Cowboys 2015 Preview: Complete Dallas Guide for Preseason, Season
With training camp in its early stages, we can finally look to actual football being played in the preseason and regular season. The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a stellar 2014 campaign in which they went 12-4 and won a playoff game.
The Cowboys are hoping to improve upon that stellar season and get to the ever-elusive Super Bowl. To get there, the Cowboys will have to improve on defense and make sure their key stars remain healthy.
If those two things happen, the Cowboys have the personnel and coaching to not only get to the Super Bowl but to also win it.
The offense looks to be among the league's best again, with Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and football's best offensive line.
The defense should be improved with Sean Lee's return and the acquisition of players such as Greg Hardy, Randy Gregory and Byron Jones.
With that in mind, let's preview the Cowboys 2015 season with a look back to the offseason, a look at what to watch for in the preseason, a look at a 53-man roster project and a look forward at how the regular season may play out.
Key Additions
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Greg Hardy
The biggest name the Cowboys brought in was the troubled pass-rusher Greg Hardy. Whether you think he is a good person or not, you can't argue with the fact that he is a fantastic defensive end and one of the NFL's best pass-rushers.
He can win with speed, or he can win with power. Furthermore, Hardy is one of the hardest workers in football, as he never takes a practice rep or play off.
The Hardy acquisition won't only help the Cowboys defense, but it will also be a huge help to the offense. Last year, the Cowboys didn't have anyone who could give Tyron Smith a good look during practice or training camp, which may have led to Smith's slow start to last season. However, this year, he will be locking horns with Hardy during every practice, which will get both ready for the 2015 regular season.
Once Hardy returns from his suspension, the Cowboys will have a potent pass rush that will definitely have positive effects throughout the defense.
Among the running backs on the roster, Darren McFadden is the most well-rounded of the bunch. He isn't a great zone runner, which may prove to be a problem as the year progresses, but he is a great receiver out of the backfield, and he is one of the best NFL running backs in pass protection.
McFadden's injury history has to be scary, but his perfect role has to be as the guy who gives the starter a breather from time to time. McFadden will likely be utilized heavily in pass situations as he can be trusted to protect Tony Romo.
Also, McFadden will be a good player to come in and get eight to 10 carries a game. McFadden isn't the lone answer to the running back question, but he will be a vital cog coming out of the Cowboys backfield this year.
The Rookies
Byron Jones is a jack-of-all-trades defensive back who will get a lot of playing time at numerous positions along the Cowboys defense. He is just too good to keep off the field for significant stretches of time. Jones has big-time potential, and he seems like the type of player that will realize every single bit of it.
Randy Gregory will be the pass-rush specialist along the Cowboys defensive line this year. He may not have the bulk to hold up against the run on a consistent basis, but he can get after the passer as good as any of the league's young defensive ends. Gregory wins with his speed and heavy hands. Expect Gregory to make a huge impact coming off the edge for the Cowboys.
La'el Collins has a shot to win the left guard starting position, but it won't be easy. Collins is a dominant run defender, who is also very good in pass protection. He will have to adjust to how quick things happen on the inside, but once he does, the Cowboys offensive line could be even better than it was in 2014.
Damien Wilson is the last rookie who figures to make a big impact in 2015. While he likely won't get a ton of playing time on defense, barring injury, he should be a vital member of the Cowboys special teams.
Key Subtractions
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Everyone has heard about the fact that the Cowboys and DeMarco Murray parted ways this offseason. Murray was the NFL leader in rushing last year, and the Cowboys didn't allocate significant resources to replace him this offseason.
While Murray will definitely be missed in some respects, his departure will not be as big of a loss as some may believe. The Cowboys have the best offensive line in football, which will give the Cowboys staple of running backs great opportunities to make plays.
Also, Joseph Randle may be a more natural zone running back than Murray even was last year. Randle is a much more fluid athlete at this point who can make the most of those outside zone plays the Cowboys love to run.
Dwayne Harris
Most people underestimate how important Dwayne Harris was to this Cowboys squad the last few years. He played on every single special teams, and he was the best blocker among the Cowboys receivers.
Harris was able to secure the edge in the running game, and he was one of the NFL's best return men. The Cowboys don't have a single player who can replace Harris, which means that they will need multiple players to replace the myriad of roles Harris manned throughout his time in Dallas.
What to Watch for in Preseason
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Randy Gregory's Development
Randy Gregory has all the talent in the world. He was blessed with an incredible first step, fantastic flexibility and incredibly heavy hands for his size; however, it will be up to him to realize it.
Gregory will likely get a ton of work throughout the preseason, as the Cowboys get him ready for his rookie year. If he can show that his pass-rush ability has translated well from college to the NFL, it will give the Cowboys a ton of flexibility on defense throughout this season.
It could allow them to move Greg Hardy inside, creating a defensive line with Gregory, Hardy, Tyrone Crawford and DeMarcus Lawrence, which should strike fear in opposing quarterbacks' hearts.
Make sure you keep an eye on Gregory's ability to play the run in the preseason as well. The thought is that Gregory will only be a pass-rush specialist in 2015, but if he shows he can hold his own on the edge, you may see his role expand as the season progresses.
Morris Claiborne
Morris Claiborne has been a huge disappointment since he was drafted at No. 6 overall in the 2012 NFL draft. Physically and athletically, Claiborne has everything you want in a cornerback. He can play physical, and he can run with any receiver he is asked to cover.
However, Claiborne struggles to remain confident when things aren't going his way, which results in him making technical mistakes that allow opposing offenses to take advantage. Cornerbacks have to have a short memory if they want to be successful in the NFL, and that is something Claiborne needs to develop.
Preseason will be Claiborne's opportunity to gain his confidence and show that he can be the player the Cowboys hoped he would be when they drafted him in 2012.
The Running Backs
Because there is no tackling in training camp, the preseason will be the first real look the Cowboys coaching staff have at their stable of running backs this year.
Joseph Randle will have to show that he was more than just a good change-of-pace running back last year and that he can carry the load for the Cowboys offense.
Darren McFadden needs to prove that he can be healthy and push Randle for the starting job this year. If he can show that he can fit in the Cowboys' zone scheme, he could beat out Randle because of the fact that he is more trustworthy as a pass protector.
Lance Dunbar might not win the starting job, but the preseason should be a preview to how the Cowboys plan on using him in 2015.
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Opening-Day 53-Man Roster Projection
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Quarterback (3): Tony Romo, Brandon Weeden, Dustin Vaughan
Running Back (3): Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar
Wide Receiver (5): Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley, Devin Street, Lucky Whitehead
Tight End (4): Jason Witten, Gavin Escobar, James Hanna, Geoff Swaim
Offensive Line (9): Tyron Smith, Ronald Leary, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, Doug Free, La'el Collins, Mackenzy Bernadeau, Chaz Green, Darrion Weems
Defensive Line (10): DeMarcus Lawrence, Tyrone Crawford, Terrell McClain, Jeremy Mincey, Randy Gregory, Nick Hayden, Jack Crawford, Ken Bishop, Davon Coleman, Ryan Russell
Linebacker (6): Sean Lee, Anthony Hitchens, Kyle Wilber, Andrew Gachkar, Jasper Brinkley, Damien Wilson
Cornerback (6): Brandon Carr, Orlando Scandrick, Morris Claiborne, Byron Jones, Tyler Patmon, Corey White
Safety (4): Barry Church, J.J. Wilcox, Jeff Heath, Danny McCray
Special Teams (3): Dan Bailey, Chris Jones, L.P. Ladouceur
*Greg Hardy and Rolando McClain will be suspended to start the season, but they will be on the 53-man roster once their suspensions are up.
The Cowboys not carrying a fullback and Ben Gardner not making the 53-man roster are the biggest surprises. Geoff Swaim may prove to be too valuable to put on the practice squad, with his athleticism and ability to block, which could make the Cowboys feel comfortable without a fullback. Gardner is a solid player, but his inability to provide a consistent pass rush may be the reason he doesn't make the final roster.
Regular-Season Record Prediction
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Schedule
Week 1: New York Giants (Sept. 13, 8:30 p.m. EDT, NBC)
Prediction: Cowboys 31, Giants 17 (Win)
Week 2: at Philadelphia Eagles (Sept. 20, 4:25 p.m. EDT, FOX)
Prediction: Cowboys 24, Eagles 27 (Loss)
Week 3: Atlanta Falcons (Sept. 27, 1 p.m. EDT, FOX)
Prediction: Cowboys 42, Falcons 24 (Win)
Week 4: at New Orleans Saints (Oct 4, 8:30 p.m. EDT, NBC)
Prediction: Cowboys 34, Saints 28 (Win)
Week 5: New England Patriots (Oct.11, 4:25 p.m. EDT, CBS)
Prediction: Cowboys 21, Patriots 24 (Loss)
Week 6: BYE (Oct. 17)
Week 7: at New York Giants (Oct. 25, 4:25 p.m. EDT, Fox)
Prediction: Cowboys 17, Giants, 13 (Win)
Week 8: Seattle Seahawks (Nov. 1, 4:25 p.m. EST, Fox)
Prediction: Cowboys 14, Seahawks 17 (Loss)
Week 9: Philadelphia Eagles (Nov. 8, 8:30 p.m. EST, NBC)
Prediction: Cowboys 28, Eagles 21 (Win)
Week 10: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Nov. 15, 1 p.m. EST, Fox)
Prediction: Cowboys 31, Buccaneers 13 (Win)
Week 11: at Miami Dolphins (Nov. 22, 1 p.m. EST, Fox)
Prediction: Cowboys 24, Dolphins 21 (Win)
Week 12: Carolina Panthers (Nov. 26, 4:30 p.m. EST, CBS)
Prediction: Cowboys 27, Panthers 20 (Win)
Week 13: at Washington Redskins (Dec 7, 8:30 p.m. EST, ESPN)
Prediction: Cowboys 24, Redskins 21 (Win)
Week 14: at Green Bay Packers (Dec. 13, 4:25 p.m. EST, Fox)
Prediction: Cowboys 31, Packers 27 (Win)
Week 15: New York Jets (Dec. 19, 8:25 p.m. EST, NFLN)
Prediction: Cowboys 21, Jets 7 (Win)
Week 16: at Buffalo Bills (Dec. 27, 1 p.m. EST, Fox)
Prediction: Cowboys 13, Bills 6 (Win)
Week 17: Washington Redskins (Jan 3, 1 p.m. EST, Fox)
Prediction: Cowboys 17, Redskins 21 (Loss)
Record
12-4 (NFC East Division Winners)
Reaction
In the scenario, the Cowboys get out of their tough early-season schedule and make a big run after their bye week. This would set the Cowboys up extremely well heading into the postseason, giving them a great opportunity to make a Super Bowl run.
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