2014 Cowboys NFL Handicapping
Romo’s Health Key To Cowboys Extending Run Of Mediocrity In 2014
The Dallas Cowboys have defined what it means to be mediocre since 2011. After three-straight 8-8 seasons this could finally be the year they dip under .500.
2014 Dallas Cowboys Team Preview/Predictions
- Cowboys 2013 Record: 8-8
- Cowboys ATS Record: 9-7
2014 Cowboys Futures
- Cowboys Super Bowl Odds: +3500
- Cowboys Conference Odds: +2000
- Cowboys NFC East Odds: +300
- Cowboys 2014 NFL Regular Season Wins: 8
Tony Romo still isn’t at full strength after offseason back surgery, a defense that was one of the worst in NFL history lost its three best players, and there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding the coaching staff with head coach Jason Garrett entering the final year of his contract and Rod Marinelli on board as the team’s third defensive coordinator in as many seasons.
There is still substantial talent at a number of positions but ultimately the Cowboys will face an uphill climb just to match their win total from each of the past three seasons.
A healthy Romo could make a major difference for an offense that has plenty of weapons but needs a quarterback capable of getting them the ball. Dallas didn’t take a quarterback in the 2014 NFL Draft (Johnny Manziel was available at No. 16) and Brandon Weeden was signed in the offseason to take over as the backup after failing in Cleveland.
Dez Bryant had 93 catches for 1,233 yards and 13 touchdowns a year ago and he could easily match those numbers in his contract year if Romo is throwing him the football. Fellow receiver Terrance Williams is coming off an excellent rookie season and will take over as the No. 2 opposite Bryant after veteran Miles Austin was let go.
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The Cowboys drafted fifth-round pick Devin Street to compete with Dwayne Harris and Cole Beasley to fill out the depth chart. Tight end Jason Witten is still one of the best in the league at his position and 2013 second-round pick Gavin Escobar could play a bigger role in the offense.
Pro Bowl running back DeMarco Murray proved he can be a star with an explosive second half and will look to build on his 2013 performance after he finished the season with 1,121 rushing yards.
Joseph Randle is ready to contribute after a thumb injury held him back in his rookie season while Lance Dunbar is an speedy back that offers an excellent change of pace option as long as his snaps are limited.
Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith and second-year center Travis Frederick anchor an impressive offensive line that should be even better after Dallas used its 16th-overall pick on right guard Zack Martin.
There isn’t nearly as much optimism about a defense that was the worst in the NFL last season.
Marinelli is an intelligent coordinator whose biggest strength is coaching up the defensive line but the Cowboys lost DeMarcus Ware, Jason Hatcher, and Ernie Sims in the offseason and star linebacker Sean Lee suffered a torn ACL in camp and will miss the entire season.
Dallas traded up to take defensive end Demarcus Lawrence in the second round and he is projected to start right away on the right side opposite free agent addition Jeremy Mincey or George Selvie.
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Henry Melton was added from the Chicago Bears to fill the hole left by Hatcher next to nose tackle Nick Hayden but the depth in the middle of the line isn’t strong. Justin Durant will move over from the weak side to the middle linebacker spot as Lee’s replacement and while he is a solid player he will not bring to the table everything that Lee did as one of the top inside linebackers in the game.
Bruce Carter underachieved last year on the weak side but gets another chance opposite Kyle Wilber on the strong side. Brandon Carr hasn’t lived up to expectations after signing with the Cowboys as a free agent in 2012 while Morris Claiborne has been a bust in two seasons since being taken in the first round in 2012.
Carr will once again start opposite Orlando Scandrick with Claiborne the favorite to handle the nickel duties ahead of Sterling Moore. Marinelli believes that free safety Barry Church and strong safety JJ Wilcox are capable starters and will improve with better play from the corner positions.
There are too many question marks on both sides of the ball to bank on Dallas to reach the .500 mark again in 2014. The potential for Romo to miss time is the biggest warning flag for a team that has plenty of them and this could finally be the year that the bottom comes out from underneath a franchise that has been mediocre for such a long time.
Look for the Cowboys to take a step back in 2014, which might actually end up being the best option when it comes to the team’s long-term success.
2014 Cowboys Predictions
- Place they’ll finish in NFC East: 3rd
- Place they’ll finish in NFC Conference: 11th
- Over/Under Wins Prediction: UNDER
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