CCBoy
07-27-2012, 11:44 AM
RTN: Top 5 Reasons the Cowboys Will Improve in 2012
Posted 51 minutes ago
By Jonathan Bales
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/article-JonathanBales/RTN-Top-5-Reasons-the-Cowboys-Will-Improve-in-2012/575b03e0-a8a7-40d2-823e-755e3ed75d94
There aren’t a shortage of reasons to be optimistic about the Cowboys in 2012. They’ve got the league’s best defensive player in DeMarcus Ware and a top quarterback in Tony Romo. The offensive line has been overhauled. DeMarco Murray, Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, and Jason Witten are about as electric of skill position players as you could want, and the free agent acquisitions on defense will surely take pressure off of the offense. Yup, the Cowboys are a much-improved team, and here are my top five reasons why it will show up on the field:
5. The ’Boys have some maulers inside.
In my article on why the running game is still important, I noted the Cowboys have not ranked better than 23rd in short-yardage rushing efficiency over the last three years. By converting on even a league-average rate of short-yardage runs, I calculated the ’Boys could score around eight more points per year. In the highly-competitive NFL, that’s some nice extra change.
Whether or not you’re on board with the Cowboys’ signings of guards Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau, there’s really no doubt the team should improve their short-yardage efficiency. Livings will start, and at 6-5, 332 pounds, he’ll be able to drive defenders off of the ball. At nearly the same size, undrafted guard Ronald Leary could do the same if he beats out Bernadeau for a starting job. With a much stronger Phil Costa at center, Dallas should be able to convert at least a few more of those crucial 3rd-and-1 plays....
Posted 51 minutes ago
By Jonathan Bales
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/article-JonathanBales/RTN-Top-5-Reasons-the-Cowboys-Will-Improve-in-2012/575b03e0-a8a7-40d2-823e-755e3ed75d94
There aren’t a shortage of reasons to be optimistic about the Cowboys in 2012. They’ve got the league’s best defensive player in DeMarcus Ware and a top quarterback in Tony Romo. The offensive line has been overhauled. DeMarco Murray, Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, and Jason Witten are about as electric of skill position players as you could want, and the free agent acquisitions on defense will surely take pressure off of the offense. Yup, the Cowboys are a much-improved team, and here are my top five reasons why it will show up on the field:
5. The ’Boys have some maulers inside.
In my article on why the running game is still important, I noted the Cowboys have not ranked better than 23rd in short-yardage rushing efficiency over the last three years. By converting on even a league-average rate of short-yardage runs, I calculated the ’Boys could score around eight more points per year. In the highly-competitive NFL, that’s some nice extra change.
Whether or not you’re on board with the Cowboys’ signings of guards Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau, there’s really no doubt the team should improve their short-yardage efficiency. Livings will start, and at 6-5, 332 pounds, he’ll be able to drive defenders off of the ball. At nearly the same size, undrafted guard Ronald Leary could do the same if he beats out Bernadeau for a starting job. With a much stronger Phil Costa at center, Dallas should be able to convert at least a few more of those crucial 3rd-and-1 plays....