2008 NFL Season Preview:#1 Dallas Cowboys

I know what some of you are thinking, how did you jump from #4 to #1? Well myself, Teach, and Berndon all voted individually in the power rankings and then we combined them to make them as even as possible. It turns out we all had the same top three teams, but we all put them in different order. I had the Patriots, Colts, and then the Cowboys. Teach had the Colts, Cowboys, and then the Patriots. And Berndon had the Cowboys, Patriots, and then the Colts. Giving them each the same amount of 1st,2nd, and 3rd place votes. So the top three teams will be ranked #1 until one of them loses or one of the the teams rises above the rest.

Division: NFC East
Last Years Record:
Head Coach: Wade Phillips
Offensive Coordinator: Jason Garrett
Defensive Coordinator: Brian Stewart

Key Additions:
CB Pacman Adam Jones
LB Zach Thomas
RB Felix Jones

Key Losses:
CB Jaques Reeves
RB Juluis Jones
SS Keith Davis
LB Akin Ayodele

Offensive Breakdown:
For 2008 to be a success for the Cowboys, they will need to make the Super Bowl. If not, 2008 will seen as a huge letdown. Especially after a season where they went 13-3, sent 13 players to Hawaii, and secured home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. The Cowboys faced off against the Giants but found themselves being one-and-done again for the fourth straight time (they have not won a playoff game since 1996). Owner Jerry Jones made sure to remedy the situation by bringing in big names and talented players to an already loaded lineup, but will it be enough for the Cowboys to bring back another trophy to the Big D?

ranchise quarterback they had been looking for since the retirement of Troy Aikman in Tony Romo. Romo has had a successful two years as the leader of the Cowboys offense with two Pro Bowls, a monster $68 million contract extension, and Jessica Simpson. But Romo is 4-7 in December and January, including an 0-2 record in the playoffs. He has certainly shown he has the ability to be America's Team QB. But if Romo really wants to be listed with the names of legends like Staubach and Aikman, he needs to do something about late-season collapses and postseason failures. Or he will be listed with names like Marino and Kelly. Brad Johnson is returning to his spot as the backup.

The Cowboys upgraded in a big way at the running back position by letting go of Julius Jones and drafting Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. Pairing the two rookies with the barbaric Marion Barber, sets up for a fantastic running back committee. Felix Jones brings the speed to offset the power that Barber inflicts on opposing defenses, and Choice offers an every down alternative if Barber gets injured. The main thing about this unit being a success is Barber, who hasn't been the main man since high school. The Cowboys are confident in his abilities, based on his 975 yards and 10 touchdowns and his play against the Giants in the playoffs(129 yards). The NFC East should worry about the pain that Barber is about to inflict on potential tacklers.



Terrell Owens turns 35 in December, but there is a short list of receivers who performed better than the emotional wideout last season(81 catches, 1355 yards and 15 tds). T.O. will continue to be the threat he has been over his career and will continue rising up the all-time receiving lists. Tight end Jason Witten, who caught 96 passes and earned his fourth straight trip to Hawaii is clearly Tony Romo's favorite receiver. The Cowboys believe they can get big plays out of Patrick Crayton and Sam Hurd. Crayton notched career-highs in catches, yards, and touchdowns and is out to prove he is more than capable of being a big play threat. Isaiah Stanback and Austin Miles round out the wide receivers while rookie Martellus Bennett and Tony Curtis are the backup at tight end.

The offensive line for the Cowboys is as good as it gets in the NFL, with three Pro Bowlers in the middle. Center Andre Gurode, tackle Flozell Adams, and guard Leonard Davis bring few worries to the offensive line. All three are locked up with big contracts and should be in the Big D to protect Romo for the foreseeable future. Right tackle Marc Colombo, who's entering the final year of his contract, could be next in line for a big payday if he plays as well as he did last season. Left guard Kyle Kosier has been steady in his two years as a starter. To add some depth, the Cowboys picked guard James Marten (3rd round) and tackle Doug Free (4th) in last year's draft, although neither saw much time as rookies. Cory Procter and Pat McQuistan also return to reprise their roles as the backup center and swing tackle.

Defensive Breakdown:
There is nothing dominant about the Cowboys defensive line however they are solid, deep, and versatile. Jason Ratliff and Tank Johnson are a solid pair in the middle. Ends Marcus Spears and Chris Canty are solid, if not spectacular but Spears needs to gain more consistency. Jason Hatcher and Stephen Bowe are big and able reserves at the ends, Bowe is also available as a possible tackle reserve with his huge 6'5 305 frame.

Last year's strong defensive showing was keyed by the pass/rush combo of outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis. The Cowboys also have talented 2007 first-round selection Anthony Spencer in tow at the position, and he'll be used to help keep the 33-year-old Ellis fresh. The inside corps added a wealth of leadership and experience with the offseason signing of native Texan Zach Thomas. Although the seven-time Pro Bowler will be 35 this season and was limited to five games due to injuries a year ago, the team is confident he's still got the speed and savvy to be an impact playmaker. Thomas will line up next to leading tackler Bradie James on the inside, with nickel specialist Kevin Burnett often subbing for James on passing downs. Bobby Carpenter and Justin Rogers supply depth and help out on special teams.

The biggest upgrade to the team is easily in the secondary, with the player formerly known as Pacman along with draft picks Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scrandrick coming to the Big D. Add them to the starting tandem of Terence Newman and Anthony Henry and the Cowboys have a group capable of covering any wide receiving unit in the NFL. Free safety Ken Hamlin is the leader of the secondary, and is coming off his best year as a pro where he earned Pro Bowl honors. The biggest question mark on this team is probably at strong safety with Roy Williams, who has shown to be more hype than substance. He is still a feared hitter, before and after the whistle, but is such a liability in coverage that the Cowboys take him out in obvious passing situations. The Cowboys are hoping that the addition of Pacman, Jenkins, and Scrandrick will help remedy Williams woes in pass coverage.

Season Outlook:
In my mind its not the team that needs to get across the hump, it is Romo who needs to prove he is an elite quarterback once the playoffs start. I can see them winning 12 or more games but if Romo is more Marino than Aikman (i.e. they fail to meet expectations in the playoffs), expect Garrett to take the reins in 2009 and the rest of us can look forward to more of this.





Schedule:
Week 1: Sep 07 DAL @ CLE 4:15 PM FOX
Week 2: Sep 15 PHI @ DAL 8:30 PM ESPN
Week 3: Sep 21 DAL @ GB 8:15 PM NBC
Week 4: Sep 28 WAS @ DAL 4:15 PM FOX
Week 5: Oct 05 CIN @ DAL 4:15 PM CBS
Week 6: Oct 12 DAL @ ARI 4:15 PM FOX
Week 7: Oct 19 DAL @ STL 1:00 PM FOX
Week 8: Oct 26 TB @ DAL 1:00 PM FOX
Week 9: Nov 02 DAL @ NYG 4:15 PM FOX
Week 10: Bye
Week 11: Nov 16 DAL @ WAS 8:15 PM NBC
Week 12: Nov 23 SF @ DAL 1:00 PM FOX
Week 13: Nov 27 SEA @ DAL 4:15 PM FOX
Week 14: Dec 07 DAL @ PIT 4:15 PM FOX
Week 15: Dec 14 NYG @ DAL 8:15 PM NBC
Week 16: Dec 20 BAL @ DAL 8:15 PM NFL NETWORK
Week 17: Dec 28 DAL @ PHI 1:00 PM FOX