PFT: Preseason Power Rankings No. 14: Dallas Cowboys

[Reality]

PFT Preseason Power Rankings No. 14: Dallas Cowboys

It’s rare that the difference between winning the division and missing the playoffs comes down to inches, but that might have been the case for the Cowboys in 2011.

Things aren’t that simple, though. The Cowboys lost games by blowing leads late, making brutal mental errors, playing down to lesser competition and getting blown out long before Romo’s pass eluded Austin. They were left to think about what could have been and spent their offseason trying to shore up the roster so that it won’t happen again.


Full Article (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/07/18/pft-preseason-power-rankings-no-14-dallas-cowboys/)

#reality

[Wimbo]

Well, that's about right. Until we prove it on the field, don't expect many predictions higher than this one. There's a big difference between moving in the right direction & arriving at the intended destination.

[Sarge]

Well, that's about right. Until we prove it on the field, don't expect many predictions higher than this one. There's a big difference between moving in the right direction & arriving at the intended destination.

That pretty much sums it up right there.

[nablives]

Seems about right. They missed the playoffs, but not by a lot. A ranking of 14 reflects a team of that caliber, until they prove otherwise.

[yentl911]

Can't argue with that ranking. If the team was better and proved they could win consistantly they would be higher. Done deal.

[dallasfan4lizife]

thanks for nothing garrett

[Wimbo]

thanks for nothing garrett

What do you mean by that?

[big dog cowboy]

thanks for nothing garrett
:confused:

[Fla Cowpoke]

Yeah, that is about the range I expected....around 14 would be a team maybe at 9-7.

Personally I feel the team is a couple games better than that if they stay injury free.

Trouble points are OL, WR, DL and S.

For the most part, our interior line last year was Kosier, Costa and Holland. Holland was the best of the three by far, and he is gone. The question is, will the free agents we brought in be an upgrade? I do think it will be in regard to Kosier...I think his play tailed off the last couple years with injuries. He wasn't an effective run blocker and his pass protection became limited with his injuries.

Costa was poor early but got better as the play from Holland improved. His biggest issue is his anchor against the bull rushing DT's, but this is a skill you can improve with better technique. His strength is good...he is recognized as one of the stronger linemen on the team and is a fanatic in the weight room. I think Costa will continue to get better with each game.

Bernadeau's hip injury really throws a monkey wrench into things...haven't heard an update on when he will be cleared for practice.

We have several young OL that seem to at least have some potential...hopefully with Woicik pushing them in the weight room and Callahan teaching better technique, these guys will challenge the starters and at least be effective backups.

While we have two top notch starters, we have nothing proven behind them and with Dez' latest situation still up in the air, the WR position has to be considered a huge question mark. At this point, it would not surprise me if we added a vet. There has been some talk about Mike Williams and there are still a couple vets out there that might have something to offer. We may take a wait and see approach at WR through the first couple preseason games and then make a move. There normally are some WR's available that can come in and provide a little help.

The DL we are still missing a wide body in the middle and as long as we do it's going to be up to Ratliff to be able to use his quickness to beat double teams in the middle. Hatcher at times can be very effective, hopefully he improves from a consistency standpoint. Spears and Coleman really should be situational guys and I doubt that Coleman ends up making the final roster. We have added another body here, and Brent and Lissemore are at the point that they need to become full time contributors or find a new team. Tyrone Crawford needs to be a contributor from day 1.

Finally, the safety position. Is it any better than it was a year ago? Hard to say....Sensabaugh is back as one starter, but he just had a knee scoped. Abe Elam is gone, and Brodney Poole is here. Could argue it's a wash at best. Barry Church will have his best chance to push for a starter's spot and it seems like draft pick Matt Johnson just might have to be better than expected. I am disappointed that we haven't really made a harder push to upgrade here, and I think that the safety position very well could be our undoing again.

[cowboy_ron]

Not a bad ranking for an 8-8 team until we get on the field and see what we have this year.

[MichaelWinicki]

Yeah, I think #14 is realistic at this point.

[Seven]

This - "The Cowboys lost games by blowing leads late, making brutal mental errors, playing down to lesser competition and getting blown out long before Romo’s pass eluded Austin."

I'm not sold on the fact that beefing up the roster will fix these two issues. It's been haunting Dallas for several years. (And yes, I blame the mental aspect on the loss to the giants when we had home field AND a first round bye.) Blowing leads late in the game is a by-product of the lack of mental toughness also, IMO. They need to stop playing football like all they want to do is get it over with and go home.


Maybe, just maybe getting rid of coaches that either didn't coach that up or ignored it will help.