gimmesix
Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life
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Quarterback
WHO'S HERE Tony Romo, Brad Johnson, Richard Bartel, Jeff Terrell (workout)
WHO'S GONE No one
ANALYSIS Dallas is short on bodies at this position, although a workout player has been added for the minicamp. It would be good if the Cowboys bring in someone who is at least a threat to replace Johnson, who didn't show much last preseason or in his brief appearance and isn't going to get any better at his age. But I don't think it's likely to happen this year. The Cowboys have mentioned getting another veteran to add to the mix, and they've also mentioned that they like the progress of Bartel, who showed some promise in the final preseason game last year. We're in the best shape we've been in since Troy Aikman as far as the starter goes, and I like the developmental prospect (although I'd like to get him some competition), but I don't believe Johnson can keep the train running smoothly if something happened to Romo. But I also am not sure there's much we can do about that right now.
Fullback
WHO'S HERE Deon Anderson, Roger Cruz, Julius Crosslin
WHO'S GONE Oliver Hoyte
ANALYSIS The return of the more versatile fullback in Dallas was signaled by Hoyte's departure. Hoyte was a blocker with minimal receiving skills. Anderson proved in limited time to be a good receiver out of the backfield, able to get upfield some to make catches and also turn upfield quickly after catching the ball. His blocking improved from where he started, but still needs some work and he hasn't received any carries, so there is work to be done if he's going to be the "triple threat" that offensive coordinator Jason Garrett wants. Because of his need for improvement, I thought Dallas needed to address the position in the draft to provide quality competition, but it seems the Cowboys have faith in Anderson's abilities. Cruz and Crosslin are competing to be his backup, although Dallas could just keep one fullback on the roster.
Running back
WHO'S HERE Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice, Alonzo Coleman, Keon Lattimore
WHO'S GONE Julius Jones, Tyson Thompson
ANALYSIS Barber has proven he can at least shine with a limited number of carries, spinning, bulling and willing his way into being a star back. We don't know how his body or his style of play would hold up to carrying the whole load, but fortunately we shouldn't have to find out. Stepping in to help keep Barber fresh is our first-round pick. Felix Jones should be everything Julius Jones was expected to be, a home run threat with the feet and vision to weave through traffic. Now, like with all picks, it's possible that Felix Jones won't live up to those expectations. But if he doesn't Dallas got great insurance with Choice, one of my favorite backs in the draft because of his vision, cutting ability and toughness. It's likely that at least one of these backs will be able to take on the relief role and do well enough that we won't miss Barber when he's on the sideline. It's also possible that all three will be good enough to warrant playing time. Because of the quality we have here, Coleman might be looking at a return to the practice squad, and Lattimore likely only will be a camp body.
Tight end
WHO'S HERE Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett, Tony Curtis, Rodney Hannah, Andrew Atchison
WHO'S GONE Anthony Fasano
ANALYSIS Witten is among the best in the league, so there's no problem there, and I really like the progress Curtis showed last year in the preseason and during the season. He shows the ability to get open, good hands and made solid blocks the times that they showed him blocking. His development is the primary reason that I believed we would trade Fasano, and it's also the main reason the Bennett pick baffled me. Presumably, Curtis was pushing for the No. 2 spot, so did Dallas really need to spend a second-round pick on a tight end? If anything, it at least creates good competition for the spot, and if Bennett pans out, gives us strong depth at the position and a good group for three-tight end formations. I'm certainly not against improving the depth on this team, but Bennett needs to show he can be an upgrade to both Fasano AND Curtis for this move to really make sense. Hannah was a project last year, and Atchison appears to be this year, so a practice squad awaits the better project.
Wide receiver
WHO'S HERE Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn, Patrick Crayton, Isaiah Stanback, Sam Hurd, Miles Austin, Mike Jefferson, Danny Amendola, Mark Bradford, Daniel Polk, Joe West
WHO'S NOT No one
ANALYSIS Because of the age of Owens and health/age of Glenn, it would have been good for Dallas to get another starting-caliber receiver. Dallas has shown it can win without Glenn, but not without a healthy Owens. Perhaps someone, particularly Stanback, will step up to provide a starting-caliber option, but that's only a wish at this point. So as it stands right now, as long as Owens is healthy, the Cowboys have a chance at being a very good passing team. If Glenn can go for one more season, the Cowboys are even better. Other than Stanback, it doesn't appear anyone can change that. Despite his drops, Crayton is a good THIRD receiver. Hurd has good hands, but questionable speed; Austin has good speed, but questionable hands. The guys contending to knock them off the 53 have similar weaknesses, particularly speed, but Bradford might have a chance at least of seizing a roster spot. It's hopeful that someone will emerge from this group to be starter worthy, but most likely as goes Owens, so goes the Cowboys.
Line
WHO'S HERE Flozell Adams, Kyle Kosier, Andre Gurode, Leonard Davis, Marc Colombo, Doug Free, Pat McQuistan, Cory Proctor, Joe Berger, James Marten, Andrew Brecher, Brandon Hale
WHO'S GONE No one
ANALYSIS The good news is that there is no change from one of the top lines in the league last year. The bad news is that this line does have its deficiences ... lots of power, but an overall lack of quickness and some trouble recognizing/handling blitzes. That's a bit nitpicky considering the linemen we have and how they did overall, but those areas of concern showed up strong in the second half against New York. Hopefully, having Hudson Houck back as line coach will help this group improve on its weaknesses. I also was hopeful some interior line competition would be brought in at least for the backup spots, but what we've got is mostly adequate. Maybe with Adams being re-signed, one of the tackles - either McQuistan or Marten - will be moved inside to create competition. I don't expect the rookies to take anyone's job.
OVERVIEW An offense that was second in the league in scoring and third in total yards returns almost completely intact. The "weakest" area statwise, rushing offense, is the area that was addressed the most. There are other improvements that could have helped this offense, but overall it should remain one of the top ones in the league this year as long as Romo, Owens and Witten stay healthy (and the need for Witten to stay healthy could be lowered some by Bennett's play.)
WHO'S HERE Tony Romo, Brad Johnson, Richard Bartel, Jeff Terrell (workout)
WHO'S GONE No one
ANALYSIS Dallas is short on bodies at this position, although a workout player has been added for the minicamp. It would be good if the Cowboys bring in someone who is at least a threat to replace Johnson, who didn't show much last preseason or in his brief appearance and isn't going to get any better at his age. But I don't think it's likely to happen this year. The Cowboys have mentioned getting another veteran to add to the mix, and they've also mentioned that they like the progress of Bartel, who showed some promise in the final preseason game last year. We're in the best shape we've been in since Troy Aikman as far as the starter goes, and I like the developmental prospect (although I'd like to get him some competition), but I don't believe Johnson can keep the train running smoothly if something happened to Romo. But I also am not sure there's much we can do about that right now.
Fullback
WHO'S HERE Deon Anderson, Roger Cruz, Julius Crosslin
WHO'S GONE Oliver Hoyte
ANALYSIS The return of the more versatile fullback in Dallas was signaled by Hoyte's departure. Hoyte was a blocker with minimal receiving skills. Anderson proved in limited time to be a good receiver out of the backfield, able to get upfield some to make catches and also turn upfield quickly after catching the ball. His blocking improved from where he started, but still needs some work and he hasn't received any carries, so there is work to be done if he's going to be the "triple threat" that offensive coordinator Jason Garrett wants. Because of his need for improvement, I thought Dallas needed to address the position in the draft to provide quality competition, but it seems the Cowboys have faith in Anderson's abilities. Cruz and Crosslin are competing to be his backup, although Dallas could just keep one fullback on the roster.
Running back
WHO'S HERE Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice, Alonzo Coleman, Keon Lattimore
WHO'S GONE Julius Jones, Tyson Thompson
ANALYSIS Barber has proven he can at least shine with a limited number of carries, spinning, bulling and willing his way into being a star back. We don't know how his body or his style of play would hold up to carrying the whole load, but fortunately we shouldn't have to find out. Stepping in to help keep Barber fresh is our first-round pick. Felix Jones should be everything Julius Jones was expected to be, a home run threat with the feet and vision to weave through traffic. Now, like with all picks, it's possible that Felix Jones won't live up to those expectations. But if he doesn't Dallas got great insurance with Choice, one of my favorite backs in the draft because of his vision, cutting ability and toughness. It's likely that at least one of these backs will be able to take on the relief role and do well enough that we won't miss Barber when he's on the sideline. It's also possible that all three will be good enough to warrant playing time. Because of the quality we have here, Coleman might be looking at a return to the practice squad, and Lattimore likely only will be a camp body.
Tight end
WHO'S HERE Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett, Tony Curtis, Rodney Hannah, Andrew Atchison
WHO'S GONE Anthony Fasano
ANALYSIS Witten is among the best in the league, so there's no problem there, and I really like the progress Curtis showed last year in the preseason and during the season. He shows the ability to get open, good hands and made solid blocks the times that they showed him blocking. His development is the primary reason that I believed we would trade Fasano, and it's also the main reason the Bennett pick baffled me. Presumably, Curtis was pushing for the No. 2 spot, so did Dallas really need to spend a second-round pick on a tight end? If anything, it at least creates good competition for the spot, and if Bennett pans out, gives us strong depth at the position and a good group for three-tight end formations. I'm certainly not against improving the depth on this team, but Bennett needs to show he can be an upgrade to both Fasano AND Curtis for this move to really make sense. Hannah was a project last year, and Atchison appears to be this year, so a practice squad awaits the better project.
Wide receiver
WHO'S HERE Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn, Patrick Crayton, Isaiah Stanback, Sam Hurd, Miles Austin, Mike Jefferson, Danny Amendola, Mark Bradford, Daniel Polk, Joe West
WHO'S NOT No one
ANALYSIS Because of the age of Owens and health/age of Glenn, it would have been good for Dallas to get another starting-caliber receiver. Dallas has shown it can win without Glenn, but not without a healthy Owens. Perhaps someone, particularly Stanback, will step up to provide a starting-caliber option, but that's only a wish at this point. So as it stands right now, as long as Owens is healthy, the Cowboys have a chance at being a very good passing team. If Glenn can go for one more season, the Cowboys are even better. Other than Stanback, it doesn't appear anyone can change that. Despite his drops, Crayton is a good THIRD receiver. Hurd has good hands, but questionable speed; Austin has good speed, but questionable hands. The guys contending to knock them off the 53 have similar weaknesses, particularly speed, but Bradford might have a chance at least of seizing a roster spot. It's hopeful that someone will emerge from this group to be starter worthy, but most likely as goes Owens, so goes the Cowboys.
Line
WHO'S HERE Flozell Adams, Kyle Kosier, Andre Gurode, Leonard Davis, Marc Colombo, Doug Free, Pat McQuistan, Cory Proctor, Joe Berger, James Marten, Andrew Brecher, Brandon Hale
WHO'S GONE No one
ANALYSIS The good news is that there is no change from one of the top lines in the league last year. The bad news is that this line does have its deficiences ... lots of power, but an overall lack of quickness and some trouble recognizing/handling blitzes. That's a bit nitpicky considering the linemen we have and how they did overall, but those areas of concern showed up strong in the second half against New York. Hopefully, having Hudson Houck back as line coach will help this group improve on its weaknesses. I also was hopeful some interior line competition would be brought in at least for the backup spots, but what we've got is mostly adequate. Maybe with Adams being re-signed, one of the tackles - either McQuistan or Marten - will be moved inside to create competition. I don't expect the rookies to take anyone's job.
OVERVIEW An offense that was second in the league in scoring and third in total yards returns almost completely intact. The "weakest" area statwise, rushing offense, is the area that was addressed the most. There are other improvements that could have helped this offense, but overall it should remain one of the top ones in the league this year as long as Romo, Owens and Witten stay healthy (and the need for Witten to stay healthy could be lowered some by Bennett's play.)
