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Dallas Cowboys: Gut Feelings And Bold Predictions For 2015

By Renny Mason

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Here at The Landry Hat, the NFL offseason allows us writers to become a little more creative. It’s often a time to brainstorm and come up with new ideas for our articles. It’s also a time to unload our thoughts, feelings and bold predictions about all things Dallas Cowboys.

So, with that, I thought I would start a new column series to really just get this stuff out of my head.

And with that out of the way, we’re off…

The 2015 Pro Bowl featured zero Cowboys defenders. Going to go on record that the 2016 Pro Bowl will showcase at least two. My gut tells me cornerback Orlando Scandrick, and, ready for this one…defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford.

Five years from now (maybe even ten); the 2014 Dallas Cowboys playoff games will still be remembered for all the wrong reasons. The “non-call heard round the world” in the Detroit Lions wildcard game, and the “non-catch heard round the world” in the Green Bay Packers divisional round game will be all anyone remembers. Sad but true.

Wide receiver Dez Bryant (yes he’s coming back) makes his third straight Pro Bowl in 2015 and without question, seriously puts himself in the conversation for the NFL’s best at his position. That “non-catch” transforms Dez from a beast into an absolute monster.

The previously mentioned Tyrone Crawford will lead the team in sacks. Something like eight sacks from that 3-technique tackle spot. Think they let defensive tackle Henry Melton walk, meaning they don’t pick up his three-year option.

Rookie linebacker Anthony Hitchens thrives in the offseason and training camp and steals a starting spot from someone older next season. Don’t think anyone is criticizing that “reach” anymore. The linebacker spot would have been in complete disarray without the former Iowa Hawkeye this past season.

Linebacker Sean Lee moves out to WILL linebacker in 2015, stays on the field, and finally has the season we all know he is fully capable of having. The guy is just too great of a human being not to root for him. I know most of you are knocking on wood right now, as am I.

Next week at the NFL’s 4th Annual Awards Show, quarterback Tony Romo receives more votes for the league MVP than anyone right now is expecting. He is so easy to hate on amongst the masses (mainly due to the team he plays on), but even easier to root for. And he just completed his best season as a pro.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians will win Coach of the Year, but Dallas head coach Jason Garrett will be right on his heels when the final votes are tallied. Garrett finally has this team exactly where he wants it going forward. The “process” works after all. “Cowboys Run The East.”

The fact that both defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli and new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan wanted to be a part of this team going forward speaks volumes about the expectations for this Dallas squad in the coming seasons.

By the time his career in Dallas is over, rookie right guard Zack Martin will be talked about in the same breath as Cowboys’ Hall of Famer Larry Allen. He’s that good folks and the scary thing is he’s only going to get better. The Johnny Football talk can finally be put to bed.

Speaking of Hall of Fame careers, tight end Jason Witten’s bust will reside in Canton, Ohio as a first-ballot member the minute he is eligible. And maybe just off reputation alone, but my gut tells me that Witten (currently tied with Larry Allen and Mel Renfro for second with 10) gets two more Pro Bowl invites to pass Bob Lilly (11) for the franchise record.

Also, even though Witten is a few years younger, I think he hangs it up when Romo does. At least four more seasons for the both of them in a Dallas uniform. Best buds indeed.

Kicker Dan “Money” Bailey rebounds from a slightly off 2014 and misses less than four field goal attempts all of next season. He also surpasses kicker Rafael Septien (1978-1986) for the longest tenured place kicker in franchise history. That means come the 2020 season, Bailey is still booting kicks right down the middle.

And my final gut feeling for this edition tells me the New England Patriots knock off the defending world champs come Super Sunday. Give me the Pats, 23-17.

Next: Dallas Cowboys: Three Elite Draft Prospects Who Could Fall

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