01/03/13: Cowboys chat with SportsDay beat writer David Moore

Hope everyone had a good holiday season. Let's get to your questions.

Everyone knows about the diminished state of the Cowboys defense. But after losing Dez Bryant and Miles Austin Sunday night, in addition to injuries to receivers Cole Beasley and Dwayne Harris, it's hard to imagine how competitive the team would have been offensively against a rugged Seattle defense. They were running out of bodies. As for your assessment, I largely agree. If healthy, this defense should be a pretty good one entering next season _ assuming they are able to keep Anthony Spencer. I will say they need to come out of the draft with a young player they can plug into the defensive front. Offense, they still have some significant work to do i the offensive line. But better shape, yes.

You bring up an excellent point. I would argue Jones spends too much time listening to voices outside of the organization. That undercuts the people you have in place at Valley Ranch and minimizes or compromises the input of the people who are there every day. If you don't trust those people, make changes. But if they are in place, Jones should listen to them first and foremost and not constantly look elsewhere for advice. That being said, who does Jones listen to outside of the organization? Well, Larry Lacewell is one. He was part of the club's personnel department for a long time. He will probably call on Barry Switzer _ remember, he gave him credit for the team drafting DeMarco Murray, not the scouting department _ Jimmy Johnson, Mike Holmgren. The usual suspects.

I'll give you the long answer to both of these questions _ No and No.

In the Saints game they only ran 18 offensive plays in the first half because New Orleans had such an overwhelming advantage in time of possession. After Murray fumbled inside his own 5-yard line to give the Saints a cheap touchdown in the second half, the Cowboys soon fell behind by 14 points and were in no position to run. I don't feel the Cowboys abandoned the run against Washington. But when you're down 21-10 early in the fourth, you can't run and expect to catch up.

Just another example of the rest of the league trying to keep up with the Joneses.

Linebacker Ernie Sims was the guy off the tractor. The Cowboys like what he gave them and I could see him coming back. The same goes for cornerback Sterling Moore and safeties Eric Frampton and Charlie Peprah.

I know some people believe the Cowboys would be best served by taking offensive linemen in the first two or three rounds. It's hard to argue given the state of the offensive line. But for me, it's a little early to make that call. Like you, if a top flight nose tackle or defensive end is available when the Cowboys select in the first round, I'm not sure I wouldn't look there first then address the offensive line needs.

Not much for me to say, but a nice assessment

Romo did develop under Bill Parcells and his coaching staff and actually did start for them before Garrett took over as offensive coordinator in 2007. But you bring up a good point. Most of Romo's time here as a starter has been with Garrett as the coordinator. Those two certainly share the blame for not being better in big games, but I still believe the biggest reason the Cowboys have failed in these big games is not a lack of execution or preparation. It's been a lack of overall talent. The teams they have lost to simply have better personnel across the board.