Cowboys hope to make Super Bowl push, but here are five areas to monitor
IRVING, Texas — Ever since the Dallas Cowboys' narrow loss to the Green Bay Packers in last season's divisional playoffs, the tenor for the 2015 season has been evident.
This team believes it's ready to win big now. It possesses a star quarterback and, arguably, the best wide receiver and offensive line in the NFL.
But in addition to the obvious question — how will the Cowboys compensate for the loss of league-leading rusher DeMarco Murray? — here are five other areas to watch as the team enters a year with heightened expectations:
Quarterback depth
Tony Romo is still very much in the prime of his career. After undergoing back surgery in December 2013, he authored an outstanding season last year, throwing 34 touchdown passes against just nine interceptions on his way to leading the NFL in passer rating (113.2).
But Romo is 35 years old. And there are questions about the drop-off if he has to miss any length of time.
Brandon Weeden, the only other quarterback currently on the roster, is 31 but enters only his fourth NFL season and second in Dallas. He received a heavy workload in the 2014 preseason as the team carefully monitored Romo's back. But Romo's been healthy this summer while Weeden has been limited and received fewer practice snaps since suffering a concussion two weeks ago.
Still, Weeden says that's fine.
"Not getting as many reps is tough," he said, "but I think at the same time, fortunately I got those reps last year, and a lot of guys don't get as many as I did."
Weeden was decent in spot duty in 2014, but the Cowboys lost his only start.
Stay tuned.
Defensive line
The Cowboys collected just 28 sacks last year, fifth-fewest in the league. They allowed 4.2 yards per rush, as well. The team clearly made upgrading the D-line an offseason priority.
Now it just has to pay off.
Defensive end Greg Hardy, who had 15 sacks two years ago with the Carolina Panthers, is suspended for the first four games of this season for conduct detrimental to the NFL because of his involvement in a domestic violence incident last year. Rookie pass rusher Randy Gregory, this year's second-round pick, has had his own issues in the past, including failing a drug test at the scouting combine which helped drop his draft stock out of the first round.
But when both are on the field, it should pay significant dividends — and not only because they can apply pressure on quarterbacks.
"One of the things that's been impressive about each of those guys, who are viewed as rushers, is that they are physical players," coach Jason Garrett said. "They have a willingness to play the run. Certainly it's not perfect, but I think each of those guys understands the importance of being a complete player, an every-down player."
Special teams
It's debatable how much stock to put into special teams woes in the preseason when teams are mixing and matching coverage units as coaches attempt to find the best personnel for their rosters.
But there were several forgettable moments for the Cowboys in this department.
The Minnesota Vikings' Cordarrelle Patterson had a 107-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Against the San Francisco 49ers, Quinton Patton beat Tim Scott, blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown. San Francisco's Jarryd Hayne, the Australian rugby standout, averaged 28 yards on three punt returns. In all, the 49ers returned four punts for 105 yards.
After the game, owner Jerry Jones told reporters he was "concerned" about special teams. Probably for good reason.
Losing versatile ace Dwayne Harris in free agency to the New York Giants certainly didn't help, either.
No Scandrick
Losing seasoned cornerback Orlando Scandrick to a season-ending knee injury in late August was definitely a significant setback for an already shaky secondary.
Pencil in Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne — both have struggled mightily in the past — as likely starters at corner. Behind them, defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli hopes his depth matures quickly.
Rookie Byron Jones, selected 27th overall in the draft, can play corner and safety. He's an explosive athlete and made 11 tackles in preseason. Corey White, who returned an interception against the Houston Texans for a touchdown, has been impressive this summer and looks ready for a bigger role heading into his third season.
"Obviously, we want Orlando Scandrick on our team," Garrett said. "He's a really good football player.
"But the fact that each of those guys — I'm talking about Byron and Corey — have played both corner and safety, that gives us a chance. You know, we are absorbing safety injuries, we are absorbing corner injures. That (versatility) is a really important thing and that was really an emphasis for us when we signed both of those guys."
The pressure on them will diminish, too, if Hardy and Gregory can deliver up front.
Payoff from Dez?
All-pro wide receiver Dez Bryant could be poised for the best season of his career after signing a five-year, $70 million contract this summer. And while many Cowboys officials are reluctant to publicly talk up the team's grand ambitions, Bryant is not holding back.
While sitting out the preseason finale against the Texans, Bryant joined the local CBS affiliate for an extended television interview and made clear that, "the goal is to be in Santa Clara (site of Super Bowl 50) at the beginning of February. We want to touch that Super Bowl. I feel like we work extremely hard, and we are prepared."
Bryant said the day before the team's Aug. 23 preseason game at Levi's Stadium against the 49ers that Garrett urged the players to walk into the locker room, close their eyes and imagine how it would fee to return for the Super Bowl.
They'll hope to begin that journey next Sunday night at home against the New York Giants.
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Follow Eric Prisbell on Twitter @EricPrisbell