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Watkins: Ten Cowboys that must stay
Ten Cowboys that must stay
April, 12, 2011
By Calvin Watkins
Now for Part 2 of our Top 10 list of the offseason. On Monday we looked at the ten Cowboys who might need to go. Today we look at the Top 10 Cowboys who must stay because they're so valuable.
1. DeMarcus Ware. He is considered the best pass rusher in the game. Ware continues to draw double-teams and sometimes after beating it, he gets another defender attacking him. Ware is the best defensive player on the team and develops his game, whether it's working on his hand movements, to his footwork there is nobody better at his position. He dominates games not only with sacks, but tackles from the blind side caused when offenses run away from him.
2. Jason Witten. An elite tight end who carries the passing game when it struggles. Is he the best blocker in the world? No. That's Ok because Witten continues to pile up big numbers. He's one of just four tight ends with at least 600 catches in league history, has compiled seven consecutive seasons with at least 60 catches in a single-season and when it's over he might be the most decorated tight end in franchise history.
3. Tony Romo. Yes he's won only one playoff game and yes he's not Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco and Mark Sanchez are emerging talents. But Romo is the franchise quarterback the team was searching for after Troy Aikman. He's one of the Top 10 quarterbacks in the game and he's in his prime. This is a big year for Romo in terms of taking his team to another level and it's expected he will.
4. Jay Ratliff. He had an off year in 2010 where he didn't have any tackles for loss. But Ratliff will maintain his nose tackle spot because he's one of the best at it. His quickness off the ball allows him to beat double-teams and cause problems in backfields. Long term is he a defensive end? Sure. Right now, this undersized nose tackle is a force right where he is.
5. Miles Austin. After Austin emerged as a rising talent in the 2009 season, he followed up with 1,041 receiving yards with seven touchdowns last year. Austin is a treat who can break tackles and take a small gain for big yards. There were games he disappeared, two catches at Green Bay, three at New York Giants and four at Indianapolis, but as he gains experience he becomes a better player.
6. Dez Bryant. Forget about the off-the-field stuff for a moment. Bryant is a physical presence, who was the Cowboys' best receiver last year. He was able to beat defenses on short routes and when he went deep down the sidelines, it was difficult for corners to challenge him. Once he refines his game, by gaining a command of the offense, and running precies routes, he will dominate.
7. Felix Jones. Whenever the Cowboys come to their senses and go with a two-man backfield, Mr. Jones will be the starter. Jason Garrett stopped short of giving him the gig during the owners' meetings but it's clear Jones is ready to take over. Is he a 25-to-35 per carry back? Nope. Jones can get 15-to-20 carries per game and be effective. In fact, if the Cowboys get him about 20 touches a game, along with Bryant, he can be a force.
8. Mike Jenkins. The young cornerback took a step back last season but the positive thing about him is that of all the young players on the team, he brought into what Garrett was teaching the most. Now Jenkins has to have a much better 2011 at corner. There's a chance the Cowboys draft a cornerback and it's not to replace Jenkins but to add depth. Jenkins does have the skill set to hold his starting job but needs to become more physcial in 2011.
9. Orlando Scandrick. This is nothing against Terence Newman, the veteran corner, who played hurt late in the season. Scandrick was the Cowboys' best corner in 2010, especially playing the slot corner position where he excelled. He wants to start, and maybe he can challenge Jenkins or Newman for a job. If he wins it, the Cowboys won't be disappointed.
10. Sean Lee. Bradie James and Keith Brooking are solid inside linebacker who are dependable. They can't play forever and with age, health and contract status becoming a concern, it's time for Lee to move up the ranks. If he doesn't start this year it's not the end of the world, but he's here for 2012, where the Cowboys expect him to move into the starting lineup. He's got the talent to do so.
Ten Cowboys that must stay
April, 12, 2011
By Calvin Watkins
Now for Part 2 of our Top 10 list of the offseason. On Monday we looked at the ten Cowboys who might need to go. Today we look at the Top 10 Cowboys who must stay because they're so valuable.
1. DeMarcus Ware. He is considered the best pass rusher in the game. Ware continues to draw double-teams and sometimes after beating it, he gets another defender attacking him. Ware is the best defensive player on the team and develops his game, whether it's working on his hand movements, to his footwork there is nobody better at his position. He dominates games not only with sacks, but tackles from the blind side caused when offenses run away from him.
2. Jason Witten. An elite tight end who carries the passing game when it struggles. Is he the best blocker in the world? No. That's Ok because Witten continues to pile up big numbers. He's one of just four tight ends with at least 600 catches in league history, has compiled seven consecutive seasons with at least 60 catches in a single-season and when it's over he might be the most decorated tight end in franchise history.
3. Tony Romo. Yes he's won only one playoff game and yes he's not Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco and Mark Sanchez are emerging talents. But Romo is the franchise quarterback the team was searching for after Troy Aikman. He's one of the Top 10 quarterbacks in the game and he's in his prime. This is a big year for Romo in terms of taking his team to another level and it's expected he will.
4. Jay Ratliff. He had an off year in 2010 where he didn't have any tackles for loss. But Ratliff will maintain his nose tackle spot because he's one of the best at it. His quickness off the ball allows him to beat double-teams and cause problems in backfields. Long term is he a defensive end? Sure. Right now, this undersized nose tackle is a force right where he is.
5. Miles Austin. After Austin emerged as a rising talent in the 2009 season, he followed up with 1,041 receiving yards with seven touchdowns last year. Austin is a treat who can break tackles and take a small gain for big yards. There were games he disappeared, two catches at Green Bay, three at New York Giants and four at Indianapolis, but as he gains experience he becomes a better player.
6. Dez Bryant. Forget about the off-the-field stuff for a moment. Bryant is a physical presence, who was the Cowboys' best receiver last year. He was able to beat defenses on short routes and when he went deep down the sidelines, it was difficult for corners to challenge him. Once he refines his game, by gaining a command of the offense, and running precies routes, he will dominate.
7. Felix Jones. Whenever the Cowboys come to their senses and go with a two-man backfield, Mr. Jones will be the starter. Jason Garrett stopped short of giving him the gig during the owners' meetings but it's clear Jones is ready to take over. Is he a 25-to-35 per carry back? Nope. Jones can get 15-to-20 carries per game and be effective. In fact, if the Cowboys get him about 20 touches a game, along with Bryant, he can be a force.
8. Mike Jenkins. The young cornerback took a step back last season but the positive thing about him is that of all the young players on the team, he brought into what Garrett was teaching the most. Now Jenkins has to have a much better 2011 at corner. There's a chance the Cowboys draft a cornerback and it's not to replace Jenkins but to add depth. Jenkins does have the skill set to hold his starting job but needs to become more physcial in 2011.
9. Orlando Scandrick. This is nothing against Terence Newman, the veteran corner, who played hurt late in the season. Scandrick was the Cowboys' best corner in 2010, especially playing the slot corner position where he excelled. He wants to start, and maybe he can challenge Jenkins or Newman for a job. If he wins it, the Cowboys won't be disappointed.
10. Sean Lee. Bradie James and Keith Brooking are solid inside linebacker who are dependable. They can't play forever and with age, health and contract status becoming a concern, it's time for Lee to move up the ranks. If he doesn't start this year it's not the end of the world, but he's here for 2012, where the Cowboys expect him to move into the starting lineup. He's got the talent to do so.