The Landry Hat » Cliff Harris

2012 Cowboys Draft: Mocking The Dallas Picks, Austin Style

Brad Austin — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:00:13 +0000

The 2012 NFL Draft is a mere t-minus 7 days away and counting. This year’s new collection of Dallas Cowboys will impose extraordinary consequences upon immediate and future team success. That may sound like a declaration from Captain Obvious, however 2012 offers an unusually deep defensive draft. A rookie crop loaded with potential high-level starting talent stretching into the middle rounds.

The current Cowboys roster is still littered with holes at positions which must be counted on heavily to contribute next season. Securing a significant improvement at safety, adding an imposing pass rusher, or finding a solid run-stuffing defensive tackle could pay immediate huge dividends to the Cowboys defense next season. Finding two or three of these upgrades together could transform a lacking defense into an imposing force overnight. Not to mention, there are many available wide receivers who could dangerously elevate the passing game for Tony Romo and company. (more…)

Cowboy’s Ryan Defense: Immediate Contributors Await Beyond Round 2

Brad Austin — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:00:42 +0000

It’s no secret the Dallas defense is currently in serious overhaul mode to improve upon the lackluster performance turned in last season. With the potency of NFC East offenses abruptly on the rise, it has become an absolute necessity to keep pace. In all fairness to the Cowboys, Rob Ryan’s defense was significantly hamstrung heading into the 2011 regular season. The NFL lockout and its enormously reduced off-season particularly hindered Dallas’ installation of a completely new defensive system led by freshly acquired Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan.

One had to expect complications and shortcomings from on-field production. However, even with the severe limitations to off-season workouts and installation time, the Cowboys showed strong improvement upon the 2010 season in almost every important defensive category. Furthermore, Ryan fostered these improved results with roughly the same core defensive players as 2010, barring a few new key pieces such as Abe Elam, Kenyon Coleman, and Sean Lee. Below is a comparison of the 2011 and 2010 defensive units. (more…)

Fixing The Dallas Cowboys Takes More Than Money

Bo Martin — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:00:01 +0000

We all have the same desire, don’t we? We yearn to see the Dallas Cowboys return to the prominence they once had. We pray that one season, just once more we’ll see the Doomsday Defense unite with the offense of the 90’s creating a perfect synergy. We lose our breath every time Tony Romo evades twelve would-be sacks and hits a wide-open Jason Witten. We almost break the TV every time a snap goes flying over Tony Romo’s head at the beginning of a possession. Yup, we’ve become one of sports most pathetic characters… Cowboy’s fans. Yet, no matter how incredible or unbearable it is, you can’t walk away. It’s too addicting. (more…)