Dallas Cowboys: This one thing will be huge in 2018
By Tyrone Starr
With so much uncertainty on the offensive side of the ball, it could be up to the Dallas Cowboys defense to save the 2018 season.
In case you are not already aware, the Dallas Cowboys offense is apparently going to be terrible. How do I know this? I don’t. No one does, in fact.
Plenty of pundits, however, are already forecasting doom and gloom for the Cowboys in 2018. For once in a mighty long time, the reason seems to be the offense.
Since 2006, the Dallas Cowboys have been, by and large, built to succeed offensively. Not coincidentally, success was in large part due to star power. The 2006 season was, of course, the first time Tony Romo took over as the permanent fixture at quarterback.
Of course, he was not alone as he had a young Jason Witten at tight end and a still-in-his-prime Terrell Owens at receiver. Once Owens got himself removed from the equation, Dallas was fortunate to luck into Miles Austin. Austin then gave way to one Dez Bryant.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys rebuilt their offensive line, using first round picks on Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, and Zack Martin.
The results were obvious. Dallas has been in the top ten in either scoring offense or total yards in 8 of those 12 years. In five of them since 2006, they did both.
In 2018, the offense is set to look far different from what you are used to seeing, however.
The three All-Pro linemen are still here. So is one of the best running backs in all of football in Ezekiel Elliott. Behind center, young and talented Dak Prescott is taking the snaps.
All of this seems to not matter to those “insiders” and “experts.”
ESPN just put out their “All under-25” team. Nevermind Elliott will be 23 and Prescott, 25, at the end of the month. Neither is good enough to make this list.
They also ranked the best running back, receiver, tight end combinations last week. Guess who finished third from the bottom? Your Dallas Cowboys.
Obviously, the Cowboys have something to prove as it pertains to the inexperience at tight end. At receiver, there is no Owens, Austin or Bryant, but there is talent. It will be up to the coaching staff and Prescott to maximize it, though.
So, while Dallas “struggles” to find their way offensively, it’s a good thing they have something else that can “save” their season.
That something just very well might be their defense.
At each level of the defense, there is either a big-time stud or a budding star.
Along the line, Dallas will have a dynamic pass-rusher in Demarcus Lawrence. With 14.5 sacks and a Pro Bowl appearance, the 26-year old is looking to duplicate or improve those numbers.
Dallas also has talented players such as David Irving, Maliek Collins and, possibly, Randy Gregory all wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks.
At linebacker, Dallas boasts a superstar in Sean Lee with two athletic young freaks in Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch. The three will combine to give the Cowboys one of the fastest linebacker groups in the NFL.
Smith will continue to ascend and could be a full 100% this year, while Vander Esch will help improve the Cowboys pass defense. Both will improve by the sheer osmosis of Lee’s presence.
Lastly, the secondary will be better this year as well. In 2017, the Cowboys saw four rookies get major playing time. Two other guys were in just their second seasons. Experience and new, expert tutelage from former Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard will improve this unit.
The Dallas Cowboys defense has finished in the top ten in points allowed just three times all decade. While they double that number when it comes to yards allowed, Dallas has not been known as defensive juggernaut since the mid-1990’s.
Next: The top 30 moments in Dallas Cowboys history
That could all change in 2018 and I’m pretty confident it will. If I’m right, the offense could take a step back as some seem to think and Dallas would still contend for a playoff spot. If, however, the offense “shocks” the experts, bigger things could be in store for the Cowboys this season.