We’ve been scouring other sports blogs and sites over the past couple weeks, and it’s become painfully obvious that we’re lacking in an NFL preview feature. We don’t want to rip of anyone else’s, so we won’t be profiling each team or breaking down each division. It’s been done, and, quite frankly, there’s a good third of the NFL that’s painstaking to write about.
But what we will do is for the next month and change, every few days we’ll preview one of the 10 teams we think has a clear shot at holding the Lombardi Trophy in Glendale come February. Today: the Dallas Cowboys.
Pros:
1.) Tony Romo is overrated and overhyped, but the dearth of quality QB play in the NFC means he’s an elite player in the JV conference. Look for him to put up 25 TDs with 3,800 yards and about 14-16 interceptions. We like to think of him as Tom Brady without weapons, only with weapons. Does that make any sense?
2.) DeMarcus Ware. This rising OLB recorded double-digit sacks and forced five fumbles in just his second year in the NFL. He’s the real deal and should have an all-pro season in Wade Philips’ 3-4 scheme.
3.) Marion Barber III was a TD machine last season, and if offensive coordinator Jason Garrett can find creative ways to get him in space, he could be a sleeper Pro Bowl pick.
Cons:
1.) The Cowboys keep saying Roy Williams will be covering less and hitting more this season. That sounds like copping to a weakness to us, and that’s never a good thing. Ken Hamlin is an upgrade at free safety, but he doesn’t have the centerfield skills to allow Williams to roam completely free. We haven’t seen the last TD pass sail over Williams’ head.
2.) Wade Philips. Nothing personal, but he just doesn’t seem like a head coach. Jerry Jones wanted a company man who was going to do what he wanted. We all saw how the Barry Switzer era ended.
3.) Terrell Owens. He’s loud, brash, and his skills appear to be declining (he led the league in drops last season). It was year two before Owens imploded the Eagles, lest we forget.
Overall:
- Top to bottom, this is one of the strongest teams in the NFC, and one of the only NFC clubs who could compete in the AFC. They’ll have to contend with a rejuvenated Donovan McNabb in the NFC East, and Romo still looks easily rattled to us. We say they go 11-5 and win a playoff game, before falling in the divisional round.
1 comment:
With a rookie offensive coordinator, unproven Romo at QB, and an offensive line that has pass protection problems, there's no chance they get to 11 wins. 8 is more like it.
The defense has a chance to be great, but I doubt the offense can get it done.
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