Dallas Cowboys Team Report by Jason Wood
| Dal Projections (9/3) | Passing Stats | Rush Stats | Receiving Stats | Fantasy | |||||||||||
| Change | Name | Pos | Att | Comp | % | Yds | TD | Int | Att | Yds | TD | Rec | Yds | TD | Pts |
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#fname# #lname# | #pos# | #NumberFormat("#pts#", '__,_____')# | ||||||||||||
| Totals | #NumberFormat("#tot_patt#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_pcmp#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#evaluate(100*tot_pcmp/tot_patt)#", '_____._')#% | #NumberFormat("#tot_pyds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ptds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_int#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ratt#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ryds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_rtds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_rec#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_cyds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ctds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_pts#", '__,_____')# | ||
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Quarterbacks Starter - Quincy Carter Backups - Chad Hutchinson, Anthony Wright Starting Quarterback: Quincy Carter's development will be the critical leverage point for whether or not the Cowboys return to competitiveness this season. This is the year when Dallas finds out if Jerry Jones truly was prescient in his selection of Quincy in the 2nd round of the 200 NFL Draft or, as most NFL pundits believe he reached for a project quarterback several rounds too early. Carter enters this season with lofty expectations after a rookie season of 'baptism by fire.' The team has brought in Bruce Coslet to install a new offensive scheme and to exploit Carter's obvious physical talents. With three weeks left to go in camp, Carter has reportedly been inconsistent, which is somewhat expected given his inexperience coupled with learning a new offensive system. However the team is hopeful that his first preseason performance (10 of 13 for 98 yards and a TD) is indicative of maturation. Only time will tell. We don't expect Quincy to be much of a fantasy factor this season, as he'll struggle to complete more than 55% of his passes. He is an option to run the ball, but even that isn't enough to crack the top 20 in our view. In deep leagues, take a flier on him as a QB3 (ideally) or QB2 if you really have to. Backup Quarterback(s): Despite the public support of Quincy Carter, one has to wonder whether Jerry Jones and the coaching staff are really convinced that he can carry the team over the long haul. This was never more in evidence than when the team signed Chad Hutchinson to serve as Quincy's backup. Hutchinson, a blue chip prospect coming out of Stanford, hasn't played organized football in four years (as he pursued a marginally successful baseball career). Yet, the team gave Hutchinson a $3 million signing bonus, which is quite a lot for someone who's resigned to being a backup. According to camp reports, Hutchinson has all the physical tools to be a dominant passer, but he must shake the rust off and re-learn the mental side of the game. It would probably take an injury OR a substantially disappointing performance from Carter to see Hutchinson on the field this season. Anthony Wright is entrenched as the 3rd string QB, don't look for Wright to see the field much despite getting a chance to start a few games last season. Running Backs Starter - Emmitt Smith Backups - Troy Hambrick, Michael Wiley Starting Running Back: Barring an early season injury, this season will be the hallmark of Emmitt's illustrious career. Smith needs just 540 yards to break Walter Payton's all-time rushing record. There is no question that Emmitt has lost a step or two over the last few seasons, yet he's still managed to put up 1,000 yard seasons consistently. Emmitt has always been a workhorse whose best attribute was his patience in letting the mammoth, offensive line open holes for him. As the all-time NFL rushing touchdown leader, it's no surprise that he remains an effective goal line option. Unfortunately, it's uncertain how often the team will be in short goal line situations in 2002. This year, look for the Cowboys to feed Emmitt the ball as he races toward the record, but realize that the coaching staff is very intent on giving Troy Hambrick significant playing time; as he is the back of the future on the rebuilding Cowboys. Backup Running Back(s): Troy Hambrick burst onto the scene last year by averaging over 5 yards per carry in limited duty for the 'Boys. In the pre-season he picked up where he left off by scoring two touchdowns in last week's preseason game. If the Dallas coaching staff sticks to its word, look for Hambrick to get quite a few touches, somewhere in the range of 150-200. He's worth a flier in deeper leagues, as he could be a major factor in the second half of the season, with or without an injury to Emmitt. Michael Wiley is positioned as the team's third down back. Wiley's speed and ability to maneuver in the open field suits the role well. Fullback(s): Robert Thomas is rated the number one fullback as of press time, but young Scott Zimmerman has been giving him all he can handle in camp. Either way, neither figures to be a factor in the receiving game the way 'Moose' Johnston once was. They will, however, be key to Emmitt's race for immortality and Hambrick's coming out party. Wide Receivers / Tight Ends Starters - Joey Galloway, Antonio Bryant Backups - Reggie Swinton, Ken Yon Rambo, Randal Williams Starting Receiver(s): Jerry Jones was lauded for crafting one of the best drafts of 2002, at least on paper. At the epicenter of that praise was the selection of Antonio Bryant, the enigmatic receiver out of Pittsburgh. Had Bryant entered the 2001 draft after his sophomore season, he would've challenged for the top WR spot, instead he fell to the 2nd round (11th WR selected) due to a disappointing junior season, slower-than-expected combine times, and perceived attitude problems. But no one can dispute the talent Bryant brings to the table if he's focused. Ready or not Dallas, Bryant will get his chance to prove himself sooner than expected. This week, Rocket Ismail was declared done for the season due to a neck injury. Barring a late signing of one of the available veterans, Bryant will join Joey Galloway in the starting lineup. Thus far, Bryant has looked very good (some camp reports say he's been the best WR in camp), but rookie WRs need time to mature, it's a subtle position. Remember that even Marvin Harrison and Terrell Owens didn't show much as rookies. How quickly Bryant can excel will be crucial to a now tenuous situation in Dallas' passing offense. On the other side of the formation will be speedster Joey Galloway. The good news is that, when healthy, Galloway has proven himself to be a rare combination of game breaking speed and run-after-the-catch ability. The bad news is that Galloway hasn't been healthy in a long, long time. As someone who relies on speed to be effective, one has to question whether he can ever return to the skill level that warranted Dallas giving up two first round picks to Seattle to acquire him. For what it's worth, he entered camp healthy and remains so with a few weeks until opening day. Count on Dallas to be creative this season with its receiver sets, and don't bet on Dallas showing much improvement from last season, when they finished the year dead last in passing yards. Backup Receiver(s): The most competitive battle in camp appears to be between Reggie Swinton, Randal Williams and Ken Yon Rambo for the WR3 and WR4 positions. As of right now, it looks like Swinton and Rambo have the edge but that decision isn't likely to be made until we get closer to the start of the season. With the injury to Ismail, it's possible Dallas will look to a veteran as a starter or more likely a backup to Antonio Bryant. Either way, count on all three of these youngsters to contribute all season long. Tight End(s): Tony McGee, Mike Lucky, James Whalen Tony McGee was signed in the offseason after a long career with the Cincinnati Bengals. McGee has never caught more than 55 passes in his career, and hasn't cracked 500 receiving yards in six seasons, but he does reunite with Bruce Coslet who was his head coach in Cincy during his most productive years. Either way, don't expect McGee to contribute much offensively this season. Backing up McGee are James Whalen and Mike Lucky. Although Lucky caught a touchdown pass in last week's preseason game, Whalen is reportedly the favorite to see work in the receiving game. Place Kicker Tim Seder: Tim Seder returns as the Cowboys place kicker but shouldn't find his way onto your fantasy roster. Seder was just six of eleven in eight games last season. After reviewing film of last season, it was decided that Seder's mechanics were sound, but his ineffectiveness was the result of poor ball placement. We're not sure he's displayed the leg strength to warrant fantasy consideration. Further, the Cowboys have allowed Billy Cundiff to compete for the job against Seder, so again, we recommend you stay away. Defense The Cowboys defense finished last season ranked 4th in total yards allowed, capitalizing on the speed of its front seven and surprisingly effective play in the secondary. While the team was generally effective, the squad was undersized last year and beefing up the front seven was a primary goal during the offseason. Dallas opened up the coffers (now that it's out of salary cap purgatory) and signed La'Roi Glover to the interior of the defensive line. He will single handedly raise Dallas' sack total this year. In addition, the team added Kevin Hardy to an already fast and opportunistic linebacking corps. In the secondary, the team signed Bryant Westbrook and drafted uber safety Roy Williams. Westbrook has all the physical tools to be a dominant cover corner, unfortunately his injury history leaves a lot to be desired. Williams, who is under the tutelage of Darren Woodson, may well combine with him to become the most dominant safety tandem in the league. Definitely a fantasy worthy defense that has an opportunistic schedule. Coaching Dave Campo enters his second season with higher expectations. He is expected to at least contend for a playoff spot, which looks daunting given the uncertainty of his offensive unit. Campo was a long-time Dallas loyalist and was brought in as head coach under the perception that no one wanted the job. Whether that was the case or not, he isn't likely to prove otherwise unless the Cowboys show marked improvement. There were several well-publicized gaffes last season (i.e., going for two when he clearly shouldn't have) that he simply must avoid if he's going to last beyond his current contract. Another coaching note, the team brought in Bruce Coslet to run the offense. While Coslet has a decent NFL pedigree, he also is a master of high percentage; timing based passing schemes, which doesn't seem to play into the strengths of Quincy Carter. Intangibles The real intangible this season is Quincy Carter. How much patience will the coaches display with him and how impressive does Hutchinson need to be in practice to get a shot? Also, will the unproven receiving corps be able to provide Carter with the necessary production to effectively evaluate his talents? But the issue that will get the biggest attention is Emmitt's run for Payton. He needs only 540 yards to become the all-time leading rusher in NFL history; and will get showered with accolades when/if he hits the mark. From a fantasy perspective, how much work will Hambrick get once Emmitt reaches the mark? Is it worth owning either of them this season? |