NFL 2006: Dallas Cowboys

(This is the Corners look at the upcoming NFL season. For the next 32 days we'll be previewing each team and their prospects for the 2006 season. Today we look at the Dallas Cowboys.)

Last season the Dallas Cowboys finished 9-7 and just missed the NFL playoffs. Just missing didn't sit well with owner Jerry Jones and head coach Bill Parcells and some major changes were made in the offseason.

Most notably was bringing in wide receiver Terrell Owens, a lightning rod for media attention and controversy. Owens played in only seven games with the Eagles in 2005 after being suspended for comments made about Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia organization.

Will Owens keep his mouth shut in Dallas and be a team player or will Parcells patience wear thin very quickly? That is the main question on the minds of many Cowboy fans in 2006.

Offense: Drew Bledsoe (3,639 yards, 23 touchdowns) returns to helm the Cowboy ship. He looked great at times and not so great last year as evidenced by his 17 interceptions. The offensive line deserves some of the blame, but with Owens in the fold, Bledsoe has to be more consistent. The backups are Tony Romo and Drew Henson, not much to write home about, so Parcells needs Bledsoe to be healthy and consistent in 2006.

The running game has quality depth with Julius Jones (993 yards, five touchdowns), Marion Barber (538 yards, five TDs) and Tyson Thompson all seeing significant playing time last season. Lousaka Polite is the fullback.

Keyshawn Johnson is gone but Owens (47-763-6) is a star receiver, despite his big mouth and overbearing personality. Terry Glenn (62-1,1136-7) is a solid, steady possession receiver who is still Bledsoe's favorite target. After the starting duo, there isn't much. Patrick Crayton (22-341-2), Terrance Copper and rookie Skyler Green will have to step it up.

Jason Witten is one of the top five tight ends in the NFL and gives Bledsoe a nice safety valve if things get hairy. Witten keeps improving every season so expect him him to top his 66 catches for 757 yards and six scores in 2005. Dan Campbell split so look for rookie Anthony Fasano to be Witten's backup.

The offensive line was atrocious last season, giving up a team record 50 sacks with Bledsoe being dumped 49 times. Parcells went and picked up Kyle Kosier from Denver and Jason Fabini from the Jets in hopes of improving the situation. Al Johnson returns at center, while Marco Rivera and Kosier will hold down the guard spots. Flozell Adams, who missed all of 2005 due to injury, returns at left tackle and Fabini will hold down the right side. Rob Pettiti, Andre Gurode and rookies Pat McQuistan and E.J. Whitley provide some depth.

Defense: The Cowboy defense is young, tough, talented and getting better all the time. Parcells has always been a coach who builds the defense up first and he's made no exception to that rule in Dallas.

The defensive line is anchored by Marcus Spears and Greg Ellis (eight sacks) at the ends and Jason Ferguson at nose tackle. Chris Canty, Kenyon Coleman and rookie Montavious Stanley are quality backups.

Scott Fujita is history and Dat Nguyen retired but the Cowboys went out and improved the linebacker position by drafting Bobby Carpenter from Ohio State and signing Akin Ayodele away from Jacksonville. The amazing Demarcus Ware (58 tackles, eight sacks) and Ayodele (70 tackles) will patrol the outside, while Bradie James (93 tackles) and Carpenter will be in the middle. Al Singleton, Scott Shanle and Kevin Burnett will see action as well.

Terence Newman (59 tackles, three picks) needs to be more consistent at cornerback. He was rated as a can't miss prospect coming out of college, but he has yet to realize his full potential. Anthony Henry (48 tackles, three interceptions) starts at the other corner, while Aaron Glenn (four interceptions)is the nickel back. Battering ram Roy Williams (81 tackles, three picks, 2.5 sacks) is one of the best at strong safety and Keith Davis (66 tackles) returns at free safety. Free agent Marcus Coleman and rookie Pat Watkins supply depth. Davis was recently shot in a drive-by, but is expected to make a full recovery.

Special Teams: The Cowboys kicking game was horrible last season with Billy Cundiff, Jose Cortez and Shaun Suisham all getting cracks at the job. Jones went out and grabbed Mike Vanderjagt from the Colts to immediately give Dallas a top-echelon kicker. Despite missing a key field goal in the playoffs against Pittsburgh, Vanderjagt (121 points, 23-25 field goals, 52-52 extra points) is one of the top three kickers in the league and will give Dallas two or three more wins on its record. Mat McBriar (42.5) returns as punter. Thompson (24.5) returns kicks and Crayton (7.2) handles punt return duties.

Outlook: The Cowboys are loaded on defense and T.O. and Vanderjagt are huge upgrades. Parcells has a history of taking teams to the Super Bowl in his fourth season (Giants and Patriots), but there are some problems. The team has very little depth on offense, especially at quarterback and the line. If any starter goes down, especially Bledsoe, it could be trouble. Plus, Dallas is in the toughest division in football with all four teams capable of making the playoffs. They will beat up on each other all season. Still, with Parcells in charge and a lights out defense the future is bright for Cowboy fans. If the line holds up, Owens keeps his mouth shut and Bledsoe stays healthy, Dallas will make a run at the division and the playoffs.

Prediction: Owens, Vanderjagt and an improved offensive line will give the Cowboys a few more wins and a playoff berth in 2006. The Cowboys will finish 10-6 or 11-5.

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