For the past couple of years I believe the cowboys have been plagued by hype. So many people spoke of the talent that surrounded this team, and how they were destined to win, only to find themselves wrong. As we jump head first into the last half of the offseason we see that the cowboys aren’t the team that everyone believes to win the Super Bowl, the NFC, or even the division… And I say this is good news!
With the addition of Jason Peters, LeSean McCoy, and Jeremy Maclin the eagles are predicted to be a dominant offense in the NFL this year, some people believe top 5. This stat alone is causing people to rank the eagles in the top 5 of power rankings and to list them as the NFC East Champion. However, there are way to many factors in this one, you are basing this projections solely on the fact that Westbrook will perform at a good level, and McNabb will be dependable.
The Giants are now the team to beat on paper, they really don’t’ have many holes, and as long as Brandon Jacobs is in the backfield you have to believe that they’ll rushing attack will be able to produce solid numbers. They have replaced the receiver need with Hakeem Nicks and Eli Manning is poised for a good season, however, the giants have one problem to me, and that is being clutch. The Giants deliver but they never seem to deliver when it’s needed the most.
Lastly, the Redskins who are in no shape a projected threat to the ‘Boys have upgraded with Haynesworth, but are still a bit of a mess when it comes to Quarterback, but they do have promise at receiver. Too many questions here through.
Now for the ‘Boys, Ranked number 13 on ESPN’s pre-pre season power rankings, they have been plagued with criticism, from Romo and Williams to the Coaching Staff. Amidst all that, I do believe the Cowboys are poised for a big season only because the distractions are gone, and I’m not only speaking about T.O. and Ellis, or Pacman Jones, but I am simply speaking of the over developed, premature, egotistical mindset that has been placed on players seasons before. Now they are not expected to win, which allows for more focus and practice.
My prediction is that the Cowboys make a statement this season and do very well, led by a Roy Williams who also proves his worth, and a defense that can control the field. As for the cowboys, they aren’t the favorite anymore… and that’s a good thing!
BIG BLUE, THAT’S RIGHT. NEW YORK.
hold up, I commented here for a reason, check out the link below:
http://www.giantstalk.com/red-zone-report-662009.html
Ha Fucking Ha Jason … it’s okay though, we know who the real Champs are.
Bryan, good article bro – The Cowboys have less to worry about this year as far as predictions go. I still believe the expectation at Valley Ranch is to win the show.
I just hope the injury bug is done in Dallas for a while though. That is what really killed us last year. And to think Jason, even with more key injuries than any other team last year, we still wen’t 9-7. That loss to the E-gals sucked ass though.
Doran, the Cowboys are the past, history. You guys don’t have T.O. anymore. Our running game is more stacked than yours.
I cannot wait to see the Giants in action, it’s the BIG BLUE WRECKING CREW.
When was the last time you guys won a Super Bowl, 1995? I remember Super Bowl XLII like it was yesterday.
Oh come on Jason, is that the best you got? You posted the same comment to two different responses.
Okay, so it’s been a while since our last SB and only a couple of years since the Gnats won one. We still have more, many more.
Really, the only team that can dispute our status as America’s Team, so labeled by America itself, is the Stealers … they at least have more SBs than us. But I understand, you’re a Gnats fan, you’re supposed to talk good about your team and bad about the ‘Boys. I feel for ya bro
We are only a couple of Super Bowls behind you. We will pick one up this year. How is it going to feel losing your first home regular season game at the new stadium?
You talk big for a team minus its own best wide reciever! and the last time I checked your down one main component of “Earth, Wind, and Fire”. You should probably be concerned with your own team, but if you are determined to talk smack that is okay too! We will see when they get on the field! It is possible for monkeys to fly out of a humans ass, as in two years we have seen the Cardinals and the Giants make the Super Bowl!
hahahahaha
I don’t know … I’ll let you in know in another 40 years when it’s possible.
We have Jacobs man, he’s getting bigger by the minute. All we need is Earth, we still have fire, wind is gone but we have what we need.
Yeah but see Barber is as strong as Jacobs, people just forget that because Jacobs has never had to carry the full load, and Barer has worn down at times from doing that. Now with Jones and Choice, this trio beats your trio any day – err I guess I mean your duo.
I ain’t saying the Giants will be last in the NFC East or anything, but the Cowboys have a better shot at the title than the Giants do. The Eagles are the big competition though.
I agree that there will be slightly more focus this year without the media hype, and high “power rankings” going into the season. They just need to get and stay focused for the whole year.
The key to me for Dallas will be the Offensive Line. For such a big line with pro-bowlers, they under-performed last year, particularily during the first 1/2 –> 3/4’s of the season. Other than Romo being out, it was the biggest reason they lost games IMO. If line plays up to their potential, I see them going 11-5 or 10-6 even wout TO.
If line plays like it did last year, I see them going 8-8 or possibly 9-7.
On Defense the key is depth. I really feel like they are fairly solid at all the starter positions. The “rotation” players and backups are big question marks.
Giants – Positives: Defense.
Negatives: If they have the lead, they are adept at keeping in it. But this is not a team that plays well from behind. If the Cowboys hit them in the mouth early, great defense or not, they will have a hard time recovering.
Eagles – Positives: Offensive additions in the offseason at WR, RB, TE, OT in particular.
Negatives: Lost Dawkins. Westbrook is on the wrong side of 30 and it will likely show. Jim Johnson likely out due to health issues. Additions, at the of the day, are still rookies; it may be next year before we see that group make a true impact. New OT has to face Ware, our best defensive player. For that reason, I call that acquisition a wash.
Redskins – Positives: Defensive addition Haynesworth and Orakpo.
Negatives: No confidence in Jason Campbell. Portis is not a fan of the Head Coach. Haynesworth’s play may drop off due to no longer playing for a contract.
Cowboys – Positives: No more distractions. Improved special teams play, due to draft geared towards ST and the addition of a highly respected ST coach in Joe Decamallis. Everyone starts the year healthy again. One of the best trio’s at RB and the best duo at TE.
Negatives: A whole lot of question marks about the vast majority of the team. Flozell (enough said). More youth than veteran presence across the roster.
Analysis: The Cowboy’s are the ultimate sleeper pick, because team’s are more focused on how the Cowboy’s finished as opposed to the major contributing reasons behind why the Cowboy’s finished with a 9 – 7 record. That, in my opinion, is great news. The competition between all 4 teams is alot closer than what quite a few analyst are predicting.
Very well said Jonathan.
Great article. I think it is a positive that the Cowboys are not favored to win anything. We have been developing team chemistry by getting rid of players like “Pacman” and T.O. The team that wins the Super Bowl is never the team that is favored in the beginning of the year.
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