The Leading Authority of the NFL Draft

Collapse; to fall or shrink together abruptly and completely: fall into a jumbled or flattened mass through the force of external pressure.

The meaning of that word describes the Dallas Cowboys season from last year and how it unraveled right before their eyes faster than owner Jerry Jones could say “ how about them Cowboys.”

Besides the team from Massachusetts, there might not have been another more favored team to go the distance. Primed for the spotlight with Tony Romo and company armed and ready to go, this was Jerry Jones chance to get the Jimmy Johnson monkey off his back and win one all by his lonesome.

The saga that was the 2009 Dallas Cowboys still remains, as former receiver Terrell Owens fires weekly jabs back at the Cowboys as he continues to say "I know wholeheartedly [Jerry Jones] wanted me there," "There were some people I know who got in his ear that pressured him to make that decision. For that, it's sad. You let two or three people conspire to get me out of the situation."

Somehow Owens fails to realize Jerry Jones wouldn’t admit to failure or that the signing or release of T.O. had any bad affect on the Cowboys.

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks: It’s hard not to like Tony Romo the young, vibrant, always smiling quarterback, although his play in big games has started to create a persona that he isn’t the type to lead a team to the title. For his career, during the month of November, Romo has a passer rating over 118.0, which is simply phenomenal. The following month of December, his passer rating drops down to 71.0 and his completion percentage falls from 71% in November down to 59% in December. Romo has proven that he can put up the numbers but the big question that remains now is can he translate those numbers into wins. The collapse in big games is an unflattering label to be associated with as a quarterback, especially in Big-D. The well-traveled Jon Kitna takes over as Romo’s backup after Brad Johnson proved too immobile to sustain stability. A thirteen-year vetran, Kitna’s locker room presence should help provide Romo with some stability and mentoring. Rookie Stephen McGee won’t see the field as he’ll serve his time holding the clipboard.

Running Backs: Very quietly, Dallas has assembled what could be the deepest and strongest in the league. Marion Barber III runs with the abandon that fans crave to watch. Although don’t let that reckless abandon fool you. Barber wasn’t the same back last year as he was the year before. His yards per carry were down by over a full yard from 4.8 to 3.7. He also failed to average more than three yards per carry in five games. Felix Jones was dynamite in spikes. To have just 30 rushing attempts and average 8.9 yards per carry as Jones did a year ago, simply states you made big plays. After missing ten games during his rookie season, he’ll need to prove that his health won’t be an issue come 2009. When healthy, Jones will play the running back 1B role similar to way his predecessor Julius Jones complimented Barber III. Adding to the depth of this squad is Tashard Choice, who looked to be buried on the bench as a reserve, that is until injuries struck. Filling in down the stretch, Choice compiled 382 rushing yards on 73 carries (5.2 rushing average) and an additional 170 receiving yards during the final five games of the season. He returns in the same capacity with an emphasis on creating more opportunities for Choice to tote the rock.

Wide Receivers: The king’s ransom Jerry Jones gave up in exchange for Roy Williams should start to pay some dividends as Williams becomes the franchise receiver with the departure of Terrell Owens. The acquisition of Williams from Detroit couldn’t have come at a worse time and Owens isn’t exactly someone you want to play opposite of when you are trying to get acclimated to your new surroundings. With all the drama between the flamboyant Owens, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, all pro tight end Jason Witten and Romo, it was near impossible for Williams to blend in mid-season. Romo went on to miss four games after the trade and Williams turned into a mere afterthought. The two have since worked hard on trying to develop a good rapport during the off-season. The outspoken Patrick Crayton coming off of three consecutive seasons of 35+ receptions, 500+ yards and at least four touchdowns is penciled in to start opposite of Williams. Also in the mix are Sam Hurd, Miles Austin and Isaiah Stanback. For the Cowboys to maximize its potential, it is critical that one of these players emerge as a viable target.

Tight Ends: Someone who played for the Cowboys was rumored to be complaining about how many times their all pro tight end had the ball thrown to him, one must wonder, how could you not want the ball in Jason Witten’s hands? Arguably the most complete tight end in the NFL, Witten’s value to the team will only increase while Roy Williams becomes familiar this season as the number one receiver. Second-year man Martellus Bennett from Texas A&M has the look and makeup to become a red zone target and playmaker.

Offensive Lineman: Even the swift kick to the face by Albert Haynesworth couldn’t prevent Andre Gurode from the last two pro bowls, on his way to becoming one of the finest centers in the game today. Gurode along with right guard Leonard Davis are the standouts of this unit. Davis himself has made it to Honolulu the last two years. Entering his twelfth season, Flozell Adams is on the wrong side of the $43 million that the Cowboys committed to by signing him to a contract extension. Taking a note from the Chuck Norris theme song Texas Walker Ranger; The eyes of the Cowboys are upon you – Any sack you miss there going to see – So next a defensive gets behind you – Tony Romo on his back is where he’ll be. At left guard Kyle Kosier gives the Cowboys solid play and after missing time due to a foot fracture, his return will be much appreciated in Dallas. Marc Colombo, the steady solid but not spectacular right tackle will be closely monitored with his knees starting to give way to age.

DEPTH CHART

	CB	FS	OLB	ILB	ILB	OLB	SS	CB
	TERENCE NEWMAN	KEN HAMLIN	ANTHONY SPENCER	BRADIE JAMES	KEITH BROOKING	DEMARCUS WARE	GERALD SENSABAUGH	MICHAEL JENKINS
		PAT WATKINS	JASON WILLIAMS	BOBBY CARPENTER	JASON WILLIAMS	VICTOR BUTLER	MICHAEL HAMLIN	ORLANDO SCANDRICK
		DeANGELO SMITH	STEVE OCTAVIEN	STEPHEN HODGE		JUSTIN ROGERS	COURTNEY BROWN	ALAN BALL
	K		BRANDON WILLIAMS				JEROME CARTER	MIKE MICKENS
	NICK FOLK			LDE	NT	RDE		MIKE HAWKINS
	DAVID BUEHLER			IGOR OLSHANSKY	JAY RATLIFF	MARCUS SPEARS
	P			STEPHEN BOWEN	JUNIOR SIAVII	JASON HATCHER
	MAT MCBRIAR			MARCUS DIXON	TIM ANDERSON	CASEY TYLER
	COACH			DERRICK ROBINSON	JONAS SEARWRIGHT
	WADE PHILLIPS
	WR	LT	LG	C	RG	RT	TE	WR
	ROY WILLIAMS	FLOZELL ADAMS	KYLE KOSIER	ANDRE GURODE	LEONARD DAVIS	MARC COLOMBO	JASON WITTEN	PATRICK CRAYTON
	SAM HURD	DOUG FREE	JAMES MARTEN	CORY PROCTER	ROBERT BREWSTER	PAT MCQUISTAN	MARTELLUS BENNETT	ISAISH STANBACK
	TRAVIS WILSON		GREG ISDANER	MATT SPANOS	MICHAEL TURKOVICH		JOHN PHILLIPS	MILES AUSTIN
	KEVIN OGELTREE	FB	TRAVIS BRIGHT	QB		RB	JAMAR HUNT	MANUEL JOHNSON
		DEON ANDERSON		TONY ROMO		MARION BABRER III	RODNEY HANNAH	JULIAN HAWKINS
		ASAPH SCHWAPP		JON KITNA		FELIX JONES
		JULIUS CROSSLIN		STEPHEN MCGEE		TASHARD CHOICE
				RUDY CARPENTER		ALONZO HAMPTSON
						KEON LATTIMORE

DEFENSE

Defensive Lineman: The first thing to take note of is the contract of Marcus Spears. He enters his final year so don’t be surprised to see a breakout season as the former first-round pick looks to earn another nice payday. Nose tackle Jay Ratliff made his first Pro Bowl and his ability to slide outside adds to his value. A former seventh round selection from Auburn, Ratliff has outperformed his draft selection. Coming over from San Diego is newcomer Igor Olshansky, where he’ll be reunited with Wade Phillips, his one time defensive coordinator with the Chargers. The front line possesses solid depth with quality guys such as Stephen Bowen, who serves well in both lineman roles and Junior Siavii, who provides relief for Ratliff.

Linebackers: DeMarcus “Be” Ware is the sign on the door when you enter Cowboys Stadium. Ware battled James Harrison in the race for the Defensive Player of Year, which Harrison slightly edged Ware in. With age on his side, Ware has the potential to repeat last season’s phenomenal performance. Bradie James might have been the most underrated player last season with so much focus on Ware, accumulating 116 tackles, along with eight sacks. Keith Brooking, who spent his previous twelve seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and earning five pro bowl selections, will play inside. Anthony Spencer is being counted on to step up in a big way, filling the void created by the release of Greg Ellis. The underappreciated Bobby Carpenter enters his fourth season in what will be a make-or-break season for his future in Dallas.

Secondary: Gone is the face of the Cowboys secondary Roy Williams, who was als released and has since joined the Cincinnati Bengals. Terrance Newman is the top playmaker and when he’s on his game, he is one of the finer corners the league has to offer. Last year’s first round pick Michael Jenkins flashed glimpses of talent but wasn’t overly impressive and will battle Orlando Scandrick to start opposite Newman. Ken Hamlin struggled and didn’t play to his 2007 Pro Bowl form hence injuries could have played a role. Hamlin will be counted on as a leader of the secondary. Former Jacksonville backup Gerald Sensabaugh signed a one-year deal with the intentions of showcasing his talent, which he believes to be starting caliber. Rookie safety Mike Hamlin will be making a push to state otherwise.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Nick Folk gives the Cowboys one of the league’s reliable options at kicker. While only in his third season, Folk ranks amongst the leagues best. Punter Mac McBriar returns from a broken foot with a clean bill of health and is also one of the league’s top specialists at his position. The Cowboys addressed special teams by selecting kicker David Buehler in round five to handle kickoff duties, which should only help keep Folk crisper for the length of the season. Felix Jones will return kicks while rookie DeAngelo Smith from the University of Cincinnati should emerge as the punt returner.

DALLAS COWBOYS OFF-SEASON TRACKER

Acquired
QB Jon Kitna (trade Lions)
TE Scott Chandler: FA Chargers; terms unknown
DE Igor Olshansky: UFA Chargers; $18M/4 yrs, $8M guaranteed
DE Derreck Robinson: FA; terms unknown
LB Keith Brooking: UFA Falcons; $6M/3 yrs, $2.5M guaranteed
SS Gerald Sensabaugh: UFA Jaguars; $1.75M/1 yr, guarantees unknown
Re-signed
WR Miles Austin: RFA; $1.545M/1 yr
DE Stephen Bowen: RFA; $1.545M/1 yr; terms unknown
RB Alonzo Coleman: ERFA; $385,000/1 yr
TE Rodney Hannah: ERFA; $310,000/1 yr
WR Sam Hurd: RFA; $1.545M/1 yr
OG Cory Procter: RFA; $1.545M/1 yr
Drafted
QB Stephen McGee, Texas A&M
WR Manuel Johnson, Oklahoma
TE John Phillips, Virginia
OT Robert Brewster, Ball State
DE Victor Butler, Oregon
DE Brandon Williams, Texas Tech
LB Jason Williams, Western Illinois
CB Mike Mickens, Cincinnati
CB DeAngelo Smith, Cincinnati
SS Stephen Hodge, TCU
FS Michael Hamlin, Clemson
K David Buehler, USC
Undrafted Free Agents
QB Rudy Carpenter, Arizona State
FB Asaph Schwapp, Notre Dame
WR Kevin Ogletree, Virginia
WR Julian Hawkins, Boise State
OG Michael Turkovich, Notre Dame
OG Greg Isdaner, West Virginia
OG Travis Bright, BYU
LS Jamar Hunt, UTEP
Departures
QB Brad Johnson (released)
WR Terrell Owens (released)
TE Tony Curtis: Not tendered as RFA/Chiefs; terms unknown
OG Joe Berger: UFA Dolphins; 3 yrs, terms unknown
DE Chris Canty: UFA Giants; $42M/6 yrs, $8.5M SB/$17.25M guaranteed
DT Tank Johnson: UFA Bengals; $620,000/1 yr
LB Greg Ellis (released)
LB Zach Thomas: UFA Chiefs; $2M/1 yr
LB Kevin Burnett: UFA Chargers; $5.5M/2 yrs, $2M SB
CB Adam Jones (released)
CB Anthony Henry (traded Lions)
SS Roy Williams (released)
DB Keith Davis: UFA Raiders; terms unknown
Unsigned
QB Brooks Bollinger (not tendered as UFA June 1)
LB Carlos Polk (not tendered as UFA June 1)
P Sam Paulescu (not tendered as ERFA)

PROJECTION

Every thing is bigger in Texas and that statement doesn’t fall from the expectations of this club as they enter there new Cowboys Stadium. Jerry Jones deserves partial credit for removing Owens from the locker room. No one likes to go to work with someone who complains all the time or you have to be on pins and needles with because they always have to be pampered and cradled. Romo should benefit greatly from not feeling the pressure of hearing about it every time he throws the ball somewhere else. With the weight of T.O. off his back, the weight of stepping up and becoming the leader of this ball club will be the new talk surrounding Romo. With the new atmosphere in Dallas, many believe the Cowboys are on the right track but the final piece may be bringing in a Super Bowl caliber coach such as Mike Shanahan, Bill Cower or Jon Gruden to help Jerry Jones remove that monkey off his back. The balance of powers in the smash-mouth NFC East will make for a very competitive divisional battle, putting the Cowboys at .500 and an 8-8 record.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Texas A&M), Texas Tech Athletics