Replacing lost talent is Dallas' biggest obstacle
By JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR The Dallas Morning News
Published: 5/24/2009 2:39 AM
Last Modified: 5/24/2009 5:45 AM
Jerry Jones has pooh-poohed the notion of poor team chemistry and off-the-field distractions affecting the Cowboys' performance last season.
Obviously, he's changed his mind. All you have to do is look at the roster.
Terrell Owens is gone. So is Adam Jones. Ditto for Tank Johnson. Greg Ellis isn't gone yet, but it's only a matter of time.
You think all of those moves are coincidental? No way.
But not one of those moves makes the Cowboys a more talented team. Right now, they're the third-best team in the NFC East.
T.O. is gone, so Tony Romo won't have to listen to the petulant receiver gripe every time a pass is directed at someone other than him. Pacman is gone, so Jerry can sleep at night instead of wondering when his phone is going to ring because the cornerback made yet another stupid decision.
Tank, a non-factor on the football field, spent much of last season whining about his role, though Jay Ratliff is clearly the superior player. Never has a player talked so much and produced so little.
Apparently the Cowboys are tired of listening to Ellis' annual frustration with his money, his role or both. We all know Ellis wouldn't be happy should the Cowboys make Anthony Spencer the starter at linebacker and make Ellis a situational pass-rusher.
See, Jerry is capable of change. You've underestimated him. Maybe we all have. Good for him.
The changes, however, come with considerable risk.
There's no guarantee receiver Roy Williams can replace T.O.'s numbers. Say what you will about the enigmatic receiver, but Owens averaged 78 catches for 1,195 yards, while scoring 28 touchdowns in three seasons with the Cowboys.
Just so you know, Williams has had one 1,000-yard season in his five-year career. He's never scored more than eight touchdowns in a season.
"Guys are working hard, I know that. Whether they're going to do it, we're going to find out this year."
With Jones gone, Terence Newman, Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins are the only proven cornerbacks on the roster in an era where teams use more formations with three and four receivers than ever.
No proven replacement exists for Ellis.
Spencer, drafted in the first round two seasons ago, has shown brief glimpses of his ability. He's produced 4 1/2 sacks but has had virtually no impact.
That must change this season. If not, DeMarcus Ware will find himself triple-teamed because teams have no concerns about Spencer beating man-to-man blocking.
There's no doubt a fractured locker room contributed to the Cowboys' failure to meet their own expectations last season. When training camp began last July, every member of the organization believed it was going to the Super Bowl, no matter what they say these days.
But the Cowboys forgot how hard they worked individually and collectively to go 13-3 in 2007 and capture the club's first NFC East title since 1998.
Dallas began the Wade Phillips era 12-1. Since then, Dallas is 10-10. No wonder Jerry has had a change of heart about his approach to building a roster.
He'll probably disagree. It doesn't matter. The Cowboys' roster moves tell you everything you need to know about the franchise's direction.
If Jerry's approach works, he'll reward Phillips with a contract extension. If not, Mike Holmgren or Mike Shanahan will get a chance to clean up the mess.
Published: 5/24/2009 2:39 AM
Last Modified: 5/24/2009 5:45 AM
Jerry Jones has pooh-poohed the notion of poor team chemistry and off-the-field distractions affecting the Cowboys' performance last season.
Obviously, he's changed his mind. All you have to do is look at the roster.
Terrell Owens is gone. So is Adam Jones. Ditto for Tank Johnson. Greg Ellis isn't gone yet, but it's only a matter of time.
You think all of those moves are coincidental? No way.
But not one of those moves makes the Cowboys a more talented team. Right now, they're the third-best team in the NFC East.
T.O. is gone, so Tony Romo won't have to listen to the petulant receiver gripe every time a pass is directed at someone other than him. Pacman is gone, so Jerry can sleep at night instead of wondering when his phone is going to ring because the cornerback made yet another stupid decision.
Tank, a non-factor on the football field, spent much of last season whining about his role, though Jay Ratliff is clearly the superior player. Never has a player talked so much and produced so little.
Apparently the Cowboys are tired of listening to Ellis' annual frustration with his money, his role or both. We all know Ellis wouldn't be happy should the Cowboys make Anthony Spencer the starter at linebacker and make Ellis a situational pass-rusher.
See, Jerry is capable of change. You've underestimated him. Maybe we all have. Good for him.
The changes, however, come with considerable risk.
There's no guarantee receiver Roy Williams can replace T.O.'s numbers. Say what you will about the enigmatic receiver, but Owens averaged 78 catches for 1,195 yards, while scoring 28 touchdowns in three seasons with the Cowboys.
Just so you know, Williams has had one 1,000-yard season in his five-year career. He's never scored more than eight touchdowns in a season.
"Guys are working hard, I know that. Whether they're going to do it, we're going to find out this year."
With Jones gone, Terence Newman, Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins are the only proven cornerbacks on the roster in an era where teams use more formations with three and four receivers than ever.
No proven replacement exists for Ellis.
Spencer, drafted in the first round two seasons ago, has shown brief glimpses of his ability. He's produced 4 1/2 sacks but has had virtually no impact.
That must change this season. If not, DeMarcus Ware will find himself triple-teamed because teams have no concerns about Spencer beating man-to-man blocking.
There's no doubt a fractured locker room contributed to the Cowboys' failure to meet their own expectations last season. When training camp began last July, every member of the organization believed it was going to the Super Bowl, no matter what they say these days.
But the Cowboys forgot how hard they worked individually and collectively to go 13-3 in 2007 and capture the club's first NFC East title since 1998.
Dallas began the Wade Phillips era 12-1. Since then, Dallas is 10-10. No wonder Jerry has had a change of heart about his approach to building a roster.
He'll probably disagree. It doesn't matter. The Cowboys' roster moves tell you everything you need to know about the franchise's direction.
If Jerry's approach works, he'll reward Phillips with a contract extension. If not, Mike Holmgren or Mike Shanahan will get a chance to clean up the mess.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:19 PM
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