Studs And Duds: Injuries And Surprises Drive Cowboys' Season
By Shawn Lealos
The Dallas Cowboys opened the 2014 NFL season with more questions than answers. The team had an explosive offense but many predicted they would have the worst defense in the NFL. As a result, this looked like it could be the last year for head coach Jason Garrett barring a miracle. It might not be a miracle, but at 7-3, the Dallas Cowboys rank as one of the best teams in the NFL, although the questions are starting to mount again.
Here is a look at the Dallas Cowboys season so far and what they need to do to continue their run to the playoffs this season.
The Defense
Heading into the 2014 NFL season, Dallas was trying to find replacements for DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher, who they let go in free agency, and Sean Lee, who was lost for the season with an injury sustained in practice. Many thought that the Cowboys would have the worst defense in the NFL, but they have surpassed expectations. Dallas has the 25th ranked defense, still not great but better than expected.
Rolando McClain is the biggest addition to the team, replacing Sean Lee and making a case for sticking around next season as well. Henry Melton is a close second, coming to Dallas after injuries slowed his career with the Chicago Bears, and he has regained his quarterback rushing tendencies in Big D.
With that said, there have been some big losses as well. Justin Durant was the team's leading tackler at the weak side linebacker position and has been lost for the season, probably ending his Cowboys' career. Bruce Carter and Roland McClain have been in and out with injuries as well. The good news is that injuries have allowed players like rookie Anthony Hitchens to get a lot of opportunities and Anthony Spencer looks good coming back from his year on the injured list.
DeMarco Murray
The biggest shock this season is the Dallas Cowboys running attack. The Cowboys rank second to only the Seattle Seahawks in rushing this season and DeMarco Murray has pretty much run away with the rushing title. Murray has 1,233 rushing yards, which is over 400 yards more than the next best rusher. Murray, who has never stayed healthy in his NFL career, is actually still fresh more than halfway through the year and the Cowboys have lessened his work in recent weeks to take care of their star back.
Tony Romo
As great as Murray has been, Tony Romo is also playing the best football of his career this season. To understand how important Romo is to the team, look at the game where Brandon Weeden started after a Romo back injury. The Cowboys couldn't move the ball at all in that game and were embarrassed. As great as Murray is, the Cowboys have to keep Romo healthy because he is the key to winning games this season in Dallas.
Duds
As great as the Dallas Cowboys have been, they have their fare share of duds as well. When the season started, Orlando Scandrick was suspended for a drug violation. His replacement, and former first round draft pick, Morris Claiborne, got a chance to prove himself. Claiborne played poorly the entire time and when Scandrick returned, Garrett demoted Claiborne. The cornerback walked out on the team, returned later that night to apologize and then suffered a season ending injury in the very next game.
Another off-field bonehead move came when Joseph Randle was arrested for shoplifting. He then threw his teammates under the bus by calling out former legal problems by wide receiver Dez Bryant and defensive lineman Josh Brent. It was the sign of a horrible teammate, and his strong on field play as a reserve for DeMarco Murray is all that is keeping him on the field at all.
Injuries
The questions surrounding the second half of the Dallas Cowboys season surrounds injuries. Tony Romo has to stay healthy and the Cowboys' offensive line has to protect him if the team wants to win this year. Speaking of the line, both Ronald Leary and Doug Free missed time due to injury and they have to get healthy for this line to continue its reputation as one of the best in the NFL.
The Dallas Cowboys defense is questionable. Justin Durant has joined Sean Lee on the season-ending injury list. Rolando McClain his been suffering through knee and groin injuries for the past few weeks and has to get healthy to anchor the linebacker corps. Tyron Crawford was moved to defensive tackle and excelled, but he has missed time with a knee injury.
Luckily, Terrell McClain, Anthony Spencer and Henry Melton have all stepped up as reserves, and any of them could step in as a starter. If Dallas can avoid any more devastating injuries through the second half of the season, this defense can improve even more. If not, there are some explosive offenses that could make things tough for the Dallas Cowboys.
For more Cowboys news and updates, visit Cowboys Central.
Shawn S. Lealos is a freelance writer who graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2000 with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. He writes for a variety of national publications and has over 15 years of sports journalism experience. Follow Shawn on Twitter @sslealos. Examiner.com.