Dallas Cowboys' Most Underrated Offseason Addition

The Dallas Cowboys made their fair share of moves this off-season to improve their fortunes in 2012. There was the addition of free-agent cornerback Brandon Carr, a move that cost Dallas upwards of $50 million.

He is a young defensive back with all of the skill and ability in the world to really turn the Cowboys' defensive fortunes around. He’ll be paired with rookie Morris Claiborne and veteran Mike Jenkins.

But that wasn’t the ‘Boys best signing. It was important and added skill and depth, yet it may not have the type of impact that many are thinking. Players like Orlando Scandrick and Gerald Sensabaugh are within defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s system for another year. So there should be more growth and maturity shown from all players in 2012.

The offensive line is a weakness for the Cowboys, and the signings of Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau were far too underrated.

Livings and Bernadeau were given grades of “D” by Walterfootball.com due to their past performances and inconsistencies. Now if recall correctly, when the Cowboys decided to sign offensive tackle/guard Leonard Davis, he was deemed a near-bust for the Cardinals, and they allowed him to walk in free agency. Once he started with Dallas, he made a few Pro Bowls and signed a seven-year deal worth almost $50 million.

This isn’t a consideration to state that Livings and Bernadeau will be Pro Bowlers and turn into All-Pro caliber guards. But considering what the Cowboys were working with at the position, both men are upgrades.

There may be a stumble out of the gate for Mackenzy because he had hip surgery this off-season. So his progress may be slow to come along and he may not start right away. Now that Dallas has options at the guard position as well as depth, losing a player like Bernadeau may not wreck them as it would have in 2011.

The Cowboys need diversity and variety on the front line just in case one player doesn’t work out for them. They still have players with lots of potential, such as Bill Nagy and David Arkin. As long as Dallas continues to develop the above-mentioned players and pair them with decent, stable talent, the team’s offensive line should be much improved over the next few seasons.

So while the signing of Brandon Carr and the team’s decision to draft Morris Claiborne will grab headlines, it is the signings of players like Bernadeau and Livings that make up the meat and potatoes for Dallas.

These two men bring consistency and stability for the Cowboys and should allow quarterback Tony Romo a few more sleep-filled nights.

-JH