Big things are always expected in Texas, but 2013 could be a turbulent year for the Dallas Cowboys. Jerry Jones has placed a choke-hold on the much revered franchise, rendering it obsolete for a decade. Dallas has won only two playoff games in the past 16-seasons, and scrutiny remains high at training camp. Jones removed Head Coach Jason Garrett from play-calling duties, opting instead for veteran signal caller Bill Callahan. Monte Kiffin will take over the defensive controls, making many wonder what Garrett’s role with the team will be. All kidding aside, having your head coach removed from one of the most crucial decision making processes in the business, does not bode well for the chemistry between executives and their subordinates. Garret has been with the team as a head coach since midway through the 2010 season, and deserves more respect from ownership than he receives. Regardless, the Cowboys lack a distinctive championship-feel. The 2013 campaign has not started off well for Dallas, the team lost Tyrone Crawford for the season, and veteran Anthony Spencer for the majority of training camp, and possibly the start of the regular season. A team that was barely mediocre on defense from a season ago, giving up an average of 230 yards passing and 125 rushing per game, can ill afford such bad luck.
The penultimante aspect of Dallas’ 2012 season was all-pro Tony Romo who led the team to the third-best aerial attack in football. The Cowboys’ gunslinger returns to captaincy of Dallas this season after receiving a sizeable bonus over the offseason. Romo received the sixth highest paying contract in the NFL as he will receive $108 million, $55 million guaranteed, as a member of the Cowboys until 2019. The question regarding the Cowboys’ captain is his fourth quarter mojo. Tony Romo cannot finish football games, and one could call him the automatic transmission i.e. he has no clutch. Under Romo’s guide the Cowboys have only one a single playoff game, and failed to secure victories in consecutive (win and you’re in) scenarios the past two seasons. Other than his timidity under pressure, Romo has had a nice statistical career in Dallas, even breaking the 4,000 yard mark in 2012. The Cowboys’ have excellent potential within their offense, Dez Bryant , Miles Austin , and Jason Witten lead one of the best vertical arsenals in the NFL. Unfortunately, Dallas has lacked balance to its offense finishing 31st in offense a season ago. Luckily for the Cowboys’, DeMarco Murray enters training camp healthy, and may have something to say about the meager 79 yards per game the team averaged a season ago.
Murray will lead the rushing attack in 2013, but there are questions surrounding his durability. The Cowboys’ third-year man has missed much of his first two seasons due to injury, though he has amassed 1,560 yards in 23 games played. When healthy, Murray provides a needed balance to a pass-heavy team, and could take the Cowboys’ offense to the next level within the correct scheme. Bill Callahan will have a destructive arsenal at his disposal, and should look to utilize its’ many assets. Backing up Murray will be Joseph Randle , the fifth round pick out of Oklahoma state. In Randle, the Cowboys finally have a backup they can lean on, as Randle will replace the disappointing Felix Jones . Dallas’s backfield has potential for 2013 but will the Cowboys’ line be able to sustain a successful rushing offense?
Dallas invested yet another first round pick within their offensive line, selecting Travis Fredrick, C Wisconsin. The pick was a surprise, but Fredrick will fill a glaring need for the Cowboys in their front five. A successful team structure originates with personnel at the line of scrimmage, making Murray’s run blockers, and Romo’s pass blockers that much more important. Another youthful talent on the line is left tackle Tyron Smith , but questions remain with the other three positions. Opposite Smith will be the veteran Doug Free who has underperformed since being selected by Dallas’ in the fourth round of the 2007 draft. The duo of guards is the biggest weakness on Dallas’ offensive line, as MacKenzy Bernadeau , and Nate Livings are the projected starters. If this line cannot support a rushing offense, a successful season could be out of the question for Dallas.
Fortunately for the Cowboys, consummate professional Jason Witten continues to dominate defensive coverages across the NFL. Witten was fifth in the league with 110 receptions which resulted in 1,039 yards. The veteran should continue to produce not only as a receiver, but in the rushing attack as well. As an all-pro , Witten possess the tools to do whatever is asked of him on offense, and may be Dallas’ best player. The Cowboys also improved the tight end position within the draft acquiring Gavin Escobar in the second round. Escobar is an athletic six-foot six-inch tight end with excellent hands, and good route running ability. Because of the acquisition of Escobar, expect Dallas to employ numerous two tight-end sets further accentuating their rushing capabilities.
Leading the receiving corps will be fourth year wide-out Dez Bryant. Bryant is emerging as one of the next great wide receivers, and should continue his development in 2013. Across from Bryant will be Miles Austin, who failed to eclipse 1,000 yards in 2012. This season, the spotlight should be on Bryant, so expect Austin to feature more into the passing game, if he can remain healthy. Accompanying the two pro bowlers will be Terrance Williams , Dwayne Harris , and Cole Beasley who should all factor into the offense in spurts. Williams was selected by the Cowboys’ in the third round of Aprils’ draft, and will provide an excellent target for Tony Romo within the slot. Williams could be an x-factor for the Cowboys in 2013, should his development continue alongside other veteran targets. The Cowboys offense appears geared for success, but will they have to outscore opponents on a weekly basis?
Defense has been the issue in Big D, yet hope arrives with the hiring of Monte Kiffin. Dallas will run a Tampa-2 style of defense, emphasizing a four man rush and multiple zone coverages. The success of this timeless system centers on athletic corners, but most importantly a solid pass rush from the defensive-line. Leading the pass rush attack for Dallas’ will be Demarcus Ware , one of the dominant players in the NFL. Alongside the biggest playmaker on the defensive side of the ball in a perfect world would be Anthony Spencer , and Jay Ratliff . Ratliff and Spencer are questionable for the season opener with potentially serious injuries. Both players will be absent for weeks, Spencer will have knee surgery and miss up to four, while Ratliff is two to three away from joining the team at training camp due to a hamstring injury. Jason Hatcher returns as the anchor of the defensive line, and will be joined at defensive tackle by the injured Ratliff at some point. For now, Dallas will have to hope for adequate play from their seventh round selection of the 2010 draft, Sean Lissemore . Should Spencer miss extended time, second year man Kyle Wilber could step up and fill the void. With the health of their defensive line up in the air and with an impact player switching positions, one cannot expect a significant pass rush from Dallas early in the season. Match that with their recent fade-late tendencies and the Cowboys will be hard pressed for a playoff spot in 2013.
The first level of Dallas’ zone defense will be manned by Sean Lee , Bruce Carter , and Justin Durant . Carter and Durant have talent in coverage and fit well in a 4-3 scheme, but lack run stopping ability. The Cowboys expect big things from Sean Lee, who is entering his fourth season and has recorded 134 solo tackles in 35 games played. If Lee can take his game to the next level, a healthy front seven for Dallas could mean playoffs in 2013, if not for issues on the defensive line. Whether Carter and Durant can contribute adequately behind a dinged up defensive line will go a long way towards determining their success in the upcoming year.
Dallas’ defensive backs will have their work cut out for them in 2013, as they will face the likes of Pierre Garcon , DeSean Jackson , Victor Cruz , and Hakeem Nicks twice this season. Second year man Morris Claiborne will have to step up and embrace a leadership role in his sophomore year. Across from Claiborne will be Brandon Carr a six-year veteran with 11 career interceptions. Carr has a quick first step and tremendous speed, which is a direct compliment to Claiborne’s physical style of play. Veterans Will Allen , and Barry Church will serve as the last leg of defense for Dallas, and fit well within Kiffin’s expected scheme. Similarly to the offense, the Cowboys’ defense could be primed for a successful season, if they can adapt to the Tampa-2.
Jason Garret has numerous questions to answer heading into the 2013 campaign, yet a balanced offense and a new defense could be the answer. Will Garrett deserve another season as head coach? Or will Kiffin succeed the first former Dallas player to ever coach the illustrious franchise? Dallas did not have the executive guidance, nor the cap-room to improve after a mediocre 2012. The secondary has an opportunity to thrive in a Tampa-2 scheme, and the offense has plenty of weapons to provide for Tony Romo’s disposal. If Demarco Murray can thrive under Garrett’s play calling, while complementing Dez Bryant and Jason Witten in the passing game the Cowboys could break through to contention status. Though a lack of health on the defensive line could harm the Cowboys’ playoff chances. Does Tony Romo have it in him to deliver a super bowl to Dallas? Only time will tell, but that crown will not come in 2013.