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Another year of 32 in 31. Sports News on Tap takes the month of August to preview the National Football League. We spend every day of the month looking at a new team and how they will fare in 2013
America's team, in case you forgot, ended the season last year as they have too many times in the past. One game away from a postseason birth. You can blame it on Romo, and he deserves his fair share, but I thought what the Cowboys did last year with the injuries they suffered was hopefully a sign of things to come. It was hard to grasp that as Romo threw that ill advised pass into the flats that ended the season, but looking back gives you some perspective. If though they have one of the toughest schedules in the league this year, if they stay healthy, I think the Cowboys can make some waves in the league this year.
Romo, Romo, Romo. That's pretty much all you hear when it comes to this offense. That being said, I think the most talented player on the offense is Dez Bryant. The stock has been high on him entering the year and so far in camp he has not disappointed. Romo has just been chucking him up the ball on fade or fade-stop patterns and he has been bringing them all in. I think that will translate to the season. With Dez, Witten, Miles, Demarco Murray, and a couple new weapons in Terrance Williams and Gavin Escobar, Romo should have no shortage of places to throw the football.The key to him throwing the football, however, is if this line can protect him. New draft pick Travis Frederick should be able to sure some things up in the middle, but Guards Ronald Leary and Mackenzy Bernadeau are shaky at best. Tyron Smith, who is still just 22 years old, should continue to improve this year. However the man opposite of him, Doug Free, still has a lot to improve on to not be a liability.
The addition of Monte Kiffin at Defensive Coordinator will either look like one of the smartest things Jerry Jones has done, or one of the dumbest. There is not much in between. He had looked like he lost his touch as the DC at USC, but hopefully he can catch up to the pace of the pro game. It still scares the living shit out of me to have a Monte Kiffin vs. Chip Kelly showdown twice a year.
As far as the personal goes, this group is talented. Demarcus Ware can get his hand in the dirt and get a solid pass rush in this system. Anthony Spencer was awesome last year and hopefully has put on enough weight to hold up in the run game. The combination of Bruce Carter and Sean Lee at linebacker is one of the best in the league. They should excel in this system. Also, it's nice to have Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr at corner to sure things up. The thing that really scares me, however, are the safeties. It's looking like Will Allen and Barry Church will start, with 3rd round pick JJ Wilcox being the 3rd man in. Considering that the Tampa 2 system is being put in place, this also scares me. Hopefully someone can come in and make plays over the top.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Dan "Split 'Em" Bailey returns for the boys. He was 29 of 31 last year with some extremely clutch kicks. Chris Jones comes back from injury last year to help the punting game, and Dez is still a factor returning punts.
KEY ADDITIONS
Defensive Coordinator Monte Kiffin, Defensive Line Coach Rod Marinelli, and S Will Allen - The defensive coaching staff hires will undoubtedly be the most important this year. The Cowboys need to create turnovers, and hopefully the Bruce-Lee combo at linebacker can create some in the hybrid Tampa 2 system Kiffin is putting in place.
KEY SUBTRACTIONS
DC Rob Ryan, CB Mike Jenkins
COWBOYS DRAFT PICKS
C Travis Frederick, TE Gavin Escobar, SS JJ Wilcox, WR Terrance WIlliams, and some other people that really don't matter - Hopefully Frederick can sure up the middle of that Offensive Line. It was nauseating watching Ryan Cook snap over Romo's head last year.
GAME TO WATCH
October 13th vs. Washington 7:30 pm - If the Cowboys don't take care of business at Home this year against their division rivals it's going to be almost impossible for them to win the division. Both teams will probably enter this game at 3-2 or 4-1, and it will set the tone in the division the rest of the year.
WIN TOTAL
9-11 - Cowboys schedule is brutal this year playing Denver, Green Bay, @New Orleans, @Chicago, and Minnesota. All potential playoff teams. Their game against St. Louis won't be easy, either. They have a tough road, but I think this team has some really nice pieces if they can get it all together. Hopefully Jason Garrett won't screw that up.
Kramer.
