America's Team - The Dallas Cowboys' Preview

[SuperBowlNachos]

Owner: Bob Smith - Coach Smith comes in with quiet the record at the collegiate level. Four national champions and 6 total experiences at 3 different schools is a hall of fame worth career. Will it translate? After a four year retirement from competitive coaching coach Smith took a head coaching offer from the desperate Dallas Cowboys. Never did Coach Smith think he would ever be involved in the NFL, but here he is. Will this be the turnaround of the century, or another bad decision by Jerry Jones?

Offense: Cowboys - With one of the best lines in the league the Cowboys will look to let their #4 overall pick Ezekiel Elliot carry the rock behind one of the better offensive lines in the league. If Romo can stay healthy the team could return to their 2014 form with a similar rush heavy game plan

Defense: Cowboys - The 'Boys look to run a bend, but don't break 4-3 defense. Their struggles on D are well documented, and it doesn't look like much relief will come in 2016. The scouts will be on the lookout for all the defensive help they can get in next years draft where the pick will likely be a top 10 selection.

 

[SuperBowlNachos]

Season 1 Preview - QB

Projected Depth Chart
1. Tony Romo (86 OVR)
2. Dak Prescott (71 OVR)

Tony Romo returns for his 11th season in the league and as a Dallas Cowboy. No starting competition here, but Madden has shown players with an average injury rating are bound to get injured. So it's very likely that Dak Prescott will see the field this year. The 4th round draft pick is hoping to have a much better fate than previous Cowboys' QB picks like Stephen McGee who did not last long in the league. Romo had his best season ever in 2014 with a 113.2 QB rating. If the worse does occure Prescott will bring a different element than Cassell or Weeden had last season. Legs. Prescott ran the ball over 500 times in his college career, and should be able to be less of a statue in the pocket. Nonetheless it's still a rookie QB as the backup.

 

[SuperBowlNachos]

Season 1 Preview - RB

Projected Depth Chart
1. Ezekiel Elliot (80 OVR)
2. Alfred Morris (79 OVR)
3. Darren McFadden (79 OVR)

It's been since 2008 that the Cowboys drafted a RB in the first round. That bust was Felix Jones who went at pick #22. Before that was a halfway decent guy drafted in 1990, Emmitt Smith. Fans are obviously hoping for success similar to the latter. It's unusual circumstances for this rookie RB. Usually a team picking in the top 5 are just garbage all around. Fortunately (I suppose) for those in Dallas the team is only bad when Romo or Dez are out. Never has a top 5 pick running back had the opportunity to run behind a top 3 offensive line. A line that managed to get Darren McFadden to the top 5 in rushing. Elliot can do more than just run. He has shown to be a willing, and good pass blocker. Something the Cowboys will gladly take after losing Romo for the season due to a sack. It won't be the 100% Zeke show.

Alfred Morris is no slouch of a backup. Morris finished top 4 in rushing in 2012 and 2013, with another 1,000 yard season in 2014. He is only 27 years old with a lot of contract incentives. Everyone assumes that Elliot will be a one headed monster, but the Cowboys' have 5 years of Elliot and won't plan on running him into the ground like they did with Murray.

 

[SuperBowlNachos]

Season 1 Preview - WR

Projected Depth Chart
1. Dez Bryant (90 OVR)
2. Terrance Williams (80 OVR)
3. Cole Beasley (77 OVR)
4. Lucky Whitehead (71 OVR)
5. Brice Butler (71 OVR)

The 2015 season showed just how bad this receiving corp was when Dez Bryant was not on the field. After leading the league in receiving touchdowns during that magical 2014 season, Bryant went down with a broken foot early in the season and missed a significant number of games. Combined with the injury of Tony Romo this team was unable to move the ball through the air even with defenses loading the box. The Cowboys will look for Brice Butler to step up. Williams can't catch with his hands, and Whitehead is a pure speed guy. Beasley is a solid possession guy, but does not posses the speed as big time slot guys in the past.

 

[SuperBowlNachos]

Season 1 Preview - OL + TE

If the on group on this team people absoutley can't talk crap about it's the offensive line, and the hall of fame tight end. This offensive line comprised of Tyron Smith, Lael Collins, Travis Frederick, Zach Martin, and Doug Free have been monsters up front the past two seasons. Jerry Jones passed on the "sexy" picks and went with a center in round one of 2013, and then passed on Johnny Manziel in 2014 to draft Zach Martin. At the time they were controversial picks, but now they were genius. These two were added to veterans, and top 5 LT Tyron Smith, and veteran Doug Free. The other guard spot was solid with Ronald Leary, but the rich got richer with Lael Collins. Projected to be on of the top linemen taken in 2015 and unfortunate situation lead to Collins going undrafted, and then choosing to sign with Dallas where he is now the starter.

Standing beside that o-line is all-time great Jason Witten. Tony Romo's go to guy for 9 years and still going strong both receiving, and blocking. The backup TE position is up in the air with Escobar and Hannah competing. Swaim is looking to be moved to FB for limited blocking sets.

 

[SuperBowlNachos]

Season 1 Preview - Secondary

The defense has been horrible for the Cowboys for a long time now. 2014 was deceiving because the offense was on the field non-stop and were masters at putting together 6-8 minute drives. It has been steadily improving. 2015 first round pick Byron Jones (81 OVR) played CB and some safety his rookie year with success, but now moves full time to he FS position. Jones set the world record for he broad jump in the combine and is a very smart player. The rest of the secondary will have to step up. Brandon Carr signed a massive deal that he has yet to live up to, and Morris Claiborne (68) has so far been a top 10 pick bust. It's a contract year for Claiborne and he has looked very impressive in camp. Rookie Anthony Brown (68) has the physical traits to be a quality NFL player and has already garnered some trade interest. Brown is looking to make the team and possibly be a day 1 starter.

Linebackers

If this group can stay healthy they will be able to hold their own. Sean Lee (89) is a pro bowl caliber player when he is actually on the field. Some unlucky plays last year lead to Lee missing a few games with a concussion. Rookie Jaylon Smith (75) will take the starting spot from Rolando McClain. The depth is pretty good at this position. Justin Durant (77) and Anthony Hitchens (74) are two quality players who will be battling for the start LOLB spot.

Defensive Line

The Cowboys will need to generate sacks and pressure to help out their average secondary. Randy Gregory (75) missed a good portion of his rookie season with an ankle injury, but looks to have the starting RE spot locked up. DeMarcus Lawrence (81) will be on the other side, but also is coming of a season of injuries. Rookie Charles Tapper (68) has the speed of a linebacker and could be a dominant pass rusher in the future. To add some veteran depth at DE the Cowboys recently resigned Jeremy Mincey (79) who was with the team previously.

The deepest position on the team is DT. Tyrone Crawford (80) signed a big deal before last season and is going to be the man to plug up the middle. Cedric Thorton (78) was signed from the Eagles in the offseason and will be at the 2nd DT spot. They are both big 6'4" bodies in the middle that should be able to get a couple pass knockdowns also.