The Dallas Cowboys defense in 2011 was a large reason they missed the NFL playoffs. The Cowboys blew leads late in games and the secondary couldn't cover anyone. This is the area that Dallas needs to work on most in the offseason if they want to win in 2012. Here is a look at how the Dallas Cowboys' defensive unit should look in 2012.
Defensive Linemen
Dallas runs the 3-4 defense and their first line of defense is not anything close to what it was in the glory days. There are no Randy Whites or Harvey Martins in this unit. The best player is Jay Ratliff, who just made his fourth straight Pro Bowl, but he is wearing down. He only finished the year with two sacks and there is a chance they move him from nose tackle to one of the end positions. I really like Sean Lissemore as the replacement at the nose tackle position and then the Cowboys can choose from Kenyon Coleman, Jason Hatcher and Marcus Spears when filling in the other end position. They might need to draft one defensive lineman but this is not where they need help the most.
Linebackers
The Cowboys are 50-50 in the linebacker corps. They have two of the NFL's best in DeMarcus Ware and Sean Lee. They will remain the starters on the inside and weak outside position. Bradie James and Keith Brooking are probably done with Dallas and rookie Bruce Carter never had a chance to show what he could do. I think Dallas needs a veteran in this second inside position but they might go after one in the draft as well. On the strong side, Anthony Spencer was fine against the run but only finished with six sacks. I think he starts again in 2012 but they need to have a backup plan, preferably someone who can help Ware get to the quarterback.
Defensive Backs
This is where Dallas was burned the entire 2011 season. Terence Newman needs to be cut immediately. I think Mike Jenkins will start again on the right side to see if he is improving as much as it looked like before his myriad of injuries. Abe Elam is also on his way out but I see Gerald Sensabaugh starting again in 2012. Frank Walker or Alan Ball might stay but they need some big help here. If they can't sign a big name free agent (Brent Grimes, Carlos Rogers) to man a corner position, they need to find a playmaker in the first round of the NFL Draft (Dre Kirkpatrick, Alfonzo Dennard).
Special Teams
I am completely enamored with Dan Bailey. Sure he missed a few field goals down the stretch, but the Oklahoma State Cowboys' rookie was gold for most of the season. He made 32-of-27 and hit 26 in a row at one point. He is going to be great. Punter Mat McBriar got hurt this year and had an off season but he has done enough in his career to warrant another chance.
Author Shawn S. Lealos has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma (2000) and has been a Dallas Cowboys' fan since he was a child. His favorite players range from Roger Staubach and Tony Dorsett to the Triplets of the 90s and he enjoys talking about all Cowboys' related news, good or bad
