Dallas
Cowboys' 2006
Schedule
Pre-Season
1. Aug. 10-14 @Seattle
2. Aug. 21@ New Orleans
3. Aug. 24-28 vs. SF
4. Aug. 31-Sept. 2 vs. MIN
Regular Season
1. Sept. 10 - @ Jacksonville
2. Sept. 17 - vs. Washington
3. Bye
4. Oct. 1 - @ Tennessee
5. Oct. 8 - @ Philadelphia
6. Oct. 15 - vs. Houston
7. Oct. 23 - vs. NY Giants
8. Oct. 29 - @ Carolina
9. Nov. 5 - @ Washington
10. Nov. 12 - @ Arizona
11. Nov. 19 - vs. Indianapolis
12. Nov. 23 - vs. Tampa Bay
13. Dec. 3 - @ NY Giants
14. Dec. 10 - vs. N.O. Saints
15. Dec. 16 - @ Atlanta
16. Dec. 25 - vs. Philadelphia
17. Dec. 31 -vs. Detroit
Cowboys' 2006
Schedule
Pre-Season
1. Aug. 10-14 @Seattle
2. Aug. 21@ New Orleans
3. Aug. 24-28 vs. SF
4. Aug. 31-Sept. 2 vs. MIN
Regular Season
1. Sept. 10 - @ Jacksonville
2. Sept. 17 - vs. Washington
3. Bye
4. Oct. 1 - @ Tennessee
5. Oct. 8 - @ Philadelphia
6. Oct. 15 - vs. Houston
7. Oct. 23 - vs. NY Giants
8. Oct. 29 - @ Carolina
9. Nov. 5 - @ Washington
10. Nov. 12 - @ Arizona
11. Nov. 19 - vs. Indianapolis
12. Nov. 23 - vs. Tampa Bay
13. Dec. 3 - @ NY Giants
14. Dec. 10 - vs. N.O. Saints
15. Dec. 16 - @ Atlanta
16. Dec. 25 - vs. Philadelphia
17. Dec. 31 -vs. Detroit
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I'm asking anyone who is a fan of this site to become a co-writer for
it. I have a new job that will take away from the amount of time I can
put into this website. I'm probably only going to have time for a
couple of articles a week, which is hardly enough to keep visitors
coming back. All you would have to do is e-mail me the article and I
would be able to post it and give you credit for it.
Have your opinion heard! A different viewpoint would be great for
this site. Please e-mail me if your interested. My e-mail address is
admin@cowboys-fan.com
| Cowboy's Trivia Question of the Week! What college did Larry Allen attend? Last Week's Answer: 1991 |
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Pass Rushing Epiphany
With our lack of pass rush being the primary downfall of our
defense last season, I wondered why we didn't seriously go after a
pass rusher during the first week of free agency. Then it hit me.
We've already made our major pass rush upgrade Wade Phillips
was hired was to improve our pass rush.
Jerry Jones doesn't plan on using precious resources on pass
rushers. He expects Wade Phillips to take care of it with the
players we have. Now, he wants to give Phillips some decent talent
to work with, but if he was going to spend a bunch of money on elite
pass rushers then why hire Phillips. Norv Turner could get sacks
out of DeMarcus Ware, Greg Ellis, and Adalius Thomas.
This subject will make or break the Wade Phillips era. If our pass
rush improves under his watch, he will be considered a success. If
we continue to struggle, he will have failed at the primary objective
that brought him here in the first place. Now, I'm not expecting the
60 sacks that the Chargers got last season. We don't have that
kind of talent. But I don't see why he couldn't add 10 sacks to a
group of guys that would get around 35 with Bill Parcells's regime.
45 sacks would be Top 10 in the NFL. If we could do that without
adding any additional personel then it helps us out a lot with other
pressing needs because that means we can use our money and
draft picks on our secondary and offensive line.
So with the assumption that we won't make any significant
upgrades in the pass rush department, let's look at how we sit in
this area.
DeMarcus Ware by my estimation is the 2nd best 3-4 OLB in the
NFL. He is right behind Shawne Merriman, but he may jump ahead
after a season under Phillips. Ware's season was amazing. His
11.5 sacks is more than Joey Porter or Adalius Thomas have every
had in a season.
We have question marks opposite Ware, but we have three guys
who could potentially fill this role. Greg Ellis appears to be
rehabbing quite well. I don't see him being the full-time guy at
SOLB due to his limitations in coverage, but he should contribute.
Bobby Carpenter really came on in the play-off game last season,
but I look at him more as an ILB that can play OLB pretty well.
Looking at Carpenter's skill set, I'd guess that he would notch 5-7
sacks in a full-time role next season. It would obviously be better if
you could get more than that from your SOLB and let Carpenter get
those 5-7 sacks at ILB in Phillips' aggressive scheme. The wildcard
here is Kevin Burnett. He is a great athlete and he looked really
good in the Titans game shadowing Vince Young. He is
undersized, but he can play the position. He isn't a dynamic pass
rusher (although he isn't bad), but he would be perfect in a platoon
with Greg Ellis.
At ILB we have James, Ayodele, and Carpenter in the mix. We
never blitzed our ILBs last year but I expect that to change.
Ayodele played DE in college, so you can't tell me he can't be a
good blitzer. James hasn't been blitzed enough for me to know if
he is very good. Carpenter is exactly what you are looking for in a
blitzing LB. He had 8 sacks his senior year in college doing mostly
that.
The main position we need improvement at is DE. Spears, Canty,
and Hatcher have to generate some type of pass rush. Pass
rushing isn't the #1 priority for DEs in a 3-4, but it is a priority. He
need 12-15 sacks from that unit.
So there it is. We are going to try and improve our pass rush from
within with Wade Phillips. A healthy Greg Ellis would help, but
remember our pass rush wasn't very good even with him last
season. The real key is if we can rack up sacks from the ILB and
DE positions. If we can, our defense could be dominant next
season.
With our lack of pass rush being the primary downfall of our
defense last season, I wondered why we didn't seriously go after a
pass rusher during the first week of free agency. Then it hit me.
We've already made our major pass rush upgrade Wade Phillips
was hired was to improve our pass rush.
Jerry Jones doesn't plan on using precious resources on pass
rushers. He expects Wade Phillips to take care of it with the
players we have. Now, he wants to give Phillips some decent talent
to work with, but if he was going to spend a bunch of money on elite
pass rushers then why hire Phillips. Norv Turner could get sacks
out of DeMarcus Ware, Greg Ellis, and Adalius Thomas.
This subject will make or break the Wade Phillips era. If our pass
rush improves under his watch, he will be considered a success. If
we continue to struggle, he will have failed at the primary objective
that brought him here in the first place. Now, I'm not expecting the
60 sacks that the Chargers got last season. We don't have that
kind of talent. But I don't see why he couldn't add 10 sacks to a
group of guys that would get around 35 with Bill Parcells's regime.
45 sacks would be Top 10 in the NFL. If we could do that without
adding any additional personel then it helps us out a lot with other
pressing needs because that means we can use our money and
draft picks on our secondary and offensive line.
So with the assumption that we won't make any significant
upgrades in the pass rush department, let's look at how we sit in
this area.
DeMarcus Ware by my estimation is the 2nd best 3-4 OLB in the
NFL. He is right behind Shawne Merriman, but he may jump ahead
after a season under Phillips. Ware's season was amazing. His
11.5 sacks is more than Joey Porter or Adalius Thomas have every
had in a season.
We have question marks opposite Ware, but we have three guys
who could potentially fill this role. Greg Ellis appears to be
rehabbing quite well. I don't see him being the full-time guy at
SOLB due to his limitations in coverage, but he should contribute.
Bobby Carpenter really came on in the play-off game last season,
but I look at him more as an ILB that can play OLB pretty well.
Looking at Carpenter's skill set, I'd guess that he would notch 5-7
sacks in a full-time role next season. It would obviously be better if
you could get more than that from your SOLB and let Carpenter get
those 5-7 sacks at ILB in Phillips' aggressive scheme. The wildcard
here is Kevin Burnett. He is a great athlete and he looked really
good in the Titans game shadowing Vince Young. He is
undersized, but he can play the position. He isn't a dynamic pass
rusher (although he isn't bad), but he would be perfect in a platoon
with Greg Ellis.
At ILB we have James, Ayodele, and Carpenter in the mix. We
never blitzed our ILBs last year but I expect that to change.
Ayodele played DE in college, so you can't tell me he can't be a
good blitzer. James hasn't been blitzed enough for me to know if
he is very good. Carpenter is exactly what you are looking for in a
blitzing LB. He had 8 sacks his senior year in college doing mostly
that.
The main position we need improvement at is DE. Spears, Canty,
and Hatcher have to generate some type of pass rush. Pass
rushing isn't the #1 priority for DEs in a 3-4, but it is a priority. He
need 12-15 sacks from that unit.
So there it is. We are going to try and improve our pass rush from
within with Wade Phillips. A healthy Greg Ellis would help, but
remember our pass rush wasn't very good even with him last
season. The real key is if we can rack up sacks from the ILB and
DE positions. If we can, our defense could be dominant next
season.
Mock Draft Version 3.0
I think its safe to say we aren't going to be making any more major
splashes in free agency. We will probably sign a backup inside
linebacker since Ryan Fowler is headed to Philadelphia. With free
agency all but finished, I figured it was time for another mock draft.
1. WR Sidney Rice South Carolina 6'4 200 4.51
We are getting pretty old at receiver, and there is a good chance
Terrell Owens will be sent packing. This is an excellent year to
draft a WR. Rice and possibly Robert Meachem could be available
at #22, although Meachem probably won't be. Most years both are
Top 15 picks. Safety is a possibility, but if Reggie Nelson is off the
board I simply don't see the value in taking Michael Griffin or
Brandon Meriweather versus Rice.
2. FS Eric Weddle Utah 5'11 203 4.48
If we could land Weddle at this spot, we would be sitting pretty. He
is probably the most accomplished defensive player in the draft. He
played mostly cornerback in college, but he will play safety in the
pros. He is considered a late 2nd round pick by most, but I don't
really understand why. He has good measureables and athleticism
and his intangibles are through the roof. I could definitely see him
get drafted by a team earlier than this that wants a high character
player. We would be in trouble if we took a WR in the 1st round
and couldn't get Weddle. It would probably be worth the risk
though because none of the WRs available in the 2nd round
impress me.
3. OT Doug Free N. Illinois 6'6 324 5.24
Free is an amazingly gifted athlete. He needs to develop more
strength, but he has the ability to play left tackle. He could also
project to guard for teams looking for a good pulling guard. He is
raw, but he gives us another developmental guy at tackle.
4. NT Paul Soliai Utah 6'4 344 5.14
Prototypical nose tackle prospect. Big, strong and fairly athletic.
Hold his ground at the point of attack. Lacks the pass rushing
ability 4-3 teams covet.
5. OLB Jacob Ford C. Arkansas 6'3 247 4.65
Ford is an athletic edge rusher who can be a terror in an
opponent's backfield. He is raw and needs to develop more
strength and pass rushing moves, but he has the ability to be a
standout OLB in our 3-4 defense.
6. CB Ryan Smith Florida 5'11 174 4.62
Smith was one of the most productive corners in college last
season. He is frail, but all he does is make plays. His forty from the
combine is horrible, but I've read where he has ran better times in
the past. He lacks measurables, but has amazing ball skills and he
reminds me of Aaron Glenn.
7. QB Drew Tate Iowa 5'11 192 4.75
Seems like the perfect guy to groom as a backup quarterback.
Amazing leader who simply lacks the physical ability to start.
7. C/G Lyle Sendlein Texas 6'4 305 5.35
Depth at both guard and center.
7. ILB Cameron Jensen BYU 6'2 245 4.85
Good special teamer who might add depth at ILB.
I think its safe to say we aren't going to be making any more major
splashes in free agency. We will probably sign a backup inside
linebacker since Ryan Fowler is headed to Philadelphia. With free
agency all but finished, I figured it was time for another mock draft.
1. WR Sidney Rice South Carolina 6'4 200 4.51
We are getting pretty old at receiver, and there is a good chance
Terrell Owens will be sent packing. This is an excellent year to
draft a WR. Rice and possibly Robert Meachem could be available
at #22, although Meachem probably won't be. Most years both are
Top 15 picks. Safety is a possibility, but if Reggie Nelson is off the
board I simply don't see the value in taking Michael Griffin or
Brandon Meriweather versus Rice.
2. FS Eric Weddle Utah 5'11 203 4.48
If we could land Weddle at this spot, we would be sitting pretty. He
is probably the most accomplished defensive player in the draft. He
played mostly cornerback in college, but he will play safety in the
pros. He is considered a late 2nd round pick by most, but I don't
really understand why. He has good measureables and athleticism
and his intangibles are through the roof. I could definitely see him
get drafted by a team earlier than this that wants a high character
player. We would be in trouble if we took a WR in the 1st round
and couldn't get Weddle. It would probably be worth the risk
though because none of the WRs available in the 2nd round
impress me.
3. OT Doug Free N. Illinois 6'6 324 5.24
Free is an amazingly gifted athlete. He needs to develop more
strength, but he has the ability to play left tackle. He could also
project to guard for teams looking for a good pulling guard. He is
raw, but he gives us another developmental guy at tackle.
4. NT Paul Soliai Utah 6'4 344 5.14
Prototypical nose tackle prospect. Big, strong and fairly athletic.
Hold his ground at the point of attack. Lacks the pass rushing
ability 4-3 teams covet.
5. OLB Jacob Ford C. Arkansas 6'3 247 4.65
Ford is an athletic edge rusher who can be a terror in an
opponent's backfield. He is raw and needs to develop more
strength and pass rushing moves, but he has the ability to be a
standout OLB in our 3-4 defense.
6. CB Ryan Smith Florida 5'11 174 4.62
Smith was one of the most productive corners in college last
season. He is frail, but all he does is make plays. His forty from the
combine is horrible, but I've read where he has ran better times in
the past. He lacks measurables, but has amazing ball skills and he
reminds me of Aaron Glenn.
7. QB Drew Tate Iowa 5'11 192 4.75
Seems like the perfect guy to groom as a backup quarterback.
Amazing leader who simply lacks the physical ability to start.
7. C/G Lyle Sendlein Texas 6'4 305 5.35
Depth at both guard and center.
7. ILB Cameron Jensen BYU 6'2 245 4.85
Good special teamer who might add depth at ILB.