2012 NFL PREVIEW - Buffalo Bills

BUFFALO BILLS

2011 Record: 6-10-0 (4th in AFC East) 

HEAD COACH: Chan Gailey

Key Additions: DE Mario Williams; DE Mark Anderson; QB Vince Young

Key Losses: WR Roscoe Parrish; OL Demetress Bell

Offense: The Bills had an up and down 2011 season, and starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was no exception after a great start that turned rather ugly as the season went on.
Fitzpatrick completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,832 yards and 24 touchdowns, but he also threw 23 interceptions. Backing up the veteran QB will be Vince Young and Tyler Thigpen.
The running game features a decent one-two punch with Fred Jackson (934 yards, 5.5 ypc average, six TD) and C.J. Spiller, who ran for 561 yards with a 5.2 ypc average and scored four touchdowns. Tashard Choice will spell them on occasion and the fullback is Corey McIntyre.
The wide receivers are Steve Johnson (76 catches for 1,004 yards and seven touchdowns), David Nelson (61, 658 yards, five TD) and Donald Jones, who made 23 receptions for 231 yards and a touchdown. Rookie T.J. Graham is on hand along with Brad Smith, who also plays running back and can even run the 'wildcat' offense as the quarterback.
 Tight End Scott Chandler (38 catches for 389 yards) is a good one, especially in the red zone. In 2011, Chandler had six touchdown receptions and at 6-7 is a big target for Fitzpatrick.
The offensive line will see Eric Wood, who is coming off ACL knee surgery in the off-season, at center. The backup looks to be Colin Brown. The guards are Kraig Urbik and Andy Levitre with Chris Hairston and Erik Pears at the tackle positions.
Buffalo ranked 14th in the NFL on offense, averaging 352 yards per game last season. The passing game averaged 232 yards while the rushing attack gained 120 yards per game.


Defense: There were only two other teams that allowed more points than the Bills did last season and that has to improve, along with the run defense that allowed 139 yards per game, which was 28th in the league. Overall, the Bills ranked 26th in the NFL, allowing 371 yards per game.
Buffalo brought in prize free agent Mario Williams to play defensive end along with veteran Mark Anderson in the 4-3 setup. The tackles are Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus, who had 5 1/2 QB sacks to lead the team last season.
Mario Williams (five quarterback sacks a year ago)  is the former top pick in the NFL draft (2006 by Houston) and will be looked upon to help the defensive front. Anderson had 10 QB sacks with New England last year and along with pass rusher Chris Kelsay (five sacks in 2011) gives the Bills a fine tandem of  defensive ends.
The linebacking unit has veteran Nick Barnett (three sacks) and Kirk Morrison on the outside with Kevin Sheppard manning the middle. Veterans Dwan Edwards (2 1/2 sacks), Shawne Merriman, Bryan Scott and Arthur Moats will fill in.
The secondary also had it's share of ups and downs a year  ago, picking off 20 passes while also being torched by the long ball too often.
Safety Jairus Byrd (three interceptions) had a score off an interception last season as did Barnett to go with strong safety George Wilson's team leading four picks. The corners are Aaron Williams and Stephon Gilmore, the team's top draft pick in 2012.
Leodis McKelvin, an adept kick returner, is available along with Joshua Nesbitt, rookie Ron Brooks and veterans Terrence McGee, Bryan Scott and Da' Norris Searcy.

OUTLOOK: Head Coach Chan Gailey would like to see more consistency from the team this season. 
The Bills had a seven-game losing streak that crushed their season's playoff hopes following their hot 5-2 start last year.
Fitzpatrick has to minimize the mistakes this season. Along with a solid running game, the Bills have a good set of young wide receivers than have big play ability.
The offensive line is solid, giving Jackson and Spiller the room they need to run the football along with protecting the quarterback, evidenced by allowing just 23 sacks last season.
On defense, stopping the run is the key along with pressure on the opposing quarterbacks. Buffalo had just 29 QB sacks in 2011 and that must improve.
That is precisely where Mario Williams and Mark Anderson come into the picture as they add the dimension the defense was lacking a year ago.
With improvement in those areas and less mistakes from the quarterback position, Buffalo has promise in the AFC East, where the New England Patriots are always looming large.
 The Bills should be improved and with a few breaks here and there, could mount a serious move toward the playoffs for the first time in 13 years.
However, a lot has to go right for that to happen. The future is looking brighter in Buffalo, but the Bills should likely finish 7-9 this year, which would be an improvement from the last place division results of a year ago.

TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1- at NY Jets
Week 2- vs. Kansas City
Week 3- at Cleveland
Week 4- vs. New England
Week 5- at San Francisco
Week 6- at Arizona
Week 7- vs. Tennessee
Week 8- BYE
Week 9- at Houston
Week 10- at New England
Week 11- vs. Miami
Week 12- at Indianapolis
Week 13- vs. Jacksonville
Week 14- St. Louis
Week 15- vs. Seattle
Week 16- at Miami
Week 17- vs. NY Jets

2012 NFL PREVIEW - Washington Redskins

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

2011 Record: 5-11-0 (4th in NFC East) 

HEAD COACH: Mike Shanahan


Key Additions: WR Pierre Garcon; WR Josh Morgan; DB Brandon Meriweather; OL James Lee; CB Cedric Griffin

Key Losses:  WR Jabar Gaffney; DB LaRon Landry; DB Oshiomogho Atogwe; OL Sean Locklear; TE Mike Sellers; WR Donte' Stallworth


Offense:  RG3.
 No, that's not a secret service code. It's the initials of the new quarterback in the nation's capitol as Robert Griffin III (Baylor University) comes on the scene after being taken second overall in the NFL Draft.
Griffin will take over (barring injury) as the Redskins' QB from Rex Grossman, who put up slightly average numbers a year ago, but threw far too many interceptions (20) compared to his 16 touchdown passes. Grossman and rookie Kirk Cousins will back up Griffin.
The running game is a battle between oft injured Tim Hightower (11 missed games a year ago) and Roy Helu (640 yards rushing and two TD) for the starting role.
Evan Royster (328 yards with a 5.9 ypc average) is also available for the 'Skins. The fullback is Darrel Young.
The wide receivers corps will see new faces as Pierre Garcon (signed as free agent from Indianapolis) comes over after grabbing 70 catches for 947 yards with six touchdowns.
Second year player Leonard Hankerson will get a long look in camp, along with veterans Santana Moss (46, 584 yards, four TD), Anthony Armstrong and Josh Morgan, who had 15 receptions with a touchdown in limited action with San Francisco last season.
The tight ends are Fred Davis (59, 796 yards, three TD) and Chris Cooley, who was injured last year but has shown good abilities in season's past.
The offensive line has Will Montgomery at center to go with tackles Trent Williams and Jammal Brown. The guards will be Kory Lichtensteiger and Chris Chester. Rookies Josh LeRibeus, Adam Gettis and Tom Compton, along with James Lee and Erik Cook, will push the starters for playing time.
The Redskins (347 yards per game in 2011) need some spark on offense and are hopeful Griffin will be the supplier for an offense that ranked 16th overall while they were 14th passing (230 yards per game) and 25th rushing the football. In addition, they were 26th overall in scoring.

Defense: This was an under rated unit a year ago that ranked 13th overall, allowing the exact same numbers the  offense put up, which was 230 yards passing per game and 117 rushing yards allowed per game.
The Redskins defense will feature 3-4 alignment with veteran London Fletcher anchoring the linebackers on the inside along with Perry Riley. The outside linebackers are Brian Orakpo (nine QB sacks) and Ryan Kerrigan, who had 7 1/2 sacks and a touchdown return of an interception.
Up front, the nose tackle is Barry Cofield and the ends are Adam Carriker (5 1/2 sacks) and Stephen Bowen. In reserve roles are Jarvis Jenkins, Chris Nield, Kedric Golston, Chris Baker, Kentwan Balmer and Darrion Scott.
The Redskins can get after the quarterback, evidenced by 41 sacks a year ago. Consistent pressure on opposing signal callers in 2012 will once again play a big role for the defense if they want to have more success.
The secondary has DeAngelo Hall, who made three interceptions last season, and Josh Wilson at cornerback. The safeties will be free agent Brandon Meriweather and Tanard Jackson. Meriweather replaces the departed LaRon Landry, who left for the New York Jets as a free agent.
Cedric Griffin, Reed Doughty, Kevin Barnes, Madieu Williams and DeJon Gomes will provide depth this season.


OUTLOOK: The Redskins have been the doormats of the NFC East for a few seasons and they are tired of it as Head Coach Mike Shanahan enters his third season with the team.
Griffin will be tested from the start, but he should be up to the challenge. The key will be the protection from the men up front because if it breaks down, Griffin will make like Michael Vick and Cam Newton and take off running downfield.
Speaking of running, that will also be a key element for the Redskins in 2012. If Helu and Hightower can provide a consistent ground game for the team, it will take the pressure off the passing game as Griffin and the receivers become more comfortable with one another as the season goes along.
The defense must step up and force turnovers as the Redskins had only 13 interceptions a year ago. They were also a minus-14 in the turnover category. Pressure on opposing quarterbacks will also need to be a strength once again after the Redskins finished among the top ten in the NFL in that area last season.
A big plus for the Redskins entering 2012 will be the new enthusiasm that comes with a special talent like Griffin at the quarterback position. Throw in the fact the Redskins did beat the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants twice last year and you can see the reason for the renewed excitement this season.
However, the Redskins do have those question marks on offense and they must prove they can do it on the field when it counts and not just in scrimmages. A 7-9 finish is likely this year as the team improves from last year and looks to make more strides in the future.

TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at New Orleans
Week 2- at St. Louis
Week 3- vs. Cincinnati
Week 4- at Tampa Bay
Week 5- vs. Atlanta
Week 6- vs. Minnesota
Week 7- at NY Giants
Week 8- at Pittsburgh
Week 9- vs. Carolina
Week 10- BYE
Week 11- vs. Philadelphia
Week 12- at Dallas
Week 13- vs. NY Giants
Week 14- vs. Baltimore
Week 15- at Cleveland
Week 16- at Philadelphia
Week 17- vs. Dallas

Is It Really The Economy?

The most recent jobs report came out this weekend and already the naysayers are (once again) shoveling the dirt on President Barack Obama's grave.

It seems the media (mainstream or corporate or whatever adjective you use to describe it) is intent on making this 2012 Presidential election a real "horse race", a "nail biter", etc.
The fact is that most people around the United States of America do not trust Mitt Romney.
The presumptive Republican candidate for the highest office in the land is a shifty eyed political figure who used his unscrupulous methods of gaining personal wealth in the so called business world ("venture" capitalism) by helping to form the infamous Bain Capital and then gut businesses here in America of their assets, strip the workers of their pensions they so rightly earned over the years and then ship those jobs they had overseas.
Preposterous!
But that is exactly what Romney and his partners did time and time and time again before he claims he was no longer a part of that action when he left to help run the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2002.
In fact, we all know that Romney will not release his TAX RETURNS from those crucial years (1999-2002) when he claims he was not involved with Bain Capital's actions that ruined the lives of many American citizens.
It has been said that Romney paid NO TAXES at all despite making hundreds of millions of dollars and that is why he is hiding the tax returns from the American people.
In fact, Romney's tax plan calls for giving the one percent (himself included) another tax cut while at the same time RAISING yours and my taxes by an average of $2,000 a year.
Outrageous!
Obama's plan will lower our taxes while raising the richest one percent's tax rates.


So, a simple question is in order for my fellow Americans... Do YOU trust Mitt Romney?

Can this guy really step up and deliver where the current president has failed?
That being the economic mess we STILL have after eight long years of the nonsense known as the Bush/Cheney presidency.
A presidency that was LOSING 750,000 plus jobs a month when Obama became president.
The United States ADDED 163,000 plus jobs last month and has GAINED JOBS for the last two and  a half years under the Obama Administration.
The right wing media, led by the fat bastard known as Rush Limbaugh, chortles about the fact unemployment is 8.3 percent (up a whopping one-tenth of a percent since July 1) and it's all Obama's fault.
Pay no mind to the lame ass Congress (which is now on extended vacation in this election year) that will not cooperate with the president's economic plans for our country.
The REPUBLICAN led U.S. House of Representatives refuses to work with Obama and will not do a thing to actually help Americans with a real economic plan. Plus the fact the U.S. Senate has a record number of filibusters, led by REPUBLICAN Mitch McConnell (Kentucky) who made the claim on Inauguration Day (January 20, 2009) that the number one priority of the GOP is to "make Barack Obama a one-term president."
The United States and all of us "little people" be damned, the GOP is going to have it their way.
Phooey!
The Republican party, in particular John Boehner, the Speaker of the House, keeps asking, "Where are the jobs?" when in fact he, nor any of the Republicans, have even offered up a single jobs bill in the two years they have been in charge of the purse strings in Washington, D.C.
So, I ask YOU John Boehner, "Where are the jobs you and your fellow GOPers campaigned on two years ago?"
 Is it really the economy or is there an underlying factor in the national polls that show Romney and Obama "neck and neck" for the 2012 election?
The super PAC money will avalanche come September and October and will no doubt benefit the party of the one percent, the Republicans and Romney in particular.
However, the American people (STATE BY STATE) are not as stupid as Karl Rove and the Koch brothers seem to think.
On a state by state polling being conducted continuously, Obama leads by healthy margins in key swing states such as Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida and Ohio.
REPEAT... Barack Obama consistently leads in those states every time a poll comes out.
Gee, where have I seen that before?
Could it be Wisconsin where Scott Walker survived a recall election for governor after consistently leading his opponent in polls every time leading up to the June 5th election?
You betcha!
The American people will not be duped by the "used car salesman"  and sleaze tactics of Mitt Romney.
So as the polls continue to come out week after week for the next three months until November 6, 2012, my fellow Americans, ask yourselves this question...
Do YOU really trust Mitt Romney to be our leader?

Here's Your Chuck Norris - Right Here

Bruce Lee kicks Chuck Norris' ass!

2012 NFL PREVIEW - Philadelphia Eagles

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

2011 Record: 8-8-0 (2nd in NFC  East) 

HEAD COACH: Andy Reid

Key Additions: LB DeMeco Ryans; OL Demetress Bell

Key Losses: CB Asante Samuel; WR Steve Smith; RB Ronnie Brown; QB Vince Young; FB Owen Schmitt; OL Jamaal Jackson; OL Winston Justice; DL Trevor Laws, DL Juqua Parker

Offense: The offense begins and ends with quarterback Michael Vick, who passed for 3,303 yards and 18 touchdowns with 14 interceptions while missing action once again due to various injuries. Vick also ran for 589 yards and scored a touchdown.
The backups for Vick will be different this season as Vince Young was let go during the off-season and veteran Trent Edwards was brought in along with Nick Foles, a third round draft pick from Arizona.
The running game features LeSean McCoy (1,309 yards with 17 touchdowns and 4.8 ypc average in 2011) once again who along with Vick, forms a solid running game. The backup is Dion Lewis and the fullback is Stanley Havili.
The passing game has a number of weapons for Vick to choose from in wide outs DeSean Jackson (58 catches, 961 yards, four TD), Jeremy Maclin (63, 859, five TD), Jason Avant (52, 679, one TD) and tight end Brent Celek, who made 62 grabs for 811 yards and five touchdowns. Riley Cooper and Clay Harbor (TE) also can fill in when needed.
 The offensive line has center Jason Kelce, guards Evan Mathis and Danny Watkins and tackles Todd Herremans and Demetress Bell, who joins the team this year via free agency.
Philadelphia finished fourth in total offense a year ago, averaging 399 yards per game, including 257 yards passing per game along with 142 rushing yards per game.

Defense: This unit went through a lot of transition a year ago as Head Coach Andy Reid installed a new defensive coordinator and it showed through most of the season as the team was torched for 30-plus points five times.
Up front in the 4-3 look are tackles Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson along with ends Trent Cole (11 QB sacks) and Justin Babin, who led the team with 18 sacks.
Rookie first round pick Fletcher Cox (Mississippi State) will get a chance to play along with fellow tackle Antonio Dixon and ends Brandon Graham and Darryl Tapp.
The linebacking unit will have DeMeco Ryans (free agent signing from Houston) in the middle and outside backers Brian Rolle and rookie Mychael Kendricks (California). Akeem Jordan, Casey Matthews and Jamar Chaney (three interceptions) are capable backups.
The secondary was supposed to set the league on fire a year ago, but that was not the case and the Eagles let cornerback Asante Samuel leave for Atlanta in the off-season. However, they still have Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha around and they are very good. The safeties are Kurt Coleman (four picks to lead the team) and Nate Allen.
The Eagles defense ranked eighth overall a year ago, allowing 324 yards per game while getting 50 QB sacks, which was tied for first in the league along with Minnesota. The run defense allowed 112 yards per game (16th in NFL) while giving up 212 yards passing, which ranked 10th overall. The team had only 15 interceptions for the season and that has to improve, given the talent in the secondary.


OUTLOOK: The Eagles know the pressure will be on from the opening kickoff after seeing their division rival, the New York Giants, win another Super Bowl while they missed out on the playoffs.
Vick has to stay healthy and if McCoy can duplicate the numbers he put up a year ago (including 20 total touchdowns), the Eagles should soar on offense once again. The receiving corps is deep and the line does a decent job protecting Vick and opening holes for the running backs.
The turnovers killed this team a year ago as the Eagles were a minus-14 in that area. Too many fumbles (13) and interceptions (25) helped to spell doom in 2011.
The defense did show improvement as the season went along and with Ryans now manning the middle linebacker spot, the Eagles feel they will continue to get better defensively with the plethora of talent on their defense.
The division they play in is strong and if the Eagles can avoid the turnovers they amassed last season, there is no reason to believe they cannot win the division and get back to the post-season. An 11-5 finish looks to be in  order.
How far the Eagles can go from there will rest with Vick and company and the defense doing their part to ensure a deep playoff run. Because as the league playoffs have shown is recent years, anything can happen once the playoffs start.

TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at Cleveland
Week 2- vs. Baltimore
Week 3- at Arizona
Week 4- vs. NY Giants
Week 5- at Pittsburgh
Week 6- vs. Detroit
Week 7- BYE
Week 8- vs. Atlanta
Week 9- at New Orleans
Week 10- vs. Dallas
Week 11- at Washington
Week 12- vs. Carolina
Week 13- at Dallas
Week 14- at Tampa Bay
Week 15- vs. Cincinnati
Week 16- vs. Washington
Week 17- at NY Giants

2012 NFL PREVIEW - New York Giants

NEW YORK GIANTS

2011 Record: 9-7-0 (1st in NFC East; Super Bowl Champions) 

HEAD COACH: Tom Coughlin

Key Additions: LB Keith Rivers; TE Martellus Bennett; OL Sean Locklear; DT Shaun Rogers

Key Losses: RB Brandon Jacobs; WR Mario Manningham; CB Aaron Ross; OL Kareem McKenzie

Offense: Quarterback Eli Manning surpassed his brother Peyton in the Super Bowl ring count by leading the Giants offense to a second Super Bowl title in five seasons after throwing for 4,933 yards and 29 touchdowns with 16 interceptions during the 2011 season.
Manning connected with a duo of wide receivers including Victor Cruz, who came out of nowhere last season to make 82 catches for 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns. Hakeem Nicks also put up big numbers by grabbing 76 receptions for 1,192 yards and seven scores. Martellus Bennett (17 catches for 144 yards with Dallas last year) will be the tight end.
Domenik Hixon missed most of last season and is back to form a third piece to the talented receiving corps. Rueben Randle (LSU) was taken in the second round of the draft and should get a chance as well. Ramses Barden is another option at wide receiver.
The running game lost Brandon Jacobs, who left for San Francisco in the off-season, but still has Ahmad Bradshaw (659 yards rushing and nine TD) to go with rookie David Wilson (Virginia Tech) in the backfield for the 2012 season. D.J. Ware is also on hand to spell Bradshaw and Wilson. Bear Pascoe is the fullback and also can play tight end.
The offensive line, which played tremendous when it counted most down the stretch and in the playoffs, is anchored by center David Baas, along with guards Chris Snee and Kevin Boothe. The tackles are Will Beatty and David Diehl. Sean Locklear was signed during the off-season and along with James Brewer, Mitch Petrus, Selvish Capers and Jim Cordle, will provide depth.
New York ranked eighth in the NFL a year ago offensively, gaining 385 yards per game, with 296 yards passing per game, which was fifth in the league. The running game was dead last in the league, averaging just 89 yards per game.

Defense: This became the strength of the team once the playoffs began, but the regular season was a different story at times as the Giants defense allowed 400 points during the 16-game grind.
The Giants have a trio of All-Pro caliber defensive ends in Justin Tuck (five QB sacks), Jason Pierre-Paul (16 1/2 sacks) and Osi  Umenyiora, who registered nine sacks. They combined for 30 1/2 of the team's 48 sacks, which was tied for second in the NFL last season.
The rest of the defense includes tackles Chris Canty and Linval Joseph along with Shaun Rogers and Marvin Austin. The linebackers include Michael Boley in the middle of the 4-3 alignment. The outside backers are free agent Keith Rivers and Mathias Kiwanuka.
Chase Blackburn, Clint Sintim, Jacquian Williams and Greg Jones will fill in where needed.
The secondary was injury riddled and much maligned last season as they allowed 255 yards per game while ranking 29th overall.
The safeties are Kenny Phillips (four interceptions) and Antrel Rolle with Corey Webster (six picks) and Terrell Thomas at the cornerback positions.
Rookie Jayron Hosley (Va. Tech), Prince Amukamara (injured for most of 2011), Chris Horton, Brian Witherspoon and  Steve Brown are also available.

OUTLOOK: Getting to the playoffs proved to be stressful for the Giants and their fans, but once the post-season began, they were unstoppable, winning two playoff games on the road at Green Bay and San Francisco before topping the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
The heat is off Head Coach Tom Coughlin as the 2012 season looms, but he would still like to see the team continue in 2012 where they left off last year.
Manning and company can put up some points and the defense showed it can be dominating when it counts most.
So, which New York Giants team is going to show up in 2012?
The one that struggled for quite a bit in the regular season, especially on defense or the post-season version?
The defense will be the key for success after ranking 27th overall (allowing 376 yards per game) and ranking near the bottom against the pass.
But the Giants were a plus seven in the turnovers department and also registered a lot of sacks and played well enough in the red zone to win it all.
With a healthy core of defensive backs and the big boys up front applying pressure on opposing passers, the Giants could be even better than last year and that could be scary for the rest of the league.
Manning must also prove last year wasn't just the exception as he enjoyed his best year ever as a pro.
The NFC East is rough and the Giants know that winning against ALL the teams in their division will be vital. They split the division games a year ago, but that was last year and they now know they can win.
A 10-6 record should be enough to get them back into the playoffs and possibly even win the division. Whether or not they have another Super Bowl run remains to be seen as that will hinge on the defense and Manning performing consistently once again.


TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- vs. Dallas
Week 2- vs. Tampa Bay
Week 3- at Carolina
Week 4- at Philadelphia
Week 5- vs. Cleveland
Week 6- at San Francisco
Week 7- vs. Washington
Week 8- at Dallas
Week 9- vs. Pittsburgh
Week 10- at Cincinnati
Week 11- BYE
Week 12- vs. Green Bay
Week 13- at Washington
Week 14- vs. New Orleans
Week 15- at Atlanta
Week 16- at Baltimore
Week 17- vs. Philadelphia 

2012 NFL PREVIEW - Dallas Cowboys

DALLAS COWBOYS

2011 Record: 8-8-0 (3rd in NFC East)

HEAD COACH: Jason Garrett

Key Additions: CB Brandon Carr; OL Mackenzy Bernadeau; OL Nate Livings; LB Dan Connor; QB Kyle Orton; S Brodney Pool; RB Lawrence Vickers.

Key Losses: WR Laurent Robinson; TE Martellus Bennett; CB Terrence Newman; LB Bradie James.

Offense: Tony Romo is back at quarterback in 2012 after one of his best ever seasons (statistically) last year. Romo threw for 4,184 yards and had 31 touchdown passes with just ten interceptions. Backing up Romo will be veteran Kyle Orton, who played for Denver and Kansas City last year. Stephen McGee is also on hand for Dallas.
The running game has DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones in the backfield. Murray burst on the scene with 897 rushing yards (averaging 5.5 yards per carry and two touchdowns) while Jones, who had injuries last year, ran for 575 yards (4.5 ypc) with just one rushing touchdown. Veteran Lawrence Vickers is the fullback.
The receivers are led by Miles Austin (43 receptions for 579 yards and seven touchdowns) and Dez Bryant, who made 63 catches for 928 yards and nine touchdowns. Tight end Jason Witten, who had another stellar season with 79 catches for 942 yards (11.9 ypc average) and five touchdowns is a reliable target for Romo.
The offensive line consists of center Phil Costa, guards Nate Livings and Mackenzie Berdeneau and tackles Tyron Smith and Doug Free.
Dallas ranked 11th overall in offense last season, averaging 376 yards per game. The running game averaged 113 yards wile the passing attack gained 263 yards per game. Dallas allowed 39 QB sacks a year ago, so the line has to do a better job of protecting the passer, especially in the NFC East, where the Giants and Eagles loom.

Defense: The Cowboys can get after opposing quarterbacks, evidenced by the team's 42 quarterback  sacks in 2011, with outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware leading the way with 19 1/2 sacks.
Ware leads a talented group of linebackers, including Sean Lee (four interceptions), Anthony Spencer and free agent signee Dan Connor.
Up front on the defensive line is nose tackle Jay Ratliff and ends Kenyon Coleman and Jason Hatcher. Marcus Spears, Josh Brent, Sean Lissemore and rookie Tyrone Crawford are also ready on the defensive line.
Rookie Morris Claiborne (drafted sixth overall out of LSU) will step in at cornerback along with Brandon Carr, who comes over in free agency to help out the Cowboys.
The safeties are Gerald Sensebaugh (two picks in 2011) and Rodney Pool, another free agent brought in to help. Mike Jenkins, Barry Church, Danny McCray and rookie Matt Johnson will be available as well.
The secondary has to improve in 2012 after allowing 244 yards passing per game last season while only intercepting 15 passes.
The Cowboys defense finished finished 14th overall while allowing 343 yards per game a year ago, including 99 yards per game on the ground (7th overall) and ranked 23rd overall against the pass.

OUTLOOK:  The Cowboys just missed the playoffs a year ago and playing in the rugged NFC East is never easy, especially with the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants around.
The offense played well at times last year and if Romo can have another good season while Jones and Murray keep the ground game intact, the team can score some points to stay in games.
The defense is decent, but the key will be the secondary keeping opposing pass attacks at bay. That is precisely why Dallas drafted a DB with their first pick and signed two free agents for the secondary.
A good start will be important as well as the 'Pokes 2012 schedule is backloaded with strong opponents, including a three-game stretch in December against playoff teams from a year ago.
Playing the Giants and Eagles twice is never easy (Dallas was 0-4 against them in 2011) and the Redskins should be an improved team as well. Look for another 8-8 season from the Cowboys with questions about Head Coach Jason Garrett's job security possibly popping up during the season.

TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at NY Giants
Week 2- at Seattle
Week 3- vs. Tampa Bay
Week 4- vs. Chicago
Week 5- BYE
Week 6- at Baltimore
Week 7- at Carolina
Week 8- vs. NY Giants
Week 9- at Atlanta
Week 10- at Philadelphia
Week 11- vs. Cleveland
Week 12- vs. Washington
Week 13- vs. Philadelphia
Week 14- at Cincinnati
Week 15- vs. Pittsburgh
Week 16- vs. New Orleans
Week 17- at Washington