Grade: B+
Offensive Linemen
Larry Allen seems to have finally gotten the message that if he wants to continue playing in the NFL he has to work harder now than he did when he was 25. After a rough start to the off-season, Allen is reportedly in the best shape he’s been in for quite some time. His pro-bowl berth last year was based on his name more than his play and he’ll be pushed this year by the rookie Peterman. Andre Gurode shared the Parcells doghouse last year with Allen by making senseless penalties at seemingly the worst times. He has unlimited potential but needs to step his mental game up a notch to keep his job. DeMingo Graham and Torrin Tucker will also be in the mix at the guard position.
At center the Boys’ are desperately hoping that Al Johnson can return from micro-fracture surgery on his knee. He had basically won the starter’s job after just two practices last year only to have his season come to an abrupt halt due to the injury. Matt Lehr and Gennaro DiNapoli did a respectable job filling in last year and were expected to compete with Johnson for the starter’s role this year. But DiNapoli will be sidelined for 4-to-6 weeks with a stress fracture in his right ankle (he’ll likely miss the first week or two of training camp) and Lehr is currently penciled in at the guard spot. That leaves Tyson Walter as the only competition for Johnson as training camp opens.
The Cowboys took a beating from the media last year when they signed Flozell Adams to a long-term deal. But the left tackle proved Dallas and Parcells right by earning his first pro-bowl appearance and becoming the leader and anchor of the group. There will be a fierce battle for the right tackle position between the rookie Rogers and incumbent Kurt Vollers with Javier Collins also getting a look from the staff.
Grade: B
Defensive Linemen
The signing of Wiley was two-fold in that the team hopes he can regain the form he displayed a couple years ago and that his presence will also open things up for Greg Ellis. Regardless, he should still be a huge upgrade over Ebenezer Ekuban. Eric Ogbogu and Kenyon Coleman have also caught the coach’s eye during mini-camps and should be a part of the rotation going into next season. Ogbogu actually finished third on the team last year by recording three and a half sacks in a limited role.
La’Roi Glover is a perennial pro-bowler at DT despite being consistently double-teamed. His sack totals have dipped since coming to Dallas from New Orleans three years ago, but he’s still been the most dominant defensive lineman on the team. Willie Blade is the favorite to win the other starting job, but will be challenged in camp by Leonardo Carson, Daleroy Stewart and Shaun Smith.
Grade: B+
Linebackers
Dat Nguyen and Dexter Coakley are the leaders of the linebackers and huge contributors to the leagues No.1 ranked defense. It is no secret that Parcells prefers big LBs, but Coakley and Nguyen have made believers out of him with their play on the field. Al Singleton is the other starter and provides experience and stability to go along with the size that Parcells prefers. Second year pro Bradie James should see a lot more action this year and could even oust Coakley or Singleton from their starting job. Markus Steele and Jamal Brooks provide excellent depth for the Cowboys.
Grade: A
Secondary
With Roy Williams, Terence Newman and Darren Woodson manning the secondary, it’s no wonder the Dallas Cowboys led the league in pass defense last season. Pete Hunter will be asked to take over the right CB spot for departed Mario Edwards and the coaching staff loves his combination of size and speed. Add in the return of Donald Mitchell and rookie Bruce Thornton along with Lynn Scott and Keith Davis, and it’s no wonder why Parcells considers this to be the strength of his top ranked defense.
Grade: A
