Dallas Cowboys Quiet Offseason Is a Good Thing

In 2008 the Cowboys were discussed all summer about how they were going to improve on their 13-3 record the season before, and how they were the class of the NFC East.

In 2009 the Cowboys were discussed everyday about how they were going to bounce back from their 9-7 finish, the December meltdown, and the new Romo—friendly offense (without T.O.)

However, this season the Cowboys have been as quiet as a mouse.

The Cowboys cut Flozell Adams and Ken Hamlin, but it didn't make as much noise as in the last few years the Cowboys have let veterans go, in order to give younger players more time.

Linebacker Bobby Carpenter was traded for offensive lineman Alex Barron, but it's basically one underachieving player for another. And barring injury Barron won't see the field much.

The biggest reason for the quiet summer is that everyone is putting the team first.

Miles Austin, Gerald Sensabaugh, and Marcus Spears all signed their one—year tenders instead of holding out (unlike Vincent Jackson, who was just suspended, and Marcus McNeill of the Chargers), putting the team before themselves.

Even Patrick Crayton, who requested a trade, left the Dallas area and has missed OTA's said he didn't want to be a distraction and has since shown up to participate and stopped talking about how he's being treated.

While this all doesn't leave much material for writers like me, fans should be happy. It means the team is working hard on making sure they're playing come the Super Bowl. Which is a good thing considering the Cowboys have the third hardest schedule in the NFL this season.

This offseason was already pretty easy for the Cowboys, with 21 of 24 starters coming back, and their first two draft picks expected to contribute immediately. 

The Cowboys have had it easy this summer compared to their NFC East counterparts.

The Eagles are dealing with a new QB (Kevin Kolb) and their starting safety (Marlin Jackson) is out for the season. The Redskins have a new coach (Mike Shanahan), new QB (Donovan McNabb), two new running backs (Willie Parker and Larry Johnson), and are changing their entire defense to a 3-4.

The Giants have had to deal with their starting DE (Mathias Kiwanuka) getting into a minor motorcycle accident, his backup (Osi Umenyiora) threatening to retire and telling everyone that he will start instead of earning his spot, and most recently their third round draft pick (Chad Jones) getting into a car accident, his career now in jeopardy.

Now the Cowboys must keep things quiet heading into training camp, when the media credentials triple and when tempers can flare during two—a—days. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones loves when his team is in the news and on the front page of the papers, but even he has to be glad the Cowboys aren't being talked about. 

Jones will be much happier when his Cowboys are being talked about in January and February.