2014 Dallas Cowboys Season Preview

Last season we had a special guest preview of the Dallas Cowboys season by Shannon Kelly. But this year it’s on me – which means you’re still going to get the passion, because I love the Cowboys, but you’re not going to get the in depth thoughts that Shan shared.

The New Triplets

20 years ago we celebrated the fact that Troy Aikman, and Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin we all awesome at the same time and made a lot of big plays on the O side of the ball.

In 2014 we have Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant – and while I’m totally okay with those 3 guys being our go-to’s they aren’t going to the Hall of Fame the same way the 90’s triplets.

If the Cowboys are going to score the ball they’re going to need Murray to rush for 100 yards a game, Dez to catch close to 100 balls with 13-15 TDs. They’re also going to need Romo to stay healthy and be smart. Forcing things when they aren’t there, turning the ball over and losing control of the team are going to be bad bad bad.

Add in Jason Whitten and his (hopefully) 90 or so catches and 4-8 touchdowns – and the rest of the offense will just have to carry their own weight to make the ship go.

The D

The Cowboys are in trouble!

Last season’s defense ranked very near the bottom of the NFL… and this year isn’t looking to be any better.

Losing DeMarcus Ware in free agency (you’re welcome Broncos) and Sean Lee to injury (again) there are more holes than strengths. So don’t get your hopes up for low scoring games or small rushing numbers or close game wins on the road.

Note: Rod Marinelli coming in as Defensive Coordinator could shake things up and give the defensive unit a chance to compete. It might be a long shot. But it’s worth hoping for.

Michael Sam

Sam was signed to the Cowboys practice squad after being released by the St. Louis Rams… and if the defense is as bad as they could be we just might see the Mizzou alum on the field before the end of the regular season.

There’s no guarantee – Michael Sam knows that and so do all of the fans. But it’s a pretty cool ‘maybe’.

Record

The easy to predict range is somewhere between 7-9 and 9-7. My predictions sits right in the middle at 8-8.

AND if the Dallas Cowboys go into the last week of the season with a chance to win the division again (like every season) I will gladly take the 50/50 chance for heartbreak.

Note: I say that now, but the heartbreak will be real if the Cowboys lose that game and miss the playoffs.

Overall

This could be a bumpy season for the Cowboys. There’s a good chance that a bunch of points will be scored… on both sides of the ball. And sometimes that will result in wins. But sometimes that will result in losses.

I predict a bunch of frustration for players, coaches, Jerry Jones, and fans. And mixed in with those moments will be awesome displays of football prowess that makes everyone think that this team is close to being great again.

No matter which way it goes – I’ll be rooting for the boys in Dallas.

Be awesome!