2013 NFL Preview: Dallas Cowboys

Added on Aug 12, 2013 by Scott in

NFL

The scapegoat for the Cowboys’ 2012 faceplant was defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. His vaunted 3-4 alignment finished 16th and 24th respectively in two seasons, which wasn’t what Jerry Jones had in mind when he pegged Ryan to be the savior for a declining unit. Of course Tony Romo’s crunch time failures, DeMarco Murray’s frequent trips to the injury report, and a leaky offensive line didn’t cost Jason Garrett his job, but it will this season if (when) Dallas misses the playoffs.

Dallas Cowboys – For better or worse, Romo was rewarded with a hefty 6-year, $108 million extension in March. Some fans scoffed, but it’s not as if the ‘Boys were going to find anyone better than Romo in free agency or the draft. From a statistical standpoint, he’s a Top 10 quarterback. From a mental toughness standpoint, he’s in need of a lobotomy. How he performs under pressure will determine the fate of Garrett and the franchise’s championship aspirations. Such is life for “America’s Team.”

Player in the spotlight: DeMarco Murray – Romo isn’t the only offensive weapon being heavily scrutinized. Murray has sat nine games in two years due to various ailments, placing him in the select and very unreliable company of Darren McFadden and Ryan Mathews. When Murray carries the ball 20-plus times, the Cowboys are 8-0. Keeping him in the lineup is critical because he lessens the chances of Romo coughing away victories. Making matters worse, there is a lack of quality depth behind him.

Trouble spot: Offensive line – Right tackle Doug Free is horrible, and yet nothing was done to upgrade the position. Rookie center Travis Frederick may end up being a keeper, but Jones still reached for him in April’s draft. There is no answer at left guard after Brandon Moore retired last week. For the Cowboys offense to be explosive, Romo must be protected, and rush lanes have to be opened up for Murray and the other backs.

Fearless forecast – On paper, the defense could be a strength rather than a hindrance. If Monte Kiffin can channel even half of the magic he had in Tampa, Dallas could be in line for a division title. Jason Witten is still a stud and Dez Bryant is an inch away from entering the elite. That said, a challenging schedule and Garrett’s lame duck status translates to 9-7.