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DAVID MOORE / The Dallas Morning News
Keith Brooking (51) is an emotional leader for the defense but showed signs of age (he's 35) as the 2010 season wore on.
Need meter: Six stars out of 10
Bradie James has become a fixture inside. He's a solid player who led the team in tackles. But for the second consecutive season, his numbers declined. The Cowboys had to manage his health over the second half of the season, resting him at least one day of practice every week. He had clean-up surgery on his left patellar tendon last month.
Keith Brooking is considered the team's emotional leader on defense and finished second in tackles. But he did not have the impact he enjoyed in his first season with the Cowboys. Brooking showed signs of his age as the season went on and also had to sit out practices to make it to game day. He was forced into the team's nickel linebacker role for much of the season because the team was unable to replace Bobby Carpenter.
Rookie Sean Lee has a bright future. His best game came in an overtime win over Indianapolis when he picked off two passes and returned one for a touchdown.
The question with Lee is his health. Injuries slowed his progress early and hampered his consistency late. He must prove he can stay on the field.
What the Cowboys should do
The first thing the club must do is make a decision on Brooking. Do they want to go forward with him as a starter or is it time to go younger at the position? Depth here is a big concern. The club used a second-round pick on Lee last season and should consider using another high pick on this position.
Interesting fact: The Cowboys haven't sent an inside linebacker to the Pro Bowl in 18 years. The last to go was Ken Norton in 1993.
Who's available
Stephen Tulloch, Tennessee: A physical player who is good against the run.
Paul Pozluszny, Buffalo: Has good instincts and makes plays.
Barrett Ruud, Tampa Bay: Last season wasn't his best, and he needs to improve in coverage.
David Harris, New York Jets: A key figure in the middle of a very good defense.
Martez Wilson, Illinois: May be the best inside linebacker on the board and should go in the second round.
On the roster, age
Bradie James, 30
Keith Brooking, 35
Sean Lee, 24
Leon Williams, 27
Kenwin Cummings, 24
Keith Brooking (51) is an emotional leader for the defense but showed signs of age (he's 35) as the 2010 season wore on.
Need meter: Six stars out of 10
Bradie James has become a fixture inside. He's a solid player who led the team in tackles. But for the second consecutive season, his numbers declined. The Cowboys had to manage his health over the second half of the season, resting him at least one day of practice every week. He had clean-up surgery on his left patellar tendon last month.
Keith Brooking is considered the team's emotional leader on defense and finished second in tackles. But he did not have the impact he enjoyed in his first season with the Cowboys. Brooking showed signs of his age as the season went on and also had to sit out practices to make it to game day. He was forced into the team's nickel linebacker role for much of the season because the team was unable to replace Bobby Carpenter.
Rookie Sean Lee has a bright future. His best game came in an overtime win over Indianapolis when he picked off two passes and returned one for a touchdown.
The question with Lee is his health. Injuries slowed his progress early and hampered his consistency late. He must prove he can stay on the field.
What the Cowboys should do
The first thing the club must do is make a decision on Brooking. Do they want to go forward with him as a starter or is it time to go younger at the position? Depth here is a big concern. The club used a second-round pick on Lee last season and should consider using another high pick on this position.
Interesting fact: The Cowboys haven't sent an inside linebacker to the Pro Bowl in 18 years. The last to go was Ken Norton in 1993.
Who's available
Stephen Tulloch, Tennessee: A physical player who is good against the run.
Paul Pozluszny, Buffalo: Has good instincts and makes plays.
Barrett Ruud, Tampa Bay: Last season wasn't his best, and he needs to improve in coverage.
David Harris, New York Jets: A key figure in the middle of a very good defense.
Martez Wilson, Illinois: May be the best inside linebacker on the board and should go in the second round.
On the roster, age
Bradie James, 30
Keith Brooking, 35
Sean Lee, 24
Leon Williams, 27
Kenwin Cummings, 24
