2012 NFC East Way-Too-Early Awards: The Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys might lack playoff wins (at least in the 21st century), but they certainly don't lack stars on both sides of the ball. That's why it's particularly fun to hand out insanely early awards to members of a team like this. 

What's frustrating for the Cowboys and their fans is that individual awards are irrelevant. What use is gravy without meat and potatoes? And let's face it: fake awards handed out eight months too early carry slightly less weight than real ones. 

But they're super-fun to hand out and even more delightful to debate.

At the very least, they're here to indicate my expectations for "America's Team" in 2012.

The Stevie Ray Vaughan Award (Offensive MVP): Tony Romo

I spent several hundred words yesterday explaining why Romo isn't the problem in Dallas. But he's more than "not a problem." I hate clichés like "elite quarterback," but Romo is exactly that.

Coming off a career year at age 32, Romo could take his game up another level in 2012.

The key is that one of the game's best playmakers performed admirably despite playing half of the 2011 season with a fractured rib and punctured lung, despite Miles Austin's disappearing act, despite DeMarco Murray's injury and despite inconsistent performances from a less-than-100-percent Dez Bryant. 

Through all that, Romo made Laurent Robinson look like an All-Pro.

If Austin, Murray, Bryant and left tackle Tyron Smith can stay healthy and continue to improve this year, Romo could be an MVP candidate.

The Bob Lilly Award (Defensive MVP): DeMarcus Ware

I'd love to mix it up and climb onto a limb with Sean Lee or Brandon Carr, but no one on this defense compares to Ware.

Sacks are overrated, but when you put up 35 of them in a two-year span, you're special. Not even Jason Babin or Jared Allen are in that territory, and Ware is more productive than both of those players when it comes to quarterback disruptions per snap.

What's remarkable about that is that in the last two years, Ware has taken more defensive snaps than every other elite edge rusher in the league aside from Cameron Wake and Tamba Hali, according to Pro Football Focus.

He'll once again contend for the league's Defensive Player of the Year award.

The Bob Hayes Award (Offensive Rookie of the Year): Danny Coale

The Cowboys waited until the fifth round to draft an offensive player, so there's a chance no rookies make an impact on offense in 2012. That said, there's a clear opportunity for Coale, who Jason Garrett says is "in the mix" for the No. 3 wide receiver slot left open by the departed Laurent Robinson. 

It would help if he bulked up, but regardless of what happens there, the Virginia Tech product has the versatility to earn some reps while becoming a key contributor on special teams. 

As an aside, I'm gonna keep a close eye on undrafted free agent wide receiver Tim Benford.

The Walker, Texas Ranger Award (Defensive Rookie of the Year): Morris Claiborne

You'd find my address online and come at me with flamethrowers and pitchforks had I gone any other way here. Claiborne had better be the team's defensive rookie of the year after they surrendered their top two picks to land him in the draft.

Don't be alarmed if the No. 6 overall pick gets beat here and there while on a typical Rob Ryan island, especially against quarterbacks like Eli Manning and Michael Vick and receivers like Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks, Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy. He'll still have a top-flight rookie campaign and emerge as the undisputed No. 1 corner by season's end.

For a stellar breakdown of Claiborne's game, check out this piece from Bleacher Report's Alen Dumonjic.

The Owen Wilson Award (Most Improved Player): Bruce Carter

Wilson, a Dallas native, was never terrible, and he still shined fairly early in Meet the Parents and Zoolander. But he didn't start killing it until Wedding Crashers in 2005 and Hall Pass in 2010 before landing a Golden Globe nomination in 2011 for Midnight in Paris. 

Oh, you want me to break down Carter's award? Fine.

It's simple, really. With Bradie James and Keith Brooking gone and Dan Connor's injury history in mind, Carter will likely get some serious reps alongside Sean Lee in the middle of the defense in his sophomore season. The 2011 second-round pick struggled with injuries after being hurried into Rob Ryan's defense as a rookie, but a full offseason of acclimation should be the recipe for second-year success.

The Bobby Carpenter Award (Most Disappointing Player): Jason Witten

This is tough because Dallas has had so many disappointing performances from top players in recent years. Jay Ratliff, Felix Jones and Miles Austin were disappointments last year already, so they don't count. Other easy choices would have been Anthony Spencer or DeMarco Murray, but I think they'll both strive in 2012.

I'm not suggesting you'll walk away from this season calling for Witten to get traded or retire, but I can see his production taking a dip in his 10th season. His numbers have declined slightly the last two years, so I wouldn't be surprised if that happened again.

Plus, he hasn't missed a game since 2006, but as a 30-year-old, he could be due.