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The most interesting Dallas Cowboys news of the past week had nothing to do with whom they picked or didn't pick in the NFL draft. It was Jerry Jones' post-draft revelation about the increased level of responsibility quarterback Tony Romo now carries. Just a few weeks after signing Romo to a seven-year, $119.5 million contract, Jones said Saturday that Romo would have more input in offensive game-planning throughout the week and play calling in games. That Romo would be spending "Peyton Manning-type time on the job."

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ESPN Dallas' Jean-Jacques Taylor weighs in on Jerry Jones' remarks regarding Tony Romo's work ethic, Romo's commitment to being the Cowboys' QB and more. Listen

“Tony is more involved in the finished product,” Jones said. “He is more involved, unequivocally. I’m counting that in. That ought to produce some success. It will produce some success. I’m talking about the kind of plays we run, a lot of what we do offensively."

They're not messing around, either. Romo was called in before the draft to review and offer input on some of the players the Cowboys were considering, and the team used its first three draft picks on offensive players to provide support and expanded options for its franchise quarterback.

There are plenty of reasons this makes sense. Romo is an X's and O's nerd whose contribution to the offensive game planning and play calling is likely to be of value. And even if Dallas doesn't end up running the plays he prefers every time, his increased level of investment in the process is likely to help things go more smoothly for him and coach Jason Garrett on game days. This idea is not, on its face, a bad idea.

But it's worth examining what this means for the franchise in the big picture. The Cowboys are now, for better or for worse, all-in on Romo to an unprecedented and precarious extent. Signing him long-term and increasing the power he wields within the building means that Romo, now more than ever, controls the Cowboys' fate for the foreseeable future. The number of things riding on his ability to elevate the team to playoff-caliber and championship-caliber levels has increased dramatically.

Take Garrett, for example. Whether Garrett succeeds as a legitimate NFL head coach rests more than ever on Romo. If Romo isn't up to this new task and the Cowboys flop in 2013, Garrett's job status becomes more tenuous than ever. Maybe Jones doesn't fire him, because he's stubborn and has strong personal feelings for Garrett. But another disappointing year in Dallas would be grist for the theory that Jones is the only one who thinks Garrett has a future as a great NFL coach.

And there's Jones himself, who burst onto the Cowboys' ownership scene way back when as a winner of Super Bowls but has, over the past decade and a half, become the butt of fans' angry jokes and a target of their derision. The extent to which Romo succeeds as Cowboys quarterback is likely to determine whether Jones goes down in Cowboys fans' memory as a perpetually distracted, franchise-wrecking buffoon or whether he can pull a George Steinbrenner-type late-career reputation renaissance.

Romo's success or failure in his expanded role could affect the Hall of Fame chances of DeMarcus Ware. It could determine the career path of Dez Bryant. It will decide the way history views an entire era of Cowboys history -- either paving over the painful memories of flops against the Seahawks and Giants and Vikings and Redskins or allowing them to define a decade's worth of teammates, coaches and anyone else connected with Valley Ranch.

We knew when they signed him to the extension that the Cowboys believed in Romo as their franchise quarterback. He's shown potential for greatness, and their investment in him is their way of saying they believe his ability can and will override his history of falling short in the biggest games. What we didn't know until this past weekend was the unprecedented extent to which the Cowboys were tying their success to Romo as a leader and a football mind.

Given the extent of the financial investment, the importance of the quarterback position in today's game and Romo's own eagerness to participate at this level, it's not a bad move. Offensive play calling has been a problem for the Cowboys, and if you're looking to improve it, why not involve the guy who's got to carry out the plays that are called?

If it works, they'll all be hailed as geniuses during some upcoming Super Bowl week in New Jersey or Arizona or New Orleans or wherever. But in the end, it's still going to come down to the way Romo plays. He and the Cowboys can do all of the improved, streamlined game planning they want to do, but if Romo keeps throwing bad interceptions at the worst possible moments in the biggest games ... well, at this point he's taking everybody down with him.

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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Did Jerry Jones call out Tony Romo? Fitzsimmons & Durrett react to exclusive audio of Jones talking about the quarterback's increased role, who will be calling plays for the Cowboys and the Peyton Manning-like time he anticipates Romo putting in. Listen

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 – The keeper of all things salary cap when it comes to the Cowboys, executive vice president Stephen Jones understands the importance of the team hitting on draft picks.

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Nate Newton joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss the Cowboys and the upcoming NFL draft. Listen

The NFL docked the Cowboys $10 million of cap space the last two years and the team added to the cap figures of veterans like Miles Austin, Jason Witten, DeMarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff with restructured deals this offseason. They also signed quarterback Tony Romo to an extension worth $118 million.

With the cap not expected to go up greatly over the next few years, finding a middle class in the draft is a must.

“You can’t continue to go to the well and pay the veteran players the $1 million, the $800,000, the $1.2 million,” Jones said. “We’ve got to do a better job going forward of taking your lumps early, but developing these guys and putting them in your lineup, those $300,000 and $400,000 and $500,000 guys. I think that is the big difference compared to where it was three, four, five years ago when you could get the veteran guys.

"I think obviously, when we start the season, that veteran guy is probably a little more ready to play than the young guy coming out of college. It’s a big jump. But with the cap where it is today, that’s one of the things you’re going to have to focus on is plugging these young guys in regardless of if they’re a third-round pick, a fourth-round pick. We had some injury issues last year that didn’t allow us to do that, but I certainly expect those guys to come along as well as the young guys we’ll pick in the third and fourth and fifth round this year.”

GRAPEVINE, Texas -- Several current and former Dallas Cowboys players gathered Sunday night at the Gaylord Texas to support the Taste of the NFL: The Ultimate Cowboys Tailgate Party.

But this wasn't any normal party. Proceeds from the event went to the North Texas Food Bank. The Cowboys have raised more than $1 million and more than four million meals for needy families in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

The event was hosted by DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher.

"This means a lot," Hatcher said. "I've heard about this event in the eight years since I’ve been in the league. It’s one of those things I can relate to. I was one of those kids who would leave school in the summer and say, 'Man, I can’t get two meals.' That’s why I’m here today. I’ll put any time and effort I got into a situation like this I can relate to."

Among the current and former Cowboys in attendance: Nate Livings, Caleb McSurdy, Brandon Carr, Rob Callaway, Tony Casillas, Nate Newton, Preston Pearson and Daryl Johnston.

Cowboys defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, defensive line coach Rod Marinelli and secondary coach Jerome Henderson also supported the event.

GRAPEVINE, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Ware said his surgically repaired right shoulder is almost fully healed to the point where he has full range of motion and is lifting weights.

Ware is participating in some portions of the Cowboys' voluntary offseason program and hopes to do more when the team's organized team activities begin in May.

"It feels really good right now," Ware said Sunday night at the annual Taste of the NFL: The Ultimate Cowboys Tailgate Party from the Gaylord Texan. "But I hadn’t had any impact yet. That’s the whole deal of how much impact can you take? You don’t want to take it too early and have a setback."

Ware played with one arm for the last month of the season. He hyperextended his right elbow in early December and dealt with a torn posterior labrum late in the season. Ware needed an elbow and a shoulder brace for the final month of the season, and if the Cowboys' regular season finale didn't mean anything against the Washington Redskins he most likely wouldn't have played.

There was a possibility Ware might also need elbow surgery, but rest allowed that injury to heal.

"If you’re playing out there with a cast on, an elbow brace and shoulder brace on and you have one arm and you’re going against a guy who’s 350 pounds, it’s a little bit different," he said. "But I feel like if you get out there and give it all you got and what you got, some people would have been sitting on the sideline, and I wasn’t. So it’s getting out there and doing what you can do to help the team."

This is our last weekend mailbag before the NFL draft kicks off next Thursday.

Let's get to it.

PODCAST
Ian Fitzsimmons and Richard Durrett examine the recently-released NFL schedule and agree that the Cowboys don't have any reason to complain. Listen

Q: I know we need offensive line help, but what about at tight end? Jason Witten is getting a little long in the tooth even though he still plays at a high level, I just think we should start looking at the future at this position, what are your thoughts on this? Bobby Henry (Lemoore, Calif).

A: Replace Jason Witten? Really!?!?!? I don't see a decline in play from Witten. Last year he struggled at the start and that was due to his recovery from a lacerated spleen. When the season ended, Witten led the team in catches (110) tied for first downs earned (54) and had 1,039 receiving yards. If you want to pick on Witten about anything, maybe his blocking. The Cowboys could use a blocking tight end in this draft, if one is available. The team has six picks and unless they make a trade to get an extra second or third rounder I'm not sure using a draft pick on a tight end is worth it.

Q: Is Stephen Jones the worst contract negotiator in the League? Howard Stevens (Allentown, Pa.)

A: I understand the question. You could question the deals given to Miles Austin, Doug Free, Tony Romo and the renegotiated deal of Jay Ratliff, but Sean Lissemore, Barry Church and at that time Gerald Sensabaugh, signed team-friendly contracts. The Cowboys' $50.1 million deal with cornerback Brandon Carr last offseason was the going-rate for a cornerback in free agency at that time. The next three big contracts: Sean Lee, Bruce Carter and Dez Bryant, will be worth looking at for the future. Lee enters the final year of his deal and the Cowboys saw what the Green Bay Packers signed linebacker Clay Matthews for at $65 million for five seasons. Carter and Bryant are a year away from new deals.

Q: What do you think of picking up Collin Klein from Kansas State as our project quarterback getting drafted in the middle rounds? John (Chandler, Ariz.)

A: I have no problem with drafting a quarterback in the middle rounds, especially Klein. The issue for me and with most people who follow the team on a daily basis is: With so many holes is drafting a quarterback worth it? I would say yes because the shelf life of Tony Romo is three years, based on the structure of his contract from a financial standpoint. So, why not get a quarterback? Kyle Orton is a solid backup but at some point in the next year or so you want a younger player at that position.

Q: Are there any salary cap implications around the potential Doug Free paycut? Would the Cowboys carry over less dead money into 2014 if Free agrees to a restructured deal rather than getting released outright? Martin (Washington, D.C.)

A: If the Cowboys make Free a post June 1 cut, the team saves $7 million in 2013, but it won't get the savings, as is the case with the $2 million for Marcus Spears' release, until June. Cutting Free carries $7 million in dead money for 2014. Now the Cowboys won't have any more salary cap restrictions, they lost $5 million this year because they violated an unwritten NFL rule regarding contracts in the uncapped year, so they might be in good shape going forward in regards to cap space.

Q: I watch every game. FYI DeMarcus Ware disappears late in games. He gets three out of every 10 sacks in the fourth quarter. I personally watched him pass up a forced fumble on a QB to get a sack. He needs to shut his mouth about Romo. As Sapp said, "he couldn't lead ants to a picnic in his own back yard." John Ward (Hampton, Va.)

A: John, it's clear you don't like Ware. Last season, a season where he played with numerous injuries, including with one arm in the final two weeks of the season, he picked up four fourth-quarter sacks, tied for ninth in the NFL. Ware also finished with 11.5 sacks. He's an elite player and his toughness shouldn't be questioned. I'm surprised you're ripping Ware. I don't think Ware was taking about Romo when he said put up or shutup. His statement was about the entire team needing to put up or shutup. Not Romo.

The Dallas Cowboys will have four games in prime time, including a Dec. 9 contest on ESPN against the Chicago Bears.

With the 2013 schedule now released, we look at five key games for the Cowboys:

Sept. 8 vs. New York Giants: The Giants have never lost at Cowboys Stadium. Never. Ever. Never. Ever. Could that change in the season opener? It's the Cowboys' first Week 1 game at home since 2007. In that contest, the Cowboys beat the New York Giants, 45-35. For New York, beating the Cowboys in Week 1 would be revenge after losing in Week 1 in 2012 to the Cowboys, the night the Giants received their Super Bowl rings. Getting off to a strong start is important for the Cowboys, given their struggles at the end of the season.

Oct. 6 vs. Denver: The Cowboys have beaten Peyton Manning the last two times they've faced him, but that was when he played for the Colts. This time, Manning brings the Denver Broncos to town with a new weapon in wide receiver Wes Welker. With a rather easy September schedule gone, facing the Broncos will be a good early-season test for the Cowboys' secondary and pass rush. Manning is one of the best at getting rid of the ball quickly, so defensive ends DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer will need to pressure the pocket.

PODCAST
Ian Fitzsimmons and Richard Durrett examine the recently-released NFL schedule and agree that the Cowboys don't have any reason to complain. Listen

Oct. 13 vs. Washington: It doesn't matter when these NFC East rivals meet, it's a special contest. Add Robert Griffin III to the equation and you might have an early-season letdown by the Cowboys. It's these games early on that have hurt the Cowboys in the past, whether it's Jason Garrett messing up clock management or Tony Romo committing major turnovers. The Cowboys have to win games like this. It's uncertain how Griffin will play given the type of knee injury he sustained, but the Cowboys have to contain him to win.

Nov. 10 at New Orleans: The Saints are angry. They lost their head coach and one of their best defensive players to Bountygate. Sean Payton has returned and, while he's been humbled by the year-long suspension, believe he wants to beat the Cowboys. The Saints knocked off the Cowboys last year when the game didn't mean anything to them. Guess what happens this year? Romo is an excellent quarterback in November, posting a 21-4 mark, and if the Cowboys start their annual playoff run, it starts here in the Superdome.

Dec. 29 vs. Philadelphia: The regular-season finale has been dreadful for the Cowboys the last two seasons. Losses in the last two finales have cost the Cowboys playoff berths. Will this game mean the same thing? Will it get flexed to a Sunday night game? If the Cowboys want to reach the postseason, beating Chip Kelly's Eagles at this stage of the year could mean everything. Yes, again.

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.

To help preview who might be on the Dallas Cowboys’ board for the NFL draft, ESPNDallas.com has identified five players at five key positions that we’d like to learn more about. Along those lines, we’ve asked former Cowboys assistant coach Glenn “Stretch” Smith – the official scout of Galloway & Company – to study tape of each player and give his thoughts.

No. 1 defensive lineman: Datone Jones

Position: Defensive end

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 283 pounds

School: UCLA

Why he’s on the radar: He looks the part in the way a Julius Peppers looks the part. He turned it on for his senior season, especially later in the year. He finished with 6.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss and was one of the most impressive players in the Senior Bowl workouts, as well. He would fit more with the Cowboys in DeMarcus Ware's spot, but showed at UCLA he can play all over the line.

Projection: Late first round, second round

Stretch Truths: Will show an explosive initial step off the ball. … Has some pass rush moves and will punch and separate to get off blocks. … Effort guy but does not have quick turnover to pursue sideline to sideline. … Not sure where to play this kid. … A little light to play as a tackle and not fast enough to play at end.

IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys’ move to the 4-3 scheme under new coordinator Monte Kiffin has altered what kind of linebackers the Cowboys are looking at entering the draft.

From 2005 to 2012, the Cowboys drafted 12 linebackers, excluding Stephen Hodge on 2009. The average height and weight was 6-2½, 247 pounds.

To move to the 3-4, the Cowboys needed bigger linebackers to withstand more direct play with offensive lineman. Most of them were defensive ends in college. The biggest was DeMarcus Ware (255 pounds, 2005). Ware and Kyle Wilber were the tallest (6-foot-4). The shortest was Jason Williams (6-foot-1, 2009) and the lightest was Bruce Carter (240, 2011).

The scheme switch this year has the Cowboys looking at smaller linebackers like they had for years in guys like Dexter Coakley and Dat Nguyen.

So far there are nine known linebackers that have caught the Cowboys' eye in the draft process either through top-30 visits, Dallas Day tryouts or private workouts: Brandon Magee, Sio Moore, Gerald Hodges, Taylor Reed, Ja’Gared Davis, R.J. Young, Alex Elkins, Jarvis Wilson and Sean Porter.

The average height amd weight: 6-0½, 237 pounds.

Kiffin’s scheme is built on speed at every level. Linebackers have to be able to run. Moore is the heaviest at 245 pounds, but is just 6-foot-1. Magee is the lightest at 223 pounds and at 5-foot-11 is the shortest, along with Reed and Young.

Undoubtedly the Cowboys have looked at more linebackers, but that sample size should give you the prototype at linebacker.

The Cowboys started voluntary offseason workouts Monday at Valley Ranch.

Most players worked out prior to Monday or were rehabbing injuries.

Here's a primer:

Who runs the program? Mike Woicik, the Cowboys' strength and conditioning coach, has a program in place for every player that includes lifting, running and even eating (if necessary). Woicik, who has won Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys, monitors every player's weight. There were numerous injuries last season -- including to safety Matt Johnson, who missed the entire season -- and you could blame training, bad luck or the players themselves. Miles Austin battled hamstring injuries, but you can't blame Woicik. Coach Jason Garrett said sometimes Austin needs to be protected from himself and must communicate with the strength and conditioning staff how his leg feels.

The media: We're not allowed at Valley Ranch today, so please don't ask how the workouts are going because reporters are banned from the facility. The next time reporters will be allowed at Valley Ranch is for the predraft news conference with owner/general manager Jerry Jones.

The injured: Among the players who were injured last season and will begin workouts: Chris Jones (knee), Orlando Scandrick (hand), Barry Church (Achilles), Sean Lee (toe), Bruce Carter (elbow), Caleb McSurdy (Achilles), Orie Lemon (hamstring), Dez Bryant (finger), Phil Costa (ankle), Ben Bass (ankle), Donavon Kemp (knee) and DeMarcus Ware (shoulder).

What does voluntary mean? Players technically aren't required to show up and participate in the offseason program. Mike Jenkins didn't arrive at Valley Ranch during the voluntary period last season as he recovered from shoulder surgery. Jenkins was irked by the Cowboys' offseason moves to sign cornerback Brandon Carr and draft Morris Claiborne. Jenkins eventually showed up for mandatory workouts so he wouldn't get fined. Austin also failed to show up at voluntary workouts a few years ago after he was franchised by the team. When several teammates -- including quarterback Tony Romo -- noted Austin's absence, the receiver showed up.

Who gets paid? Some NFL players have financial incentive to participate in voluntary offseason programs. Some of the Cowboys who get workout bonuses: Ware ($500,000), Bryant ($250,000), Jermey Parnell ($100,000), Carter ($50,000), DeMarco Murray ($25,000), Tyrone Crawford ($10,000), David Arkin ($20,000) and Dwayne Harris ($10,000). And then there are those who would be docked pay for failing to complete the program: Mackenzy Bernadeau ($250,000), Jason Hatcher ($250,000) and Lawrence Vickers ($100,000).

Mandatory workouts: The Cowboys' first mandatory minicamp is scheduled for June 11-13.

We got our weekend mailbag ready to go.

Q: Mr. Watkins, please give me a response to this mock draft: Say safety is a priority to this team and I'm 100 percent with you on that one. It frustrates the heck out of me when I see mock drafts saying we're going to pick a guard or a defensive tackle. We have three great defensive tackles with Jay Ratliff, Jason Hatcher and Sean Lissemore. There is no need to waste your first round pick on something you already got. Whatever happen to our young guys with David arkin and Kevin Kowalski? I'm pretty sure they can step up this offseason and pick up a starting role coming into Week 1 of the 2013 Dallas Cowboys season. So here is my mock draft: First round, safety Kenny Vaccaro, Second round, Alabama guard/center Barrett Jones, third-round defensive end Alex Okafor, fourth round, Ryan Swope, fifth round, Zach Line and sixth round Josh Boyd, the defensive tackle from Mississippi State. Benigno Layton (Elsa, Texas)

A: I like your first-round pick in Vacarro, if he's there at No. 18. Jones is a solid second-round choice. If you pick Jones in the second round, I doubt if Okafor will be there in round three. Not a big fan of Swope or Line in the middle rounds. I'm assuming you like them because of their ties to the state of Texas. Cowboys already have a good slot receiver on the roster, Cole Beasley and Lawrence Vickers is a good fullback, who enters the final year of his contract. I do like Boyd in the sixth because there's nothing wrong with getting depth along the defensive line.

Q: Do you think that Courtney Greene the free agent would be a good fit for the Cowboys seeing how every year they have secondary problems? Kenneth J. Schena (New Rochelle, N.Y.)

A: Considering that Greene is from New Rochelle, I can understand why you would ask this question. Greene has two problems going for him: 1. Didn't play football last year. 2. Only one interception and one forced fumble in three NFL seasons. Cowboys defensive coaches want players who force turnovers. Greene worked out for the New England Patriots late last season and didn't get signed. He's still young, 26, but I don't believe he's a good fit for the Cowboys at this time.

Q: You can blame several people for the lack of recent playoff appearances by the Cowboys, but DeMarcus Ware stopped short of blaming quarterback Tony Romo, who just signed the richest contract in franchise history. Ware needs to shut up his comment about Romo's contract and it's time to put up. Well, it's actually time for Ware to put up. He has disappeared in big games. Doug (Cleveland)

A: Ware wasn't blaming Romo for anything, he was saying the entire team needs to put up or shut up. He's right. He's probably a little frustrated by the lack of playoff success from the Cowboys. Ware is a big-time player, especially late in games. Ware has a right to say what he wants because he's considered an elite player at his position, and Romo is not.

IRVING, Texas – First-round picks have to be the cornerstones of NFL rosters. The majority have to be more than one-contract players. If not, it generally means they didn't live up to expectations.

PODCAST
ESPN Insider Ed Werder joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss the Cowboys, the NFL draft and much more. Listen

With 2008 first-rounder Mike Jenkins gone off to Oakland and Felix Jones all but gone to anywhere else but here, the Cowboys have not extended the contract of one of their first-round picks before it expired since DeMarcus Ware, one of their two first-round picks in 2005.

Through a quirk in the system, Marcus Spears (2005) was a restricted free agent in 2010 and was kept for a year, but only because the price was right and cheaper than the guys who backed him up. He ultimately re-signed after the 2011 lockout ended and was cut this offseason after the second year of the current deal. Bobby Carpenter (2006) was traded to St. Louis in the final year of his deal.

The 2007 pick, Anthony Spencer, is on the team, but his deal expired after 2011 and the Cowboys have kept him with the franchise tag the last two years. In 2012 they did it because they weren’t sure how much they loved him. They did it this offseason because they didn’t feel like they could lose him. It is possible Spencer could sign a new deal this offseason, but there doesn’t seem to be any rush on that done.

The Cowboys had six first-round picks from 2005-08 and have extended one before that player’s deal expired. How does that compare with the rest of the NFC East?

The New York Giants had three and extended one (Mathias Kiwanuka, 2006) and let two walk (Aaron Ross, Kenny Phillips). Philadelphia had two and extended one (Mike Patterson, 2005), but that was in the second year of his deal and he didn’t become a dominant player. Brodrick Bunkley (2006) was traded by the Eagles before his deal was up. Washington had two and kept Carlos Rogers (2005) for a year the same way the Cowboys kept Spears, but then he signed with San Francisco in 2012. LaRon Landry (2007) walked after his rookie deal was up with the Redskins.

For the Cowboys, the next first-rounder to come due will be Dez Bryant, their top pick in 2010, whose contract is up after the 2014 season. Will Bryant cash in on a big deal before his contract expires?

Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Ware, minus the arm brace he used at the Super Bowl to help in the healing of a shoulder surgery, was a guest on NBC Sports Network on Friday.

PODCAST
ESPN Insider Ed Werder joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss Tony Romo's contract extension and what needs to happen for Romo to lead the Cowboys to a championship. Listen

Ware said he tried to recruit then-free agent defensive end Osi Umenyiora to sign with the Cowboys, Umenyiora ended up with the Atlanta Falcons, praised the work of former defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, now with the New Orleans Saints, and more importantly said the Cowboys will be better.

"We will not be .500," Ware said. "We will not be .500 like the last two years we’ve been, I can tell you that."

The Cowboys finished the last two seasons at 8-8 and have missed the postseason for three consecutive seasons. Like most veterans on the Cowboys, Ware is tired of being sick and tired of not making the playoffs.

You can blame several people for the lack of recent playoff appearances by the Cowboys, but Ware stopped short of blaming quarterback Tony Romo, who just signed the richest contract in franchise history.

"I think the blame goes on everybody," Ware said. "It's a team sport and everybody has to play up to their potential."

Injuries are part of the NFL. But in 2012 the Cowboys dealt with severe injuries to the defense that caused them to mix and match for the bulk of the season.

Moving forward we look at five players who need to remain healthy for the entire season to ensure success in 2013.

PODCAST
ESPN Insider Ed Werder joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss Tony Romo's contract extension and what needs to happen for Romo to lead the Cowboys to a championship. Listen

1. DeMarcus Ware. His talent and desire is unquestioned. But last year health was an issue. He played the last few weeks of the season with one arm and underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason that's going to keep him out of the bulk of the offseason programs. Ware also had elbow problems that forced him to wear a brace. He's moving from outside linebacker to defensive end and is going to need the practice reps in training camp to familiarize himself with the switch. The Cowboys need a healthy Ware to get the new 4-3 scheme moving.

2. Jay Ratliff. Ratliff played just six games before finally undergoing sports hernia surgery late in the season. It was a combustible offseason for Ratliff, whose roster status was questioned because of his DWI arrest. His place with the team is secure, but he needs to stay on the field. With the move to a 4-3, defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin needs Ratliff to become that defensive tackle who can pressure the quarterback on three downs. Ratliff's production has slipped the last few years and a position switch might give him new life.

3. DeMarco Murray. Durability was a concern when he came out of Oklahoma and it's still an issue as a professional. Murray missed six games with a foot injury and the running game suffered in his absence. The Cowboys' front office has talked about finding a suitable backup in the draft, but are there underlining themes here about finding his replacement. Murray is a solid running back, but will his health raise issues about his long-term future?

4. Barry Church. He played just three games before tearing his Achilles tendon. Church won the safety position in training camp last season and the Cowboys like his cover and tackling skills. However, there is some concern about how he'll play once he returns from the injury. Church is on target to practice with the rest of the team in the offseason workouts, but once the games start will he be effective?

5. Sean Lee. Lee plays hurt, but that's the problem. He plays hurt and he misses games. He's yet to play a full 16 games and the Cowboys need him to become the leader of the linebackers as they move to a 4-3. The same can be said of Bruce Carter, who also missed games because of injuries last season, but Lee is one of the leading tacklers and his presence on the field is important.