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IRVING, Texas -- Mike Jenkins has done nothing wrong this offseason.

It is well within his right to do his rehab work from major shoulder surgery mostly in Florida. The Cowboys’ offseason conditioning program is voluntary even if there is a wink-wink involved.

But it doesn’t mean Jenkins is in the right either.

Is Jenkins, who was the Cowboys’ best cornerback last season -- and that is not meant as faint praise -- upset that he does not have a new contract? Is he upset the team signed Brandon Carr to a $50 million deal and Orlando Scandrick to a $27 million deal before he could cash in? Is he upset the Cowboys traded up to get Morris Claiborne in the first round in the draft?

Maybe it’s yes to all three, but staying home is not the right answer.

Let’s offer up Ken Hamlin and Marion Barber as lessons why.

In 2008, Hamlin did not take part in the offseason program, organized team activities and mini-camp after the team put the franchise tag on him. That same offseason the Cowboys tended Barber as a restricted free agent with the highest compensation possible -- a first and third rounder -- and he missed about two months of the offseason program.

Eventually Hamlin and Barber got paid. The Cowboys signed Hamlin to a six-year, $39 million deal in July 2008. Barber signed a seven-year, $45 million deal in May.

But neither guy was the same player.

Hamlin was cut after the 2009 season. Barber lost the tread on his tire and was cut after the 2010 season. He retired this offseason after one year in Chicago.

Maybe this is just anecdotal evidence about the importance of the offseason program, but you’re hearing a lot of guys talk now about how much better this spring has been than last spring when there was a lockout in effect.

If it’s all about money, then, hey, those guys got their money. Is it a coincidence that Barber’s agent then is Jenkins’ agent now, Drew Rosenhaus?

Trading Jenkins is/was not easy. Why would a team trade for a guy who is coming off major shoulder surgery? Why would a team trade for a guy with one year left on his deal? Why would the Cowboys want to give up on a young cornerback even if they have stockpiled the spot this offseason?

On Wednesday owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he has visions of a long-term plan for Jenkins. Maybe he does or maybe he’s just saying he does. The Cowboys will have significant money tied up in Carr, Scandrick and Claiborne. Can they really afford a fourth cornerback?

Yes, if he plays as well as Jenkins played last year and in 2009.

Jenkins' best attribute as a corner is his willingness to compete at the line of scrimmage and for the ball in the air. Yes, I know people now are talking about two failed tackles he had as a rookie and 2010, but if he didn’t answer any toughness questions for you last year by playing with that shoulder injury then shame on you.

Jenkins can show the Cowboys they have to keep him. He can show other teams he’s healthy and worth the money in 2013.

He can’t show them that from Florida.

IRVING, Texas – The second week of the Cowboys’ offseason conditioning program begins Monday and outside linebacker Anthony Spencer is still weighing whether he will attend.

Spencer and his new agent, Jordan Woy, met with the team late last week and “went over several proposals.” The Cowboys are scheduled to pay Spencer $8.8 million as the franchise player in 2012, and, according to a source, have not made any multi-year offers.

Woy said Spencer would not take part in the conditioning program until he signs the tender and a decision would be made early this week.

Until Spencer signs the franchise tender, the Cowboys have the right to rescind the tag. It is possible they could trade Spencer before or during the upcoming draft.

In 2008, safety Ken Hamlin did not take part in the offseason program in addition to skipping the organized team activities and minicamp as the Cowboys’ franchise player before signing a six-year extension. Hamlin was released after the 2009 season.

Four years later, the Cowboys have nothing to show for all the cash they threw around during 2008.

Jerry Jones went on a re-signing spree that offseason, making major commitments to receiver Terrell Owens, running back Marion Barber, left tackle Flozell Adams, safety Ken Hamlin and cornerback Terence Newman. He gave receiver Roy Williams a rich extension after trading for him later that season.

The Cowboys cut ties with the last of those guys Tuesday, releasing Newman in a move that was about as surprising as opponents picking on him while the Cowboys lost four of their last five games.

Half of the Cowboys who cashed huge signing bonus checks from the Cowboys in ’08 weren’t even in the league last season. Barber and Williams were role players for the Bears, and Newman struggled as the Cowboys’ starting left cornerback.

T.O. was the first of the group to go from Valley Ranch. He got the pink slip – er, white tablecloth – after one controversy-packed, chemistry-killing season of his four-year, $34 million extension that included a $12.9 million signing bonus.

The Cowboys cut Adams and Hamlin two seasons into their six-year deals. Adams got $15 million guaranteed on a $43 million contract. Hamlin got a $9 million signing bonus on a $39 million contract. The Cowboys got an oft-penalized tackle and a non-playmaking safety.

Barber and Williams played three nonproductive seasons for the Cowboys after getting their rich contracts. Barber’s seven-year, $45 million deal included $16 million guaranteed. About half of Williams’ six-year, $54 million deal, which he signed before playing a down for the Cowboys, was guaranteed.

Newman played four seasons of his six-year, $50.2 million deal, which included $22.5 million guaranteed. He struggled much of the last two seasons, but Newman was still the best buy of the Cowboys’ ’08 shopping spree.

IRVING, Texas – As ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, the Cowboys will be docked $10 million in salary cap space that can be spread out over the next two years for the structures of deals in the 2010 uncapped season.

According to sources in Schefter’s report, “the Cowboys and Redskins took immediate cap hits during the 2010 season that normally would have been spread out over the length of the contracts, giving them an advantage that other NFL owners found unfair.”

The Cowboys signed wide receiver Miles Austin to a six-year extension worth $54 million and paid him a $17 million base salary, which worked within the rules of an uncapped season. In a capped season, players are normally given large signing bonuses that are prorated over the course of the contract to come up with a salary-cap charge.

As part of the original deal, Austin was to receive a 2011 base salary of $8.5 million. The Cowboys created salary-cap room prior to last season by lowering Austin’s base to $685,000 and turning $7.855 million into signing bonus, which is a common practice by teams across the league.

The Cowboys did not sign a high-priced free agent of note in 2010 and the only veterans that were released prior to that season were left tackle Flozell Adams and safety Ken Hamlin.

IRVING, Texas -- Now that the Cowboys have placed the franchise tag on outside linebacker Anthony Spencer, let’s look at some other aspects of the tag.

** The $8.8 million is guaranteed once Spencer signs the tender. He could choose to hold off on signing, which is what Ken Hamlin did in 2008, and skip the offseason program, organized team activities and minicamps. But he also runs the risk of the Cowboys rescinding the offer at any point, especially if they use a high draft pick in April. By then teams would not have as much salary-cap room as they would entering free agency.

** The Cowboys can still trade Spencer to another team. If a team wants to sign Spencer to an offer sheet, then they would be required to fork over two first-round draft picks. Remember Joey Galloway’s deal with the Cowboys? But the Cowboys could also swing a trade for different (lower) compensation. In 2006, Atlanta traded for New York Jets’ franchise player, John Abraham, in a three-way deal with Denver that cost the Falcons their first-round pick. In 2001, Aeneas Williams was traded from Arizona to St. Louis for second- and fourth-round picks.

** The Cowboys and Spencer’s agent, Roosevelt Barnes, have until July 16 to reach a deal on a long-term contract, if they want to come to such an arrangement. After July 16, Spencer has to play the season on the $8.8 million tag and the sides can’t sign a new deal until after the season is over.

** For those wondering how this affects the Cowboys’ ability to sign players in free agency, don’t be too worried. They can still do whatever it is they want by moving some money around. The Cowboys were $12.6 million under the cap before the Spencer tag. The Cowboys can create about $8.6 million in space by the already agreed upon reworkings of the deals of Doug Free and Orlando Scandrick. By cutting Terence Newman, they could save either $4 million or $6 million. They can create more room by reworking DeMarcus Ware’s contract, too.

INDIANAPOLIS -- While most of the focus of the NFL scouting combine is on the draft, the Cowboys are hoping to meet with the agent for linebacker Anthony Spencer over the next few days.

Executive vice president Stephen Jones said a meeting is not scheduled with Roosevelt Barnes, "but there's a chance we'll probably get with him."

Jones said a decision on whether to apply the franchise tag on Spencer, which would cost roughly $8.8 million, has not been made. The Cowboys have until March 5 to tender Spencer. Free agency begins March 13.

The Cowboys have used the franchise tag twice, on Flozell Adams in 2002 and Ken Hamlin in 2008.

"It's obviously usually a pretty decent [salary] number and it's not a cap-friendly deal, so that's probably the hardest thing," Jones said of the team's philosophy on the tag. "But at the same time it allows you some protection."

Spencer, a first-round pick in 2007, has never had more than six sacks in a season.

Jones said the Cowboys do not have an in-house candidate to replace Spencer "right now that we'd feel comfortable plugging in."

Spencer has 21.5 sacks for his career and has started 47 of the last 48 games since taking over for Ellis in 2009.

"I think he's performed solidly," Jones said. "I think he's a solid player. You keep thinking the production is going to come in terms of what you're expectations are. You think going into the season that this is the year he'll get 10-12 sacks. But at the same time you don't measure a player by sacks only. He's solid against the run. He gets pressure. He does all of that."

Should the Cowboys tag Spencer, Jones said it would not preclude the team from selecting a linebacker with their first-round pick in April.

"Right now we don't have Spencer signed long-term," Jones said, "and you can never have enough pass rushers."

IRVING, Texas -- Starting today teams can begin using the franchise tag, but do not expect the Cowboys to be in a hurry to place it on outside linebacker Anthony Spencer.

The deadline to use a franchise tag is March 5, eight days before free agency starts. In the meantime the Cowboys can talk to Spencer’s agents regarding an extension that would chew up less than the $8.8 million he would receive in 2012 as the franchise player or wait to see if potential free agent linebackers are tagged by their teams.

If the Cowboys use the designation, they would likely wait until the final moments, according to sources.

The Cowboys have used the franchise tag twice; on left tackle Flozell Adams in 2002 and safety Ken Hamlin in 2008.

There are similarities in the decision to tag Adams in 2002 and the one the Cowboys face this offseason with Spencer. At the time the Cowboys did not have a suitable replacement for Adams but were unsure whether he was worth signing to a long-term extension. He played the season out under the tag and Bill Parcells made Adams one of his priorities when he took over after that season. He went on to make the Pro Bowl five times from 2003-08.

Spencer, a first-round pick in 2007, has been solid but has never had more than six sacks in a season, however, the Cowboys do not have an in-house replacement ready. The free-agent market for outside linebackers is not considered strong.

If the Cowboys choose to tag Spencer, they would lose $8.8 million in cap space immediately but they could always rescind the tender and regain the space provided he did not sign. They could also make a trade, which would add that money back to the cap.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- First it was Orlando Scandrick and now the Cowboys are in talks to rework the contract of nose tackle Jay Ratliff.

But there are some other players who could make a trek to Jerry Jones office seeking a new deal. We look at five players:

1. Jason Witten.He's got two years left on his contract. He's scheduled to make $3.3 million this season and $3.6 million next year in base salaries. Witten will also get $1.5 million in bonuses the next two seasons. The interesting thing about Witten is when he signed a seven-year $29.5 million extension in 2006, it was the highest contract for a tight end. This summer, San Diego's Antonio Gates inked a five-year extension worth $36.1 million with $20.4 million guaranteed. Gates is now the highest-paid tight end in the game. John Phillips and Martellus Bennett are two backup tight ends, but neither has done enough to force the Cowboys to think they have a future replacement. Witten most likely gets a new deal.

2. Bradie James.The inside linebacker enters the final year of his deal. He will get $3.5 million. Unlike Keith Brooking, who's replacement could be Sean Lee, Bruce Carter is not ready to participate. He'll miss the first six weeks of the season because he's on NFI as he's still recovering from knee surgery. It's uncertain if Carter will move into a starting role next season, but if he does play at all in 2011, how he performs could dictate what the team does with James. James is a dependable player who most likely will get a short-term deal.

3. Abram Elam.Safeties have burned the Cowboys in the past with long-term, expensive deals. Remember the six-year $39 million deal Ken Hamlin signed a few years ago? Elam might end that trend. He is the quarterback and the calming influence with Rob Ryan's defense and if he plays well, the Cowboys could take care of him at some point during the season. Gerald Sensabaugh has played well in the preseason, but the Cowboys, for some reason, don't seem focused on taking care of him long-term. Barry Church has been impressive this summer and he might get matched up with Elam for 2012.

4. Mat McBriar.The punter? Well, of course. McBriar is in the last year of his contract, where he's expected to get $1.7 million for 2011. He's been a strong player for the Cowboys and special teams is an important part of the game. Jason Garrett always talks about field position helping a defense and McBriar is a big part of that.

5. Felix Jones. He's got two years left on his deal and the running back from Arkansas is finally taking over the lead role with Marion Barber in Chicago. Jones will make $1.02 million this season and $1.17 million next year. If Jones performs well in 2011, it gives the Cowboys a comfort level at the running back spot. Jones has shown good speed and movement during the preseason and he's also taking better care of his body to help with his durability. Locking up Jones long-term seems like a good move.

Others: Anthony Spencer enters the last year of his deal and Mike Jenkins has two years left on his contract. It should be noted that Jenkins' agent took note of the five-year deal Scandrick received.

PODCAST
Warren Sapp shares his thoughts on Raiders free safety Michael Huff and new Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Listen

Our free agent series continue with a look at Michael Huff. He's a popular name in the Dallas area because he's from Irving and went to the University of Texas. And like yesterday's subject -- Nnamdi Asomugha -- Huff has played for new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

MICHAEL HUFF, FS, Oakland

Why sign him? He's coming off one of his best seasons, finishing third on the team with 84 tackles, four sacks, seven tackles for loss, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and seven pass breakups. Huff made great strides blitzing from the free safety position and improved his cover skills. Signing Huff could be an expensive venture, because one would think the Raiders would like to retain him. If the new salary cap rules take effect, NFL teams have to spend at least 90 percent of the $120 million cap -- and the Raiders are far below that.

Huff seems like an upgrade over Alan Ball, who at times looked lost while playing free safety last season, and he'll eventually move back to cornerback. The Cowboys have had problems signing safeties to big money deals in the past. Roy Williams and Ken Hamlin performed below the Cowboys' standards after inking huge contracts. It would seem Huff is in his prime and could be different.

Is there anybody else?Eric Weddle from the San Diego Chargers is a possible target. The Chargers coaching staff credited Weddle with 93 tackles, which led the entire secondary and was second on the team to former Cowboys linebacker Kevin Burnett (124). Weddle played well against the run this past season and is a good tackler as evident by his seven tackles for loss.

Key Stat: Ball started the first eight weeks of the season without a pass breakup.

As the first week of training camp for the Cowboys comes to a close, Scout’s Eye wanted to take a look back at some of the developments that have taken place here in San Antonio.

*One of the precamp questions centered around the position switch of offensive tackle, Doug Free from the right side to the left and how much of an adjustment that would be.

The first two practices were a struggle for Free to say the least. Free was working hard on his own to try and correctly get his “kick slide” working in order to get the proper depth and width when taking on defenders such as DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer, who are two of the better pass rushers in the NFL.

After his initial problems of giving up the corner too quickly, Free has been able to play with solid technique to match his smarts and effort.

One of Free’s finest moments came on a one-on-one pass rush rep that he was able to execute against Ware. Off the snap, Ware tried several pass rush moves to throw Free off and try to get him off balance but was unsuccessful. Free showed nice patience and punch by making Ware have to restart his rush thus killing his chances of making a sack.

*Can a rookie really be this good? In wide receiver Dez Bryant’s case, the answer is “yes.”

From the time that he has stepped foot on the practice field here in San Antonio, Bryant has been electric.

There were questions about his timed speed (4.56), but watching him run routes and gain separation on defensive backs will make you forget what that 40 time was. There are players that time fast and there are those players that play fast. Bryant is one of those guys that plays fast.

Bryant appeared to be picking up what Jason Garrett and the offensive coaches were asking him to do. Just saw more teaching than correction from receivers coach Ray Sherman.

Bryant’s hands and ability to adjust to the football are a quarterback’s best friend. Very impressed by the way he has been able to adjust to the football in full stride.

The downside to all this is that Bryant will spend the next 4-6 weeks nursing a high ankle sprain. Hurt near the end of practice on Saturday, I worry about Bryant missing reps in the offense and the opportunity to work with Romo.

This trainer staff is one of the best in the NFL, so there is some hope for the Cowboys that he could be back on the field sooner than later.

*In my view, replacing Ken Hamlin at safety for the Cowboys was the absolute right move.

You can say what you want about lining guys up and being a great teammate. The bottom line for a defensive back is to make plays. It’s about covering receivers, knocking down passes and creating turnovers. It’s about having the ability to cover ground and get to the football.

Alan Ball has done a nice job at free safety and for that matter, Mike Hamlin has as well. I have been impressed by the movement skill of Ball along with the way that he has shown the ability to play the ball in the air.

Sunday, when tired legs set in for the skill guys, Ball still looked quick in his drills and in the way he reacted. In talking to guys like Newman, Jenkins and Scandrick, to a man they couldn’t be happier to have a safety that can play with some range.

*Can these five preseason games shake out some depth inside at both the offense and defensive lines? This is a question that will take the remainder of the camp to answer.

On the offensive side, I don’t see a quality backup at center. Bright has his limitations as does Costa.

On defense, injuries have taken practice time away from Brent and Lissemore. As good as Jay Ratliff is, he cannot play the entire game. Junior Siavii gives you great effort and desire but for being a strong guy, he struggles to get off blocks and has no pass rush moves to speak of. I am very interested to see Brent get the opportunity to try and replace Siavii because there is something there.

SAN ANTONIO – Secondary coach Dave Campo doesn’t want Alan Ball to be an insurance policy for the Cowboys’ cornerback depth.

Wade Phillips has mentioned that the fourth cornerback spot isn’t too big of a concern because Ball can play there in a pinch. But Campo wants Ball, a converted cornerback, to focus on playing free safety.

“I’m looking for a guy, because I think Alan has got to spend every minute doing what he’s doing,” Campo said. “At this point right now, he’s a safety. We’re looking for corners.”

The Cowboys aren’t looking outside of San Antonio for a corner. Campo said he believes Cletis Gordon, Jamar Wall and/or Bryan McCann can be an adequate backup this season, with special teams weighing heavily on the decision about which one or two will make the roster.

Barring injury, Ball appears to be a lock to start at free safety. He earned the coaches’ trust during his fill-in stint as a starter when Ken Hamlin was injured last season, which is why the Cowboys didn’t attempt to sign O.J. Atogwe or another safety in free agency.

But Ball, who began working at safety a little over a year ago, is still in the developmental stages as a safety. Campo doesn’t want the learning process clouded by having Ball work as cornerback as well.

“Right now, he’s at level 101,” Campo said. “He’s working toward 201. If we get to 201, we’re going to be pretty good. Not many guys get to 401.”

SAN ANTONIO – The Cowboys need Alan Ball to have a nose for the ball.

The primary reason Ken Hamlin got cut – well, other than his contract – is that the Cowboys want a playmaking free safety. Ball doesn’t have any career interceptions, but the Cowboys believe the converted cornerback fits the bill.

He provided some proof during Tuesday afternoon’s practice, making a great break on Jon Kitna’s throw to Patrick Crayton on a curl route and coming up with a diving interception.

“It’s just scanning the field, knowing what’s where and reading the quarterback,” Ball said. “When he threw the ball, I had a good break on the ball. I think Bradie [James] got a little tip on the ball, and I was at the right place at the right time.”

It was Ball’s second interception of camp, an encouraging sign for a defense that ranked near the bottom of team pick totals the last two seasons. Hamlin had a total of one pick in the last two seasons.
After a year of working at safety, Ball believes he can be a playmaker at the position.

“The more you get a chance to look at the quarterback, the better feel you get for where he’s going with the ball and when he’s going to deliver the ball,” Ball said. “Once you get that, you can get yourself around the ball.”

Jerry Jones reiterated “emphatically” last week that he considers Miles Austin and Gerald Sensabaugh to be important parts of the Cowboys’ long-term future.

Jerry just isn’t in any hurry to work out the contractual details to ensure that’s the case.

There’s no need to rush. Jerry can afford to be patient due to the two starters’ status as restricted free agents. There has been discussion with both players’ representatives about long-term deals, but it’s doubtful that anything gets done before the season, unless the players are willing to take team-friendly deals.

Jerry has been burned recently by signing players at those positions to big-money deals. Receiver Roy Williams has been a huge disappointment after getting a six-year, $54 million deal, and he’s likely to be gone when the guaranteed money is done at the end of this season. Ken Hamlin didn’t make it to the third season of his six-year, $39 million deal, but he cashed $13.9 million worth of checks the last two seasons for so-so safety play.

Do you blame Jerry for being patient when the Cowboys have all the leverage?

Sensabaugh was solid in his first season with the Cowboys – and a vast upgrade in coverage -- despite playing most of the season with a cast to protect his broken thumb. He’ll have to prove he can be a playmaker to get anything close to Hamlin’s contract, but there's no question that his tender offer of $1.8 million is a bargain.

Austin, who has yet to sign his tender offer of $3.16 million, went from a no-name to a Pro Bowler last season. If he proves that he’s no one-year wonder, Jerry will happily make him one of the higher-paid receivers in the league. As was the case with Tony Romo, Austin could cash in around the middle of his first full season as a starter.

Jerry has seen enough from Austin and Sensabaugh to know they fit in the team's long-term plans. He apparently wants to see a little more before committing to market-rate investments on either player.

IRVING, Texas – During the NFL combine in February, Jerry Jones vowed that the Cowboys would undergo major changes this offseason.

The dust has pretty much settled, although Jones said it’s still possible for the Cowboys to dip their toes in the free agency market, and the Cowboys don’t look dramatically different than they did a year ago.

High-priced veterans Flozell Adams and Ken Hamlin got pink slips, but it appears likely that those will be the only two starters replaced. Nevertheless, Jerry thinks the Cowboys have a nice balance of continuity and competition.

“I like where the continuity is, and I like where the lack of it is coming from with these first- and second-year players,” he said. “Continuity is to have everybody back doing exactly the same thing. We’re not doing that. We’re looking at some competition that’s coming into its own.”

He specifically mentioned linebacker Jason Williams and tight end Martellus Bennett. It’s not like they’ll push Keith Brooking and Jason Witten to the bench, but Jerry is confident that both physically gifted young players are prepared to flourish in larger roles than they had last season.

Receiver Dez Bryant and linebacker Sean Lee, the team’s top two picks, are expected to make immediate impacts as non-starters. The Cowboys hope that some of their “redshirt” rookies – 2009 picks who missed all or most of last season due to injuries – will become contributors. They’re particularly optimistic about outside linebacker Brandon Williams, whom Wade Phillips said displayed the burst Monday that he had before tearing his ACL in a preseason game.

“All of this is, to me, the right mix to make something happen positive with this team,” Jerry said. “This is not in any way the same team that we had last year.”

Sorry, Jerry, but I can’t agree with that statement, and that’s not a negative. There’s nothing wrong with having similarities to a team that won its division and a playoff game last season.

The vast majority of the Cowboys’ core and the coaching staff were kept intact. If Jerry and Co. are right about the young players, a good team will be better.

Jerry Jones sat in his luxury bus during the NFL scouting combine and declared that the Cowboys would undergo significant changes in the coming months.

“We’re not comfortable, I’m not comfortable,” Jerry said. “There is no fear of standing pat here. We’re not caught up in the fact that by some definition we had a good season. We did plan ahead and get some of our key players under contract. But in the NFL, there has got to be change.

“One of the biggest challenges I’ve got in my role here is to be an agent of change this year. We have got to look for ways to make changes.”

He followed through on his word by cutting two high-dollar veteran starters (Flozell Adams and Ken Hamlin) and orchestrating an all-but-official deal to ship first-round bust Bobby Carpenter to St. Louis.

But how significant have the Cowboys’ changes been this offseason? Where have they really upgraded?

The Cowboys are gambling that Doug Free will be better than the aging Adams at left tackle, with soon-to-arrive ex-Ram Alex Barron as the backup plan. While Adams isn’t the tackle he used to be, you’d have a tough time arguing that the inexperienced Free or the underachieving Barron is a clear upgrade.

The Cowboys still could decide to dip their toe in the free agent market to find Hamlin’s replacement. (O.J. Atogwe, a Ram who will probably become unrestricted in June, is an option but wouldn’t come cheap.) However, for the time being, the plan is to let Alan Ball and Mike Hamlin fight for the starting job.

Ball, the frontrunner, is a converted cornerback who did a solid job in four games as the fill-in starter last season. Hamlin (no relation to Ken) is a second-year player with good size, great ball skills and zero snaps of NFL safety experience. Again, it’s tough to argue that this is an upgrade.

The only obvious upgrades came through the draft. Dez Bryant will be a more dynamic No. 3 receiver and punt returner than Patrick Crayton. Sean Lee should be a better nickel linebacker than Carpenter.

You can make the case that the Cowboys will upgrade at running back by handing the lead role to Felix Jones, allowing Marion Barber to return to the role in which he had the most success.

But if the Cowboys are a better team next season, it’s likely to be more about the progress of young players on the roster than the offseason changes.