http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3423170

The cowboys major deals since last offseason now include: Romo, Owens, Barber, Newman, Pacman, and Flozelle Adams since last offseason.

Compare that with the Hawks major deals: Locklear, Tatupu, Trufant, Julius Jones, Wahle

The Hawks and Cowboys have been the only two consistently excellent teams in the NFC the past few years. The other good NFC teams the last few years have been up and down (Saints, Bears, Packers, Giant, Eagles, Bucs). Both teams have improved over the offseason and not given up much. Although everyone thinks the Vikings are the hottest thing since the big bang, they don't have a good QB. People seem to confuse 'young' and 'going to be great next year' way too often. Anyhow, it stands to reason that Dallas is the team to beat in the NFC this year. Compounding this reality is the fact that the Hawks and Cowboys are going to play this season... A matchup that has been in the hawks favor in recent years.

The Cowboys have the most talent in the NFC but they are their own worst enemies. Tank Johnson, Pacman Jones, Terrell Owens, Ken Hamlin, and others have well documented off-field troubles. This sort of character depravity makes Jerry Jones look like a shrewd genius when the team is winning. Of course, should the Cowboys start off the year with, say, three wins and four losses, we all know what will happen. Owens will start crying about touches. Tank Johnson will shoot someone. Pacman will shoot someone. The list goes on... These guys will chew each other out because they just aren't team players.

The Hawks, on the other hand, are a high character bunch and will not self destruct if things don't start out perfectly. last year's 4-4 start is a good example, as well as two years ago with all the injuries.

I keep hearing stuff about Jerry Jones doing all these big-money signings because of a potential uncapped year approaching and a bunch of other loopholes. I haven't heard a fully coherent explanation though. I hope this isn't turning into a MLB/Yankees type of situation. Letting Jones buy all the top talent will make for a lot of unexciting Sundays.