Get the inside scoop on "Big D" in NFL expert handicapper Dave Price's 2007 Dallas Cowboys Preview for Point-Spreads.com. “Big D” hasn’t had a ten win season since 2003 and Sportsbook.com has the Dallas Cowboys at 25 to 1 odds to win Super Bowl XLII. With the Big Tuna out, can the boys surge forward or will the loss of Parcells prove to be more of a burden than Jerry Jones expected?
Many, including myself, are curious to see how new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett fares in his first rodeo as the Dallas Cowboys play-caller, though you shouldn’t be surprised if tight end’s coach Tony Sparano, often confused with Tony Soprano, has a significant influence on the design of the offense. With four years of NFL experience, Sparano is no newcomer to the offensive intricacies of professional football, having served as an offensive assistant, offensive line and tight ends coach during his time in the NFL. He helped produce the team’s sound run game, molding the 1-2 punch of Julius Jones and Marion Barber, and even called plays for a successful, though erratic, passing game.
Defensively there are differences between the 3-4 defense Bill Parcells ran and the one Wade Phillips brings to Dallas. As much as I like and respect Parcells, Phillips’ version of the 3-4 will likely suit this team better. The “Phillips 3-4” is a more aggressive version of the defense. It allowed the Chargers to produce 61 sacks in 2006. If we see that kind of production from Dallas this season, they would win the East.
Phillips and defensive coordinator Brian Stewart, his right hand man in San Diego, will focus on getting more production out of the front line with more slants and less two-gapping. Also, expect more blitzing and less two-deep coverage from the secondary. This scheme could maximize the output of the defensive linemen, and it could turn outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware into a superstar. Phillips will try to use Ware the same way he did Shawne Merriman in San Diego. He along with first round draft pick Anthony Spencer should put some Big “D” back in Dallas.
Ultimately, the success of this season will be judged on the improvements of Tony Romo under the tutelage of Jason Garrett and on the defense under the watch of Wade Phillips. There’s no doubt in my mind that the defense gets better and more electric but a sophomore slump could be inevitable from Romo. If he does play up to snuff, there’s no question that this team has the talent to make the playoffs — even without Parcells.
New England Patriots 2-1
San Diego Chargers 5-1
Indianapolis Colts 7-1
Chicago Bears 16-1
Baltimore Ravens 25-1
Pittsburgh Steelers 30-1
Cincinnati Bengals 25-1
Denver Broncos 25-1
Philadelphia Eagles 18-1
Dallas Cowboys 25-1
Carolina Panthers 25-1
Seattle Seahawks 18-1
New Orleans Saints 18-1
New York Giants 35-1
Jacksonville Jaguars 30-1
Kansas City Chiefs 60-1
New York Jets 40-1
Miami Dolphins 55-1
Tennessee Titans 60-1
Atlanta Falcons 60-1
Buffalo Bills 100-1
Washington Redskins 40-1
Arizona Cardinals 40-1
Saint Louis Rams 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 45-1
San Francisco 49ers 20-1
Minnesota Vikings 50-1
Green Bay Packers 40-1
Houston Texans 100-1
Oakland Raiders 75-1
Cleveland Browns 100-1
Detroit Lions 100-1
