Editor’s Note: LWOS is always looking for passionate writers to join our ranks. We are very excited to welcome Mark to the #LastWordArmy. We are sure that Cowboys and NFL fans will enjoy his contributions.
First off, I would like to thank the team at LastWordOnSports.com for allowing me to share my views about the Dallas Cowboys.
With the Boys coming off back to back 8-8 seasons, these are anxious times for die-hard fans of America’s Team, hoping for a return to the postseason and watching their beloved Cowboys capture an elusive sixth Super Bowl title.
In my first column, I am providing Cowboys fans with three reasons for optimism for the upcoming NFL season.
Dez Bryant – As Dez Bryant enters his fourth season, he is primed to continue his emergence as an elite Wide Receiver. After a quiet off season, the Cowboys will be counting on a more mature Bryant to become one of their team leaders. The bar will be set high, after Bryant’s performance in the second half of last season, where he raised his game in the final eight games. His numbers were very impressive in the last half of the season, as Bryant’s final stat line show 50 receptions (fourth among all NFL receivers), gained an NFL-best 17.6 yards per catch with a NFL leading 10 touchdowns, and 11 catches of 25 yards or more (also tops in the NFL).
Bruce Carter – Moving over to the defensive side of the ball, a strong candidate for a breakout season is linebacker Bruce Carter. With other big name stars on the Cowboys defense, Carter gets over-looked by the likes of DeMarcus Ware and fellow linebacker Sean Lee. Carter impressed both coaches and fans alike, when inserted into the lineup last year, as his athleticism and skillset was an asset to the defensive unit. With a switch in scheme to the Tampa-2-system, Carter will be roaming the outside linebacker position, as the chase and run linebacker in the Tampa 2. With Carter’s mix of speed and natural ability, he has all of the makings of being a force for years in Big D.
Cornerbacks – With Morris Claiborne set to enter his second season and Brandon Carr ready to man the opposite side of the field, the Cowboys are poised to have one of the top cornerback tandems in the NFL. The key to the unit will be forcing turnovers, as last season the Dallas secondary only had seven interceptions. There is also solid depth at cornerback with Orlando Scandrick handling duties at slot corner, along with versatile veteran Sterling Moore returning to the unit. Rookie B.W. Webb has showed some promise early on in training camp, but will have to battle through the preseason to make the team.
In my next column, I’ll take the opposite point of view, looking at areas of concerns for the Boys. Be sure to check back soon.
Thanks for reading! Interested in writing for LastWordOnSports? If so, check out our “Join Our Team” page to find out how. Be sure to follow me on twitter for your NFL needs – @OlejniczakM, and the follow the site @lastwordonsport while you are at it.
Football fans…check out Thursday Night Tailgate Radio as hosts Chris Mascaro and Angelo Cane chat with current and former NFL and College players. NFL stars open up on TNT because they’re regular guys, without network influence. Access the show in the sidebar on our home page or by visiting their website at ThursdayNightTailgate.com. Learn more about the show including their upcoming schedule at their page at LWOS.
