NFL Outsider Season Preview 2009: Dallas Cowboys
By Staff
NFL Outsider is hosting a season preview of all 32 teams. The NFL regular season begins on September 10; in the meantime follow the best NFL bloggers as they analyze their teams in this 2009 season preview.
Bryson from Dallas Cowboys Nation chimes in on the Cowboys' latest. Check in on other teams here.
2008 ended with a thud for the Dallas Cowboys. Our last vision of the Cowboys was in a pathetic, no show performance by the entire team in Philadelphia, only mustering six points and kissing the playoffs goodbye. The Cowboys organization as a whole was called out, and in many individual cases tar and feathers were brought out. Certain doom and despair for America's Team filled the nation as we looked ahead to 2009. Fast forward to mid-June and just six weeks before the start of training camp, has anything changed?
While most of last year was spent battling injuries and egos, the Cowboys changed their entire team philosophy. The Cowboys spent the offseason making it clear to everyone that the drama of 2008 was not only behind them, but punishable by death. The best examples of which would be Terrell Owens, Adam "Pacman" Jones, and Tank Johnson - but Roy Williams, Chris Canty, and Greg Ellis all can be thrown into that fire as well. It's simple, it's a team and only team players need apply.
In free agency the Cowboys made even more moves by signing some guys named Gerald Sensabaugh and Igor Olshansky, and even bringing in what many see as a has-been, Keith Brooking. Combined with the 12 draft picks and it was apparent that special teams and defense were the top priority for the 'Boys in 2009. Now younger, faster, and more athletic, the complexion of the whole roster has changed.
The general consensus was that only a handful of the dozen drafted rookies would make the cut, not to mention the undrafted guys - but not so quick, the recent OTAs and minicamp have shown many of these guys not only fighting for roster spots, but for playing time as well. Competition has come to Dallas, that's for sure.
Top concerns as of now include the left guard which was left open by Kyle Kosier's injury in 2008 - Cory Proctor filled in quite badly and Montrae Holland filled in well enough to be taking the first team reps this offseason as Kosier continues to heal. This also leaves the door wide open for rookie Robert Brewster as he tries to find his place on the Cowboys offensive line, though he played tackle in college. Perhaps the brightest spot on this team is safety Gerald Sensabaugh. From the second he took to the practice field, albeit in shorts and jerseys, he's been stunning us all with his coverage skills. Wade Phillips says we'll have no more issues playing man to man now, and what a change that is after suffering through the vertically challenged play of both Roy Williams and Keith Davis.
What does it mean for 2009? The league leading defense in sacks can really pin their ears back now. There are still questions that remain unanswered on this team though! Can Tony Romo settle down, make no mistakes, and make the clutch plays all year long? Can Roy Williams step into TO's place and fill the void? Can Jason Garrett utilize his backfield freak show and balance the Cowboys offense? Can Wade Phillips rebuild the unity of this football team?
Time will certainly tell, but one thing is certain - you cannot be anything but pleased with the direction of this team.
NFL Outsider is hosting a season preview of all 32 teams. The NFL regular season begins on September 10; in the meantime follow the best NFL bloggers as they analyze their teams in this 2009 season preview.
Bryson from Dallas Cowboys Nation chimes in on the Cowboys' latest. Check in on other teams here.
2008 ended with a thud for the Dallas Cowboys. Our last vision of the Cowboys was in a pathetic, no show performance by the entire team in Philadelphia, only mustering six points and kissing the playoffs goodbye. The Cowboys organization as a whole was called out, and in many individual cases tar and feathers were brought out. Certain doom and despair for America's Team filled the nation as we looked ahead to 2009. Fast forward to mid-June and just six weeks before the start of training camp, has anything changed?
While most of last year was spent battling injuries and egos, the Cowboys changed their entire team philosophy. The Cowboys spent the offseason making it clear to everyone that the drama of 2008 was not only behind them, but punishable by death. The best examples of which would be Terrell Owens, Adam "Pacman" Jones, and Tank Johnson - but Roy Williams, Chris Canty, and Greg Ellis all can be thrown into that fire as well. It's simple, it's a team and only team players need apply.
In free agency the Cowboys made even more moves by signing some guys named Gerald Sensabaugh and Igor Olshansky, and even bringing in what many see as a has-been, Keith Brooking. Combined with the 12 draft picks and it was apparent that special teams and defense were the top priority for the 'Boys in 2009. Now younger, faster, and more athletic, the complexion of the whole roster has changed.
The general consensus was that only a handful of the dozen drafted rookies would make the cut, not to mention the undrafted guys - but not so quick, the recent OTAs and minicamp have shown many of these guys not only fighting for roster spots, but for playing time as well. Competition has come to Dallas, that's for sure.
Top concerns as of now include the left guard which was left open by Kyle Kosier's injury in 2008 - Cory Proctor filled in quite badly and Montrae Holland filled in well enough to be taking the first team reps this offseason as Kosier continues to heal. This also leaves the door wide open for rookie Robert Brewster as he tries to find his place on the Cowboys offensive line, though he played tackle in college. Perhaps the brightest spot on this team is safety Gerald Sensabaugh. From the second he took to the practice field, albeit in shorts and jerseys, he's been stunning us all with his coverage skills. Wade Phillips says we'll have no more issues playing man to man now, and what a change that is after suffering through the vertically challenged play of both Roy Williams and Keith Davis.
What does it mean for 2009? The league leading defense in sacks can really pin their ears back now. There are still questions that remain unanswered on this team though! Can Tony Romo settle down, make no mistakes, and make the clutch plays all year long? Can Roy Williams step into TO's place and fill the void? Can Jason Garrett utilize his backfield freak show and balance the Cowboys offense? Can Wade Phillips rebuild the unity of this football team?
Time will certainly tell, but one thing is certain - you cannot be anything but pleased with the direction of this team.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:14 PM
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