News 8/8/07- Pre-Season Team Overview.

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MaddenBoard.com Sim League Cowboys News

With Pre-season games fast approaching here is an overview of the Cowboys positional groups; what moves have been made worth mention, who are the projected starters, and strengths and weaknesses.

Quarterbacks

The Cowboys front office has decided its time to give Romo his shot to run this team without looking over his shoulder. Bledsoe has been traded to the Raiders where it appears he will start and Craig Nall and Stefan LeFors have been brought in to compete behind Romo for the #2 spot.

Romo has been in the league now learning the system for 3 years. Its time for him to show he can lead this team. He has all the skills needed to be a Pro-Bowl Quarterback and with the receiving corps he has at his disposal there is no excuse for failure.

Currently it appears the coaching staff likes what LeFors has shown in camp this summer and appears to have the upper hand for the #2 spot.

Running backs

Right now it’s almost a toss-up between Barber and Jones for the starting spot at Half Back. Jones has more speed and quickness, Barber while not as quick has the power to pound the ball and wear a defense down.

While either Jones or Barber could start for this team, performance in pre-season games will most likely determine the starter at this spot. The coaching staff appears to favor Barbers upside and power running style, and Jones has been plagued by injuries, but its completely possible both of the backs split time in the backfield.

Right behind Jones and Barber is Tyson Thompson. He is in the final year of his contract and really wants his chance to show what he can do. He has blazing speed, but struggles with assignments and has some problems holding onto the ball. It’s not likely we will see Thompson in the backfield much, but if Jones and Barber can’t get the job done expect the coaching staff to take a good look at Thompson.

At Fullback the Cowboys have brought in well known Vet Mike Karney via trade to clear the way for the tail back and signed Nehemiah Broughton. Broughton has pretty good quickness for a Full Back but needs to improve his blocking skills and knowledge of the game.

Receiving Corps

The Cowboys have arguably one of the best groups of receivers in the game. T.O. and Glenn are locks for the 1 and 2 spots and Crayton is a solid #3. Crayton is in the final year of his contract and is looking to show he rates a big contract from someone next season. After Crayton is a couple of fast young pups; Skyler Green and Bam Childress.

Witten is one of the best Tight Ends in the game. A balanced Tight End who has solid pass catching and Blocking skills and a 2 time Pro-Bowler, we expect him to be back in Hawaii again this season. Behind Witten, Fasano is a decent 2nd Tight End but is unpolished and needs to improve his game.

Offensive Line

Solid Vets, Flozell Adams, Andre Gurode and Marco Rivera anchor the line with Kyle Kosier and Marc Colombo both on the verge of becoming dependable starters. It Kosier and Colombo play up to their potential the starting group could looks to be solid and capable of clearing the way for a solid running game and keeping Romo off his backside.

At the back-up spots is a group of young guys still learning the game, but itching for their chance to prove themselves capable of starting.

Defensive Line

The Defensive End position is stocked with young talented players, the oldest members of the group being only 24 years old. It appears Marcus Spears and Chris Canty are the starters with Jeb Huckuba and Rob Ninkovich behind them. Each of these guys have the talent to become top notch Pass Rushers. Canty is in the final year of his deal and no doubt will garner a lot of interest in Free Agency next season.

At the Tackle spots are Jason Ferguson and Brian Young. Ferguson is getting up there in years and the Cowboys are hoping he can hold up for another season. Young was brought in via trade as the Cowboys plan to move back to the 4-3 after a year of experimenting in the 3-4. Junior Siavii, signed in free agency, has a ways to go to break into the Tackle rotation and his only shot at playing is injury to one of the starters.

Line Backers

Line the Defensive Ends, this Group is full of young talented players. Bradie James has proven he is a capable starter at the Mike Linebacker spot and received a new contract in the off-season ensuring his spot as the starter. DeMarcus Ware showed why he was drafted and is the best of the group. It appears the coaching staff has decided to go with Carpenter opposite Ware and give him his chance to show he deserved to be picked in the first round.

At the Back-up spots is Al Singleton who is getting into his final year of his contract and final years in the league. Still his knowledge of the game makes him a solid back-up. Terna Nande was signed in free agency for his speed and quickness and shows a lot of promise. There are rumors that Akin Ayodele will be traded to the Broncos for a younger Line Backer and an undisclosed pick. Ayodele’s salary doesn’t warrant him sitting as a back-up, but with the teams move back to the 4-3, there isn’t a spot for him as a starter on this team.

Defensive Backs

The Corners are a solid group with Terence Newman the best of the group. Henry isn’t the quickest in the league but he has solid technique and is a great tackler. Arron Glenn could be in his final year in the NFL but still has the speed and skills at the slot corner position to get the job done. Behind then is a couple young prospects in Roc Alexander and Jacques Reeves.

Roy Williams has become a perennial Pro Bowl Safety and is know for his hard hits and awesome run support. Keith Davis has been moved over to the Strong safety spot to back up Williams and it appears Donte Nicholson and Pat Watkins will compete in the Pre-season for the starting job at the Free Safety spot. Watkins has the better upside with superior talent, but Nicholson seems to have a better grasp of reading the offense and reacting to plays.

Special Teams

The Cowboys have without a doubt the best Punter in the league in Matt McBriar. His booming punts should keep the Cowboys with good field position. Olindo Mare was brought in via a trade to upgrade the Kicking game and should be a solid Kicker. Tyson Thompson will most likely be the returner for both Kick Offs and Punts. With his mind blowing speed the coaching staff is hoping for a few returns to TDs this season.