When Tony Romo went down to injury last season so did the Cowboys’ season.  To make sure that didn’t happen again the Cowboys traded for veteran Jon Kitna and drafted Stephen McGee for the future.  Still, the Cowboys need Romo to stay healthy and to play better in the second half of the season.  Romo is shifty enough to ellude defenders and he has enough arm to make any throw required by a good NFL QB.  Without T.O. around Romo will have to make sure he spreads the ball around more keeping all of the WRs and TEs involved in the offense.  Jon Kitna has had some good seasons in his NFL career but it’s getting close to the end for him.  Having small hands has hurt him in the past fumble-wise.  Still, Kitna can play well in short periods of time but the Cowboys would be in some trouble if they had to depend on him for a long haul.  Stephen McGee is a solid prospect out of Texas A&M.  He should be a good developmental QB for the future and his strength is his running as he is a tough guy.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON:  B+

The Cowboys have released OLB/DE Greg Ellis.  The 33-year old Ellis played in all 16 games for the Cowboys last season and he made 36 tackles, defensed 1 pass, had 8 sacks and he had 1 interception.  Ellis played 11 years for the Cowboys appearing and he made 496 tackles, defensed 46 passes, had 77 sacks, forced 21 fumbles and he intercepted 4 passes (1 returned for a TD).  Ellis tried to force the Cowboys’ hand by asking for a trade and it worked for him.