Those guys over at Scouts, Inc. are getting closer to the finish line with the positional reviews of all 32 teams' rosters. Today is for linebackers, and that’s one position where the Cowboys have some talent stocked. And Scouts agrees.
5. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have assembled quite a group of pass-rushers. DeMarcus Ware is a star and only will get better in time. Expect him to post 12 or more sacks this season and establish himself as one of the best pass-rushers in the league. His other skills are improving as well. He has a chance to be exceptional. Opposite Ware, the Cowboys selected Anthony Spencer in the first round. Spencer might struggle early as he adapts to Dallas' 3-4 scheme, but he is a natural pass-rusher who tormented the Big Ten a year ago. Greg Ellis is ahead of Spencer on the depth chart and is a fine pass-rusher in his own right. The Cowboys' defense fell apart after his Achilles injury last season and he must prove that he is fully healed. Expect all three of these players to be on the field at times. The inside backers are solid, but unspectacular. Wade Phillips runs his version of the 3-4 differently than Bill Parcells, so expect this group to be more aggressive and attacking this year.
Poor middle linebackers, they got no love from the review. But #5 seems pretty legit for the Cowboys, and if Ware becomes the beast we think he will be and Spencer can add some QB pressure, maybe we’ll move up a little. Of course, San Diego got the #1 position, followed by the Bears, Ravens and Patriots.
Interesting subject from Todd Archer over at the DMN blog. All the talk has been about extending Romo’s contract, but maybe we should go ahead and re-up with a few of our stars who will hit the market in the future.
But if I'm the Cowboys, I might start thinking about DeMarcus Ware's future (let alone Terence Newman, who is up after the '08 season. Ware is under contract through 2009 (he's voided the final year of the deal already). Indianapolis just gave its Pro Bowl pass rusher, Dwight Freeney, a $30 million signing bonus as part of a six-year, $72 million deal.
Should the Cowboys re-do Ware's deal now and save money in the long-run? Might be something to look at.
If there are two guys who need to be kept in the Dallas fold on defense, it’s Ware and Newman. We already know what kind of money Newman will want, something along the lines of the Nate Clements deal. Now it looks like Freeney has set a rate for sack specialists.
DC.com has a review of the tight end position, but I tell you, there’s just not a lot of sizzle to review at the position. Jason Witten will start, Anthony Fasano will back him up, and someone else will be the #3 guy.
The big news in football from the non-Cowboy world is the indictment of Mike Vick on federal dogfighting charges. What a calamity that is, all the way around.
The indictment alleges that Vick and his co-defendants began sponsoring dogfighting in early 2001, the former Virginia Tech star's rookie year with the Falcons.
The Falcons quarterback was indicted for conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture...
Things could get ugly in Atlanta this year.
In other non-Cowboy news, Daunte Culpepper finally got his release from the Dolphins.