Cowboys 2013 Season Full Of Possibilities

8/15/13


Cowboys 2013 Season Full Of Possibilities

I am extremely looking forward to the upcoming season and seeing how it plays out for the Cowboys. It's been a little hard to root for the team for the past few years, but I'm still a die-hard fan no matter what. Because of those feelings, I'm going into this season with cautious optimism. However this season turns out, I won't be surprised either way. If the Cowboys don't make the playoffs this year, or do make it and are one-and-done, I won't be surprised because that's been the expected result for more than a decade now. If they go on and have a big season, I won't be surprised because I know they have the talent to do it. I think this is easily the most talent the team has had since 2007, and probably since the last Super Bowl. The Cowboys could/should have 8 players ranked within the top 6 at their position, which is 36% of the starters on both sides of the ball. I believe all of these things can happen IF (a big if) the team can stay healthy. This is my "glass half-full" outlook on the upcoming season for the Cowboys.

Here are my reasons that I believe the Cowboys can have a big season:

1.) Tony Romo

I want to start off by saying that perception IS NOT reality with Tony Romo. He is nowhere near as bad a QB as the media and Cowboy-haters make him out to be. He's too good of a QB not to win a Super Bowl. We all know the different labels he has on him, and that the Dallas Cowboys quarterback is held to a different standard than the quarterback for any other team, and I believe Tony is unfairly judged, but that's another blog for another day. I feel like Tony is underrated. I believe he's an excellent QB and would have won more if he had stayed healthy and been on a team with a better offensive line and defense. I also think he does a lot more for the Cowboys than he gets credit for. The only QBs I can see ranked ahead of him without too much of an argument from me are Aaron Rogers, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees (the last 2 not by a lot). There are at least 20 teams in the NFL that would GLADLY take Tony over the QB that they already have.  For any Cowboys fans that don't appreciate Tony, all you have to do is look at the QBs we have had to endure since Troy Aikman retired and Tony took over..........WE HAVE HAD SOME BAD ONES!!

The biggest reason I feel like Tony Romo is underrated, is because he's had to do so much......way too much at times. There's a reason that quarterback is the toughest position to play in sports. Not only is the quarterback just responsible for knowing how to do his job, but he has to know the responsibilities of EVERY player on the field with him.......everything from blocking assignments for his offensive linemen and running backs, option routes and hot reads from the tight ends and receivers, and defensive keys and tendencies. He also has to be mentally sharp and intensely committed to the mental part of the game, because he has too many responsibilities on the field for his mental acuity to be lacking. Quarterbacks also have to be able to hold their teammates accountable, because they are an extension of the head coach out on the field. The only way they can do that is if they are in sync with what the other 10 players are supposed to be doing. I currently play wide receiver at the semi-pro level, and have played college and high school ball, so to a certain extent, I know what QBs are up against. At every level of football that I have played, especially right now at the semi-pro level, I made it a priority to bond with my QB before any other teammate. Other than the head coach, that's the most important relationship for a receiver to have.

Another way that I feel Tony Romo is underrated is with his on-field production. The man is in the top 5 every year in every passing category, and undrafted free agents don't just come in and rewrite franchise record books.....those types of things are the longest of longshots. The only 2 undrafted QBs that can match the kind of productivity that he's had in his career are Warren Moon and Kurt Warner. In his last 3 seasons, Tony's completion percentages have been higher than 65%. In his last 2 seasons he's thrown for over 9,000 yards, has an average QB rating of 97, and has a TD/INT ratio of 60-29. Let me also point out that Tony Romo has the 4th highest 4th quarter passer rating of any active quarterback in the NFL, and his lifetime 4th quarter rating hovers around 100. He also finished last season tied for 3rd in the NFL with 4 game-winning drives, and the Cowboys finished 2nd in the league with 8 come-from-behind victories. These numbers prove that he belongs with the top half of the league's QBs. If that's not impressive enough, check out these career numbers and put them in perspective:

-averaged 280 passing yards per game in his career (#1 in the NFL)

-a 177-91 TD/INT ratio

-a career 7.9 YPA (higher than Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees)

-NEVER had a QB rating under 90 in his career (Only Aaron Rodgers can claim that as a starting QB.)

-a 95.6 career passer rating (5th highest in NFL history)

Another quality of Tony Romo's that I feel is highly underrated is his toughness. People forget how tough this man really is, instead choosing to focus on his shortcomings. He broke his collarbone in the 6th game of the 2010 season and missed the last 10 games. He bounced back from that only to play the whole 2011 season, except the first game, with broken ribs and a punctured lung (which is life-threatening). Tony also played with a back strain for the 2nd half of last season as a result of the beating he took in the first half. He was sacked a career-high 40 times last year, and 36 the year before last. In addition to the 76 sacks Tony has taken over the last 2 seasons, he was also knocked down 153 times. Do you realize it meant he took an average of over 7 hits a game when you add up the sacks and knockdowns over the past 2 years and divide the number of games he played in? If Tony wasn't so mobile, that number would easily be doubled. Now, you tell me how a QB can be blamed for 76 sacks and even more disruptive hits in the pocket. When your quarterback spends half the game running for his life and the other half on his back picking grass from out of his facemask, bad things always happen. 

You can count on one hand how many QBs were under as much pressure as Tony last season. Even league analysts who don't like him have acknowledged that no other QB has better pocket mobility or his tougher to sack (except maybe Ben Roethlisberger). The number of sacks and additional hits that a QB takes is a reflection of the offensive line. The cleaner your QB's uniform is, the better it is for your team. Bottom line, a large chunk of his struggles have been a result of a bad offensive line, the defense being in shambles for the majority of his tenure as the starting QB, and injuries. Watching Tony take all those hits has led me to question whether or not he was appreciated enough for him to be properly protected. I was shocked to see him sign an extension with the Cowboys, and I wouldn't have blamed one bit if he decided to leave for a team who would give him that protection and put him in position to win. It's mind-blowing how he continues to be the scapegoat for the team's shortcomings and the GM's inability to put the right players around him.

It's time to stop blaming Tony Romo for the Cowboys' struggles, judging him by the star he wears on his helmet, and look at the whole picture.  Any fair-minded person or anybody that watches the Cowboys closely would know that things are not always what they seem to be. Don't get me wrong, he has had his share of off days and bad moments, but what QB hasn't? He has even been bad in several high-stakes situations, but even Peyton Manning had that reputation for a long time. Tony gets underestimated because he's famous for people belittling him and nitpicking his every mistake, always in the news when the team struggles, and everybody pays closer attention to his struggles because the media overhypes them and assumes that it tells the whole story about the Cowboys, and that's not true at all. Yes, he throws some terrible interceptions at times, but you can't throw well with defenders constantly in your face and flushing you out of the pocket at a high rate. Let's also not forget that he's had to tell his receivers where to line up, what routes to run, and tell his offensive linemen who to block. Tony has carried the Cowboys on his back for the last 2 seasons. Because of the supply-and-demand for a high-quality QB and his production and value to the team, I believe he is worth every penny of his 6-year, $108 million contract extension. Seeing him take that beating and go through all that he has, and still decide to stick with the Cowboys has made me an even bigger fan of Tony Romo and respect him so much more. 

2.) Improved Offensive Line

I also believe the offensive line will be better this year, probably the best it's been since 2009. I won't say we'll have 5 Pro Bowlers, but at the same time, I don't see a repeat of the last 2 years with them being overpowered and run over by defenses. They weren't just getting beat, they were being pushed backwards into the backfield in front of Tony Romo and DeMarco Murray every other play. I know we are bringing back 3/5 or 60% of the linemen that struggled last year, but check this out: 

RT - Doug Free has looked the best he's looked since he took over for Marc Colombo in 2009 as the starting right tackle. He looks nothing like the player I nicknamed "The Human Turnstile" a couple years ago. He looks like he got his confidence back, he looks more mobile, he looks stronger, and his technique even looks better. The line would be so much better if he can keep this up the whole season.

RG - Mackenzy Bernadeau has looked good since he rejoined the team after having shoulder surgery. He even looked good in the game against the Raiders last Friday. I believe that he'll improve as the season progresses. Just on what I have seen from him since he came back, I think the Cowboys can win with him.

C - When the Cowboys drafted Travis Fredrick, I wasn't too happy with the pick. I wasn't upset with us picking him, I just thought he could have been pick later than he was. Nevertheless, I'm glad he's a Cowboy, and I'm especially glad they were able to get a Wisconsin lineman. Wisconsin is an offensive lineman factory. Every single year they produce huge linemen with brute country strength that will absolutely maul you. Their effect is cumulative too. For example, trying to beat a 320-pound guard's run block in the 1st quarter is hard enough, but trying to beat his run block for the 50th time by the end of the game is flat out exhausting. Anyway, Travis Fredrick looks like a significant upgrade at center, and he seems to get better and better with each practice and preseason game. He has intelligence in spades and he's bull-strong, and to me he already looks like the Cowboys' best center since Andre Gurode was still a Pro Bowler. To add to the excitement, not only does Tony Romo trust Travis Fredrick, he also endorses him. The Cowboys not only count on him to be an upgrade at center, they also expect his presence to make the guards better. Those are awfully high expectations to have for a rookie. Because of how bad the interior of the line was last year, the Cowboys ranked 31st in the league with their running game, which happened to be the worst in franchise history. The Cowboys believe that Travis Fredrick can elevate the line and help fix the running game.

LG - I also like what I see out of Ron Leary at left guard. Hopefully he can have a quick recovery from that knee injury he suffered last week and not miss a beat when he returns. He has a lot of power, as well as a nasty streak in his game. The Cowboys are so convinced that Ron Leary is the man for the job, that they ended their pursuit of Brian Waters and are not trying to talk Brandon Moore out of retirement. Neither one of them seem to have the drive to play football anymore. For that reason, sometimes the best deals are the ones you don't make. I'm also penciling in Ron Leary as the starter because there's no telling when Nate Livings will be back. He recently had his knee scoped to remove loose meniscus, and it was his 2nd surgery on the knee in 6 months.

LT -  I believe that the biggest improvement on the line will come from Tyron Smith, our best lineman, who's still only 22 years old. I believe he can make the Pro Bowl this year and become an elite left tackle. That alone will make the offensive line better. With Tyron Smith still being so young, he's still not even close to reaching his prime yet, so he'll keep on improving and become an All-Pro before too long. Hudson Houck, who is an o-line coaching legend, thinks the world of him and was his biggest advocate in the 2011 NFL Draft, the first time the Cowboys took a lineman in the first round since they drafted Howard Richards in 1981. Hudson Houck believes that Tyron Smith will have a Larry Allen-like career, and with his track record I believe him. In over 40 years of coaching offensive linemen, he has coach some of the best of the best.......Anthony Munoz, Bruce Matthews, Jackie Slater, Larry Allen, and Erik Williams. A case can be made for 4 of them as the G.O.A.T. offensive lineman.

Tyron Smith didn't get the credit he deserved for his rookie season. It was a good year for him considering the fact that he was only 20 years old (youngest player in the NFL), and because of the lockout he didn't have any mini camps or offseason workouts to help his development. Last year was his first year at left tackle after playing right tackle in college and his rookie year. He was OK, not bad, but you could tell he didn't look comfortable on the left side. It is encouraging that he got better throughout the season. Since he's still learning a new position, I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt. Please understand that left tackle is an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT position than right tackle. They ARE NOT the same position, just on opposite sides of the line. The transition from one to the other is never a smooth one. The only thing the 2 positions have in common is that they end in the word "tackle". 

Let me explain:

The first thing you need to know about the difference between LT and RT, is that with the majority of quarterbacks being right-handed, the left side is their blind side. With that being the case, the left side of the offensive line is the "pass protection" side of the line, and the right side of the line is the "run-blocking" side. That means the left tackle is the quarterback's blind side protector. The hand placement and footwork are also different for both sides of the line. You basically have to do the exact opposite with each foot and hand from one side to the other. On the left you kick with your right foot, and on the right you kick with your left foot. The same thing goes for your outside punch hand....it's the opposite of whatever side you are on. Left tackles are usually your more athletic, in some cases less physical linemen (maybe a former basketball player). Most of them are good all-around athletes. Right tackles usually are less athletic, but more physical. A tackle that is both athletic and has some physicality and can play on both sides is called a swing tackle. They are very much needed for depth and get paid very well.

Let's go a little deeper: Tackles are chosen to have very long, strong arms so they can reach out and stop defenders, as well as hit them in pass protection before they hit you. They have to have fast feet so they can quickly slide left, right, or backwards as necessary to protect the QB. If the QB calls a running play, the tackles will have to run forward a couple of steps and grab a smaller, lighter, faster guy and keep him away from the ball carrier. A standout offensive tackle is a rare gem, and are among the highest paid players on a football team. Here are the responsibilities of both tackles:

Left Tackle - His main responsibility is to  protect the blind side of the QB. Since most QBs are right-handed, they tend to look toward their right a lot and away from their left. The QB is counting on his LT to protect him from pass rushers. The defense usually puts their fastest and best pass rusher up against the LT, so he has to be extra fast and extremely dependable. If the LT misses his block, the QB will get his block knocked off by a 260-pound speed rusher coming from behind him, and very likely drop the football. The LT often "plays in space", meaning the edge rusher will start from a bit outside and to the tackle's left, and then try to run around either side of him. The LT most of the time will have to drop back away from the guard and then be prepared to block the pass rusher from running around either side of him. That's why the LT has to have quick feet....for him to be able to slide from side to side a couple feet in almost no time.

Right Tackle - He usually has the tight end next to him. Because of the extra blocker, this is called the strong side of the line. The defense will usually put their largest and best run stopping end against the RT, so he has to be the stronger of the two tackles. The RT also has to specialize and excel in being a mauling run-blocker. Sometimes the RT will go up against a top-flight pass rusher, but it's not the same consistency in terms of quality of opponent as there is for the LT. The RT is also more likely to get help from a running back in the form of a "chip." Also, the likelihood that the RT's mistake will cause a game-altering turnover is somewhat lessened since the rusher is usually in the QB's line of sight.

3.) Improved Running Game

The Cowboys' running game finished 31st in the NFL last season with only 79.1 yards per game and 3.6 yards per rush. Their 1,265 rushing yards totaled 144 less than the previous Cowboys low in a 16-game season and represents a drop-off of 542 yards from the 2011 season. Also, the Cowboys only scored 8 rushing touchdowns all of last season. It's hard to imagine the Dallas Cowboys, with the rich history they have at running back, struggling to run the ball. To me, it's unbelievable that they have only had ONE 1,000-yard rusher (Julius Jones in 2006) in the last 12 years. Keep in mind that this is the same team that had Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith, both in the Hall Of Fame, as star running backs......and Emmitt is the NFL's all-time leading rusher. Except for the 2-year gap in 1988 and 1989, one of them was in the Cowboys backfield every year from 1977 through 2002. The Cowboys are also one of only 3 teams with 2 10,000-yard rushers in their history, with the Steelers (Franco Harris & Jerome Bettis) and Bills (O.J. Simpson & Thurman Thomas) being the other 2 teams. 

A solid running game is a quarterback's best friend. The better the running game is, the less of a load the QB has to carry, and the easier his job becomes. If the Cowboys can't run the ball efficiently, especially on 3rd and short, once again, it will be a strain on the offense. Too many times last year the Cowboys would abandon the running game and become strictly dependent on Tony Romo and the receivers, making them one-dimensional and easy for defenses to predict. For the offense to click on all cylinders and play to its full potential, they need for a healthy DeMarco Murray to be their workhorse. His health is vital to the Cowboys' offense because the 3 RBs behind him on the depth chart only have a combined 43 career NFL carries, so he'll have to find a way to cut back on the punishment he takes. It was also important for the Cowboys to find dependable backups because last year they were too dependent on DeMarco Murray's health.

I truly believe that with the proper blocking and staying healthy, that DeMarco Murray is rushing champion material. I would love to see him get back to running like he was during his rookie season before he broke his foot. With Bill Callahan taking over the offense and building the running game around his skill set (vision, quickness, patience) I believe it can happen. The Cowboys will be using a zone blocking scheme, which is based on the RB's ability to recognize where the hole is and make a cut to get up the field. This blocking scheme stretches the defense by moving the line, forcing the defensive linemen to move sideways, making them easier to block. The defenders also get tied up because they have to react, and that's where the RB can take advantage of the stretch. Zone blocking is not about blowing your man off the line, it's about staying in contact with him and letting the RB make the adjustment. This scheme also allows DeMarco Murray more freedom in the running game. He likes to run patiently along the line of scrimmage, pick his hole, and explode through it.

It's amazing how opportunities for the passing game and defense to click present themselves when the running game is working. I can't imagine the Cowboys running the ball that poorly again, especially with a new blocking scheme designed to take full advantage of their star RB's skills. If DeMarco Murray can stay healthy, I can see him putting up around 1,300 yards, giving the Cowboys their first 1,000-yard rusher in 7 years and Tony Romo's first since he's been the starting QB for a full season. I also like Lance Dunbar as the backup RB, and Joseph Randle will have his chances to contribute as well. Once again, the real key for the running game to come together is the offensive line. If you look at the running backs the Cowboys have had the last few years......Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and now DeMarco Murray, the RBs have changed, but not the success. The common denominator has been the offensive line. The push up front and the holes the line has to open up are my main concern in the running game.

4.) Stacked At Receiver

I just love.....I mean LOVE our receivers!! This is probably the position I'm most excited about this year. I still remember us struggling to find another No. 1 receiver to replace Michael Irvin when he retired, and now we have 2 receivers that are No. 1 material, and one of them has already been a lead receiver. To make a long story short, we got double for our trouble after losing The Playmaker. I even believe our heist of a trade with the Lions (1st, 3rd, and 6th round picks) for Roy Williams was a blessing in disguise. It's looked at all throughout Cowboy Nation as the worst trade in the team's history, but I see a silver lining. Roy Williams was brought in to be a Pro Bowl-caliber compliment to Terrell Owens, and even though his production (94 catches for 1,324 yards and 13 touchdowns in 40 games) was nowhere close to expectations, he indirectly upgraded the Cowboys receiver corps all by himself. Let me explain: In 2009, Roy Williams suffered a rib injury on a vicious hit going across the middle for a pass, then the next week Miles Austin took over for him and exploded on the way to his first Pro Bowl. Then in the following NFL Draft, the Cowboys drafted Dez Bryant after he fell in their laps. I think it's safe to say that if Roy Williams' production matched what the team gave up for him, as well as that $54 million contract, the Cowboys would have never drafted Dez. It's all good, because I couldn't be happier with the way things turned out. The Cowboys are set at receiver for years to come.

With that being said, this is probably the best group of receivers the Cowboys have had since 2006, with the potential to be the best in the team's history. It doesn't get much better than having 2 Pro-Bowl caliber receivers and a Hall Of Fame tight end. Here are my thoughts on our main receiving threats:

Dez Bryant - First of all, this is my favorite current Cowboy. It's scary to think that he's only 24 years old and just starting to scratch the surface of his abilities. I believe he'll be a transcendent superstar before it's all said and done. With all of his physical gifts combined with his passion for the game, he'll break a lot of records if he can stay healthy. I not only think he'll make the jump to top 2 receiver, but I see him being a top 5 player in the NFL this year. I definitely saw an improvement in the 2nd half of last year in his ability to make plays after the catch. I also can't remember in my lifetime a receiver that's been harder to tackle than Dez. Other than Calvin Johnson, I can't think of another receiver in the league that might be more dangerous with the ball in his hands. His gifts can't be taught or duplicated. A cornerback can have perfect coverage on him, and Dez will either outjump him or just physically dominate him. The sky is the limit for him this year if he stays healthy.

Miles Austin - Miles is as good as they get for a No. 2 receiver. If he can stay healthy, I can see him playing more like 2009 Miles Austin. If he can reach that level again, he'll be the best No. 2 receiver in the NFL. Even struggling with bad hamstrings last year, Miles still caught 66 passes for 943 yards and 6 touchdowns. Those numbers were actually better than 16 No. 1 receivers on other teams. Even in the NFC East, Miles still had the 4th most catches and touchdowns, and was 3rd in yards.......in an offense where Dez Bryant exploded for 92 catches for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns, and Jason Witten setting a single season NFL record for most receptions by a tight end. Miles is so versatile, that he can play anywhere, including the slot, and he produces more like a No. 1 receiver.

Jason Witten - Plain and simple: Jason Witten is a WARRIOR!! This man has always been tough as nails.....last season just cemented that reputation for him. He played last season with a lacerated spleen, which could have ruptured at any time and become life-threatening, and set the NFL single season record for most receptions by a tight end. That alone should get him in the Hall Of Fame. It also helps that he's an 8-time Pro Bowler, has had 90+ receptions in 4 out of the last 6 seasons, and is ranked 3rd all-time in receptions and yards for a TE. Jason Witten is the ultimate security blanket in the league........he's always open (he can get open in traffic), he he's an excellent blocker, he can run upfield, he has a high football IQ, he's durable, and he has soft hands. It's rare to find a TE like him who can block AND catch. With the emergence of Dez Bryant and the expected improvement in the running game, I'm expecting Jason Witten's workload to be reduced this year.

I'm also intrigued to see who will emerge as the No. 3 receiver this year. Because of his experience, Dwayne Harris has the advantage, and I also like what he brings to the table as a kick returner.....he's a dual threat. Terrance Williams so far looks like he might be a nice addition. Not only does he seem to have a lot of potential, but he gives the Cowboys some options. He gives the team another big target, and with Miles Austin being so versatile he could go back in the slot in 3-receiver sets, which is also a strong preference. Whoever the last receiver is could end up being a weapon for Tony Romo, especially if defenses pay most of their attention to the other receivers.

5.) Improved Defense

I wasn't happy when Rob Ryan was let go because I felt like he did a good job with the defense last year, given what he had to work with because of all the injuries. I was especially on the fence about making the switch to the 4-3, but I like what I'm seeing so far from the defense. I even questioned the hiring of Monte Kiffin, but I see he and Rod Marinelli have already made a significant impact. I like how aggressive the defense has been already, and hopefully they can keep it up all season. For starters, they are getting more pressure so far, and that's been a weakness of the Cowboys' defense for a while. I'm looking forward to seeing how the 1-8-7 tandem of DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer (their jersey numbers equal 187 when you add them up) operates in this new scheme. So far, DeMarcus Ware has looked as good as he ever has, and it's been said that he has been the best player in camp on both sides of the ball. From what I have seen of him, he has been able to do whatever he wants to do.....just flat out abusing Tyron Smith. D-Ware doesn't need a great scheme to be an All-Pro, but it looks like he is one, which will only make him even more dangerous. Anthony Spencer is a tough matchup for offensive linemen because his technique is so good. That's been the biggest improvement in his game over the years. He could be even better in this new scheme because of all the attention D-Ware will have on his side. My biggest concern is the interior of the front-four, especially since the Cowboys didn't draft a single defensive lineman this year. Losing Tyrone Crawford for the season definitely hurts our depth. If Jay Ratliff can get healthy, he and Jason Hatcher will make a nice tandem, and this front-four could be NASTY!! Then if you add Kyle Wilber, Ben Bass, George Selvie, and Sean Lissemore to the mix, it's a solid group from top to bottom. It also has the potential to be better because of the new scheme. 

Another thing I like about this defense is the ability of the linebackers to generate a pass rush. If the Bruce Lee tandem (Bruce Carter & Sean Lee) stays healthy, I would take our linebackers over anybody else's. Bruce Carter is the fastest linebacker in the NFL, which is part of what makes him excellent in coverage. If you need a reminder of how fast he is, just go back and watch the clip from the Falcons of him running Julio Jones down......don't forget that Julio Jones runs a 4.39. I'll even go out on a limb and say that Bruce Carter is the most athletic linebacker the Cowboys have had since Hollywood Henderson. He has a nose for the football, is able to read plays correctly, a sure tackler, and he uses his elite speed for sideline to sideline pursuit. All of those abilities make Bruce Carter the prototypical weakside linebacker in Monte Kiffin's 4-3 scheme, which requires outside linebackers to excel at reading QBs and taking away the short passing game for offenses. The other half of the Bruce Lee tandem is Sean Lee, who happens to be the Cowboys defensive captain. What sets him apart is his ability to do everything well. Sean Lee is thought of around the NFL as a "360-degree player".....he diagnoses and closes in on running plays relentlessly with precision, is excellent in pass coverage, and his elite closing speed also makes him an excellent blitzer. As a matter of fact, if the Cowboys ever put at an "endbacker" position, he has the short-area speed to get double-digit sacks. I believe Sean Lee is on his way to becoming the best middle linebacker in the NFL. The starting strongside linebacker is Justin Durant, who is a very dependable, quality linebacker. He's a sure tackler and has good instincts for finding the ball in the running game. Justin Durant gets overlooked because of the other 2 more heralded LBs. He also brings some experience to the team, as well as a firm grasp on the 4-3 defense.

Last but not least, I'm eager to see how the Cowboys' secondary holds up this year. Brandon Carr is a big, strong physical cornerback who is excellent in press coverage and has playmaking ability. If he continues his development, he has the potential to be a multiple time Pro Bowl CB in the league. In my opinion, Morris Claiborne is a ball hawk - a wide receiver playing cornerback. Coming into the draft, the Cowboys scouts gave him the highest grade a CB has had since Deion Sanders in 1989. In the new scheme, Morris Claiborne should find himself in more favorable situations that allow him to stay locked in on the football instead of the receiver. If he plays the way he's capable of for the whole season, I can see Morris Claiborne being in the running for the Most Improved Player award. As for the safeties, I like the addition of Will Allen. He brings some hard hitting, along with some experience to a younger secondary. It also helps that he has some experience in Monte Kiffin's defense, playing for the Buccaneers from 2004-2009. I feel like Barry Church did a pretty good job last year before he got injured. Hopefully he can pick up where he left off. All in all, if this defense plays up to its capabilities, they will generate a lot of pressure and cause a bunch of turnovers, and the simplicity of this new scheme should also cut down on confusion and players being out of position, along with substitutions being made on the sidelines. Cutting down on all of these things should also lead to fewer penalties.

If everything happens the way I described above, or even remotely close, the Cowboys should have a good season. I would be ecstatic if it did turn out that way, because it's about time the Cowboys got back to playing winning football. I like the way this team is put together, and if everybody stays healthy I think the Cowboys are capable of having a deep playoff run. I can't wait to see how it all plays out, and whether or not it works out this way remains to be seen.