Dallas Cowboys face unanswered questions
By Scott Ferrell
Louisiana Gannett News
Training camp is just days away for the Dallas Cowboys, who are staying in Texas.
The Cowboys will begin camp at San Antonio's Alamodome before returning to Valley Ranch.
Just like every NFL team, the Cowboys enter training camp with some questions to answer.
1. Will the Cowboys miss Bill Parcells on the sidelines this year?
When you judge your franchise by Super Bowls, the answer to this question is, "No." Parcells never got the Cowboys to the Super Bowl.
Truth be told, he was never close. Parcells didn't win a playoff game during his time in Dallas.
While Wade Phillips will likely never have the job resume of Parcells, he may do better with this team just because of the breath of fresh air he brings.
2. Can Phillips keep Terrell Owens under control?
Probably not. But the goal shouldn't be keeping Owens under control as much as it should be keeping him on the field and productive.
Last year, Owens struggled with injuries through training camp and during the season. Still, he put up good numbers, including an NFL-high 13 touchdown receptions and 1,180 receiving yards, fifth-best in the NFL.
A happy Owens would mean the Cowboys are winning and the receiver is catching the football.
3. What newcomers will have an impact this season?
The Cowboys are hoping former Arkansas star Ken Hamlin can hold down the free safety position. If Hamlin can do that, then the Cowboys' Roy Williams won't be exposed as much in coverage as a strong safety.
The team is also hoping first-round pick Anthony Spencer can boost the pass rush from the outside linebacker position.
4. Is Tony Romo the answer at quarterback?
The Cowboys think so. In fact, this team's chances of going deep into the playoffs will have a lot to do with how well Romo plays.
Cowboys supporters point to Romo's Pro Bowl selection and 95.1 quarterback ranking. But Romo's performance down the stretch and his relative inexperience (10 games) leads the question to be asked.
5. What will the Cowboys do at the running back position?
Marion Barber had a team-high 14 touchdowns and a team-best 4.8 yards per carry average last season. He also has support in the Metroplex media and among Cowboys fans.
But Julius Jones, who rushed for 1,084 yards last season, will likely remain the starter.
Barber will likely remain the third down and short-yardage back.
Regardless of who starts, the Cowboys are in good shape at this position.
Louisiana Gannett News
Training camp is just days away for the Dallas Cowboys, who are staying in Texas.
The Cowboys will begin camp at San Antonio's Alamodome before returning to Valley Ranch.
Just like every NFL team, the Cowboys enter training camp with some questions to answer.
1. Will the Cowboys miss Bill Parcells on the sidelines this year?
When you judge your franchise by Super Bowls, the answer to this question is, "No." Parcells never got the Cowboys to the Super Bowl.
Truth be told, he was never close. Parcells didn't win a playoff game during his time in Dallas.
While Wade Phillips will likely never have the job resume of Parcells, he may do better with this team just because of the breath of fresh air he brings.
2. Can Phillips keep Terrell Owens under control?
Probably not. But the goal shouldn't be keeping Owens under control as much as it should be keeping him on the field and productive.
Last year, Owens struggled with injuries through training camp and during the season. Still, he put up good numbers, including an NFL-high 13 touchdown receptions and 1,180 receiving yards, fifth-best in the NFL.
A happy Owens would mean the Cowboys are winning and the receiver is catching the football.
3. What newcomers will have an impact this season?
The Cowboys are hoping former Arkansas star Ken Hamlin can hold down the free safety position. If Hamlin can do that, then the Cowboys' Roy Williams won't be exposed as much in coverage as a strong safety.
The team is also hoping first-round pick Anthony Spencer can boost the pass rush from the outside linebacker position.
4. Is Tony Romo the answer at quarterback?
The Cowboys think so. In fact, this team's chances of going deep into the playoffs will have a lot to do with how well Romo plays.
Cowboys supporters point to Romo's Pro Bowl selection and 95.1 quarterback ranking. But Romo's performance down the stretch and his relative inexperience (10 games) leads the question to be asked.
5. What will the Cowboys do at the running back position?
Marion Barber had a team-high 14 touchdowns and a team-best 4.8 yards per carry average last season. He also has support in the Metroplex media and among Cowboys fans.
But Julius Jones, who rushed for 1,084 yards last season, will likely remain the starter.
Barber will likely remain the third down and short-yardage back.
Regardless of who starts, the Cowboys are in good shape at this position.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:53 PM
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