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Scouts Inc -Dallas Should win the East...
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Topic Started: Jun 9 2006, 09:42 PM (126 Views)
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KOCUR
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Jun 9 2006, 09:42 PM
Post #1
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www.espn.com
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Cowboys had offseason priorities in order
By Jeremy Green Scouts Inc. Archive
If there is one thing we have learned about Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and head coach Bill Parcells, it is that they don't believe in mediocrity. It won't be tolerated and, when it occurs, drastic measures will be taken.
That is why it wasn't surprising to see Dallas come out firing during the 2006 offseason. The 2005 season was a bitter pill for both Jones and Parcells to swallow. After starting 7-3, the Cowboys went 2-4 down the stretch and missed the playoffs.
Yes, we knew drastic measures would be taken. How drastic? You can't get much more drastic than adding moody superstar wide receiver Terrell Owens. Isn't this the same man who desecrated the famed star at midfield, not once but twice in a game back in 2000? Isn't this the same man Cowboys fans love to hate?
Well, that is why Jones is one of the best owners in the NFL. He doesn't get caught up in the past. He is all about winning, and maybe a little about the bottom line as I am sure those No. 81 Owens jerseys are flying out of the stores at a pretty rapid rate.
Only time will tell whether this is a good move, but like him or not, Owens makes plays on Sunday. He plays hard, and gives everything he has when he steps between the lines. That is something some members of this Dallas team can't say.
Although Owens is a major piece of the puzzle in Dallas, there were other things the team accomplished this offseason. Let's check in on the Cowboys and see what else they have done to try to get back to the playoffs.
Starting up front
The first order of business for the Cowboys was solidifying the offensive line. They added free agent Jason Fabini, who will compete with 2005 sixth-round pick Rob Petitti for the starting right tackle spot. Petitti struggled in his rookie season and was a big part of Dallas' pass protection problems. If Fabini is healthy, he should be able to hold off Petitti. The loss of left tackle Flozell Adams to a knee injury last season started the Cowboys' downfall in terms of the line's overall play. Adams will return at 100 percent this year, which will give the team better depth at tackle than it had last season.
The interior of the offensive line should be in much better shape, too, as the team added Kyle Kosier to compete for the starting left guard spot with Andre Gurode. The guy who doesn't win this battle will swing as the backup at both guard spots.
Even though they did not go out and get any big-name players, the Cowboys definitely improved the offensive line. Dallas had a solid group last season, but when injuries started piling up, the team ran into trouble. Now with more depth, the Cowboys will be able to weather the storm should injuries start piling up again.
How much does Drew have left?
Veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe turned 34 this offseason. There were times last season when he looked like a 27-year-old gunslinger and other instances when he definitely looked his age.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images The Cowboys have taken steps to make sure Drew Bledsoe is better protected in 2006.
The bottom line is this: Bledsoe still can play when he gets protection up front. He showed time and time again last season that when his offensive line performed, he could pick a defense apart. When the offensive line got whipped, he was basically a shell of himself.
Bledsoe's success and failures can be tied directly to how well the offensive line performs. I think with the upgrades and the added depth, this is a unit that should be able to give him enough time on most weekends to be effective.
The other factor you have to consider when talking about Bledsoe is how well he can deal with Owens. Being dressed down on the sidelines is nothing new for Bledsoe (roll the Keyshawn Johnson footage here), but I would have to give Owens the nod when it comes to getting under the skin of his own starting QB.
Bledsoe is a veteran, so you would think he could handle Owens, but this is also something I thought Donovan McNabb could deal with in Philadelphia. Owens' constant bashing of McNabb definitely took a toll. If Bledsoe is going to lead this team to the NFC East title, he will need to develop thicker skin than he ever imagined.
Getting stronger on D
Dallas finished the 2005 regular season 10th in total defense (11th against the pass and 15th versus the run). Although they would like those numbers to improve, the Cowboys were pretty consistent for the majority of the season. That did not stop them from going out and getting even better. If there is one thing Parcells knows about defense, it is coaching the 3-4 defense and finding players who fit what he wants to accomplish in that scheme.
Despite already having a linebacking group that is solid and deep, the Cowboys signed Akin Ayodele (Jacksonville) to give them a little more toughness and strength in run support. Ayodele is also a player who can blitz and get pressure, so this should open up the "zone dog" package for defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
Not surprisingly, the team also added a defensive player with its first-round pick. In Ohio State's Bobby Carpenter, the Cowboys got an outside linebacker who is tough, plays hard and can get pressure on the QB.
These defensive additions to go along with 2005 additions DeMarcus Ware, Marcus Spears and Chris Canty give Dallas the best front seven in the NFC East.
When you look at the way the NFL is built, there are many more good offensive teams than defensive teams. Scoring points in the NFL is nothing new, and everyone in the NFC East can score points.
The deciding factor will be who can stop people. When you look at Dallas' front seven right now, this is a unit that should definitely be a top-10 defense versus the run as well as the pass because of its ability to get consistent pressure on opposing QBs.
The outlook
The Cowboys appear to be a lot tougher both mentally and physically than they were a season ago. That is something they needed to accomplish this offseason, to eliminate the sour taste that resulted from their late-season fade in 2005. This is a recipe that should bring an NFC East crown to the Cowboys come January. Jeremy Green is director of pro scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been an NFL scout for 11 years, including two as director of pro personnel for the
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NYJ EcKo151
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Jun 9 2006, 11:21 PM
Post #2
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And the Colts were supposed to win the SB...
Bro, if you need "experts" to make you feel good about your team...That's pretty sad.
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My name is ET
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Jun 10 2006, 12:33 AM
Post #3
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Jason Fabini? BEYOND done. I hope that wasnt your big signing (course ya got TO....)
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KOCUR
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Jun 10 2006, 02:41 PM
Post #4
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- NYJ EcKo151
- Jun 9 2006, 11:21 PM
And the Colts were supposed to win the SB...
Bro, if you need "experts" to make you feel good about your team...That's pretty sad.
Asswipe - I know more about your team than you do -no scout makes me feel one way or another....
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KOCUR
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Jun 10 2006, 02:42 PM
Post #5
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- My name is ET
- Jun 10 2006, 12:33 AM
Jason Fabini? BEYOND done. I hope that wasnt your big signing (course ya got TO....)
Fabini is an excellent depth Signing and Gives the raw Rob Pettiti a good player to learn from.
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NYJ EcKo151
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Jun 17 2006, 01:01 PM
Post #6
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Impact Player
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- KOCUR
- Jun 10 2006, 02:41 PM
- NYJ EcKo151
- Jun 9 2006, 11:21 PM
And the Colts were supposed to win the SB...
Bro, if you need "experts" to make you feel good about your team...That's pretty sad.
Asswipe - I know more about your team than you do -no scout makes me feel one way or another....
I'm sure you do. You're so full of sh*t and talk on this board, that's it.
So why post an article? How about post another where someone picks the Redskins or Giants to win the division...
Thought so.
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Gibril28
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Jun 21 2006, 12:28 PM
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Dallas will finish last in the division
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Kristi
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Jun 26 2006, 12:17 AM
Post #8
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The all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world.
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- Gibril28
- Jun 21 2006, 09:28 AM
Dallas will finish last in the division
Mo-ron
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timotime
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Jun 26 2006, 12:29 AM
Post #9
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Has this scouts inc site been right once all off-season?
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