Where Lindy's Ranks The Cowboys at Their Positions *MERGE*

[Dhragon]

I figured I'd share some tidbits for those who don't buy all the football mags which come out at this time. In this year's Lindy's, they have "The NFL's Best" section ( player rankings - top 10 each position ). Thought I'd share ( no link, from a magazine )

They seem to like the Boy's talent.

QB's - 10. Tony Romo
Backup QB's - 8. Brad Johnson

WR's - 4. T.O.
#2 WR's - 3. Terry Glenn
#3 WR's - 2. Patrick Crayton
Best NFC WR tandem - T.O and Glenn
Best NFC trio - TO, Glenn, and Crayton

TE's - 8. Jason Witten
Best NFC TE tandem - Fasano and Witten

Dallas listed as one of the best passing games as well ( only top 5 listed - Dallas listed with 5 others as next best in line after that top 5 )

Notes that "Dallas could rank at the top of this list if Tony Romo continues to progress and TO focuses".

RB's - Julius not in top 10 ( go figure )
Backup RB's - 2. Marion Barber

FB's - none in top 10

Best running game - Dallas again not ranked in their top 5 but again are listed as next best in line with 3 other teams.

Notes on Running game that "Julius Jones and Marion Barber are a legit tandem worthy of placing the Cowboys in the top 5".

OT's - Left - 10. Flozell Adams
OT's - Right - 6. Marc Columbo ( he was okay but 6th? )

OG's - Dallas doesn't have a top 10 for either right or left guard

Center - Gurode not listed in the top 10

Offensive line. Dallas ranked again as next best after top 5 along with 5 other teams. Notes " Dallas could catapult into the top 5"

DE's - Dallas has no one in top 10 on either left or right DE. Spears listed as a potential breakout player though.

Nose Tackles - 9. Jason Ferguson

MLB ( top 15 ranked ) - No Cowboy's on here
SSLB ( top 10 ) - 6. Greg Ellis
WSLB ( top 10 )- 5. DeMarcus Ware ( in case you're wondering they have above Ware Keith Bullock, Julian Peterson, Lance Briggs, and AJ Hawk - personally I like Ware better than any of them )

Spencer listed as a best rookie and Bradie James as a bounceback player.

Dallas again gets a next best in line after top 5 linebacker corps along with 7 other teams.

#1 CB's - 8. Terence Newman
#2 CB's - No Cowboy on here

FS - 8. Ken Hamlin
SS - 5. Roy Williams

Best NFC tandem - Roy and Ken

Dallas yet again is listed as next best in line after top 5 along with 7 other teams.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Thanks for the info! Keep it coming

 

[jobberone]

Sounds like a homer to me.

But it's pretty much on the money IMO.

I'd agree Peterson is a better LB than Ware. But Ware may catch him this year. He'll look a lot better with the D being better overall.

 

[big dog cowboy]

No kickers ranked?

That is gonna really hack off Hos!

 

[THUMPER]

Center - Gurode not listed in the top 10

I can't believe that there are 9 Centers better than Gurode. Not that he is a top-3 guy but he is easily in the top-10.

 

[FLcowboy]

Thanks for posting. This is the best "good" news I've heard regarding different magazine postings. I don't really put much stock in these articles, as they tend to dwell upon last year's results without regard to what changes have been made.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Sounds like we are heading places with that talent.

 

[superpunk]

Thanks for sharing that.

I have a hard time rationalizing Ellis as a top OLB, considering he played all of 8 games at the spot last year and is currently rehabbing.

I think Ferguson is probably about right, but what he did last year against the run was outstanding.Arguably better in that facet than any NT in the NFL last year.

My guess is the 8 corners above Newman might be there on rep.

 

[Dhragon]

No kickers ranked?

That is gonna really hack off Hos!

For some reason they didn't:splat:

 

[Eddie]

Funny, Ferguson was the 9th best NT in a league where there are only 5 teams using the 3-4. ha ha

 

[AtlCB]

Funny, Ferguson was the 9th best NT in a league where there are only 5 teams using the 3-4. ha ha

The Tampa-2 uses a NT as well. The DT's are shifted, and one of them (the NT) lines up directly over the center.

 

[jterrell]

No kickers ranked?

That is gonna really hack off Hos!

He just wants to see the full listing at FB.



Those guys are studs!

 

[jterrell]

Thank You!

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I can't believe that there are 9 Centers better than Gurode. Not that he is a top-3 guy but he is easily in the top-10.

I agree with you Thump. I'd say Kruetz, Saturday, maybe Matt Birk from the Vikes, maybe Chris Spencer from Seattle, Jeff Hartings of Pittsburgh, Nick Hardwick in San Diego is pretty good. Newberry is a pretty good center as well but he's injured a lot. I'd say that only Kruetz, Saturday are clearly better at this point.

 

[jterrell]

I agree with you Thump. I'd say Kruetz, Saturday, maybe Matt Birk from the Vikes, maybe Chris Spencer from Seattle, Jeff Hartings of Pittsburgh, Nick Hardwick in San Diego is pretty good. Newberry is a pretty good center as well but he's injured a lot. I'd say that only Kruetz, Saturday are clearly better at this point.

Obviously there weren't 9 better last year but he does only have 1 year of legit starting level play to his credit. Physically he is a top 5 guy so if he is able to maintain the position and scheme long enough he'll be very good imho.

 

[Hostile]

Offense
​

Quarterback

Tony Romo #10 starter. Brad Johnson #8 backup.


Wide Receivers

Terrell Owens #4 as top WR. Terry Glenn #3 as the 2nd guy. Patrick Crayton #2 as the 3rd WR. They rank Owens and Glenn as the best tandem in the NFC, and that trio as the best trio in the NFC.


Tight End

Jason Witten #8 starter. They rate Witten and Fasano the NFC's best TE tandem.

Dallas is ranked outside the top 5 in passing offenses but the comment is "Dallas could rank at the top of this list if Romo continues to progress and TO focuses."


Running Back

Marion Barber #2 as backup RB.

Dallas is not ranked in the top 5 running teams either but is called "Next in line...Julius Jones & Marion Barber are a legit tandem worthy of placing the Cowboys in the top 5."


Offensive Tackles

Flozell Adams #10 at LT. Marc Columbo #6 at RT.


Guards

No mention.


Center

Andre Gurode is called "Next in line" after the top 10.

Overall of the O-line they say "Dallas could catapult into the top 5.

Defense

Defensive Ends

Spears is tagged as potential for a breakout season.


Defensive Tackles

Jason Ferguson #9 at Nose Tackle.

No comments on the Dallas overall D-line or potential.


Middle/Inside Linebackers

Bradie James is said to need a "bounceback year."


Outside Linebackers

Greg Ellis #6 on Strong Side. DeMarcus Ware #5 on Weak Side. Anthony Spencer mentioned as most promising rookie.

Overall out of the top 5, but this comment defines. "There was no coincidence the Cowboys run defense and pass rush lapse coincided with Greg Ellis being sidelined. With a new coaching staff, a healthy Ellis and Ware...should the Cowboys ILBs succeed, this is a top 3 unit."


Cornerbacks

Terence Newman #8 as top guy.


Free Safety

Ken Hamlin #8.


Strong Safety

Roy Williams #5.

Williams and Hamlin as best NFC tandem

Overall they say this secondary is a "next in line to top 5."
​

 

[The30YardSlant]

Terence Newman #8 as top guy.

 

[THUMPER]

I wonder who they think the 7 TEs are that are better than Witten.

 

[dogunwo]

what seven are listed better than Newman?

 

[Hailmary]

Are these rankings just for the NFC?