20-Nov-2009 17:34pm
 
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Dallas Cowboys
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OFFSEASON GAINS AND LOSSES

The Cowboys cleaned house a little this offseason. Their most notable release was receiver Terrell Owens. The Cowboys hope the release of Owens makes for a more pleasant locker room. Dallas also let go some other fairly big names, including linebacker Zach Thomas, tackle Tank Thomas, cornerback Anthony Henry, safety Roy Williams and cornerback Adam Jones. This leaves a few holes for the Cowboys to fill.

Linebacker Keith Brooking was added to give the team another veteran presence at linebacker. He should fill Thomas' shoes just fine. And the Cowboys picked up a new backup quarterback, getting Jon Kitna. He is an upgrade over the aging Brad Johnson, who was let go. Safety Gerald Sensabaugh was brought in to start at safety, replacing Williams. Sensabaugh is probably an upgrade over Williams, who has been hit or miss in recent seasons.

STRENGTHS

The passing game gets a lot of the headlines, but we think the Cowboys running game could be a force this season. The Cowboys will have three more than capable backs getting carries this season - Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. Barber will start but the other two will get their chances. Barber is a great between the tackle runner and top goal-line back. Jones is a big-time home run threat. And choice proved to be a versatile back last season, moving the pile while showing some speed to the outside. The Cowboys could be a lot more run heavy this season.

The Cowboys boast one of the top pass rushes in all the game. They collected 59 sacks last season. DeMarcus Ware had an amazing 20 sacks last season and proved to be one of the top defenders in the game. The Cowboys also get production up the middle from tackle Jay Ratliff and Greg Ellis also provides a top speed rush on the outside. The Cowboys won't give opposing quarterbacks much time to throw this season.

WEAKNESSES

The Cowboys have to be somewhat concerned with their receivers this season. T.O. is gone, leaving Roy Williams as their No. 1 guy. But Williams has just one 1,000-yard season in his career and is no sure thing to produce big numbers in a featured role. And outside of Williams, the Cowboys have little. Miles Austin, Patrick Crayton and Sam Hurd will compete for playing time. They could surprise, but none are a sure bet to excel in an expanded role. Tight end Jason Witten is about the only sure thing in the Cowboys passing attack.

OUTLOOK

Even with T.O. gone, the Cowboys still have a ton of talent, enough talent to win the NFC. Their defense made strides last season and the rushing game will be tough to stop this season. If Romo doesn't have any meltdowns, the Cowboys should win a lot of games and make a run in the playoffs.

TEAM NOTES
Nov 20, 11:33 AM Gerry Fraley, of The Dallas Morning News, reports Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said he would like to see RB Felix Jones get more touches because he believes Jones would be a big-time producer with more opportunities.

Fantasy Impact: This keeps getting said over and over but his workload hasn't increased much. Don't get too excited.
Nov 19, 01:13 PM Mark Gaughan, of The Buffalo News, reports the Buffalo Bills could have interest in several assistant coaches in the NFL to interview for their head coaching position after the season. Among the possible candidates are Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, Miami Dolphins defensive backs coach Todd Bowles, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson.
Nov 19, 01:03 PM Charean Williams, of the Fort-Worth Star Telegram, reports Dallas Cowboys PK Nick Folk will handle kickoff duties in Week 11 if PK David Buehler (toe) is not able to play.
Nov 18, 09:53 PM Dallas Cowboys CB Mike Jenkins (elbow) and S Gerald Sensabaugh (thumb) practiced in full Wednesday, Nov. 18.
Nov 18, 09:53 PM Dallas Cowboys RB Marion Barber III (thumb) practiced in full Wednesday, Nov. 18.
Nov 18, 05:13 PM Todd Archer, of The Dallas Morning News, reports Dallas Cowboys CB Mike Jenkins (biceps), FS Gerald Sensabaugh (thumb) and LB DeMarcus Ware (foot) practiced in full Wednesday, Nov. 18. Jenkins is expected to play in Week 11.
Nov 18, 05:13 PM Todd Archer, of The Dallas Morning News, reports Dallas Cowboys CB Alan Ball will likely replace FS Ken Hamlin (ankle) in Week 11.
Nov 18, 03:53 PM Todd Archer, of The Dallas Morning News, reports Dallas Cowboys PK David Buehler (toe), FS Ken Hamlin (ankle) and CB Allen Rossum (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, Nov. 18. Hamlin is in a walking boot and could miss up to a month.
Nov 18, 02:43 PM Todd Archer, of The Dallas Morning News, reports Dallas Cowboys OT Doug Free to start at right tackle in Week 11, replacing injured OT Marc Colombo (ankle, fibula).
Nov 16, 05:03 PM Jeff Caplan, of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, reports Dallas Cowboys TE Jason Witten had another quiet game in Week 10 against the Green Bay Packers. He had just five catches for 47 yards. 'They have a good scheme,' Witten said. 'They put Woodson on me and I couldn't get open. They did a good job in coverage. I can't speak for everybody else, but for myself, I've got to play better than that.'

Fantasy Impact: Witten is having a very disappointing season for fantasy teams. He still has time to get it going, though, and remains a must start as long as you have him on your roster.
Nov 16, 04:43 PM Todd Archer, of The Dallas Morning News, reports Dallas Cowboys RB Marion Barber III (thumb) was bothered by his fractured thumb in the second half of the game in Week 10.

Fantasy Impact: This explains his limited touches in the second half. We don't think it will be a huge issue going forward, though.
Nov 16, 04:23 PM Todd Archer, of The Dallas Morning News, reports Dallas Cowboys FS Ken Hamlin (ankle) could miss two to four weeks with a high ankle sprain.
Nov 16, 04:23 PM Todd Archer, of The Dallas Morning News, reports Dallas Cowboys CB Mike Jenkins (biceps) has been diagnosed with a bruised left biceps. Head coach Wade Phillips expects Jenkins to play in Week 11.
Nov 16, 03:43 PM Calvin Watkins, of ESPNDallas.com, reports Dallas Cowboys OT Marc Colombo (ankle, fibula) will undergo surgery to fix ligaments on his left ankle Monday, Nov. 16, after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 10. He also has a fracture on his fibula near his left knee that will not require surgery. The recovery time for his fibula injury is six weeks. General manager Jerry Jones has said that Colombo will miss the rest of the year.
Nov 16, 03:43 PM Calvin Watkins, of ESPNDallas.com, reports Dallas Cowboys PK David Buehler (toe) injured the little toe on his right foot while covering a punt in Week 10.
Nov 16, 03:43 PM Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said OT Flozell Adams (ankle) and OG Kyle Kosier (ankle) both have mild ankle sprains.

Offseason Keys

Additions:
Gerald Sensabaugh, S; Igor Olshansky, DE; Keith Brooking, LB; Jon Kitna, QB. 

Losses:
Zach Thomas, LB; Tank Johnson, DT; Kevin Burnett, LB; Chris Canty, DE; Anthony Henry, CB; Roy Williams, S; Terrell Owens, WR; Adam Jones, CB; Brad Johnson, QB. 

2009 Draft Class

RoundPickPlayerPos
 # 3  5 Jason WilliamsLB
 # 3  11 Robert BrewsterOL
 # 4  1 Stephen McGeeQB
 # 4  10 Victor ButlerDL
 # 4  20 Brandon WilliamsDL
 # 5  30 Michael HamlinDB
 # 5  36 David BuehlerK
 # 6  24 Stephen HodgeDB
 # 6  35 John PhillipsTE
 # 7  20 Manuel JohnsonWR
 Undrafted Kevin OgletreeWR

2009 Schedule

WeekDateTimeOpponent
1     Sep 13 1:00PM      at Tampa Bay
2     Sep 20 8:20PM      New York Giants
3     Sep 28 8:30PM      Carolina
4     Oct 4 4:15PM      at Denver
5     Oct 11 1:00PM      at Kansas City
-- Week 6 Bye --
7     Oct 25 4:15PM      Atlanta
8     Nov 1 1:00PM      Seattle
9     Nov 8 8:20PM      at Philadelphia
10     Nov 15 4:15PM      at Green Bay
11     Nov 22 1:00PM      Washington
12     Nov 26 4:15PM      Oakland
13     Dec 6 4:15PM      at New York Giants
14     Dec 13 4:15PM      San Diego
15     Dec 19 8:20PM      at New Orleans
16     Dec 27 8:20PM      at Washington
17     Jan 3 1:00PM      Philadelphia