The Dallas Cowboys Need Changes, Bob Sanders Isn't One of Them

The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a season they would much rather forget. Losing seven of their first eight games, firing their head coach and losing their quarterback for the season.

Needless to say, things didn't exactly go the way team owner Jerry Jones wanted it to go. You could say the players were upset as well at their performance but they were the ones failing--but I digress.

If things are going to get better for a team that still holds the title "America's Team" although some might argue it belongs to a team further south, there are changes that are going to need to be made. The question is, will Jones make the changes that are absolutely necessary to put this team back in the Super Bowl?

Those fans who live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area tune their radios to the local sports station and they listen for news on their team. They want to know how they've signed, who they've traded, and who the next big draft pick is going to be. But while they listen they also have an opinion.

Over the past few years there are some that have wanted to trade quarterback Tony Romo out of town. I won't say they're wrong because there are times that I am right there with them. However, some media folks will tell you that he's one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL. I didn't buy that line before and I'm certainly not buying it now.

I've been one for a change at the position. One playoff victory during Romo's entire tenure with the Cowboys is not a recipe for success. If that recipe hasn't worked year after year, no matter how many times they try to cook it, why keep doing it the same way? Why not change things?

After talking to a certain radio friend of mine in the area and going through a debate on the issue of a quarterback change, we agreed to disagree because he feels there are changes that are needed elsewhere first.

On that point, I will agree with him.

The defense is horrendous, bad, ugly and every other negative word you can think of. It's been one of the sore spots for this franchise for the past few years.

Their corners getting beat on the deep balls, safeties missing their assignments, the defensive line unable to stop a running back from eclipsing 100 yards or more in a single game, and the linebackers missing tackles. There's really nothing you can say that would make you think that nothing needs to be done.

One name that has come up over the past few days is former Indianapolis Colts' safety Bob Sanders. He's a guy that is well known around the NFL. Unfortunately for him, he's become known more for being injured and missing games than being a defensive specialist.

Newy Scruggs of NBC 5 here in Dallas was the first media member, at least on Twitter, to stump for his signing.

While I respect Mr. Scruggs' opinion I did wonder why they would bring in a guy that might spend more time on the injured reserved list or on the bench than actually in the game? Couldn't their money be used on a player that will actually see more than five games a year?

When I mentioned this to him he told me, "injury prone and all he is better than what they have at safety. Make the deal with incentives."

Injury prone and all he's better than what they have. Correct me if I'm wrong here, and I might be, but how many teams do you think would take a chance on a guy who's played just nine games over the last three seasons?

If I'm Jerry Jones, there's no way I'm taking a chance on a guy like that. Sure a deal with incentives might not be a bad idea but there have to be other free agents who this team can and should look at. I get Sanders has a name that would make most teams raise their eyebrows but there's a reason the Colts cut him in the first place.

Yes, there are changes that need to be made to the Dallas Cowboys. Yes, there are things that need to be different in 2011 in order for this team to not embarrass themselves like they did in 2010.

There is a time and place to make big things happen. That time is now for Jones, new head coach Jason Garrett, and the rest of the front office and coaching staff.

Wasting money on a guy like Bob Sanders does this team no good. You can't have your head coach wondering whether or not he's going to have this particular player on the field from one season to the next.

I know Mr. Scruggs has the best interest of this team at heart and I'm sure he's as frustrated as every other Cowboy fan in Dallas and around the country.

But now is not the time to be taking risks on players who "might be" good or "could be" better than before. Now is the time to be bringing in the right players who give this team the best chance to win week in and week out. And now is the time to put the best team on the field.

Doing those two things gives the Dallas Cowboys the best chance to bring the first Super Bowl championship to this franchise in 16 years.