Coy
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 3,412
- Reaction score
- 2,539
Embrace the HATE.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/preview09/team?team=dal
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/preview09/news/story?id=4424374
EXPERTS' PICKSThe Cowboys finished third in the NFC East last season with a 9-7 record. For more Cowboys coverage, visit: Matt Mosley's NFC East blog | Cowboys clubhouse
ANALYST PREDICTION
Jeffri
Chadiha
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 3 They'd be a favorite in any other division in the NFC. Too bad they play in this one.
John
Clayton
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 4 I think Tony Romo will be a better quarterback without the distractions of Terrell Owens. My concern is the offensive line, which is the oldest in football and could break down by midseason. Thirty-something lines do that.
Tim
Graham
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 3 The biggest star heading into this year could be the glitzy new stadium. Maybe the absence of expectations will help Tony Romo and the Boys slip into the playoffs and make a run from there.
Jeremy
Green
Scouts Inc.
DIVISION FINISH: 4 I was extremely confused by the Dallas offseason. Say what you want about Terrell Owens, but the Cowboys are not a better team without him. Roy Williams is not ready to fill the void, which means a lot of double coverage for TE Jason Witten. It is going to be a long year in Dallas.
Paul
Kuharsky
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 3 Even without T.O., it'll be a circus, and the Cowboys have some major depth concerns that will hurt them over the course of 17 weeks.
Matt
Mosley
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 3 Quarterback Tony Romo looks so much more comfortable without T.O. around. And second-year running back Felix Jones could be one of the most explosive backs in the league.
Len
Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 2 Some solid players up front on defense, yet the secondary remains questionable. A quieter, less controversial, businesslike team that will benefit from the growth, both physically and emotionally, of QB Tony Romo.
Mike
Sando
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 3 It's only a matter of time before Tony Romo breaks through in the playoffs, right? This team has the talent, including at quarterback.
Kevin
Seifert
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 3 Coaches can't get tougher over time. They can only let the string out after starting off tough. So I don't see Cowboys coach Wade Phillips having the capacity to make a difference this season.
James
Walker
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 3 Who will they point fingers to now when Dallas misses the playoffs for the second straight season?
Seth
Wickersham
ESPN The Magazine
DIVISION FINISH: 1 Dallas has the perfect mix: lots of talent, a coach and QB with chips on their shoulders, and low expectations. Can you say Super Bowl?
Bill
Williamson
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 2 The Cowboys won't have the T.O. distraction. They should benefit from a somewhat calm environment. This team isn't perfect but it should make a playoff push.
Matt
Williamson
Scouts Inc.
DIVISION FINISH: 3 Depth on this defense is questionable at all levels, but the offense should remain quite potent, led by Tony Romo. Dallas should feature the running game more than in previous years, but that also could be a winning formula considering its present personnel.
Pat
Yasinskas
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 1 With a new stadium, maybe it's time for the Cowboys to overachieve, instead of underachieving like they did last year. The roster still has plenty of talent, although Terrell Owens is gone, but I view that as a positive.
CONSENSUS DIVISION FINISH: 3rd | NFL standings
BEST OF THE COWBOYSBest threat to go all the way: Second-year running back Felix Jones could become one of the most elusive runners in the league. He can turn a middle screen into a 40-yard touchdown in a hurry. His ability to change directions at full speed is pretty rare.
Best backup tight end in the league: Martellus Bennett is on the verge of becoming a dangerous player. He's got a ton of athleticism and he should become a good target for Tony Romo in the red zone. Put him down for seven touchdowns this season.
Best pass-rusher in the league: DeMarcus Ware is the most dynamic defensive player in the game. No one can block him -- and he's relentless. He may not get 20 sacks again this season, but he'll be knocking on the door.
Best assistant coach: Even though the Cowboys have struggled in special teams work this preseason, I think coach Joe DeCamillis will prove to be an excellent addition. Wade Phillips has given him some quality practice minutes and I think he'll have an excellent unit.
Best wide receiver on the roster: I'll give it to Roy Williams, but it wasn't as easy as one might think. Sam Hurd had a superb camp and he could challenge for that No. 2 receiver role at some point this season.
Best unheralded player: He's starting to get a little recognition, but nose tackle Jay Ratliff has emerged as one of the quickest nose tackles in the league. And he's got a high motor that really inspires his teammates. He'll miss his pal, Chris Canty, but he should have another strong season.
-- Matt Mosley, ESPN.com
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/preview09/team?team=dal
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/preview09/news/story?id=4424374
EXPERTS' PICKSThe Cowboys finished third in the NFC East last season with a 9-7 record. For more Cowboys coverage, visit: Matt Mosley's NFC East blog | Cowboys clubhouse
ANALYST PREDICTION
Jeffri
Chadiha
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 3 They'd be a favorite in any other division in the NFC. Too bad they play in this one.
John
Clayton
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 4 I think Tony Romo will be a better quarterback without the distractions of Terrell Owens. My concern is the offensive line, which is the oldest in football and could break down by midseason. Thirty-something lines do that.
Tim
Graham
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 3 The biggest star heading into this year could be the glitzy new stadium. Maybe the absence of expectations will help Tony Romo and the Boys slip into the playoffs and make a run from there.
Jeremy
Green
Scouts Inc.
DIVISION FINISH: 4 I was extremely confused by the Dallas offseason. Say what you want about Terrell Owens, but the Cowboys are not a better team without him. Roy Williams is not ready to fill the void, which means a lot of double coverage for TE Jason Witten. It is going to be a long year in Dallas.
Paul
Kuharsky
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 3 Even without T.O., it'll be a circus, and the Cowboys have some major depth concerns that will hurt them over the course of 17 weeks.
Matt
Mosley
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 3 Quarterback Tony Romo looks so much more comfortable without T.O. around. And second-year running back Felix Jones could be one of the most explosive backs in the league.
Len
Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 2 Some solid players up front on defense, yet the secondary remains questionable. A quieter, less controversial, businesslike team that will benefit from the growth, both physically and emotionally, of QB Tony Romo.
Mike
Sando
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 3 It's only a matter of time before Tony Romo breaks through in the playoffs, right? This team has the talent, including at quarterback.
Kevin
Seifert
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 3 Coaches can't get tougher over time. They can only let the string out after starting off tough. So I don't see Cowboys coach Wade Phillips having the capacity to make a difference this season.
James
Walker
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 3 Who will they point fingers to now when Dallas misses the playoffs for the second straight season?
Seth
Wickersham
ESPN The Magazine
DIVISION FINISH: 1 Dallas has the perfect mix: lots of talent, a coach and QB with chips on their shoulders, and low expectations. Can you say Super Bowl?
Bill
Williamson
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 2 The Cowboys won't have the T.O. distraction. They should benefit from a somewhat calm environment. This team isn't perfect but it should make a playoff push.
Matt
Williamson
Scouts Inc.
DIVISION FINISH: 3 Depth on this defense is questionable at all levels, but the offense should remain quite potent, led by Tony Romo. Dallas should feature the running game more than in previous years, but that also could be a winning formula considering its present personnel.
Pat
Yasinskas
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 1 With a new stadium, maybe it's time for the Cowboys to overachieve, instead of underachieving like they did last year. The roster still has plenty of talent, although Terrell Owens is gone, but I view that as a positive.
CONSENSUS DIVISION FINISH: 3rd | NFL standings
BEST OF THE COWBOYSBest threat to go all the way: Second-year running back Felix Jones could become one of the most elusive runners in the league. He can turn a middle screen into a 40-yard touchdown in a hurry. His ability to change directions at full speed is pretty rare.
Best backup tight end in the league: Martellus Bennett is on the verge of becoming a dangerous player. He's got a ton of athleticism and he should become a good target for Tony Romo in the red zone. Put him down for seven touchdowns this season.
Best pass-rusher in the league: DeMarcus Ware is the most dynamic defensive player in the game. No one can block him -- and he's relentless. He may not get 20 sacks again this season, but he'll be knocking on the door.
Best assistant coach: Even though the Cowboys have struggled in special teams work this preseason, I think coach Joe DeCamillis will prove to be an excellent addition. Wade Phillips has given him some quality practice minutes and I think he'll have an excellent unit.
Best wide receiver on the roster: I'll give it to Roy Williams, but it wasn't as easy as one might think. Sam Hurd had a superb camp and he could challenge for that No. 2 receiver role at some point this season.
Best unheralded player: He's starting to get a little recognition, but nose tackle Jay Ratliff has emerged as one of the quickest nose tackles in the league. And he's got a high motor that really inspires his teammates. He'll miss his pal, Chris Canty, but he should have another strong season.
-- Matt Mosley, ESPN.com
