Dallas Cowboys: Predicting the answer to three key questions
By Brad Austin
While the Dallas Cowboys are in limbo, let’s take a swing at answering three key questions.
With June upon us and public life now safely reopening, the Dallas Cowboys coaches and players should be just weeks away from entering the facilities at The Star. Until then there’s not much intriguing news to report.
With a new coaching staff and many talented players joining the organization, it’s always fun to predict the unknown about what to expect from this team. Below are answers/predictions to three questions for the upcoming season.
BIGGEST IMPACT BY DALLAS COWBOYS NEW POSITION COACH
The easy answer is special teams guru John Fassel. Cowboys special teams were a disaster and Fassel is possibly the best in the business. However, we’ll stick to offensive and defensive position coaches discussion for sake.
My gut says defensive line will see the biggest improvement. The hiring of Mike Tomsula to replace Rod Marinelli was huge. The days of overvaluing position flex and out manned tackles trying to shoot gaps are thankfully over.
Tomsula and new head coach Mike McCarthy prefer big, strong bodies manning the inside at tackle. Signing veterans Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe, and drafting Neville Gallimore cemented this preference.
Dallas finished 11th in rushing yards allowed per game (103.5 ypg) last season. Expect a top five run defense under Tomsula. DeMarcus Lawrence is now paired with bigger, more physical players at the other three defensive line positions. Those bulls freeing up a very talented linebacker trio will wreak havoc on runners.
Lawrence (5 sacks) bouncing back with a double digit sack total and multiple talented players at right end will make up for losing Robert Quinn (11.5 sacks) and then some. Better depth will also add more potency to the interior pass rush. Without the same ability to double team ends, this new defensive line group will bring more pressure.