Like their own players? Focusing on re-signing them? Not spending big on aging free agents? Sound familiar?

Really, the biggest difference is that the Cowboys got their big, franchise-tag destined 2010 free agent, DeMarcus Ware, signed in November, where the Patriots did it with Vince Wilfork in March.

These two franchises, to be sure, operate in very different fashion, have very different histories, and apply a different approach to some areas of their businesses. So I thought it was interesting, anyway, that they pretty much have mirrored each other in such an uncertain environment.