NFC EAST COWBOYS 2014 STRENGTHS: • Strong receiving tandem, dependable and productive kicking game Cowboys Offense LARRY FRENCH/GETTY IMAGES SPORT No matter how you look at it, the fortunes of the Cowboys rely heavily—and in the case of some fans, completely—on the arm of Tony Romo. For all of the big numbers that Romo accumulates, there remains a strong opinion throughout the Dallas world that Romo is not capable of leading the Cowboys to the Super Bowl championship. Some think he can barely get them into the playoffs. Judging by the team’s relative lack of success the past several seasons, that opinion is pretty solid. It’s not that Romo is awful. Far from it. Last year, he threw only 10 interceptions, but all anybody wanted to talk about was the one he tossed against Denver that led to a Broncos victory. This despite his already having amassed 506 yards and five TDs. The Dallas ground game has a strong weapon in DeMarco Murray, who rushed for 1,121 yards and nine TDs last year. He doesn’t have breakaway speed, but Murray averaged 5.2 yards per carry and can be quite productive. Trouble is, Dallas doesn’t have much at all behind him. Dez Bryant may be mercurial, but he caught 93 passes and scored 13 times in 2013. There aren’t too many more productive 2014 WEAKNESSES: • Weak overall defense, reshuffled offensive line, lack of backfield depth DALLAS targets in the league. Jason Witten snared 73 passes, scored eight times and continues to be a great target for Romo. He’s getting older and caught 37 fewer passes than he did in 2012. Terrance Williams has the ability to get deep from either the tight end or the receiver position, and Cole Beasley is a solid possession target. Romo was sacked 35 times in 15 games last year, and despite Murray’s success, Dallas managed just 12 touchdowns on the ground all season. The offensive line isn’t abysmal, but it needs help. That’s why the Cowboys drafted Notre Dame’s Zack Martin in the first round in May. He played tackle for the Irish but will likely start inside, because tackles Doug Free and Tyron Smith are steady, particularly Smith, a Pro Bowler last season. The other interior pieces, center Travis Frederick and left guard Mackenzy Bernadeau, are solid but not necessarily stalwarts. Offensive Player to Watch It’s always about Romo, isn’t it? He missed the Cowboys’ big showdown with Philadelphia in week 17 with a herniated disc in his back that required surgery, leaving the overmatched Kyle Orton to lead Dallas to the division title. (It didn’t happen, although things weren’t as bad as some thought they would be.) Romo threw for 3,828 yards last year, 31 TDs and just the 10 picks. But his completion percentage of 63.9 was not that high, and there are still those waiting for him to lead the Cowboys to great things. Many don’t believe he can. Romo is the ultimate lightning rod for this team, and it doesn’t matter whether the defense is poor, or the ground game lacks depth. It’s all about him. Cowboys Defense This unit was awful last year. It ranked 32nd (that’s last, folks) in yards allowed and 26th in points surrendered. Dallas Tony Romo
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