FanPost

Dallas Cowboys: The Most Talented Team?

The 2008 Dallas Cowboys were hyped and touted as “the most talented team in the NFL.”  You couldn’t turn on the television without the infinitely wise commentators on ESPN or the equally sage-like film producers on Hard Knocks proclaiming the Cowboys as the most talented team in football and eventual Super Bowl champions.  Many of us, including myself, through naïveté, wishful thinking, or denial fell for the hype.

 

Looking back on the season, the Cowboys were talented, just not the most talented.  Here’s a quick breakdown of the starters.  This is just eye ball scouting at best on my part and the first thing that came to mind.

 

Offense

 

Tony Romo: a mobile quarterback that is both big play and mistake prone

Marion Barber: a bruising running back with a  flair for punishing tacklers; lacks speed and vision

Deon Anderson: a versatile FB; good at everything but not great

Flozell Adams: an aging, good left tackle, hard to tell with his injuries

Kyle Kosier: a solid, diligent guard; showed his value with his injuries

Andre Gurode: a mauler; decent pass blocking; mistake prone

Leonard Davis: dominant run blocker; average pass blocker

Marc Columbo: good at run blocking, needs help with speed rushers

Jason Witten: the best TE in football; catches and blocks equally well: tough

Terrell Owens: still a top 5 receiver just check out his stats

Patrick Crayton: a slow, average 2nd receiver

Roy Williams (second half of season) a big, slow, average 2nd receiver

 

Defense

 

Chris Canty: good against the run, loses technique during games; doesn’t seem to try hard

Jay Ratliff: overachiever; non-stop motor; excellent pass rusher from NT position

Marcus Spears: average run stopper

DeMarcus Ware: the best 3-4 linebacker in football; equally rushes the passer and stops the run; yes, he’s better than Merriman.

Zach Thomas: a small ILB in a 3-4; makes the occasional play

Bradie James: good ILB in a 3-4; solid

Greg Ellis: average OLB in a 3-4; lost a step

Roy Williams: a liability run or pass

Ken Hamlin: average play this year; lousy tackling

Terrance Newman: dominant at times but injuries made him look like Jacque Reeves at other times

Anthony Henry: a big, slow corner

 

This is my perception of the most talented team in 2008s NFL.

 

I qualify this judgment based on last year’s performance and my humble opinion.

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.