Why the Dallas Cowboys Need Torry Holt

According to various media reports, the St. Louis Rams will release wide receive Torry Holt in the coming days. This is probably part of the team’s effort to re-tool a sagging offense that struggled mightily last season.

Torry is a holdover from the “Greatest Show on Turf” days with Isaac Bruce, Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, and Orlando Pace. His production has suffered as of last due to injuries and, well, a lack of offense.

But in my opinion, Torry Holt has a few good years left in him. He’s not the speedster he used to be, but he has a ton of football knowledge and was once the best wide receiver in football.

But why the Dallas Cowboys? I’ll tell you.

During the Bill Parcells years, he brought in one of his old New England Patriots players to aid in the development of their receivers and to be the team’s No. 1 option: Terry Glenn.

Glenn brought a different element to the ‘Boys offense as he was quick off of the line and represented defensive mismatches for some opponents. Plus, he was paired with his old quarterback in New England, Drew Bledsoe, and they both shared mediocre success during their time together.

Glenn got to play with former Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens for one full season and they both were nightmares for opposing secondaries. Glenn caught 70 balls for 1,047 yards and six touchdowns.

Compare that to Holt’s last season playing with Bruce. Torry caught 93 balls for 1,189 yards and seven touchdowns. Without Bruce, he had no protection in the lineup. Holt also had a quarterback carousel and a lame duck head coach.

That resulted in a very pedestrian season; catching only 64 balls along with three touchdowns for 796 receiving yards.

While some reports are stating that teams may stay away because of concerns over Torry’s health, mainly his knee’s, he’s just one year removed from a Pro Bowl type of season.

So again, why the Dallas Cowboys.

With the release of Terrell Owens, the Cowboys only have one viable No. 1 receiver in Roy Williams. He has the height and the strength to give the team at least 1,100 receiving yards and about six or seven touchdowns, but he does not match Terrell in ability.

With the addition of Holt, Williams would have protection in the lineup and wouldn’t face nearly as many double teams. This would give Romo three viable options at receiver; Williams, Holt, and Witten.

The team would also have injury protection if Williams were to get hurt as they still have Miles Austin, Patrick Crayton, and Sam Hurd.

Looking at the options in the backfield, the team seems to be pretty well set. Marion Barber is an established power runner, Felix Jones is shifty and has very quick feet, and Tashard Choice is a combination of both Barber and Jones.

Torry Holt is a player who has a Super Bowl ring and knows exactly what it takes to reach the NFL’s biggest game. The Cowboys need that type of locker room leadership and their receivers need a steady; guiding hand.

Torry Holt needs the Dallas Cowboys to resurrect his career just as much as the team needs him to boost their receiving core. He may not be the player he once was, but he may be the missing piece to a championship caliber team.