Babe Laufenberg, longtime Cowboys radio analyst and former NFL quarterback, answered questions following Dallas' 19-16 loss to the New York Jets:

Do you think the Cowboys waited too long to bring in Kellen Moore or was it the right call to start Matt Cassel against the New York Jets?

I just didn't see any reason to start Cassel. Why? He won't be back next season. You need to find out about Kellen Moore. As I wrote earlier in the week, the Cowboys' reason for starting Cassel was, "He gives us the best chance to win." I wasn't so sure about that. After 4 drives, clearly, neither were the Cowboys.

What did you think of Moore's performance once he got into the game?

I was impressed. I knew that it would be a difficult proposition once he entered the game. Hey, playing in your first NFL game at the quarterback position is a little like a 16-year-old getting his driver's license - you give him the keys to the car, then you hang on for dear life. Once Moore went in, I knew we were in for a wild ride, and it was. I know the stat sheet says 3 interceptions, but the last one was a desperation throw. In 2006, I remember Tony Romo really starting his career in the second half of the game against the Giants. Threw 3 interceptions in the half. But I also knew we had just seen something that could be special. Need to see more of Kellen Moore, but for the first time in forever, a QB not named Tony Romo has piqued my interest.

How challenging will Moore's physical limitations be?

Are his measurables less than ideal? Absolutely. But I will go back to my mantra, "Don't overlook productivity." This has been one of the most accomplished passers ever at both the high school and collegiate level. He is 6 feet tall and always has been. It is not like he was once upon a time successful because he was 6'5" but decided to have elective surgery to remove 5 inches from each of his legs. So you learn to compensate and play the position. He has the number one trait I look for in a QB -- accuracy. If you are looking for a 6'5", 265-pound QB who ran 4.7, he is available. His name is JaMarcus Russell. He was the number one overall pick in the 2007 draft.

With another 100-yard game, Darren McFadden is inching closer to a 1,000-yard season. Obviously the team started with a committee this year, but did you think that McFadden could be this productive?

I think he has been as good as you could have hoped for at this stage in his career. I think the ideal thing for him is to be in some type of running back rotation. I sensed the heavy carry games were taking a little out of him. It is a young man's game and he plays a young man's position. But he can be very effective with 10-15 carries a game.

What's the biggest defensive need that has to be addressed this offseason?

The contracts will dictate that. Who gets resigned? Greg Hardy, Rolando McClain, Mo Claiborne are all up. Does Brandon Carr become a cap casualty? That has to be the first order of business, then you proceed from there. The defense has played well enough to win. The off-season focus has to be to find a starting QB and a playmaker on offense.

With the playoffs no longer an option, should Dallas sit their big-name players like Dez Bryant, who has already missed extensive time this year with an injury? What's your stance on sitting vs. playing the year out?

Short of doing long-term physical damage, everyone plays. I don't understand this notion of "tanking" for a better draft pick. Short of a franchise QB at the top of the draft (which it appears there is not), picking 12th or seventh really doesn't make a whole lot of difference. The teams that pick in the top 10 seem to do it every year. This isn't basketball, where one player can turn around the fortunes of a franchise, so you go out and try to win as many games as you can. You owe that to everyone involved.

What are your overall thoughts on the season?

Clearly disappointing. I agree with Jerry Jones when he said, "This is absolutely not to be laid at the feet of losing Tony Romo." Obviously a huge blow to lose your top 10 quarterback, but the problems run deeper. And sometimes the ball literally does not bounce your way. It is a very competitive league, where the margin between winning and losing is razor thin. Last year, the Cowboys were 4-1 in games decided by 7 points or less- this year, 2-5. The record may say otherwise, but they are not that far away. You have to resist the urge to make changes for the sake of change.

Twitter: @BabeLaufenberg