I have been the chief writer for The Landry Hat for almost three years and find it to be a deep love of mine. I have the opportunity every day to write about the best football team in America and spark debate. In just two years I quickly became one of the more-popular Dallas Cowboys bloggers and have watched my traffic here explode by 5000 percent.
However, with the economy sinking like it did, real pressures hit all of us. I have been asked to do more with less in an industry that is struggling to survive. I have less time to post here every day and it’s killing me.
I had one regular contributing writer, MBIIIEffect, who has gone on to write for two other blogs, including one for this network. He is now at a point where he controls his success and he reached that by contributing to this blog.
Anyone who is interested in contributing to this blog please contact me ASAP and write me one, timely, analytical article to be posted on The Landry Hat. I will select a winner by the end of February.
Blackout Dallas
FanSided
Nolan Wirtin'
The Smoking Cuban
GMen HQ
Inside the Iggles
NFL Mocks
Riggo's Rag
I’m not done writing for this site BTW.
Good. You are a good writer for us at The Landry Hat
Dear Hat,
I am a passionate fan of the Dallas Cowboys and a nearly 40 year advocate of this organization. It does not blind me from objectivity. The Cowboys are as flawed a team, as they are successful. I do not blind myself to that fact. In my time as a fan, I’ve been through every single game, transaction, draft and era since 1972. My first recollection is that of Bob Lilly chasing down Bob Griese and Coach Landry’s smile as he was carried off the field. With that said, here is my analysis of the Cowboys needs for the 2010 season and beyond.
The offensive line needs an infusion of talent. Kyle Kosier is a serviceable, smart interior lineman but the team needs a terror in the right guard position, if they are to stay with Adams as the left tackle. We can get away with Columbo on the right side but only because Leonard Davis is next to him. Andre Gurode is also still a hoss but his days are numbered. Doug Free did a pretty stout job and is a great prospect for next season. Is he ready to replace Flozele? I don’t think so, but he is ready to spell Adams for a few plays a game. The blocking by both tight end positions is solid, especially with the emergence of young Phillips.
The receiving corps needs more production out of Roy Williams. Eureka! How many times have you heard that one? Matt Millen made a keen observation about Longhorn Roy. He said that Roy is fast but is not a great double move guy or a sharp cut guy. He is a good route runner when it comes to posts, fades, digs and go routes. That is where is speed is at its most advantageous as a receiver. While the offense will not get tailored to him, he should be running that type of route versus lookie routes and pump and go routes. He is a superior physical specimen but he needs to be more focused on the success of the Cowboys and less on the Longhorns.
Brady James is a tough dude and a good leader but he is just not dynamic enough for this team’s long term success. Many times during the season, he was out of position causing him to hit the wrong gap. He still has a hard time shedding blockers, particularly when they go to take out his legs. He does not explode on blockers when he comes on a delayed blitz and seems to only make the big play when the scheme allows him to come clean at the line of scrimmage.
The secondary appears great at the corners with two incumbent pro-bowlers and a decent slot guy in Scandrick but Hamlin and Sensabaugh could be upgraded. I am aware we are into Hamlin for big dollars and Sensabaugh was an upgrade to the other Roy but he neither is a dominant force against the run or skilled enough against the pass. They are both serviceable and are big hitters but we are talking upgrade here. Captain Crash, Charlie Waters and Darren Woodson are not walking through that door. Taylor Mays could be available late in the draft and make an immediate impact.
The draft class of ’09 needs to earn their stripes this spring and summer. They must contribute on special teams and at their respective positions. Can the crazy man kick? Let’s find out!
Finally, the team cannot stand pat during the free agent period and must have a replenishing draft. This version of the Cowboys is very reminiscent of the team from the early 1990’s. It seems to be on the verge, depth and execution will get them there. Complacency and stagnation will prevent them from getting to the 6th and 7th rings. Church!
Just wondering if you send the article by clicking on the contact tab and send it there?
MBIII you trader writting in other blogs. I’m disappointed in you lol jk
MBIII got those other blogs writing here and he is not writing about the Cowboys anywhere else. He’s awesome/
Dear Hat,
I would love to join the hat as a writer. Below is a post i just wrote about Roy Williams. I feel I can bring alot to the Hat with my insight.
Thanks
Brian Glowacki
Brglowacki@yahoo.com
-Post-
Roy Williams came into the 2009 season with a lot of expectation due to the 5-year $45 million extinction with 20 million guaranteed. Because of the contacted everyone wanted to know if Williams would be a number one WR. Roy was on the lions for 4 1/2 seasons before becoming a Cowboy. In those years he only went over 1,000 yards once and had 3 season fewer than 65 catches. Also Roy the most TD he had in a season was 8. This season Williams had 38 catches for 596 yards and 7 TD. Most feel Roy had a bad season but that is not true. The first game when Roy got a long TD pass everything looked great, but after that it was all down hill. Roy got hurt vs. Denver trying to make a leaping catch. Ever since then Roy was not the same player. The reason why people want Roy gone is not because the lack of production but because of the way he plays. In the game at Green Bay his fumble was a turning point in the game. The drops in key situations are what kills the team and what makes Roy hurt the team more then he helped. Roy dose not have to be the 1,000-yard player because Miles Austin is that player. Roy needs to be a good WR who can make catches when is open. During the season Roy was great in the red zone that is why he has 7 TD but other than that Roy was not reliable. Roy was never a number one WR he is a good player who can make plays and that’s why he is going to stay on the Cowboys. Their young players on the Cowboys who can step up and take Roy’s place. Williams need to work hard this off season and be good number two WR because that is what he has always been a good number two WR.