So I've heard some talk about why the Cowboys won't win the NFC East. Therefore, I've decided to write to a blog as to why they will win the NFC East. Offensive Line Last year the Dallas Cowboys showcased a rather pourous offensive line. Drew Bledsoe was the second most sacked Quarterback in the NFL, behind only David Carr (who I think deserves a moment of silence every Sunday). This wasn't too surprising since Drew Bledsoe is about as mobile as a block of granite. But it wasn't always thus. In fact, for the first six games he was rarely (relatively speaking) sacked. Spending an unsual amount of time on his feet he was able to put together an average QB rating of 101.5 through those first six games. This was quite the accomlishment when you consider a rookie named Rob Pettiti was playing right tackle. The Cowboys had been able to mask his inexperience by leaving a Tight End (usually Dan Campbell) to help him. By doing this the Cowboys were able to stop most pass rushes and effecitvely picked up a majority of blitzes. Then in Game 6 against the Giants, a game in which the Cowboys had been faultering all day, Left Tackle Flozell Adams went down with what was called "a knee sprain." That "sprain" turned out to be a torn ACL and sidelined him for the rest of the season. Then all hell broke loose. Torrin Tucker (who had never started in the NFL) replaced Adams on the line. This left rookies on either end of the line and several handicaped the Cowboys offense. While Bledsoe still finished with an 83.7 QB rating he was on his back a lot more and never seemed as comfortable as through those first six games. Now, Flozell Adams is back. He's not completely healed from that ACL injury but should be ready to go when the season starts. The Cowboys cut the aging but still strong Left Guard Larry Allen. To replace him they signed fifth year man Kyle Koiser from Detriot. Koiser is impressing the Cowboys coaches and is also very versatile, starting every spot on the line except center. The Cowboys also signed veteran Jason Fabini when the Jets were forced to waive him. The Cowboys retained Andre Gurode as a possible backup center or guard. Rob Pettiti has apparently bulked up and after a year of starting experience is slated as the starter. They also have Marc Colombo who was a first round pick by the Bears in 2002 but has been plagued by injuries. Allegedly he's healed and is impressing. Regardless, the Cowboys now have much more depth and should be better able to cope with the rigors of the season. Kicker The Cowboys had a horrible kicking situation last season. Billy Cundiff was set to come back for a fourth season (the first Cowboys kicker to do so in more than a decade) and Jose Cortez was brought in to give him a little competition. But Cundiff was injured in camp and the Cowboys chose not to keep him on the roster. So they retained Cortez and let Cundiff go. Cortez was inconsistent from the start. But from the beginning it seemed like he was simply adjusting to playing again and that perhaps it was the Cowboys rookie deep snapper or even Tony Romo (holder) causing some of the problems. But soon it became clear that Cortez should've gone with the XFL. So, the Cowboys brought back Billy Cundiff after he healed and cleared waivers. He preceded to set a Cowboys record in his first game back by hitting a 56-yard field goal. He missed a 27-yard field goal against the Broncos on Turkey Day (arguably costing the Cowboys the game) and had less than stellar days after that. The Cowboys ended the season with rookie Shaun Suisham as their starting kicker. The off season provided a very big opportunity for the Cowboys. For the first time the Cowboys appeared ready to spend big bucks on a kicker. The name Adam Vinatieri was floated and got this Cowboys fan very excited (as a New England based Cowboys fan). Alas, the Indianapolis Colts signed Vinatieri to part ways with the "Idiot Kicker" Mike Vanderjagt. Soon there after the Cowboys scooped up the NFL's most accurate kicker. Vanderjagt hits about the same number of kicks indoors or outdoors but he has that one kick in the playoffs hanging over his head like a one ton weight. However, Vanderjagt is a considerable upgrade over the Cowboys kickers last season. Defense Last year the Cowboys made the switch from a 4-3 defense to the 3-4. Many of the experts said it would be a tough transition. To me, the biggest struggle was with youth. The Cowboys normally played well for the first three quarters then had a strange lapse in the fourth quarter (Redskins, Giants, Broncos). They certainly have the tools. They have Terence Newman, Anthony Henry, and Aaron Glenn at corner. Then they have Roy Williams and Keith Davis as their safeties. There lies their biggest deffensive liability. Williams struggles when coverging the deep ball while Davis is inexperienced. However, Davis now has a year of starting under his belt and is a special teams standout. He has competition from Marcus Coleman (who also adds depth at corner), Justin Beriault, Willie Pile, and Pat Watkins. Then they have Demarcus Ware, Bradie James, Akin Ayodele, and Bobby Carptener at Line Backer. They also have veteran Al Singleton and second year player Kevin Burnett (who turned heads before his injury). Then they have Marcus Spears, Jason Ferguson, and Chris Canty on the line. They also still have Greg Ellis who tied Ware for sacks last year. After playing a year in the 3-4 this young defense should be better prepared for the 2006 season. Those fourth quarter lapses shouldn't occur and now they'll be able to maintain solid play for an entire game. An already good defense got better. I believe this defense will be their key to winning the East. Terrell Owens T.O. is not going to single handedly lift this team into the playoffs. But the team around him will. Owens' will not be what he was in Philadelphia. With the Eagles Owens was McNabb's number one option, number two was to scramble, and number three was to toss it to Westbrook. The other receivers were almost non-existent in Philly. In Dallas Owens will be option number one, followed by Terry Glenn, then down to Jason Witten, then Patrick Crayton, then down to TE Anthony Fasano, then back to Owens, then throw the ball away. Beldsoe is not going to scramble like McNabb did. But you knew that. T.O. will force teams to double cover him. After that teams will have tough choice as to how they plan to cover Terry Glenn and Jason Witten. They would like to double cover both of them as well but they can't. So many defenders will be focused on covering those three it'll open up the middle for Patrick Crayton and Anthony Fasano. This should also help create some space for Julius Jones. Owens biggest contribution to this team will not be catching 80 balls and scoring 15 touchdowns (don't get all pissy, I just threw those numbers out there). It's going to be the worry he places on opposing defenses. In Philly teams could double cover Owens and clog the middle. You can't do that with the weapons the Cowboys have. Cowboys Triumphant Yes, every team in the NFC East has improved. The Eagles will be back this year. They have a major chip on their shoulder to prove they can win without T.O. and they will. But who's McNabb going to throw to? And I seriously question their mental fortitude. The Giants are a year older, a year wiser. They got Arrington away from the 'Skins but their downfield coverage is still weak. Tiki is an amazing running back but Eli is simply overrated. The Redskins did what they do, forget the draft, sign big vets. They got Randle-El and Brandon Lloyd to compliment Santana Moss. Then they got Adam Achuleta to play along side Sean Taylor. But of everybody I think the Cowboys have the most options. They had another solid draft and some key Free Agent pick ups (like Akin Ayodele, Jason Fabini, Mike Vanderjagt, and Terrell Owens). The Cowboys will surprise the teams that face them. They won't be able to stop the Cowboys offense and will struggle against their defense. The Cowboys have improved more than their division opponents and that's why they will win the NFC East.