Cowboys News & Notes: Cowboys Paper Thin On Defensive Line And More Draft Day Trades

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We're a week away from Football Christmas but the Cowboys took another hit to their defensive line. Plus, those pesky Eagles have made a trade with the Browns...Happy Birthday, Tony Romo.

Cowboys' DeMarcus Lawrence Could Face Four-Game Suspension To Start 2016 Season -Dave Halprin- Blogging The BoysThe Cowboys are looking at another defensive end getting a four-game suspension, this time, it's DeMarcus Lawrence.

So now they will be without Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence to open the year. They didn't really find much help in free agency unless signee Benson Mayowa has a remarkable leap in his production once he hits the field in Dallas. Greg Hardy is not an option, so Dallas must find some help in the draft, or hope they can pluck a veteran from somewhere that can actually help.

Turning 36 Thursday, Tony Romo has had his moments- Todd Archer- ESPNAt a time when everyone seems to be focusing on his age, here's a look back at some of Tony Romo's finest victories.

Nov. 23, 2006, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 38-10 win: Romo-mentum was born. In just his fifth start, he completed 22 of 29 passes for 306 yards and five touchdowns. It was the third of four straight wins for Romo as he helped get the Cowboys into the playoffs. Of course, the lasting memory of that season is his bobbled snap on a potential game-winning field goal against the Seattle Seahawks in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Five To Fit: Quality Depth For O-Line Can Be Found At All Levels Of Draft -Dave Helman- Dallas CowboysOf all positions the Cowboys could address in the 2016 NFL Draft, it's hardest to imagine them putting a priority on the offensive line.

4. Isaac Seumalo, Oregon State – Everything that just applied to McGovern could also apply to Semalo, a 6-3, 303-pounder from Oregon. Seumalo was a three-year starter for the Beavers, and he showed the versatility to play at center, guard and tackle. He spent last season at guard and tackle, but NFL teams best project him as a center – where he started 23 combined games in 2012 and 2013. If drafted, he'd fill the role of Bernadeau, serving as quality depth at both guard and center.

Scouts believe Ohio State back Ezekiel Elliott is NFL ready | The Star-TelegramOhio State draft prospect Ezekiel Elliott is a versatile running back and a devoted blocker. Two things that could elevate the fire power of the Cowboys' offense.

"When I first got to Ohio State, I realized I wasn't going to be the biggest or fastest guy," Elliott said. "I was only 17, playing with a bunch of 22- and 21-year-old guys, so I was trying to find something that would set me apart, and that day I realized it was just effort. Not everyone is willing to go out there and play with a lot of effort. And blocking is another thing that running backs aren't really willing to do. That's a part of my game. I really made it important to me to become very good at."

Dallas Cowboys: Panthers let go of CB Josh Norman, who once trashed Dez Bryant; could Cowboys be interested in him? | SportsDayIn Dallas, Josh Norman is best known for getting up close and personal with Dez Bryant and saying the Cowboys should get a refund from the receiver.

The Cowboys have taken a look at various free-agent cornerbacks this offseason, in part as a ploy to get Brandon Carr to restructure his contract. Also, the Cowboys are leaning on Orlando Scandrick, who missed last season while recovering from knee surgery.

Dallas Cowboys' need at pass-rusher grows more urgent- Todd Archer- ESPNEven before news broke about DeMarcus Lawrence's suspension, the Cowboys already had needs at pass-rusher.

That both players find themselves in such trouble after just two years (Lawrence) and one year (Gregory) is disconcerting. That they will miss the first four games this year, a quarter of the season, is potentially disastrous for a defense not long on pass-rushers.

But do the Cowboys make a five-year decision with a first rounder for a four-game penalty? They should.

Possible Pick: Hackenberg Among Several QBs Projected After First Wave- Rob Phillips- Dallas CowboysThough he's not a first-round consideration, Hackenberg has some qualities that the right team may be able to nurture and grow.

Can make the across-the-field throws. Strong arm but not always accurate. Will move forward in the pocket. Will zip it when receiver is in front of him. Tends to make throws where he is flat footed. Does a nice job of laying the ball out there. Has some trouble with his touch passes. Tends to throw them too hard. Not the type that is going to run away from the defense, will hang in the pocket. Able to see the field. Not afraid to work in tight windows. Can throw the fade. Makes better throws when he has to move his feet. Times where he plays slow. Felt like he was more a victim of talent around him than his ability. Has all the traits but will need to be rebuilt on the mental side. ­– Bryan Broaddus

Tim Cowlishaw: Eagles' crazy draft trade knocks Cowboys out of QB sweepstakes, but only for one round | SportsDayThe Cowboys were knocked out of the Carson Wentz-Jared Goff Chase on Wednesday afternoon when the Eagles decided to trump the Los Angeles Rams.

At least in the Rams' case, they get their choice of Goff or Wentz and have an outstanding defense and the game's top young runner as building blocks around him. The Eagles, who have none of those things, are basically saying, "Hey, we'll take either one, just let us know."

Cowboys 2016 Draft: When Does Dallas Draft A Quarterback? - Danny Phantom- Blogging The BoysWhat round will the Cowboys draft a quarterback?

The Cowboys have not done anything to better their quarterback situation in free agency so expect them to use the draft to strengthen this group. With seven quarterbacks on the invite list, the Cowboys can approach this in many different ways. Here are three options that Dallas could use in attacking the quarterback position.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Devin Street boycotting bathing for charity -Preston Jones- The Star-TelegramStreet is forgoing bathing for a week to raise funds and awareness for an Austin-based nonprofit. Stinky man...

"I'm participating in Well Aware's Shower Strike because I know our efforts are life changing for the thousands of people who will have clean water," Street said in a statement. "For the people we are helping, a clean drink of water is a luxury. A shower is unheard of. It's the least we can do stop bathing for a week so that others can live."

Question & Answers: Breaking Down Entire Offensive Line Top to Bottom -Nick Eatman- Dallas CowboysThough the line is pretty stacked, building depth behind the starters will the key to keeping the offensive line the biggest strength.

Yes, the Cowboys have talent on the offensive line, but they were far from dominant. Maybe Tony Romo's injury played a big factor. But maybe Romo covered up some of the line's deficiencies. Either way, the offensive line needs Romo just like he needs them. While the starting five seems rather in place, there are some question marks throughout the entire depth chart.

Dallas Cowboys can go for more than one cornerback in draft- Todd Archer- ESPNThe Cowboys have needs not only for this year but the future at cornerback, so finding a player who can help in 2016 is a must.

Cornerback is a major need. Ramsey could very well be their top pick and they would play him at cornerback. If they don't go with a corner in the first round, then it would have to be a top-three round pick. The Cowboys have needs not only for this year but the future at the spot, so finding a player who can help in 2016 is a must. Once you get past the top three rounds, it's all guess work.

Cowboys 2016 Draft: How The Eagles Trade Affects Dallas' Options At Pick #4 - Dave Halprin-Blogging The BoysThe Eagles have traded into the #2 spot in the 2016 NFL draft. What does this mean for the Dallas Cowboys?

So now you have to look at the San Diego Chargers. They become the first true inflection point in the draft if you are sold on the theory that the Rams and the Eagles will take Goff/Wentz or Wentz/Goff. As has been pointed out many times, the Chargers could certainly use offensive line help, and OT Laremy Tunsil would be staring them in the face. They could just go ahead and grab him, leaving the Cowboys with a clear shot at Jalen Ramsey.

Source: Cowboys News & Notes: Cowboys Paper Thin On Defensive Line And More Draft Day Trades