Brett's Cowboys Corner

235 days ago the Cowboys saw a devastating end to their 2023 season, now three days away from the 2024 regular season there have been a lot of changes for the Cowboys, though it was a very bumpy ride to get here, lets take a look.

Defense

Mike Zimmer comes in as your new Defensive Coordinator to replace Dan Quinn, who revolutionized this defense to be filled with an exciting group of playmakers, in three years Coach Quinn made it fun to watch a Cowboy’s defense and for myself it was the first time I had ever enjoyed watching a Cowboy’s defense. Now the change was imminent because during those three years you could argue that in larger games, like playoffs, the defense lacked preparedness. Coach Zimmer comes in and begins to make changes to the scheme, focusing more on having a traditional linebacker body instead of the hybrid safety-linebacker body we saw with Coach Quinn.

Mike Zimmer previously coaching the defense in Dallas from 1994-2006, his philosophy relies more on prioritizing the scheme and that players need to learn how to play those roles…or he will find someone else who can, whereas Quinn crafted his scheme around his stars.

The Cowboys have added new faces to the defense through the draft and free agency, though not the common free agency that takes place in March, the Cowboys operate in the aftermarket and shop when the deals are hot in late July. Which is where they found some of their defensive line help, Linval Joseph (played for Zimmer in MIN) and Jordan Phillips, also rookie Marshawn Kneeland will have a starting role come Sunday as well. Rebuilding the linebacker room included adding rookie Marist Liufau and 2nd year DeMarvion Overshown, who is coming back from a season long injury last year. The big addition is Eric Kendricks, he mastered Zimmer’s system in Minnesota for eight years and now brings that expertise here.

The Cowboys run defense suffered last season. Will these additions to the front seven be enough?

Offense

The Cowboys offense for the most part remains the same going into 2024. Mike McCarthy is back calling plays for the 2nd year, of course he is on the last year of his deal and will play that contract out this season. But never fear Dak Prescott is still quarterbacking for him and has a pretty solid understanding of the scheme, though unless something happens in the next three days he will likely be playing out his last year on his contract…that leaves your head coach and the most important position on the team playing out ‘prove it deals’ that’s normal, right?

Wide receivers stayed the same…though they scared us for a minute. Jake Ferguson will look to dominate the tight end position again. Cowboys lost Tony Pollard to free agency and will operate a deep running back rotation that will feature Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Luepke, and oh hey! Zeke! In all seriousness, it will be crucial to the success of the team this year to rotate the carries between the backs and keep fresh legs on the field…and some legs are fresher than others.

Offensive line is the most crucial unit to the success of a football team, the Cowboys will have two rookie’s starting at the two most important positions on the line. Center Cooper Beebe has had no problem transitioning his pass and run blocking skills from college to the NFL so far, but the process of the snap has been a learning curve that he will need to over come quickly. Tyler Guyton will start at left tackle, the 1st round pick from Oklahoma will be challenged with protecting QB1’s blindside, do not get our quarterback killed.

Can the two rookies help keep the Cowboys a top-5 ranked offense?

Predictions

Record: 10-7

Finish: 2nd NFC East

I struggled with the prediction because of the uncertainty of the team. I could see the ceiling being 12 wins and a division championship, but with 13th hardest schedule, there will be a lot of toss ups. I have two close loses that could become wins against the Lions and the Texans on MNF.

I currently have the Eagles winning the division, but seeing the torpedo on their season last year, maybe some of those things will carry over and ultimately implode their 2024 season as well