FWST: 10 Reasons the Cowboys feel good about their '09 team
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
chill@star-telegram.com
ARLINGTON -- With Wednesday’s ribbon cutting at Cowboys Stadium, owner Jerry Jones has a building that is second to none in the NFL.
The attention to detail and architecture in the all glass structure are of museum quality. It also features the world’s largest video board.
Suffice to say, he expects his football to live up to the standards of the new $1.15 billion facility -- starting in 2009.
"I think so," Jones said. "I have always thought that it was an element of added pressure to be a member of the Cowboys. It’s about expectations. I expect every player that plays on this field to play above their level. That’s how you are going to stay here. I do have high expectations. You can’t put something up like this and not expect the team to reflect the quality of stadium."
Considering that Jones compared the building and opening of the stadium to the feeling of winning of the Super Bowl, the expectations are certainly high for next season.
There is no question the Cowboys feel good about their stadium. Here are 10 reasons why the Cowboys feel good about their team for next season.
1. Quarterback Tony Romo In Tony Romo, the Cowboys have one of the league’s top quarterbacks who is entering his third full season as a starter. Romo is already on his way to becoming the most prolific passer in team history. He is unquestionably the face of the franchise and needs a little playoff success to cement his spot as one the team’s all-time greats.
2. Running backs The Cowboys have three more-than-capable runners in Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. They are the strength of the team, so look for the Cowboys to lean on the running game. Jones being sidelined for 10 games in 2008 is one of the most overlooked and underestimated aspects of last season’s disappointments.
3. Beware of DeMarcus Ware Linebacker DeMarcus Ware is worth the price of admission alone. He is the league’s best pass rusher and a perennial defensive player of the year candidate. With 20 sacks last year, Ware flirted with the NFL’s single-season sack record of 22.5. He will again threaten Michael Strahan’s mark and also set his sights on Harvey Martin’s team record of 23, which is not recognized by the NFL.
4. A healthy Terence Newman When healthy, Terence Newman is one of the league’s top shutdown cornerbacks. The Cowboys didn’t get to see that much of last year because Newman missed six games and was hobbled in several others with a hernia. Newman is healthy again. He should return to the Pro Bowl form that makes him the best player on their defense not named DeMarcus Ware.
5. No more drama? With Terrell Owens, Adam “Pacman” Jones, Greg Ellis, Roy Williams and Tank Johnson all gone, the Cowboys locker room should be without drama or controversy. No more infighting. No more complaining about your role, your contract or how you are being used. No more off-field disturbances. It should be one team doing things the right way and working toward the same goal.
6. Solid up the middle With nose tackle Jay Ratliff and inside linebacker Bradie James and Keith Brooking, the Cowboys are strong in the middle. Ratliff, a 2008 Pro Bowler, might be the best pass-rushing nose tackle in the league. James has led the team in tackles the past four seasons and Brooking, a free agent signee, had his best years under Wade Phillips when he was in Atlanta. He is an upgrade over Zach Thomas
7. Tight end Jason Witten If Jason Witten is not the league’s best tight end, it doesn’t take long to call the roll. He has been named to the Pro Bowl five times after five consecutive seasons of 60 or more catches. He is consistent and reliable. Is there any wonder he is Tony Romo’s favorite receiver and go-to guy when he needs a first down?
8. Wade Phillips running defense Head coach Wade Phillips was brought here because of his expertise on the defensive side of the ball. Yet, for the first two years, Phillips didn’t run his own defense. With the departure of coordinator Brian Stewart, Phillips is back in control of the Phillips 3-4 defense. In his own words, he said he has proven to be a great defensive coordinator. The Cowboys should benefit from that in 2009.
9. Special teams coach Joe DeCamillis Special teams coach Joe DeCamillis is an inspirational story. Decamillis suffered broken bones in his neck and back was nearly paralyzed in the collapse of the team’s indoor training facility on May 2. After watching him return to practice just a couple of weeks out of the hospital, the Cowboys have no choice but to give their all without excuses next season.
10. Backup quarterback One of the reasons the Cowboys failed last season was because they didn’t shore up their backup quarterback position. It hurt them when Tony Romo went down with an injury. That was one of the first things they addressed in the off-season. They released the aged Brad Johnson, who Jones said played like he was hurt, and acquired Jon Kitna in a trade with Detroit.
chill@star-telegram.com
ARLINGTON -- With Wednesday’s ribbon cutting at Cowboys Stadium, owner Jerry Jones has a building that is second to none in the NFL.
The attention to detail and architecture in the all glass structure are of museum quality. It also features the world’s largest video board.
Suffice to say, he expects his football to live up to the standards of the new $1.15 billion facility -- starting in 2009.
"I think so," Jones said. "I have always thought that it was an element of added pressure to be a member of the Cowboys. It’s about expectations. I expect every player that plays on this field to play above their level. That’s how you are going to stay here. I do have high expectations. You can’t put something up like this and not expect the team to reflect the quality of stadium."
Considering that Jones compared the building and opening of the stadium to the feeling of winning of the Super Bowl, the expectations are certainly high for next season.
There is no question the Cowboys feel good about their stadium. Here are 10 reasons why the Cowboys feel good about their team for next season.
1. Quarterback Tony Romo In Tony Romo, the Cowboys have one of the league’s top quarterbacks who is entering his third full season as a starter. Romo is already on his way to becoming the most prolific passer in team history. He is unquestionably the face of the franchise and needs a little playoff success to cement his spot as one the team’s all-time greats.
2. Running backs The Cowboys have three more-than-capable runners in Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. They are the strength of the team, so look for the Cowboys to lean on the running game. Jones being sidelined for 10 games in 2008 is one of the most overlooked and underestimated aspects of last season’s disappointments.
3. Beware of DeMarcus Ware Linebacker DeMarcus Ware is worth the price of admission alone. He is the league’s best pass rusher and a perennial defensive player of the year candidate. With 20 sacks last year, Ware flirted with the NFL’s single-season sack record of 22.5. He will again threaten Michael Strahan’s mark and also set his sights on Harvey Martin’s team record of 23, which is not recognized by the NFL.
4. A healthy Terence Newman When healthy, Terence Newman is one of the league’s top shutdown cornerbacks. The Cowboys didn’t get to see that much of last year because Newman missed six games and was hobbled in several others with a hernia. Newman is healthy again. He should return to the Pro Bowl form that makes him the best player on their defense not named DeMarcus Ware.
5. No more drama? With Terrell Owens, Adam “Pacman” Jones, Greg Ellis, Roy Williams and Tank Johnson all gone, the Cowboys locker room should be without drama or controversy. No more infighting. No more complaining about your role, your contract or how you are being used. No more off-field disturbances. It should be one team doing things the right way and working toward the same goal.
6. Solid up the middle With nose tackle Jay Ratliff and inside linebacker Bradie James and Keith Brooking, the Cowboys are strong in the middle. Ratliff, a 2008 Pro Bowler, might be the best pass-rushing nose tackle in the league. James has led the team in tackles the past four seasons and Brooking, a free agent signee, had his best years under Wade Phillips when he was in Atlanta. He is an upgrade over Zach Thomas
7. Tight end Jason Witten If Jason Witten is not the league’s best tight end, it doesn’t take long to call the roll. He has been named to the Pro Bowl five times after five consecutive seasons of 60 or more catches. He is consistent and reliable. Is there any wonder he is Tony Romo’s favorite receiver and go-to guy when he needs a first down?
8. Wade Phillips running defense Head coach Wade Phillips was brought here because of his expertise on the defensive side of the ball. Yet, for the first two years, Phillips didn’t run his own defense. With the departure of coordinator Brian Stewart, Phillips is back in control of the Phillips 3-4 defense. In his own words, he said he has proven to be a great defensive coordinator. The Cowboys should benefit from that in 2009.
9. Special teams coach Joe DeCamillis Special teams coach Joe DeCamillis is an inspirational story. Decamillis suffered broken bones in his neck and back was nearly paralyzed in the collapse of the team’s indoor training facility on May 2. After watching him return to practice just a couple of weeks out of the hospital, the Cowboys have no choice but to give their all without excuses next season.
10. Backup quarterback One of the reasons the Cowboys failed last season was because they didn’t shore up their backup quarterback position. It hurt them when Tony Romo went down with an injury. That was one of the first things they addressed in the off-season. They released the aged Brad Johnson, who Jones said played like he was hurt, and acquired Jon Kitna in a trade with Detroit.
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