(Editor's Note: Each day we will take the 2 best questions for our staff writers to answer from the Mailbag. "Click here" to email questions now.)

LOUIS HINNANT - HUNGARY, MD: I think the expectations for Miles Austin are now somewhat unrealistic. What are some consistent goals that would suggest he's being productive for the remainder of the season?

Nick: Just make more big plays. I don't think there has to be a set number of catches or yards. But if Austin continues to provide some big plays here and there, but is a consistent threat, then that would be an improvement for him. He was supposed to replace Terrell Owens' production from last year. And that's basically what T.O. was - a player who made a few big plays but was always a threat. That's what Austin needs to be.

Rob: Can't expect 10 catches and two touchdowns every game, especially now that he'll draw extra attention. His catch totals are going to vary from game to game based on the opponent's coverage. But the goals should be to get some yards-after-catch every week and stretch the defense, which in turn will take some pressure off Roy Williams and Jason Witten. Get those safeties to play a little deeper.

Josh: He will have an increase in opportunities, so I don't think 1,000 yards is out of the question, if we're just tossing out numbers. Just under a third of the way through the season and he's already got 331 yards. If he could kind of keep the same pace the rest of the way then you'd have to call it consistency. It would also probably make him the team's leading receiver.

DAVID TREMBLAY - MONTREAL, QC: There were so many questions this preseason about leadership. Now that he is more comfortable, I think Keith Brooking has become the emotional leader this team needs. Do you think this lack of leadership everyone was talking about is resolved, or will the papers continue to waste more ink on the subject?

Nick: Had the Cowboys lost to the Chiefs, I doubt there would be so much talk about Brooking's leadership. It probably wouldn't have been such a great thing had they lost to the lowly Chiefs. My point is that the next time the Cowboys lose, it will be something else - penalties, leadership, chemistry or maybe something new this time. So yes, I think Brooking is a good leader. He'll be a good leader if this team is 10-6 or 6-10.

Rob: There wasn't a lack of leadership before Brooking got here. We didn't hear about lack of leadership two years ago when the same group of veterans won 13 games. Winning cures everything. But Brooking has been a great addition for the reason you mentioned, plus the fact that he's making impact plays.

Josh: I don't think lack of leadership was ever a really good reason for last season's failings. And if the Cowboys go undefeated the rest of the way and win the Super Bowl, it won't have too much to do with leadership. It'll be because they're a good team - and partly because Keith Brooking is playing well. He's been a productive, veteran player. Those are good guys to have around whether they're leading the team out of the dressing room or not.

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