Dallas Cowboys' 2005 season in review
profootballweekly:Cowboys' season in review
Cowboys' season in review
Feb. 10, 2006 Overview:
There are two ways to look at the season: Either the Cowboys improved from a 6-10 campaign to go 9-7, or they fell short of making the playoffs. Bill Parcells and his staff view it as the latter, with more ups and downs. Though the passing game improved and the transition to a 3-4 defense largely was a success, the O-line was a weak spot, and there were enough problems in pass coverage and on special teams to hold the team back. There were high points, such as late-season wins over the Chiefs and Panthers, but the team finished third in the division, losing 3-of-4 to the Giants and Redskins.
Turning point:
In a season of big ups and downs, the Cowboys’ last stand might have come at the hands of the hated Redskins, who handed Dallas a 35-7 loss in Week 15 — a game with serious playoff implications. The devastating loss put the Redskins in the driver’s seat for the final NFC playoff spot. Though the Cowboys came back with an important win at Carolina the following week, it ended up being for naught.
Rookie/free-agent recap:
Given the money the team spent, you could argue that the new class of Cowboys overall was a disappointment. The two big-money additions, NT Jason Ferguson and OG Marco Rivera, failed to live up to expectations; both were merely OK. QB Drew Bledsoe had a nice season, patrolling the offense well, but he made some critical mistakes and crumbled at times behind a poor line. The rookie class has a ton of potential and has to be labeled a coup of sorts. OLB DeMarcus Ware was streaky but has scary potential. RB Marion Barber proved to be an able runner, DEs Marcus Spears and Chris Canty have vast upside, and ORT Rob Pettiti did a remarkable job filling in for 16 starts.
Offseason outlook:
Last year’s splurge increased the talent, but the bang hasn’t been worth the buck so far. Rivera and Ferguson received a combined $18 million in signing bonuses, but neither came close to playing at the level expected of them. Expect this offseason to have fewer fireworks, but the team intends to address some critical areas. Atop its list would be to improve the O-line (right tackle, center and OG depth), add a cover safety, find a reliable kicker and improve the versatility and depth at linebacker.
Recap of free-agent moves
UFAs — None unsigned.
RFAs — None unsigned.
Re-signings —
RFA OT Kurt Vollers, May 4; RFAs FB Darian Barnes and PK Billy Cundiff, April 20 (one year each); RFA C Tyson Walter, March 28; UFA S Lynn Scott, March 14; UFA DT Leonardo Carson, March 4.
Key arrivals — S Izell Reese/ex-Bill, June 3 (one year); UFA RB Anthony Thomas/ex-Bear, May 2 (one year); CB Aaron Glenn/ex-Texan, April 27 (two years, $1 million SB); UFA OG Marco Rivera/ex-Packer, March 3 (five years, $9 million SB); UFA CB Anthony Henry/ex-Brown, March 2 (five years, $25 million, $11 million SB); NT Jason Ferguson/ex-Jet, March 3; QB Drew Bledsoe/ex-Bill, Feb. 23 (three years).
Key departures — CB Pete Hunter, July 14 (traded to Jets for conditional fifth- or sixth-round draft choice; had been re-signed as RFA April 22); UFAs DT Devone Claybrooks, S Tony Dixon, RB Eddie George, QB Vinny Testaverde, June 1 (not tendered); RB ReShard Lee, May 3 (released); RB Richie Anderson, April 28 (released); LB Dexter Coakley, March 1 (released); DE Marcellus Wiley and C Gennaro DiNapoli, March 22 (both released).
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW...easonInRev.htm
Cowboys' season in review
Feb. 10, 2006 Overview:
There are two ways to look at the season: Either the Cowboys improved from a 6-10 campaign to go 9-7, or they fell short of making the playoffs. Bill Parcells and his staff view it as the latter, with more ups and downs. Though the passing game improved and the transition to a 3-4 defense largely was a success, the O-line was a weak spot, and there were enough problems in pass coverage and on special teams to hold the team back. There were high points, such as late-season wins over the Chiefs and Panthers, but the team finished third in the division, losing 3-of-4 to the Giants and Redskins.
Turning point:
In a season of big ups and downs, the Cowboys’ last stand might have come at the hands of the hated Redskins, who handed Dallas a 35-7 loss in Week 15 — a game with serious playoff implications. The devastating loss put the Redskins in the driver’s seat for the final NFC playoff spot. Though the Cowboys came back with an important win at Carolina the following week, it ended up being for naught.
Rookie/free-agent recap:
Given the money the team spent, you could argue that the new class of Cowboys overall was a disappointment. The two big-money additions, NT Jason Ferguson and OG Marco Rivera, failed to live up to expectations; both were merely OK. QB Drew Bledsoe had a nice season, patrolling the offense well, but he made some critical mistakes and crumbled at times behind a poor line. The rookie class has a ton of potential and has to be labeled a coup of sorts. OLB DeMarcus Ware was streaky but has scary potential. RB Marion Barber proved to be an able runner, DEs Marcus Spears and Chris Canty have vast upside, and ORT Rob Pettiti did a remarkable job filling in for 16 starts.
Offseason outlook:
Last year’s splurge increased the talent, but the bang hasn’t been worth the buck so far. Rivera and Ferguson received a combined $18 million in signing bonuses, but neither came close to playing at the level expected of them. Expect this offseason to have fewer fireworks, but the team intends to address some critical areas. Atop its list would be to improve the O-line (right tackle, center and OG depth), add a cover safety, find a reliable kicker and improve the versatility and depth at linebacker.
Recap of free-agent moves
UFAs — None unsigned.
RFAs — None unsigned.
Re-signings —
RFA OT Kurt Vollers, May 4; RFAs FB Darian Barnes and PK Billy Cundiff, April 20 (one year each); RFA C Tyson Walter, March 28; UFA S Lynn Scott, March 14; UFA DT Leonardo Carson, March 4.
Key arrivals — S Izell Reese/ex-Bill, June 3 (one year); UFA RB Anthony Thomas/ex-Bear, May 2 (one year); CB Aaron Glenn/ex-Texan, April 27 (two years, $1 million SB); UFA OG Marco Rivera/ex-Packer, March 3 (five years, $9 million SB); UFA CB Anthony Henry/ex-Brown, March 2 (five years, $25 million, $11 million SB); NT Jason Ferguson/ex-Jet, March 3; QB Drew Bledsoe/ex-Bill, Feb. 23 (three years).
Key departures — CB Pete Hunter, July 14 (traded to Jets for conditional fifth- or sixth-round draft choice; had been re-signed as RFA April 22); UFAs DT Devone Claybrooks, S Tony Dixon, RB Eddie George, QB Vinny Testaverde, June 1 (not tendered); RB ReShard Lee, May 3 (released); RB Richie Anderson, April 28 (released); LB Dexter Coakley, March 1 (released); DE Marcellus Wiley and C Gennaro DiNapoli, March 22 (both released).
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW...easonInRev.htm
posted by The Gryphon at 10:13 AM
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