IRVING, Texas – When this season started, there were many positions flooded with question marks from top to bottom. And after another 8-8 season, it's likely many of them still have their share of uncertainties.
One in particularly seems to stand out more than the rest.
The wide receiver position had nothing but question marks at the beginning of the year. And nothing has really changed with a training camp, four preseason contests and 16 regular season games later.
Sure, some things have become clearer in the process. But overall, the position has plenty of skepticism to go around.
For starters, the entire group is a MASH unit. Had the Cowboys won in Washington Sunday night, it would've very interesting to see how they would've played the game against Seattle this week.
Dez Bryant could barely walk on his own power for two days with a back injury. While the X-rays were negative showing no structural damage, it's hard to think Bryant would've been able to be close to 100 percent, if he'd even play at all.
Miles Austin and Dwayne Harris both suffered high-ankle sprains. Austin couldn't return in the game and Harris' injury occurred late and he didn't come back either. It's unlikely they would've played. And Cole Beasley suffered a shoulder injury that would've probably had him limited, if not out.
It's kind of ironic the player who has taking the most 'beatings' from fans and media this year, is the only receiver still standing at the end of the year. Kevin Ogletree started the season with two touchdown catches against the Giants and had another one in the finale against Washington.
Now in between, Ogletree's production was hit or miss, and mainly miss. He ranked fourth on the team in both catches (32) and receiving yards (436) and third in touchdowns with four.
As an unrestricted free agent once again, Ogletree might not return in 2013. But then again, it could come down to the same thing as last year when the Cowboys didn't have a lot of players with experience and Ogletree's presence in the offseason was needed. And then in training camp, the group of Andre Holmes, Harris, Beasley, Danny Coale and anyone else, never did enough to unseat him.
But this time, with Harris and Beasley showing some promise, coupled with Coale's return, Ogletree might not get re-signed at the start of free agency.
But let's shift the focus back to the top.
Dez Bryant's consistency has been in question since he arrived in 2010. And in the second half of the season, Bryant was arguably the team's most consistent player. He caught a touchdown in seven straight games, which tied a franchise record, but was dominating in the second half of games. He finally reached the potential the Cowboys saw in him to draft him despite some of the off-season risks.
But injuries have been a concern for him all along. Toughness shouldn't be questioned, considering he played through a fractured left index finger towards the end of the season, and still continued his touchdown streak, including a career game of 224 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints.
Where the Cowboys might have some decisions to make involves Austin, who should be healthy for the start of the offseason conditioning program despite the ankle injury. Overall, it was a quiet 66-catch, 943-yard season that included six touchdowns. His numbers were solid, considering he ranked third in catches and yards, but the "wow-factor" wasn't always there.
And with a contract that averages $9 million per season, Austin needed more of the big plays, especially in big games. Austin had a catch in every game this season except the two Redskins games, where he suffered a hip injury and then ankle injury last week.
The Cowboys might look to restructure Austin's deal, but outright releasing him, or even trading him, would take a hit on the salary cap – one they can't really afford considering they will attempt to re-sign Anthony Spencer and/or Tony Romo this offseason.
