LaTunaNostra
06-24-2004, 10:15 PM
How the Cowboys roster stacks up
08:52 PM CDT on Thursday, June 24, 2004
By MATT MOSLEY / DallasNews.com
All is silent at Valley Ranch, but that doesn't mean we can't stir up some Cowboys talk. CowboysPlus.com ranked the top 30 most valuable Cowboys on this season's team. We understand that players such as safety Darren Woodson and guard Larry Allen have secured spots among the all-time Cowboys greats, but this list is all about the present. We asked ourselves which players the Cowboys would have the hardest time doing without. So we now give you CowboyPlus.com's first offseason top 30 list:
1. Roy Williams, S: Already the most feared defensive back in the NFL as he enters his third season. His punishing style allows him to change a game with one play.
2. Flozell Adams, LT: Cowboys coach Bill Parcells says he has a chance to be among the best to play the game. That's good enough for us. And Adams happens to play the most important position on the line because he protects the quarterback's blindside.
3. Terence Newman, CB: Already on the cusp of becoming a Pro Bowler in just his second season. In a division that now includes Terrell Owens, Newman could emerge as one of the top cover guys in the NFL.
4. Quincy Carter, QB: Get your e-mails ready, Quincy bashers. But Carter's improvement – or lack thereof – will largely determine whether the Cowboys make a run at the playoffs. That gives him top-5 value.
5. Vinny Testaverde, QB: Whoever is the backup quarterback for the Cowboys is almost always the most popular – and valuable – player on the team. Chad Hutchinson was the exception last season. Parcells will have a much quicker hook on Carter now that Vinny's in town.
6. Julius Jones, RB: Sure, he hasn't played in an NFL game, but he's already one of the most valuable players on the team. The Cowboys don't have another viable option. Either Jones gives them 1,100 yards or the team misses the playoffs. No pressure.
7. Greg Ellis, DE: Maybe the most underrated player on the team. His move to the left side should lead to a career-high sack season.
8. Keyshawn Johnson, WR: Will give Carter a reliable possession receiver for the first time in his career. He'll be a valuable part of the rushing game because of his superior blocking skills.
9. La'Roi Glover, DT: Very steady player, but he'll have a lighter workload this season because of the emergence of defensive tackle Daleroy Stewart. He's still the most consistent defensive lineman on the team.
10. Marcellus Wiley, DE: He is the X-factor on this defense. He and Ellis have the potential to combine for at least 16 sacks this season, which would be a huge improvement from the forgettable Ekuban Era.
11. Dat Nguyen, LB: Led the team with 140 tackles last season. And with the exception of a poor game on Thanksgiving against the Dolphins, Nguyen played well enough to be a Pro Bowl starter.
12. Larry Allen, LG: Even if he's a shell of his former self, Allen can still be dominant at times. If he truly has turned the corner with his conditioning and has made up with Parcells, Allen could play a major role on this team.
13. Jason Witten, TE: Became Carter's security blanket last season. Could become the steal of the 2003 draft if he continues to improve. He could end up with 50 catches this season.
14. Dexter Coakley, LB: He may be able to hold off second-year player Bradie James for one more season. He and Nguyen may be the best tacklers on the team, but they must create more turnovers.
15. Darren Woodson, S: At 35, he's not the impact player he once was. This could be Woodson's last season.
16. Willie Blade, DT: Started 15 of 16 games last season, but we haven't heard much from him this offseason. He could end up getting pushed by Leo Carson … once Carson he gets out of jail.
17. Al Johnson, C: Another unknown commodity, but Parcells seems to be high on him. Johnson says he's almost fully recovered from microfracture knee surgery. His progress is the reason last year's starter, Matt Lehr, is now a backup guard.
18. Andre Gurode, RG: Talk about a short leash. His penalty parade caused Parcells to sit him down last season. This is Gurode's make-or-break season.
19. Jacob Rogers, RT: The Cowboys expect the rookie to start at right tackle, and that's why they moved Kurt Vollers to left tackle. Rogers will compete for the job with second-year player Torrin Tucker.
20. Terry Glenn, WR: Had 52 catches and five touchdowns last season, but he needs to be more consistent. Glenn sometimes loses his focus during games, which leads to drops.
21. Pete Hunter, CB: He would've had a tough time cracking the top 50 early last season. A broken forearm and some costly mental errors almost got him cut. But now Parcells is calling Hunter one of the more improved players on the team.
22. Al Singleton, LB: Was a steady player last season, but he doesn't make many big plays. Singleton does have the size (6-2, 228) that Parcells likes.
23. Bradie James, LB: By the end of training camp, James could actually move into the top 10. Parcells says the light bulb came on for James late last season. He's already an outstanding special teams player, and he'll push Coakley for more playing time this season.
24. Dan Campbell, TE: One of the best blocking tight ends in the league. Campbell also has good hands and can make 20-25 catches per season.
25. Billy Cundiff, K: Everyone was ready to run him out of town after he missed an extra point and short field goal against Atlanta, but he bounced back. His 23-for-29 performance last season was enough to keep him around for one more season.
26. Leo Carson, DT: Carson has the speed and quickness to challenge for the starting job at nose tackle. If given enough plays, Carson could finish with at least five sacks.
27. Daleroy Stewart, DT: Parcells is very high on Stewart, whom he says looks like a completely different person after a solid offseason. Stewart's improvement will allow the Cowboys to rest Glover.
28. Richie Anderson, RB: Led the team last season with 69 catches, but this season he'll primarily be a third-down back. Parcells wants to protect Anderson, who will turn 33 in September.
29. Stephen Peterman, RG: The rookie out of LSU will be ready to step in if Gurode doesn't improve during training camp. Peterman has the nasty streak that Gurode is missing.
30. Antonio Bryant, WR: If he's still around, he may throw a jersey in my face. Bryant edged out defensive end Eric Ogbogu for the final spot.
E-mail mmosley@dallasnews.com
08:52 PM CDT on Thursday, June 24, 2004
By MATT MOSLEY / DallasNews.com
All is silent at Valley Ranch, but that doesn't mean we can't stir up some Cowboys talk. CowboysPlus.com ranked the top 30 most valuable Cowboys on this season's team. We understand that players such as safety Darren Woodson and guard Larry Allen have secured spots among the all-time Cowboys greats, but this list is all about the present. We asked ourselves which players the Cowboys would have the hardest time doing without. So we now give you CowboyPlus.com's first offseason top 30 list:
1. Roy Williams, S: Already the most feared defensive back in the NFL as he enters his third season. His punishing style allows him to change a game with one play.
2. Flozell Adams, LT: Cowboys coach Bill Parcells says he has a chance to be among the best to play the game. That's good enough for us. And Adams happens to play the most important position on the line because he protects the quarterback's blindside.
3. Terence Newman, CB: Already on the cusp of becoming a Pro Bowler in just his second season. In a division that now includes Terrell Owens, Newman could emerge as one of the top cover guys in the NFL.
4. Quincy Carter, QB: Get your e-mails ready, Quincy bashers. But Carter's improvement – or lack thereof – will largely determine whether the Cowboys make a run at the playoffs. That gives him top-5 value.
5. Vinny Testaverde, QB: Whoever is the backup quarterback for the Cowboys is almost always the most popular – and valuable – player on the team. Chad Hutchinson was the exception last season. Parcells will have a much quicker hook on Carter now that Vinny's in town.
6. Julius Jones, RB: Sure, he hasn't played in an NFL game, but he's already one of the most valuable players on the team. The Cowboys don't have another viable option. Either Jones gives them 1,100 yards or the team misses the playoffs. No pressure.
7. Greg Ellis, DE: Maybe the most underrated player on the team. His move to the left side should lead to a career-high sack season.
8. Keyshawn Johnson, WR: Will give Carter a reliable possession receiver for the first time in his career. He'll be a valuable part of the rushing game because of his superior blocking skills.
9. La'Roi Glover, DT: Very steady player, but he'll have a lighter workload this season because of the emergence of defensive tackle Daleroy Stewart. He's still the most consistent defensive lineman on the team.
10. Marcellus Wiley, DE: He is the X-factor on this defense. He and Ellis have the potential to combine for at least 16 sacks this season, which would be a huge improvement from the forgettable Ekuban Era.
11. Dat Nguyen, LB: Led the team with 140 tackles last season. And with the exception of a poor game on Thanksgiving against the Dolphins, Nguyen played well enough to be a Pro Bowl starter.
12. Larry Allen, LG: Even if he's a shell of his former self, Allen can still be dominant at times. If he truly has turned the corner with his conditioning and has made up with Parcells, Allen could play a major role on this team.
13. Jason Witten, TE: Became Carter's security blanket last season. Could become the steal of the 2003 draft if he continues to improve. He could end up with 50 catches this season.
14. Dexter Coakley, LB: He may be able to hold off second-year player Bradie James for one more season. He and Nguyen may be the best tacklers on the team, but they must create more turnovers.
15. Darren Woodson, S: At 35, he's not the impact player he once was. This could be Woodson's last season.
16. Willie Blade, DT: Started 15 of 16 games last season, but we haven't heard much from him this offseason. He could end up getting pushed by Leo Carson … once Carson he gets out of jail.
17. Al Johnson, C: Another unknown commodity, but Parcells seems to be high on him. Johnson says he's almost fully recovered from microfracture knee surgery. His progress is the reason last year's starter, Matt Lehr, is now a backup guard.
18. Andre Gurode, RG: Talk about a short leash. His penalty parade caused Parcells to sit him down last season. This is Gurode's make-or-break season.
19. Jacob Rogers, RT: The Cowboys expect the rookie to start at right tackle, and that's why they moved Kurt Vollers to left tackle. Rogers will compete for the job with second-year player Torrin Tucker.
20. Terry Glenn, WR: Had 52 catches and five touchdowns last season, but he needs to be more consistent. Glenn sometimes loses his focus during games, which leads to drops.
21. Pete Hunter, CB: He would've had a tough time cracking the top 50 early last season. A broken forearm and some costly mental errors almost got him cut. But now Parcells is calling Hunter one of the more improved players on the team.
22. Al Singleton, LB: Was a steady player last season, but he doesn't make many big plays. Singleton does have the size (6-2, 228) that Parcells likes.
23. Bradie James, LB: By the end of training camp, James could actually move into the top 10. Parcells says the light bulb came on for James late last season. He's already an outstanding special teams player, and he'll push Coakley for more playing time this season.
24. Dan Campbell, TE: One of the best blocking tight ends in the league. Campbell also has good hands and can make 20-25 catches per season.
25. Billy Cundiff, K: Everyone was ready to run him out of town after he missed an extra point and short field goal against Atlanta, but he bounced back. His 23-for-29 performance last season was enough to keep him around for one more season.
26. Leo Carson, DT: Carson has the speed and quickness to challenge for the starting job at nose tackle. If given enough plays, Carson could finish with at least five sacks.
27. Daleroy Stewart, DT: Parcells is very high on Stewart, whom he says looks like a completely different person after a solid offseason. Stewart's improvement will allow the Cowboys to rest Glover.
28. Richie Anderson, RB: Led the team last season with 69 catches, but this season he'll primarily be a third-down back. Parcells wants to protect Anderson, who will turn 33 in September.
29. Stephen Peterman, RG: The rookie out of LSU will be ready to step in if Gurode doesn't improve during training camp. Peterman has the nasty streak that Gurode is missing.
30. Antonio Bryant, WR: If he's still around, he may throw a jersey in my face. Bryant edged out defensive end Eric Ogbogu for the final spot.
E-mail mmosley@dallasnews.com