2009/10 Offensive Strengths/Weaknesses (Part 1)

[cowboyjoe]

2009/10 Offensive Strengths/Weaknesses (Part 1)
February 15th, 2010 | by donpotts21 |
http://respectthestar.com/2010/02/15/200910-offensive-strengthsweaknesses-part-1/

As the offseason has taken hold, I will begin discussing the draft and free agency. However, it is prudent to discuss what areas of the team need to be upgraded. Today I will start with the offense.

Last season, the Cowboys erased many doubters by winning the division and more importantly tasting some playoff success with their first victory since 1996. Once again, the pressure is back on the Cowboys to improve on last season’s success. Let’s take a look at the offense and discuss their overall play. Rank positional strength 1 being the lowest 5 being the highest. Today I’ll start with the Quarterbacks, RB’s and WR’s.

Quarterbacks

Tony Romo, Jon Kitna, Stephen McGee



Romo is coming off his best season as the Cowboys starter. He drastically improved on ball security, while still making plays within (and out of) the pocket. Furthermore, Romo has cemented himself as the unquestioned leader of this team. He is in his prime and should lead the Cowboys to further success the next handful of years.

Kitna provided a solid veteran presence behind Romo. His savvy demeanor had a positive effect in the locker room. Although he received no playing time, the Cowboys seem to think that he can be a capable starter if an injury slows Romo. I agree with that sentiment.

McGee showed in preseason that he is very raw. With his good size and the veteran leadership in front of him, he should see improvement in the offseason.

Positional Strength: 5

Offseason Moves: None Needed

Running Backs

Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice



Barber is coming off another down year as the Cowboys starter. As the season progressed, Jones seemed to steal the spotlight at the position. Barber’s brutal running style is not ideal for a long career. I think he will be an effective back still for years to come, but he might not fit with this team’s offensive philosophy going forward.

Felix Jones really hit his stride as the season progressed. When he is healthy, he is clearly the best option for the Cowboys out of the backfield. Regardless of what the Cowboys do with Barber, expect to see Jones receive the starting nod next season.

Tashard Choice is an interesting player to follow in the offseason. I have been hearing alot of rumbling out of Big D that he might moved via trade. I would advise against it. Whenever Choice has gotten an opportunity, he has made the most of it. In 2008, he played great when both Barber and Jones were injured. He showed effectiveness out of the wildcat last season. I think he is the perfect complimentary back. He can do everything well.

Positional Strength: 4.5

Offseason Moves: I would offer Barber around the league for a 3rd round pick. Remember the Cowboys drafted Barber in the fourth round, so a 3rd round pick in return would be solid value. It might be difficult to get that in return do to Barber’s large contract and recent penchant for injuries. However, it might be time to open the position for Jones and Choice. I do not expect Barber back with the team next season.

Wide Receivers

Roy Williams, Miles Austin, Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd, Kevin Ogletree



Heading into the season, most expect Roy Williams to stake claim to the number receiver. That was not the case. Miles Austin’s emergence arguably saved the Cowboys season. Once again, Williams struggled in most games to get on the same page with his QB. He will enter next season with a ton of money owed to him. However, it makes little sense for the Cowboys to release him. He will be back next season, so let’s hope for him to provide a solid number two option for Romo

Miles Austin’s meteoric rise was amazing to witness. He broke through in his remarkable first start against the Chiefs. He is a restricted free agent this season do to the labor agreements. Expect the Cowboys to work out a long term extension for Austin. Jerry Jones has repeatedly said that was his number one goal this offseason.

Patrick Crayton had a solid year as the slot receiver. Once he was replaced by Austin, he seemed to play better. I always thought Crayton was best fit for the slot. He has excellent hands and is a savvy route runner. He displayed his worth in numerous games throughout the season.

Kevin Ogletree and Sam Hurd are solid 4th and 5th receivers. While Hurd importance lies on Special Teams, Ogletree seemed to supplant Hurd as the 4th receiver. He showed promise as a potential starter in this league. If Williams fails to improve this coming season, do not be shocked to see Ogletree surpass him on the depth chart in 2012.

Positional Strength: 4

Offseason Moves: Austin and Hurd should both be back with the Cowboys next season. Rumors have swirled about the Cowboys targeting Brandon Marshall via trade. That will not happen. Even though Jerry Jones has said the Cowboys will not be drafting a receiver, I will call his bluff. I think they should target a receiver like Golden Tate in the second round.

 

[cowboyjoe]

Fanball’s Mock Draft Update; Offensive Strengths/Weaknesses Part 2
February 23rd, 2010 | by donpotts21 |
Here at the Fanball Network the blog correspondents have teamed up to take part in a mock draft. The Tennessee Titans are currently on the clock with the 17th pick. Thus far the draft has offered several surprises.

http://respectthestar.com/2010/02/2...-update-offensive-strengthsweaknesses-part-2/

- The Seattle Seahawks took Michigan hybrid DE/OLB Brandon Graham with the sixth pick. That is about 10-15 spots earlier than anticipated.

- The Cleveland Browns took another Norte Dame QB with the seventh pick. It will be interesting to see fan reaction if this scenario plays out. I think Jimmy Clausen will be a good NFL quarterback, but the Browns situation is a dicey one.

- The Denver Broncos ignored a slipping Sam Bradford to select mauler guard, Mike Iupati. Iupati is an interesting selection because I consider him to be a can’t miss lineman prospect. He will be as solid as they come up front. However, Sam Bradford might be tough to pass at that point. Also, Dez Bryant has to be in consideration with the trade whispers of Brandon Marshall.

- With the 16th pick of the draft, Sam Bradford is finally taken by the 49ers. Another interesting selection because Alex Smith showed some progress last season. However, I cannot fault the 49ers for taking Bradford here. If this scenario plays out, he should compete for a starting job in 2010.

My hope is that Texas safety, Earl Thomas, will be available for the Cowboys with the 27th pick, although it is highly unlikely. An offensive tackle is also a possibility. If Thomas is off the board, I would expect the Cowboys to trade out of the first round. With limited glaring needs, the Cowboys could once again stockpile picks and hopefully get another first rounder for next year’s draft.



Previously, I discussed the Cowboys strengths and weaknesses for the quarterback’s, running back’s and wide receivers. Now, I will finish the offense with the tight end’s an offensive linemen. Rank positional strength 1 being the lowest 5 being the highest.

Tight Ends

Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett, John Phillips



Witten is coming off another solid year. He was voted to the pro bowl once again and led the team in receptions. The emergence of Miles Austin led to a strong second half for Witten.

Martellus Bennett had high expectations heading into last season. It was expected for him to be highly productive in the red zone, and a big target for Romo on third downs. He turned out to be a major disappointment for the Cowboys. He missed a few games due to injury and late in the season was basically another tackle on the field. Rarely was he used in passing situations. To make matters worse, rumor has it that the Bengals offered a second round choice for Bennett, but Jerry Jones turned it down. In hindsight that was probably a bad move.

John Phillips played well for the Cowboys down the stretch. He supplanted Bennett as the team’s backup tight end late in the season. Excelling in blocking makes Phillips a solid 3rd tight end for this team in the future.

Positional Strength: 4.5

Offseason Moves: None Needed

Tackles

Flozell Adams, Marc Columbo, Doug Free, Pat McQuistan, Robert Brewster



Flozell Adams had a solid year for the Cowboys on the left side. He has been as consistent as they come throughout his tenure with the Cowboys. As a run blocker, there are few better. The Cowboys averaged an impressive 6.3 ypc behind Flo. Even with another solid year, questions still surround Flo’s future with the team. Some feel he breaks down toward the end of the season. Others question his size plus age and think he is a health risk. The Cowboys have a difficult choice when it comes to Flo this offseason

Marc Columbo is the team’s leader on the line. He is a bad *** SOB that gives the o-line attitude. That being said, he did not have a great year. He missed seven games due to a broken leg. He will be back with the Cowboys next season, but it might be his last in Big D.

Doug Free filled in at right tackle for Columbo when he went down. Free played real well. He showed athleticism at the tackle position we have not seen since Larry Allen was in his heyday. He still has room for improvement – mainly in physicality – but the future is bright for the young tackle. Expect him to compete for a starting spot next season.

Pat McQuistan is considered a bust in his time with the Cowboys. He is a restricted free agent who is unlikely to return to Dallas next season. Brewster suffered a torn pectoral muscle before the season started and never put on pads for the Cowboys. It is rumored around Valley Ranch that Brewster might be transformed into a guard.

Positional Strength: 3

Offseason Moves: Expect the Cowboys to address the tackle position in the draft. Mock drafts are predicting the Cowboys take a tackle in the first round. Possible selections include: Bruce Campbell, Bryan Bulaga and Trent Williams.

Guard/Center

Andre Gurode, Leonard Davis, Kyle Kosier, Montrae Holland, Cory Proctor, Duke Preston



Although Andre Gurode made the pro bowl, he did not have a pro bowl type season. He was pushed back by stronger defensive tackles in a number of games throughout the season. The Cowboys struggled mightily in short yardage situations and Gurode deserves most of the blame for that.

Big Leonard Davis made the pro bowl once again for the Cowboys. Nevertheless, he too did not have a superb season. He is a superior run blocker when he pulls, but struggles in short yardage situations. It is imperative to the Cowboys future success for Davis and Gurode to play well.

Kyle Kosier had the best season of any offensive lineman last year. He is extremely effective out in space. The lead draw play was a staple in the Cowboys playbook this year due to the effectiveness of Kosier.

Montrae Holland, Duke Preston and Cory Proctor did not see much time for the Cowboys this year. That is probably a good thing. None of these players are starter material. Cory Proctor is a solid backup because of his ability to play numerous positions, but we saw when Kosier went down two years ago how ineffective he was.

Positional Strength: 3.5

Offseason Moves: Expect the Cowboys to address the guard position in the draft. As I stated earlier, the plan was to move Brewster to guard but he is an injury risk. Idaho’s guard, Mike Iupati, would be an ideal fit for the Cowboys, but there is almost no chance he falls to the Cowboys at 27. We are seeing with our Fanball mock draft that Iupati is in demand by being selected 12th.

Next up is the defensive front seven … Also Stay Tuned for the Cowboys selection with the 27th pick in the 2010 Fanball’s NFL Mock Draft.

Clip from Waiting – Cult Classic (Unrated)


VN:F [1.4.6_730]

 

[MONT17]

Drafting a guard with the 27th pick is almost as bad as over paying for 3 free agent Guards the last 5 or 6 yrs!



If Jerry and the scouting department was sooo goood, why have they spent more on guards than any other team in the league? Rivera's contract alone was worth more than some teams spent on guards the entire decade!




I would hate to see what the Eskimos think is poor drafting!

 

[burmafrd]

This guy clearly does not do serious research since he would know that no one will take Barber in a trade with his current contract. And he flat out left out FB.
And his mock is just plain bad.

 

[cowboyjoe]

This guy clearly does not do serious research since he would know that no one will take Barber in a trade with his current contract. And he flat out left out FB.
And his mock is just plain bad.

agree, some of it wasnt too good, but some was, so i posted it,