The Dallas Cowboys had an offseason that questioned if they still are the major contenders they were last season. Many roster spots are filled with questions that need to be answered before this upcoming season.
“To me they are a team with a lot of ifs: if this happens, if this happens, if this happens,” said Charean Williams, sports writer at NBC Sports.
Is Dak the Answer???
The first “if'' is their quarterback Dak Prescott. The team’s front office is questioning if Dak is the player to win the Super Bowl for them.
“I don’t think we know that yet. I don’t think he knows that yet. I don’t think the team knows that yet,” Williams said.
These questions arose after last year's wildcard matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Prescott had 254 yards on 53% completion, a touchdown and an interception in the loss.
Williams said a way to help Prescott succeed this upcoming season is upgrading the offensive line.
Chat Sports Anchor Tom Downey said one his major concerns of the offensive line is their penalties; they led the league with 54 penalties on the season.
“The crux of the cause of the offensive line issues was a lack of chemistry,” Downey said.
Journalism senior Matthew Sgroi said this about the production from the offensive line, “I don’t think it’s there. Now, they are doing things to address it, which is a good sign.”
The Cowboys have filled out the offensive line with draft prospects, such as Tyler Smith and six other rookies.
“I’m just not super sure one year and one offseason is going to do it for them,” Sgroi said.
Ezekiel Elliot: Asset or Liability?
Running back Ezekiel Elliot has overcome many injuries over the past three years, specifically four injuries on his left knee that led to a PCL tear this season.
Elliot reached 1,002 yards rushing on 237 carries in the 2021 season, third lowest of his career. During his first four seasons in the years 2015-2019, he averaged 1,351 total yards off 292 carries.
Williams said the decline of production happened after the Cowboys gave Elliot a six-year $90 million extension.
“Ezekiel was really in his first three years, he was probably the best running back in the NFL, but he hasn’t been that over these last two years,” Williams said, “I think the Cowboys are paying the price, so to speak, for that contract.”
“Zeke wasn’t a liability, I think the way they force fed him was a little bit of a problem. Which I think is more of a coaching issue,” Downey said.
Coaching Shake Up?
Williams said the Cowboys have raised suspicions as to whether head coach Mike McCarthy is the right fit to lead the team far in the playoffs.
“I don’t know if McCarthy is that NFL caliber head coach,” Downey said.
This upcoming season will determine if McCarthy is capable of holding his position as head coach. If the team fails to get to the NFC Championship, owner Jerry Jones and general manager Stephen Jones have made it clear he will be gone next year.
“His [Jerry Jones] patience is very thin right now. McCarthy knows he's under a lot of pressure to win,” Williams said.
If McCarthy underperforms as head coach this season, Williams said it is a possibility for Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn to be promoted to head coach.
Quinn led the Cowboy’s defense to a turnover differential of +14, tying with the Indianapolis Colts for the league high.
“To me, the one piece they kept that was really important was Dan Quinn,” Williams said. “I think he’ll be the next head coach of the Cowboys in 2023.”
What to Expect
The Philadelphia Eagles recently added to their roster, acquiring Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown. The Eagles are going to be the main competition against the Cowboys for the division title.
“If I had to pick today, I’d pick the Eagles to win the division,” Williams said.
Downey said that he was worried that the Cowboys won’t get noticeable upgrades in the positions they need it. This is in part due to the players they lost during the offseason, such as receiver Amari Cooper, defensive end Randy Gregory and guard Connor Williams.
“It almost seems like they are treading water,” Downey said. “I think they are still kind of, stuck.”
All these questions will be answered for the Cowboys at 7:20 p.m. Sept. 11, the first game of the season.
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