Adams' release leaves Cowboys very thin at key spot

   The Cowboys’ quiet offseason jumped into overdrive Friday with the team parting ways with a veteran on each side of the ball and opening competition at two key spots.

   Left tackle Flozell Adams’ 12-year run with the team has come to a close as he was officially released.

   "He has enjoyed his time in Dallas with his teammates and the Cowboys' organization," agent Jordan Woy told the Dallas Morning News. "Now it is time to move on to a new team. Flo feels he has several good years in front of him."

   That came shortly after safety Ken Hamlin announced he had been released by the Cowboys – a move the team later confirmed.

   "I would like to say to all of my fans that I appreciate all the love that you have showed me in Dallas. It was a good run..... Thanks," Hamlin said on his Twitter account.

   The Cowboys were expected to add depth along their offensive line – and particularly at tackle – even before Adams’ release. He has slowed in recent seasons, which contributed to 39 penalties over the past three years, according to the paper.

   With right tackle Marc Colombo 31-years-old, Dallas is very thin at tackle outside of Doug Free, who showed promise filling in for Colombo last season. Four-year veteran reserve Pat McQuistan is the only other tackle on the current roster, and depth is also thin at guard.

   Hamlin, a solid tackler who isn’t a great last line of defense in deep coverage, was scheduled to make $5.596 million in 2010. He has just one interception since signing a six-year, $39 million deal in 2008.

   His likely replacement is Alan Ball, who showed potential while starting three games when Hamlin was injured last season.

   "He struggled the first week with some things, another week out there helped," defensive coordinator Dave Campo said after Bell’s second start last November. "There's no substitute for playing the game, that's the key. The longer and more he plays, the better he'll be. He's doing really good. A smart guy. His biggest thing is to be a good angle tackler, something that he hasn't been used to more than anything else."

   The team has also met with several safety prospects in this year’s draft, according to the Dallas Morning News, including Texas’ Earl Thomas, Georgia Tech’s Morgan Burnett, LSU’s Chad Jones and South Florida’s Nate Allen – all rated as top 64 picks by NFLDraftScout.com.