Cowboys-- can a defensive scheme replace great players?

[Mental]

Im a hard core Dallas fan and I just gotta be honest. Im really reaching for something to hang my hat on this year. We have an offense that can hang with anyone in my opinion. I believe the Offensive Line has been improved and can believe the running game will benefit. I just look at the Packers and the Eagles and I wonder if bringing back all the old player from last year.. plus a couple unspectacular additions and i wonder if Ryan's new defensive scheme is enough to reenergize this defense. Lets not get into the fact they dont have enough time to fully impliment it in my opinion. Whats everyone's thoughts. Two years ago they are a high end defense.. last year they couldnt close a lemonade stand.

 

[Sgt John]

Great question Mental. Ill start by saying if you want some great Cowboys information go to espnaustin.com and listen to "The Drive" between 5pm and 8pm your time. They have alot of Dallas area news guys and Cowboy insiders on there.


Lets take a look at this on a group by group basis:

QB - Tony Romo is a solid starter, and he has solid backups in Kitna and McGee. Now that said, we all know Romo wilts under big game pressure. Overall, I give this position a B+

RB - Felix is going to get alot of camp reps with Choice and Murray hurt already. I expect big things from Choice this year, because he is auditioning for a job somewhere else when his contract is up. Dallas lacks a true big back who can pound inside, and that will hurt them as the year goes along. I give this untested group a B-

WR - Most loaded position on the team. Dez Bryant is a superstar in the making and Miles Austin is a fine WR. They really need a 3rd guy to step up, but overall this position doesnt concern me at all. I give the group an A-

OL - Locking up Doug Free so cheap was a windfall for Dallas. Questions still remain along the rest of the line and depth is a concern. I expect a solid, but not spectacular season from 1st round pick Tyron Smith. He got his butt whipped pretty bad by DeMarcus Ware, but there is no shame in that. I give this unproven group a C+, and hope for the best.

TE - Witten and Bennett are a nice one two punch. I give them a A-

Offensively there are nice skill pieces, but questions on the line and the lack of a big RB are a concern. Overall, I grade the Dallas offense a B+.

 

[Sgt John]

DL - The defensive line isnt spectacular, but its solid, with some decent adds in free agency. I need to see it gel, and I need to see a good pass rush in preseason, or its going to be a long year. B+

LB - Nothing to worry about here at all. Ware and the boys are going to get it done this year, and the future looks bright with Sean Lee and the draft picks this year. A+

DB - Here is the killer. Jenkins had a bad year, Sensabaugh found out he wasnt that coveted and is back on a one year deal, Newman is old and hurt, and the Boys didnt get Michael Huff or anyone else to bolster the group. They are not going to match up well talent wise against the Giants or Eagles skill guys. C- for this group.

Overall for the D I give them a C+ because of the secondary and questions along the line.

Now to answer the last part...yeah, a scheme suited to the strengths of the guys running it can overcome some physical limitations. The problem is we arent playing in the NFC West. Hakeen Nicks, DeSean Jackson, and Jeremy Maclin are guys who will expose a scheme and deficient athletes.

This year is about seeing who wants to be around and who will perform, and its about getting the right culture back in the locker room and Garrett making this HIS team. The rest of the division has improved so much Dallas may be a better team and it wont show up in the win column. What you are looking for this year is Dallas fighting hard in every game and not giving in. Expect 7 or 8 wins for Dallas this year.