2011 Dallas Cowboys Predictions
Written by Steve Janus
The Dallas Cowboys are coming off one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history. Dallas came into the season expecting to become the first team to make the Super Bowl and play on their home field, but instead they completely fell off the map and finished the year 6-10. Wade Phillips was replaced midway through the season by current head coach Jason Garrett, and he did a nice job of getting the team to respond late in the year. The Cowboys haven’t done a whole lot this offseason, but will welcome back starting quarterback Tony Romo, who played in just six games in 2010. Here is a closer look at what the Cowboys will send to the field on both sides of the ball, plus my thoughts on where they will finish in the NFC East.
Offense:
Even though Romo is a huge part of the Cowboy’s offense, Dallas was just 1-4 in his five starts. Jon Kitna did a great job filling in for Romo over the latter part of the season, but this team is counting on Romo to take them to the next level. He has the tools to be one of the top quarterbacks in the league, but there are some who concern his dedication to the game. How he plays will go a long way into determining whether or not the Cowboys can be a force in the NFC East in 2011.
The Cowboys decided to part ways with wide out Roy Williams, which means they are ready to let Dez Bryant become a big part of the offense. Bryant had a fine rookie season with 45 catches for 561 yards and six touchdowns. Bryant will likely be the third option behind tight end Jason Witten and wide out Miles Austin, but as a whole this is one of the most talent receiving corps in the league.
Dallas decided not to bring back veteran running back Marion Barber, which really says a lot about the confidence they have in Felix Jones. Jones has the potential to really be a special player, but some question whether or not his body can hold up to the wear and tear of a full season. Jones won’t have to do it all, as the Cowboys have a solid backup in Tashard Choice and they drafted Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray.
One of the Cowboys biggest things they wanted to take care of this offseason was the offensive line, and they appear to have done just that with their first round pick of USC tackle Tyron Smith, who will likely start at right tackle. He eventually will take over at left tackle, but that job will belong to Doug Free this fall. If the unit can stay healthy, the Cowboys should really be tough to stop on this side of the ball.
Defense:
The defense really struggled in 2010, and that prompted the Cowboys to go out and add in Rob Ryan to take over as the new defensive coordinator. Ryan is the brother of Jets head coach Rex Ryan, and figures to be a great fit for this team.
Up front on the defensive line, the Cowboys decided to bring back veteran defensive end Marcus Spears to team up once again with fellow end Igor Olshansky and Pro Bowl nose tackle Jay Ratliff. They also went out and added Kenyon Coleman for some depth. This is where the improvements have to start if the Cowboys are going to turn things around.
No changes are expected to be made at linebacker, as DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer return on the outside, while Keith Brooking and Bradie James are back to hold down the two inside spots. Ware led the NFL with 15.5 sacks in 2010, but they need to see more out Spencer on the other side. Dallas drafted Penn State inside linebacker Sean Lee in the second round of the 2010 draft, and followed that up by drafting Bruce Carter in the second round of this year’s draft. While both figure to future starters, Lee could end up stealing Spencer’s job if he shows he is ready in preseason.
Dallas had the 26th ranked pass defense in 2010, and I really expected them to address this unit in the offseason. Instead, the only player that was added that expects to make a huge difference is safety Abram Elam, who figures to come in and start alongside Gerald Sensabaugh. That means the Cowboys are banking on big years from corners Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins. What Ryan is able to do with this unit will go a long way in determining the success of the entire team in 2011.
Prediction: 1st NFC East, 11-5 Overall – I know a lot of people are already penciling in the Eagles as the top team in the East, but this is a very competitive division as the Giants are another team that figures to be right there in the hunt for the division title. I think the Cowboys were lacking direction, something I think Garrett really gives this team. There was just too much pressure put on this team heading into last season. I look for this team to come in extremely focused and ready to prove to that the Eagles aren’t the team to beat in the NFC East.
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