2014 Dallas Cowboys Pre-Season Prediction

     Okay,..the time has rolled around for my annual prediction (guess) on the upcoming season for the Dallas Cowboys. Two years ago I was spot on with an 8-8 prediction. Last year I thought I saw a slight (very little) improvement with the Boys and I forecast a 9-7 season, only to see them finish at 8 wins and 8 losses for the third year in a row. Now as we embark on a new season, with new hopes, I would take 8-8 in a heartbeat and be grateful... but alas, I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel for fans of the silver and blue.

     I have told you before, but maybe I need to inject it again for any new readers who have come upon my blog page. I have been a die-hard fan of the Dallas Cowboys since they were born in 1960. I had to battle my father at the dinner table since he favored the old Dallas Texans, who have since moved on to become the Kansas City Chiefs. Many times he would gig me by saying, 'the wrong team left town.'  I guess what I am trying to say is,.. I love 'em and they are my team. Having said that, it pains me to have to admit to the following.

     Any organization, company, team, platoon, or squad is judged by their leader... and Dallas is currently being led down the wrong path by owner and general manager Jerry Jones. The team on the field for the Cowboys in 2014 is just a re-hyped version of the 2013 team.
    All teams in the National Football League had to cut down their rosters to 53 players as we begin the regular season next Sunday (September 7th). After a winless pre-season (0-4), Dallas must be ready for the San Francisco 49'ers on that date. Here is what Cowboy fans must look forward to this season.

     Dallas will go into the season with three quarterbacks on the team. Veteran Tony Romo is the face of the franchise, but it is his back that most followers will be interested. Romo has twice (2) undergone back surgery in the last year, and it is uncertain he will be physically able to go for the entire year. He has played so little in the pre-season games he has not even broken a sweat. Brandon Weeden will be his immediate backup, and rookie Dustin Vaughn will carry the clip board on the sidelines while gaining some experience about the NFL.

      Five wide receivers made the team in Dallas.. Dez Bryant will be the go-to man, with Terrance Williams on the other side. Cole Beasley, Dwayne Harris, and Devin Street will all see action. LaRon Byrd and Jamar Newsome had some good moments in training camp, but were given their release on Saturday. Maybe they will be signed to the practice squad if no other team claims them.
     Three tight ends made the team this year, compared to the five that started the season one year ago. Jason Witten will be the primary tight end while newcomers Gavin Escobar and James Hanna provide back up.

  

Dallas has used their number one draft pick for an offensive

 lineman in the last three college drafts. It is time for the offensive line to start paying off for the Cowboys, and give Romo some time to develop plays. Nine offensive line players made the squad for 2014, they are: Tyron Smith, Ronald Leary, Travis Frederick, Doug Free, Mackenzy Bernadeau, Jeremy Parnell, Zack Martin, Darron Weems, and Donald Hawkins. The last one was acquired in a trade on Saturday. If the names look familiar it is because it is basically the same line-up as one year ago... Bad news for Cowboy fans.

    I thought I would toss in a pretty picture before I get around to the defensive side of the ball. Dallas had the worst defense in the NFL in 2013 and I don't see it getting any better this year, possibly even worse, if that is possible. The Cowboys kept eleven defensive linemen on the roster and maybe if they all played at the same time we might be able to stop some teams. Gone are DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher, lost to free agency since 2013. Making the team this year are Henry Melton, Jeremy Mincey, George Selvie, Tyrone Crawford, Anthony Spencer, DeMarcus Lawrence, Nick Hayden, Terrell McClain, Davon Coleman, and Ken Bishop. Lawrence is injured and probably will go on the injury list later this week, but had to count toward the final 53 players. On Saturday Dallas sent a 2015 draft pick to the Tennessee Titans for Lavar Edwards and he should be in Dallas after Labor Day.

    

      Before Dallas can start celebrating again they must be able to stop the run. Six linebackers made the team.. Justin Durant, Bruce Carter, Rolando McClain, Kyle Wilber, Anthony Hitchins, and Cameron Lawrence.. The last one mainly off his performance on special teams. Sean Lee, the outstanding middle linebacker for Dallas, was hurt in training camp and his knee surgery will not allow him back until deep into the schedule. Look for McClain to take over the middle spot for Dallas this season. 

   The defensive secondary in 2013 was enough to turn your stomach on Sundays. Dallas could not exert enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks and the secondary paid the price. Orlando Scandrick and Jakar Hamilton will start the season with four game suspensions...so Dallas begins 2014 with Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne on the corners. Sterling Moore, Tyler Patmon, Barry Church, J.J. Wilcox, Jeff Heath, Ahmad Dixon, Jemea Thomas. Thomas was claimed off the waiver wire of New England.

    As for the special team players.. Dan Bailey and Chris Jones will again do the kicking and L.P. Ladoucer will be the long snapper.

    2014 will NOT be good for the Dallas Cowboys...and Head Coach Jason Garrett. I know the pre-season games are to judge new talent and see how some individuals react to game situations..but Dallas scored only 60 points in their four pre-season losses. I think that, and the decline of the defense, will spell doom for the team once known for its Doomsday Defense. By mid-season Jerry Jones will make a change in the coaching staff and Jason Garrett will be gone. The only chance Dallas has is in the play of Tony Romo and his 'iffy' back is a gamble that not even Las Vegas is not willing to take on. Five and eleven !!  That is my prediction and I go to bed each night praying that I will be wrong... Forgive me Tom Landry.

Update: The Cowboys continue to streamline their roster and made some late changes since the above story...Probably the most startling news was the release of former Baylor All-American safety Ahmad Dixon.

  

                            2014 Pre-Season Exhibition Games

August 7         Dallas 7       San Diego 27

August 16       Dallas 30     Baltimore 37

August 23       Dallas 20     Miami 25

August 28       Dallas 3       Denver 27

                                  2014 Regular Season

Sept 7             Dallas 17          San Francisco 28  (0-1)

Sept 14           Dallas 26          Tennessee   10  (1-1)

Sept 21           Dallas 34          St Louis 31      (2-1)

Sept 28           Dallas 38          New Orleans 17 (3-1)

Oct 5              Dallas 20          Houston 17 in OT (4-1) 

Oct 12            Dallas 30          Seattle 23   (5-1)

Oct 19            Dallas 31          NY Giants 21 (6-1)

Oct 27            Dallas 17          Washington 20 in OT (6-2)

Nov 2             Dallas 17          Arizona 28  (6-3)

Nov 9             Dallas 31          Jacksonville 17 (7-3)

Nov 16             Open Date/No Game

Nov 23           Dallas 31          New York Giants 28  (8-3)

Nov 27           Dallas 10          Philadelphia 33  (8-4)

Dec 4             Dallas  41         Chicago 28  (9-4)

Dec 14           Dallas 38          Philadelphia 27  (10-4)

Dec 21           Dallas 42          Indianapolis 7  (11-4)

Dec 28           Dallas  44        Washington 17 (12-4)

                          N F L   Playoffs

Jan 4              Dallas 24        Detroit 20     (13-4)

Jan 11            Dallas  21       Green Bay 26  (13-5)

End of season