Bill Parcells started his career in Dallas with everything to lose. So far, he has fared no better or worse with a record standing at a mediocre .500 (16-16) after two seasons.
The Cowboys, however, are a much-improved team from the three consecutive years of 5-11 football that preceded Parcells. Last year's step back has been blamed on the Cowboys as an organization being too sure of the players that Parcells motivated into overachievement and a playoff appearance in 2004. So what exactly has learned from last year? Let's take a look.
Trust me, the plan last season was not for Vinny Testaverde to start. Unfortunately, with the booting of Quincy Carter and a green Drew Henson, Dallas had little choice but to go with the 18-year veteran. This season, Dallas has upgraded to another veteran in Drew Bledsoe. While I don't expect Bledsoe to throw for 4,000 yards and have 30 touchdown passes, I believe he will have a good amount of success this season. Parcells will see to that by making him play within his limits and not asking him to do things he just can't.
With an emerging star in Jason Whitten, Bledsoe again has a tight end to rely on, if Dallas can protect him. That if will depend just as much upon how successful Drew Bledsoe is at quickly releasing the ball as it will on the Cowboy's offensive line to guard the consummate pocket QB.
The addition of Marco Rivera not only adds Pro Bowl talent to Dallas' offensive line, but it also brings accountability. Dallas already had a good amount of talent with Flozell Adams and Larry Allen — however, neither of those players are leaders. Rivera will cause every player on the offensive line to be prepared, know every play, and will offer his teammates no excuses. This is a big plus for the Cowboys. Many of Testaverde's interceptions last season stemmed from offensive line breakdowns. Questions still remain as to whether Kurt Vollers, Torrin Tucker, Jacob Rogers, and a few others can kick it into gear.
The running back situation is looking well for Dallas. The only real question is whether a second-year Julius Jones can stay healthy. Jones amassed 819 yards and 7 TDs in only eight games. There is depth there too with the signing of Anthony Thomas. But don't kid yourself, if anything happens to Jones, Dallas' running game could suddenly go anemic. I really can't see it getting any worse than last year, though, when they were forced to rely on Eddie George for the first half of the season.
Dallas didn't do much at wide receiver this offseason and it could become a problem. Terry Glenn will be their speedster with Keyshawn Johnson and Quincy Morgan their possession guys. Morgan has already hurt his shoulder, though the Cowboys are saying he will be 100% by training camp. Behind those three they have nobody. Dallas will lean on Patrick Crayton and Terrance Copper to fill the void should any of the starters go down. Not much room for error here and this could prove to be a bit of a headache.
On defense, the Cowboys added a plethora of players via the draft and free agency. Preparing for the 3-4 defense, Parcells brought in old friend DL Jason Ferguson to plug the middle. In the draft, the Cowboys selected Demarcus Ware and Marcus Spears to help a pass rush that hasn't existed since 1996.
Cornerback, a position that has been a glaring weakness for Dallas the past few years, suddenly looks like a defensive strong point. After last season when Big D was forced to start rookie free agents on the other side of Terrance Newman, the Cowboys went out and signed Anthony Henry away from Cleveland. While Henry isn't a household name, he will bring stability to a position that really just crushed Dallas in 2004.
For added protection at CB, veteran Aaron Glenn, another old pal of The Tuna's, was added. What could hurt Dallas is a lack of replacement for five-time Pro Bowler Darren Woodson. Part-time starter Tony Dixon left for Washington and exactly what Keith Davis brings still remains to be seen. Woody Danzler is a long shot, at best.
The linebacker crew has seen the departure of Dexter Coakley. Bradie James, coming into his third season, is expected to take over that starting spot. Swift of foot Dat Nguyen returns and the above mentioned draft picks should provide solid linebacker play in 2005.
I've got a good feeling about this team. As Parcells has said, he is too old to lose, and he should be able to meld this team to his image. Dallas could win 10 games this year, but anything more would really be pushing it.
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