Cowboy Corner: Dallas Cowboys Offseason Report

Cowboys Offseason

Super Bowl Odds (for XLV): Cowboys +1215

NFC Odds (BetEd Reviews): Cowboys +685

Is Miles Austin A One-Hit Wonder?

While most people were expecting Roy Williams to step up and replace the contributions of Terrell Owens entering the 2009 season, it was a different Cowboys wide receiver that stepped up and became a star. Now that Miles Austin has one fantastic Pro Bowl season under his belt, the speculation has already begun as to whether he can do this again.

The good news is that Austin is saying a lot of the right things after going from being a little-known third receiver to the Pro Bowl. Austin has already talked about not resting on his laurels and working even harder this offseason. He won’t be a kept secret next year and he’ll be the focus of plenty of defensive attention.

One big help to Austin would be for Williams to finally play up to his potential. If he can play like the Pro Bowler that he once was, opposing defenses wouldn’t be able to double-team Austin regularly. Or if they did, Tony Romo and Williams could burn them.

Deon Anderson’s Status In Question

Fullback Deon Anderson didn’t exactly grab many headlines during the regular season for the Cowboys but since the team has hit the offseason, he has been a key story.

Anderson pulled a gun on a valet at a local Dallas restaurant and clearly there are some ramifications that come with those actions.

The team and the league are letting the matter play out legally before anyone makes a decision. Clearly, the result of that will likely result in Anderson receiving – or not receiving – team and/or league sanctions.

Anderson was a starter last year so he is an important team member.

Tashard Choice Trade Rumors

Internet betting fans have heard the trade rumors blowing early this offseason as the Cowboys have been linked in deals with the San Diego Chargers regarding Cowboys running back Tashard Choice and Chargers defensive back Antonio Cromartie.

So far, those rumors have proven to be just smoke but as we all know, where there is smoke there tends to be fire.

The Cowboys are in a position of desperation so they definitely don’t need to make a move but keep an eye for these rumors to heat up as the NFL Draft approaches.

The reality is that Choice, while he’s a good back, is third on the pecking order and the Cowboys could dangle him to improve their roster somewhere else.

Flozell Adams and Deon Anderson Fight on Plane Ride from Philadelphia

Now that the Dallas Cowboys 2008 season is over, it appears all sorts of stories are coming out about the lack of unity within the team. As I listened to Bob and Dan on the Ticket this afternoon, Bob Sturm was commenting on a story regarding a scuffle between two Dallas Cowboys players, Deon Anderson and Flozell Adams.

According to the Dallas Morning News, Dallas Cowboys players Deon Anderson and Flozell Adams were involved in an altercation on the plane ride home after the devastating loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The fight was broken up by guard Leonard Davis.
This fight between Flozell Adams and Deon Anderson is simply one of a number of incidents within the Dallas Cowboys organization as the season wound down.
Terrell Owens met with Jason Garrett, Roy Williams, and Patrick Crayton to complain about Tony Romo having an alleged preference for throwing to Jason Witten.

This story became a major headline as numerous sources within the team began to take sides and speak about major disagreements within the team. According to Jennifer Engel of the Fort Worth Star Telegram, cornerback Terrance Newman spoke out against the disagreements within the team.

“Too many guys are not accountable in this organization. And when you sit there and make excuses and put the blame on other people, it erodes what you are trying to build,” said Newman.

While Deon Anderson laughed off the fight between himself and Flozell Adams on Monday, saying that everything was fine between the two, it is clear that everything is not fine within the organization.

During the game against Philadelphia, Tank Johnson caused further disruption by yelling at teammates on the sidelines and in the huddle.

The lack of unity within the Dallas Cowboys proved disastrous as the Cowboys attempted to match the hype of the beginning of the season. Much of the blame can be placed squarely on the shoulders of head coach Wade Phillips.

Wade Phillips proved this season that his personality is not suited to be an effective head coach. He was unable to control his locker room and assert himself to restore order to his team.

With a number of outbursts from players, many coming from the always divisive Terrell Owens, Wade Phillips did not present a strong presence in the locker room to keep the team focused on actually playing the game of football. Instead he allowed the team to split into separate factions, involved in numerous spats and disagreements.

The altercation between Deon Anderson and Flozell Adams on the way back from Philadelphia was simply another symptom of a tremendous problem within the Cowboys. It is clear that the players see the Wade Phillips and the coaching staff as a complete joke with no real authority. This issue must get resolved or the 2009 Dallas Cowboys will be just as disappointing as this years team was.