The Key To A Quick Start For The Dallas Cowboys

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Dallas Cowboys report to training camp in San Antonio, Texas today, with practice starting tomorrow.

Now that all the offseason chatter about Terrell Owens' departure and Tony and Jessica splitting up is behind us, it is time to look at what it will take to get the Dallas Cowboys back on top of the NFC East and ready to make a legitimate run at the Super Bowl.

The NFC East is once again the toughest division in the conference, if not the entire NFL.

While every year people talk about how the Cowboys play in December and January, it is imperative the Cowboys get off to a quick start in 2009.

2008 was a disappointment, and the team needs to prove they are more like the 13-3 team of 2007 than the 9-7 lackluster team of a year ago.

It is crucial that Tony Romo and the offense gel quickly and put some points on the board, but the determining factor on whether or not the Cowboys will be a force this year comes down whether or not the front seven can stop the run.

In 2008 the Cowboys defense ranked 12th in the NFL against the rush, giving up an average of 106.6 yards a game, and 4.2 yards per rushing attempt.

Nightmares of last season’s Week 16 loss to Baltimore continue to haunt Cowboys fans.

The defense gave up 265 yards rushing that day, which included two fourth quarter touchdown runs of 77 and 82 yards.

That performance was the nail in the Cowboys' coffin, and ended any real playoff hopes for 2008.

This season Dallas will start off facing six opponents that will rely heavily on their running game.

Game 1 @ Tampa Bay: The Bucs will be breaking in a new starting quarterback—probably Byron Leftwich—as well as a new offensive system under new offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski.

The Bucs will be more committed to the running game with the addition of Derrick Ward, who rushed for 1,025 yards with the Giants last season.

Last year the Bucs ranked 15th in the NFL in rushing, with 114.8 yards per game.

Game 2 vs. New York Giants: The Giants led the NFL in rushing in 2008 with 157.4 yards per game. In the two games vs. Dallas in ’08, they averaged 136.0 yards per game, and 5.3 yards per carry.

Brandon Jacobs, who missed the second game against Dallas last year, will return for the Giants this year.

Without a proven No. 1 receiver for Eli Manning to rely on, look for the Giants to continue to pound the ball, especially early in the season.

Game 3 vs. Carolina Panthers: The first Monday Night game in the new Cowboys Stadium does not get any easier for the Cowboys' run defense.

The Panthers were ranked third in the NFL in rushing last year, averaging over 152 yards per game. They bring back the one-two punch of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, and will try to overwhelm the Cowboys front seven.

Game 4 @ Denver: Although the Broncos were devastated by injuries at the running back position last year, and they had Jay Cutler at quarterback, they still ranked 12th in the league in rushing.

To put that in perspective, the Cowboys ranked 21st in the NFL in rushing offense in 2008.

This year, the Broncos have No. 1 draft choice, Knowshon Moreno, along with free agent pick-ups Correll Buckhalter and LaMont Jordan to lead their running game. Plus, they know have Kyle Orton playing quarterback. Believe me, the Broncos will want to establish the running game each and every week.

Game 5 @ Kansas City: Runningback Larry Johnson only played in 12 games for the Chiefs in 2008, but he still had 874 yards rushing, while the team ranked 16th in the league.

New QB Matt Cassel will have to go to battle with only one legitimate threat on the outside in WR Dwayne Bowe.

Look for Johnson to be called on early and often in the Chiefs' game plan.

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