2010 RECORD: 6-10-0
(3rd in NFC East)
HEAD COACH: Jason Garrett
Offense: The big question for the Cowboys is whether quarterback Tony Romo (1,605 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2010) will stay healthy for the entire season.
Romo missed the last 11 games in 2010 and is looking to get the Cowboys back to the playoffs. Jon Kitna (2,365 yards passing with 16 TD and 12 INT) will be ready once again if needed.
The backfield will have a different look as Felix Jones will be the man in 2011. Marion Barber is with the Chicago Bears this year and Jones (800 yards rushing with a 4.3 ypc average) will handle the bulk of the carries. Jones also made 48 catches for 450 yards with one touchdown last season.
Tashard Choice (243 yards, three TD) and rookie DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma) will be available in the 'Pokes backfield as well.
The wide receivers are led by Miles Austin (69 receptions for 1,041 yards and seven TD) and tight end Jason Witten, who led Dallas with 94 catches (for 1,002 yards) and touchdowns with nine. Second year wideout Dez Bryant, who also returned two punts for scores last season, made 45 catches for 561 yards and six touchdowns.
Martellus Bennett (tight end) is back again after a 33-catch season along with rookie Dwayne Harris (East Carolina) and Kevin Ogletree to give Dallas some depth.
The offensive line will feature Andre Gurode at center, with Kyle Kosier and Phil Costa at guards. The tackles are rookie Tyron Smith (USC) and Doug Free.
Dallas ranked seventh in the NFL in total offense last season, gaining 364 yards per game. The passing game averaged 253 yards per game (6th in NFL) and the running game was 16th overall with 111 yards per game. The Cowboys put up 394 points last season.
Defense: The Cowboys' defense simply gave up too many points a year ago (436) and that proved to be costly as they held opponents to fewer than 20 points just four times in 2010.
The run defense was fair (108 rushing yards per game allowed) but the pass defense was another story.
Despite 20 interceptions and 35 quarterback sacks from the defense, Dallas was lit up to the tune of 244 passing yards per game a year ago, which ranked 26th in the league.
Up front in the 3-4 set up is Nose Tackle Jay Ratliff, who is flanked by ends Marcus Spears and Igor Olshansky. Jason Hatcher and Kenyon Coleman are also on the defensive front.
The linebacking is the strength of the defense, with DeMarcus Ware (15.5 QB sacks) and fellow outside linebacker Anthony Spencer (five sacks) leading the way along with inside backers Sean Lee and Bradie James.
Victor Butler, Isaiah Greenhouse, Brandon Williams, rookie Bruce Carter (North Carolina) and veteran Keith Brooking are also on hand in 2011.
The secondary has Gerald Sensabaugh (five interceptions) and Abe Elam at safety with Mike Jenkins, Terrance Newman (five picks in 2010) and Orlando Scandrick vying for the starting spots at cornerback.
Alan Ball, Barry Church and Bryan McCann are also available in the Cowboys' secondary unit.
OUTLOOK: With all the attention on the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East, perhaps the Cowboys can fly under the radar in 2011 as they seek to return to the post season.
A lot will hinge on Romo and whether or not he is ready to lead the offense after the season ending injury of a year ago.
Another question is running back Felix Jones' durability as he annually misses time with assorted injuries. How about the depth at wide receiver since Dallas elected to let go of Roy Williams and Sam Hurd?
The defense has to shore up the problems in the secondary and Head Coach Jason Garrett will look to new Defensive Coordinator Bob Ryan (the other Ryan), who comes over from the Cleveland Browns to take on that task.
The Cowboys know they can compete with the likes of the Eagles and Giants, but a killer schedule early on will definitely test the team.
Down the stretch in December, where Romo and company have struggled the past few seasons, it won't be easy either as the Cowboys face the Giants (twice), Eagles and Tampa Bay (on the road) in the final four weeks.
Look for a 7-9 finish from Dallas this season, which would be a one-game improvement from last year.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at NY Jets
Week 2- at San Francisco
Week 3- vs. Washington
Week 4- vs. Detroit
Week 5- BYE WEEK
Week 6- at New England
Week 7- vs. St. Louis
Week 8- at Philadelphia
Week 9- vs. Seattle
Week 10- vs. Buffalo
Week 11- at Washington
Week 12- vs. Miami
Week 13- at Arizona
Week 14- vs. NY Giants
Week 15- at Tampa Bay
Week 16- vs. Philadelphia
Week 17- at NY Giants
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