If Dallas wants a Super 2008, Cowboy players must step up

As the clock read triple zeroes on the scoreboard at Texas Stadium following the Dallas Cowboys 21-17 loss to eventual Super Bowl Champion New York Giants most Dallas Cowboy fan’s couldn’t believe what just happened.

At the same time most wondered if the Cowboys would ever win a playoff game?

Expectations are again high for the Dallas Cowboys in 2008 after a 13-3 season in 2007 in which they won the NFC East, were the #1 seed in the playoffs, and had home-field advantage for those same playoffs. Even with all they accomplished last season they improved their roster even more along with the 13 Pro Bowlers they had last year. The Cowboys also overhauled their coaching staff mainly on the defensive side due to the defection of several coaches to Miamito be with former Cowboys assistant and new Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano and Executive Vice President Bill Parcells.

Offensively the Dallas Cowboys return everyone except for running back Julius Jones, tight end Anthony Fasano and wide receiver Terry Glenn. Tony Romo returns under center looking to silence all the critics and improve on his Pro Bowl season last year. Marion Barber is the starting running back and just recently signed a seven year contract to be the number one running back in Dallas. The question with Marion Barber is will he be able to carry the load at a high level for the whole season? To compliment Barber the Dallas Cowboys drafted Arkansas running back Felix Jones with the 22^ndpick and he will add a very enticing wrinkle to their offense. Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett will likely use Felix Jones not only as a change of pace back, but also by lining him in the slot and having him catch balls out of the backfield. The offensive line returns in tact and looking to improve even more from a unit that was very dominant at times last years. Left tackle Flozell Adams signed a six year extension in the offseason after another pro bowl season along with right guard Leonard Davis and center Andre Gurode who were also Pro Bowlers. Marc Colombo will anchor the right side of the offensive line, with the only question spot being with left guard Kyle Kosier, who would be the starter until suffering an injury that will have him out 2-3 weeks. The wide receivers and tight ends are led by Pro Bowlers Jason Witten and Terrell Owens. Tight end Jason Witten had the best year for a tight end in Dallas Cowboy history and will be backed up by third year player Tony Curtis and rookie Martellus Bennett from Texas A&M. T.O. will again lead the wide receiving corps that was very good when Owens was healthy, but sputtered after his late season ankle injury. Terrell Owens at age 34 signed a three year extension in the offseason and is showing little sign of slowing down, which is vital for the Dallas Cowboy’s success in 2008.Patrick Crayton is the number two receiver and Sam Hurd is the third receiver, but is hurt and will be out probably another two weeks. Miles Austin is the fourth receiver, but he suffered a knee injury and will be out the next 3-4 weeks, and Isaiah Stanback is the fifth receiver, but he is hurt as well with a shoulder injury that will linger throughout the season, and his effect is unknown. Second year kicker Nick Folk returns from his rookie Pro Bowl season and looks to pick up where he left off.

On defense the Dallas Cowboys return everyone except linebacker Akin Ayodele

from a unit that was greatly improved and finished the season ranked 9^th overall in the NFL. Since this will be the second year in the Wade Phillips 3-4 defense the Cowboys should be even better and need to be able to take over the game at critical moments during the game, for example right before the end of the first half of the playoff game against the New York Giants.

The defensive line returns defensive ends Marcus Spears and Chris Canty with Jay Ratliff as the starting nose tackle with backup Tank Johnson not too far behind. The starting linebackers on the outside are veteran Greg Ellis and Pro Bowler Demarcus Ware. The inside linebackers are captain Bradie James and the newly acquired veteran Zach Thomas. Many questions surround the health of Zach Thomas, but his signing could be a big pickup for a team that lacked veteran leadership the past three seasons. Kevin Burnett and Bobby Carpenter will factor in on the nickel packages along with second year linebacker Anthony Spencer. The secondary saw the most change with the departures of reserve corner backs Nate Jones and Jacque Reeves along with safety Keith Davis. However, they were replaced by controversial cornerback Adam Jones and f1st round draft pick Mike Jenkins from South Florida. Jones and Jenkins will be paired with Pro Bowler Terence Newman who signed a six year extension in the offseason, veteran cornerback Anthony Henry, safety Roy Williams, and Pro Bowler Ken Hamlin who signed a new contract as well. The question in the secondary is how will Roy Williams factor in? He still can’t cover anybody and rumors are that cornerback Anthony Henry will be moved to safety and Adam Jones will take over in his spot. Punter Mat McBriar also returns from another solid season punting the football.

The coaching staff saw quite a bit of change, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett after being offered the head coaching jobs with the Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens was given a big raise making him the highest paid offensive coordinator in the NFL and the associate head coach. Due to the departure of offensive line coach Tony Sparano to Miami, the Cowboys brought in one of their former offensive line coaches Hudson Houck who was here for most of the 1990’s.

On defense every coach except for defensive coordinator Brian Stewart left to be on the Miami Dolphins staff creating quite a challenge for owner and general manager Jerry Jones. The defensive line will be coached by former Houston Texan and Cleveland Brown defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. The linebackers will be coached by former Arkansas and short live Texas A&M defensive coordinator Reggie Herring. And last but not least the secondary will be coached by former Dallas Cowboy defensive coordinator and head coach Dave Campo. Brett Maxie was brought in as an assistant secondary coach after being on Bobby Petrino’s staff in Atlanta last season.

The offense looks like it won’t miss a beat and will likely be even better and more potent than last year’s unit that was the 2^nd best overall. The main questions with the offense are can Barber carry the load the whole season and can Terrell Owen’s stay healthy?

The defense should be improved and more aggressive; with their main issue being can they rise up when the game is on the line?

Special teams are one are that is overlooked, but must be improved if the Dallas Cowboys want to win a Super Bowl in 2008. Nick Folk and Mat McBriar did fine last year, but the Cowboy’s kickoff coverage was not good and hurt them in the field position game, and they got no return help on their punt returns. The Cowboys should be fine in regards to punt returns with the acquisitions of Adam Jones and Felix Jones, but the kickoffs will be pivotal to their success.

9/7       @ Cleveland                        Win

I’m not quite yet sold on Derek Anderson and the Cleveland Browns after their late season collapse last year. It won’t be cold so the Cowboys should win this one, but it may be close.

9/15    Philadelphia             Win

The Cowboys should be hungry for revenge after their lost to the Eagles in the infamous Jessica Simpson game last year. I think the Eagles will be improved this season, but it might take them a couple weeks to get on a roll.

9/21    @ Green Bay                       Win

Its looks like Brett Favre will not be in Green Bay and for that reason the Cowboys will prevail in Green Bay. Dallashas never won at Lambeau Field, but no frozen tundra and Brett Favre = Cowboys win.

9/28    Washington             Win

I’m not sold on the Washington Redskins with their new coach Jim Zorn as long as Daniel Snyder is running the show up there, but I think they will be improved and may surprise us in 2008, but not at Texas Stadium.

10/5    Cincinnati                 Win

The Bengals are going in the wrong direction after a few seasons ago it looked as if Marvin Lewis had them headed in the right direction. The Cowboys should win this one easily.

10/12  @ Arizona                 Win

The Cardinals remain talented and should be improved in 2008, but I don’t think they will be good enough to beat the Dallas Cowboys.

10/19  @ St. Louis              Win

2008 will likely be the end of the Scott Linehan regime in St. Louis, and a beating by the Dallas Cowboys on this day will not help his case to get another year.

10/26  Tampa Bay              Win

This may be a good game and Jeff Garcia throughout his career has tormented the Cowboys, but the chances of the Buccaneers winning in Dallas aren’t very good.

11/2    @ New York Giants           Win

The Cowboys have won the past two seasons at the Meadow lands, and I honestly feel that the Giants have regressed with the losses of Jeremy Shockey, Michael Strahan, Gibril Wilson, and the uncertainty of running back Ahmad Bradshaw being able to play. This game will likely be a close won, but wouldn’t be surprised if it weren’t.

11/16  @ Washington        Win

This game greatly concerns me due to the Cowboys struggles at FedEx Field the past three seasons. I am only predicting a win for Dallas due to the uncertainty of a new head coach and at the quarterback position. This game will be close both way and the same for the outcome.

11/23  San Francisco         Win

This may also be the last year for 49ers head coach Mike Nolan. The 49ers have some pieces, but the uncertainty of their quarterback position has them looking at another 4 or 5 win season. Cowboys win this one big.

11/27  Seattle                                   Win

This should be another good game and you never know what could happen, but I give the edge to Dallas and their home field advantage, but this game will probably be close.

12/7    @Pittsburgh                        Loss

The Cowboys first loss of the year will come on a snowy Sunday night in Pittsburgh. A steady dose of the Steelers running game along with a hostile crowd will have the rival Steelers getting the win.

12/14  New York Giants    Win

In a big game to determine the winner of the NFC East the Cowboys frustrate young Eli manning and roll with a victory.

12/20  Baltimore                  Win

The Dallas Cowboys say farewell to Texas Stadium by dominating the Baltimore Ravens and whoever the quarterback will be at this point of the season.

12/28  @ Philadelphia        Loss

The Cowboys will be trying to win this game and not resting their starters, but McNabb and Westbrook will get the better of the Cowboys, even though Dallas will have home field advantage wrapped up.

From this point out I have no idea how the playoffs will play out, but I do know that the Cowboys at the least must win a playoff game. A Super Bowl is expected, but for a team that hasn’t won a playoff game in almost twelve years maybe a Super Bowl is asking a little much.

If the Dallas Cowboys don’t win a playoff game there is no doubt that Wade Phillips will be gone, and the young offensive genius Jason Garrett will be the eighth head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.