First off, I don't proclaim to be any kind of expert. I proclaim to be a guy sitting at home during Corona and want to share some thoughts on the Cowboys and their off-season and potential 2020 season.
Coaching Staff
· In
o HC - Mike McCarthy
o AHC - Rob Davis
o OC - Kellen Moore
o DC - Mike Nolan
o ST - Bones Fassel
o DL - Jim Tomsula
o QB - Doug Nussmeier
o OL – Joe Philbin
o TE – Lunda Wells
o DB – Maurice Linguist
o RB – Skip Peete
o WR – Adam Henry
o LB – Scott McCurley/George Edwards
o Various assisants
· Out
o Everyone except Kellen Moore, Skip Peete and I guess Doug Nussmeier
2019 vs 2020 = ***** upgrade over 2019
Dean’s Analysis: This is the easiest one. I was never a Jason Garrett fan so this is a HUGE upgrade for me.
Quarterbacks
· In
o QB1 – Dak Prescott
o QB2 – Andy Dalton
o QB3 – Ben Dinucci
· Out
o Cooper Rush
2019 vs 2020 = ** upgrade over 2019
Dean’s Analysis: With even more added weapons Dak should have an incredible year. Would like to see that contract get done before July 15th. Still not convinced Dak is the guy to lead you to a Super Bowl, but who knows. This is a very talented team. Adding Dalton as insurance was huge. Dak started to get banged up a bit last year, so knowing we can throw Dalton in there and not Rush is comforting. Plus Dalton should be able to help in the QB room.
Running Backs
· In
o RB1 – Zeke Elliott
o RB2 – Tony Pollard
o RB3 – Rico Dowdle or Darius Anderson
o FB1 – Jamize Olawale
· Out
o Nothing
2019 vs 2020 = * upgrade over 2019
Dean’s Analysis: Not really much changed here. Hopefully Zeke comes out of the gates better and is a bit more dominate this year. Hopefully with McCarthy and Moore, they will find more creative ways to use Pollard.
Wide Receivers
· In
o WR1 – Amari Cooper
o WR2 – Michael Gallup
o WR3 – CeeDee Lamb
o WR4 – Ced Wilson
o WR5 – Noah Brown
o WR6 – Devin Smith
· Out
o Randall Cobb
o Tavon Austin
o Lance Lenior
2019 vs 2020=*** upgrade over 2019
Dean’s Analysis: I loved Randall Cobb, but CeeDee Lamb is on a different planet. The combination of a healthy Cooper, a developing Gallup and a star in the making with Lamb, should make this best trio in the NFL.
Offensive Line
· In
o LT – Tyron Smith
o LG – Connor Williams/Connor McGovern
o C – Joe Looney/Tyler Biadasz/Connor McGovern
o RG – Zach Martin
o RT – La’el Collins
o Swing – Cam Erving
· Out
o Travis Frederick
o Xavier Sua-Filo
o Cam Fleming
2019 vs 2020 =**downgrade vs 2019
Dean’s Analysis: Slight worry about the line. Frederick is/was the heart and soul of the line. Looney did a good job filling in, but he’s no Frederick. Does Biadasz take over at some point? McGovern and/or Williams take the next step forward? Tyron Smith stay healthy? Lots of question marks here. Still feel like the line will be good, but could they be close to dominate?
Tightends
· In
o TE1 – Blake Jarwin
o TE2 – Dalton Schultz
o TE3 – Blake Bell/Charlie Taumoepeau
· Out
o Jason Witten
2019 vs 2020 =*** upgrade over 2019
Dean’s Analysis: Pains me to say, but I’m glad Witten is gone. Watching him play made my knees hurt. I love what he’s done for the Cowboys, as all of us have, but it’s time to move to the next chapter. I’m not sure Jarwin is the next chapter, but I like the potential. Taumoepeau is a bit intriguing as well.
DL
· In
o DE – D-Law
o DE – Tyrone Crawford
o DT – Gerald McCoy
o DT – Dontari Poe
o Rotation: Antwaun Woods, Dorance Armstrong, Joe Jackson, Trysten Hill, Neville Gallimore, Bradlee Anae, Ron’Dell Carter (and maybe Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith)
· Out
o Michael Bennett
o Christian Covington
o Kerry Hyder
o Robert Quinn
o Maliek Collins
o Daniel Wise
2019 vs 2020 =** upgrade over 2019
Dean’s analysis: Very excited about this group. Losing Quinn hurts obviously, but if we can get Gregory and Smith into the rotation, that’s going to be very helpful. And if guys like Anae (which I love) and Carter can turn into roational players, this D-Line could turn into something special. And a lot better at stopping the run.
Linebackers
· In
o SLB – LVE
o MLB – Jaylon Smith
o WLB – Sean Lee
o Rotation: Joe Thomas, Justin March, Luke Gifford, Francis Bernard
· Out
o Chris Covington
o Ray-Ray Armstrong
2019 vs 2020 =* upgrade over 2019
Dean’s analysis: I said upgrade simply on the fact that LVE should be healthy. But with that said he didn’t have the greatest year last year. I feel Jaylon regressed. I’m a bit worried about LB’ers. I would like to bring in Clay Matthews. He could help out with LB and EDGE rushing.
Defensive Backs
· In
o CB1 – Chidobe Awauzie
o CB2 – Anthony Brown
o CB3 – Jourdan Lewis
o Rotation: Trevon Diggs (probably be a starter quickly), Reggie Robinson, Maurice Canady, Daryl Worley, (maybe CJ Goodwin)
o S – Xavier Woods
o S – Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
o Rotation: Darian Thompson, Donovan Wilson, (maybe Luther Kirk)
· Out
o Byron Jones
o Jeff Heath
2019 vs 2020 = * downgrade to 2019
Dean’s Analysis: Gone is Bryon Jones our best CB. Gone is Jeff Heath an underappreciated secondary player. Bring in highly touted draft picks Trevon Diggs and Reggie Robinson and sign Canady, Worley and Clinton-Dix…did we do enough? I think the secondary has a change to be pretty decent, but there’s lots of ifs and buts and not a lot of confidence.
Speacial Teams
· In
o P – Chris Jones (but for how long?)
o K – Greg Zuerlein (most likely, but Kai Forbath did a nice job)
o LS – LP Ladourceuer (GOAT)
o KO – Greg Zuerlein
o PR – Jourdan Lewis?
o KR – Tony Pollard
· Out
o K – Brett Maher
2019 vs 2020=**** upgrade over 2019
Dean’s Analysis: #1 here is the hire of Bones Fassel. I feel the coverage team is going to be a lot better. Maybe we won’t have to drive 80+ yards every time for a TD. I really liked what Forbath did last year, but like bringing in the competition of Greg the Leg as well. Chris Jones on the other hand, I think we need to move on and find us a punter. And thank God we don’t have to see Brett Maher kick another FG for the Boys.
Season Prediction: 11-5, conference championship game
Coaching Staff
· In
o HC - Mike McCarthy
o AHC - Rob Davis
o OC - Kellen Moore
o DC - Mike Nolan
o ST - Bones Fassel
o DL - Jim Tomsula
o QB - Doug Nussmeier
o OL – Joe Philbin
o TE – Lunda Wells
o DB – Maurice Linguist
o RB – Skip Peete
o WR – Adam Henry
o LB – Scott McCurley/George Edwards
o Various assisants
· Out
o Everyone except Kellen Moore, Skip Peete and I guess Doug Nussmeier
2019 vs 2020 = ***** upgrade over 2019
Dean’s Analysis: This is the easiest one. I was never a Jason Garrett fan so this is a HUGE upgrade for me.
Quarterbacks
· In
o QB1 – Dak Prescott
o QB2 – Andy Dalton
o QB3 – Ben Dinucci
· Out
o Cooper Rush
2019 vs 2020 = ** upgrade over 2019
Dean’s Analysis: With even more added weapons Dak should have an incredible year. Would like to see that contract get done before July 15th. Still not convinced Dak is the guy to lead you to a Super Bowl, but who knows. This is a very talented team. Adding Dalton as insurance was huge. Dak started to get banged up a bit last year, so knowing we can throw Dalton in there and not Rush is comforting. Plus Dalton should be able to help in the QB room.
Running Backs
· In
o RB1 – Zeke Elliott
o RB2 – Tony Pollard
o RB3 – Rico Dowdle or Darius Anderson
o FB1 – Jamize Olawale
· Out
o Nothing
2019 vs 2020 = * upgrade over 2019
Dean’s Analysis: Not really much changed here. Hopefully Zeke comes out of the gates better and is a bit more dominate this year. Hopefully with McCarthy and Moore, they will find more creative ways to use Pollard.
Wide Receivers
· In
o WR1 – Amari Cooper
o WR2 – Michael Gallup
o WR3 – CeeDee Lamb
o WR4 – Ced Wilson
o WR5 – Noah Brown
o WR6 – Devin Smith
· Out
o Randall Cobb
o Tavon Austin
o Lance Lenior
2019 vs 2020=*** upgrade over 2019
Dean’s Analysis: I loved Randall Cobb, but CeeDee Lamb is on a different planet. The combination of a healthy Cooper, a developing Gallup and a star in the making with Lamb, should make this best trio in the NFL.
Offensive Line
· In
o LT – Tyron Smith
o LG – Connor Williams/Connor McGovern
o C – Joe Looney/Tyler Biadasz/Connor McGovern
o RG – Zach Martin
o RT – La’el Collins
o Swing – Cam Erving
· Out
o Travis Frederick
o Xavier Sua-Filo
o Cam Fleming
2019 vs 2020 =**downgrade vs 2019
Dean’s Analysis: Slight worry about the line. Frederick is/was the heart and soul of the line. Looney did a good job filling in, but he’s no Frederick. Does Biadasz take over at some point? McGovern and/or Williams take the next step forward? Tyron Smith stay healthy? Lots of question marks here. Still feel like the line will be good, but could they be close to dominate?
Tightends
· In
o TE1 – Blake Jarwin
o TE2 – Dalton Schultz
o TE3 – Blake Bell/Charlie Taumoepeau
· Out
o Jason Witten
2019 vs 2020 =*** upgrade over 2019
Dean’s Analysis: Pains me to say, but I’m glad Witten is gone. Watching him play made my knees hurt. I love what he’s done for the Cowboys, as all of us have, but it’s time to move to the next chapter. I’m not sure Jarwin is the next chapter, but I like the potential. Taumoepeau is a bit intriguing as well.
DL
· In
o DE – D-Law
o DE – Tyrone Crawford
o DT – Gerald McCoy
o DT – Dontari Poe
o Rotation: Antwaun Woods, Dorance Armstrong, Joe Jackson, Trysten Hill, Neville Gallimore, Bradlee Anae, Ron’Dell Carter (and maybe Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith)
· Out
o Michael Bennett
o Christian Covington
o Kerry Hyder
o Robert Quinn
o Maliek Collins
o Daniel Wise
2019 vs 2020 =** upgrade over 2019
Dean’s analysis: Very excited about this group. Losing Quinn hurts obviously, but if we can get Gregory and Smith into the rotation, that’s going to be very helpful. And if guys like Anae (which I love) and Carter can turn into roational players, this D-Line could turn into something special. And a lot better at stopping the run.
Linebackers
· In
o SLB – LVE
o MLB – Jaylon Smith
o WLB – Sean Lee
o Rotation: Joe Thomas, Justin March, Luke Gifford, Francis Bernard
· Out
o Chris Covington
o Ray-Ray Armstrong
2019 vs 2020 =* upgrade over 2019
Dean’s analysis: I said upgrade simply on the fact that LVE should be healthy. But with that said he didn’t have the greatest year last year. I feel Jaylon regressed. I’m a bit worried about LB’ers. I would like to bring in Clay Matthews. He could help out with LB and EDGE rushing.
Defensive Backs
· In
o CB1 – Chidobe Awauzie
o CB2 – Anthony Brown
o CB3 – Jourdan Lewis
o Rotation: Trevon Diggs (probably be a starter quickly), Reggie Robinson, Maurice Canady, Daryl Worley, (maybe CJ Goodwin)
o S – Xavier Woods
o S – Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
o Rotation: Darian Thompson, Donovan Wilson, (maybe Luther Kirk)
· Out
o Byron Jones
o Jeff Heath
2019 vs 2020 = * downgrade to 2019
Dean’s Analysis: Gone is Bryon Jones our best CB. Gone is Jeff Heath an underappreciated secondary player. Bring in highly touted draft picks Trevon Diggs and Reggie Robinson and sign Canady, Worley and Clinton-Dix…did we do enough? I think the secondary has a change to be pretty decent, but there’s lots of ifs and buts and not a lot of confidence.
Speacial Teams
· In
o P – Chris Jones (but for how long?)
o K – Greg Zuerlein (most likely, but Kai Forbath did a nice job)
o LS – LP Ladourceuer (GOAT)
o KO – Greg Zuerlein
o PR – Jourdan Lewis?
o KR – Tony Pollard
· Out
o K – Brett Maher
2019 vs 2020=**** upgrade over 2019
Dean’s Analysis: #1 here is the hire of Bones Fassel. I feel the coverage team is going to be a lot better. Maybe we won’t have to drive 80+ yards every time for a TD. I really liked what Forbath did last year, but like bringing in the competition of Greg the Leg as well. Chris Jones on the other hand, I think we need to move on and find us a punter. And thank God we don’t have to see Brett Maher kick another FG for the Boys.
Season Prediction: 11-5, conference championship game
