Dallas Cowboys Pre-Season Preview
Between the Hashmarks with America's Team
With some potent offensive weapons and a toughened-up defense the Dallas Cowboys could make a serious run at a playoff spot in the National Football League’s 2007 season.
Offensive Outlook
The Cowboys see the return of quarterback Tony Romo, along with premiere wide receivers T.O. Owens and Terry Glenn, and running back Marion Barber III.
The Cowboys last year featured two serious breakout players: QB Tony Romo and RB Marion Barber. Romo – subbing for a reeling Drew Bledsoe – stepped into the 2006 Cowboys season in the second half of game seven, proceeding to throw for 227 yards and two touchdowns. After that it was off to the races, and Romo immediately morphed into the starting quarterback slot for America’s Team. All told, he threw for 19 touchdowns in 11 starts.
His two top targets – Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn – combined for more than 2,000 yards receiving last season in spite of the presence of quality tight end Jason Witten, who accounted for 754 receiving yards and one touchdown in, what was for him, an off-season. And Witten’s joined by TE Anthony Fasano, who could be poised for a breakout year of his own. Patrick Crayton holds down the third wide receiving position.
In 2006, Glenn made 70 receptions for 1,047 yards, while Owens notched 13 touchdowns and 1,180 yards in spite of a bad finger. As for Barber, he tallied 16 touchdowns and 850 yards offense during his breakout year. He’ll share featured back status with Julius Jones, who racked up four touchdowns and 1,084 yards. Tyson Thompson is slated to serve as the third running back, competing with Lousaka Polite for playing time.
Kicker Martin Gramatica sports a reliable toe. Hopefully the Cowboys will find someone other than Romo to hold the ball after Romo’s disastrous fumble in the Cowboys’ lone playoff game last season.
However, questions remain concerning the viability of the Cowboys’ offensive line, which is aging badly. Can the thirty-something O-line protect Romo and give him enough time to throw to Owens and Glenn?
Defensive Breakdown
The Cowboys were vulnerable defensively last season, and hope that No. 1 draft choice, defensive end Anthony Spencer, will help make their front four a force to be reckoned with. His speed is unmatched, but the question that bears attention is this: At 6-2 is Spencer big enough to fend off opposing offensive linemen to pressure the opposing quarterback?
Perhaps the best thing going for the Cowboys is the acquisition of Coach Wade Phillips, a noted defensive guru. The Phillips’ era bodes well for the Cowboys’ D, as the defense under former head coach Bill Parcells was pretty much a nonentity.
Headed by linebacker DeMarcus Ware and D-backs Ken Hamlin and Roy Williams, the defense will be a lot more respectable than last year.
A Major League Toss-up
The Cowboys should have enough oomph to make it to double-digit wins in 2007, depending upon keeping their offensive weapons healthy and whether or not their defense will be bolstered up enough to hold opponents to a reasonable number of points. But playing in the talent-rich NFC East won’t help. Pen them in for a playoff berth.
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