Blue Star Ranch has had a period of inactivity since the end of the season, hiring of Monte Kiffin and draft process due to a number of unforeseen circumstances.

However, the team at NextEra NFL are excited again about the off-season ahead; the players added in free agency and the draft; the ins and outs of minicamp, OTA’s and training camp; and most of all the 2013 season!

Keep an eye out for your regular news, opinions, analysis and features – it’s on!

For starters, every wide receiver must rely on their quarterback to give them opportunities. That is why it is helpful for Bryant that the Cowboys have locked up Tony Romo for the long run. He is among the best play callers in the league, and he can certainly give Bryant the opportunity to put up unreal numbers.

Health is also a concern in the NFL, because every time a pass is thrown his way there is a chance he gets drilled. Bryant caught 92 passes in 2012, good for 1382 yards and 12 touchdowns. That is even more impressive when you consider he played the final three games of the season with a broken index finger. He has since had surgery on the finger, and he is ready for a true breakout season in 2013.

Staying focused has never been Bryant’s forte, but perhaps at 24 years old, he is setting goals such as this one for himself to keep him on track. Now that he is the #1 wide receiver on a team that always has playoff aspirations, he might finally be ready to live up to the potential people have always seen in him.

Reaching the nice round number of 2000 yards might prove to be difficult, but would make him a fantasy football legend, perhaps a more realistic goal to start out would be to just lead the NFL in receiving yards. That is something he can contend for as soon as this season. Both Bryant and Jason Witten should be jumping for joy that the Cowboys have locked up Romo, as any replacement they could have gone with would have set them back as well.

I for one was a little uncertain to say the least when the mediocrity of another 8-8 season was blamed on the defensive side of the ball. Perhaps Jerry forgot the blame for the blowout losses to the Bears and the Seahawks both should sit with Jason Garrett and his misfiring offense.

Sure, Tony Romo had yet another outstanding year as far as the stats are concerned; the emergence of Dez Bryant as the legitimate number one receiver we all knew he could be was pleasing; and Jason Witten showed yet again why he is a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame. Yet, it was a physically ailing defense bound together with tape that took the wrap.

That aside, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves with a retooled defensive coaching staff full of Super Bowl experience. The hire doesn’t make total sense to me as it is not as if the team will make the necessary adjustments under the watch of a 72 year old co-ordinator to push them into playoff contention. As we all know, it is the players and not the staff that ultimately win games.

However, reuniting coach Kiffin and his defensive line coach Rod Marinelli may well prove to be a stroke of genius. Marinelli was given the option to stay in Chicago as its defensive coordinator after Lovie Smith was fired, but his devotion to Smith led him to leave. Marinelli and Kiffin worked together in Tampa Bay, and Kiffin wants his friend to join him again as he implements the Tampa 2 defense in Dallas.

Lets put aside the matter of an 0-16 season as Head Coach of the Detriot Lions. Coach Marinelli has a proven track record turning average defensive line talent into a servicable playoff calibre unit. Under Marinelli, Tampa Bay’s defensive line, led mostly by Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice, had an NFL-high 328 1/2 sacks from 1996 to 2005. In Marinelli’s three years as Chicago’s defensive coordinator, the Bears’ defensive line had 88 sacks.

Drew Brees threw for 446 yards and three touchdowns and led a drive to the winning kick. The Saints all but clinched it when a fumble by Marques Colston rolled forward about 20 yards to the Dallas 2. Jimmy Graham recovered.

The Cowboys lost despite rallying for two touchdowns in the final 3:35 of regulation. Tony Romo, who threw for 416 yards and four scores, hit Miles Austin for the tying touchdown with 15 seconds left in regulation.

The playoff hopes for the Saints (7-8) ended with Minnesota’s victory against Houston. The Cowboys (8-7) had a three-game winning streak snapped and lost control of their playoff fate.

Time for the Cowboys to hope on a Giants loss against the Ravens to take the NFC East title race down to the last week at FedEx field

Claiborne said he expects to play in Sunday’s game against New Orleans.

“I don’t have no doubt in my mind,” he said. “I expect to be on the field. I believe (the headaches) it’s past me. I’m just going out there practicing and don’t hold nothing back and whatever happens, happens.”

Safety Charlie Peprah (foot) was also a full participant in practice on Wednesday and got work with the first-team defense.

Linebacker Ernie Sims (concussion) didn’t practice but passed a concussion test. He has to undergo another one on Thursday.

Wide receiver Dez Bryant (finger) and outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (elbow) were limited in practice. Bryant wore a splint and Ware a brace as they practiced.

Running back DeMarco Murray (foot) didn’t practice, but that was expected because he normally doesn’t participate early in the week.

Carr intercepted a pass from Roethlisberger on the second play of overtime and returned it 36 yards to the 1, setting up Dan Bailey’s 21-yard field goal that gave the Cowboys a 27-24 win over the Steelers on Sunday.

Bailey’s kick – 1:24 into OT – won a game for the second straight week since Dallas practice squad linebacker Jerry Brown was killed in a one-car accident that led to manslaughter charges against teammate Josh Brent.

The Cowboys (8-6) have won five of six and pulled even with the New York Giants and Washington atop the NFC East with two games remaining.

The winning kick came after Tony Romo, who broke the 25,000-yard passing milestone earlier in the game, took a knee to put Bailey in better position. Bailey beat Cincinnati 20-19 last week with a 40-yarder as time expired, just a day after the accident that killed Brown.

At the end of another emotion-fuelled game, Carr said:

“We have a lot of heavy hearts right now… Fifty-three was on the sideline today, so after the interception, that’s where the game ball went.”

The defining play came from a Dallas defense playing without six injured starters, the latest being Carr’s playing partner on the other side, first-round pick Morris Claiborne. The rookie was sidelined after sustaining a concussion against the Bengals.

Defensive end Jason Hatcher said following the game:

“I really can’t explain it. It’s something destined about this team, You look back there and you don’t know nobody back there behind you.”

The score was tied 24-all in the final two minutes of regulation. Pittsburgh quickly moved to its 46 after a completion by Roethlisberger and a roughing-the-passer penalty against DeMarcus Ware.

But Sean Lissemore and Anthony Spencer sacked Roethlisberger on consecutive plays to give the Cowboys the ball back.

The Cowboys couldn’t do anything in the final minute. Their drive stalled at the Steelers’ 43, and Bailey lined up for a 61-yard field goal attempt with 32 seconds left. But Dallas called timeout and punted instead. Roethlisberger took a knee, sending the game to overtime.

Earlier in the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh was driving for a go-ahead score when Ware and Spencer sacked Roethlisberger at the Dallas 40, forcing a punt with three minutes left. The Cowboys opted to punt at the two-minute warning after a third-down pass to Dwayne Harris was less than a yard short of the first down.

Roethlisberger put the Steelers ahead 24-17 with a 7-yard scoring pass to Antonio Brown, and Brown was about to put Pittsburgh in control with a long punt return.

But Brown fumbled when Victor Butler reached out and knocked the ball loose at the end of a 22-yard return. DeMarco Murray, who had 81 yards on 14 carries, then scored on a 3-yard run.

Of the forced fumble, Butler said:

“There was about five or six guys, all in black and yellow, and I see the punter and me and the long snapper and I figure I am probably the best tackler out of the three. It was time to make a play.”

Dez Bryant extended his touchdown streak to six games while playing with a broken left index finger, a 24-yard score that put Romo over 25,000 yards for his career and gave Dallas a 10-0 lead.

The Boys move in to a three way tie at the tope of the NFC East knowing wins at home to the Saints and away to the Redskins will give them the division title by virtue of tiebreakers. The defense continues to function despite being knocked around and the offensive line under Bill Calahan is beginning to click and give Tony Romo and the Cowboys skill players time to make plays.

Michael Coe played in one game with Miami before his release and in seven games with the New York Giants. Coe has played in 35 games with 19 tackles, four pass deflections and two fumble recoveries with the Giants, Indianapolis, Jacksonville and Miami.

The Cowboys have also chopped and changed their practice squad, adding tight end Andre Smith, defensive lineman Robert Rose, linebacker Brashton Satele and cornerback Micah Pellerin.

To make room for the new additions, the Cowboys released cornerback Reggie Jones and tight end Chase Ford from the practice squad.

Rumour has it that the Cowboys will look to move the hurting NT Josh Brent to the non-football injury/illness list as hefaces intoxication manslaughter charges in the wake of the death of teammate Jerry Brown. The move, as ESPN’s Ed Werder explains, gives Brent access to the team facility and support from the organization. Currently under the CBA, the team will have the discretion to determine whether or not a player with a non-football injury or illness will continue to receive his salary.

If/When Brent is convicted of intoxication manslaughter, the league can then step in and apportion discipline. The precedent was set when the NFL suspended receiver Donte’ Stallworth a year, after he pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter.

The mecurial third year receiver has been a revelation this season and is one of only 11 receivers in the league this year to post over 1000 receiving yards after the first 13 games. Bryant hurt his finger in the fourth quarter against the Bengals on Sunday but the team are still evaluating medical reports before making a decision on treatment.

Jerry Jones told KRLD 105.3 FM that it will be Dez who will make the decision whether or not to have season-ending surgery:

“Dez will be the ultimate decision-maker as to whether or not he wants to continue to try to play with a lot of protection or whether he should have surgery. The reason for the surgery is because you could have life-lasting stiffness there.”

Although Bryant is understood to want to play through the pain, it was a very similar injury to Terrell Owens that forever hampered his ability to full flex his digits.

The loss of the Cowboys no.1 receiver to injured reserve would be a body blow to the organisation. Bryant adds a physcial playmaking ability to the Cowboys offense that can’t be replicated by anyone on the roster. And he was in the midst of his best stretch as a professional with at least one touchdown in the last five games. He is tied second in the league for his 9 receiving touchdowns and has already posted a career season high of 75 receptions for 1,028 yards.

Blue Star Ranch will keep you up to date on any developments as soon as we hear them! Follow @BlueStarRanch on Twitter for all the latest Cowboys news as it happens.

With Jerry Brown’s sad passing and his teammate in an Irving jail charge with intoxication manslaughter, it is a minor miracle the Boys were able to step onto the field with such composure. The team were told about the tragic incident before heading to their all-or-nothing clash in the Buckeye state.

Dallas won somehow, beating the Cincinnati Bengals 20-19 on Sunday afternoon at a dreary Paul Brown Stadium. Dan Bailey’s 40-yard field goal at the final whistle won it for the Cowboys, who are still alive for a playoff berth with three games remaining in their season.

The Cowboys move to 7-6 and continue to put one foot in front of another for both Jason Garrett and their fellow team mate. There was a sense of camaraderie amongst the active 53 today as they fought for a hard win in tough conditions. Brown’s Jersey was with the team the whole game as it was laid out on the sideline bench. A minutes silence was observed and a visibly emotional DeMarcus Ware proudly carried the shirt from the ground following the win.

Although not posting huge numbers, the tough hard-nose running of DeMarco Murray was epitomised in the potential season saving 3rd down run deep in the fourth quarter. Starting running back DeMarco Murray’s 6-yard run on a third-and-5 from the Bengals’ 30 gave the Cowboys a needed first down and kept a drive alive that would end on Bailey’s field goal.

A number of minor injuries to star players tarnished the win. Fortunately, what looked like a serious neck injury for Morris Claiborne appears to be ‘only’ a deep laceration to his lip – no more. Wide receiver Dez Bryant suffered a sprained left finger, Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (shoulder), guard Nate Livings (knee) and safety Gerald Sensabaugh (leg) were also nicked up. But they all were able to return to action.

Next up for the Cowboys are the ailing Steelers who went down 34-24 against the poor San Diego Chargers this afternoon. You can be sure there will be plenty of black and gold at Cowboys stadium as Big Ben Roethlisberger continues his comeback from a serious rib injury. Can the Cowboys continue to cling to the tail of a competitive NFC playoff race?

1.  Kansas City Chiefs : Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

I think we are safe in saying Brady Quinn is the not future franchise quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs. With the obvious need for a QB, KC will be definitely looking at the 2013 class for help.Looking at the contenders, Geno Smith often compared to RG3, is nowhere near the talent that RG3 was or is now. Matt Barkley returned with fanfare last year for his senior season and frankly choked with a talented team.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars : Jarvis Jones, DE, Georgia

I have up until now had a QB slotted here, but events are transpiring that make me think the Jaguars will go elsewhere. They still have Blaine Gabbert on the books, i think we are agreed in saying he has been a bust so far, but he still is a first round pick, the Jags wont given up on him too easily. In addition, the emergence of Chad Henne since Gabbert got hurt, has been a nice surprise for a struggling Jags squad.Given the lack of elite QB’s in this class, the Jags will turn too Defense. Jarvis Jones is a pass rushing phenomena that the Jags have never seen the like of. This would be a tremendous selection if the Jags to go this way.

3. Oakland Raiders: Star Lotuleli, DT , Utah

The Raiders need upgraded talent across the board defensively.  Lotelulei is the best interior threat and compares favourably to Haloti Ngata and become a fierce defensive playmaker for the Raiders.

4. Philadelphia Eagles : Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame

The Eagles need a leader more than anything else. Manti Te’o is the best leader in college football and looks like he could become the next Ray Lewis, the Eagles could certainly do with his talents in Philadelphia.

5. Carolina Panthers : Jonathon Hankins, DT, Ohio State

Carolina need to shore up the interior of their defensive line. Hankins and Lotulelei are neck and neck for the right to be the first Defensive tackle taken. The choice for Carolina becomes easier as the “Star” is already off the board.

6. Tennessee Titans : Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M

You could make the case that the Titans have been the most inconsistent team in the league this year. Big wins over Miami and Pittsburgh, fade away when losses against Jacksonville and others hang over you. Jake Locker certainly needs a bit more protection from his line and the Titans may look to the draft to fix those issues.Joeckel has risen so high following his great efforts blocking for Johnnie Football. Joeckel could well go in the top 5, when all is said and done.

7. Arizona Cardinals :  AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama

If he comes out AJ McCarron, should be the a Quarterback taken in the top 10 – no question.He is a junior, but given the weakness of the current QB class, AJ will certainly be enticed to enter the NFL draft. Especially if Alabama win back to back national championships and all his best lineman head for the NFL.If you’re going to be the QB in Arizona, you better be able to run and escape the pocket, Geno Smith can do that. While i like Geno Smith, he isn’t in that elite category and shouldn’t be drafted in the top 10. As we know however, when you have a need for a QB, you have to pull the trigger on one in the first round. Therefore i will be very surprised if Smith doesn’t go in the top 10.

8.  Cleveland Browns : DaMontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M

The Browns need more playmakers – end of. It would be difficult to question any selection made by the Browns due to the lack of great talent across the whole roster. Moore is rising on draft boards and is well on his way to securing a top 10 selection in the 2013 draft

.9. New York Jets : Keenan Allen, WR, Cal

Whoever is the QB going forward in New York, the Jets should start being fair to the guys and giving them some weapons to use. Allen is a solid prospect, and although he isn’t on the AJ Green, Julio Jones level,  i think he can have some success at the next level.

10. San Diego Chargers: DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama

There are lots of ways the San Diego Chargers could go at this pick. DeMarcus Milliner presents the best value here and is a well coached, talented cornerback who could add to this already solid secondary.

11. Buffalo Bills : Matt Barkley, QB, USC

If i was making this pick at #11, I certainly wouldn’t pick Barkley in the top 20.I like and can tolerate guys who lose with bad teams or lose with average teams, but not when you have so much talent around you and still can’t get it done. I would not want that guy as my franchise QB. The loss against Oregon wasn’t so much his fault, as much as the other losses for USC this season. The Bills GM, Buddy Nix, has come out and said they are looking to draft a QB soon. As such, I would be a fool not to hand them a QB in the first round.

12. Miami Dolphins : Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

Jake Long was just placed on IR and it looks unlikely that the former #1 overall pick will return to the Dolphins next year. Rookie tackle Jonathon Martin will get a shot to play left tackle, for the rest of the year but it is unknown how well he will perform in that role. Even if he succeeds the right tackle spot will then be vacated with no adequate starting level replacement on the roster.Lewan, ironically from the same alma mater as Jake Long would be a solid replacement for the former 1st overall pick.

13. Detroit Lions : Johnathon Banks, CB, Mississippi StateThe secondary situation for Detroit is a shambles at the moment and is really holding the Lions back so far in 2012. Banks can play in a variety of Defensive schemes and is strong in both man and zone coverage.

14. St Louis Rams : Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

St Louis need some help up front. Chance Warmack is a flat out beast that the Rams brass should love, however tackle is a spot that is in dire need of improvement. Fisher is not the player Warmack is but his positional value gives him the edge.

15. Minnesota Vikings : Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU

Jared Allen is obviously a tremendous player, Brian Robison too is a good player so why the DE at #15. The value of Mingo down here in the first is too good to pass up for any team. With a dynamic three player rotation of Allen, Robison and Mingo, the Vikings would combine for a fearsome pass rush.

16. Dallas Cowboys : Chance Warmack, G, Alabama

Interior Offensive line is still a big issue for the Cowboys. A combination of stalwart Guard Chance Warmack and the need at that position, makes this one a no-brainer.

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers : Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

The Bucs traded away Aqib Talib and with Ronde Barber surely on the verge of retirement, Corner becomes a very crucial need. Rhodes is the best corner available making it the logical selection.

18. Cincinnati Bengals : Eric Reid, FS, LSU

Cincy will likely use this selection on Defense. Like many other teams in the top half of this draft they could use some more playmakers, particularly in their back seven. I think Free Safety Eric Reid will be the route the Bengals go in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft assuming he stays healthy the remainder of this season.

19. Indianapolis Colts : Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU

Indy have a few ways they can go but Defensive front seven would be area to target. Montgomery can start immediately in the 3-4 Defense and could become another player you have to to gameplan around.

20. New Orleans Saints: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State

The Saints like their big defensive ends and Werner certainly is one of them. Will Smith has regressed in recent campaigns and the Saints can use a young defensive end to pair with fellow first round pick Cameron Jordan.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers : Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia

A typical Steelers move. Loading up on talent on the inside in preparation for Larry Foote moving one, to pair up with Lawrence Timmons.

22. Baltimore Ravens : Kwaan Short, DE, Purdue

Stopping the run has been one of the Ravens biggest concerns this season. Short could be the guy to help turnaround some of those issues alongside some of the Ravens, that hopefully will be healthy next season.

23.  St Louis Rams (From Washington) : Terrance Williams, WR,  Baylor

The Rams need to get some aerial Offense going. Bradford is a capable QB but he needs some help on the outside, Williams could provide that help as a big target on the outside.

24. Seattle Seahawks : Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

Although Seattle has drafted Russell Okung and James Carpenter in recent times the tackle situation is far from resolved. Carpenter is playing Guard and Okung is not playing up to his 4th overall status. Matthews can become a great tackle in the NFL, starting Matthews at LT and moving Okung over to the right could be the best solution for the Seahawks going forward.

25. Chicago Bears : Barrett Jones, OG/C, Alabama

The Bears need some help on the O-Line to let talented Quarterback Jay Cutler do his thing. Jones is a versatile talent that could help the Bears in a lot of areas along the line, when required.

26. Green Bay Packers : Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame.

The Packers are having some issues in pass protection, so an offensive lineman may not be a bad choice. However, an additional tight end as a safety blanket may allow Rodgers to get the ball out a bit quicker and save himself taking too many hits. Jermichael Finley is talented, but unreliable so getting some quality insurance on the roster like Eifert on the roster would be a solid move.

27. New York Giants : Dion Jordan, DE, Central Michigan

This already stacked team always selects the best player available. Dion Jordan is very athletically gifted and would fit into an already daunting Giants Defensive line.

28. Denver Broncos : Sheldon Robinson, DT, Missouri

Stopping the run hasn’t quite where the Broncos brass would have wanted. If they can become a force against the run, the threat of talented pass rushers Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller would only be magnified.

29. New England Patriots : Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

The excitement factor of New England’s Offense would go through the roof if they added Tavon Austin. He would add another dimension to this crazy talented offense.

30. San Francisco 49ers : Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama

Isaac Sopoaga is getting up there in age and the 49ers could want to look for a future replacement. Williams is a beast playing in the SEC that Harbaugh should like the look of.

31. Houston Texans : Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee

The Texans are the most complete team in football despite their struggles against the Jets. They can really go best player available and i think a WR opposite Andre Johnson would just take this offense to another level.

32. Atlanta Falcons : Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU

With Abraham getting up there in age and the Falcons recently releasing Ray Edwards, Defensive End becomes a big need. Ansah is an athletic freak some are likening to Jason Pierre Paul. I think Atlanta would take that at #32.