Cowboys Mailbag:Mick's Mail: 07/27

For the last two decades, the Cowboys have almost always believed in building through the draft, keeping homegrown talent and signing free agents as fillers. Now it seems like they've decided to be very aggressive in free agency. What has caused the change in philosophy?

For all the talk about what's been going on at left tackle, if the Cowboys want this offense to thrive with the weapons they have and keep Dak Prescott healthy, should they be considering another option at right tackle?

I am wondering why the Cowboys decided to sign Von Miller instead of Bobby Wagner? Not that I'm unhappy. I am just curious as to the decision-making process between the two.

What goals should the Cowboys players and coaches have for the first preseason game against the Seahawks? What do they need to accomplish? What do the coaches need to learn about the players?

I know every year fans ask if the starters are going to play during the preseason, and the typical answer is no. But with a whole new defense (players, scheme and coaches), do you see the Cowboys letting them stretch their legs for a series or two? Do you wish they would?

The last two years when the Cowboys scrimmaged the Rams, things didn't seem to go well for the good guys. What were your overall impressions this time around? Could you see any difference?

Which scrimmage do you think will be the most telling of our defense, the Rams or Saints? What do you think those practices will show us about the progress they're making?

Dak Prescott is heading into his 11th season as the starter, and he has produced exactly two wild-card wins. Should he be taking some heat?

How does the coaching staff navigate players who are training camp heroes but during preseason games they don't deliver? I can't imagine having to decipher if a player is just a practice stud or someone who can actually translate that level of play to the field.

Would you wager future picks and the future of the players currently on the team to bring in a new player? If the Cowboys go out and make a big trade, then one or two players probably don't see the playing time they possibly need to fine-tune their skills. Is a move like that worth it?

Who are the undrafted free agent signings you are excited to see at training camp?