Heading into 2014 things looked bleak for the Dallas Cowboys, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The team lost two of its franchise pillars — DE/LB DeMarcus Ware and DT Jason Hatcher — to free agency. To make matters worse, star middle linebacker Sean Lee was lost before the season ever got started due to a knee injury suffered during the late May OTAs.
Despite the criticism and adversity Dallas faced during that preseason two years ago, the Cowboys went 12-4, sweeping NFC East Division rival New York Giants. They split with the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins — also in the division — and won the NFC East title as well as one playoff game.
Many feel that with the additions of some of their 2016 draft picks, such as running back Ezekiel Elliot, defensive tackle Maliek Collins and defensive end Charles Tapper; the team could be right in the hunt to contend for another division trophy this season.
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has a lot of fire power at his disposal which will help in 2016. The beefing up of the running back corps and having a healthy wide receiver in Dez Bryant could mean major success offensively for Dallas.
However, defensively they do not look as stout as they were in years passed once again. With defensive ends Demarcus Lawence and Randy Gregory both serving four game suspensions for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, the unit will be very thin in the talent department — at least early in the season.
Many thought the defense would be putrid in 2014 after ranking last in the league in 2013 but the defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli-led defense exceeded expectations. The Cowboys defense had 28 sacks, 15 fumble recoveries and 18 interceptions that season.
The Cowboys having a team with an offensive line considered by many to be one of the best in football plus the amount of weapons on the outside complemented by the new horses in the backfield brings a sense of déjà vu to this 2016 season. Unfortunately though, there are big questions lingering about the pass rush and mediocre secondary.
Should the Dallas Cowboys be considered the favorite to win the NFC East?
Many who think they should are overlooking a key point that has nothing to do with the team’s roster while still having a major effect on them winning another title.
The landscape of the NFC East has changed drastically with the increasing potency of the offenses of all four teams. This is something that the Cowboys had in 2014 and they made a habit of getting leads on their opponents (early leads put a load of pressure on the opposition’s offense).
Back in 2014, then-Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray was averaging 4.7 yards per carry. He led the league in rushing and set the franchise single-season rushing record with 1,845 yards. This ability was a contributing factor in putting the Cowboys defense in a favorable position because the scoreboard made opposing teams one dimensional… especially when they were up against the clock.
Murray is now in Philadelphia which means that drafting the aforementioned Elliott — as well as signing free agent running back Alfred Morris — now gives the Cowboys a potentially dynamic backfield. But it doesn’t guarantee that they will have the same effective running game as in 2014. Even though these two RBs allow for more favorable match-ups for Bryant, teams will stack for the run and force the ball elsewhere. But this will also open up the field for other pass-catchers like tight end Jason Witten and wide outs Cole Beasley, Terrance Williams and Brice Butler.
Unfortunately Witten is facing the ticking clock of Father Time. Even his 104 receptions last season only mustered 713 yards. Beasley, Williams and Butler haven’t proved anything more than just being great slot guys that can create some mismatches by design.
What is truly missing is that complement to Bryant in a No. 2 guy that can force teams to play a true man to man defense.
All of that said, the biggest elephants in the room are the Cowboys’ division rivals as well as the team’s season schedule which will put them up against some tough defenses.
For instance, the defending 2015 NFC East champion Washington Redskins’ defense got better with the addition of 2016 draftees Su’a Cravens (LB/S hybrid) and CB Kendall Fuller. As well the return of pass-rusher Junior Galette from Injured Reserve and the free agent signing Josh Norman will make Washington’s defense more than capable of slowing down the run and generating a decent pass rush.
It’s very difficult to outscore any opponent in today’s NFL. As the season grinds on teams begin to figure out how to slow each other down as they study tape and learn tendencies. Defense is a key component to winning championships and, once again, is something that has been neglected in Dallas.
The fact is that in this league a team must be able to handle all types of game situations. The Cowboys are missing some intricate pieces on the defense that will allow them to apply pressure without sacrificing the integrity of their secondary.
Having a solid defensive rotation that can keep guys fresh without compromising talent and ability is imperative and that is a question mark right now in Dallas.