Sorry that it has been a while. I've been busy and was going to do this two nights ago, but then I realized that Brett Favre got traded to the Jets there was no way in hell that this would get more than five reads.
Now I don't think that this is going to get finished by the start of the regular season. But who knows, if I get them out one a day, they can still get there.
Anyway, the Cowboys were favorites to go to the Super Bowl last season, and they still retain many of the same pieces that they had at this time last year.
So how are they going to respond to losing to the Giants in a big playoff upset?
Key Additions/Subtractions
Zach Thomas—From the Dolphins
Julius Jones—To the Seahawks
Key Games
Sept. 15 vs. Eagles—The Eagles and Cowboys hate each other, so this should be a good, hard-fought game with both teams going all out.
Sept. 21 vs. Packers—If Aaron Rodgers plays as well as he did last season against the Cowboys, this is going to be a good game.
Nov. 2 vs. Giants—This will be the first time the Giants and Cowboys play each other since the Giants' upset the 'Boys in the playoffs last season. Expect the Cowboys to be out for revenge.
Dec. 7 at Steelers—The only game against an AFC contender, the Cowboys can gauge their abilities against the stronger conference.
Season Outlook
The Cowboys look good this season, but there are two major questions that could be the downfall for this team.
The first big question is whether Marion Barber can carry the load for a full season instead of just in a role where he shared time with Jones.
The second question is how is Patrick Crayton going to step into Terry Glenn's role?
How these two questions are answered could decide how the season goes, because if one doesn't work out well, then the entire offense will suffer.
If Barber isn't ready for the full season, then teams will be able to sit back in coverage and make sure that Romo has nobody to pass to.
If Crayton doesn't pan out and can't stand the pressure at the second wide receiver spot, then the defense will be able to double-cover Terrell Owens and contain Barber.
However, Barber looks more like he is going to be strong than not, so the biggest question is Crayton.
If Crayton pans out, then the Cowboys have a scary good offense.
As always, the Cowboys have a good secondary, and the addition of Zach Thomas is going to help an already strong linebacker group.
My Prediction
I see the Cowboys being the team to beat in the NFC again. 12-4 or 13-3 are not out of the realm of possibility for this team.
I'm Joe W.
Joe also writes for TheDailyCub.com, a Chicago Cubs blog, and Hoops4Life.com, a basketball fan's site.
10 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
The Landry Hat .com 11 months ago
Missed a huge key addition, bud: ADAM JONES!
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Joe Willett 11 months ago
Jones hasn't played in a over a year so you don't know what you are getting from him at that point. Thomas is older but is more likely to come in and perform.
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Silver Fox 11 months ago
The Cowboys are the most talented team in the NFC but Coach Wade Phillips may be just too laid back for the team to win in the playoffs.
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Joe Willett 11 months ago
I agree that Phillips may be a bit too laid back for his team, but I still have to put the Cowboys as favorites for the NFC.
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The Landry Hat .com 11 months ago
Joe, just because Adam Jones hasn't played in a year doesn't mean he isn't a key addition for the Cowboys. He is. You know it. You forgot about it.
He was one of the most-feared dbacks in the game. You just don't lose that talent, and according to blogs, newspapers and even Hard Knocks, he looks pretty damn good. Even Terrell Owens said he is very good.
He was by far the top addition to the Cowboys because the secondary was a big problem for us last year.
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Joe Willett 11 months ago
You really don't know what you are going to get with Jones, you know exactly what you get with Thomas. A guy who is slighly aging but is still decent. Was is the key word, we have no idea if he still is.
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Joe Willett 11 months ago
Also, how would I forget the Pacman?
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michael szego 11 months ago
what about the rumors of the Cowboys,exploring a trade for Steve Smith ?
If the Cowboys don't make the SuperBowl,it'll be because they waited too long to hand the team over to Jason Garrett.
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russ autin 11 months ago
well i guess when it comes to pacman ,newpapers, blogs , hard knocks , and T O are wrong ,oh. , it was just preseason right ,this one don't count.right ,stick that in your landry hat
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Jerry Desaulniers 10 months ago
Joe you forgot their first key game againt a team with a lot of teamwork, the Cleveland Browns! They have to beat the Browns and the Browns are not just going to give them the game. In my humble and biased opinion the Cowboys toughest enemy this year is themselves. They have tons of talent but they have a lot of personalities. I can see a sharp reporter getting one of the Boys to say way too much in a post game interview, and boom! They will be at each others throat. I would list this as even money odds of happening! The CBoys have enough talent for the Super Bowl but they have to keep from beating themselves first. Thanks for the article Joe!
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