Now that the NBA has finally crowned a champion (Congratulations, Cleveland Cavaliers and of course, LeBron James), the sports world can turn its attention to the NFL. Training Camps will begin next month for most teams but one team in particular has some heavy decisions to make.
The Dallas Cowboys have made some impressive and interesting moves during the off-season. This is aimed at reestablishing the physical style of play that propelled them within one controversial play away from contending for a spot in the NFC Championship game two seasons ago. As the team readies itself for 2016, head coach Jason Garrett and his coaching staff has some key areas to address. Barring injuries and suspensions, there are three position battles that should prove to be highly intriguing during camp and the preseason schedule.
Intriguing Position Battles Heading into Cowboys Training Camp
Backup Quarterback
The Cowboys are currently carrying four quarterbacks into camp, but everyone knows that Tony Romo is the starter. His backups, however, have yet to be determined. Despite the fact that fourth year quarterback Kellen Moore is listed as the number two guy, there are two other quality signal callers attempting to run him down and block his claim to the position.
Kellen Moore
At 6’0” 200 pounds, Moore doesn’t possess much physically. He’s the choirboy version of Johnny Manziel, lacking athleticism and cockiness. Moore is a cerebral guy. But make no mistake about it. He’s a winner. He won consistently at the collegiate level during his tenure at Boise State. He finished his career as the only player to collect 50 wins in FBS history. Moore’s teams finished the regular season undefeated in two out of the four seasons he was the starter at Boise. It’s difficult to bet against the guy. Despite all of his accolades in college, Moore went undrafted. Size and a lack of arm strength are widely considered factors that played a part in his omission.
He finally got the chance to see action in a real NFL game last December against the New York Jets. Moore appeared overwhelmed at times, but he managed to settle in and put the team in a position to win the game. Three interceptions were his undoing. That said, at least two of them were to be expected coming from a neophyte in spite of the three years he spent in Detroit.
Moore was given the start in the final two games. His performance in the last game of the Cowboys season against the Washington Redskins had to have given the team the idea that he could be their future as a quality backup to Romo. He threw three touchdowns in the 34-23 loss, but also delivered two critical interceptions that contributed to the team’s failure. Overall, Moore’s role as the number two quarterback isn’t safe at all. In fact, there are a few options for the backup spot.
Jameill Showers
Un-drafted second year player Jameill Showers, who played for Texas A&M and the UTEP, is listed as the number three guy going into training camp. At 6’1” and 230 pounds, Showers is still short by the league’s standard. Nevertheless, he has the girth and athleticism that should enable him to take the pounding defenders are able to inflict at the professional level. Showers is no stranger to being on the bench having served as the backup to both Ryan Tannehill and Manziel at College Station. However, he transferred to UTEP after graduating in June of 2013. He became the starter as soon as he arrived on campus. Despite suffering a season-ending injury in his first season, Showers managed to put up some decent numbers during his time in the hill country.
He finished his brief college career with 3,121 passing yards, 23 touchdown passes, 507 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns and only ten interceptions. His numbers weren’t gaudy by any means, but they were enough to get him a deal as a free agent in 2015. Showers was average during the preseason with 125 yards passing, a touchdown, and an interception. Due to his ability to play special teams, he was signed to the Cowboys’ practice squad and eventually promoted to the active roster toward the end of the year. Unfortunately, he was listed as inactive for the final two games.
Dak Prescott
Another contender for the number two spot is Dak Prescott. Selected in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Prescott is listed as the number four quarterback heading into camp. Prescott starred at Mississippi State for the past three years earning a number of postseason awards and accolades. At 6’2’ and 226 pounds, Prescott has a physical makeup similar to that of Romo. He’s considered a dual threat quarterback and possesses incredible athleticism. His arm strength is ideal as well.
Prescott can make all of the throws required as a professional. His elusiveness and willingness to use his powerful frame to truck defenders offers an added boost whenever he is on the field. SEC teams have had to deal with this guy for three years and he was still able to dominate most of his opponents. The Cowboys would not have drafted this kid if they weren’t planning on paring him with a mentor like Romo. If Moore and Flowers aren’t careful, Prescott might usurp both and be the first quarterback called upon, if anything should happen to Romo.
Starting Running Back
The running game continued to be productive last season. But none of the running backs on the roster were able to duplicate the type of performance that earned former running back Demarco Murray a huge payday from the Philadelphia Eagles. Ironically, Murray wasn’t able to reproduce the same kind of season he had in 2014. He was eventually traded to the Tennessee Titans. Many would argue that Murray’s production fell off in 2015 because of the scheme he played in under Chip Kelly and the lack of a physically dominant offensive line like the one the Cowboys have built the past few years.
Darren McFadden
Former Oakland Raiders first round draft choice Darren McFadden is listed as the starter at the moment. However, an unfortunate incident occurred in his home during this past Memorial Day weekend rendering him sidelined at the team’s annual trip to Oxnard, CA approaches. McFadden broke his elbow, requiring surgery. This will prevent him from being available during the early part of training camp. But it will provide players behind him on the depth chart with the ability to divvy up the carries he would have had.
McFadden was the full-time starter last season. He delivered his first 1,000 yard season since 2010, rushing for 1089 yards on 239 carries. His longest run was 50 yards, proving he still has the ability to have the burst and strength needed to break through a defensive line. He also had 40 receptions for another 328 yards. The player still hasn’t lived up to the expectations he garnered coming out of the University of Arkansas. McFadden has earned the reputation of being injury prone, but he managed to play in all 16 games in 2015. He wasn’t able to reproduce Murray’s numbers even though he had the luxury of running behind a more experienced and physical offensive line. He rushed for three touchdowns but also fumbled the ball three times.
Alfred Morris
Former Washington Redskins’ sixth round draft choice and newly acquired running back Alfred Morris is the number two guy for now. At 5’10” and 224 pounds, Morris has remained productive, but his final season in Washington was considered a down year by the standard he had set in the previous three seasons. He rushed for 751 yards on 202 carries despite seeing action in all 16 games. Maybe the biggest disappointment is the fact that he had only one rushing touchdown in 2015 after averaging at least seven from 2012 through 2014.
Morris hasn’t really proven to be a receiving threat either. He’s never had more than 17 receptions in any season and hasn’t scored a touchdown as a pass-catcher during his career. His inability to produce in the passing game will more than likely lead to his demise in his bid to become the Cowboys’ featured back.
Garrett and his offensive assistants require their runners to be versatile. They want to pummel their opponents with a tough running game. But at the same time, they also want to dazzle them with an array of creative pass plays that put their running backs in favorable mismatches against linebackers and safeties. Morris doesn’t quite fit that formula. Despite that, he is a rugged and compact power runner with amazing agility and grit as a pass-protector. The biggest thing going for the player is his history of embarrassing his current team. Morris has had some of his biggest days as a professional against his new team which may have made it an easy decision to bring him into the fold.
Ezekiel Elliott
The most intriguing figure in the running back group is the 6’2″, 225 pound rookie from Ohio State, Ezekiel Elliott. His running ability is unquestionable, especially when considering his commendable performances in the Big Ten the past two seasons. Elliott is a proven winner with amazing durability. His stat line from the National Championship game in January of 2015 reads like a Heisman trophy shoe-in. Elliot carried the ball 36 times for 246 yards and ran for four touchdowns in the game. He may have sustained a few minor bumps and bruises during his college career, but no one can claim that the young man missed any time due to injury.
Elliott evaded tackles effortlessly while leaving defensive lines in disarray. His efforts lead him into becoming a secon team All-American and the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. Elliot’s youth may prove to be a challenge while playing in the NFL. However, he appears to possess similar attributes to Murray who showed flashes of brilliance during his tenure in Dallas. Elliot’s durability could set him apart and prove to be a significant difference for the team. It will be interesting to see how he acclimates to the stormy weather the NFL grind usually provides to most rookies on and off the field.
Cornerback
In the defensive secondary, three players are vying for two starting positions and two special grouping spots (i.e. Nickle and Dime packages). Currently, nine-year veteran Brandon Carr and the disappointing fifth year player Morris Claiborne are penciled in as the starters.
Brandon Carr
Carr has never truly earned the huge payday he received as a free agent prior to the 2012 season. Since he joined the team he’s been consistent as a tackler, but inconsistent as an “on the ball” defender. He just completed two consecutive seasons without an interception. He recorded 130 tackles to go along with a sack, a fumble recovery and 13 passes defended. Carr’s value comes from his experience. He’s been in the league longer than any of the Cowboys current defensive backs. He can provide leadership to the young group.
Morris Claiborne
Claiborne has been a big disappointment as well. He was touted as a real shutdown corner when he was drafted out of LSU five years ago. He’s been nowhere near that type of player. He has never played a full season without injury and he’s only grabbed three interceptions. His size and speed do make him an attractive option at corner back, though. At 5’11” 192 pounds, Claiborne has the frame and quickness to match up with the game’s bigger, shiftier receivers.
His biggest weakness appears to be his football IQ. He hasn’t looked comfortable on the field in any of the defensive schemes employed by the Cowboys. In college, he was mainly a man to man enforcer with beautiful range and tremendous confidence. His on the field awareness has decreased dramatically in the pros. His lack of understanding of the various zone coverage schemes the team employs could be the reason.
Byron Jones
Interestingly, second year player Byron Jones is listed as number two on the depth chart at both left corner back and free safety. Jones was one of the more productive players on the Cowboys’ back line last year; but he didn’t show much play-making ability. The UConn product started in 11 of 16 games last year. He was unable to produce a single turnover for the struggling defensive team; however, he did break up nine passes and record 66 tackles.
Jones seems to be a cerebral player like Moore above. He understands the game extremely well and has the physical ability to become a star in the Cowboys’ secondary. Why would he be listed behind Claiborne, heading into training camp? At this point, it seems like defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli prefers to use his experienced players in his famous Cover 2 Scheme due to some of its complexities. Nine-year veteran and budding star Orlando Scandrick’s imminent return from injury should also shake things up a bit.
