Jul 21 2005
Improvements:
- Head coach Bill Parcells finally has adequate size on defense to play the smash-mouth style that has made him successful in the past. The addition of nose tackle Jason Ferguson should pay immediate dividends, and Anthony Henry and Aaron Glenn add much-needed depth in the secondary.
- On offense, Bledsoe should be an upgrade over Vinny Testeverde, although his lack of mobility could be a problem. Julius Jones showed signs over the second half last year that he has the ability to carry a heavy load and with a full season under his belt, he should take a lot of pressure off Bledsoe.
- With a lot of new faces on defense, and the switch to a 3-4 set, there could be problems, especially early in the season, getting everyone on the same page. Roy Williams is being moved to strong safety, where he is better suited, but Keith Davis will be asked to fill the starting free safety position, and even with the added depth at corner, the secondary is still probably the weakest link on the defensive side.
- The Cowboys offensive line, which added guard Marco Rivera as a free agent from the Packers, must do a better job protecting Bledsoe than they did last year blocking for Testeverde.
- The wide receiving corps, led by Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn, is questionable, so much of the success of the offense will depend on how well Jones runs the ball. If he is consistent, it will open up the play-action passing game. But if he struggles, it will allow opposing defenses to focus on the passing game. Free agent acquisition Anthony Thomas is a nice insurance policy, but is not a big-play threat.
Outlook:
The Cowboys had a nice off-season, but much of their success hinges on how well their defense comes together early in the season, along with the offensive line’s ability to protect Bledsoe. Early-season struggles would not be surprising, but Parcells should right the ship early enough to compete for second place in the NFC East.
