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Dallas Cowboys
Posted: Sun April 19, 1998 at 9:53 p.m.
* compensatory pick
QB - Despite taking a beating for much of last season, QB Troy Aikman was able to hold up. Aikman has always made it clear that he would like to play 10 seasons in the NFL. With number 10 coming up this year, the Cowboys need to start looking for someone to develop. Veteran backup Wade Wilson was released, leaving #3 QB Jason Garrett as the only depth. Garrett has played well when called upon, and could move up to the #2 spot if they draft a guy this season. After QB's Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf come off the board #1 and 2 overall, it is a crap shoot. Look for them to draft a QB late or add one that goes undrafted.
RB - The big ? this season will be whether RB Emmitt Smith has any juice left in his legs... he has taken a beating over the years, and didn't look like the same "Emmitt" last season. He wasn't taking on contact like he used to. Backup Sherman Williams is solid, but not an every down guy... he is at his best when they use him as a spot player or nickle guy. They should add a guy somewhere in this year's draft. They need to start grooming a guy to take over for Smith, and Williams may not be that guy.
WR - This unit has been a problem spot the past few years since the departure of WR Alvin Harper. Harper has been a bust since leaving, but was a huge contributor in the Cowboy glory days. Pro Bowl WR Michael Irvin is drawing a lot of double coverage, and isn't making the tough catches when he does get singled up. Ernie Mills was added this offseason, but isn't the answer as a #2. Stepfret Williams still hasn't developed... every time he takes two strides forward, he takes one backwards. 1996 rookie WR Macey Brooks was very slow to develop and may need another season. The Cowboys would love for WR Randy Moss to drop to them, or could still try to move up to #5 with Chicago to solidify him on their roster.
TE - One of the few bright spots on Cowboy offense last season. Young TE's Eric Bjornson and David LaFleur contributed last season, and should be ready for big 1998 seasons. TE has been an area of concern since the retirement of Jay Novacek, but the position looks to be in good hands for the future.
OL - Injuries forced a lot of shifting last season. There are a lot of wide bodies on this unit, and a lot of them looked out of shape last season, OG Nate Newton in particular. He has to come to camp in shape if this unit is going to return to glory. RT Erik Williams can still dominate, but hasn't been the same since the knee injury. The only addition this offseason has been Everett McIver. McIver will likely start at RG. He started in Miami last season, but really struggled to push the pile in the run game. The biggest area of concern may be OC, where VClay Shiver wasn't ready last season. The Cowboys like to run the ball inside the OT's, and Shiver must become more of a physical presence this season.
DL - They are solid inside, but have huge problems at DE... Kavika Pittman, Shante Carver (FA), and Broderick Thomas (re-signed) are all undersized pass rush guys... they all have struggled to get pressure on the QB, and are huge liabilities vs. the run. Tony Tolbert is the only constant at the DE spot, and his body has worn down to the point where he is only playing about 50% of the snaps. Look for them to draft a guy. The likely choice at #8 would be DE Grant Wistrom, but he too, is undersized.
LB - Solid frontline, but depth is adq. at best. WLB Dexter Coakley could have been named defensive rookie of the year in 1997. Despite his size limitations, he shows up all over the field. MLB Fred Strickland is close to the end, and a quality backup is needed. Randall Godfrey has really adjusted to the SLB spot, after playing MLB in college. The lack of quality depth is a big concern... look for them to address this LB unit in the draft.
DB - Suffered a major blow when they lost FA FS Brock Marion to the Miami Dolphins. Marion was a consistent force in the secondary, and his leadership will be missed. Look for 1997 rookie DS Omar Stoutmire to fill the void. Stoutmire filled in well at SS when Darren Woodson missed time with various injuries. Deion Sanders and Kevin Smith are solid at the DC spots, but a quality #3 is needed. Kenny Wheaton may be that guy... he struggled as a rookie, but was highly touted coming out of Oregon.
ST - The kicking game will be in good hands with PK Richie Cunningham and PT Toby Gowin... Gowin got inconsistent at times, should improve in his 2nd full season. The return units should be solid. Look for KOR man Herschel Walker to be re-signed, and DC Deion Sanders to handle punt returns.
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