Will The Return Of Stars Disrupt Team Chemistry?
By Shawn Lealos
The Dallas Cowboys are on their bye week, and things are starting to get controversial in Arlington. This is tough for some fans to accept, since the Cowboys are 5-1 and the team sits with the second-best record in the NFC, behind only the Minnesota Vikings. However, between Tony Romo’s eventual return, Dez Bryant’s off-field controversy, and worries about overplaying players, the Cowboys have a lot of decisions to make this week.
Here is a look at the biggest headline for the Dallas Cowboys during their bye week.
Cowboys Don’t Want To Break Team Chemistry
The Dallas Cowboys lost their first game of the 2016 NFL season, a game against the New York Giants. Since that time, the Cowboys have won five straight, including a big win over the Green Bay Packers last weekend. During this time, the Cowboys have won with a rookie quarterback in Dak Prescott, rookie running back in Ezekiel Elliott, without their top wide receiver in Dez Bryant, and with an overachieving defense.
During the bye week, there are three players that might be ready to come back that could add some powerful weapons, but then disrupt the chemistry that the Cowboys have built up over the last five weeks. The question now is whether or not the Cowboys bring back Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, and Darren McFadden.
Is Tony Romo Ready To Return?
Tony Romo is back to health, at least according to owner Jerry Jones. However, there is the fact that Dak Prescott has won five straight games, is setting NFL records, and has the Cowboys sitting near the top of the NFC. The Cowboys official website reports that Romo is working out and is looking at a return to the active lineup. However, if Romo returns, would it hinder the Cowboys’ team chemistry built with Prescott at quarterback?
According to head coach Jason Garrett, it is a day-to-day decision and the injury is still healing. Quarterback coach Wade Wilson said not to expect Romo back against the Eagles after the break, saying Romo needs to continue his rehab at this time. However, when Romo returns, the Cowboys will have to make a decision. Dak Prescott is the quarterback of the future, and the future might be now.
Darren McFadden Says He Is Ready To Return As Well
Darren McFadden had elbow surgery in June after breaking his arm. McFadden hoped to return for the opening day of the 2016 NFL season, but wasn’t yet ready to return to the field. Since that time, rookie Ezekiel Elliott stole the starting job and won’t be letting it go. In 2015, McFadden ran for 1,089 yards and three touchdowns, a huge resurgence for the former No. 1 draft pick.
In just six games, Ezekiel Elliott has run for 703 yards and five touchdowns. Elliott is on pace to run for 1,874 yards on the season, which would break DeMarco Murray’s team record. So, where does that leave Darren McFadden? The Cowboys probably won’t reactivate him until next week, and if he does return, he will compete with Alfred Morris for backup duties. Morris has 130 yards and two touchdowns, and depth is never a bad thing.
However, there is also a chance the Cowboys could offer up Darren McFadden for trade bait. They need help on the defense, especially at pass rush, and they could also use some extra draft picks in 2017. Darren McFadden won’t start when he returns, and there is a chance he might not return at all in Dallas.
Is Dez Bryant Ready to Come Back?
Finally, there is Dez Bryant. After missing most of the 2015 NFL season to injury, Bryant has only played in three games this year. In those games, he only averaged three receptions and 50 yards a game with just one touchdown. During that time, Cole Beasley has stepped up as the top receiver on the team with 33 receptions for 390 yards and three touchdowns while Terrance Williams is playing well, with 20 catches for 311 yards.
The replacement for Dez Bryant in the starting lineup is Brice Butler, with nine receptions for 97 yards. He does have two touchdowns, but isn’t anywhere near the playmaker that Dez Bryant is. According to Bryant, he has every intention of returning next week against the Philadelphia Eagles, but NFL.com reported that Bryant cut his finger this week while opening a can of soup. Bryant called his injury minor and still hopes to return next week. He is the one injured 2015 Cowboys starter that needs to return.
