By David Moore , Staff Writer Contact David Mooreon Twitter
DavidMooreDMN
The way the season ended for the Cowboys was a disappointment.
That doesn't make it a disappointing season.
Far from it. The Cowboys orchestrated the most dramatic turnaround in franchise history, their 13-3 record representing a nine-game improvement over the previous season. Dallas won the NFC East, sculpted the best record in the conference and captured the No. 1 seed.
Did that nudge the team past the divisional round for the first time in 21 years? No. But a thrilling 34-31 loss to Green Bay felt more like a beginning than the end for this group.
A stellar draft class, the rise of other young players and a strong veteran core led to the most unexpected season of Jerry Jones' ownership. Head coach Jason Garrett and his staff are taking the weekend off before getting back together to coach the Pro Bowl. Individual evaluations on this team will be conducted later.
Why wait? We've gotten the paperwork underway by picking up the performance evaluation forms lying around the office at The Dallas Morning News and filling in the blanks.
Needs Improvement (17)
Description: Frequently fails to meet performance expectations. Does not consistently perform to standards with respect to quality and quantity of work. Requires a high level of guidance, direction and motivation.
Dez Bryant, WR: The attention defensive coordinators pay Bryant creates space for the team's other receivers. But he caught just one pass in three games and was shut out in another. With 50 catches for 796 yards, he failed to rank in the top 50 in either category. His response to suffering a hairline fracture of his right tibial plateau -- he skipped the initial MRI and team meetings, fearing the worst -- was irresponsible.
Tyrone Crawford, DE: He plays hard. He plays hurt. He spent most of the season at left defensive end after being told he would finally get to focus on playing the three-technique at defensive tackle. But Crawford hasn't come close to performing to the level his contract dictates. Only one of his 4 1/2 sacks came in the final two months of the regular season.
DeMarcus Lawrence, DE: He began the season with a four-game suspension. He missed the final three games of the regular season nursing a back injury. He didn't do much in between. After leading the team with eight sacks the previous season, Lawrence finished with just one in 2016. Seven other defensive linemen finished with more tackles and three others finished with more quarterback pressures.
Others
Mark Sanchez, QB: Backup doesn't get many chances, but he has to be better than 9 of 17 for 85 yards with two interceptions and three sacks.
Brice Butler, WR: Deep threat who caught just seven balls for 122 yards in the final 10 games of the season.
Lucky Whitehead, WR/KR: Effective running the jet sweep. But caught only three passes as a receiver and didn't provide much pop in return game.
Gavin Escobar, TE: Team lost two tight ends to injury, and he still couldn't get on the field. Finished with just four catches for 30 yards.
Darren McFadden, RB: Injuries kept him out for all but three games, but averaged only 3.6 yards a carry when he did play.
Alfred Morris, RB: Got off to a good start as Ezekiel Elliott's backup but eventually lost that job to Darren McFadden.
Lance Dunbar, RB: A change-of-pace back who touched the ball only 25 times. He did score one touchdown.
Orlando Scandrick, CB: Struggled with injuries to both hamstrings and plantar fasciitis in coming back from ACL injury. Clearly wasn't himself.
Cedric Thornton, DT: Didn't have the impact the Cowboys anticipated after signing him as a free agent from Philadelphia.
Randy Gregory, DE: Played only two games because of suspension and picked up the first sack of his career, but his struggle with addiction puts his career in doubt.
Emmett Cleary, OL: Started one game late in the season and held up well, but still has to show he can land a spot in the league as a reserve.
Kavon Frazier, SS: Rarely saw the field as a backup safety but made a few plays on special teams.
Mark Nzeocha, LB: Made only one tackle on special teams, one fewer than punter Chris Jones.
Leon McFadden, CB: Got some time in the regular-season finale against Philadelphia. Otherwise, not much.
Probationary Period
Description: A period to evaluate as a condition to employment. Those who land on the practice squad, injured reserve or a reserve list usually fall into this category. A few members of the active roster are here as well.
RESERVE/ DID NOT REPORT
Rolando McClain, LB
RESERVE/ NON-FOOTBALL INJURY
Jaylon Smith, LB
RESERVE/PUP
James Hanna, TE
RESERVE/INJURED
Kellen Moore, QB
La'el Collins, LG
Ryan Davis, DE
Chaz Green, OT
Geoff Swaim, TE
Charles Tapper, DE
PRACTICE SQUAD
Clay DeBord, OT
Kadeem Edwards, G
Shaquelle Evans, WR
Rico Gathers, TE
Jeremiah George, LB
Shelby Harris, DE
Andy Jones, WR
Sammy Seamster, CB
Jameill Showers, S
Rod Smith, FB
ACTIVE ROSTER
Richard Ash, DE
Jonathan Cooper, G
DavidMooreDMNThe way the season ended for the Cowboys was a disappointment.
That doesn't make it a disappointing season.
Far from it. The Cowboys orchestrated the most dramatic turnaround in franchise history, their 13-3 record representing a nine-game improvement over the previous season. Dallas won the NFC East, sculpted the best record in the conference and captured the No. 1 seed.
Did that nudge the team past the divisional round for the first time in 21 years? No. But a thrilling 34-31 loss to Green Bay felt more like a beginning than the end for this group.
A stellar draft class, the rise of other young players and a strong veteran core led to the most unexpected season of Jerry Jones' ownership. Head coach Jason Garrett and his staff are taking the weekend off before getting back together to coach the Pro Bowl. Individual evaluations on this team will be conducted later.
Why wait? We've gotten the paperwork underway by picking up the performance evaluation forms lying around the office at The Dallas Morning News and filling in the blanks.
Needs Improvement (17)
Description: Frequently fails to meet performance expectations. Does not consistently perform to standards with respect to quality and quantity of work. Requires a high level of guidance, direction and motivation.
Dez Bryant, WR: The attention defensive coordinators pay Bryant creates space for the team's other receivers. But he caught just one pass in three games and was shut out in another. With 50 catches for 796 yards, he failed to rank in the top 50 in either category. His response to suffering a hairline fracture of his right tibial plateau -- he skipped the initial MRI and team meetings, fearing the worst -- was irresponsible.
Tyrone Crawford, DE: He plays hard. He plays hurt. He spent most of the season at left defensive end after being told he would finally get to focus on playing the three-technique at defensive tackle. But Crawford hasn't come close to performing to the level his contract dictates. Only one of his 4 1/2 sacks came in the final two months of the regular season.
DeMarcus Lawrence, DE: He began the season with a four-game suspension. He missed the final three games of the regular season nursing a back injury. He didn't do much in between. After leading the team with eight sacks the previous season, Lawrence finished with just one in 2016. Seven other defensive linemen finished with more tackles and three others finished with more quarterback pressures.
Others
Mark Sanchez, QB: Backup doesn't get many chances, but he has to be better than 9 of 17 for 85 yards with two interceptions and three sacks.
Brice Butler, WR: Deep threat who caught just seven balls for 122 yards in the final 10 games of the season.
Lucky Whitehead, WR/KR: Effective running the jet sweep. But caught only three passes as a receiver and didn't provide much pop in return game.
Gavin Escobar, TE: Team lost two tight ends to injury, and he still couldn't get on the field. Finished with just four catches for 30 yards.
Darren McFadden, RB: Injuries kept him out for all but three games, but averaged only 3.6 yards a carry when he did play.
Alfred Morris, RB: Got off to a good start as Ezekiel Elliott's backup but eventually lost that job to Darren McFadden.
Lance Dunbar, RB: A change-of-pace back who touched the ball only 25 times. He did score one touchdown.
Orlando Scandrick, CB: Struggled with injuries to both hamstrings and plantar fasciitis in coming back from ACL injury. Clearly wasn't himself.
Cedric Thornton, DT: Didn't have the impact the Cowboys anticipated after signing him as a free agent from Philadelphia.
Randy Gregory, DE: Played only two games because of suspension and picked up the first sack of his career, but his struggle with addiction puts his career in doubt.
Emmett Cleary, OL: Started one game late in the season and held up well, but still has to show he can land a spot in the league as a reserve.
Kavon Frazier, SS: Rarely saw the field as a backup safety but made a few plays on special teams.
Mark Nzeocha, LB: Made only one tackle on special teams, one fewer than punter Chris Jones.
Leon McFadden, CB: Got some time in the regular-season finale against Philadelphia. Otherwise, not much.
Probationary Period
Description: A period to evaluate as a condition to employment. Those who land on the practice squad, injured reserve or a reserve list usually fall into this category. A few members of the active roster are here as well.
RESERVE/ DID NOT REPORT
Rolando McClain, LB
RESERVE/ NON-FOOTBALL INJURY
Jaylon Smith, LB
RESERVE/PUP
James Hanna, TE
RESERVE/INJURED
Kellen Moore, QB
La'el Collins, LG
Ryan Davis, DE
Chaz Green, OT
Geoff Swaim, TE
Charles Tapper, DE
PRACTICE SQUAD
Clay DeBord, OT
Kadeem Edwards, G
Shaquelle Evans, WR
Rico Gathers, TE
Jeremiah George, LB
Shelby Harris, DE
Andy Jones, WR
Sammy Seamster, CB
Jameill Showers, S
Rod Smith, FB
ACTIVE ROSTER
Richard Ash, DE
Jonathan Cooper, G
