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Roster Rundown
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: Throughout the offseason, DallasCowboys.com staff writers will take a closer look at the roster, analyzing each player's impact last year and how he fits into the team's 2011 plans. Today's featured player is defensive end Stephen Bowen.)
Name: Stephen Bowen
Position: Defensive End
Height/Weight: 6-5/306
Experience: Five seasons
College: Hofstra
Key stat: Marcus Spears has been an underrated run defender throughout his time in Dallas, but the numbers say Bowen did a nice job in his place in the second half of the season. The Cowboys' final eight opponents had fewer yards (743 from 991) and a fewer yards-per-carry average (4.1 from 4.4) than the first eight.
Contract Status: Free agent.
2010 Impact: A rotation end often working on the nickel package's four-man line, Bowen moved into the starting lineup at left end for the final eight games after Spears' season-ending calf injury. Bowen finished 13th in team-credited tackles (25), second in pressures (12) and fourth in tackles for loss (4). He also added 1.5 sacks.
Where He Fits: New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan says Pro Bowl nose tackle Jay Ratliff won't be changing positions, which leaves at least one defensive end spot up for grabs. Spears, a six-year starter on the left side, is expected to test the market whenever free agency opens. Jason Hatcher is also a free agent to be. If re-signed, Bowen could compete for a full-time starting job. At the very least, he'd provide some pass-rushing punch in certain packages.
Writers' Analysis:
Rob Phillips: If the new Collective Bargaining Agreement allows players with four and five accrued seasons to become unrestricted free agents, Bowen, Hatcher and Spears would all qualify. Just in case Bowen and Hatcher become restricted free agents, the Cowboys tendered them one-year offers at the second-round level ($1.9 million). The Cowboys seem to want him back, but Bowen likely would have considerable interest on the market given his age, production and part-time experience as a starter.
Josh Ellis: With Spears and Hatcher injured at midseason, Bowen was impressive in his first chance at a starting job. The lack of depth those injuries caused forced him to play a lot of snaps, but it didn't seem to slow him down much. He can be very disruptive at times, and has shown more as a pass-rusher than either of the other free-agent ends the Cowboys have. In my opinion, re-signing him should be the highest priority of the three, but I also think there will be significant competition for him when free agency opens.
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: Throughout the offseason, DallasCowboys.com staff writers will take a closer look at the roster, analyzing each player's impact last year and how he fits into the team's 2011 plans. Today's featured player is defensive end Stephen Bowen.)
Name: Stephen Bowen
Position: Defensive End
Height/Weight: 6-5/306
Experience: Five seasons
College: Hofstra
Key stat: Marcus Spears has been an underrated run defender throughout his time in Dallas, but the numbers say Bowen did a nice job in his place in the second half of the season. The Cowboys' final eight opponents had fewer yards (743 from 991) and a fewer yards-per-carry average (4.1 from 4.4) than the first eight.
Contract Status: Free agent.
2010 Impact: A rotation end often working on the nickel package's four-man line, Bowen moved into the starting lineup at left end for the final eight games after Spears' season-ending calf injury. Bowen finished 13th in team-credited tackles (25), second in pressures (12) and fourth in tackles for loss (4). He also added 1.5 sacks.
Where He Fits: New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan says Pro Bowl nose tackle Jay Ratliff won't be changing positions, which leaves at least one defensive end spot up for grabs. Spears, a six-year starter on the left side, is expected to test the market whenever free agency opens. Jason Hatcher is also a free agent to be. If re-signed, Bowen could compete for a full-time starting job. At the very least, he'd provide some pass-rushing punch in certain packages.
Writers' Analysis:
Rob Phillips: If the new Collective Bargaining Agreement allows players with four and five accrued seasons to become unrestricted free agents, Bowen, Hatcher and Spears would all qualify. Just in case Bowen and Hatcher become restricted free agents, the Cowboys tendered them one-year offers at the second-round level ($1.9 million). The Cowboys seem to want him back, but Bowen likely would have considerable interest on the market given his age, production and part-time experience as a starter.
Josh Ellis: With Spears and Hatcher injured at midseason, Bowen was impressive in his first chance at a starting job. The lack of depth those injuries caused forced him to play a lot of snaps, but it didn't seem to slow him down much. He can be very disruptive at times, and has shown more as a pass-rusher than either of the other free-agent ends the Cowboys have. In my opinion, re-signing him should be the highest priority of the three, but I also think there will be significant competition for him when free agency opens.