Now that the preseason is over, let the countdown to the real games begin.
The Dallas Cowboys open their 2009 NFL season on the road Sunday, 12 noon, in Tampa, Florida.
The Cowboys’ organization improved the team’s chances of finishing the season stronger by the decisions they made during the off season.
Those areas of improvement: team chemistry, balanced offense, defense. special teams and mental toughness, will be on display in their first game against the Tampa Bay Bucccaneers.
TEAM CHEMISTRY
The organization got rid of individuals who didn’t pan out for the money they were being paid to conduct themselves either, first as a professional, or second, a team player.
Jerry Jones the owner made the Cowboys “Romo friendly” on offense by getting rid of Terrell Owens. For that reason, the offense will be much better as Romo won’t have an albatross around his neck (nor celebrity bombshell, Jessica Simpson). Owens became dead weight by constantly harping on his not being the focal point of the offense.
BALANCED OFFENSE
And, don’t think for one minute the “other” receivers haven’t read in the papers about how the passing game is going to suffer without TO. Those “other” receivers: Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin and Sam Hurd will do just fine. They don’t have to replace Owens: they just have to play team ball by doing their part.
There’s a quote that says it best about team sports “When you play one of us, you play all of us.”
The defense is going to find out that Dallas’ passing game will be even more efficient because every receiver on the team will be eligible on any given passing down.
Another reason for the ‘Boys being balanced offense: the running game is going to take the pressure off of Romo where he doesn’t have to do the spectacular.
The Cowboys want to go into this season with a balanced attack of 50% run and 50% pass. Romo will actually be a much better passer with a trio of talented running backs: Marion “the Barbarian” Barber pounding away at the middle of the defense and speed backs, Felix Jones and Tarshard Choice (both speed and power), running freely around and past the secondary.
DEFENSE
Last season the defense played at times like Heckle-Jeckel. You didn’t know which defensive unit was going to show up. In the Rams game, they couldn’t stop a team that was struggling to win.
The next week they lost their second consecutive game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The reason was their special teams unit fell apart early the first half and in overtime allowed the Cards defense to block Matt Briar’s punt to win the game.
In the second half the season, the defense played a stretch where the team won 3 of 4 games to stand at 8-5, the only loss coming at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers, 20-13, at Heinz Field. The offense had that game won, only to fall apart down the stretch. That was a sure indicator that they were headed for another December swoon dive.
At home in week 15, the back-breaker loss was to the Baltimore Ravens. The defense, which had played great, allowed the Ravens’ backs to score consecutive long touchdown runs.
With the season on the line in week 17 and a chance to make the playoffs, the ‘Boys didn’t even show up in Philadelphia as the Eagles buried them 44-6 to finish the season at 9-7.
It’s precisely for those reasons: a dysfunctional defensive unit (Heckle-Jeckel) and consecutive losses to how they played, that will motivate them to play better.
On defense their secondary will be much improved. Roy Williams, safety, (gone to Cincinnati) is replaced by Gerald Sensabaugh, Anthony Henry, cornerback, traded to Detroit Lions; his replacement will be between ’08 first round pick, Mike Jenkins and fifth round pick, Orlando Scandrick. Both will alternate starting at cornerback every other game, according to head coach Wade Phillips.
On the defensive end side, Igor Olshansky replaces Chris Canty while linebacker Keith Brooking replaces Zach Thomas. Those four defensive starters at safety, cornerback, end and linebacker are big, fast and athletic that will keep the defensive unit from melting down during the second half of the season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Cowboys went after defensive players with speed and athleticism in the draft. Several of those: Victor Butler, Jason Williams and Brandon Williams were converted to linebacker. Those individuals as well as others: Brooking, Sensabaugh, specialist in kick-offs, David Buehler, along with Martellus Bennett, Ken Hamlin, Bobby Carpenter will make special teams plays. And the biggest change is the addition of Joe DeCamillis who will be in charge of special teams. His style is an aggressive one with little excuse for mental errors.
MENTAL TOUGHNESS
The final successful ingredient that will make the Cowboys’ season a winning one is being mentally sound.
The Cowboys looked back at where they went wrong, shored up the weaknesses in those mentioned areas and then individually accepted responsibility for their actions.
Tony Romo worked on holding onto the football with both hands. I’m sure he has been reminded that if there is no play to just throw away the football instead of trying to make something happen.
The offensive line, particularly tackle Flozell Adams, will have to work on not jumping off sides at critical stages of games. The line played inconsistently, especially against weak teams that they should have manhandled with their huge weight advantage.
The receivers will have to finish their routes, something Owens was guilty of doing if the ball didn’t come to him.
If the Cowboys implement this blueprint from start to finish, there’s no reason why they can’t fly under the radar and surprise the other two teams favored within their division: The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants.
The Cowboys actually have a much better chance of going 10-6 with a wildcard game since no one is expecting anything from them.
The ‘Boys upcoming season is best summed up by a great sage: “Just win baby!”-Al Davis.
Keywords: “Just win baby!”, balanced offense, defense. special teams and mental toughnessRomo friendly”offense, team chemistry
