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Cowboys Fantasies

I’ve played fantasy ball on and off.  Did well most years, but just haven’t had the manic time the game deserves recently.

That said, Dallas has some interesting offensive and defensive options this year.   Terrell Owens is a fantasy superstar, when he’s healthy.  Julius Jones, on the other hand, defines a boom or bust player.

As we count down the days till minicamp, a question for all the fantasy players — which Cowboys would you select and in what rounds would you rate them?

Joe Brodsky - R.I.P.

Former Cowboys RB coach Joe Brodsky passed away yesterday at the age of 71. Brodsky was part of the tight-knit group of coaches that followed Jimmy Johnson from the University of Miami to Dallas in 1989. That unit, which included Dave Wannstedt, Tony Wise, Butch Davis, Dave Campo and Hubbard Alexander overcame initial ridicule to build a championship squad.

Brodsky was responsible for developing Dallas’ duo of Emmitt Smith and Daryl Johnston. His passing comes only months after former Cowboys’ DC Ernie Stautner’s.

Tom Landry must be rebuilding in the great beyond.

Some Depth Chart thoughts in May

I know, this most likely won’t serve any purpose but killing time, so I’ll aim at a leg and hope for a slow death…..

QB:

Drew Bledsoe, Tony Romo, Drew Henson and Jeff Mroz.
This one is easy, we all know who the starter is going to be and we all know that he’s going to be healthy…. I mean, how many times he’s been hitted (not just sacked) in the last few years and the guy just bends, never breaks…. Romo and Henson battle the backup role and it’s going to be close, Henson numbers were really good considering that he didn’t played with the 2 starters at WR for a couple of games before going down with the knee injury and that even his starters dropped a staggering amount of balls. Mroz is a project.

RB:

Julius Jones, Marion Barber and Tyson Thompson.
After seeing highlights of Jones in 2004 and seeing the film I have from this past season, there were a couple of things that popped inmediatelly, the first one is that he wasn’t hitting the hole as fast as before as he was looking to contain the ball in both of his arm before getting there, that took some of his quickness early in the season, by the Philly game he adjusted as he was less cautious. The second was that he was hitted behind the LOS too often, but most important, is that many of those hits were by Allen and Rivera, as they were supposed to open holes, failed and Jones went anywhere. I expect a big season from Jones. I also expect big things from Barber, but the main one, is that I expect him to be bigger, close to 230 pounds, that’s going to aid his runing style. Thompson’s going to be important in the return game, I read somewhere that the FO was thinking on putting Thompson with Skyler Green in KRs and force teams to prepare for both returners, another spin of the versatility subject?

TE:

Jason Witten, Anthony Fasano, Ryan Hannam, Brett Pierce, Sean Ryan, Danny Young and Tony Curtis.
Another pie…. Witten and Fasano are the starters as the team won’t have a FB and both will alternate as HBs when they aren’t on the Tackles sides and while I don’t believe that Fasano’s going to be a Fantasy Football TE in catches, he’s going to have a big role in the Red Zone, while he’s handed single coverage, if someone covers him…. Hannam gets the role that Spears started getting past season, the one of the 3rd TE in the Red Zone and in short yardage sits, but there’s one major diference, this guy can catch the ball. A 4th TE is going to make the team and he’s going to be active on gamedays, most likely it’s going to be Pierce, but there’s a wildcard and he’s Danny Young as he’s also a Long Snapper, I heard that Parcells wasn’t happy that his LS wasn’t capable of doing anything else but snap, that’s what happens when you have one that plays DE…. If Young can snap in a consistent enough basis (even if it’s a little less than Ladouceur), that along with his STs play and whatever he gets as a TE could be enough for him to get the nod.

WR:

Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn, Patrick Crayton, Skyler Green, Terrance Copper, Ahmad Merritt, Jamaica Rector, Sam Hurd et al.
The top 4 are a pie, Owens, Glenn, Crayton and Green are locks, but predicting the 5th receiver is going to be a cr@p shoot as Copper should compete for the 2nd year in a row with Merritt and who knows? Last season Merritt went down injured. Hadn’t he, prolly he would have taken Copper’s role. Rector and Hurd (the Undrafted FA signed to a 3 year deal) are going to be good competition.

OLine:

Flozell Adams, Kyle Kosier, Al Johnson, Marco Rivera, Rob Petitti, Jason Fabini, Andre Gurode, Stephen Peterman, Marc Colombo, et al.
Here Adams and Johnson make up for the 2 only no brainers, Adams as an elite LT and Johnson as a more consistent C, from there you have to question Kosier’s hability to perform at a high level in the running and passing game, Rivera’s health, Petitti’s growth over last season, Gurode’s limited potential due to his head limitations, Peterman’s limitations due to his injury and his limitations of only playing on the left side and Colombo’s perception of being soft. So, there are 6 questionable players on the OLine, if Parcells bats for .500 we shall have our 3 starters, what are the chances of bating for less? Procter (T/G), Snell (G), Tarullo (C/G), Whitley (C/G/T) and McQuistan (G/T) bring good depth all over the Line.

DLine:

Marcus Spears, Jason Ferguson, Chris Canty, Greg Ellis, Jason Hatcher, MounTavious Stanley, Pepper Johnson, Jay Ratliff, Kenyon Coleman et al.
Spears and Canty are no-brainers, they should be the starters if the team starts in the 3-4 and not in the Nickel. Jason Ferguson doesn’t gets the respect he should, after all the video that I’ve reviewed, teams didn’t ran through him for much, 3 or 4 yards was the most they could get, mostly they got no-gainers, against the 3-4 teams ran through Glover, Spears, Canty, Coleman (which was the reason behind him being sitting for the most part of the 2nd half of the season) and Ellis. Ferguson made his job even when he was nicked early in the season (sprained ankle?). Ellis’ going to play a lot in 4 man fronts. Hatcher too, but behind Spears, not behind Canty as that’s Ellis’ spot. Considering that Hatcher is expected to be above 290 pounds in TC, he’s going to be suited to play on the Strong side. I’m expecting big things from Ratliff, he has the potential of making us forget about Glover while he plays inside in 4 man fronts. Stanley and Johnson should battle for the backup NT role. Coleman is on his way out.

LB:

Demarcus Ware, Bradie James, Akin Ayodele, Al Singleton, Bobby Carpenter, Kevin Burnett, Rocky Boiman, Ryan Fowler, Scott Shanle, Kalen Thornton, JJ Horne, Kai Parham et al.
Ware, James and Ayodele shouldn’t surprize anyone as the starters in the 3-4, Singleton should be the starter early on the season while Carpenter gets comfortable with the speed of the game, though I won’t be surprized if he gets used to the speed in TC and starts in the Opener in Jax…. Boiman is an interesting prospect as he should be big enough to play OLB in the 3-4. Burnett’s injury concerns should make him a multi-position backup until he proves to be capable of staying healthy (the reason behind the team’s signings of Ayodele and Carpenter). And surprize! Surprize! I’m not high on Thornton and Shanle, though last season I was wrong with Bradie James…. But I can’t see the team keeping more than 8 LBs and Ware, James, Ayodele, Singleton, Carpenter, Boiman and Burnett count for 7 voids and I expect that the 8th is occupied by Fowler.

CB:

Terence Newman, Anthony Henry, Aaron Glenn, Jacques Reeves, Nate Jones, Lenny Williams, et al.
The only surprize that I could see here would be if Williams builds on his Europe experience and takes the depth and STs roles that last season belonged to Jones. That and Reeves taking some of the Nickel role away from Glenn, I think that he already is good enough to take some time out of the veteran.

S:

Roy Williams, Keith Davis, Pat Watkins, Justin Beriault, Marcus Coleman, Willie Pile, Quincy Butler, et al.
I don’t see Coleman making the team, to me Davis should build from last season through film reviews to become a better Strong Safety (he won’t ever be true FS as he lacks range). Beriault’s offseason progress and Watkins pass defender potential should be enough along with Davis to make Coleman expendable, along with Pile. Butler is an interesting project for the Practice Squad.

So, I’ll take a nab at the 53 man depth chart:

Main Offense:

QB: Bledsoe, Romo, Henson
RB: Jones, Barber, Thompson
TE: Witten, Pierce
TE: Fasano, Hannam
WR: Glenn, Green
WR: Owens, Crayton, Hurd
LT: Adams, Fabini, Colombo
LG: Kosier, Peterman, Tarullo
C: Johnson, Gurode, Tarullo
RG: Rivera, Peterman, Gurode
RT: Petitti, Fabini, Colombo

3-4 Main Defense:

LDE: Spears, Hatcher, Ratliff
NT: Ferguson, Stanley, Johnson
RDE: Canty, Ellis
SLB: Singleton, Carpenter
JLB: Ayodele, Burnett, Fowler
MLB: James, Boiman
WLB: Ware, Boiman, Burnett
LCB: Newman, Glenn, Reeves
RCB: Henry, Reeves, Jones
FS: Davis, Watkins
SS: Williams, Beriault

Special Teams:

K: Mike Vanderjagt
P: Mat McBriar
LS: L.P. Ladouceur
KR: Thompson, Green
PR: Green, Crayton, Newman

Did I left someone out?

Which Cowboys Are ‘Madden-Ready?’

Love him or loathe him, John Madden carries a lot of influence with Pro Bowl voters. When younger Cowboys like Terence Newman were ignored last year while established vets like Larry Allen received another gilded invitation to Honolulu, I mentioned that the young bloods had not yet received the “Madden treatment.”

You know the game: first your team starts winning; then, they get lots of national TV games; if they play well in the games covered by Madden, he’ll lather the stars with hyperbole, such as “nobody has longer sweat stains down their pants, Pat than the Cowboys’ linemen. They’re the best, sweatiest, smelliest offensive line I’ve ever seen…”

Next thing you know, you’ve got three or four of those linemen sipping mai tais on the beach.

Dallas players didn’t have a chance in ‘05 because they lacked national exposure, coming off a 6-10 season. But the Cowboys are back in the spotlight after a 9-7 turnaround and the acquistion of Terrell Owens. They’ve got two Monday night games, two Sunday night games, several national Sunday games and the annual Thanksgiving Day game lined up.

With that in mind, I’m taking up reader Shane J.’s question, “when is Terence Newman going to make the Pro Bowl,” and recasting it as, “which Cowboys will get the Madden Treatment in ‘06?” Assuming the Cowboys make the playoffs, I’ll rank them as follows:

Good Bets:

Roy Williams — He’s a good player and he’s got a Pro-Bowl reputation. The second part counts almost as much as the first.

Terrell Owens — The Cowboys offense will hurt his normal stat line a bit, but now that Roy Williams is on his team, I see sixteen games of performance.

Jason Witten — His spot is contingent on Jason Fabini, but if the old guy soldifies right tackle, Witten can resume terrorizing NFC safeties and linebackers. Alge Crumpler is the only TE in the conference who can match Witten’s numbers.

Possible:

Terence Newman — he started to get some notice last year. Sports Illustrated’s Paul Zimmerman named Newman to his All-Pro team, which only goes one-deep. Some love from Madden would put Newman on the map. Newman suffers from reverse-Rodney Dangerfield-syndrome, in that NFL QBs and OCs give him too much respect. Teams avoided him in the first half of the season, preferring to test Anthony Henry. When Henry got hurt, Newman almost never saw a ball come his way. Interceptions get cornerbacks to Honolulu and Newman needs more, unless Madden and other announcers point out how much he is feared;

Anthony Henry — Henry was having the stats-heavy year and had the Pro Bowl in his sights when he pulled a groin against Arizona. Teams tested him and beat him from time to time, but Henry won most of the battles. He dominated in the Chargers and Giants wins. A sixteen game repeat could earn him his due.

Bradie James — He was a prototype inside linebacker the last half of the season. He’ll need sixteen games of linebacker goodness this time, plus some serious love from Madden. Inside linebackers do the dirty work. They don’t get sacks or picks. He can make it, but he’ll need some help.

Demarcus Ware — Eight sacks was a promising start. He’ll need to take the next step and get into double digits. Outside linebacker is a sack position in a 3-4 and if Ware posts the numbers, he’ll get a post-season vacation.

Drew Bledsoe — He had a 98 rating at midseason but cratered when his line collapsed. NFC quarterback play dropped last year. Father time put Brett Favre in a vise grip; Donovan McNabb lost T.O. and any semblance of a running game; Duante Culpepper tore up his knee and Michael Vick regressed. Bledsoe can stand out in this watered down field, but does not control his fate. The five guys in front of him do.

Long Shots:

Julius Jones — T.O.’s arrival assures Jones won’t see many eight man fronts this year. He’s had some eye-popping performances his first two seasons but needs to stay healthy. That’s far from certain.

Flozell Adams — Adams has played in two Pro Bowls but is rehabbing a torn ACL. Walter Jones and Orlando Pace have two OT spots locked up. Flo, if healthy, could snag one of the last ones.

Chris Canty — He’s got that look about him, but needs a breakout year. He’ll need some heavy production when he’s playing end in the nickel, because he won’t get many sacks playing end in the 3-4.

Silly Season Silliness

No football turns idle minds to mush. There’s no news, unless you’re breathlessly following the vote to junk the NFL number system (it failed, no #5 for Reggie Bush) or Quincy Carter’s exploits in Canada. I’m trying to avoid this, but the blog needs constant feeding, and it’s real hungry right now.

This blurb got my attention and generated some wild speculation on my part. Let me repeat, this is nothing but me thinking out loud.

The Saints team site reports that SOLB James Allen ruptured a patella tendon yesterday and will miss the ‘06 season. Allen was New Orleans’ starter last year. The Saints signed Scott Fujita away from Dallas in free agency, so they may be covered. However, the Saints LB corps has played poorly in recent years. They’ve struck out in free agency before ‘06 and tried hard to get Dat Nguyen in exchange for Darren Howard last offseason. The linebacker cupboard is far from full on the Bayou.

Gary Gibbs, the former Cowboys LB coach, now coordinates the Saints D.

You think the Saints might inquire about Al Singleton? They play 4-3 and Singleton, the last time I checked, was still listed at 236 lbs. He bought into the 3-4 last year but is much better suited to the Cowboys’ old system. He’s also got nine years of wear on his treads…

Discuss.

Straight Up — Cowboys Go Retro with 3-4 D

“The 3-4 defense is what the Giants used to play. There was a nose tackle, two defense ends lined up on the tackles, two outside linebackes and then two [inside linebackers], both covering the guards. One of those linebackers is a fourth rusher. That is the 3-4 — the only 3-4 defense.”

– Notre Dame HC Charlie Weis, a former Bill Parcells assistant

“It’s about as overblown as the West Coast Offense was. A 3-4 defense means they have three defensive linemen — that’s it. Most teams use the ‘under’ or ‘over’ defenses and it’s not a true 3-4.”

– 49ers defensive coordinator Billy Davis

In the ’80s, Bill Parcells and Giants GM George Young pushed the planet theory on the NFL. To their way of thinking there are only so many big, athletic people on the planet, and if you have more of them than your opponent, you’ve got the edge.

The ’80s Giants built one of the league’s biggest defenses. 285 lb. DE Leonard Marshall outweighted nearly all the leagues offensive tackles. At a time when centers and guards weighed between 255 and 265 lbs., the Giants fielded three linebackers, Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson and Carl Banks, who all topped 240 lbs. They were fast enough to cover tight ends and backs and strong enough to man up with linemen.

These planets let Parcells keep New York’s schemes simple. Parcells wasn’t and isn’t big on exoticism. His guys played you straight up for sixty minutes. They believed they were the more physical team and could wear you down by game’s end.

Parcells has applied the planet theory in Dallas. Over the past two years he’s turned over a squad of short, smallish linebackers for a new group of bigger ones. Out went 235 lb. Dexter Coakley, replaced by 261 lb. Demarcus Ware. 236 lb. veteran Al Singleton remains on the roster, but he’ll need a great camp to keep 255 lb. rookie Bobby Carpenter on the sideline. 240 lb. Dat Nguyen was the biggest Cowboys LB two years ago. This year, 243 lb. Bradie James is the smallest.

Parcells has gone back to basics. Watch some tape of the ‘05 Cowboys and you’ll see that 3-4 Charlie Weis mentioned in the opening quote. Dallas plays its linemen head up on every down, with true two-gap responsibility. The nose tackle plays the A gaps to either side of the center. The ends play head up on the tackles and take responsbility for the B gaps between the guards and tackles, and the C gaps outside the OTs.

Dallas doesn’t slant it’s nose tackles, as many 3-4 teams do, and rarely plays over or undershifted fronts. (Weis told Pro Football Weekly’s NFL Preview 2005 that the other NFL 3-4 teams play a “true” 3-4 front only about 10% of the time.) On the other hand, those teams zone blitz extensively from their 3-4s, something Dallas rarely does under Parcells.

The simplified scheme allows Parcells to work in younger players faster, something Jimmy Johnson did with great success in his wide-end 4-3. But playing the “true” 3-4 front has its pitfalls in the early 2000s. A coach I questioned was skeptical it could be done, cautioning,

“The problem with a true two-gap defense in the NFL is the absolutely mammoth tackles in the league. Take out your rosters from the late ’80s — the difference is phenomenal. If Bill Parcells wants to run a pure 3-4 again, he’s got to make sure he has two guys who can hold down two gaps while stalemating a 350 lb. lineman. I am not sure it can be done.”

The coach has a point. The average size of NFL offensive tackles 20 years ago was 270 to 280 lbs. Washington’s Joe Jacoby and San Francisco’ Bubba Paris were considered giants at 300 lbs. You would have a hard time finding centers that small today. Look at the NFC East. The Eagles left tackle Tra Thomas and Dallas’ Flozell Adams both top 340 lbs. Washington’s Chris Samuels is the division’s runty LT at a robust 310 lbs.

Parcells may not be certain it can be done either — by only two men. This probably explains why he’s following Jimmy Johnson’s blueprints for building a defensive line. Johnson, like Parcells, relied on simplicity, speed and depth. Dallas probably ran the simplest scheme of its time. DCs Dave Wannstedt and Butch Davis blitzed less in ‘92 and ‘93 than any team around.

The key was what is now called a ‘wave’ system. Johnson drafted and traded for every young, athletic lineman he could get, until he built a eight man rotation featuring three ends — Charles Haley, Tony Tolbert and Jim Jeffcoat — and five tackles: Tony Casillas, Russell Maryland, Jimmie Jones, Leon Lett and Chad Hennings. Dallas turned pass protection into an endurance drill. The Cowboys linemen were small, but they were fast. They took turns running opposing linemen into the ground. Hefty 300 lb. plus linemen could stay with the Cowboys linemen for a half or so but would run out of gas late in games.

Parcells remains committed to the planet theory, but is merging it with this wave philosophy. He knows that 60 to 70 snaps a week for sixteen weeks favors offensive tackles against his young ends Chris Canty and Marcus Spears. But if he has two or three Cantys and Spears to rotate in, the advantage swings the defense’s way.

Where Johnson ran down opposing linemen, Parcells wants to beat them down by rotating Greg Ellis and rookie Jason Hatcher with Canty. On the left side, Kenyon Coleman and Jay Ratliff will get their turns at Spears’ spot. Inside, 6th-round draftee Montavious Stanley and second year vet Thomas Johnson will help greybeard nose tackle Jason Ferguson beat on opposing centers.

Parcells gambit relies heavily on youngsters, but allows them to rely on their athleticism. They will neither be overwhelmed by the Cowboys’ scheme nor overworked by their opponents. Going young increases uncertainty, but Parcells knows what Jimmy did — the shortest path to defensive domination is often the simplest one.

Shut Up and Play

The draft has gone, which means we’re deep into the now-annual Greg Ellis Passive-Aggressive Whining Sessions.

Surely, you’ve seen the headlines. Ellis is “concerned” about his role. He’s “not sure” about his fit in the 3-4 defense. To quote that great football critic Scarlett O’Hara, “could you stop being so mealy-mouthed about it?”

Honestly, the season ended in early January. It’s late May. If Ellis was unsure about his role, what has stopped him from walking into the coach’s office and having a talk? If Ellis wants to leave, why doesn’t he inform his coach and owner privately?

I understand if Ellis feels he’s being wasted. He’s in the later years of his career and wants to get the most out of his remaining time. But why does everything have to be done in the press? For the second year in a row? And if you’re going public, Greg, can you at least speak for yourself instead of hiding behind your agent? Ellis does his job when he’s between the lines, but I moved beyond the “he’s a team leader” nonsense last year. Panjandrums pout and leaders take care of their business. Greg Ellis is not taking care of business, at least not in a manner I appreciate.

I’m going to predict a lot of bluster, period. The offseason has gone dead, so these complaints will get ten times the attention they’re due. But if Ellis thinks he can pull a Javon Walker or a, gulp, Terrell Owens, he’s sadly mistaken. Dallas has his signature on a contract that runs through 2009. He serves an important role in the team’s four man schemes. He got eight sacks last season and until Chris Canty, Jason Hatcher or Bobby Carpenter replace them, Dallas would be foolish to move him. If Ellis wants to be traded he’ll have to produce. If he chooses to dog it — and he’s skipping offseason workouts, according to reports — he’ll find sitting on the bench doesn’t help your trade value.

On the other hand, the minute one or more of the youngsters steps forward, Ellis should be cashiered. For all his concerns about playing time and role, I don’t see him expressing too much concern about wins and losses. And that’s all any “leader” should care about.

Cowboys Fans Bitten By Hamster!

It’s the silly time of the year, as evidence by the length and ferocity of the last thread. To calm everybody down, I’d like to give some press to a merry band of U.K.-based Cowboys fans who run the informative and fun fanzine, Barry Switzer Ate My Hamster Too, better known to readers as “the Hamster.”

Yes, Barry Switzer Ate My Hamster Too is the mag’s real name. It was created as a joke, to mock the sensational headlines of British “red top” tabloids like The Sun and The Mirror. (The Hamster doesn’t have Page 3 Girls, unfortunately, but that’s another story.)

I first became aware of these gents in the mid-’90s, when I was writing for TheBoys.com. They reprinted some of my pieces and paid me with a snazzy t-shirt that has a Cowboys helmet on the back and reads “I’ve Been Bitten by the Hamster 50 times,” on the front. The shirt was made to commemorate their 50th issue and it never fails to draw puzzled stares and start conversations when I wear it in public.

The lads are looking for some publicity and want all our European fans, and there are a lot of you, to give them a look. Their web site is here. They’re huge fans and make an annual trip or two to Texas Stadium to watch their heroes in person. (Any of you going to Oxnard this year?)

They’ve also sent me four copies to offer as premiums and promise a special print of the Triplets that was commissioned last year, when Michael, Troy and Emmitt were inducted into the Ring of Honor. That piece of Cowboys goodness will be given as a prize during our July training camp fund drive.

In the meantime, I’m giving away the four mint copies of The Hamster. I’ve got an October issue with Toni Fritsch on the cover, a November issue with Drew Bledsoe on the cover, a March issue with Ernie Stautner on the cover and a May pre-draft issue with Terry Glenn gracing the front.

If you would like one, send an e-mail to the “Contact” link in the left hand margin with “Hamster Giveaway” in your subject header. No donation necessary, void where prohibited. I’ll announce the lucky winners one week from Monday.

Going On I.R.

Okay, readers, here’s your chance to run the bar.

In a fit of cheapness, I purchased a low-end, flat computer keyboard to replace my curved one, which died after a long and productive career a few weeks ago. Bad move. With all the typing I do every day, I now have sore knuckles on both index fingers, my middle finger on my right hand (mouse abuse) and tendonitis in both elbows. I can’t compare to Marco Rivera, but they hurt.

I’ve going to rest for a few days to let the inflammation heal. Any and all stories from you, on players, positional battles, the league, fandom, etc. are welcome and will be posted.

We’ve also got some changes coming in the very near future. A new masthead, a possible tweaking of the name and blog merchandise are in the offing. We’ve got a terrific slogan and logo for the upcoming season and can’t wait to roll it out.

In the meantime, I’m on I.R. Contact me at the “contact” link in the left hand column.

We’re All Chiefs Now

The NFL is a copycat league. Any successful strategic innovation is quickly appropriated by rivals, who either mimic your plays or hire your coaches and players away.

By this standard, the Kansas City Chiefs are being flattered by mimicry, at least in the NFC East. Nfl.com columist Pat Kirwan, a former coach and scout, canvassed some current league coaches about the Cowboys’ new two TE system. One compared Dallas’ new offense to the Chiefs, who have run a two-TE, two-WR system extensively in recent seasons.

Dallas fans can hope the comparison is apt; the Chiefs have averaged 356 points since 2003, 54 points more than the Cowboys over the same span. They ran roughshod over the divison last year, posting 31 points against the Eagles and 28 against the Redskins and Cowboys. No offense stressed the Cowboys D more than the Chiefs. The two-TE packages were responsible for much of the damage and I’m sure Bill Parcells and his staff noticed.

I pulled the tape of last year’s K.C. game and watched again to see what tricks the Cowboys may be lifting from the Chiefs’ playbook. K.C’s success suggests its schemes not only influenced the drafting of TE Anthony Fasano but the signing of free agent G Kyle Kosier as well.

The Chiefs offense spent roughly 60% to 65% of the Dallas game in their version of the two TE package. The rest of the game they used a three WR set. lifting H-back Tony Richardson for third WR Sammie Parker.

Kansas City was able to stay in its base package so much because Richardson’s game is so flexible; the eleven year vet could line up in the backfield and lead RB Larry Johnson on power running plays. Other times he would motion wide into the slot and lead Johnson on toss plays to the open side. The motion would pull a Cowboys linebacker into space and give Johnson more running gaps outside the tackle.

The Chiefs hurt Dallas using Richardson in tandem with TE Tony Gonzalez. In the first package, Richardson lined up in the slot opposite Gonzalez, who lined up tight. This gave Kansas City a three WR look, though Richardson was one of the wideouts. The package put Gonzalez in man coverage, either against an inside linebacker like Bradie James or a safety. The fleet Gonzales ran hooks and crosses and was assured 10 to 12 yards every time the Chiefs threw to him. You can imagine Dallas isolating Jason Witten this same way, using Fasano in the slot to get Witten the single coverage he so rarely faced in ‘05.

The greater damage came when Richardson was used as a decoy to set up the running game. Kirwan’s piece quoted an NFL coach who predicted,

“The real winner in the new ‘Dallas offense’ should be running back Julius Jones. Priest Holmes, Tiki Barber and LaDainian Tomlinson are all great backs, but the running opportunities they get when they set up the offense the right way doesn’t hurt their chances. Julius Jones is going to get more rushing plays with a blocker on every defender in the box than he has had in the past.”

As I’ve pointed out, the Chiefs frequently put Richardson wide on first downs, forcing the Cowboys to move an outside linebacker out into space. This not only gave Gonzalez better matchups, but left Dallas with six-man defensive fronts to face Gonzalez and the able K.C. line. Johnson made some impressive gains running traps directly at these undermanned fronts.

Kansas City also hurt Dallas with a package that put Richardson and Gonzalez on the same side, opposite the Chiefs receivers. I wrote a piece on this formation demonstrating how the Packers had killed Dallas with deep seam passes to TE Keith Jackson. The Chiefs had other ideas. When they overloaded a side, they ran that way.

K.C. had the Richardson/Gonzalez duo block down on the Cowboys’ OLB and DE, while the Chiefs strong side offensive tackle and guard would pull wide to lead Johnson on toss plays. Johnson twice ran untouched for touchdowns on this play. The keys were the effective perimeter blocks of the tight ends and the ability of the Chiefs’ linemen, particularly left guard Brian Waters, to get out on the perimeter and squash Dallas safeties.

I would be surprised if this play did not become a staple of the ‘06 Dallas playbook. The Cowboys used a similar play later in the Chiefs game to spring Marion Barber for a long run. In ‘05, however, this was a situational play, that Dallas only ran on third and short. Unlike Kansas City, who used this play in all situations because its execution was so strong, Dallas relied on surprise; it hoped to catch defenses loading up the middle and outflank them.

Dallas lacked the guard play to run this all the time. LG Larry Allen had especially lost his pulling skills by ‘05. I’ve reviewed two late ‘05 games recently and noticed that Allen could still run to the perimeter, but could no longer hit moving targets. Does this mean that Kyle Kosier can? Nobody knows, but Allen’s lost skills explains why Kosier will get the chance.

The Cowboys will have competition for the best Chiefs impersonators. Washington hired K.C.’s OC Al Saunders and will install much of his former team’s playbook. However, Washington’s offseason offensive moves should compel Saunders to emphasize the more free-wheeling sets K.C. used. Wideouts Antwaan Randle-El and Brandon Lloyd were obtained to complement Santana Moss. TE Chris Cooley mentioned recently that he was exicted by Washington’s new emphasis on becoming a more vertical passing team.

It seems that Dallas and Washington have split the schemes, with Dallas choosing to copy the TE-based aspects of K.C.’s offense and the Redskins taking the WR-based parts. Whatever the case, they both want to be like the Chiefs now. May the better copycat win.

The Fantastic Four — 2006 Edition

Since 2000, 24 clubs who had losing records one season have made the playoffs the following year. That’s a remarkable average of four teams per season. 2005 saw five teams accomplish this feat, all in the NFC. Here is the list:

2000

• Giants, Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  12-4; Â Ã‚ Ã‚  7-9 in ‘99
• Eagles, Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  11-5; Â Ã‚ Ã‚  5-11 in ‘99
• Saints, Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  10-6; Â Ã‚ Ã‚  3-13 in ‘99
• Broncos, Â Ã‚  11-5; Â Ã‚  6-10 in ‘99

2001

• Patriots, Â Ã‚  11-5; Â Ã‚ Ã‚  5-11 in ‘00
• Bears, Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  13-3; Â Ã‚ Ã‚  5-11 in ‘00
• 49ers, Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  12-4; Â Ã‚ Ã‚  6-10 in ‘00

2002

• Titans, Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  11-5; Â Ã‚  7-9 in ‘01
• Colts, Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  10-6; Â Ã‚  6-10 in ‘01
• Giants, Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  10-6; Â Ã‚  7-9 in ‘01
• Falcons, Â Ã‚  9-6-1; Â  7-9 in ‘01

2003

• Ravens, Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  10-6; Â Ã‚ Ã‚  7-9 in ‘02
• Cowboys, Â  10-6; Â Ã‚ Ã‚  5-11 in ‘02
• Panthers, Â Ã‚  11-5; Â Ã‚ Ã‚  7-9 in ‘02
• Seahawks, Â  10-6; Â Ã‚  7-9 in ‘02

2004

• Jets, Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  10-6; Â Ã‚  6-10 in ‘03
• Steelers, Â Ã‚  15-1; Â  6-10 in ‘03
• Chargers, Â  12-4; Â  4-12 in ‘03
• Falcons, Â Ã‚ Ã‚  11-5; Â Ã‚  5-11 in ‘03

2005

• Giants, Â Ã‚ Ã‚  11-5; Â Ã‚ Ã‚  6-10 in ‘04
• Redskins, 10-6; Â Ã‚ Ã‚  6-10 in ‘04
• Bears, Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  11-5; Â Ã‚ Ã‚  5-11 in ‘04
• Bucs, Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  11-5; Â Ã‚ Ã‚  5-11 in ‘04
• Panthers , 11-5; Â Ã‚ Ã‚  5-11 in ‘04

I got the trend correctly, but missed the teams last season when I wrote,

My guesses are the Cowboys, Panthers, Cardinals and Raiders. The Giants are my dark horse pick, as I can see all four swing teams coming from the NFC, which is in far more flux than the AFC.

Note also the number of 2005 teams that made big jumps in wins and just missed the playoffs, like Dallas, Kansas City and Miami.

It’s hard to see another churning of the standings, but the trend has been so consistent I’m going to assume it’s the norm in the parity-fitted NFL. Four more teams are going to jump up from mediocrity this year. My guesses are the Browns, Cardinals, Eagles and Rams.

Your turn.

The Anti-Matter Man

Right tackle has been a black hole for the Cowboys in the Parcells Era. Ryan Young was signed to play the position in ‘03 and flamed out. Jacob Rogers was drafted to fill the hole in ‘04 and fell by the wayside. Torrin Tucker and Kurt Vollers got their shots and failed to impress. Rob Petitti was thrown in by default last season and was swallowed up by the Michael Strahan/Kevon Kearse vortex.

Jason Fabini was signed in March to finally end the RT parade.

How does he plan to fill this void?

By becoming the void — according to the team’s web site, he’s taken 00 as his number.

You’ve got to like his attitude.

How Good Does the O-Line Need to Be?

Everybody here is concerned about the offensive line, with obvious cause. Last season’s line completely broke down in December. The Giants and Redskins losses were nearly unwatchable.

Many Cowboys fans see the current line as being miles from dominating. That’s because we’re tough graders. In the ’90s, o-line coaches Tony Wise and Hudson Houck spoiled us, sending players from every line position to the Pro Bowl. Consider the Pro Bowl appearances between 1991 and 1996:

• LT — Mark Tuinei (2)
• LG — Nate Newton (5)
• C — Mark Stepnoski (3) and Ray Donaldson (2)
• RG — Larry Allen (2)
• RT — Erik Williams (2)

Total — 16 Pro Bowl appearances

Those guys played in the transitional years of ‘91 through ‘96, when the salary cap was adopted. Dominant offensive lines like this don’t exist for very long any more, if they exist at all. The salary cap requires teams to spread their money across units and most teams are hesitant to put too much money in one unit, since they would risk being caught short at another.

Consider the offensive line quality of Super Bowl teams this decade. Last year produced a ’90s-type matchup, where the Steelers, sporting Pro Bowlers Alan Faneca and Jeff Hartings, met the Seahawks, who had a trio of linemen, Walter Jones, Steve Hutchinson and Robbie Tobeck, tapped for Honolulu.

That game was an anomaly. The ten teams that met in the 2000 through 2004 Super Bowls produced a grand total of six Pro Bowl offensive linemen. They were:

• 2000 — Jonathan Ogden, Ravens; Ron Stone, Giants;
• 2001 — Orlando Pace, Rams;
• 2002 — Lincoln Kennedy and Barrett Robbins, Raiders;
• 2003 — None
• 2004 — Tra Thomas, Eagles;

Take a hard look at that list. Until last season, Jonathan Odgen was the only Pro Bowl offensive lineman on a Super Bowl winner this decade. The Patriots and the Bucs, with four Super Bowl trophies between them, did not send a single lineman to the Pro Bowl. The early ’90s Cowboys, with sixteen Pro Bowl nominations, outpaced the eleven nominations from all ‘2000s Super Bowl teams combined.

The salary cap has clearly watered down line play in the NFL. Having a monster line is no longer a prerequisite for winning a championship. Quick, how many of you can name two linemen from the three time champion Patriots?

So what do you need on the offensive line to make a Super Bowl run? The answer is not as much as you think. Take a look at the rankings in rushing, passing and sack percentage for Super Bowl teams the past five years, with the champs in bold:

• Team Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  Rush Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  Pass Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  Sack%
• ‘01 NE Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  13 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  26 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  26
• ‘01 St.L Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  5 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  1 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  15
• ‘02 TB Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  27 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  15 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  20
• ‘02 Oak Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  18 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  1 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  12
• ‘03 N.E. Â Ã‚ Ã‚  27 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  9 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  12
• ‘03 Car. Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  7 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  18 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  11
• ‘04 N.E. Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  7 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  11 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  6
• ‘04 Phi. Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  24 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  7 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  12
• ‘05 Pitt. Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  5 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  24 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  15
• ‘05 Sea. Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  3 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  13 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  5

What conclusions can we draw from these stats? Mainly that mediocre offenses can win. You don’t need a top running game, though it helps. You don’t need a great passing game, and you don’t even need to be the very best at protecting the QB. Only the ‘04 Patriots ranked in the top ten in sacks-allowed among the last five champions.

This should offer some encouragement to the ‘06 Cowboys. For all the problems at running back and the line, Dallas ranked 13th in rushing last year. The key is improving protection, where Dallas ranked 30th, allowing 50 sacks. An improvement from putrid to mediocre would give Dallas a fighting chance.

So what are the keys to winning in the ’90s? Simple. Put a top defense on the field and protect the football. Here are the stats for turnover ratio and scoring defense for the last five champs:

• Team Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  Scoring  Def.  Â Ã‚  TO margin
• ‘01 NE Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  6 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  9
• ‘02 TB Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  1 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  1
• ‘03 NE Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  1 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  2
• ‘04 NE Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  2 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  8
• ‘05 Pitt Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  3 Â Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚  9

These stats offer both encouragement and a challenge to the team. Last year’s defense ranked fifth in scoring and had posted an impressive run against top offenses like New York’s and Seattle’s before Anthony Henry pulled a groin. From there, the defense took a slow glide down to 12th. With a healthy Henry and an improved linebacking corps, the Cowboys will again have a chance to finish high in the defensive rankings.

The challenge comes in the turnover department, where the Cowboys ranked in the bottom quarter. The defense did a respectable job of getting turnovers, but the offense was poor at protecting the ball, ranking 25th in fumbles lost and 24th in interceptions.

In short, the road to titles these days involves playing-rock ribbed defense and avoiding mistakes. Big plays are good, but managing the game is more important.

Where have we heard that philosophy before?

These stats suggest the ‘93 and ‘95 Cowboys are unfair benchmarks for the current cap-era squad. Those offenses had Pro-Bowl caliber players at ten of the eleven offensive spots. On the plus side, this year’s team shows, on paper at least, the best group of skill position players in a decade. While the offensive line can’t compare to the ’90s bunch, it doesn’t have to. Continuity, better pass protection and better care of the football could be enough.

Kyle Kosier — Self Schooled in Detroit?

This story from Detroit offers a reason for optimism about the Kyle Kosier signing. (scroll down) It claims Lions GM Matt Millen was dissatisfied with former offensive line coach Pat Morris, and had a heated argument with Morris about his coaching style before last year’s Cowboys game.

According to Lions observer Tom Kowalski, “it was clear that Millen did not like the way they were coaching these guys. Didn’t like the schemes, didn’t like much of anything they were doing.” Morris had been Kosier’s position coach in San Francisco and brought Kosier to Detroit. It appears that Morris was unable to develop Kosier’s skills at either stop.

Last year Dallas signed veteran CB Aaron Glenn, who had survived two horrible years in Houston. Some observers felt he was washed up, but Glenn had a solid 2005 and kept the secondary together when Anthony Henry injured his groin. Glenn’s performance suggests he was poorly coached in Houston and offers some hope for the Marcus Coleman signing.

If OL coach Tony Sparano can do for Kosier what DB coach Todd Bowles did for Glenn, the Cowboys scouts will look like geniuses.

The same article claims the Lions could move WR Charles Rogers or WR Mike Williams before next season. Rogers’ job appears in greater danger at this point.

Tuna Culpa?

Of all the questions and responses in Bill Parcells‘ two pressers last weekend, this one raised my eyebrows the most,

“This was probably the toughest job I’ve ever had… not because of the cooperation or the effort or the wherewithal….It’s just where it was, and then where it went, and then we had to take a step back to get some things squared away.” (emphasis mine)

Do I detect an admission of fault on Parcells’ part? An ever so subtle cop to the charge that he lost the plot in 2004? Given his ego and his demeanor, I’m going to take this as a yes, in part because it echoes what I’ve heard from people close to the game.

One told me weeks ago that the worst thing to ever happen to the Dallas Parcells was going 10-6 in 2003, because it delayed the bold overhaul that took place in the 2005 and 2006 offseasons. Parcells convinced himself that his 2004 team had more talent than it did. He left his defense in the philosophical clutches of Mike Zimmer and Jerry Jones and tinkered little during the ‘04 free agency.

In the coach’s defense, some situations were beyond his control. The “this is the toughest job I’ve ever had” line is an old one; Parcells told it to the press last year, citing the will-o’-the-wisp that was Quincy Carter. “It took us a full year and a summer training camp before we knew that it wasn’t going to work,” he said. “At the other places during the second year, I had a quarterback in place.”

No one could have anticipated Carter’s wipe out with drugs that year. Nor could anybody have forseen Darren Woodson’s back would give out two weeks before the season, crippling Dallas’ secondary in the process.

You wonder, however, what Parcells could have done had he made the committment to change his defensive philosophy one year sooner. The speed of his changeover from the 4-3 to the 3-4 has been breathtaking. Looking at the ‘04 free agents — which were a motley group as a whole — one name jumps out: Steelers LB Clark Haggans. The four year veteran only drew interest from the Lions and re-signed with Pittsburgh for four years and $10.5 million.

That modest contract drew some criticism from Steelers fans, who had not been impressed by a backup with only 7.5 sacks in four years. Once he became a starter, Haggans proved the perfect bookend to Joey Porter, bagging 15 sacks the last two seasons. He got exactly the type of futures deal the Cowboys gave OG Kyle Kosier two months ago, one based on anticipated future production. He’s repaid the Steelers brass handsomely. We can only hope Kosier’s career follows the same arc.

You wonder what might have been done had the team not been bound by the need to replicate ‘03. Might a free-agent QB like Brian Griese been signed? Might the team have tried trading up to draft one? Might Parcells have dangled valuable 4-3 players like LaRoi Glover and might the 29 year old version have brought more in return than the 31 year old model did, which was nothing? Might Dallas have pursued unsung 3-4 players like Haggans?

Those are questions we can ponder, but not for too long. However long it took, the rebuilding has been squared away. The team is better. It is on the right track. How much better? We’ll have to wait three months before we begin to find out.

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