Football Diner Review / Preview
Dallas Cowboys
by Paul Hopkins
23/6/2008
 
Overview
 
The season which was meant to be all about winning, turned once again into the biggest soap opera in the National Football League. It's still quite mystifying how a team can race to a 3-0 start after beating one of the great hopes of 2009, a strong divisional rival and the team that hosted the NFC Championship game the previous year, and yet still miss the playoffs and end up in nothing short of disarray. Fingers have been pointed here there and everywhere, the press have been leaked to relentlessly, yet through it all, arguably the man most to blame for this carnival – one Jerry Jones – has stuck to his guns, kept a high profile and seemingly continued to bury his head in the sand.
 
A season that promised much petered away, and despite this, there were some strong and consistent performances throughout the year. If only Mr Jones could see the light then maybe the results he is so desperate for might come.
 
Quarterbacks
 
The less said about Brad Johnson's four game stretch the better, so onto the main man – Tony Romo. Dogged yet again by the 'choker' tag (despite just being outplayed by the Giants, and not being helped by two dolly TD drops from his receivers), Romo had an up and down season. He performed well in this writer's view, when hindered by something that resembled an offensive gameplan and an offensive line that struggled to look after him. Often left to run for his life and make something ... anything happen, Romo performed admirably and took an absolute beating week after week.
 
Going forward however, it's clear he doesn't trust his offensive coordinator much these days, and 2009 really is going to be make or break for T-Ro.
Grade B
 
Running Backs
 
Possibly the biggest success as a complete unit for the Cowboys. Marion Barber stepped into the role of starter with ease and for a while looked like he was ready to throw this team on his back and take them to the post-season. However, injury be-fell him on Thanksgiving and despite him returning he was never the same. First round draft pick, Felix Jones was simply electrifying. From the moment he took his first carry into the end zone in week 1, to the game-winning spark, he showed that he was a legitimate game-changer. But again, injury struck and he went onto IR at the mid-way point. The offence never looked the same.
 
So, the Cowboys were without Barber and Jones, trouble right? Not quite. Enter fourth round draft pick Tashard Choice. In consecutive weeks against Pittsburgh, the Giants and the Ravens, Choice showed he was a legitimate NFL rusher and the Cowboys have arguably the best three-headed running attack in the league. It is only down to the dysfunctional nature of this franchise in 2008 that a solid running game did not get them into the post-season.
Grade A- (it's only not an A+ due to the injuries)
 
Wide Receivers
 
When you have T.O. fun and games are par for the course when looking at the WR. All receivers struggled this year in comparison to last due to Romo's four game absence and Brad Johnson's inability to throw the ball accurately more than three yards (not to mention an offensive gameplan that unravelled as the season went on).
 
Owens had a down year by his standards but still produced a double figure TD return. The talk is now about whether he will be back in 2009. His elite years are behind him, but he's still a productive receiver who draws coverage and despite Jason Garrett's alleged leaks and ESPN's hype, is a member of the team the players rally around.
 
Jerry, for some reason splashed out an insane amount of money and draft picks mid-season the bring Texas native Roy Williams back from Detroit. Did it work? Anything but. The second half of the season for Williams was virtually a washout, and the Cowboys can only hope a pre-season will help. Underneath him, Patrick Crayton remained solid. However, despite the big name personnel, bigger problems lie at the heart of Dallas' offensive woes in 2008.
Grade B-
 
Tight Ends
 
Jason Witten remained the best all-round tight end in the NFL, only this year even he drew controversy. Not for anything bad on his behalf, just more media hype whipped up around Big Jerry's Big Blue Circus. He remained the most dependable option in the Cowboys offence.
 
Behind him, we saw a glimmer of the potential of Martellus Bennett, the physical freak drafted out of Texas Tech in round two. Physically the guy has the lot. However, we saw from the outset in Hard Knocks, that whilst the body might be unbelievable, the brain has a long way to go. He showed flashes and if he knuckles down he will another option in this potentially incredible offence.
Grade B
 
Offensive Line
 
The unit which was so impressive last year regressed badly in 2008. Well, kind of. When it comes to run blocking this line remains one of the best there is. Big, strong and powerful they just maul everyone in front of them and whilst they weren't as good as before they were still solid. But when it came to pass protection, they ranged from woeful to mediocre, hence why Tony Romo spent most of his season running for his life.
 
Andre Gurode should have been embarrassed to go the Pro Bowl, he regressed badly. Flozell Adams looks to be grinding down, but injuries and a revolving door (except for when Kyle Kosier or Montrae Holland) at left guard hurt his performance. Marc Colombo was moderate, yet got a major extension straight after the season. Only Leonard Davis came out of the season with any credit.
 
With each of these locked down for the foreseeable future, Dallas really need to consider looking at some depth, which was woefully exposed during 2008, resulting in the injuries to Romo.
Grade C
 
Defensive Line
 
Again, this is an area where depth is going to be an issue. The stud of the line is Jay Ratliff, who has emerged as one of the very best 3-4 NT's in the game. Undersized, the guy plays hard, and plays bigger than his size.
 
Alongside him, Chris Canty and Marcus Spears both had very solid seasons. Canty continued to perform at his high level, but Spears arguably had his best year as a Cowboy. After not signing an extension, Canty looks destined to test the free agent market. How the Cowboys will look at either locking him down or replacing him will be interesting this off-season.
Grade B
 
Linebackers
 
The Cowboys arguably had two studs at linebacker in 2008. One everyone knows about in DeMarcus Ware and another that kind of slipped under the radar in Bradie James. Ware had a phenomenal year and has blossomed into an all-round defensive superstar; he will shortly become the highest paid Cowboy in history.
 
James, on the other hand has snuck under the radar and can consider himself unlucky to have failed to reach the Pro Bowl. Six sacks from ILB in a 3-4 is no mean feat, and he is emerging into a fine talent for the Cowboys. If Ray Lewis is added, the linebacking corps in Dallas would become ridiculous.
 
Zach Thomas did his job but nothing more, and likely won't be back. Greg Ellis might also be gone, so the linebacking crew is one to watch this off-season. Look out for Anthony Spencer potentially getting a bigger role to shine.
Grade A
 
Secondary
 
We'll ignore Pacman Jones as that experiment failed badly, and look at the positives. Despite injuries Terence Newman performed ok, nothing more. The same can be said for Anthony Henry and Ken Hamlin. The true 'star' to emerge was fifth round draft pick from Boise State, Orlando Scandrick who, on special teams and on defence looks like he has been there for years. He outshone fellow draftee Mike Jenkins who the 'Boys will expect to improve in 2009.
 
The big question mark has to be over much maligned strong safety Roy Williams, who will either be cut or asked to restructure his contract. When he is now only on the field for 1st and 2nd down, you have to question if he is worth his contract numbers next year.
Grade B-
 
Special Teams
 
Special teams play was a problem for the Cowboys in 2008. Too many big plays and too much yardage was given up. Aside from that, Nick Folk was as consistent as his rookie year. The team missed Mat McBriar when slack play cost the win against the Cardinals and McBriar for the season. Looking back, that single play summed up the Cowboys year in many ways.
Grade D (It is only that high because of Folk)
 
Coaching
 
Now onto the coaching - the central point of much discussion this season. We'll start with Brian Johnson who was woefully out of his depth as defensive coordinator. He's gone and Big D rejoices. Upon assuming “ a greater role” in the defence (translation: “getting control of”) Wade Phillips found his level. His 'camp cupcake' is now notorious, and whilst his head coaching skills leave a lot to be desired, his contribution to the defence should not be forgotten. It cannot be easy being a Head Coach with an interfering, deluded, headline-seeking, megalomaniac as GM/Owner/Ringmaster.
 
And then we have Jason Garrett. Jones' fended off interest from elsewhere to snatch away last season's whizz kid, seemingly on the premise that he would replace Wade. This year, you get the feeling Jerry wanted Garrett to move on; such was how his stock fell in 2008. He got off the same page as his star WR and his QB, failed to integrate Roy Williams and generally, despite the phenomenal talent around him, concocted a disaster of an offensive gameplan. The halo slipped considerably. He had better get back on the same page as his two best offensive weapons and get a gameplan that a three year old cannot see coming, otherwise he may not even get interviews elsewhere.
Grade D (despite Phillips' laudable efforts with the Defence)
 
Outlook
 
Where on earth the Dallas Cowboys go from here is anyone's guess. Some of the noises emanating out of Valley Ranch suggest they have the right ideas, but things are yet to come to fruition. Defensively the team appears on track. Offensively, Jason Garrett has to earn his huge pay-check, otherwise he must be canned. Off the field, Jerry Jones really should hire a GM and get the heck away from the football side. Sadly, he won't so really you just never know. And to cap off just a tumultuous 2008 season, just when you think they understand they need to stop creating hype and controversy we get the 'Training Camp Factor'. Unfortunately for those following the team, it's probably another year of excitement, frustration and much head-shaking.