The Cowboys released their 2012 pre-season schedule, and it kicks off on MNF in Oakland, this will work out great since the Cowboys are expected to practice in Oxnard this year. Aug., 13 @ Oakland, 7 p.m. (MNF) Aug. 18, @ San Diego, 8 p.m. Aug. 25, vs. St. Louis, 7 p.m. Aug. 29, vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m. The Cowboys also announced their rookie free agent signings (Star-Telegram), who will be this year’s hidden gems? The Cowboys scouting department has been very solid when it comes to making their free agent moves, so it’ll be interesting to see who can come in and contribute. Rookie mini-camp will be held this coming weekend. Good luck to all those guys! Jeff Adams T Columbia Levy Adcock T Oklahoma State Cole Beasley WR Southern Methodist Tim Benford WR Tennessee Tech George Bryan TE North Carolina State Taylor Dever T Notre Dame Lance Dunbar RB North Texas Harland Gunn G Miami Saalim Hakim WR Tarleton State Adrian Hamilton LB Prairie View A&M Charley Hughlett LS Central Florida Donavon Kemp WR UTEP Ronald Leary G Memphis Isaac Madison CB Arkansas Tyrone Novikoff T Idaho Darrell Scott RB South Florida Lionel Smith CB Texas A&M Andrew Szczerba TE Penn State Aston Whiteside

With the draft in the bag, there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel, and the roster has turned a corner for the best. Coach Garrett has methodically jettisoned players that do not fit his philosophy, and is plugging-in his type of players. Drafting Morris Claiborne was a major statement pick, and set everyone on the team on notice, the Cowboys have no problems upgrading positions even if there is a relatively incumbent starting player there ala Mike Jenkins. With moves in free agency, and this weekend’s draft the Cowboys are revamped, and upgraded across the board. We’ve added depth and competition at every position. Who wants to play? strap up the pads and show us something or you’re outta here. I think Garrett is taking this approach from Jimmy Johnson. Lets look at the players we drafted and their impact on the 2012 roster: 1st round: Morris Claiborne, CB Claiborne will be the starter opposite Carr, which bumps Mike Jenkins out of a starting role, and perhaps off the team all-together. Jenkins has had the proverbial roller coaster career in Dallas, with one Pro Bowl season, a decent season here, and a horrid season there, mixed with nagging injuries and

In the 7th round, and with their final pick to wrap up their draft, the Cowboys drafted Montana LB Caleb McSurdy 6’1” 245lbs. Big Sky Conference defensive player of the year. McSurdy will compete for a special teams position and ILB depth. Share

In the 6th round, the Cowboys drafted Oklahoma TE James Hannah 6’2” 252lbs. The Cowboys had some depth needs at tight end after letting 2nd round bust Bennett walk. We’ll see Hannah compete and add depth with John Phillips. More Bio Here Share

In the 5th round, the Cowboys draft WR Danny Coale, Virginia Tech 6’0” 200lbs. The Cowboys were looking at adding a receiver in the later rounds and they got their guy. Coale had a productive career for the Hokies, and has always been a guy that knows how to run routes and with good hands. Coale made some noise at the NFL combine by having a great outing, read about it here. Could Coale fit the role of a Patrick Crayton type? We’ll see. Share

The Cowboys used their other 4th round pick (compensatory) on Eastern Washington University safety, Matt Johnson 6’2” 220lbs.  Suffered a torn biceps tendon his Sr. year. He’ll play special teams and compete at safety. Official Bio Share

In the 4th round the Cowboys drag Wake Forest LB, Kyle Wilber 6’4” 250lbs. This pick screams Spencer’s replacement. Depth at OLB was a draft need, and now its been addressed. So, far the Cowboys have methodically been all defense in this draft, and I doubt we’re done! The Cowboys have another 4th round pick (compensatory) that will close out the 4th round. Share

The Cowboys have (5) picks today, but will they be making trades here to pick up a few more picks? The Cowboys have gone heavy on defense with their first two picks, and rightfully so, but don’t be surprised to see a couple of more defensive players drafted. The Cowboys had quite a few defensive backs interviewed and worked out leading up-to the draft, so I can see the Cowboys adding more, and we could always use more guys back there. The Cowboys could also nab a running back to be a successor to Felix Jones once the Cowboys let him walk at the end of the season, not to mention he can’t stay healthy, so you have to think the Cowboys will look for adding depth to avoid a late season let down in the running game. Here’s some players to look for today: Texas A&M RB Cyrus Gray LSU CB Ron Brooks California S DJ Campbell Memphis OG Donald Leary Oklahoma LB Ronnell Lewis Texas A&M CB Lionel Smith and versatile Offensive Lineman, OG/C types Lets Go Cowboys! Share

With their 3rd round pick, the Cowboys drafted DE Tyrone Crawford, Boise State. 6’4” 275lbs. 5-technique with a motor. This a good pick, reminds me of Hatcher a few years ago, instant upgrade over Spears. Good pick Dallas! Watching the war room, everyone is excited about this pick. Go Cowboys!! Share

Reports are coming out that the Cowboys are actively planning a move that will garner them a 2nd round pick for tonight’s draft. The Cowboys obviously are trying to recoup a pick since they gave their’s up to move up for Claiborne. PFT is reporting that the Cowboys are actively shopping CB Mike Jenkins. I think this is a good idea, we still have Scandrick who has been the primary guy to come in for substitutions for oft injured Newman and Jenkins, so moving him would be the ideal situation for all parties. I’m almost sure they will be able to strike a deal. There aren’t any “premier” corners remaining today, so this would surely entice a team to bite. Jenkins is a quality player, but the injuries and consistency have plagued his career in Dallas. If the Cowboys can get a 2nd round pick straight up that’ll be draft gold for Dallas, if not, they may have to package Jenkins plus a later round pick. I wouldn’t discount the idea of trading Felix Jones as well, he was rumored as a draft bait target, and this could be the other option as well. The Cowboys said they had practiced the trade up exercise a lot, so knowing this, they would have also

The Cowboys made a huge trade, moving up to #6 from #14 overall and drafted Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU. Wow, that’s a hell of a pick, no one saw this one coming. Instant shutdown corner, paired up with Brandon Carr, the secondary is taking serious upgrades right before our eyes. Yesterday Jerry had said they practiced the exercise to trade up a lot, and it paid off this evening. The Cowboys mean business, that was a statement pick. Claiborne is a premier corner. Welcome to the Dallas Cowboys! Share

We’re on the eve of the draft and the rumors continue to shift and change by the minute. The latest has the Cowboys looking at Michael Brockers as the pick the whole time. Hopefully this is off base. Brockers is another Marcus Spears and just another LSU player that will probably fall under the same average play as previous guys like Glenn Dorsey, Tyson Jackson, and Marcus Spears. They aren’t impact players, they do nothing for a pass rush, so like all Cowboys fans, we’re hoping this isn’t the real target, not with #14. If there was a redo draft the year Spears came out, he wouldn’t be a first round selection, so the Cowboys need to follow that thinking, bring me another Hatcher or better in later rounds, that’ll be fine. One thing’s for sure, the Cowboys must hit on their first round pick, this absolutely needs to be a guy that will start day one and do some positive things for us. Let that be a secondary player, outside linebacker, or interior lineman. Our we going to be screaming in joy and anticipation for the play-making our new pick will give us, or is it going to be a “womp….womp” , crickets chirping selection. Lets