1. Offensive Line- Big questions here like usual for the Cowboys... they cut Pro-Bowl Guard Leonard Davis recently but did re-sign left tackle Doug Free. The starting line looks like this: LT Doug Free, LG Kyle Kosier, C Andre Gurode, RG Montrae Holland (?), RT Tyron Smith. Holland may start at tackle but that would mean a different guard would have to step up out of rookie David Arkin, 2nd year player Pepa Letuli or a free-agent pick-up. Very tough right side but at least Romo's blind side will be well protected by Free.
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| Doug Free- bleacherreport.com |
2. Defensive Secondary- I HATE Terrance Newman. Saying it once isn't enough, I HATE Terrance Newman. The first-round draft pick from 2003 has been a huge disappointment and last year's career high 5 interceptions is nothing special to gawk at. He may have had a career high in INTs but he had a career low in PD (Passes Defensed), which is the real stat that matters in a game. Michael Jenkins is no better, I thought like many other people that the kid out of South Florida would be a star but he just cannot seem to figure it out and threw up an awful 1 INT and 9 PD season last year. Alan Ball stepped up nicely in a safety role but will need to continue to improve to help out the ghastly corners in the pass game more. Orlando Scandrick is almost the same player as Alan Ball and still needs to step up big. Big questions and the big weakness of the defense. Gerald Sensabaugh may return but it is unclear at this moment to help the safety depth.
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| Terrance Newman- bestsportsphotos.com |
3. Running Backs- So the biggest move in the off-season was cutting Marion Barber III. FINALLY!! The man runs like a galloping horse and gets stuffed at the 1 yard line more than I did when I was a fullback on my freshman football team! Felix Jones gets the full confidence of Jason Garrett and will hopefully be a great fit. Tashard Choice and rookie DeMarco Murray will be his backups if he wavers at all.
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| Felix Jones- graphichunts.com |
4. Coaching Staff- Jason Garrett did not prove much to me in his short tenure last year but Jerry Jones believes in him and somehow that has rubbed off a bit on me. I give you 1 year Garrett... don't screw it up and for the love of god please be creative with play calls. Rob Ryan coming in to be the defensive coordinator adds a swagger and toughness to the squad but I worry that the players we have aren't built for the "Ryan System" like other clubs (Jets, Ravens).
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| Jason Garrett- dallascowboys.com |
So in a nutshell I am seriously worried about the Offensive Line, the Defensive Secondary, the Running Back situation and the Coaching Staff of the Dallas Cowboys. I won't even go into the worries of Tony Romo or Dez Bryant's injury recoveries. Let's hope this post brings some good ju-ju to America's Team and will be a productive season in the always tough NFC East.
The main reason the Cowboys won't win the conference isn't on your list. The city of Philadelphia. I HATE the eagles, but I have to admit that I am jealous of all that talent.
ReplyDeleteTrue... I did say the NFC East was tough... I'm just afraid to mention the amazing talent the Eagles have, it's scary how good they could be. But Vick is injury prone and Vince Young was awful in the AFC South, imagine how bad he'd be in the NFC East as a starter.
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