One hole on offense and one hole on defense now. - Dallas Cowboys Forum

FuzzyLumpkins · 04-25-2005

I really have to sya this is my favorite time of year. We can now get a vision of what the team will be like and discuss in more absolutes.

This year unlike last year where we were going on a prayer at many positions (CB, RT, RG, FB, DT, DE, S) this year we appear to be only winging it at 2 (CB and RT). That being said in the age of parity in the NFLyou simply have to do this every year unless you get lucky in which case your roster will be picked apart the following year.

I am absolutley giddy about our prospects this year. This draft was huge in addressing our number one problem last season. Size up front on defense. Sorry Wolverine and HH but Zimmer was hamstrug last year by the cutting of Blade, the aging of our linebacker, and the inadequacy of Wiley not to mention the injuries to Woodson and Hunter.

Now Zimmer doesnt have to play conservative just so the defense doesnt get run over.

The addition of Barber means Bill is going to play Parcells football: attacking on defense and running the ball down your throat.

The Front Seven

Defensive end: Ellis, Spears, Canty, Coleman, Ogobogu, Ratliff
Defensive tackle: Ferguson, Glover, Carson, Brooks
Inside Linebacker: Ngyuen
Outside Linebacker: James, Singleton, Shanle
ILB/OLB: Burnett, ONeill
DE/OLB: Ware, Thornton

A lot of these guys are not going to make the roster. This does not include UFA as it would take a hurculean effort to surpass these studs. The addition of size is amazing as well The defensive lineman weighed roughly 285 last year with linebackers lucky to average 235. Now we have lineman weighing closer to 300 and linebackers closer to 245.

Ferguson and Spears won't get pushed around and Burnett and Ware can take on blocks. All of a sudden you dont have to cheat against the run and you can play a balanced attack.

Additionally the day of the fourth quarter collapse is over as we are at least 2 deep and in some cases three deep at every position up front allowing a rotation that keeps players fresh while the offensive line wears down.

Ferguson, Glover, Ellis, Spears, Dat and Burnett are good against the run but its on passing downs that offensive coordinators better double check their protection schemes, Ware, Ellis and Glover are adept at getting to the passer and Spears and Ferguson are the pocket collapsing types that flush the QB into their grasp.

James and Canty are the wild cards here if James can play to his potential and finally grasp the mental portion of the game then we will simplydominate the line of scrimmage. Imagine Canty in the rotation at full strength.

Secondary

CB: Newman, Henry, Frazier, Hunter, Thornton, Jones, Reeves
SS: Williams, Scott
FS: Davis, Beriault, Hunter?, Dantzler?

Cornerback is set with Newman and Henry manning the starting spots. Newman had a few rough spots but statistically played an excellent year despite having to adjust to the rules changes. He should be even better now that hes settled in.

Henry as at worst solid at best a ballhawk. Frazier and Hunter as well as the rooks should nail down the nickel and backup positions.

Roy gets to dominate closer to the line of scrimmage this year as our RCB position is now set. Scott is an adequate backup. It free safety that is a concern.

Keith Davis deserves a shot at free safety. Hunter should get first dibs but he is acting like an idiot. Davis showed ball skills while playing in NFLE and watching him launch his body it wedges and make open field tackles in special teams demonstrated his toughness. Then again thisi is not the Rhein Fire he is trying to start for. He is far from a sure thing.

Beriault makes tackles and apparently has great instincts. He also has 4.6 speed and isnt all that quick. Big question mark on this one.

Hunter really pisses me off. He was given his shot and he got hurt. They are willing to give him another shot to start at safety and he balks at it?

Talk about an unappreciative arse. He really did not merit the first shot all that much. Hubris my friends hubris.

In all the extra size up front and the solid players on the edge will allow us to make risks and not get burned with big plays.

If the defense this year isnt good then I will formally apply to GRoZ but I really do not see that happening.

The offense at the beginning of the year should be outstanding. The running back in case you missed it is pretty good. The offensive lineman that we have are very good runblockers even Tucker. That combined with a healthy Glenn and Campbell and watch out.

Bledsoe is not going to carry this team. He is also not going to run out of gas after 12 games like Vinny did. Parcells mentioned how well he played once Buffalo got a running game and we have a running game.

With Julius Jones in the backfield you better be running the ball a lot. ANd expect the play action pass to actually be implemented this year.

Play action is a beautiful thing. The safeties come up letting the receivers to run by them and it buys the QB time to throw deep to them. Bledsoe and Henson both throw a nice deep ball.

Offensive Line

Tackles: Adams, Tucker, Rogers, Vollers, Petitti
Guards: Allen, Rivera, Gurode, Peterman, Noll
Center: Johnson, Walter

Our offensive line regressed last year. Adams was getting beat and Gurode and Tucker looked bad especially in pass protection. Not surprisingly the coach was fired although to his credit Johnson and Allen improved.

Replacing him is our TEs coach from last year whose name escapes me. One need only look at the development of Witten into a probowler and one gets the impression this kat can coach. Witten especially came along as a blocker. Combine that with the leadership of Rivera and this all bodes well.

Now if Rivera gets hurt then all bets are off but if healthy we are solid to all pro from LT to RG. Our depth with Vollers, Gurode, Peterman and Rogers is outstanding. Right tackle is another story.

Tucker has to improve or he has no business starting. He was getting beat so bad especially towards the end of last year it was sickening. Vollers did play above average in his place. Who really knows what we have in Rogers and I am not exactly holding my breath for him. If Petitti puts down the lasagna and gets with a nutritionist and into the weight room we may have something but he is just a rookie.

Right tackle is a concern but if worse comes to worst we play Vollers and that is that.

Tight Ends: Witten, Campbell, Robinson, Ryan, Trusty

These guys are awe inspiring. I would put Witten and Campbell against any other teams TEs. A nice blocker along the goalline would be nice but what we have is good for the job.

Wide Receiver: Glenn, Johnson, Morgan, Crayton, Copper

I know tha we have more than these guys but these most likely are the 5 we keep and that is a pretty good stable. The people whining that we 'needed' a WR were entertaining.

Glenn and Johnson start. Glenn was our offensive MVP before going down last season and he never got to see the same field as Jules. Thta changes this season and expect more big gains from Glenn.

Johnson pproved once again to be a gritty possesion receiver and played through injury. The guy is a player.

Morgan was hurt last year. He also has a propensity to drop balls. The coaching staff saw that he was favoring one hand and that was causing a lot of his problems. Key said that he had the same problem early in his career and fixed it. He has some pretty good hands now. Hopefully Morgan will to because he can certainly stretch the field. Some hope here.

Crayton made some catches in important situations and seems to be a player. I expect a better season the second time around.

Copper also seemed to be able to get opne and catch the ball.

Running back: Jones, Barber, Bickerstaff, Lee, Barnes, Polite

Julius Jones is the best thing to happen to the Dallas Cowboys since Emmitt Smith. The guy is an outstanding talent that makes people miss and is fast enough to outrun defenders. He gets tough yards and showed that the offense could lean on him carrying over 90 times in 3 games.

Expect MVP numbers from him if healthy.

That being said I would like for him to have a long career and Barber helps with that. He also seems a bit more suited for goalline situations as he has more size and pwer to move the pile.

Lee is a liability if not running the ball and while I like Bickerstaff he was hurt. The better of the two will be our third back although I would like someone better at catching the ball out of the backfield. The loss of Anderson hurts in this regard.

Our FBs play special teams and play about 5 to 10 plays a game. Barnes and Polite are adequate.

QB: Bledsoe, Henson, Romo

Let us rejoice the geritol poster boy is gone. For a 20 year veteran that guy sure seemed to make a lot of stupid throws.

Bledsoe demonstrated last year that given a running game and some options to throw to that he can still be productive. Does he hold onto the ball to long? Yes but then again so did Aikman. Given the talent he will be surrounded by 4000 yards and 20 TDs is not out of the realm of possibilities

Henson is throwing and has amassed 4500 throws in the past 4 monts since the season ends. Seeing that the pace will probably pick up now that the drafts are over and minicamps begin. 15000 reps is not out of the realm of possibility. You have to love this guys work ethic.

Given Parcells penchant for his guys Bledsoe has to be favored but I expect Henson and his skills to give him a run for his money with all this practice.

Romo has never performed well except for that one series in the last preseason game where he got lucky.

Special teams

Our punter is very good and Cundiff needs help. Dehaven has done a superb job shoring up the coverage unit and I do not see that changing.

All in all this football team is much improved. We are now strong up front and on the edges on defense and if healthy our offense should be a force to be reckoned with.

Sorry for the long post and if I missed anyone I apologize I did this from the top of my head. Any thought?

**BrAinPaiNt** · 04-25-2005

Great Read!

And I agree you have to love not only the size upgrade on our D-Line and LB Corp but the improved depth as well.

Duane · 04-25-2005

Enjoyed the post Fuzzy. In particular I agree on our WR situation. I think we're in better shape than a lot of people think. Crayton impressed me and another year under his belt as a full time NFL WR will only help.

Cbz40 · 04-25-2005

Excellent post........

Wolverine · 04-25-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by FuzzyLumpkins

I am absolutley giddy about our prospects this year. This draft was huge in addressing our number one problem last season. Size up front on defense. Sorry Wolverine and HH but Zimmer was hamstrug last year by the cutting of Blade, the aging of our linebacker, and the inadequacy of Wiley not to mention the injuries to Woodson and Hunter.

Oh no another Zimmer apologist thread. Well they still need to take care of the Ds biggest prob. That is Zimmer. If our D doesnt do good this year I can hardly wait for the endless excuses from the Zimmer apologists.

One thing that is obvious. If our D does real good its cuz Parcells is really callin it. If it does crappy its cuz Parcells gave Zimmer one last chance.

Quote:

Bledsoe and Henson both throw a nice deep ball.

Alota good thatll do with this WR corp.

Quote:

Tight Ends: Witten, Campbell, Robinson, Ryan, Trusty

These guys are awe inspiring. I would put Witten and Campbell against any other teams TEs. A nice blocker along the goalline would be nice but what we have is good for the job.

I agree here.

Quote:

Wide Receiver: Glenn, Johnson, Morgan, Crayton, Copper

The people whining that we 'needed' a WR were entertaining.

I can just see the sleepless nites every NFL DC and defenes is havin over havin to face our HOF WR corp. Why would anyone want Randy Moss or Terell Owens when they can have Crayton and Copper. Why would anyone want Braylon Edwards when they can have Quincy Morgan.

Wow with this WR corp if Bledsoe can get at least 7000 yards passin and 80 TD passes we need to get another QB.

**big dog cowboy** · 04-25-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by FuzzyLumpkins

Wide Receiver: Glenn, Johnson, Morgan, Crayton, Copper

I know that we have more than these guys but these most likely are the 5 we keep and that is a pretty good stable. The people whining that we 'needed' a WR were entertaining.

Glenn and Johnson start. Glenn was our offensive MVP before going down last season and he never got to see the same field as Jules. Thta changes this season and expect more big gains from Glenn.

Johnson proved once again to be a gritty possesion receiver and played through injury. The guy is a player.

Morgan was hurt last year. He also has a propensity to drop balls. The coaching staff saw that he was favoring one hand and that was causing a lot of his problems. Key said that he had the same problem early in his career and fixed it. He has some pretty good hands now. Hopefully Morgan will to because he can certainly stretch the field. Some hope here.

[View Full Quote]

While these guys are not world beaters, they are good enough to win a Super Bowl with. Before you laugh, these guys are NE's WR's:

Deion Branch
David Givens
Cedric James
Bethel Johnson
Tim Dwight

You really think that group is that much better than what we have?

Copper and Crayton should really make strides this year after completing their rookie season. Everybody is healthy. That is key with Jones running the ball because our passing game won't go against a defense thinking pass first because our running game was so weak. I'm optimistic about this group even though I think we upgrade next year early in the draft. For now, still a pretty solid group.

dargonking999 · 04-25-2005

Quote:

I can just see the sleepless nites every NFL DC and defenes is havin over havin to face our HOF WR corp. Why would anyone want Randy Moss or Terell Owens when they can have Crayton and Copper. Why would anyone want Braylon Edwards when they can have Quincy Morgan.

Wow with this WR corp if Bledsoe can get at least 7000 yards passin and 80 TD passes we need to get another QB.

hey do your self a favor and read the post below yours it might make you understand. A team isnt beuilt on superstart, but players who LOVE to play the game. Not the money.

wileedog · 04-25-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolverine

I can just see the sleepless nites every NFL DC and defenes is havin over havin to face our HOF WR corp. Why would anyone want Randy Moss or Terell Owens when they can have Crayton and Copper. Why would anyone want Braylon Edwards when they can have Quincy Morgan.

Wow with this WR corp if Bledsoe can get at least 7000 yards passin and 80 TD passes we need to get another QB.

GLenn was on pace for almost 1100 yards before he went down, with old man Vinny throwing the ball and older man George running it.

Key just missed getting 1000 despite a torn up knee at the end of the year.

Yes, I can absolutely see every NFL DC having a problem with two potential 1000 yard recievers on the same team, especially with Witten roaming the seams and JJ in the backfield. If Bledsoe can stay vertical for any length of time whatsoever, that spells a real headache.

Sorry if your lust to have a 'name' receiver like those jack***** T.O. or Moss prevents you from seeing that. There's a reason that MOss is no longer a Viking and T.O. is no longer in S.F, and no, its not just money.

RCowboyFan · 04-25-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by FuzzyLumpkins

I really have to sya this is my favorite time of year. We can now get a vision of what the team will be like and discuss in more absolutes.

This year unlike last year where we were going on a prayer at many positions (CB, RT, RG, FB, DT, DE, S) this year we appear to be only winging it at 2 (CB and RT).

How are we winging at CB? Did you mean FS? Unless you think Henry is a wasted signing and that Newman might be a bust.

Other than that I agree most of what you posted.

jimmy40 · 04-25-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by big dog cowboy

While these guys are not world beaters, they are good enough to win a Super Bowl with. Before you laugh, these guys are NE's WR's:

Deion Branch
David Givens
Cedric James
Bethel Johnson
Tim Dwight

You really think that group is that much better than what we have?

Copper and Crayton should really make strides this year after completing their rookie season. Everybody is healthy. That is key with Jones running the ball because our passing game won't go against a defense thinking pass first because our running game was so weak. I'm optimistic about this group even though I think we upgrade next year early in the draft. For now, still a pretty solid group.

NE has Tom Brady. We have the guy they got rid of.

**big dog cowboy** · 04-25-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy40

NE has Tom Brady. We have the guy they got rid of.

I don't see where Wolverine said anything about who the QB was/is for any team.

dallascowboysfan31 · 04-25-2005

one of the most well thought out posts i've ever read.

goshan · 04-25-2005

We have had a great offseason but, lets be realistic on the holes:

1. Depth at CB
2. Proven FS
3. RT - Tucker hasn't proven he is an NFL starter.
4. FB - I don't like our FBs. Do you?
5. WR - we need a young tall fast guy in case Glenn or Key go down. They are aging so they are more injury prone.
6. General proven depth on the Oline
7. QB - we have an aging QB that is not too mobile

Every team has holes - I am not being negative.
But lets not turn us into the SuperBowl champs just yet.