Dallas Cowboys position-by-position analysis
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
tarcher@dallasnews.com
QUARTERBACKS (2)
Tony Romo, Brad Johnson
Romo looks ready for the season after completing 21 of 28 passes for 199 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the preseason. He has worked hard on refining his footwork, and his release is as quick as ever. Johnson shook off critics with a solid preseason. He does not possess Romo's arm, but he makes good decisions. The Cowboys are looking for a No. 3 quarterback (Chris Simms, Brooks Bollinger) but enter the first week without one. They could bring Richard Bartel back to the practice squad.
RUNNING BACKS (4)
Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice, Deon Anderson
Barber becomes the every-down back for the first time in his career, but the play of Jones has offensive coordinator Jason Garrett devising ways to get them on the field at the same time. Given the injuries at wide receiver, that might be possible. While Choice showed flashes as a runner in the preseason, his immediate contribution will come on special teams. Anderson can be a top lead blocker and can catch the ball out of the backfield. His role could be bigger than expected early in the season because of injuries.
WIDE RECEIVERs (5)
Terrell Owens, Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd, Miles Austin, Isaiah Stanback
This unit has the most questions, especially for the season opener. Austin (knee) and Hurd (ankle) will not play, and Stanback will wear a harness on his left shoulder during practice this week. In Owens, the Cowboys have the big-time playmaker. His work in camp might have been better than any he's had since joining the team. Crayton continues to excel while some question how good he can be. Before the knee injury, Austin was surging. The coaches hope he can regain his form in two weeks. Hurd is dependable and can play all the wide receiver positions. Stanback is still learning but flashed as a kick returner before he got hurt. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Cowboys scour the waiver wire or look for a trade for some backup help.
TIGHT ENDs (3)
Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett, Tony Curtis
Witten is among the best tight ends in the NFL and will be given a chance to show more this year if Bennett continues to develop as a blocker. If he can, Witten will be able to move around the field to create mismatches. Bennett can be a powerful blocker and showed he can pick up yards after the catch, but he needs to mature fast. Curtis can play on the line and in the backfield, if necessary. His three catches last year were for touchdowns.
OFFENSIVE LINE (11)
LT Flozell Adams, LG Kyle Kosier, C Andre Gurode, RG Leonard Davis, RT Marc Colombo, G Montrae Holland, T Pat McQuistan, G Joe Berger, C Cory Procter, G James Marten, T Doug Free
The starters are among the best in the league, with Pro Bowlers Adams, Davis and Gurode. Colombo had an excellent training camp and is in a contract year. Kosier's foot injury will hurt early, but he is expected to return in October. Holland fits the "big" profile line coach Hudson Houck likes, but Holland is coming to a different scheme than he played in Denver. It might be a lot to ask for Holland to start the opener. The other candidates are McQuistan and Berger. Keeping 11 linemen was a surprise.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6)
RE Chris Canty, NT Jay Ratliff, LE Marcus Spears, NT Tank Johnson, DE Jason Hatcher, DE Stephen Bowen
The Cowboys don't have big names, but they believe they have plenty of depth. Canty has picked up where he left off last season, while Spears has been much more active and could see time at nose tackle as well as end. Ratliff is one of the most underrated players in the league, and his versatility will help Johnson get on the field. Hatcher rush the passer from the tackle spot in the nickel and dime packages, but he has not pushed Spears for more playing time.
LINEBACKERS (8)
OLB Greg Ellis, ILB Bradie James, ILB Zach Thomas, OLB DeMarcus Ware, ILB Kevin Burnett, ILB Bobby Carpenter, OLB Anthony Spencer, ILB Justin Rogers
In Ware and Ellis, the Cowboys have one of the best pass-rushing duos in the league. Thomas brings a feel and ability they did not have next to James last season. James' workload should go down this year, but he might have been better in coverage during camp than in 2007. The team hopes Burnett can play his role in the specialty packages in the season opener against the Browns after knee surgery knocked him out of three preseason games. A knee injury is expected to keep Spencer out of at least the first game, which puts pressure and playing time on Ellis. Carpenter had his best training camp. He and Rogers are core special teams players.
SECONDARY (11)
CB Terence Newman, CB Anthony Henry, S Roy Williams, S Ken Hamlin, CB Adam Jones, CB Mike Jenkins, CB Orlando Scandrick, S Pat Watkins, S Courtney Brown, CB Alan Ball, CB Evan Oglesby
The Cowboys went heavy at cornerback, which might not last long with the potential addition of safety Keith Davis. Newman did not play in the preseason because of a groin injury but returned to work last week. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones believes this is the best cornerback group he has had since he bought the team in 1989. Henry will see time in the dime package against tight ends. That takes snaps away from Williams, who attacked the line during preseason. Hamlin holds it all together as the free safety. Watkins and Brown are core special teamers.
SPECIALISTS (3)
P Mat McBriar, K Nick Folk, LS L.P. Ladouceur
The Cowboys' specialists are as strong as they have been in some time. Folk missed only one field goal attempt in the preseason – a 50-yarder – and has had a great camp. He needs work on his kickoffs, especially on their direction, but he has a strong leg. McBriar was not pleased with his work early in camp, but got better. He can change field position with long kicks, and his inside-the-20 work has improved, too. When you don't hear the long snapper's name, you know he's good. Ladouceur's name hasn't been mentioned in a long time.
tarcher@dallasnews.com
QUARTERBACKS (2)
Tony Romo, Brad Johnson
Romo looks ready for the season after completing 21 of 28 passes for 199 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the preseason. He has worked hard on refining his footwork, and his release is as quick as ever. Johnson shook off critics with a solid preseason. He does not possess Romo's arm, but he makes good decisions. The Cowboys are looking for a No. 3 quarterback (Chris Simms, Brooks Bollinger) but enter the first week without one. They could bring Richard Bartel back to the practice squad.
RUNNING BACKS (4)
Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice, Deon Anderson
Barber becomes the every-down back for the first time in his career, but the play of Jones has offensive coordinator Jason Garrett devising ways to get them on the field at the same time. Given the injuries at wide receiver, that might be possible. While Choice showed flashes as a runner in the preseason, his immediate contribution will come on special teams. Anderson can be a top lead blocker and can catch the ball out of the backfield. His role could be bigger than expected early in the season because of injuries.
WIDE RECEIVERs (5)
Terrell Owens, Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd, Miles Austin, Isaiah Stanback
This unit has the most questions, especially for the season opener. Austin (knee) and Hurd (ankle) will not play, and Stanback will wear a harness on his left shoulder during practice this week. In Owens, the Cowboys have the big-time playmaker. His work in camp might have been better than any he's had since joining the team. Crayton continues to excel while some question how good he can be. Before the knee injury, Austin was surging. The coaches hope he can regain his form in two weeks. Hurd is dependable and can play all the wide receiver positions. Stanback is still learning but flashed as a kick returner before he got hurt. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Cowboys scour the waiver wire or look for a trade for some backup help.
TIGHT ENDs (3)
Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett, Tony Curtis
Witten is among the best tight ends in the NFL and will be given a chance to show more this year if Bennett continues to develop as a blocker. If he can, Witten will be able to move around the field to create mismatches. Bennett can be a powerful blocker and showed he can pick up yards after the catch, but he needs to mature fast. Curtis can play on the line and in the backfield, if necessary. His three catches last year were for touchdowns.
OFFENSIVE LINE (11)
LT Flozell Adams, LG Kyle Kosier, C Andre Gurode, RG Leonard Davis, RT Marc Colombo, G Montrae Holland, T Pat McQuistan, G Joe Berger, C Cory Procter, G James Marten, T Doug Free
The starters are among the best in the league, with Pro Bowlers Adams, Davis and Gurode. Colombo had an excellent training camp and is in a contract year. Kosier's foot injury will hurt early, but he is expected to return in October. Holland fits the "big" profile line coach Hudson Houck likes, but Holland is coming to a different scheme than he played in Denver. It might be a lot to ask for Holland to start the opener. The other candidates are McQuistan and Berger. Keeping 11 linemen was a surprise.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6)
RE Chris Canty, NT Jay Ratliff, LE Marcus Spears, NT Tank Johnson, DE Jason Hatcher, DE Stephen Bowen
The Cowboys don't have big names, but they believe they have plenty of depth. Canty has picked up where he left off last season, while Spears has been much more active and could see time at nose tackle as well as end. Ratliff is one of the most underrated players in the league, and his versatility will help Johnson get on the field. Hatcher rush the passer from the tackle spot in the nickel and dime packages, but he has not pushed Spears for more playing time.
LINEBACKERS (8)
OLB Greg Ellis, ILB Bradie James, ILB Zach Thomas, OLB DeMarcus Ware, ILB Kevin Burnett, ILB Bobby Carpenter, OLB Anthony Spencer, ILB Justin Rogers
In Ware and Ellis, the Cowboys have one of the best pass-rushing duos in the league. Thomas brings a feel and ability they did not have next to James last season. James' workload should go down this year, but he might have been better in coverage during camp than in 2007. The team hopes Burnett can play his role in the specialty packages in the season opener against the Browns after knee surgery knocked him out of three preseason games. A knee injury is expected to keep Spencer out of at least the first game, which puts pressure and playing time on Ellis. Carpenter had his best training camp. He and Rogers are core special teams players.
SECONDARY (11)
CB Terence Newman, CB Anthony Henry, S Roy Williams, S Ken Hamlin, CB Adam Jones, CB Mike Jenkins, CB Orlando Scandrick, S Pat Watkins, S Courtney Brown, CB Alan Ball, CB Evan Oglesby
The Cowboys went heavy at cornerback, which might not last long with the potential addition of safety Keith Davis. Newman did not play in the preseason because of a groin injury but returned to work last week. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones believes this is the best cornerback group he has had since he bought the team in 1989. Henry will see time in the dime package against tight ends. That takes snaps away from Williams, who attacked the line during preseason. Hamlin holds it all together as the free safety. Watkins and Brown are core special teamers.
SPECIALISTS (3)
P Mat McBriar, K Nick Folk, LS L.P. Ladouceur
The Cowboys' specialists are as strong as they have been in some time. Folk missed only one field goal attempt in the preseason – a 50-yarder – and has had a great camp. He needs work on his kickoffs, especially on their direction, but he has a strong leg. McBriar was not pleased with his work early in camp, but got better. He can change field position with long kicks, and his inside-the-20 work has improved, too. When you don't hear the long snapper's name, you know he's good. Ladouceur's name hasn't been mentioned in a long time.
posted by The Gryphon at 5:43 PM
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