Biggest Takeaways from the Dallas Cowboys' 2014 Season
The Dallas Cowboys' 2014 may not have ended the way fans would have liked, but you can't take away from what they accomplished this season.
The 2014 season was supposed to be a one mired in mediocrity. Tony Romo was supposed to regress because of his back injury, the defense was supposed to be the worst in the league and Jason Garrett was supposed to be fired at season's end.
Instead, the Cowboys went 13-5 and were arguably one questionable call away from making it to the NFC Championship Game. Tony Romo had one of the best years of his career, as he was a legitimate MVP candidate, the defense was actually above average and Jason Garrett just signed a five-year, $30 million contract extension, per ESPN Dallas' Todd Archer.
The Cowboys exceeded everyone's expectations and they should be commended for that.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the top takeaways from the Cowboys' 2014 campaign.
Rod Marinelli May Be a Wizard
1 of 5
The Cowboys had the worst defense in the NFL last season and lost arguably their three best players—DeMarcus Ware, Jason Hatcher and Sean Lee—for various reasons coming into this season.
Despite those seemingly insurmountable odds, defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli turned the defense into an above-average unit.
He got players like Jeremy Mincey, Sterling Moore, Rolando McClain and Tyrone Crawford to play some of the best ball of their careers.
The Cowboys were hit hard with injuries, especially at linebacker, but Marinelli just got the next man up ready and the Cowboys defense never missed a beat.
Marinelli's incredible work made him a top priority to bring back once the season was over. Despite a report from Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio stating that Marinelli might be heading to Tampa Bay, he was re-signed by the Cowboys to a three-year deal, per ESPN Dallas' Todd Archer.
It can't be understated how important it was to bring Marinelli back. It allows the Cowboys to build on what they started this year and raise their level of play even higher next year.
Cowboys Need Pass-Rushers
2 of 5
The Cowboys defense was very good in many areas, but their ability to sack opposing quarterbacks was not one of them. The Cowboys were 28th in the NFL with 28 sacks, and they consistently had trouble generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Jeremy Mincey was a surprise, as he was one of the few players, along with Tyrone Crawford, who was able to generate any semblance of a pass rush throughout the year.
Demarcus Lawrence missed a big chunk of the year, but he was able to generate some pressure in the playoffs. He was able to showcase the violent hands that he was known for in college.
Outside of them and possibly Anthony Spencer, the Cowboys don't have many players who can get to the quarterback. Expect that to change as free agency and the draft approach.
If the Cowboys can get to the quarterback more often next season, their defense can turn from above average to very good.
Orlando Scandrick Is a Great Cornerback
3 of 5
While Brandon Carr and Sterling Moore had their struggles, Orlando Scandrick was one of the few players who consistently played well throughout this season.
Scandrick has always been a fantastic slot cornerback, but this year he really improved on the outside. He is a scheme-versatile cornerback who can get up and win in press-man coverage, but he can also play off and drop into zone coverage just as well.
Scandrick became a technician this season, as he was finally able to combine his considerable athletic ability with a sound backpedal and disciplined eyes.
He is one of the few cornerbacks who matches up well with the small and shifty wide receivers, which gives the Cowboys a huge advantage going against teams with those types of wide receivers.
He didn't allow a touchdown all year, which is a substantial feat considering the fact that he was targeted 85 times, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Scandrick has always been a good cornerback, but this was the year that he finally became great.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Zack Martin Is Not Your Average Rookie
4 of 5
A rookie isn't supposed to be the best player on a unit. He isn't supposed to be a Pro Bowler. He isn't supposed to make the All-Pro team. But that is exactly what Zack Martin did.
Martin did an incredible job throughout the year at the right guard spot for the Cowboys. He was the biggest reason the Cowboys offensive line elevated from good to elite this year, as he added a new dimension to the unit.
Martin was at his best in space, as he repeatedly made marvelous blocks as a puller and got out in front on screens. Martin has the unique ability to process information quickly and make great decisions in an instant.
He has efficient footwork to wall off defenders and good enough functional strength to create movement off the line of scrimmage. He allowed just one sack and two quarterback hits this season despite participating in 615 pass snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
Zack Martin is not only a great rookie, but he is also a great NFL player. The Cowboys will reap the rewards of selecting him for years to come.
Jason Garrett Is a Fantastic Head Coach
5 of 5
The guy who deserves the most credit for the Cowboys going 13-5 this season is head coach Jason Garrett. Going into this year, Garrett's tenure with the Cowboys had been mired in mediocrity. He had a cumulative record of 29-27 and the Cowboys didn't seem to be improving.
However, this year, Garrett's message appeared to finally click for the Cowboys players, as they finally played tough and physical football for the first time since Garrett became the head coach in 2010.
Despite average talent, Garrett made the Cowboys an elite football team. His time-management problems appear to be a thing of the past and he has shown the ability to develop players throughout the season.
The Cowboys are heading down the right path, and a great deal of that is due to the philosophy and ideology Garrett has instilled in this team.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
