2008 Dallas Cowboys Season Preview

2008 Dallas Cowboys preview from MadduxSports.com. The NFC East once again houses 4 phenominal teams all capable at making a run through the playoffs. We will likely see teams over and undervalued off one good or bad performance. As NFL picks handicappers we can keep you on the undervalued and off the overvalued teams.

2008 Dallas Cowboys Predictions
By Adam Barone

Rundown
Last season the Cowboys went 13-3, tying the franchise record for wins. With expectations as high as they’ve been in over a decade, America’s team hacked up a lung in the playoffs. They became the first NFC team with home-field advantage to lose in the first round since 1990.

The last thing Jerry Jones and his boys wanted to do was disappoint a fan base littered with gun owners.

The 2008 season brings similar expectations, and more Pacman Joneses. The ‘Boys were lacking depth in the secondary, and needed to take pressure off of strong safety Roy Williams in coverage. The acquisition of Jones will allow cornerback Anthony Henry to move to nickel back and Williams to play up in the box where he’s more comfortable.

The acquisition of Jones was more of a luxury than a necessity, as Dallas finished last season ranked no. 2 in the NFL in passing yards allowed and no. 1 in total yards.

The defense also added middle linebacker Zach Thomas. On the tail end of his career, it’s hard to say what Thomas’ impact will be.

Draft Analysis
Off-season priorities for the Cowboys were at wide receiver and running back.

Starting running back Julius Jones went to Seattle as a free agent, leaving semi-psychotic Marion Barber alone in the backfield. Barber will be the starter, but has never carried the load alone in college or the NFL.

At receiver, Terry Glenn is in the twilight of his career. There’s little at the position past Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton.

First round pick Felix Jones, a running back out of Arkansas, is a perfect backfield compliment to Barber. He adds the speed and break-away ability that will keep defenses from overloading up the middle against Barber.

Mike Jenkins, a cornerback from South Florida, is a coverage specialist who can tackle. Dallas also chose cornerback Orlando Scandrick out of Boise State in the fifth round. He has “major character concerns,” which is typical for the Cowboys. Assuming Scandrick makes the team, the Cowboys love his upside. They won’t likely keep such a high opinion of him if he makes them wait until he’s done beating his grandma to get on the practice field.

Running back Tashard Choice out of Georgia Tech, taken in the fourth round, could prove to be a steal.

Now that you know about the 2008 Dallas Cowboys football team see how they stack up against the rest of the NFC East division rivals Eagles, Giants, and Redskins.

Related Pages:
Cowboys Official Site
Superbowl Odds