SI's 2006 Previews: Dallas Cowboys
Outside the Huddle
Time to win
Drew Bledsoe, 34, is 32–32 in the last four seasons. He has not started a playoff game since 1997.
Missing Allen
For the first time since 1993, Larry Allen will not be in the Cowboys’ starting lineup. Allen started 170 of a possible 192 regular season games during his 12 seasons in Dallas, went to 10 Pro Bowls and was the last remaining member of the team's three Super Bowl championship teams from the 1990s. Jerry Jones said cutting Allen, a salary-cap casualty, was one of the toughest personnel decisions he has had to make since he bought the team in 1989. Allen signed with the 49ers.
Did you know?
The Cowboys have had eight starting quarterbacks since Troy Aikman retired after the 2000 season. Quincy Carter started 32 games, Bledsoe 16 and Vinny Testaverde 15.The other 18 games have been started by Ryan Leaf (3), Anthony Wright (3), Clint Stoerner (2), Chad Hutchinson (9) and Drew Henson (1).
Running game blues
The Cowboys have not had a 1,000 yard rusher since Emmitt Smith had 1,021 yards in 2001. Herschel Walker was the last back before Smith to rush for 1,000 yards, gaining 1,514 in 1988.
The Cowboys have lacked star power since Michael Irvin and Troy Aikman retired and Emmitt Smith and Deion Sanders left. But no more. With holdovers Drew Bledsoe and Julius Jones joining newcomers Terrell Owens and Mike Vanderjagt, America's Team once again is star gazing.
After last season's 9-7, non-playoff finish, Jerry Jones gave coach Bill Parcells a hefty raise as part of a new two-year deal. Then, the Cowboys owner spent more than $40 million in signing bonuses to add some high-profile players. Owens, who signed a three-year, $25 million deal, instantly becomes the biggest name in Dallas.
"I am a star among stars now," says Owens, who, in 2000, celebrated a pair of touchdowns by dancing on the star at Texas Stadium. "I will embrace the star. This is America's Team. I feel right at home."
Quarterbacks
For the first time since 2000, Aikman's last season, the Cowboys feel good about their starting quarterback. In his first season in Dallas, Bledsoe completed 60.1 percent of his passes for 3,639 yards and his 23 touchdowns were tied for eighth in the NFL. But only Brett Favre threw more interceptions than Bledsoe's 17, and he was sacked 49 times, second only to David Carr. The Cowboys offensive line took much of the blame for allowing the second-most sacks in team history, but Bledsoe still holds onto the ball too long at times. He has been sacked 189 times the past four seasons, the first three of those in Buffalo.
Dallas still isn't sure if it has the heir apparent on its roster. Tony Romo has won the backup job. But in three seasons, he has never attempted a pass.
Running Backs
Jones has averaged 4.0 yards a carry and 86.3 yards a game, but he has played in only 21 games in two seasons. A rib injury his rookie season, and later, a shoulder injury kept Jones out of eight games in 2004 when he rushed for 819 yards and seven touchdowns. Last year, it was an ankle injury that cost him three games in a 993-yard, five-touchdown season. When he is healthy, Jones is one of the league's best backs. When he's not, the Cowboys will hand the ball off to Marion Barber. A fourth-round pick last year, Barber rushed for 538 yards and scored five touchdowns in 13 games. He is their best third down back. Dallas also is excited about the potential of Tyson Thompson, the quickest back on their roster. He will see more playing time if his blocking improves.
Receivers
Jerry Jones admits he is taking a gamble with Owens, who was released by the Eagles, but the Cowboys believe Owens could be the player who helps them return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1995. The Cowboys ranked 13th in the league on offense last season, 15th in passing. While Terry Glenn remains a viable downfield threat, with 62 catches for 1,136 yards and seven touchdowns last season, Owens is the most explosive playmaker on the Cowboys' roster since Irvin, who retired after the 1999 season. Patrick Crayton is entrenched as the Cowboys' third receiver. He caught 22 passes for 341 yards and two touchdowns despite missing five games with an ankle injury.
The Cowboys have a Pro Bowler at tight end in Jason Witten, a third-round pick in 2003. Witten's numbers dropped from 2004 when he caught 87 passes for 980 yards and six touchdowns, because he was used more as a blocker after left tackle Flozell Adams was injured. Dallas drafted Notre Dame's Anthony Fasano in the second round, expecting to play a lot of two tight end sets this year.
Offensive Linemen
The Cowboys fell apart after they lost Adams in an Oct. 16 game against the Giants. Dallas was 4-2 before Adams tore an ACL and 5-5 after. Adams, a two-time Pro Bowler, had started 106 consecutive games before his injury, leaving Torrin Tucker ill-prepared and overmatched. The Cowboys will miss left guard Larry Allen. The last remaining member of the team's three Super Bowl championships from the 1990s was released in a salary-cap move. He will be replaced by Kyle Kosier, who is playing with his third team in three seasons. The Cowboys like Kosier's versatility, which has allowed him to start 40 games at four positions in the past four years.
Dallas also signed Jason Fabini to compete with Rob Petitti at right tackle. Petitti, a rookie last season, struggled when he didn't have help. But Fabini, who spent his first eight seasons with the Jets, finished last season on injured reserve. Andre Gurode was re-signed to compete with center Al Johnson. Johnson is better at blocking in space, but Gurode is more powerful. Gurode's weakness is he doesn't always make the right line adjustments at center. Marco Rivera is 34 and struggled last year with back and hamstring injuries.
Defensive Linemen
Before the Cowboys switched to the 3-4 in 2005, they signed nose tackle Jason Ferguson in free agency and drafted ends Chris Canty and Marcus Spears. Ferguson didn't live up to expectations, but Canty and Spears were every bit as good as advertised. Spears started the last 10 games at left end and had 35 tackles and 1.5 sacks, while Canty was in the rotation at right end and finished with 43 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Veteran Greg Ellis' fears that he was too small to play in a three-man front proved unfounded as he tied DeMarcus Ware for the team lead in sacks with eight. Dallas will miss perennial Pro Bowler La'Roi Glover, who wasn't a fit for the 3-4 and signed with the Rams, but think they have found the next Leon Lett in Jason Hatcher, a third-round pick from Grambling.
Linebackers
The Cowboys signed inside linebacker Akin Ayodele, who had 274 tackles in four seasons with the Jags, and outside linebacker Rocky Boiman after losing Scott Fujita to free agency and Dat Nguyen to retirement. They drafted Ohio State's Bobby Carpenter, whose father, Rob, played for Parcells with the Giants. Carpenter likely will start on the strong side, although he will have to beat out Boiman and Al Singleton.
Ware, the 11th overall choice last year, had a rookie season that bodes well for his future, flashing star potential. And, in his third season, Bradie James finally started to live up to the Cowboys' expectations with a team-leading 109 tackles.
Defensive Backs
The Cowboys finally have the cornerback position settled. They signed Anthony Henry and Aaron Glenn last offseason to pair with former first-round pick Terence Newman. The three combined for 10 interceptions and 35 pass deflections. Henry was the MVP of the defense before he strained his groin, which limited him to spot duty the last half of the season. Safety Roy Williams, another former first-round choice, still struggles in coverage, but he is a big hitter and a big-play artist. Williams earned his third consecutive Pro Bowl last season.
The Cowboys matched the Saints' offer to Keith Davis, who started 15 games at free safety, and they signed Marcus Coleman. But Dallas values Davis more for his special teams play, and Coleman ended his career with the Texans as a backup. So the position still is a work in progress.
Specialists
The Cowboys signing of Vanderjagt is a change in philosophy. Since Jones bought the team in 1989, the team always has developed inexperienced and inexpensive kickers. But after three kickers made only 71.4 percent of their field goals, the third-worst in the NFL, Dallas committed $5.4 million over three years for the NFL's most accurate kicker ever. The Cowboys expect to burn a roster spot with a kickoff specialist since Vanderjagt hasn't kicked off regularly since 2003. That most likely will be Shaun Suisham. Punter Mat McBriar was inconsistent last season, but the team isn't actively seeking a replacement.
Coaching Staff
Parcells signed a two-year contract extension through the 2007 season, but there is no guarantee beyond 2006. Parcells turns 65 in August and says he takes it year by year. Dallas is 25-24 in Parcells' three seasons, including the postseason. Parcells is expected to resume the play calling after losing assistant Sean Payton, though Parcells trusts Chris Palmer, who worked with Parcells for four seasons in New England. Parcells made several other changes on his staff, including promoting offensive line coach Tony Sparano to assistant head coach and receivers coach Todd Haley to passing game coordinator.
Time to win
Drew Bledsoe, 34, is 32–32 in the last four seasons. He has not started a playoff game since 1997.
Missing Allen
For the first time since 1993, Larry Allen will not be in the Cowboys’ starting lineup. Allen started 170 of a possible 192 regular season games during his 12 seasons in Dallas, went to 10 Pro Bowls and was the last remaining member of the team's three Super Bowl championship teams from the 1990s. Jerry Jones said cutting Allen, a salary-cap casualty, was one of the toughest personnel decisions he has had to make since he bought the team in 1989. Allen signed with the 49ers.
Did you know?
The Cowboys have had eight starting quarterbacks since Troy Aikman retired after the 2000 season. Quincy Carter started 32 games, Bledsoe 16 and Vinny Testaverde 15.The other 18 games have been started by Ryan Leaf (3), Anthony Wright (3), Clint Stoerner (2), Chad Hutchinson (9) and Drew Henson (1).
Running game blues
The Cowboys have not had a 1,000 yard rusher since Emmitt Smith had 1,021 yards in 2001. Herschel Walker was the last back before Smith to rush for 1,000 yards, gaining 1,514 in 1988.
The Cowboys have lacked star power since Michael Irvin and Troy Aikman retired and Emmitt Smith and Deion Sanders left. But no more. With holdovers Drew Bledsoe and Julius Jones joining newcomers Terrell Owens and Mike Vanderjagt, America's Team once again is star gazing.
After last season's 9-7, non-playoff finish, Jerry Jones gave coach Bill Parcells a hefty raise as part of a new two-year deal. Then, the Cowboys owner spent more than $40 million in signing bonuses to add some high-profile players. Owens, who signed a three-year, $25 million deal, instantly becomes the biggest name in Dallas.
"I am a star among stars now," says Owens, who, in 2000, celebrated a pair of touchdowns by dancing on the star at Texas Stadium. "I will embrace the star. This is America's Team. I feel right at home."
Quarterbacks
For the first time since 2000, Aikman's last season, the Cowboys feel good about their starting quarterback. In his first season in Dallas, Bledsoe completed 60.1 percent of his passes for 3,639 yards and his 23 touchdowns were tied for eighth in the NFL. But only Brett Favre threw more interceptions than Bledsoe's 17, and he was sacked 49 times, second only to David Carr. The Cowboys offensive line took much of the blame for allowing the second-most sacks in team history, but Bledsoe still holds onto the ball too long at times. He has been sacked 189 times the past four seasons, the first three of those in Buffalo.
Dallas still isn't sure if it has the heir apparent on its roster. Tony Romo has won the backup job. But in three seasons, he has never attempted a pass.
Running Backs
Jones has averaged 4.0 yards a carry and 86.3 yards a game, but he has played in only 21 games in two seasons. A rib injury his rookie season, and later, a shoulder injury kept Jones out of eight games in 2004 when he rushed for 819 yards and seven touchdowns. Last year, it was an ankle injury that cost him three games in a 993-yard, five-touchdown season. When he is healthy, Jones is one of the league's best backs. When he's not, the Cowboys will hand the ball off to Marion Barber. A fourth-round pick last year, Barber rushed for 538 yards and scored five touchdowns in 13 games. He is their best third down back. Dallas also is excited about the potential of Tyson Thompson, the quickest back on their roster. He will see more playing time if his blocking improves.
Receivers
Jerry Jones admits he is taking a gamble with Owens, who was released by the Eagles, but the Cowboys believe Owens could be the player who helps them return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1995. The Cowboys ranked 13th in the league on offense last season, 15th in passing. While Terry Glenn remains a viable downfield threat, with 62 catches for 1,136 yards and seven touchdowns last season, Owens is the most explosive playmaker on the Cowboys' roster since Irvin, who retired after the 1999 season. Patrick Crayton is entrenched as the Cowboys' third receiver. He caught 22 passes for 341 yards and two touchdowns despite missing five games with an ankle injury.
The Cowboys have a Pro Bowler at tight end in Jason Witten, a third-round pick in 2003. Witten's numbers dropped from 2004 when he caught 87 passes for 980 yards and six touchdowns, because he was used more as a blocker after left tackle Flozell Adams was injured. Dallas drafted Notre Dame's Anthony Fasano in the second round, expecting to play a lot of two tight end sets this year.
Offensive Linemen
The Cowboys fell apart after they lost Adams in an Oct. 16 game against the Giants. Dallas was 4-2 before Adams tore an ACL and 5-5 after. Adams, a two-time Pro Bowler, had started 106 consecutive games before his injury, leaving Torrin Tucker ill-prepared and overmatched. The Cowboys will miss left guard Larry Allen. The last remaining member of the team's three Super Bowl championships from the 1990s was released in a salary-cap move. He will be replaced by Kyle Kosier, who is playing with his third team in three seasons. The Cowboys like Kosier's versatility, which has allowed him to start 40 games at four positions in the past four years.
Dallas also signed Jason Fabini to compete with Rob Petitti at right tackle. Petitti, a rookie last season, struggled when he didn't have help. But Fabini, who spent his first eight seasons with the Jets, finished last season on injured reserve. Andre Gurode was re-signed to compete with center Al Johnson. Johnson is better at blocking in space, but Gurode is more powerful. Gurode's weakness is he doesn't always make the right line adjustments at center. Marco Rivera is 34 and struggled last year with back and hamstring injuries.
Defensive Linemen
Before the Cowboys switched to the 3-4 in 2005, they signed nose tackle Jason Ferguson in free agency and drafted ends Chris Canty and Marcus Spears. Ferguson didn't live up to expectations, but Canty and Spears were every bit as good as advertised. Spears started the last 10 games at left end and had 35 tackles and 1.5 sacks, while Canty was in the rotation at right end and finished with 43 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Veteran Greg Ellis' fears that he was too small to play in a three-man front proved unfounded as he tied DeMarcus Ware for the team lead in sacks with eight. Dallas will miss perennial Pro Bowler La'Roi Glover, who wasn't a fit for the 3-4 and signed with the Rams, but think they have found the next Leon Lett in Jason Hatcher, a third-round pick from Grambling.
Linebackers
The Cowboys signed inside linebacker Akin Ayodele, who had 274 tackles in four seasons with the Jags, and outside linebacker Rocky Boiman after losing Scott Fujita to free agency and Dat Nguyen to retirement. They drafted Ohio State's Bobby Carpenter, whose father, Rob, played for Parcells with the Giants. Carpenter likely will start on the strong side, although he will have to beat out Boiman and Al Singleton.
Ware, the 11th overall choice last year, had a rookie season that bodes well for his future, flashing star potential. And, in his third season, Bradie James finally started to live up to the Cowboys' expectations with a team-leading 109 tackles.
Defensive Backs
The Cowboys finally have the cornerback position settled. They signed Anthony Henry and Aaron Glenn last offseason to pair with former first-round pick Terence Newman. The three combined for 10 interceptions and 35 pass deflections. Henry was the MVP of the defense before he strained his groin, which limited him to spot duty the last half of the season. Safety Roy Williams, another former first-round choice, still struggles in coverage, but he is a big hitter and a big-play artist. Williams earned his third consecutive Pro Bowl last season.
The Cowboys matched the Saints' offer to Keith Davis, who started 15 games at free safety, and they signed Marcus Coleman. But Dallas values Davis more for his special teams play, and Coleman ended his career with the Texans as a backup. So the position still is a work in progress.
Specialists
The Cowboys signing of Vanderjagt is a change in philosophy. Since Jones bought the team in 1989, the team always has developed inexperienced and inexpensive kickers. But after three kickers made only 71.4 percent of their field goals, the third-worst in the NFL, Dallas committed $5.4 million over three years for the NFL's most accurate kicker ever. The Cowboys expect to burn a roster spot with a kickoff specialist since Vanderjagt hasn't kicked off regularly since 2003. That most likely will be Shaun Suisham. Punter Mat McBriar was inconsistent last season, but the team isn't actively seeking a replacement.
Coaching Staff
Parcells signed a two-year contract extension through the 2007 season, but there is no guarantee beyond 2006. Parcells turns 65 in August and says he takes it year by year. Dallas is 25-24 in Parcells' three seasons, including the postseason. Parcells is expected to resume the play calling after losing assistant Sean Payton, though Parcells trusts Chris Palmer, who worked with Parcells for four seasons in New England. Parcells made several other changes on his staff, including promoting offensive line coach Tony Sparano to assistant head coach and receivers coach Todd Haley to passing game coordinator.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:01 AM
<< Home