7 Dallas Cowboys Who Will Absolutely Be Gone Before Next Season

As we pivot toward the halfway point of the NFL season, this is a time where fans and pundits take a look back and try to evaluate team’s performances. For the Dallas Cowboys, the first half of the NFL season was marred by inconsistency and disappointment.

Dallas should very well sit at 7-1 instead of 4-4 as their record stands. The Jets, Lions and Patriots should all have a “W” in front of them instead of a juicy “L.” All games were lost on unnecessary turnovers or inconsistent and conservative play-calling.

The Eagles game still remains the abnormality on the Cowboys schedule in my opinion because absolutely nothing went right. The Dallas team we saw in Philly late one Sunday night is not what Cowboys fans are used to seeing, which is why I believe it was their “freebie” loss of the year.

But looking back on the other games, there are reasons why the Cowboys loss besides just bad play-calling and costly turnovers. Against the Lions, the Cowboys defense failed to show in the second half as the Lions reeled off points like water runs down a fall.

Against the Redskins, the offensive line and receiving corps looked all out of sorts, and even though the Cowboys won, they did so by the skin of their teeth.

So who has a one-way plane ticket out of Dallas waiting for them at season’s end? We can officially take Tashard Choice’s name off of that list. I mean we knew that he would gone, but we didn’t think he would be cut midseason, did we?

Well, here is the rest of the get gone crew. Here are seven players who will no longer wear the blue and silver when the 2012 season rolls around.

Martellus Bennett, TE

It's pretty obvious that Bennett has one foot out of the door in Dallas. He "lost" a ball in the lights against the Eagles, is constantly dropping passes and has never become an intricate part of the Cowboys offensive plan.

He's pretty good at run blocking but he just never turned into what the Cowboys wanted.

The graffiti is pretty much spray painted all over the wall that he's going to be released at season's end; we're just waiting for the paperwork to be processed.

Kevin Ogletree, WR

I honestly believed that 'Tree would develop into a solid No. 3 receiving option this season. I figured after two full seasons that he would be ready to take on a larger role and earn Romo's trust.

I think therefore I am...not.

Ogletree may still develop and turn into a solid slot guy, and I still have that hope. He's only in his third season, and he's obviously still learning. But I really believe if he fails to show any improvement by season's end, then he's gone.

Dallas doesn't have a ton of receiver depth, and we're seeing that with injuries to Miles Austin and Dez Bryant.The Cowboys can easily pick up a free agent receiver or draft one if they give up on Ogletree.

I hope therefore I am... At least I hope that much for Ogletree.

Keith Brooking, LB

I thought that Brooking would be allowed to get in the wind before the season started, but that didn't happen. Brooking is sixth on the team in tackles and is a true team leader.

But he's old and a liability in pass coverage, and with tight ends turning into receivers, there is no way Brooking can keep up.

His days in Dallas are numbered with the emergence of Sean Lee, and the development of Bruce Carter Dallas is shifting toward a true youth movement.

Bradie James, LB

It's kind of tough to believe that James has been in the league for nine years now. It doesn't seem like he's been a Dallas Cowboy since 2003, but I guess time flies when you're winni—errr—when you're havi—when you're—getting older.

James has 22 tackles and will continue to play decent enough to start some games and see his snaps reduced in others. He's another guy who Dallas cannot count on in pass coverage, and because of that, his age and contract, James' days as a Cowboy should come to an end.

His contract is up at season's end, and the Cowboys probably won't re-sign him unless he's willing to play for significantly less money.

He's not mentioned as a top linebacker in the league and will probably catch on with another team looking to fill a need.

Alan Ball, DB

Ball is in his fourth year out of Illinois, and last year fans were ready to burn his jersey due to his poor play. Wasn't all his fault as he played out of position, but he did stink up the joint.

He has played better in 2011 because he's back at his true position of cornerback, but fans still flinch when his name is called.

I think that Jerry Jones will overhaul the defensive secondary in the offseason, and Ball will be a fortunate or unfortunate causality depending on how you look at it.

He probably needs a fresh start, and with Dallas bringing in guys like Frank Walker and Abe Elam to Band-Aid some of their problems, it's easy to see why an overhaul is needed.

New blood and new leadership is needed, and Ball will not be the only one to go.

Terence Newman, DB

With all the talk of Newman's departure this past offseason, I'm inclined to believe that Jones will actually pull the trigger before 2012 training camp begins.

Newman had a career high of five picks last season, but it was hidden due to the Cowboys' poor record of 6-10.

He'll enter his 10th NFL season next year, and with the Cowboys struggling to find the right pieces in the secondary, I think that Jones will let Newman go. If the Cowboys fail to draft a cornerback, then maybe he stays, or if Terence just has a breakout second half of 2011, we'll see him in Cowboys colors again.

Both are huge ifs, and I do not expect the latter to happen. His service to his team will be much appreciated and applauded, but once this year is over, it will be time to go.

David Buehler, K

I know that the Cowboys like Buehler on kick-offs because of his strong leg and that they are also keeping him around for field goal assurance. But with Bailey nailing 19 straight field goals, it's hard to imagine that Dallas will keep Buehler this offseason.

He's inconsistent at best when it comes to field goal kicking, and the Cowboys would be crazy to just keep a roster spot for a guy who specializes in kick-offs.

I know that Dallas has a rough history with field goal kickers as of late, but barring a monumental setback by Bailey in the final eight games, Buehler may as well pack his bags.