Fantasy Football Notes: Dallas Cowboys
by Michael Whooley
The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2008 NFL season with high expectations. With a lot of returning talent on both sides of the ball, many predicted the Cowboys would make a run to the Super Bowl. Dallas won its first three games and appeared to be on the way to fulfilling those expectations. However, they went on to lose four of their next six games, entering the bye week at just 5-4. After the bye week, the Cowboys, just like they did to start the season, won three straight. But, they again hit a skid, losing three of their final four games, including an embarrassing 44-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the final week of the season, to miss the playoffs.
Tony Romo led the team in passing, throwing for 3,448 yards with 26 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Tight end, Jason Witten, was Romo’s favorite target (which Terrell Owens wasn’t afraid to point out during the end of the season), leading the team in receiving, catching 81 passes for 952 yards and four touchdowns. As for Owens, he tallied 69 receptions for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Meanwhile, in his first season as the team’s featured back, Marion Barber struggled as he rushed for just 885 yards and seven touchdowns on 238 carries. Luckily, Tashard Choice and Felix Jones stepped up and combined for 738 rushing yards, helping to keep the team from following into the bottom third of rush offenses in the NFL.
KEY ADDITION
Keith Brooking (LB) — Not content with their linebacking corps, Dallas made a clear effort to upgrade the position in the offseason and the first move was to bring in veteran Keith Brooking, formerly of the Atlanta Falcons. Brooking not only brings a leadership presence that had been lacking to the defense but is one of the most sure-tacklers in the NFL. He will be counted upon to lead the defense and help improve their rank of 20th in the league last year in points allowed.
KEY DEPARTURE
Terrell Owens (WR) — Chalk up another tumultuous stint with an NFL franchise for Owens. From a reported overdose of sleeping pills to crying during his defense of Tony Romo to the “get your popcorn” note to his feud with Jason Garrett and his beloved Romo to end it all, it was one to remember. Owens didn’t always have the most trustworthy hands during his time in Dallas and experienced somewhat of a down year in 2008; however, the team will miss the 1,000+ receiving yards and 10+ TDs he had in each of his three seasons with the team. In his absence, Dallas will count on Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton and Miles Austin at the receiver position.
ROOKIE TO WATCH
Jason Williams (LB) — Former Western Illinois linebacker, Jason Williams, became the first Football College Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) player selected in the 2009 draft when the Cowboys took him with their third-round pick. Williams started at safety in college and was eventually moved to linebacker. It was at that point that things started to click for Williams, who went on to set
The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2008 NFL season with high expectations. With a lot of returning talent on both sides of the ball, many predicted the Cowboys would make a run to the Super Bowl. Dallas won its first three games and appeared to be on the way to fulfilling those expectations. However, they went on to lose four of their next six games, entering the bye week at just 5-4. After the bye week, the Cowboys, just like they did to start the season, won three straight. But, they again hit a skid, losing three of their final four games, including an embarrassing 44-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the final week of the season, to miss the playoffs.
Tony Romo led the team in passing, throwing for 3,448 yards with 26 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Tight end, Jason Witten, was Romo’s favorite target (which Terrell Owens wasn’t afraid to point out during the end of the season), leading the team in receiving, catching 81 passes for 952 yards and four touchdowns. As for Owens, he tallied 69 receptions for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Meanwhile, in his first season as the team’s featured back, Marion Barber struggled as he rushed for just 885 yards and seven touchdowns on 238 carries. Luckily, Tashard Choice and Felix Jones stepped up and combined for 738 rushing yards, helping to keep the team from following into the bottom third of rush offenses in the NFL.
KEY ADDITION
Keith Brooking (LB) — Not content with their linebacking corps, Dallas made a clear effort to upgrade the position in the offseason and the first move was to bring in veteran Keith Brooking, formerly of the Atlanta Falcons. Brooking not only brings a leadership presence that had been lacking to the defense but is one of the most sure-tacklers in the NFL. He will be counted upon to lead the defense and help improve their rank of 20th in the league last year in points allowed.
KEY DEPARTURE
Terrell Owens (WR) — Chalk up another tumultuous stint with an NFL franchise for Owens. From a reported overdose of sleeping pills to crying during his defense of Tony Romo to the “get your popcorn” note to his feud with Jason Garrett and his beloved Romo to end it all, it was one to remember. Owens didn’t always have the most trustworthy hands during his time in Dallas and experienced somewhat of a down year in 2008; however, the team will miss the 1,000+ receiving yards and 10+ TDs he had in each of his three seasons with the team. In his absence, Dallas will count on Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton and Miles Austin at the receiver position.
ROOKIE TO WATCH
Jason Williams (LB) — Former Western Illinois linebacker, Jason Williams, became the first Football College Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) player selected in the 2009 draft when the Cowboys took him with their third-round pick. Williams started at safety in college and was eventually moved to linebacker. It was at that point that things started to click for Williams, who went on to set
posted by The Gryphon at 7:18 AM
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