Dallas Cowboys: 5 Bold Predictions for the 2011-2012 Season

The Dallas Cowboys are spewing potential.  

With a young, quick receiving corps and a solid quarterback, they are able to obliterate other defenses.  However, their lack of a running game has killed them in previous years.  Their offensive line has also been subpar.  

This year should be different, as the Cowboys have added Tyron Smith, the best lineman in the draft, and DeMarco Murray.  Murray is extremely underrated, as he can quickly fit into an offense and has the athleticism and vision to become a fantastic running back.  

When the lockout concludes, Dallas is projected to pick up a new cornerback (Nnamdi Asomugha) or safety.  With these additions, the Cowboys could be looking at a first-round bye.  These predictions may be bold, but in many ways they can come true in the 2011-2012 NFL season.  

1. Dallas Wins the NFC East

Dallas is looking at the best offense in the NFL if its line performs well.  To break down its offensive and defensive qualities, there will be a quick rundown of the positions.

Quarterback:  Tony Romo is a strong leader who may be blamed for recent playoff failures.  However, he has the fourth highest passer rating of all time.  He is a quick quarterback with a fantastic release and can be extremely elusive.  Although he is not tall, he has passion and desire and can lead a team.  He is a powerful leader, and with the help of his rejuvenated offensive line he can pick apart defenses.

Receivers:  The Cowboys have the top receiving corps in the league.  If anyone doesn't believe that, they are ignorant and biased.  Dallas carries Miles Austin, an explosive receiver who can take over a game at will, and Dez Bryant, who is a physical beast that can rip apart a secondary with his blazing speed and strength.  His one problem is his character. Roy Williams has been a bust, but he was the Cowboys' top receiver before Romo was injured in the 2010-2011 season.  This shows he's finally learned the playbook and is ready to become an elite receiver once again.    

Tight End: Jason Witten: Best in the NFL.  End of story.

Offensive Line:  The Dallas offensive line is the big variable. It will either be spectacular or awful in the upcoming season.  However, with the addition of Tyron Smith, it has a higher chance of being spectacular.  And if the line is good, Dallas could be looking at a Super Bowl.  

Defensive Line: The defensive line should be excellent, as it has perennial Pro Bowlers DeMarcus Ware (best sack machine in the NFL) and Jay Ratliff.  Dallas boasts one of the best defensive lines in all of the NFL.  

Linebackers: First off, I don't have Ware as a linebacker because he only blitzes.  Sean Lee should be a new standout, as he is a threat to the quarterback when he plays coverage and blitzes.  He is very versatile and can be a beast this year.  

Secondary: Too early to tell how good it will be.  However, if Mike Jenkins plays well, the Cowboys will have a knockout defense.  Their safeties are pathetic, but they may develop as they are still very young.  

Special Teams: David Buehler will be a good kicker and the best kickoff specialist.  The kick and punt return teams should be excellent as they have Dez Bryant, who can and will hurt teams with his speed. 

Coaching: Jason Garrett is a great coach.  No questions about it.  

Prediction: 11-5

Dez Bryant Makes the Pro Bowl

Dez Bryant is freakishly athletic and has phenomenal hands.  Countless times in 2010 he created huge gains and touchdowns due to his blazing speed and elusiveness.  

For example, Bryant returned a fantastic punt 88 yards for the score to give Dallas a 14-point lead that led to a win.  The punt was beautiful, as it went over his head and when the ball was caught he was facing his own end zone with Giant defenders within five yards.  He immediately turned around and was never touched.  His size and speed can make him into the future Michael Irvin.  In many ways, he has already emerged as the Cowboys' best receiver.  He is 6'2" and 215 pounds—much taller and stronger than most cornerbacks and safeties.  

Bryant also has the benefit of great mentors on Dallas, such as Jason Garrett and Tony Romo.  He's already got the attitude and athleticism, now all he needs is the maturity and knowledge of the playbook.  

Prediction: 2,500 total yards (Bryant is a return man too) and 13 touchdowns (10 receiving)

DeMarco Murray Becomes the Starting Running Back Before Week 8

The Dallas running game is nearly nonexistent.  

Felix Jones came into last year with extremely high expectations, but once again failed to live up to them.  In the 2009-2010 season Jones averaged nine yards per carry.  However, his season was cut short when he suffered an ankle injury early on.  

In the 2010-2011 season, Marion Barber suffered a torn quad, which led to an awful season where he lacked his bullish mentality.  With two underachieving players on the depth chart, expect Jason Garrett to make a change.  

DeMarco Murray was excellent at Oklahoma.  In his senior season, Murray averaged 4.3 YPG and scored 20 total touchdowns.  With Oklahoma, he was versatile and was deadly when thrown screen passes.  At this point, Murray has the best potential to be great.  

Jones has never gone a full season without injury while Barber has clearly lost his quickness and mentality.  Murray was a steal in the third round, and he will be the starter before the eighth week.

Prediction: Murray gets the nod in Week 7.

Romo Has More Than 30 Touchdowns

With the addition of Tyron Smith, the offensive line should improve tremendously.  

Tony Romo will once again go back to the way he played in 2007.  In that season, Dallas went 13-3 and Romo had 38 total touchdowns and was phenomenal.  He dominated games due to his elusiveness and quick release.  Romo was accurate and seemed to be the next great quarterback.  

In the three following years, Romo was excellent, as his passer rating exceeded 91 every season.  His passer rating is currently fourth all time (95.5).  Now that he has a better offensive line and seems to have settled down off the field, he should be fantastic.  

If anyone says that Romo is overrated or is not a great quarterback, they know as much about football as a fern.   

Prediction: 35 touchdowns

DeMarcus Ware Leads the NFL in Sacks (Again)

You wouldn't be surprised that the most talented Cowboy and pass rusher would lead the league in sacks.  In the last five years, Ware's numbers have looked outstanding.  He has never missed a game in his career, making him durable and consistent.  

2006: 11.5 sacks, 71 tackles

2007: 14 sacks, 84 tackles

2008:  20 sacks, 84 tackles

2009: 11 sacks, 57 tackles (played injured the entire season)

2010: 15.5 sacks, 66 tackles

In 2008 and 2010, he led the NFL in sacks and has quietly been the best since 2005.  Since his rookie year, he has led the NFL in total sacks. 

Prediction: 17 sacks