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2007 Team Report: Dallas Cowboys

Quarterbacks

Starter: Tony Romo
Backup(s): Brad Johnson

Starting QB: Many scoffed at reports that Tony Romo was the best quarterback in Cowboys training camp last year. Yet, five games into the regular season, with Drew Bledsoe playing woefully, Romo got his chance and never looked back. In 11 games as the starter, Romo completed 65 percent of his passes, throwing for 2,903 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was consistent, throwing for 220 or more yards in 10 of 11 games, and led the league in yards per attempt among qualified passers. While Romo's stats speak for themselves, it was his leadership in the huddle and his ability to command the respect of mercurial players like Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn which bodes well for his future. One word of caution, Todd Haley, credited with Romo's development, took a job in Arizona so Romo will be tutored by new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.

Backup QB: Drew Bledsoe was ill-suited to serve as a backup and was waived this offseason. The Cowboys brought in another long-time veteran in Brad Johnson. In 16 seasons, Johnson has played winning football for a handful of teams and should be able to play mistake-free football in Romo's absence. At 39 years old though, he understands his place and won't push for playing time either.

Running Backs

Starter: Julius Jones
Backup(s): Marion Barber III, Tyson Thompson
Fullback(s): Oliver Hoyte, Deon Anderson [R]

Starting RB: With a new coaching staff and two competent backs in the stable, it remains to be seen whether Julius Jones or Marion Barber will be the nominal starter. Regardless of who gets the honor of starting, both backs will be used liberally in a committee approach. Jones, coming off his first 1,000-yard season, stayed healthy for the first time in his career and can churn out the yardage between the 20s. Where he falls short is in short yardage situations; which is where 3rd year RB Marion Barber III excels. Barber scored 16 touchdowns in just 158 touches and was among the league's best at the goal line. Barber averaged 4.8 yards per carry to Jones' 4.1; so it's not entirely out of the question Barber will be given the heavier workload in contrast to the way carries were split in 2006.

Backup RBs: When you have two starting caliber backs, RB depth isn't as much a concern. Good thing for Cowboys fans because there is a massive drop off from Barber and Jones to 3rd stringer Tyson Thompson. Thompson has good size and great speed, but was inconsistent in practice and touched the ball only 13 times last season. Thompson has looked good playing with the backups this preseason, but he won't see many regular season touches barring injury to the Barber/Jones tandem.

Fullback: The Cowboys are keeping two fullbacks this year, and may have kept three if there was a way to justify it. The odd man out is Lousaka Polite, the starter a year ago. In his place will be rookie Deon Anderson and veteran Oliver Hoyte. Both will be used primarily as blockers for the RB tandem of Jones and Barber.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn
Backups: Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd, Miles Austin, Isaiah Stanback [R]

Starting WRs: The Cowboys will once again field one of the league's most daunting starting tandems with Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn. The two combined for 155 receptions, 2,227 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. On the field, Terrell Owens has few equals. He's one of the most productive receivers in league history (4th all-time in TD receptions), keeps himself in impeccable shape, and when motivated is virtually unstoppable. Terry Glenn, coming of a second consecutive 1,000-yard season, managed to play the full 16 game schedule. Glenn still has the world-class speed that was his hallmark early in his career, but he's a much smarter player now using technique and laser-precision routes to bait defensive backs out of position. Unfortunately, he had his knee scoped in the early summer and may not be ready for Week One; even though it hasn't been completely ruled out.

Backup WRs: Patrick Crayton finally provided the Cowboys will a full season and in the process set career bests for receptions, yards and touchdowns. He is the team's clear #3 and would be an adequate fill-in if needed. The Cowboys have intriguing depth beyond Crayton, starting with WR4 Sam Hurd. Although he only caught 5 passes last season, he's played well with the first team in camp while Glenn and Owens nurse injuries. Miles Austin and Isaiah Stanback are two versatile athletes that will have to make their marks in Special Teams.

Tight Ends

Starters: Jason Witten
Backups: Anthony Fasano, Tony Curtis

Jason Witten has cemented himself as one of the better two-way tight ends in the NFC. While he's not the natural, fluid receiver Tony Gonzalez or Antonio Gates might be, he is a punishing blocker and has surpassed the 750-yard mark for three consecutive seasons. Witten had a good rapport with Tony Romo last year, which bodes well for a potential career year in 2007. Anthony Fasano provides the Cowboys with a viable option in 2-TE sets, and like Witten is as committed to blocking as he is making plays in the receiving game. Tony Curtis locked down the 3rd spot with an excellent camp.

Place Kicker

Nick Folk : The Vanderjagt solution didn't work out last year, and Gramatica returned to a full time NFL job for the final five weeks. He went 6 of 8 on FGs during that stretch, and added 14 PATs. The Cowboys re-signed him during the off-season to another two years, but that didn't end the story. They subsequently drafted Folk in the sixth round. The Cowboys like his leg strength, plus he can also punt. His strength is kickoffs, while the primary concern is his accuracy on FGs. It's possible that both kickers could make the final roster, with Gramatica handling placekicking and Folk handling kickoffs. The Cowboys ranked 14th in kicker scoring last year, ending a seven year stretch in which they ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in that category. CAMP UPDATE: Gramatica missed an extra point, had a an ugly kickoff, and injured his hamstring. The Cowboys placed him on IR. Folk wins.

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners: Tyson Thompson; Miles Austin; Isaiah Stanback

Local favorite, RB Tyson Thompson won a spot on the team in 2005, and proceeded to return 57 of the Cowboy's 64 kickoff returns. His 1,397 yards ranked 8th in the NFL that year. He averaged 26.0 yards on 21 returns last year before breaking his ankle in late October. WR Miles Austin took over thereafter and also averaged 26.0 yard (29 returns). He also scored a TD in the Wild Card game at Seattle. He and Thompson will battle for the role this year.

Punt Returners: Terence Newman; Patrick Crayton; Isaiah Stanback

WR Patrick Crayton led the Cowboys in punt returns in 2005, despite missing five games due to injury, while CB Terence Newman was the primary backup. Last year they reversed roles. Newman led the team (20 returns, 10.1 avg., 1 TD), while Crayton was second (11 returns, 7.7 avg.). Fourth round draft pick WR Isaiah Stanback played quarterback in college at Washington.

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: LT Flozell Adams, LG Kyle Kosier, C Andre Gurode, RG Leonard Davis, RT Marc Colombo
Key Backups: Pat McQuistan, Doug Free [R], James Marsten [R], Joe Berger

When the Cowboys signed Leonard Davis, we expected him to combine with Flozell Adams to forms the largest tackle tandem in the league. However, with the release of Marco Rivera, Davis has been practicing at the RG spot with incumbent Marc Columbo remaining at RT. Andre Gurode anchors the middle, and Kyle Kosier returns at the LG spot. The Cowboys depth is much improved with a pair of rookies, Doug Free and James Marsten, added to Pat McQuistan. Based on the early returns in the preseason, this unit has a chance to be special.

Team Defense

The 2006 Dallas team defense wasn't anything special from a fantasy perspective last season. Bill Parcells conservative 3-4 kept the team in games and turned in a middle third finish in total yards allowed and points allowed, but kept the team from racking up sacks and takeaways. OLB Demarcus Ware had 12 sacks, but no other single player provided much big play value. Things may be very different in 2007. Bill Parcells retired after the 2006 season and took his conservative defense with him. Wade Phillips was hired to coach the Cowboys in 2007. He'll keep the 3-4 scheme but bring with him a more aggressive style that made stars of Bruce Smith, Bryce Paup, Shawne Merriman and many others. The personnel will remain the same for the most part, with only FS Ken Hamlin and possibly rookie OLB Anthony Spencer getting significant snaps over last year's talent. In the Phillips scheme, however, Demarcus Ware and the rest of the front seven will get many more blitz opportunities and Roy Williams will likely be put into a position to make more big plays. If the front seven can wreak some havoc in the offensive backfield, the counting stats and scoring defense could follow. The 2007 Cowboy defense may not become the fantasy equivalent of the 2006 Chargers but it's safe to assume solid improvement for the coming season, making the Cowboys a solid DEF2 with significant upside.

Defensive Line

Starters: DE Marcus Spears, NT Jason Ferguson, DE Chris Canty
Backups: DE Jason Hatcher, DE Jay Ratliff, DE Stephen Bowen

Starting DL: The Dallas defensive line will be much more aggressive this year under new head coach Wade Phillips. Ends Marcus Spears and Chris Canty will be asked to get upfield rather than hold their ground and occupy blockers as they did in Bill Parcells' version of the 3-4 front. That could be big news for Marcus Spears, who seemed to regress in 2006 as a run stuffer. The more aggressive philosophy should suit his athleticism and may also give him an opportunity to be more successful rushing the passer. The change in philosophy is unlikely to drastically improve the effectiveness of Canty, though, who doesn't have the first step explosiveness that Spears can provide. Canty should continue to be solid in run support. Jason Ferguson continued to over-achieve as the NT in Parcells defense in 2006. He won't provide much in pass rush, but will help to keep the ILBs clean to make plays in run support.

Backup DL: Jason Hatcher showed flashes of the talent that helped him to make the Cowboy roster as an undrafted college free agent in 2006. Hatcher had 2.5 sacks as a rotational player and also played well against the run. He has excellent size and strength and could handle an every down end position. He will likely see more time in rotation this year. Jay Ratliff will also fit well in Phillips' aggressive scheme. Ratliff had 3.5 sacks in limited time last season and has a very good first step and initial burst for a player of his size. Stephen Bowen will struggle to crack the end rotation and will likely be a practice squad player again in 2007.

Linebackers

Starters: ROLB Demarcus Ware, LILB Bradie James, RILB Akin Ayodele, LOLB Anthony Spencer
Backups: OLB Greg Ellis, ILB/OLB Bobby Carpenter, ILB/OLB Kevin Burnett

Starting LBs: Demarcus Ware continues to improve as an all-around linebacker. Already adept at shedding blocks, Ware finished many more plays in run defense last season. Ware was also more comfortable in coverage, with one interception and six passes defended. Even with those improvements, Ware is clearly at his best when rushing the passer. Wade Phillips will use Ware as he used Shawne Merriman in San Diego and Ware will get plenty of opportunity to better his 12 sack output from 2006. Greg Ellis blossomed into a capable all-around OLB last year but continues to struggle to recover from an Achilles injury suffered last year. His delay in returning has opened the door for rookie Anthony Spencer, who will assume the starting role. Spencer was a defensive end at Purdue but will be asked to transition to an outside LB role in the Cowboy 3-4. He will have to learn some coverage skills to become an all-around player but should grow into a nice complement to Demarcus Ware. Bradie James and Akin Ayodele were a big part of the Cowboys' defensive struggles during the second half of 2006. Both struggled in run support and neither was stellar in coverage. The coaches see James as a run defender only right now and Ayodele may not play in the nickel package either.

Backup LBs: Bobby Carpenter and Kevin Burnett were both disappointing to the previous coaching staff. Carpenter made significant strides by the end of his rookie year, however, and began to make a contribution during the Cowboys' push to the playoffs. Both Carpenter and Burnett were getting snaps inside and outside during the post-draft mini-camps and should provide very good depth and support in the nickel defense. Carpenter could push for a good chunk of time in the base defense if Bradie James and Akin Ayodele continue to struggle as starters. Oliver Hoyte will provide deep depth at ILB. He'll need to play well on special teams to keep a roster spot, though, given the versatility of the other reserve backers.

Defensive Backs

Starters: CB Terence Newman, CB Anthony Henry, SS Roy Williams, FS Ken Hamlin
Backups: CB Jacques Reeves, CB Nate Jones, S Keith Davis, S Pat Watkins

Starting DBs: Cornerback Terence Newman continues to be one of the most consistent players in coverage in the league. Opposing quarterbacks have routinely targeted teammate Anthony Henry rather than challenge Newman over the past two seasons. Newman excels in press coverage and will come up and support the run. The Cowboys considered moving Anthony Henry to safety this offseason until electing to sign former Seahawk Ken Hamlin instead. Henry has good ball skills, but can be beaten regularly in man coverage. Hamlin may not be the answer the Cowboys are looking for in deep coverage. He struggled in 2006, taking poor angles and false steps and giving up a number of big plays. Hamlin was a much better in coverage in 2004 and has the talent to be an above average all-around FS if the new coaching staff can bring back the more disciplined Hamlin. If Hamlin improves, the Cowboys will be able to bring Roy Williams into the box as an extra run defender and pass rusher in the nickel defense. He could again become an impact defender if the Cowboys are able to use his strengths rather than force him back in deep coverage again in 2007.

Backup DBs: Depth in the secondary will be an issue. Safeties Keith Davis and Pat Watkins have both had opportunities to establish themselves as the starting FS and failed to impress. Davis is much better in run support than coverage. Watkins held promise as the deep cover safety of the future as a rookie in 2006 only to lose confidence in coverage and struggle with his tackling. He'll drop into a reserve role with the signing of Ken Hamlin. Jacques Reeves and Nate Jones are unproven options behind the Cowboys starting CB tandem.

Last modified: 2007-09-03 08:15:23