Dallas Cowboys: Looking at Boom-or-Bust Players for 2012

For any team to be successful in any given year, they need boom-or-bust players to boom rather than bust. 

The Dallas Cowboys know exactly how that works. Few teams have featured as many players in that category in recent years. 

Here are some Cowboys who could either explode or implode in 2012.

DeMarco Murray

I realize that he boomed last year, but rookie running backs have shined before and faded just as quickly. Murray was electric for much of 2011, but he also struggled a bit near the end of the season and was once again hit by injury.

Can he stay healthy this year? If so, can he overcome defenses that will be better prepared for him this time? This is the year in which Murray either becomes a star or just another running back.

Boom or bust? I think he's an explosive enough player and good enough as a receiver to boom. He might not be the next Emmitt Smith, but he should be a Pro Bowl-type player in 2012. Again, it all comes down to how healthy he can stay.

Bruce Carter

Here's another second-year Cowboy who could have a breakout season in him. The difference with Carter is that he was a disappointment as a rookie. The 2011 second-round pick lost a large chunk of his first year due to a knee injury, but he wasn't very effective when he was able to get onto the field.

With that being said, Carter has had a solid offseason, and is likely to earn plenty of reps next to Sean Lee at inside linebacker. Considering the talent surrounding him, Carter could be in for a big year. By the same token, it wouldn't surprise anyone if he were on the sidelines by Week 4.

Boom or bust? I believe in Carter, who lost his entire first offseason and was never able to grip Rob Ryan's defense. I think he'll have a very successful second season, but might not truly arrive until 2013.

Barry Church

The aggressive, gritty safety has finally earned a starting spot, and he's looked great all summer. However, how will Church hold up with a different kind of pressure in his third year?

This is a guy who came out of nowhere and has climbed the ladder by way of hard work and focusing on the fundamentals. He could very easily become Dallas' next great undrafted player, or he could become just a one-hit wonder from the summer of 2012.

Boom or bust? Church has a higher ceiling than you'd expect for an undrafted safety. I think he's disciplined and versatile enough to up his game again in Year 3. I'm also thinking boom here.

Andre Holmes

Jerry Jones has a thing for Holmes, who has emerged as one of the top candidates to win the No. 3 receiver job. A lot of people think the 6-4, 220-pounder could be the next Miles Austin, but with Dez Bryant's frame. 

It wouldn't surprise me to see the versatile Holmes emerge as a starting-caliber wide receiver this year, but it also wouldn't be shocking if he were to fail to make an impact entirely. 

Boom or bust? I don't think he'll be a mega-bust, but I think the Cowboys believe Kevin Ogletree can be that guy. I also think they might prefer Cole Beasley as a safety-valve type. Holmes is talented, but I don't know if he's a unique enough talent to climb above guys like Bryant, Austin or even Ogletree.