The Dallas Cowboys had a very rough weekend beginning with their devastating overtime loss to Arizona on a blocked punt. The Cowboys then learned early on Monday that QB Tony Romo broke his pinkie finger and will be out 4 weeks. Later that day, Dallas learned P Matt McBriar was lost for the season and RB Felix Jones will be out 2-4 weeks. Then to top it off today, CB Adam Jones was suspended indefinitely by the NFL for his actions last week in a Dallas hotel. Good news did come right before the NFL trade deadline today when Dallas acquired WR Roy Williams from Detroit for 4 draft picks including their 2009 1st rounder. Dallas is currently trying to work out a longterm extension with the standout WR.
So what does all this mean for Dallas? Do not panic Cowboys fans. Veteran QB Brad Johnson will now take the reins in Romo's absence. Johnson is a Super Bowl winning QB, in fact he is the only player on the Dallas roster who has a Super Bowl ring. Brad Johnson is a great game manager and does not make constant mistakes to take a team out of a game. Johnson will find Owens, Witten, and the newly acquired Roy Williams in the passing game and will hand the ball off to Marion Barber constantly. Losing rookie RB Felix Jones will hurt Dallas, but Barber is still there. I also expect another rookie RB, Tashard Choice, to get some carries spelling Barber. Choice is another speed back who will do a fine job for the Cowboys. Losing Pro Bowl P Matt McBriar is critical for the Cowboys. McBriar has been the best punter in the NFL the past three season! s. McBriar has a fantastic leg and always pins the opposition! deep wh en the Cowboys' offense sputters. This could potentially be the biggest loss for Dallas. Adam Jones being suspended thins out an already very thin Dallas secondary. Pro Bowlers Terrence Newman and Roy Williams are already out with injuries. The starting corners now become Anthony Henry and rookie Mike Jenkins. This is a huge opportunity for Jenkins to showcase his skills.
The Cowboys did land one of the better wide receivers in the NFL today in Roy Williams. Williams had become unhappy in Detroit and requested a trade. The Lions ! granted it because he was a free agent at the end of the season anyway. The Cowboys now have Terrell Owens, Jason Witten, and Roy Williams, three of the better pass threats in football all on the same team. Brad Johnson will find these guys and give defenses fits. When Romo returns, he will dominate all defenses with his plethora of weapons. This trade solidifies Dallas as the #1 offense in football.
Expect Dallas to have a few struggles, but this team is too talented to miss the postseason. Who knows, maybe Dallas will succeed more as an underdog. Nonetheless, this team is still a Super Bowl contender.
