CHRISTOPHER JOHNSEN
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Should the Cowboys be going for Rolando McClain if he's released as a replacement for the injured Carter-Lee duo?
Rowan: It's an intriguing name, and as someone who's watched a decent amount of SEC football the last five years, McClain was on everybody's radar. But it doesn't matter. Even if he hit the waiver wire, the likelihood of him falling all the way to the five-win Cowboys is slim. I'd entertain the idea of attempting to scoop him up, but the Cowboys have what they want for the future in Carter and Lee, so he'd only be a rental. He's a young player and learning a new system on the fly might be tougher for him than for veteran free agents accustomed to life in the NFL.
Jonny: To be honest, I think it might make more sense to just stick with the veteran combo of Dan Connor and Ernie Sims. They can't make up for Carter and Lee, but they know the system and have played solid all year. I also don't think that McClain would be picked up in waivers before the Cowboys have a chance to sign him.
RANDY SCHOOLCRAFT
BLOOMINGTON, IL
The 2007 version of this offense moved the ball and scored at will. What has changed that makes this unit so inept?
Rowan: A lot changes in that time frame. Just look around the league and offenses in 2007 are different five years later, regardless if the same coaches are still intact. Personnel changes and opposing coaches adapt. That was Jason Garrett's first year as an offensive coordinator, and now teams have seen his offense. It's not feasible to look back five years ago and wonder why the results have altered with so many new players in the system.
Jonny: Well, five years and a number of different players for one thing. Terrell Owens had 15 touchdowns and was a huge part of the offense. The run blocking was much more effective. Just go back and look at some of the slow developing runs that Marion Barber had that year. That takes solid run blocking. The running backs this year are hit almost immediately upon receiving the ball. It was a different offense.
