The Dallas Cowboys wooed CB Brandon Carr in fabulous fashion. One of the tricks the Dallas Cowboys pulled was having a handful of Dallas Cowboys meet Carr for dinner at the stadium. I think it is safe to say we know who the leaders of the Dallas Cowboys are after this meeting and it is an interesting group, maybe surprising group or to some maybe not surprising. There were 2 offensive players and 2 defensive players.

1. Jason Witten
2. DeMarcus Ware
3. Miles Austin
4. Sean Lee

Those 4 men showed up and had dinner with young free agent Brandon Carr and made their pitches to the CB on why he should choose the Dallas Cowboys. So these are what I’m willing to call the leaders of the Dallas Cowboys. Let’s start with them each individually.

JASON WITTEN

I don’t think this surprises anyone. As debates about the Dallas Cowboys leaders have swirled, most agree Jason Witten is that leader. A hard-nosed tough player who is consistent and leaves it all on the field. He is reliable, and dependable. Many Cowboys will remember Witten running down the field after his helmet had been ripped off. Maybe not the most vocal leader, but definitely one who leads by example.

DEMARCUS WARE

Unquestionably the leader of the Dallas defense. He has put put 99.5 sacks in his career including seasons with 20.0 and 19.5 sacks. Ware has also displayed his toughness. The Dallas Cowboy OLB had hurt his neck was expected to miss the next weeks’ game against a then undefeated New Orleans Saints at the Superdome. Ware suited up and played, and the Cowboys beat the Saints. Also maybe not as vocal as fans would like.

MILES AUSTIN

This is kind of a surprise to me, when I had wrote an earlier piece defining the leadership of  the Cowboys or how to improve it. I didn’t even factor in Miles Austin. Personally, I think Miles Austin is a little too Tony Romo so to speak. Austin enjoys the celebrity accompanied with being a Dallas Cowboys, dating Kim Kardashian, having her attend practices. Undoubtedly a hard worker who went from undrafted free agent to number one receiver. That in itself is a small accomplishment. I think he might have the opportunity to show up and be the most vocal of those listed so far. Austin always has a fired up presence on the field as opposed to Tony Romo who, while being calm and cool, sometimes lacks the intensity of fire.

SEAN LEE

This is the most intriguing to me. In the piece I wrote about on how to improve the Cowboys’ leadership, one of my ways to improve Dallas’ leadership was for Sean Lee to step up. He’ll be entering his 3rd season and coming off just his first as a starter. But his youth is an asset, he produced big time, his numbers last year speak for themselves 105 tackles, 4 interceptions. Lee can grab the reigns now and be leaders for years to come, he can make this his team. Who’ll challenge him? His performance and effort last year earned him that right. He can be the Cowboys’ Ray Lewis.

NO TONY ROMO?

I think Tony Romo not being at this meeting only compounds the leadership questions that have plagued his career. Who knows where he was, maybe he had a prior commitment. You know Cabo trip or golf tournament. But obviously he hasn’t made the Cowboys his number one priority. Mac Engel wrote in his blog that he thinks the Cowboys should bring in Tebow to put a fire under Romo’s butt. I don’t think it would work out quite like that but it’s a nice thought. But doesn’t this say a lot about Tony Romo and his leadership?

But for Sean Lee, I think this will be the start of something special. Sean Lee stepping up and being the leader of this team or defense could only be good things. I’m trying not to get too overly excited in March about this upcoming season. But it could be a improved season from last year.