Dallas Cowboys' 7 Biggest Concerns Heading into 2011 NFL Season

To say that the Dallas Cowboys had issues last season would be a gross understatement. Jerry’s crew had problems with penalties, protection, defense, running the ball, passing the ball, catching the ball...and whatever else you can think of, the Cowboys pretty much had concerns with it.

Heading into the 2011 NFL season it seems as if Dallas has done a lot to correct some of the problems facing the team. There is a new defensive coordinator in Rob Ryan, a fresh new offensive lineman in Tyron Smith and, this may sound cliché, but a brand new attitude as well.

New head coach Jason Garrett is trying to install an approach that focuses on disciplined play coupled with a surgical offensive philosophy and potent defensive attack.

Judging by their finish last season, Dallas should be greatly improved.

But with so much offseason optimism, how soon will that turn to in-season pessimism? If the Cowboys train starts to veer off track even by the slightest of margins, when will the questions start?

Before we get to that point, let's examine a few concerns Dallas fans still have before the 2011 season gets underway.

How Much Better Will the Offensive Line Be?

I believe the addition of Tyron Smith will do wonders for the Cowboys, and here’s why. According to Pro Football Focus, Marc Colombo graded as the worst offensive lineman for the ‘Boys last season.

Colombo had a negative rating for pass blocking, run blocking and penalties. All are areas where the Cowboys need to improve, and Smith should provide an uptick in coverage.

Granted, Colombo struggled with injuries last year, but there was obviously a drop-off in play.

Smith is much younger, more athletic and a step faster.

There will still be continuity on the line as Doug Free, Kyle Kosier, Andre Gurode and Leonard Davis are all expected back in 2011. So while Smith will make his fair share of mistakes, Dallas won’t have to rely solely on the rookie to make the entire line better.

With Smith, an older Sam Young and two new young offensive linemen, the protection upfront should be much improved.

If not, then there is always Alex Barron.

Felix Jones

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 25: Runningback Felix Jones #28 of the Dallas Cowboys rushes the football during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 25, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated th

Plain and simple: Can Felix Jones carry the load? In his first three years in the league, Jones’ workload has steadily increased. He only had 30 carries his rookie season, and last year he toted the rock an impressive 185 times for 800 yards.

Jones beefed up to a healthy 220 pounds last year to absorb hits and to prepare himself for a larger workload, but for 2011 Jones wants to slim down to 210 pounds.

If Jones loses the weight then he should be a little quicker and faster, but what will that mean for his durability? Felix has played in 30 of a possible 32 games over a two-year span and that should answer most of the injury questions surrounding the former Arkansas running back.

With Marion Barber on his way out of Valley Ranch and DeMarco Murray possibly taking carries away from Tashard Choice, Jones should be just fine in 2011.

Rob Ryan and the Cowboys Defense

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 21: Cleveland Browns defensive coodinator Rob Ryan watches warmups during a game agaisnt the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on November 21, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Last season the Cowboys ranked 23rd in yards allowed per game and 16th in sacks. That’s a drop of nine spots from 2009 regarding sacks and 14 spots when it comes to total yards.

To say that Ryan has a lot of work to do is the understatement of the evening.

DeMarcus Ware may have led the league in sacks, but the Cowboys still finished next to last in their division in defense.

The Eagles have Michael Vick, the Giants have a great offensive attack and the Redskins have...well, the Redskins have a team.

If Dallas wants to improve their position in the NFC East, then stopping the Eagles and Giants will be key to their success against both teams.

The Cowboys drafted Bruce Carter to add depth and to possibly take over for Keith Brooking in the future, and they added Joshua Thomas to bolster their profile in the defensive secondary.

Dallas will need to get more aggressive on defense, but they will also have to become more disciplined.

The Cowboys defense was once a strong point, but now it has become almost an Achilles heel.

Penalties

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 05: A yellow penalty flag during a game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Oklahoma Sooners at Cowboys Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Dallas had 47 penalties called against them in the first five games of last season, which aided in their disastrous 1-7 start. The Cowboys ended the year ranked 27th in total penalties, averaging almost seven yellow flags per game.

Doug Free and cornerback Mike Jenkins led the team in penalties last season, but that’s an unofficial number. (Free was the team leader on offense and Mike Jenkins on defense through Week 12 of the 2010 season.)

Free was called for his fair share of holding penalties, but a few of those came against the Colts when he was charged with trying to handle Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney.

Jenkins, on the other hand, just seemed out of sorts all season. He didn’t seem fluid, he looked tight at times and his focus was off in way too may games.

Dallas has to become more focused if they plan to make a serious run at the Super Bowl, but I’m sure they knew that.  Jason Garrett and Rob Ryan will be charged with improving the team’s penalty disposition, and if they don’t, then Cowboys fans are in for a long season.

Tony Romo

Tony is coming off of a disappointing 2010 season because he spent the majority of the season on the injury list. For his critics, this is a make-or-break type of season as Tony enters his fifth full season as starter.

When he’s healthy, he’s one of the league's best players and will put up gaudy offensive numbers. Romo has more than a few offensive weapons, and I’m sure Jason Garrett will have a little more fun with the playbook now that he’s head man in D-town.

Can Romo bounce back from a dismal 2010 and lead the Cowboys to a Super Bowl? Better yet, will he become the vocal leader in the locker room that Dallas so desperately needs?

I’m sure Romo will come out swinging, and if he’s able to stay upright, will be back to his 4,000 yards-passing self.

Dez Bryant

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ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 21: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys scores against Chris Houston #23 of the Detroit Lions at Cowboys Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

For the record, I believe that Bryant will be OK. I think he’s still trying to get adjusted to all of the media attention that he receives and is rebelling against a lot of it.

There was the jewelry case and the mall incident that kind of splashed his name with mud, but he seemed to move past it with no issue.

His former mentor Deion Sanders threw him aside and his critics just keep piling on. That’s a lot for a young man to handle and Bryant has stumbled a little bit.

His on-the-field prowess will grow and that shouldn’t be an issue for the Cowboys. Bryant’s season was ended prematurely due to injury, but when he had the ball in his hands, he was explosive.

The concerns coming out of Dallas center on his behavior and demeanor off the field, but I believe he will soon move past that.

If Bryant becomes a nuisance off the field, then Dallas will have major issues.

Jason Garrett's Play Calling

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys looks on from the sidelines against the New York Giants on November 14, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Ima

When Tony Romo left the field with a broken collarbone, Garrett found religion on his play sheet. There was balance as the number of pass plays called dramatically decreased.

When Kitna became the starter, he threw about 40 passes per game in his first few stints out, but as the season wore on, that number quickly dipped to about 25 per contest.

The Cowboys started to win and compete with their newfound balanced attack, and most fans are hoping for the a little of the same next season.

I doubt that Jason will keep it up with Romo as he’s a much better passer and decision-maker than Kitna, but with Choice, Jones and Murray in the backfield, the Cowboys have a better shot if Garrett utilizes everyone evenly instead of sparingly.