The NFL is back, and Sportsnet is breaking down everything you need to know about each of the 32 teams—including why you should or shouldn’t be rooting for them this season—in the month leading up to kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 8. Today, the Dallas Cowboys.
Last year’s record: 4-12
Head coach: Jason Garrett
Core players: Tony Romo (QB), Dez Bryant (WR), the entire offensive line, Ezekiel Elliott (RB), Jason Witten (TE), Tyrone Crawford (DT), Sean Lee (LB), Orlando Scandrick (CB)
2016 is about… getting (most of) a full season out of Tony Romo. Despite the noise being made about intriguing rookie quarterback Dak Prescott, No. 9 is still the lifeblood of the Cowboys. The complete disaster that was the 2015 season made that painfully evident. After a spectacular 2014 campaign that had Dallas a “catch” away from the NFC title game, Garrett’s team came unraveled in the absence of its star quarterback a year later. With the league’s best offensive line, one of its top receivers and now three very different options out of the backfield, this is a Cowboys team that has the potential to do some real damage … but only if Romo is under centre.
But they lost… Greg Hardy, who is more trouble than he’s worth but still had a positive effect on a defence that struggled to get after opposing quarterbacks. Not to say the Cowboys should bring Hardy back — they shouldn’t, nor should any other team — but without filling the void the exit of a true pass rusher’s departure leaves, it could mean more trouble for defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli’s unit.
With DeMarcus Lawrence (four games), Randy Gregory (four games, maybe more) and Rolando McClain (10 games) all serving suspensions, the Cowboys’ front seven could be a point of weakness in the early going of the season with Canadian Tyrone Crawford the only truly experienced defensive lineman taking the field Week 1.
Yeah, but they got… Cedric Thornton, a former division rival with Philadelphia who should help ease some of the pressure on Marinelli’s front seven, but is by no means its saviour. Thornton will most definitely make a difference against the run, an area where Dallas struggled last season ranking 29th, according to Football Outsiders. But Thornton doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher, recording just one sack per season in his first four as a pro.
The Cowboys added another former rival in Alfred Morris, who has declined steadily since a jaw-dropping rookie season alongside RG3 in 2012. But being spurned by Washington appears to have reinvigorated Morris, and let’s be serious, Dallas’ offensive line is on a whole other level. The trio of Morris, last season’s surprise Darren McFadden and a certain No. 4 pick should give the Dallas backfield plenty of kick.
Growing from within… Ezekiel Elliott, who is the face of what could turn out to be an exceptional 2016 draft in Dallas. The former Ohio State running back is a jack of all trades in the backfield; he can power up the middle of a defence, use his speed to break one outside, has experiencing in pass blocking (a skill most rookies struggle with), and has a nose for the end zone. Barring something unforeseen, Elliott will be the Cowboys starting running back in Week 1 and for years to come.
But the man stealing the headlines in Dallas right now is Dak Prescott, drafted out of Mississippi State in the fourth round because, despite having plenty of potential, his weaknesses apparently outweighed his strengths. So much for that. In two pre-season appearances for Dallas, Prescott is basically perfect: 22-of-27 passing (81.7 per cent completion), 338 yards, four touchdowns, zero interceptions and a passer rating of 156.4. He’s led Dallas to points on nine of his 10 drives. Oh, and he’s also chipped in two TDs on 41 yards rushing.
In typical Cowboys hyperbolic fashion, Prescott is already being tabbed the steal of the draft. And maybe with good reason: he absolutely shredded the Dolphins over the weekend.
And while it may take a bit longer to develop than the revelation that is Dak Prescott, the second-round selection of linebacker Jaylon Smith may also turn out to be one hell of a pick. After suffering a major knee injury in his final game at Notre Dame, it’s highly unlikely Smith will see the field in 2016, but the 21-year-old has the potential to be a star in the middle of the Cowboys defence.
Should he return at 100 per cent, Dallas is in for a real treat. Had he not gotten hurt in the Fiesta Bowl, Smith would’ve been a top-five pick in the draft and has displayed the all-around talent to be an absolute stud.
There’s no doubt the future looks bright in Dallas.
Why this team? There is a lot to like about the Cowboys, especially on offence, and it wasn’t that long ago that essentially this same squad looked to be a contender. The Dallas offence will be tough to defend against on a bad day, and if the defence is even a little bit improved against the run it could mean real trouble for the NFC East and the rest of the conference.
Why not this team? One sack could spell the end of the season. An injury to Tony Romo would be devastating. Sure, maybe Prescott will be able to step in and not be the disaster that Matt Cassell, Brandon Weeden and Kellen Moore were last season, but a rookie at quarterback just won’t be as effective as No. 9. End of discussion.
How much hope? 7/10. Dallas probably has the best shot at the NFC East title and has the potential to be a real contender in the conference.