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The Road To ‘09: Cowboys
The Players Page
By Matt Bowen
In my continuing series on the NFL offseason, I make my first stop in the NFC East — in Dallas. Here are five questions the Cowboys need to answer and a look back at some of their draft picks from our resident draft expert, Wes Bunting.
The Road to ’09: Dallas Cowboys
1. Who’s going to replace Terrell Owens?
The distraction known as T.O. is gone from the locker room in Valley Ranch, but is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Regardless of your stance on Owens, any time a starting player departs you have to replace his production. Last season, Owens caught 69 passes for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns. Do the ‘Boys have enough at the wide receiver position to replace not only his production but his big-play ability?
Roy Williams will become the No. 1 option, but he isn’t a game changer like Owens was. He’s big and physical and does a nice job using his body to position himself to catch the football, but he doesn’t have top-end speed like Owens. Can he be the guy owner Jerry Jones believes he can after mortgaging the draft for him?
I like that the ‘Boys held on to WR Miles Austin, who had been flirting with the Jets. Austin should continue to improve as an NFL route runner and could slip into the role of a deep-ball guy for Tony Romo. But don’t forget about WR Patrick Crayton. I like his game, and although he had only 39 receptions in ’08, I expect him to have a big season with Owens now in Buffalo.
But as much as we want to challenge this WR corps in Dallas, the key to replacing Owens’ production is to let Romo use TE Jason Witten as often as possible. Witten is a match-up nightmare for any safety — regardless of name — and should be his top target once again. Witten is in the discussion when it comes to the top tight ends in the league, and I expect him to lead the position in every statistical category while on his way to Hawaii.
2. When can we officially say that head coach Wade Phillips in on the hot seat?
Try today.
Why? Because Jerry Jones is cut from the same cloth as Commanders owner Daniel Snyder when it comes to coaching. They have little patience for losing — especially early in the season.
Sure, the Cowboys need a strong start to even think of competing with the rest of the NFC East, but they also need a strong start to assure that Phillips will be around in December. We’ve all heard the rumors of the possible “big names” out there in the coaching world who could be looking for work in 2010, and don’t think for one minute that Jones hasn’t thought of seeing Mike Shanahan, Bill Cowher or even Mike Holmgren — who threw his hat back in the ring this week — walking the sidelines of the new amusement park/stadium in Texas.
It almost seems inevitable now that Phillips will be out of a job if this team doesn’t make a run to the playoffs in ’09 — and win once it gets there. There’s just too much money wrapped up in this offense and too much talent in the front seven of the defense for Phillips to come up short again.
It’s a make-or-break season for Phillips that could turn into a make-or-break September.
3. Can Romo win a big game?
Sure, an easy question to ask, but an important question to ask — because Romo hasn’t shown up when this team has needed him most.
For reference, here are Romo’s numbers from the month of December last season — and we all know what happened in Philly when the door got shut on the ‘Boys.
Dec. 7 at Pittsburgh (20-13 Loss)
19-36-210 yards, 3 INTs, 1 TD
Dec. 14, N.Y. Giants (30-20 Win)
20-30-244 yards, 0 INTs, 2 TDs
Dec. 21, Baltimore (33-24 Loss)
24-45-252 yards, 2 INTs, 2 TDs
Dec. 28 at Philly (44-6 Loss)
21-39-183 yards, 1 INT, 0 TDs
Going 1-3 in December is just not good enough, and throwing six INTs compared with five TDs in that same span is absolutely not good enough. Which begs the question: Can the Cowboys count on Romo in a big game?
The answer is pretty simple: Not yet.
Until Romo begins to produce when the games count — in a playoff push — he’ll be considered just a good NFL quarterback. But if he wants to be in the discussion with Manning, Brady and Brees, he’s going to have to show us more. The T.O. drama has left the building, and now the entire NFL world will sit back and watch Romo.
Can he deliver?
4. How good is the Cowboys’ defense?
This unit is one of the better defenses in the NFL — but they are always overshadowed by the Hollywood act that goes on in the offensive huddle.
But make no mistake about it, if the Cowboys are going to challenge New York and Philly — plus get past the Commanders twice in their always highly contested games — they’ll have to rely on defense more than Romo’s arm or the legs of RB Marion Barber.
In ’08, this unit ranked eighth overall in the league, giving up 294.3 yards a game. But what’s surprising is that the Cowboys’ defense only gave up 187 yards per game through the air — and that can be attributed to the pass rush from their 3-4 front.
The Cowboys have questions at the safety position, but their front seven is fast and aggressive and can get to the quarterback all Sunday long. I expect OLB DeMarcus Ware to have another dominant season coming off the edge, and I’m excited to see him match up against new Eagles LT Jason Peters twice in ’09.
The Cowboys had an eye-opening 59 sacks in 2008. That’s big time pressure, but on the flip side, they had only eight interceptions as a unit. Pressure usually leads to turnovers in the passing game, and I expect those numbers to increase.
Is Dallas a playoff team? Don’t know that yet, but with this defense, it has a shot.
5. Is the drama really over?
I doubt it.
Look, I love the drama that comes from the Cowboys’ locker room as much as the next guy, but when your franchise has the type that exists in Dallas and doesn’t win on the field, it becomes an issue.
One thing from my experience in the league that I always stand by is that certain drama can divide teams and lead to awful seasons — especially in December. This Cowboys team doesn’t have any excuses anymore when it comes to Owens or his supposed battles with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
It’s no secret that this club has loads of talent, can run the football and play defense. What’s not to like, really?
But until we see the Cowboys avoid the headlines from their own locker room — and win on the field — they will continue to be a side show that members of the media, like myself, will write about, given ample opportunities.
Winning, however, cures everything in professional football, and the Cowboys have the players to win. I still believe the NFC East is the best division in the NFL, but the Cowboys have a chance to surprise us and win it.
Can they do it? Can they come together as a team?
Big questions that will be answered in September.
The Cowboys’ Draft
The NFP’s Wes Bunting breaks down some notable picks:
Stephen McGee, QB, Texas A&M
Possesses the size, arm and accuracy to mature into an NFL-caliber QB — just needs time to develop into a system. Has an intriguing athletic skill set and knows how to buy time in the pocket and make plays with his legs. Has some Tony Romo in him.
Stephen Hodge, SS, TCU
A former SS who is an absolute tackling machine on all levels of the field. He knows how to find the football and breaks down well in space. Is going to make the move to inside linebacker for the Cowboys, but has the size, speed and instincts to make the move.
John Phillips, TE, Virginia
Is never going to be a star, but does everything well and can help out in the run and pass game. A big target with long arms and good power in his base. Understands blocking technique and knows how to read a defense and find soft spots underneath.
The Players Page
By Matt Bowen
In my continuing series on the NFL offseason, I make my first stop in the NFC East — in Dallas. Here are five questions the Cowboys need to answer and a look back at some of their draft picks from our resident draft expert, Wes Bunting.
The Road to ’09: Dallas Cowboys
1. Who’s going to replace Terrell Owens?
The distraction known as T.O. is gone from the locker room in Valley Ranch, but is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Regardless of your stance on Owens, any time a starting player departs you have to replace his production. Last season, Owens caught 69 passes for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns. Do the ‘Boys have enough at the wide receiver position to replace not only his production but his big-play ability?
Roy Williams will become the No. 1 option, but he isn’t a game changer like Owens was. He’s big and physical and does a nice job using his body to position himself to catch the football, but he doesn’t have top-end speed like Owens. Can he be the guy owner Jerry Jones believes he can after mortgaging the draft for him?
I like that the ‘Boys held on to WR Miles Austin, who had been flirting with the Jets. Austin should continue to improve as an NFL route runner and could slip into the role of a deep-ball guy for Tony Romo. But don’t forget about WR Patrick Crayton. I like his game, and although he had only 39 receptions in ’08, I expect him to have a big season with Owens now in Buffalo.
But as much as we want to challenge this WR corps in Dallas, the key to replacing Owens’ production is to let Romo use TE Jason Witten as often as possible. Witten is a match-up nightmare for any safety — regardless of name — and should be his top target once again. Witten is in the discussion when it comes to the top tight ends in the league, and I expect him to lead the position in every statistical category while on his way to Hawaii.
2. When can we officially say that head coach Wade Phillips in on the hot seat?
Try today.
Why? Because Jerry Jones is cut from the same cloth as Commanders owner Daniel Snyder when it comes to coaching. They have little patience for losing — especially early in the season.
Sure, the Cowboys need a strong start to even think of competing with the rest of the NFC East, but they also need a strong start to assure that Phillips will be around in December. We’ve all heard the rumors of the possible “big names” out there in the coaching world who could be looking for work in 2010, and don’t think for one minute that Jones hasn’t thought of seeing Mike Shanahan, Bill Cowher or even Mike Holmgren — who threw his hat back in the ring this week — walking the sidelines of the new amusement park/stadium in Texas.
It almost seems inevitable now that Phillips will be out of a job if this team doesn’t make a run to the playoffs in ’09 — and win once it gets there. There’s just too much money wrapped up in this offense and too much talent in the front seven of the defense for Phillips to come up short again.
It’s a make-or-break season for Phillips that could turn into a make-or-break September.
3. Can Romo win a big game?
Sure, an easy question to ask, but an important question to ask — because Romo hasn’t shown up when this team has needed him most.
For reference, here are Romo’s numbers from the month of December last season — and we all know what happened in Philly when the door got shut on the ‘Boys.
Dec. 7 at Pittsburgh (20-13 Loss)
19-36-210 yards, 3 INTs, 1 TD
Dec. 14, N.Y. Giants (30-20 Win)
20-30-244 yards, 0 INTs, 2 TDs
Dec. 21, Baltimore (33-24 Loss)
24-45-252 yards, 2 INTs, 2 TDs
Dec. 28 at Philly (44-6 Loss)
21-39-183 yards, 1 INT, 0 TDs
Going 1-3 in December is just not good enough, and throwing six INTs compared with five TDs in that same span is absolutely not good enough. Which begs the question: Can the Cowboys count on Romo in a big game?
The answer is pretty simple: Not yet.
Until Romo begins to produce when the games count — in a playoff push — he’ll be considered just a good NFL quarterback. But if he wants to be in the discussion with Manning, Brady and Brees, he’s going to have to show us more. The T.O. drama has left the building, and now the entire NFL world will sit back and watch Romo.
Can he deliver?
4. How good is the Cowboys’ defense?
This unit is one of the better defenses in the NFL — but they are always overshadowed by the Hollywood act that goes on in the offensive huddle.
But make no mistake about it, if the Cowboys are going to challenge New York and Philly — plus get past the Commanders twice in their always highly contested games — they’ll have to rely on defense more than Romo’s arm or the legs of RB Marion Barber.
In ’08, this unit ranked eighth overall in the league, giving up 294.3 yards a game. But what’s surprising is that the Cowboys’ defense only gave up 187 yards per game through the air — and that can be attributed to the pass rush from their 3-4 front.
The Cowboys have questions at the safety position, but their front seven is fast and aggressive and can get to the quarterback all Sunday long. I expect OLB DeMarcus Ware to have another dominant season coming off the edge, and I’m excited to see him match up against new Eagles LT Jason Peters twice in ’09.
The Cowboys had an eye-opening 59 sacks in 2008. That’s big time pressure, but on the flip side, they had only eight interceptions as a unit. Pressure usually leads to turnovers in the passing game, and I expect those numbers to increase.
Is Dallas a playoff team? Don’t know that yet, but with this defense, it has a shot.
5. Is the drama really over?
I doubt it.
Look, I love the drama that comes from the Cowboys’ locker room as much as the next guy, but when your franchise has the type that exists in Dallas and doesn’t win on the field, it becomes an issue.
One thing from my experience in the league that I always stand by is that certain drama can divide teams and lead to awful seasons — especially in December. This Cowboys team doesn’t have any excuses anymore when it comes to Owens or his supposed battles with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
It’s no secret that this club has loads of talent, can run the football and play defense. What’s not to like, really?
But until we see the Cowboys avoid the headlines from their own locker room — and win on the field — they will continue to be a side show that members of the media, like myself, will write about, given ample opportunities.
Winning, however, cures everything in professional football, and the Cowboys have the players to win. I still believe the NFC East is the best division in the NFL, but the Cowboys have a chance to surprise us and win it.
Can they do it? Can they come together as a team?
Big questions that will be answered in September.
The Cowboys’ Draft
The NFP’s Wes Bunting breaks down some notable picks:
Stephen McGee, QB, Texas A&M
Possesses the size, arm and accuracy to mature into an NFL-caliber QB — just needs time to develop into a system. Has an intriguing athletic skill set and knows how to buy time in the pocket and make plays with his legs. Has some Tony Romo in him.
Stephen Hodge, SS, TCU
A former SS who is an absolute tackling machine on all levels of the field. He knows how to find the football and breaks down well in space. Is going to make the move to inside linebacker for the Cowboys, but has the size, speed and instincts to make the move.
John Phillips, TE, Virginia
Is never going to be a star, but does everything well and can help out in the run and pass game. A big target with long arms and good power in his base. Understands blocking technique and knows how to read a defense and find soft spots underneath.
