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USA TODAY Sports Media Group
Cowboys carrying on a Parcells tradition with their roster churn
By reidhanson,
16 hours ago
Just days after signing defensive end Carl Lawson to a one-year deal, the Cowboys have already moved on, releasing the veteran pass rusher and eyeing other options on the free agent market. To some, this lack of commitment could be seen as fickle behavior and a poor character trait of the franchise. To others, it’s a sign of their refusal to settle and commitment to improve.
Roster churn has both a physical and mental impact on the team. Of course, there was the physical removal and addition, but in some ways, everyone was essentially put on notice by just knowing they could be replaced with an outside entity at any time. Parcells, like many coaches, thrived with the psychology of the sport. He constantly downplayed it and even played dumb to the media about it, but he was a master motivator and appeared to only be comfortable when others are uncomfortable.
Early in 2024 it became extremely clear the Cowboys were not loaded with the will or resources needed to upgrade the roster. Choosing to roll the whole thing back another year, the front office asked the team to improve from within. For months there was very little competition and very little churn. Things felt comfortable on the roster.
Cowboys defensive tackles don’t just need to be the best options on the team, but the best options available in the NFL.
Additions need to hit the ground running in Dallas or replacements will be found. And this time of year, when 32 teams are aggressively trying to cut rosters down to 53, replacement options are everywhere.
Roster churn is a good thing, in more ways than one. Now that the dollar figures have fallen off a cliff, the Cowboys are finally embracing the idea of adding competition and pressure to their roster. With any luck it will yield a few useful pieces as the Cowboys try to plug holes and address deficiencies.
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