Name your top 5 most important Cowboys this year

[craig71]

As much as it pains me to say this i'm going to throw B. Carpenter(Bobby/Barbie) in the mix.He really needs to step it up and take over the nickel and dime lb position.If he doesn't then you're going to have rely on Brooking(who is long in the tooth) or one of the rookies.I would hate to see a bunch of passes to the flat/underneath get converted on third and long.That would make for a long day.


Craig

 

[BrassCowboy]

I'm taking a different approach to this. It's obvious that Romo, Ware, Witten, the offensive line, et al, are very important to the success of this team, but those guys are expected to be a big part of our success, so just naming them here seems sort of redundant to me.

Therefore, I'm going to give you 5 players who, if they perform as we HOPE they will, they just might put the Cowboys over the top. They are:

1. Miles Austin - Everyone keeps wondering how this offense will operate after the departure of the player, and to tell the truth, I'm a bit curious myself, though I'm not panicky about it. I believe that there is some truth to the stories and opinions going around that Owens has lost a step which is perhaps why the Cowboys struggled a bit at times last year on offense, and if that is indeed the case, this team just might need another player to step up and fill in for some of that lost production, especially on deep throws. If Austin can do this and give us a couple of long plays a game, that could make a big difference in the success of our offense.

2. Gerald Sensabaugh - I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm tired of seeing a serious lack of production at the strong safety position. I'm also tired of seeing big plays given up because of this team's refusal to admit that, yeah, the strong safety has to cover guys too. But hopefully, all that has changed with the addition of Sensabaugh who, at least from mini-camp and OTA reports, looks like he can actually cover, and if that's the case, maybe we can get better in an area that this defense so desperately needs: interceptions.

3. Felix Jones - There is SO much talent in this guy. Had he remained healthy for all of 2008, I believe he would have easily ran away with rookie of the year honors. As Hostile demonstrated in another thread regarding offensive formations, Jones is an obviously dynamic player, so much so that it would be criminal NOT to move him all over the formation in an effort to find and exploit matchup problems for the defense. This guy reminds me of Westbrook in that respect, and I believe that if he stays healthy, he will be able to do just about anything he wants to do on a football field.

4. Anthony Spencer - I know he's not Ware, but he's definately shown flashes of playmaking ability. He already plays the run very well, and that's nothing to casually dismiss, but the Cowboys need him to develop into at least a decent pass rusher to give Ware and company some help at attacking the QB from the strong side. If he can at least approach Ellis' sack total from last season, and I know that's a big "if," the Cowboys pass rush should be just as dominate as it was last year.

5. Mike Jenkins - Scandrick is for real. I have no doubts whatsoever about his ability to play, and I expect him to play even more and be even better this year than last. Jenkins, on the other hand, gives me room for pause...even if it's an ever so slight pause. I feel that he should be just as good as Scandrick, and my gut says that he probably is, but there's a tiny part of me that's worried about him. Hopefully, Jenkins will completely erase any and all doubt about his ability and desire and play like we all expect him to. With Newman, Scandrick, and what I hope to be a guy who makes me wonder why the hell I ever had any doubt, this secondary could just be one of the best in the NFL. Couple that with our pass rush and damn, it just gives me chills.


Can we just fast forward to the pre-season already?

I think this is a very good reply, thanks and well said.

 

[TwoSteppinJJ]

1. Tony Romo
2. Roy Williams
3. Mike Jenkins
4. Felix Jones
5. Anthony Spencer

 

[ShiningStar]

Any 5 players you think are important on Special Teams, BECAUSE if special teams does not play well again this season, heads are still going to roll in the locker room.

Both defensive players and offensive players are going to get irked at the special teams unit because we all seen last year, regardless of how good both the defensive and offensive units play, special teams can give up big plays than forcing our defensive to play grittier and than if they give up a TD our offensive has got to score again, so special teams is THE critical junction on the team because it forces both units to play harder.

Hopefully Coach Joe D will solve this problem. We dont know yet.

Now you want to play only 5 players just for the sake of it, okay lets get into it.

The most important person is Coach Wade, because he has to do defensive and HC and monitor all the coaches. Hes not going to get a pass this year and there will be NO defense for him if it fails. If that defense does not live up to billing, the offense is going to get irked because it cannot score on will like the offense lead by Aikman. The coaches cant get this team to score or on will or make it confident to the fans they can score any place on the field.

And lets not play the so goes the Oline so goes the team, it helps, but anyone who knows football knew Namath played behind a horrible Oline and it just made him release the ball quicker and play WCO. Slants, dump offs, whatever you have to do but it can be done.

You dont want to go that route and believe the Oline is everything, okay good point, what about Terence Newman? Every so called mediot can say hes not an elite cornerback BUT every NFL QB throws opposite of him when they see the opening, why, because T Newman is good, very good. So who ever plays opposite him is going to be targeted a lot, which means they will need safety help more times than not.

A lot is going to rest on Ratliff, because hes going to have to either clog of the middle or its going to collapse and this will hurt Ware as well. Ware sometimes commands triple coverage at almost all times double manpower to chip him.

In order for Ware to have a great season, because just him being on the field is a good season, hes going to need help, and that line is going to have to be solid for him to achieve what every fan wants for him.

Back to offense, we know we have 3 solid running backs, we just want a tandem to work, thats going to be Barber and Felix. Who do you say is more important in that role? Well we got a glimpse of what Felix brings to the field and what he can do, was Barber any less important for being there and doing what he had to do? No way. And we all know if any of those two go down, we wont miss a beat with Choice there as well.

Which WR is more important? RW, Milies Austin, or Crayton? Well all of them, because for RW to have a good season, Miles or Crayton has to step up their play. Which neither one can, Hurd has to bring it to the field and do we feel confident we can get a full season out of Hurd?

Whos more important of a top 5, the WR or the Olineman who opens the field up for the QB. I think we all enjoy Columbos fierceness on the field and want to see more out of Davis and Adams for the Oline to really impose their will on defenses.

So who is more important on that line, we all know what happens when Kosier goes down, but Holland may bring more ooomph to the field.

Dont even tell me McBriar wasnt missed NOR Witten when he was taken out. You want heart of the team, Witten, plain and simple.

I can make cases for all of them.

All our players are connected and need each other, so there is no top 5 we need to see because all QB"s are injury prone. And everyone agrees your QB is the most important.

So lets hope the Strength and Condition coach is the man of the year and we dont have many injuries.

 

[Switz]

most important cowboys is. the same guy iot is every year

Jerry Jones

why?

the futher away he stays the better the team will be.

 

[Monster Heel]

1) Tony Romo
2) DeMarcus Ware
3) Flozell Adams
4) Jay Ratliff
5) Roy Williams

 

[thanh123]

1. - Tony Romo - Let's see how he really does without TO.
2. - Jason Garrett - [Run -> Pass] not [Pass -> Run]
3. - Wade Phillips - Could be his final season if he doesn't bring us some wins.
4. - Special Teams - Essential if we think about bringing it home.
5. - Roy Wi11iams - Really worth 9 million a year?

 

[CF74]

1) Coaching
2) Romo
3) O-line, specifically Flos health.
4) Defense, Ware et al.
5) Special Teams

 

[zeroburrito]

1 - flozell adams
2 - marc colombo
3 - montrae holland
4 - kyle kosier
5 - andre gurode

 

[casmith07]

5. Terrence Newman

ugh...

That being said, I'm going to go with the following:

1. Bradie James - continued consistent play against the run and better zone coverage skills will be a difference maker in whether or not Keith Brooking looks like an upgrade over Zach Thomas or not.

2. Patrick Crayton - after a solid season in 07-08, Crayton kind of disappeared last season. Crayton stepping back up to that "possession" receiver form from 07-08 coupled with a healthy Miles Austin should help to alleviate all of the concerns about Roy Williams, as well as our apparent WR controversy.

3. Felix Jones - a healthy Felix Jones for all of this season will dynamically change both the running and the passing game, and has the potential to give Romo that security blanket type of dump-down player like Brian Westbrook (sorry, Marion) so that every single pass isn't a hold-your-breath vertical heave.

4. Anthony Spencer - it's as simple as this: if he's a marginal improvement over Greg Ellis, we're already much better than last year. I don't think he'll have any issues showing that he's better than Greg Ellis.

5. Mat McBriar - barring any other freak injuries, Mat McBriar is arguably THE most important player on the 53-man game day roster. Being able to change field position and put our opponents in undesirable or difficult situations is greatly underrated on this board. His ability to turn field position not only works to the favor of our defense, but also has the potential to put our offense in much better field position (good punt, 3-and-out, mediocre punt by our opponent, better field position for Romo et. all).

And to echo the guy above, yes, I really want to fast-forward too. I can't wait for this season to start.

 

[DallasDomination]

1. Tony Romo******************
2. Marion BArber
3. Demarcus Ware
4. Terrance
+
++-++

 

[jubal]

1.Any bus driver type fumble free hand off artist.

2.Moose type blocking and receiver FB.

3.Pulling guard to open hole for fast back.

4.Your choice of three situational running backs.

5.After a healthy dose of this,fake a run and throw to outstanding receivers,andwe win.

Number 22 did very well with this plan,and he would buy his line rolexes in appreciation.

Always thanked DJ "moose"for his help .

Larry Allen is my hero.

 

[BrassCowboy]

1.Any bus driver type fumble free hand off artist.

so what, do we bring Brad Johnson back?

we are going to do more than run this year, and if Romo cannot get a passing game going, then running is not going to be enough.

I do not buy into this bus driver only needed mentality. I think we always, short of a few guys like Leaf and bledsoe, have had a bus driver.

Romo is the the guy and is a great QB. Him and his job is the most important this year. No other guy right now can do it for us.

I take your post as just a sly way of trashing Romo, and frankly is just plain ignorance to how good Romo is.

 

[jubal]

What happened to Romo last year? If we had this bkfld talent anyone would do to hand off, Kitna for starters.Also he can pass when needed. Didn't say I dont just love Romo to death when the O line gives him time to let play develop.

 

[BrassCowboy]

What happened to Romo last year? If we had this bkfld talent anyone would do to hand off, Kitna for starters.Also he can pass when needed. Didn't say I dont just love Romo to death when the O line gives him time to let play develop.

for one, I had and still have a hard time understanding what you just wrote, but I will try.

it sounds to me like you are saying we are basically gonna run 90% of the time, and to that I say no one does that much. I see more like 55% of the time running.

So that leaves a big necessity for a passing game, and sorry Kitna will not play the same game as Romo. No where anywhere have I heard top 5 and Kitna in the same sentence like I say and hear Romo is in. Kitna is a good backup, and will give us a chance to win, unlike Brad Johnson, if Romo does go down, but to think Kitna can lead us to that promise land is just dreaming and ignorance.

What happened to Romo last year? let me tell you:

In 13 games:

Romo threw 450 passes, completing 276 of them resulting in 61.3% accuracy.
Romo threw for 3448 yards with 26 TDs, 14 ints, and only 20 sacks.
He did this in only 13 games played (missed 3 games due to injury), 3-4 more games was affected by a cast on his pinky.

As far as December games go, yeah we all say he needs to step up to the pressure, but who else do you want to do that. This guy can play, and you cannot just throw in some backup Kitna and expect the same or better results. Can only hope to be even close.

 

[jubal]

I was just using all the RB's to pull the D in to protect against the run and then pass to one of[ your choice ]receivers for a touchdown. What, this won't work with this team?

 

[LarryCanadian]

1. Roy Williams. Stay focussed, play to your strengths, and move the chains. Don't try to be what you aren't, but run crisp and correct routes, and communicate with your QB. Be patient, but work your arse off and prove all the naysayers wrong. Don't worry about stats and what ESPN says. Help your team win. Don't listen to the trade summary and all that. Just play! Be reliable and EFFECTIVE, don't need to dominate.

2. Anthony Spencer. Step up. Avoid injury or at least recover quickly. Fewer mental errors, and finish your sacks (don't let that QB out of grasp). Improve against run still too. This is key to Ware's continued domination and our secondary being able to pay more "man coverage" which will be a HUGE key. Other guys are too raw/young yet. HAS TO BE Spencer's year.

3. Felix Jones. Get on the darn field. Don't let stupidity in coaching staff prevent you from 15 plus touches per game. Return kicks FOR SURE (don't bother with punts). Line up in 2 back sets with Barber and/or Choice. Catch screens and short passes and be a home run threat every time. Coaches, FOR GOD's SAKE, put this guy on field more, even as a decoy!

4. Flo Adams. Refocus. Injuries hurt him last year. Stay confident. More consistency. Key to Romo having time to throw = less chance of Romo making that split-second bone-head risky throw. Practice against speed guys over and over and work on those legs (quickness and endurance). Memorize snap counts.

5. Tony Romo. Seems obvious. Lead the team! Don't make stupid and untimely turnovers. Don't "eat the cheese" - How right Parcells was. Play golf and ignore the rumor-mongers, but limit the partying and celebrity lifestyle and take a page from Staubach and Aikman and lead this team on and off the field. Run with ball protected, but scramble for a few first downs too (his legs are a strength). Get angry and driven and push your teammates - lose a bit of the aw shucks stuff. Show you are hungry and team will follow. Get super fit and strong to weather the pounding and to be a bit quicker in runs to avoid sacks, and to avoid those strips/fumbles.

Other notes:

Austin. Get on the damn field and take a million practice reps to polish that MASSIVE raw talent. Jump and be aggressive going for ball like you started to last year. Most important, stay healthy and spread the field by being our down field threat, replacing TO AND letting Roy Williams be himself instead of TO replacement.

Kosier/Holland. Need to help keep Flo confident in his guard partner. OR, if Flo gets injured again, or really, really regresses, one of these guys has to go over to take Bigg Davis's spot as he will go to LT, and we will need a RG. Have to be more consistent, powerful, and intimidating than Procter was last year.

LarryCanadian

 

[Sitting Bull]

I agree with those that list our five O-lineman as being most important. I think our D will be special this season- hungry, deep in places and I trust Wade's hand setting them up. Special teams must improve but I can't single out a player that will make or break that unit, especially with McBriar returning and kickoffs getting a boost. I think Romo will play well, we've got a real backup QB; confident Austin is going to breakout as a deep threat; Roy doesn't need to be Owens with Witten and Felix in the mix and our RBs are as talented as any in the league. Yep, it's all about the line for me.

 

[casmith07]

Good post about Roy Williams, LarryCanadian. I think you summed up what he needs to do very nicely.

 

[BrassCowboy]

I was just using all the RB's to pull the D in to protect against the run and then pass to one of[ your choice ]receivers for a touchdown. What, this won't work with this team?

???

I must be missing a piece of information....