The Dallas Cowboys head into the bye week with a record of 2-2, only one game back in the NFC East, while one game up on the hapless Philadelphia Eagles. They also are within striking distance of the Washington Redskins, holding the tiebreaker over them right now. That is what makes this bye week so important. It is time to figure out what is ailing the Dallas Cowboys and fix it before it is too late.
The most important thing Dallas needs to do is get Miles Austin back on the field. The good news is that Austin is supposed to return to practice this week and be ready to return for Week 6 against the New England Patriots. With Tom Brady capable of throwing for 400 yards and a billion touchdowns every game, Dallas needs all weapons on deck. Getting Austin back does a number of things for Dallas.
First, Austin makes Dez Bryant more dangerous. Bryant is not a No. 1 wide receiver. He is a burner and, if he doesn't have a possession type receiver on the other side of the field, his game is limited. In the first two weeks, Austin caught 14 passes for 233 yards and four touchdowns. In the first game, Bryant only caught three balls but gained 71 yards and a touchdown before getting hurt. Bryant is a big play guy but won't get those chances without Austin in the lineup.
Second, getting Austin on the field helps get Jason Witten open more. Without Austin on the field, Witten is Tony Romo's number one target. He will always look for the big tight end for help anytime things get dicey. However, without Austin, Witten is one of the only tight ends in football who will get double covered. He is having trouble getting open without someone on the field to take the defense's attention off of him. With Austin back, both Witten and Bryant will be more valuable.
The Running Game
Chris Cooley said in an interview that he thought Dallas could kneel down the entire second half against Detroit and not lose the game. However, head coach Jason Garrett kept sending Romo out there to throw the ball all over the field. It resulted in three interceptions, two of them a pick six, and Dallas lost. While Romo can be blamed for interceptions, Garrett has to take blame for the game plan.
The first thing Dallas has to do is work on their running game. Felix Jones said he wants to be one of the best running backs in the NFL but I don't think he has it in him. I think he is a situational back that will break big runs. He us undersized, although he is strong, but he can't stay healthy as a 20-run per game back. Dallas needs a 20-run per game back. If the Cowboys come out and take a big lead, they need someone to pound the ball and help run down the clock.
The two choices are Tashard Choice and DeMarco Murray. The problem is that Choice is a duplicate of Jones when it comes to height and weight. Murray, who Jerry Jones fell in love with after drafting the former Oklahoma Sooners record holder, is bigger but proved in college to be injury prone. I hate to say I miss Marion Barber, but I miss his ground and pound style.
Dallas has to find someone to run the ball or at least mix and match the three backs to give them fresh legs at all times. Throwing the ball for 400 yards even after taking a big league won't win many games. This bye week gives Dallas time to get healthy and, once full strength, they have to play smarter if they want to make it very far this season.
Author Shawn S. Lealos has followed the Dallas Cowboys since he was a child, his favorite players being Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett, Danny White and Randy White. Through the great years of the '90s and the hard times of the '80s, Shawn never turned his back on America's Team.
Source: Dallas Cowboys website
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