Dallas Cowboys:                  

2013 RECORD: 8-8  

2012 RECORD: 8-8   

2011 RECORD: 8-8   

2010 RECORD: 6-10   

TEAM OVERVIEW: Hey campers, it’s Groundhog Day! Bill Murray would feel at home in this organization.  Dallas faced another “win and in” game on prime time TV hosting Philly and fell in a close one 24-22. The Cowboys have completed the NFC East trifecta, losing “win and in” finales each of the last three years, once each to rivals Philly, Washington and the NYG. Dallas is the poster child for mediocrity, at 8-8 most recently, and about 136-136 the past 17 years. Amazingly, Jerry Jones has been patient, sticking with “coach” Garrett even though he is clearly not worthy of such a long tenure. Offensive play-calling has been suspect for years, and defensive coaching has been awful. The team appears to have salary cap issues, possibly prohibiting Jerry from making additional unwise free agency moves. There is plenty of talent at the skill positions but whether it’s coaching (yes) or miss-judged talent at other key positions such as OL, DL and in the secondary (also yes), something is preventing these Cowboys from winning a Division that has been there for the taking. What are realistic expectations for ’14?

KEY STATS: Dallas kept their turnover ratio in the plus column (+8) but also kept their record in close games in the minus column. The Cowboys were 1-4 in games decided by 1 or 2 points.  As most football fans know, calling appropriate plays is an adventure with Dallas. Dallas ran 4.5 yards per carry yet only averaged 94 yards per game.  Most of the key indicators were minus. The pass D% was awful at 64.7 percent. Dallas opponents had 63 more 1st downs and 1,187 more total yards. They allowed more yards than any other Cowboy team in history. Opponents had 33 passing TD’s vs. the Cowboys. Want more numbers? They were last by plenty in total defense, tied 25th with 34 defensive sacks, and 30th on run D at 4.7. At least the kick return D was strong and the Cowboys did accrue a +5 figure for defensive and return TD’s. Unfortunately that number is likely not sustainable for ’14. Spread-wise, Dallas dropped to 3-14 if in the role of an underdog in their last game, and went 0-2 as a road favorite (now 19-36). They went 2-0 as a home dog and are now 26-7 in that role.

2013 DRAFT REVIEW: For somewhere between the 16th and 19th time, Jerry Jones felt compelled to make a trade in the 1st round. I liked OC Frederick but not in the 1st round! I panned the early selection of TE Escobar.  Rated 4th, he did NOT fill this team’s more immediate needs!  Considering Murray’s health the choice of RB Randle might be a wise one. Dallas had done worse in the sleeper rounds but I still questioned their overall focus. SIDE NOTE: OLB McGee was so coveted by this team that Dallas offered him $70,000 as a signing bonus, which was more than ANY 7th round choice received in ’12! I disliked all 15 after draft day signings.  Magee (ASU) is currently not on the roster! When this draft ended on Saturday, Jones was as defiant as ever, saying they are “no longer an 8-8 team”. Yes they are! 

1-31, OC Frederick: 16 rookie starts and a good player, but could have been chosen later in round two

2-47, TE Escobar: Slow and weak but a natural WR type sitting behind all-pro Witten. 9 catches 

3-74, WR T Williams: 44-736-5 and unseats Austin as their #2 target 

3-80, FS Wilcox: One year defensive player with major upside!  Athletic, but raw.  38 tackles not bad.

4-114, CB Webb: Smooth and can jump, with PR ability.  Small frame.  16 rookie tackles

5-151, RB Randle: Productive in run and pass game, but low YPC.  Doesn’t change directions well.

6-185, LB Holloman: Nearly rated. Instinctive, with space limitations. Can’t turn. Decent 26-2 rookie year.

2012 DRAFT REVISITED: CB Claiborne did not develop as expected in ’13, with 26 tackles and just one pick in 10 games. I called the draft uninspiring after the initial pick. I questioned Crawford at #81 and rightfully so.  He had 20 rookie tackles but Crawford tore his Achilles on the first day of training camp last summer. LB Wilbur was rated (but low). He contributed 44 tackles in ’13. Safety Matt Johnson has not seen action in the NFL (IR ’13). WR Coale has sure hands but is a #3 target at best. He was waived prior to ’13. TE Hanna now competes with Escobar. He had 12 catches (poor 6.1 average).  

TOP STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS PRIOR TO THE DRAFT: It’s tempting to just say PK is the strongest area, but the pass offense with Bryant, Witten and now Williams is strong and Romo is very accurate. The entire pass defense scheme is poor. We can go with this or just use what was said here in ’13, that being the 4th quarter play calling on O and D being the weak link.

FREE AGENCY ANALYSIS AND STAFF NOTES: Dallas added DL Melton, McClain and Mincey but lost DL Hatcher and Ware making this a net loss. Dallas released WR Austin as expected. Beleaguered QB Weeden is here. Past his prime Defensive Coordinator Lane Kiffin was demoted. Rod Marinelli was promoted. A splash hire would have been better.

2014 DRAFT NEEDS: DL, one impact DB and 2-3 new DB’s overall, WR, OG, OLB, back-up/depth at OT.  Does Dallas have any reliable starter along the DL?  The newly signed Melton could help but the DL still might need a spark not only rushing the passer but also defending the run.  Part of the problem is coaching but the DB’s lack impact. Dez Bryant is in a contract year, Terrance Williams is young and Cole Beasley has a #3 WR ceiling. Dallas is improving along the OL but OG’s Leary and Bernadeau are average at best.  When healthy, Sean Lee is a star. His LB mates run hot and cold and the bench players are poor. There is also no OT talent behind LT Smith and the erratic Doug Free.