Cowboys' Running Backs. The Cowboys should reward Fiammetta for his contributions with some job security and allow him to continue his success in Dallas.

Mat McBriar (P) - McBriar has been one of the best Punters over the past few seasons. However, he suffered a season ending drop foot injury. It was announced that his injury was due to a cyst behind his knee which will be drained and he should be able to make a full recovery. His replacement Chris Jones was impressive and that's a serious threat to McBriar in Dallas. However, given his track record, the Cowboys should sign him for the minimum and allow him to compete for his job through the Preseason.

Jesse Holley (WR) (note: he's a special teams ace and it seems like all he ever does is make plays when given the chance), Clifton Geathers (DE), Keith Brooking (LB) (note: if Brooking is willing to take a reduced role, which he's said he is, and is willing to play some Special Teams his attitude and locker room presence merit giving him a minimum deal).

Now, for the exciting part of the post. I will try to list off the Free Agent acquisitions I think the Cowboys need to and realistically can make to improve their roster.

Tom Zbikowski (SS) - Zbikowski is a Strong Safety for the Baltimore Ravens. He hasn't been used much as the players ahead of him are simply better. However, Zbikowski has solid Kickoff and Punting experience. The Cowboys have a need for such experience and could use some extra competition at Safety. Zbikowski may be a diamond in the rough but if not he should at least give the Cowboys some options for the return game.

Lofa Tatupu (ILB) - Tatupu was let go by the Seahawks prior to the 2011 season and failed to sign with a team for the season. I can only assume most of Tatupu's problems were injury related as there is no other reasonable explanation for his decline in play. That being the case, he would have to pass a physical but with a whole year off it should only be a matter of getting him in football shape.

Tatupu could be one who flies under the radar. The NFL is a very "what have you done for me lately" league and being gone for a whole year can make people forget. It wasn't that long ago (2007) that Tatupu was a Pro Bowler and he has that all important Super Bowl experience.

If Tatupu returns to football and appears to be healthy (albeit not in "football shape" as mentioned) then he is worth taking a flyer on to pair up with Sean Lee. This would also not put too much pressure on second year man Bruce Carter and could provide him a valuable mentor.

Terrell Thomas (CB) - Thomas was a starting Cornerback for the New York Giants in 2009 and 2010 before suffering a season ending injury in 2011. Before the injury Thomas posted some impressive stats recording 5 interceptions in both 2009 and 2010. He's also only 27 so his injury should heal nicely and allow him to get back to form.

Thomas would be a huge upgrade over the Cowboys' current crop of Cornerbacks. He would come in a position to compete with Orlando Scandrick for the starting spot opposite Mike Jenkins. Additionally, signing Thomas would be a blow to the Giants and I'm a big believer in trying to improve your team while hurting your division rival.

Ben Grubbs (G) - There has been speculation about the Cowboys pursuing the likes of Carl Nicks (G), Cortland Finnegan (CB), or Mario Williams (OLB/DE). Much like pursuing Asomugha last offseason I believe this is a pipe dream. The Cowboys have a lot of holes to fill and they need to fill them through the draft and by signing above-average but not necessarily elite Free Agents.

Ben Grubbs is just that sort of player. He is on the cusp of being an elite Guard and will command a significant investment. But given the play of the Cowboys interior linemen, the Cowboys must significantly upgrade the position. His turf toe will also drive his price a little lower due to injury concern.

Grubbs would be a huge improvement from the revolving door at Left Guard. He will also command a more reasonable price than Carl Nicks which will give the Cowboys room to sign other Free Agents and their Draft Picks.

Additionally, the Ravens have some bigger fish to fry and need to maneuver carefully to ensure they have Ray Rice and Lardarius Webb back in the fold. This will open the door for teams like the Cowboys to pry him away.

In any event, outside resigning Robinson, I believe this is the most important Free Agent pickup. Jerry and Stephen Jones need to be getting their ducks in a row to get Ben Grubbs in to play Left Guard alongside new Left Tackle Tyron Smith.

Here's a quick run down of the Cowboys' Free Agents signings from this post:

• Laurent Robinson (WR) - Projected Starter
• Tony Fiametta (FB) - Projected Starter
• Mat McBriar (P) - Projected Starter
• Jesse Holley (WR) - Backup
• Clifton Geathers (DE) - Backup
• Keith Brooking (ILB) - Backup
• Tom Zbikowski (SS) - Backup
• Lofa Tatupu (ILB) - Projected Starter
• Terrell Thomas (CB) - Projected Starter
• Ben Grubbs (G) - Projected Starter

That comes to 10 Free Agent signings with 6 being resignings from the current squad. 6 of these acquisitions would be starters while 4 would be expected to contribute on Special Teams and backup starters.

With 15 predicted departures that leaves at least 5 roster spots open for more draft picks and undrafted Free Agents. Not to mention, the veteran cuts from other teams will shake up the market as well. There will be another edition of this up sometime after the Super Bowl to evolve with the changing market dynamics.

No matter how it shakes out, the Cowboys had better be prepared to, wisely, spend some money this offseason.