gimmesix
Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life
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This is my examination of the roster for this season compared to last year.
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
BETTER
The return of Tony Romo is what makes this position improved because he's clearly head and shoulders above those we had to start in his place. We did keep the best of the other three quarterbacks with Kellen Moore, but that's not saying much. Moore did become only the fifth Cowboys quarterback to throw for more than 400 yards in a game, but lost both starts. Combined with Dallas waiting until the fourth round of the draft to take a quarterback (Dak Prescott) and having a fourth quarterback on the offseason roster (Jamiell Showers) who was more of a utility practice play last year, there's not much hope if Romo misses more than a couple of games due to injury.
Running backs
BETTER
How do you improve on having a back rush for more than 1,000 yards while averaging 4.6 yards per carry? You add a back who better fits the system with your first pick in the draft. That the team was able to switch off of zone blocking because of McFadden not fitting that scheme and did so successfully is a testament to this offensive line (and using McFadden's strengths as runner). Ezekiel Elliott, though, should bring more of what Dallas is looking for at the position. McFadden has speed and can translate it to power when he builds up a head of steam, but he doesn't have the quick-twitch skills or great vision to take advantage of great blocking. Elliott should be able to pick and power his way through defenses behind this line. In addition, Dallas brought in a true zone-blocking back in Alfred Morris, who should also be a good fit even though his average has slowly declined from his rookie season. Last year, Dallas sorely missed Lance Dunbar when he got hurt (and when Joseph Randle's true self resurfaced), but it's possible Dunbar won't even make the team this year because of the additions, including sixth-round pick Darius Jackson.
Fullback
WORSE
How do you not improve on having Tyler Clutts as your starting fullback? By trying to replace him with two position converts. Dallas ran out of space at the running back position, so the Cowboys at trying to converrt Rod Smith into a fullback. That would seem like a long shot if his only competition to make the team at the spot wasn't linebacker Keith Smith. There certainly have been successful conversion stories at the position, but it would seem Dallas by this that Dallas doesn't really care if it carries a fullback this year or values special teams play ore than it values blocking from the position. While Tyler Clutts isn't a irreplaceable player, Dallas appears to have actually accomplished making itself weaker at this spot than it was last year.
Wide receivers
BETTER
Like with the quarterback position, just having Dez Bryant healthy again makes this position stronger. Bryant missed seven games and was really never himself after breaking his foot in the first game and coming back too soon. With Bryant out or limited, Terrance Williams had the opportunity to show he could step into the No. 1 role and failed to assert himself. (Having backup quarterbacks throwing the ball didn't help.) However, he was a good complement to Bryant the year before and should be able to return to that role. Cole Beasley also should get back on track after he looked like he would be a breakout player last preseason. Those three will probably get most of the playing time and should form a solid corps, but there is a wild card to watch. Brice Butler had moments last year where he looked capable as a No. 1 receiver and could challenge Williams for the No. 2 spot. If nothing else, he gives Dallas a better fourth option than Devin Street, who has virtually shown nothing. Lucky Whitehead also is an intriguing member of this group, having shown some glimpses of ability as a returner and receiver.
Tight ends
SAME
With the only addition to this group being a basketball player trying to become a football player, I can't say this group has improved. It could be argued, though, that the tight ends are worse this year because Jason Witten is entering his 14th season and Gavin Escobar is still recovering from injury. However, talk of Witten declining seem to just be hot air. Yes, his average per catch at 9.3 yards was the lowest it's ever been, but it was only 0.1 lower than it was four years ago while his catch total was higher than the previous two years. We'll see this year with Romo throwing him the ball if that average stays down. Retaining James Hanna was a good move by Dallas because he's really the team's No. 2 tight end since he's a better blocker than Escobar and there isn't a vast gulf between them as receivers. Beyond those three, it will be interesting to see if Geoff Swaim or rookie Rico Gathers can force the team to keep a fourth tight end like it did last year. I've also got my eye on Austin Traylor as a blocker, even potentially making the switch to fullback.
Offensive line
SAME
The starting five might can be considered to be better than last year because of La'el Collins. Collins should be able to step up his game in his second season as a starter to form a solid starting five. The weakest (and oldest) link in that chain is Doug Free, and it doesn't appear there's a good plan in place to eventually replace him. Chaz Green will need to show he has that ability and can stay healthy to have a shot at doing that and make taking him with a third-round pick pay off. Dallas lost a good veteran backup in Mackenzie Bernadeau, but replaced him with a similar versatile player in Joe Looney. If Dallas doesn't trade Ron Leary, the inside depth should be solid, but the depth at tackle doesn't run very deep with Charles Brown contending with Green to be the primary backup. Neither of those players has shown enough that it would be a surprise if they were knocked off the roster by one of the young players: Ryan Mack, David Hedelin, Bryan Witzmann, Jared Smith, Boston Stiverson or Jake Brendel.
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
BETTER
The return of Tony Romo is what makes this position improved because he's clearly head and shoulders above those we had to start in his place. We did keep the best of the other three quarterbacks with Kellen Moore, but that's not saying much. Moore did become only the fifth Cowboys quarterback to throw for more than 400 yards in a game, but lost both starts. Combined with Dallas waiting until the fourth round of the draft to take a quarterback (Dak Prescott) and having a fourth quarterback on the offseason roster (Jamiell Showers) who was more of a utility practice play last year, there's not much hope if Romo misses more than a couple of games due to injury.
Running backs
BETTER
How do you improve on having a back rush for more than 1,000 yards while averaging 4.6 yards per carry? You add a back who better fits the system with your first pick in the draft. That the team was able to switch off of zone blocking because of McFadden not fitting that scheme and did so successfully is a testament to this offensive line (and using McFadden's strengths as runner). Ezekiel Elliott, though, should bring more of what Dallas is looking for at the position. McFadden has speed and can translate it to power when he builds up a head of steam, but he doesn't have the quick-twitch skills or great vision to take advantage of great blocking. Elliott should be able to pick and power his way through defenses behind this line. In addition, Dallas brought in a true zone-blocking back in Alfred Morris, who should also be a good fit even though his average has slowly declined from his rookie season. Last year, Dallas sorely missed Lance Dunbar when he got hurt (and when Joseph Randle's true self resurfaced), but it's possible Dunbar won't even make the team this year because of the additions, including sixth-round pick Darius Jackson.
Fullback
WORSE
How do you not improve on having Tyler Clutts as your starting fullback? By trying to replace him with two position converts. Dallas ran out of space at the running back position, so the Cowboys at trying to converrt Rod Smith into a fullback. That would seem like a long shot if his only competition to make the team at the spot wasn't linebacker Keith Smith. There certainly have been successful conversion stories at the position, but it would seem Dallas by this that Dallas doesn't really care if it carries a fullback this year or values special teams play ore than it values blocking from the position. While Tyler Clutts isn't a irreplaceable player, Dallas appears to have actually accomplished making itself weaker at this spot than it was last year.
Wide receivers
BETTER
Like with the quarterback position, just having Dez Bryant healthy again makes this position stronger. Bryant missed seven games and was really never himself after breaking his foot in the first game and coming back too soon. With Bryant out or limited, Terrance Williams had the opportunity to show he could step into the No. 1 role and failed to assert himself. (Having backup quarterbacks throwing the ball didn't help.) However, he was a good complement to Bryant the year before and should be able to return to that role. Cole Beasley also should get back on track after he looked like he would be a breakout player last preseason. Those three will probably get most of the playing time and should form a solid corps, but there is a wild card to watch. Brice Butler had moments last year where he looked capable as a No. 1 receiver and could challenge Williams for the No. 2 spot. If nothing else, he gives Dallas a better fourth option than Devin Street, who has virtually shown nothing. Lucky Whitehead also is an intriguing member of this group, having shown some glimpses of ability as a returner and receiver.
Tight ends
SAME
With the only addition to this group being a basketball player trying to become a football player, I can't say this group has improved. It could be argued, though, that the tight ends are worse this year because Jason Witten is entering his 14th season and Gavin Escobar is still recovering from injury. However, talk of Witten declining seem to just be hot air. Yes, his average per catch at 9.3 yards was the lowest it's ever been, but it was only 0.1 lower than it was four years ago while his catch total was higher than the previous two years. We'll see this year with Romo throwing him the ball if that average stays down. Retaining James Hanna was a good move by Dallas because he's really the team's No. 2 tight end since he's a better blocker than Escobar and there isn't a vast gulf between them as receivers. Beyond those three, it will be interesting to see if Geoff Swaim or rookie Rico Gathers can force the team to keep a fourth tight end like it did last year. I've also got my eye on Austin Traylor as a blocker, even potentially making the switch to fullback.
Offensive line
SAME
The starting five might can be considered to be better than last year because of La'el Collins. Collins should be able to step up his game in his second season as a starter to form a solid starting five. The weakest (and oldest) link in that chain is Doug Free, and it doesn't appear there's a good plan in place to eventually replace him. Chaz Green will need to show he has that ability and can stay healthy to have a shot at doing that and make taking him with a third-round pick pay off. Dallas lost a good veteran backup in Mackenzie Bernadeau, but replaced him with a similar versatile player in Joe Looney. If Dallas doesn't trade Ron Leary, the inside depth should be solid, but the depth at tackle doesn't run very deep with Charles Brown contending with Green to be the primary backup. Neither of those players has shown enough that it would be a surprise if they were knocked off the roster by one of the young players: Ryan Mack, David Hedelin, Bryan Witzmann, Jared Smith, Boston Stiverson or Jake Brendel.
