NFL
By: Greg Rector
Back To Basics
It’s time for NFL training camps to begin, and the Dallas Cowboys are headed back to Oxnard, California. Once again, they will endeavor to win their sixth Super Bowl title. Now, after 30 seasons of covering the Dallas Cowboys, with no Super Bowl or NFC Championship games to discuss, there’s no way I can make any other statement than that the Dallas Cowboys will do their level best to try and win the NFC East. Let’s look ahead to what I hope will turn out much better than the 7-10 record we had last season.
Dak Prescott Is Back
I seem to recall that Dak Prescott led the Dallas Cowboys to three straight 12-5 seasons, but folks don’t want to discuss that fact. Prescott is no longer considered a valuable quarterback, according to many prognosticators. Ask the NFC East how good Dak Prescott is, 33-8 in his 41 games in his division. Go ahead and count the man out at your own risk. If Dak Prescott remains healthy, along with Ceedee Lamb and George Pickens, and Jake Ferguson is healthy at TE, I fully expect those three players to catch many touchdown passes.
The Offensive Line
With Zach Martin retiring, the Dallas Cowboys surprised many by selecting Tyler Booker, the big guard from the University of Alabama. Adding Booker means the interior three offensive linemen also feature Cooper Bebee, who played excellently at center as a rookie, and Tyler Smith, who is already being discussed as one of the best interior linemen in the NFL. If Tyler Guyton can improve his play at left tackle, and he sounds as though he might be much better if you listen to Tyron Smith, who has worked with Guyton this offseason. Terrence Steele returns at right tackle, and he must improve his pass blocking. If not Smith, then sixth-round draft pick Ajani Corneilus, who protected Dillon Gabriel quite nicely at Oregon, might push for starts. Some scouts said the Dallas Cowboys might have gotten themselves a steal when they drafted Corneilus.
The Defense
Matt Eberflus is back in Dallas this time as the defensive coordinator. His scheme so far in OTAs and minicamp has been based on a Cover Three defense. That means so far, the key is stopping the running game. Since cornerback Trevon Diggs and linebacker DeMarion Overshown have both been listed as being out for most of this season, the Dallas Cowboys defense isn’t what most people believe will be an effective unit. This might not be the case if Kair Elam can play well and if Kenneth Murray and Jack Sanborn can fill in nicely. The Edge room saw Donovan Ezeiruaku get drafted in the second round, and he can assist Micah Parsons.
The New Coaches
Brian Schottenheimer is the new head coach, and he has added several new coaches. Right now, we have no idea what scheme he plans on using offensively. Don’t expect him to run the same offense we saw when he was the OC in Seattle and Jacksonville. As far as everything Schottenheimer has done thus far as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, all I know is that no matter what, he is going to see the Dallas Cowboys succeed. He is certainly a back-to-basics coach. As long as his receivers aren’t all running similar routes as they were under Mike McCarthy, this Dallas Cowboys offense can put up some excellent numbers.
My Outlook
This season for the Dallas Cowboys should be a much better season than many people, including the Las Vegas oddsmakers, have them winning just six games? Remember, the NFC East hasn’t been won by a team in consecutive seasons since 2004. When you least expect things to happen, the NFC East has seen strange things happen.
As always, you can find me on X @GregCowboys
