We can bemoan another imminent, ineffective season for the Cowboys’ defense without Sean Lee, proven safeties or a consistent pass rush. Or, we can lick our chops at what should be another explosive year for a talented offense.
Tony Romo enters training camp with a healthy back. There are elite playmakers in DeMarco Murray, Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams and Jason Witten. Dwayne Harris can change a game. Cole Beasley can move the chains. And Gavin Escobar should improve as another receiving weapon. The offensive line, anchored by Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick, is adding first-round pick Zack Martin.
Because of the team’s legendarily inept defense, the Cowboys’ offense snapped the ball a league-low 957 times in 2013. Yet Dallas still managed 341 yards per game and scored the fifth-most points behind only the Broncos, Bears, Patriots and Eagles.
Despite that success, the offense will have a new look in 2014 because it will have a new play-caller in offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. What exactly will this mean?
Given his history in the NFL, Linehan will move Dez Bryant around in formations, such as lining him up in the slot. And I trust the days are gone when Bryant only gets targeted 2-3 games a game. Linehan will also use more of Lance Dunbar, on draws and screens. His formula is to spread defenses out across the field, then attack in the middle. Hello, Witten and Beasley.
Linehan obviously has a close relationship with head coach Jason Garrett and the two share philosophies. That’s good, because while the Cowboys’ defense needs a major overhaul, the offense requires tiny tweaking.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
