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IRVING, Texas – If we’ve learned anything about the Cowboys, it’s that they love their defensive line.

“We believe the defensive line is a strength,” became a default position for just about everybody in the organization during the NFL draft.

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But is it really?

When Monte Kiffin was in Tampa Bay, the strength of the defense was the line with Warren Sapp, Simeon Rice and Booger McFarland. Same for Rod Marinelli in Chicago when he had Julius Peppers, Henry Melton and Israel Idonije racking up sacks.

Take DeMarcus Ware out of the equation. He will continue to be one of the most dominant pass rushers in the NFL. The move from outside linebacker to defensive end will not be too much for him, but it has to be noted that he is coming off major shoulder surgery and has suffered some other nicks the last couple of seasons.

Anthony Spencer is a curious case. He had a career-high 11 sacks last year, but in his first five seasons he never had more than six in a season. One AFC personnel man believed Spencer’s sack boost came in part because he was moved around more than in the past. Bill Polian has said Spencer will be a great fit for this defense. If Spencer is consistently in the same spot opposite Ware, then does he go back to a six-sack player? And he is lighter than most strong-side defensive ends Kiffin and Marinelli have employed.

Jay Ratliff was a difference-maker at one point. He was a disruptive player, incredibly difficult to block and could get to the quarterback. Notice the past tense? Ratliff’s sack total has decreased in each of the last five years and he missed 10 games because of injuries last year. He turns 32 in August. Maybe he is the perfect fit to play the Sapp role here, but how much tread is left?

Jason Hatcher has never had more than 4.5 sacks in a season and he will be making a position switch. Are his numbers a product of the fact that 3-4 defensive ends just don’t have the opportunity to get after the quarterback? Perhaps. He turns 31 in July and is in the last year of his contract.

Tyrone Crawford did some nice things as a rookie but didn’t record a sack. Sean Lissemore had one sack but was slowed by an ankle injury. Kyle Wilber will move to defensive end from outside linebacker this year but has the look of a tweener. Then there’s Ben Bass, Robert Callaway and Ikponmowasa Igbinosun.

Kiffin and Marinelli apparently have told Jerry Jones & Co. that the defensive linemen on the roster will be just fine, given how the team went about the draft and has looked at free agency so far. Rob Ryan said the same thing to Jones about the talent on hand when he showed up two years ago; how did that work out?

IRVING, Texas – Over the years the Cowboys have excelled in landing undrafted free agents that make the 53-man roster, so it stands to reason a few of the 15 signings will make the club in 2013.

Last year, Cole Beasley, Ronald Leary and Ben Bass spent time on the active roster.

Here is the up-to-date list:

LB Brandon Magee, Arizona State
QB Dalton Williams, Akron
S Jakar Hamilton, South Carolina State
RB Kendial Lawrence, Missouri
CB Devin Smith, Wisconsin
CB Dustin Harris, Texas A&M
LB Cameron Lawrence, Mississippi State
WR Greg Herd, Eastern Washington
FB Paul Freedman, Virginia
LB Tank Reed, SMU
DB Jeff Heath, Saginaw Valley State
K Spencer Benton, Clemson
WR Eric Rogers, Cal Lutheran
CB Xavier Brewer, Clemson
LB Deon Lacey, West Alabama

Interesting to note the Cowboys did not sign an offensive lineman. Perhaps some could come in on a tryout basis for the May 10-12 rookie mini-camp. One tryout player, who is expected to sign is tight end B.J. Stewart from Cumberland.

ESPN's NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. predicts the Cowboys will select offensive and defensive linemen in the first three rounds.

It's not something I hear mentioned often, but the age of the Dallas defensive line has crept up. By the time the season starts, Jay Ratliff, Jason Hatcher and DeMarcus Ware will be 32, 31 and 31, respectively.

You have to be an ESPN Insider to get the complete three rounds for every NFL team. Kiper also has the Cowboys taking a guard and another defensive lineman in Rounds 2 and 3.

Kiper makes a valid point regarding the line. If the Cowboys draft North Carolina's Sylvester Williams, it could make Ratliff expendable. However, the team might keep Ratliff and create competition for what could be a young, deep defensive line.

Under the new 4-3 alignment, Anthony Spencer and Ware will move to defensive end, where they haven't played since college. The Cowboys also will move Hatcher to tackle, keeping double-teams off Ratliff.

Sean Lissemore, Tyrone Crawford, Rob Callaway and Ben Bass are young players who also will compete for playing time.

Fifth in a a 10-part series breaking down the Cowboys' free-agency needs, position-by-position:

Defensive ends

Who’s on the roster: DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer (franchise tag), Tyrone Crawford, Ben Bass.

Analysis: Ware and Spencer will be moving from outside linebacker to defensive end in Monte Kiffin’s new scheme, but they are not completely unfamiliar spots since they had their hands on the ground as pass rushers in the nickel defenses. The difference will be the play-to-play grind of lining up against tackles, which could wear them down. Crawford showed some promise as a rookie in the 3-4 and plays with an energy that should help him get to the quarterback. The Cowboys have some flexibility with the players on their roster. Jason Hatcher, Sean Lissemore, Crawford and Bass could play tackle and end if needed.

NFL free agents of interest: Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett, Osi Umenyiora, Dwight Freeney, Israel Idonije, Amobi Okoye.

Need meter: 7. In the 3-4 scheme, a defense can never have enough linebackers. In the 4-3 scheme, you can never have enough pass rushers. New defensive line coach Rod Marinelli worked with Idonije and Okoye in Chicago and might want to bring them to the Cowboys. Neither will be break-the-bank free agents, which makes them a better fit, and they have the ability to get to the passer. Idonije had 7.5 sacks last year for the Bears and also has some position flexibility. Umenyiora and Freeney are situational pass rushers at this point in their careers. If they understand that, then they could be a fit. However, the price tag could be too steep.

Fourth in a 10-part series breaking down the Cowboys' free-agency needs, position-by-position:

Defensive tackles

Who’s on the roster: Ben Bass, Josh Brent, Rob Callaway, Jason Hatcher, Ike Igbinosun, Brian Price, Jay Ratliff, Marcus Spears and Monte Taylor.

Analysis: Ratliff and Hatcher are the starters and there is a hope Ratliff will emerge as an impact player with the move from nose tackle to defensive tackle. There is some concern about Spears' role with the team. Is he a tackle in this scheme? What about Tyrone Crawford, who was drafted as a 3-4 defensive end. Does he move to tackle? Bass showed some signs in training camp he can play a little bit and will be given a chance to prove himself again. Callaway was called up late in the season and, like Bass, will get an opportunity to receive significant playing time.

NFL free agents of interest: Brian Schaefering, Chris Canty, Amobi Okoye.

Need meter: 4. Schaefering will return because he's a exclusive rights free agent. Canty is a former Cowboy who has played in a 4-3 scheme. Canty moved from end to tackle with the New York Giants. Okoye, 25, is a young talent who might be worth looking at. He could have an immediate impact. Of course, the draft will dictate what the Cowboys do in free agency. One thing new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said he wants is speed, speed and more speed. His scheme wants solid pass rushers up front who push the pocket. If you can't do that, don't expect to play for him.

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Tim Heitman/USA TODAY SportsBen Bass played in two games and made two tackles before landing on injured reserve with five games left in the season.

Ben Bass

Position: Defensive lineman

How acquired: Undrafted free agent, Texas A&M

What he did: No player was more of a surprise to stick with the Cowboys than Bass, a native of Plano, Texas, who had a middling career at Texas A&M. He was offered a tryout at the rookie minicamp and turned that into an invite to training camp. He played well in the preseason -- five tackles, one sack -- to earn a spot on the practice squad.

Because of injuries he was called up to the active roster on Nov. 14 and played in two games. He made two tackles but an ankle injury landed him on injured reserve with five games to play.

Where he fits in the future: He was a good fit for the Cowboys' 3-4 defensive scheme last season, but at 6-foot-5, 283 pounds he might be a better fit as the Cowboys make the move to the 4-3 under new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.

He possesses good natural strength and moves well for a bigger player. The best hope as the Cowboys go forward is that he can be a rotational player, but it might be asking too much to view him as a possible future starter. He has some versatility that will serve him well, but he will be a player who will face competition as the team looks to upgrade the defensive line.

Our five-part series on what went right and what went wrong for the Cowboys concludes with No. 1:

Throughout the season, Jason Garrett kept talking about the “next man up” philosophy used by the Cowboys and every team in the NFL in dealing with injuries.

The Cowboys took that to a ridiculous extent in 2012 with some of the “next men up” coming off the couch, or in Ernie Sims’ case, a tractor, to play important roles.

It started with safety Barry Church tearing his Achilles against Tampa Bay and then moved on to linebacker Sean Lee suffering a significant toe injury against Carolina. Center Phil Costa was lost in that game, as well, to a dislocated ankle. Punter Chris Jones suffered a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament. Defensive end Kenyon Coleman tore a triceps. Linebacker Bruce Carter broke his elbow. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick broke his wrist

Even backups like Ben Bass and Orie Lemon were lost for the season.

This doesn’t even count guys that were hurt but continued to play, such as DeMarcus Ware, Eric Frampton, Gerald Sensabaugh, Nate Livings, Felix Jones and the six games missed by DeMarco Murray. Jay Ratliff played in only six games because of ankle and groin injuries and needed sports hernia surgery in December.

Injuries are a reality in the NFL. Teams have to overcome them. The Cowboys couldn’t, and it was part of the reason – at the least – why Rob Ryan is no longer this team’s defensive coordinator.

The games lost to injury also showed how flawed the roster has been because of poor drafts in 2007-09 that robbed the team of depth.

To make room on the 53-man roster for cornerback Sterling Moore (SMU), the Cowboys placed defensive lineman Ben Bass (Texas A&M) on injured reserve. Bass suffered a sprained ankle in practice this week and was seen in a walking boot.

In limited playing time, Bass was credited with two tackles on the season. He spent most of the season on the practice squad until Kenyon Coleman was lost for the season with a torn triceps. Bass was called up to the active roster Nov. 14.

The Cowboys depth chart has gotten thin due to injuries along the defensive line this season. In addition to not having Coleman, nose tackle Jay Ratliff isn't expected to play in Sunday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, but the expected return of end Sean Lissemore should help.

The Cowboys have had issues at cornerback, too. Orlando Scandrick is out for a while he recovers from hand surgery. Signing Moore provides the team with some depth at that spot. Mike Jenkins missed two games with a back injury only to return for last week's game against Washington. Jenkins said he's healthy.

IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys have signed cornerback Sterling Moore off New England’s practice squad, according to the player’s Dallas-based agent, Jordan Woy, bringing the SMU-ex back to Dallas.

The Cowboys will have to make a roster move Saturday before officially adding Moore to the 53-man roster.

The Cowboys could place cornerback Orlando Scandrick or defensive end Ben Bass on injured reserve.
Scandrick had hand surgery last week and is expected to need 6-8 weeks to recover. Bass suffered a high ankle sprain in practice this week and was ruled out of Sunday’s game vs. Philadelphia.

Moore (5-foot-10, 200 pounds) spent parts of the last two seasons with the Patriots. He had 12 tackles, one pass deflection, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery before he was cut in October. He started three games last year as an undrafted rookie, making a key breakup in the final seconds of the AFC Championship.

The Cowboys will add a year to Moore’s deal, signing him through 2013.

The Cowboys need Moore because of injuries to Scandrick and safety Charlie Peprah, who is expected to need 2-3 weeks to recover from a foot injury, according to a source. Moore can play both positions.

IRVING, Texas – Jay Ratliff is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against Philadelphia and likely to miss his second straight game with a groin injury.

Ratliff, who was questionable for the Thanksgiving game vs. Washington and did not play, did not practice this week. He was running sprints off to the side during the portion of Friday’s practice that was open to the media. Josh Brent would start in Ratliff’s place and the Cowboys will welcome defensive lineman Sean Lissemore back to the lineup after a six-week absence because of a high ankle sprain.

“He is battling injuries,” defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said. “He has all season. Believe me, if there is any way Jay can play, he will. I don’t think that’s going to be the case.”

Wide receiver Miles Austin (hip), left tackle Tyron Smith (ankle), center Ryan Cook (knee) and running backs DeMarco Murray (foot) and Felix Jones (knee) are questionable after all failed to go through a full practice during the week.

Defensive ends Jason Hatcher (concussion) and Lissemore, safety Danny McCray (hip), fullback Lawrence Vickers (knee) and wide receiver Kevin Ogletree (concussion) are probable.

Defensive end Ben Bass (ankle), center Phil Costa (ankle) and cornerback Orlando Scandrick (hand) are out. While a source said safety Charlie Peprah will miss 2-3 weeks with a foot injury, the Cowboys have him listed as doubtful.

IRVING, Texas – For the first time since the middle of October, the Cowboys will have the choice of dressing all five running backs in a game now that it looks like DeMarco Murray will play Sunday against Philadelphia.

But can they afford it?

Maybe.

“We’ve had some different challenges throughout the year,” coach Jason Garrett said of setting the gameday roster. “It’s easier when guys are hurt and you can say, ‘OK, you can’t play,’ and you set the 46 accordingly. We’ll have a couple of decisions to make, but that’s been pretty much the case all year long.”

Charlie Peprah, Orlando Scandrick, Phil Costa and most likely Ben Bass will be out because of injuries. Jay Ratliff has not practiced in two weeks because of a groin injury but did some running on the side, so the guess is he could be available.

Who are the final three inactive players? Two of them should come on the offensive line in David Arkin and/or Derrick Dockery and Kevin Kowalski, now that it looks like Ryan Cook will play.

The fifth spot could come down to a running back and wide receiver Anthony Armstrong. Felix Jones is banged up but he’s practiced, so he’ll be good to go. Lance Dunbar and Phillip Tanner are key special teamers. Armstrong has been with the team for less than a week, so he would appear to be the odd man out.

IRVING, Texas -- Starting running back DeMarco Murray and backup Felix Jones were limited in practice Thursday, according to the Cowboys injury report.

Jones missed practice Wednesday with a knee problem but returned in a limited fashion Thursday. Murray has missed the last six games with a sprained foot.

Coach Jason Garrett hasn't said if either player will play Sunday night against Philadelphia, but it's expected one of them, if not both, will.

Wide receiver Miles Austin (hip), center Ryan Cook (knee), defensive end Sean Lissemore (ankle) and left tackle Tyron Smith (ankle) were limited in Thursday's practice.

Offensive line coach Bill Callahan said he is optimistic Cook and Smith will play Sunday.

Austin has battled hamstring problems this season, and he suffered a hip injury in the Thanksgiving Day game against Washington.

"I think it’s not easy to go 16 games without being banged up," quarterback Tony Romo said. "I can promise you there’s a lot of guys who have played through a lot of stuff. And Miles is, having hurt himself last week. He’s got to play through a little bit of pain, and that’s part of his greatness, is his ability to come out and still play at a good level. I’m excited. Hopefully he’ll be able to play this week."

Safety Charlie Peprah was a new addition to the injury report with a foot injury. He did not practice.

Also, defensive lineman Ben Bass (left ankle sprain), center Phil Costa (ankle), nose tackle Jay Ratliff (groin) and cornerback Orlando Scandrick (hand and wrist) did not practice.

It might take six-to-eight weeks for Scandrick's hand to fully heal, but he could return sooner, though he isn't scheduled to see a doctor until next week to determine when he can play again.

Defensive end Jason Hatcher (concussion), safety Danny McCray (hip), wide receiver Kevin Ogletree (concussion) and fullback Lawrence Vickers (knee) were full participants in practice.

IRVING, Texas -- Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick said he'll be out 6-8 weeks after having surgery on his left hand.

Scandrick also said he's got a bone bruise and sprained ligaments in his wrist. With five weeks remaining in the regular season, the Cowboys elected not to place Scandrick on injured reserve in the hope he could return for any potential postseason games.

"I just want to come back and help my team anyway that I can," Scandrick said Wednesday.

Also, center Ryan Cook (knee) and defensive end Sean Lissemore (ankle) returned to practice. Both said they should be ready to play in Sunday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

"The trainers have placed me in precautionary measures," Cook said. "It felt good and I'm encouraged. Barring any setbacks, we're on (for Sunday)."

The Cowboys added another player to the injury list when defensive end Ben Bass sprained an ankle in Wednesday's practice. He underwent an X-ray and his status for the rest of the week hasn't been determined.

IRVING - A look at the snaps played by Cowboys’ defenders in the team’s 23-20 overtime win over the Cleveland Browns, while analyzing what it means:

S Gerald Sensabaugh: 70 of 70
ILB Bruce Carter: 70 of 70
CB Brandon Carr: 69 of 70
OLB Anthony Spencer: 69 of 70
CB Morris Claiborne: 68 of 70
OLB DeMarcus Ware: 62 of 70
DE Jason Hatcher: 51 of 70
NT Jay Ratliff: 49 of 70
S Danny McCray: 41 of 70
CB Orlando Scandrick: 29 of 70
DE Marcus Spears: 26 of 70
S Charlie Peprah: 25 of 70
ILB Ernie Sims: 23 of 70
NT Josh Brent-Price: 19 of 70
DE Tyrone Crawford: 17 of 70
S Eric Frampton: 17 of 70
ILB Alex Albright: 11 of 70
OLB Victor Butler: 9 of 70
DE Ben Bass 9 of 70
CB Vince Agnew: 2 of 70

Taylor's Takes: Bruce Carter has not missed any of the 337 defensive snaps from scrimmage since Sean Lee was lost for the season with a toe injury, one indication of just how important he’s become to the defense. ... Coordinator Rob Ryan used former No.1 pick Marcus Spears and rookie free agent Ben Bass to replace run-stopping defensive end Kenyon Coleman, who’s out for the season with a torn triceps. Spears and Bass combined for 25 plays, which is just about what Coleman averaged this season as a first- and second-down player. ... Inside linebacker Dan Connor returned after missing the past two games with a shoulder injury and split playing time with Ernie Sims. Alex Albright has gotten playing time in three straight games for the first time this season.

IRVING, Texas – If Ben Bass did not live in Plano, Texas, it’s doubtful he would have received an invite to the Cowboys’ rookie minicamp following the draft.

Now he is on the active roster.

The Cowboys called up Bass from the practice squad Wednesday and placed Kenyon Coleman on injured reserve with a torn triceps.

“I really didn’t know how the entire process worked, as far as being called as (an undrafted) free agent,” Bass said. “I thought you’d get called immediately after the draft. I didn’t know anything about getting called on Monday, so that Monday I was actually getting prepared to make a resumé and get out into the real world and work a 9-to-5 and all that other stuff.”

At 6-foot-5, 283 pounds, Bass had the look of an NFL player, but he did not excel at Texas A&M. He started one game as a senior with two sacks. As a junior he had seven tackles and a sack in 13 games.

But that height and weight earned a call from the Cowboys. He turned an invite to the rookie camp into a contract and training camp invite. He continued to show promise that led the team to keep him on the practice squad after the final cuts.

“Great example of guy, came in presented with an opportunity,” coach Jason Garrett said. “You try to draft guys as well as you can draft them, then you sign guys as well as you can sign them after and you think you know more about some than the other guys. We liked him, but from Day 1 he came in and showed us be belonged here in some way, shape or form.

"He really took advantage of the opportunities. He learned. He grew before our eyes and just made a lot of plays both defending the run and also rushing the passer. He’s the guy, kind of came from nowhere, certainly from obscurity and showed us he deserved to be on this football team.”

Bass admitted he tried to act calm and cool when the Cowboys told him of the promotion, but he was excited on the inside.

With Coleman out and Sean Lissemore likely out with a high ankle sprain, the Cowboys need Bass to do more than just occupy a roster spot.

“I’m coming up to play, like take a legit amount of snaps because we’re down a couple of people,” Bass said.