The success of the Cowboys on offense depends on whether or not they can protect their 34-year-old quarterback, Drew Bledsoe. The offense line has the potential to be one of the better units in the league if they can avoid injuries, but age is a factor for them as well. The team did let LG Larry Allen (34) leave in free agency, but San Francisco overpaid for him. LG Kyle Kosier (Detroit) is a downgrade, but his youth is a big positive. The line should feature at least two starters over 30 with LT Flozell Adams (31) returning from injury and RG Marco Rivera (34), but both players went to the pro bowl in 2004. Along with Kosier (27), C Al Johnson (27) and RT Rob Pettiti (24) give the line some youth. They also brought in 31-year-old tackle Jason Fabini (New York Jets), who might start at RT and has had success at LT in the NFL if Adams has injury problems again. Overall, they should be alright this season unless they get hit with two major injuries, but the Cowboys need to add youth and depth to the offensive line in the very near future.
Terrell Owens might be the single biggest offseason signing in 2006. Whether or not you like the guy, he is the best overall receiver in the NFL. Owens has the strength to dominate defensive backs underneath and the speed and moves to get deep. He will make the tough catches over the middle and his versatility makes it a nightmare for defensive coordinators to take him out with a coverage scheme. Owens might eventually meltdown, but he should be on his best behavior this season and should score at least two touchdowns in both games against the Eagles (who now have both Donovan McNabb and Jeff Garcia). Terry Glenn will face single-coverage on every play this year, and it should look a lot like it did when Alvin Harper and Michael Irvin were in Dallas. The Cowboys also added two tight ends, Anthony Fasano (Notre Dame) with a second-round pick and Ryan Hannam (Seattle) in free agency, to go along with pro-bowler Jason Witten.
Julius Jones is back from a high-ankle sprain that slowed him last year. He is joined by the surprising second-year player Marion Barber in the Dallas backfield. Jones has been injured in both of his first two seasons, but Barber showed he can play if called upon. Dallas could have one of the best offenses in the league with so many weapons. The key is the health of Drew Bledsoe, which depends on the health of the offensive line. If Tony Romo and Drew Henson have to play, Dallas could be in trouble.
The Dallas defense should improve in their second year in the 3-4. DE Greg Ellis was not happy with the change, and is upset they are now asking him to play some linebacker. Ellis is not feeling good about his job security and it is easy to understand why. The Cowboys received excellent play last year from OLB DeMarcus Ware and DE Marcus Spears, both first-round picks in 2005. The team is also high on 2005 fourth-round pick DE Chris Canty. They took OLB Bobby Carpenter (Ohio State) in the first-round this year and added 26-year-old ILB Akin Ayodele (Jacksonville) in free agency. None of this is good news for Ellis, but it is all great news for the Cowboys. DT Jason Ferguson is a good player in the middle, and DT La'Roi Glover (St. Louis) was let go because he did not fit well in the new scheme. The Cowboys might put Ware, Carpenter, Ayodele and Ellis all on the field with Ferguson, Canty, and Spears to get the best personnel on the field. That requires Ellis, who is still an excellent player, to line-up at outside linebacker and either Carpenter or Ware to play inside.
The Cowboys are solid in the secondary as well with SS Roy Williams leading the way. CB Terence Newman stepped up his play last season. CB Aaron Glenn proved he can still play last year, but will mostly likely end up as the nickel corner. SS Roy Williams is one of the league's best safeties in run support, but does not excel in coverage. FS Keith Davis and CB Anthony Henry are nothing special, but are not liabilities either. The defense should be able to put a lot more pressure on the quarterback this year, which will help the secondary out considerably.
Dallas has a solid team at every position. K Mike Vanderjagt (Indianapolis) is a huge upgrade over the likes of Jose Cortez, Billy Cundiff, and Shaun Suisham. The defense is young and on the rise with talented players that fit the scheme. If the offensive line can stay healthy and keep Drew Bledsoe upright, the Cowboys will be one of the best teams in the league. The addition of Kyle Kosier and Jason Fabini, as well as Fasano and Hannam, should make that much more likely.
Key Additions: WR Terrell Owens (PHI), LB Akin Ayodele (JAX), LB Bobby Carpenter (R), K Mike Vanderjagt (IND), OG Kyle Kosier (DET), OT Jason Fabini (NYJ), TE Ryan Hannam (SEA), TE Anthony Fasano (R)
Key Loses: OG Larry Allen (SF), WR Keyshawn Johnson (CAR), DT La'Roi Glover (STL), TE Dan Campbell (DET).
0 comments:
Post a Comment