The Dallas Cowboys' 5 Biggest Red Flags Heading into 2014

By Ryan Ratty

Dallas Cowboys: The 5 Biggest Red Flags Heading into 2014

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After the injury to Sean Lee, the Dallas Cowboys should be worrying about their defense in the 2014 NFL season. The Cowboys haven't made the playoffs in four years, and that needs to change if Jason Garrett wants to keep his job. Here are the five biggest red flags for the Cowboys heading into next season.

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5. Sean Lee's Replacement

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Getty Images

5. Sean Lee's Replacement

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Getty Images

With the injury to Lee, the Cowboys have three options who could start at the important MIKE linebacker position in Justin Durant, Anthony Hitchens and DeVonte Holloman. If it were up to me, I would play Holloman at that position because he played there during Week 17 against the Eagles and played it well. The Cowboys need to find their MIKE linebacker in Lee's absence.

4. Terrance Williams' Transition to No. 2 WR

terrance williams
Tim Heitman- USA TODAY Sports

4. Terrance Williams' Transition to No. 2 WR

terrance williams
Tim Heitman- USA TODAY Sports

After Terrance Williams flourished in 2013, it was clear that he was going to take over for Miles Austin for the No. 2 receiver position. The problem with this is that there are things Williams needs to work on. For one, he is a body-catcher, and that's an unacceptable trait for receivers in the NFL. Williams needs to gain some strength too so it is easier for him to break away from opponents at the line of scrimmage.

3. Defensive Line

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Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

3. Defensive Line

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Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

After releasing DeMarcus Ware and letting Jason Hatcher go in free agency, the Cowboys have given up two quality starters from their 2013 team. The Cowboys have some talented players in Henry Melton, Tyrone Crawford and Demarcus Lawrence. They also have George Selvie and Anthony Spencer. The problem is that Melton, Crawford and Spencer are coming back from injuries and Lawrence is still a rookie. Selvie was also a one-year wonder last year.

2. Tony Romo's Health

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Tim Heitman- USA TODAY Sports

2. Tony Romo's Health

tony romo
Tim Heitman- USA TODAY Sports

At 34 years old, Tony Romo is only a few years away from retiring from this league. The reason being is that he has taken a ton of vicious hits in his career, and his back is perhaps an injury away from being extremely devastating. The Cowboys have beefed up their offensive line, but they need to make sure Romo stays upright.

1. Overall Health

tyrone crawford
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

1. Overall Health

tyrone crawford
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Over the past three seasons, the Cowboys have had chances to make the playoffs, but their injuries have been their Achilles heel. Blame Romo all you want, but this defense has been ravaged by injuries. The Cowboys have put in new conditioning programs, but they need to hope injury-prone players like Morris Claiborne, Bruce Carter, Spencer and even Matt Johnson can stay healthy.

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