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Let's keep all of this in perspective because the Cowboys have one of the NFL's most talented rosters.

Still, they do have a couple of areas – like every team – that would improve with some tweaking. And, I'm not talking about receiver.

The Cowboys' biggest need is backup quarterback.

Tony Romo is terrific. No doubt. He should be a Pro Bowl player for years to come. The problem is you can't expect him to play all 16 games every season.

That's unrealistic in today's NFL, where the players are bigger and stronger, and the blitz schemes are as complex as they come.

That's why the Cowboys have to add a backup capable of winning three or four games if Romo can't play.

I know Brad Johnson is on the roster, but his arm strength hardly inspires confidence. Obviously, he knows what to do and where to go with the ball, but you couldn't possibly watch Johnson in training camp and the preseason last year and have confidence in his ability to get the ball downfield.

And if he can't stretch the ball with a vertical passing game, teams can really concentrate on the Cowboys' underneath passing game and suffocate the offense.

Jerry Jones talked about adding a veteran in training camp, which would be a good move, because you would hate to see the Cowboys' season go up in smoke because Romo missed a month.

Besides, if the Cowboys added a solid veteran quarterback, Johnson could become the third quarterback.

Then Dallas would have a really good mix of youth and experience at quarterback.

Q: What do you know about Erik Walden, Dallas' sixth-round pick? There were at least 20 linebackers left that were rated higher. This seemed like a wasted pick in an otherwise good draft. What did the Cowboys like about him to take him in the sixth round when it's likely he could have been an undrafted free agent?

Chris Motta, Plumstead, N.J.

TAYLOR: When you get to the sixth and seventh round, there's no such thing as a sure thing, so the Cowboys decided to roll the dice on a good athlete they think can be converted to outside linebacker. You're right about the possibility of signing him as a free agent, but then you have to compete for his services with 31 other clubs. This way, you don't. The bottom line: I can't get myself worked up over a sixth-round pick.

Q: In your opinion, who will have a bigger POSITIVE impact on the team, Pacman Jones or Mike Jenkins?

William Carrick, La Quinta, Calif.

TAYLOR: I'm not sure why you capitalized positive. If that's because there's a double meaning, I wish you had just told me what you meant because I can't figure it out. If you just wanted it emphasized, then here's my answer: Pacman. If Pacman is healthy and stays out of trouble – perhaps he can for at least one season – then he has the ability to be a Pro Bowl player. I wouldn't say that about Jenkins entering his rookie year.

Q: With the rookie minicamp complete, what rookies have a chance to be solid contributors this season? How did Marcus Dixon look? Can he make the team?

Christopher A. Bryant, Pennsylvania

TAYLOR: I know this will anger some of you, but you can't possibly tell much about a rookie/free agent minicamp where guys are wearing shorts and T-shirts. If you can't look good under these circumstances, you are never, ever going to look good. The Cowboys expect each of their first five draft picks to be legitimate contributors this season. I think Dixon has an opportunity to make the practice squad, but I'd be surprised if he made the active roster.

Q: What is the early prognosis of Isaiah Stanback? Can Ray Sherman bring him to a point that he will contribute this season?

Doug Heard

TAYLOR: We'll get a feel for what he can do when the Cowboys begin their OTA practice sessions May 20. Again, you're going to have to wait until training camp and the preseason until we see what he can do. He's a terrific athlete, but he's making a difficult switch from college quarterback to NFL receiver. We'll get a feel in training camp for what he can do – and it won't be hard to tell. He'll either make plays or he won't.

Q: I don't know if I'm completely sold on Marion Barber as the No. 1 running back. I just see Barber's running style as choppy and don't see him as a back for the long haul. I hope I'm wrong. What do you think?

Brandon Bilderrain

TAYLOR: In the Cowboys' system, I think he'll be fine. He's going to get about 18 carries most games with Felix getting eight to 10. You don't average 4.8 yards per carry by accident, especially with as much red zone running as Barber did.

Q: I have listened to a lot of Cowboys' draft criticism. The way I see it, the Cowboys only have a limited number of picks, and they pick who they think fits best on the team. My criticism will come in December and January or perhaps 2009. Your thoughts?

Sidney Montgomery, Killeen

TAYLOR: That's fine, but our newspaper has to come out every day, so we spend a lot of time analyzing the draft. Our thoughts on the draft are fluid. They change based on the information we get based on practices, minicamps, training camps and games. We have given our initial impression and at the end of training camp, I'm sure we'll have different opinions.

Q: Do you think the abundance of corners the Cowboys have will open the way for Anthony Henry to move to free safety and Ken Hamlin to strong safety?

John Cobb, Lebanon, OH

TAYLOR: Anthony has a hard time staying healthy at cornerback, so the question is whether you think he could stay healthy as a full-time free safety. I think it would make more sense for him to play safety in nickel and dime situations, where he won't have to be so physical on a consistent basis.

Q: The Cowboys have drafted a lot of linemen over the last five years and most have been busts or just serviceable. Is there a lineman who can push Kyle Kosier this year?

Clay Eiland, Dallas

TAYLOR: I think Pat McQuistan gets the first chance to beat out Kyle Kosier since the Cowboys contemplated putting him at left guard last season. Offensive line coach Hudson Houck is all about getting the five best linemen on the field, regardless of position. If McQuistan can beat Kosier out, he'll get every chance to prove it.

Q: Since teams like the Cowboys are willing to take players with adverse off-the-field activity and give them a second chance, will it affect future draft choices' attitudes and lifestyles?

Jeff Jehl, San Antonio

TAYLOR: I don't think so. People do what they do. If a player is inclined to find trouble, then he'll find it, no matter what his teammates are doing. And if a player is not inclined to find trouble, then he won't find it, no matter what his teammates are doing. Grown men are grown men. They are responsible for their own actions.

Q: When will Marion Barber get signed?

Chen Liu

TAYLOR: I wouldn't hold my breath, but I figure it will get done sometime during training camp much like Bradie James and Roy Williams were a couple of years ago. Barber isn't going anywhere. They will work out a deal at some point.