The defensive line looks to be in the best shape since Charles Haley left the Cowboys. It's a broken leg away from a quarterback sack waiting to happen! On the other hand, it's a crack pipe and a couple of Bipolar disorders away from total destruction. This is a must year for a true quality pass rush because of a suspect secondary. Dallas, if they have hope of being an elite team again, must finish in the top-five in the sack category; otherwise, Ryan McNeil and Kareem Larrimore will simply be toast.
As a rookie, Greg Ellis began his Dallas Cowboys career with a heavy burden to carry in that he was expected to spark a pass rush that was all but dead in '97. Not only that, the previous failures to draft a defensive linemen to replace the spectacular Charles Haley weighed heavily upon him and the team. Shante Carver could not live up to those expectations, but Ellis had a certain strength about him. Last season, he continued to become a factor, and his play was exciting until he broke his leg in an unfortunate and downright gruesome accident. Ellis will be ready for the regular season, and the coaches and fans are counting on him to contribute to the pass rush. Still, with limited preseason play, it would be unrealistic to expect Ellis to play the entire game early in the season. This means depth will become a major factor because four of the Cowboys first six games are on the road. By the time Ellis is full-strength, the season could be lost if the reserve defensive ends play poorly.
What can you say about Chad Hennings; he plays hard, does whatever you ask of him, and looks so very awful in doing so. No longer capable of starting the entire game, he reminds me of a healthy Tony Casillas late in his career. For twenty to twenty-five plays a game, he can contribute in a complimenting role and do a very good job. And with Leon Lett returning from his most recent suspension, depth at defensive tackle is such that Hennings might be required to only play that number of snaps per game. A fresh Hennings will be necessary because he's a main cog in the run defense. Coming off a solid season, Hennings is a rock in the middle of the line, and has the strength to turn plays toward the outside where the speedy linebackers can make plays. Expect Hennings to once again do the dirty work than many others either refuse to do or simply can't do.
Alonzo Spellman was signed last season in a desperate move to ease the loss of Leon Lett. After passing on Randy Moss in the draft because of his off-field problems, Jerry Jones and his staff decided to take a chance on Spellman-- a man with such troubling off-field problems that it made Randy Moss look like a choir boy in comparison. We'll, to Jerry Jones' credit, the move paid-off in a big way! Spellman took advantage of a player support program within the Cowboys organization, headed by former Cowboys great Calvin Hill, and simply turned his life around. Diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, Spellman uses medication to keep the condition in order. He quickly has become a respected leader in the locker room after one short season. Furthermore, he is an example to everyone-- especially the young players, with his dedication to details in team meeting and on the practice field. His success story was so overwhelming that it allowed the Cowboys to take a similar risk this season when they signed the troubled Dimitrius Underwood. Underwood has roomed with Spellman during training camp, and thus far the results have been positive. Signed for the league minimum in 1999, Spellman cashed in his success story when he signed a lucrative deal during the off-season.
Moving into the starting lineup this season will be last year's first-round selection Ebenezer Ekuban. Brought along slowly last season, Ekuban will flip-sides with Greg Ellis, and he will now play the left defensive end position. I don't expect him to contribute to the pass rush-- I expect him to set the tone with a minimum of 10 sacks. I see in Ekuban, the talent to be the disruptive force that has been missing since the departure of Charles Haley. After Greg Ellis experienced his broken leg, Ekuban delivered. Against the New Orleans Saints, he registered a sack and a couple of near sacks. Equally important, however, was his play against the run. Playing with his head up, he showed great awareness and made plays run at him, and also made tackles chasing plays down the line. He finished the Saints game with a sack, one tackle for a loss, two tackles for no gain, and three other tackles allowing only nine yards on the carries. In the playoff loss to the Minnesota Vikings, he was all over the field until he suffered a leg injury, which even caused him to miss time in the team's mini-camps. In 2000, expect Ekuban to make life difficult for offensive right tackles!
Backup: Leon Lett - Emporia St. - Michael Myers- Alabama - Peppi Zellner - Fort Valley St. - Brandon Noble - Penn St. - Dimitrius Underwood - Michigan St.
This is a group that simply must produce, especially the defensive ends. The theme for this year is pressure on the quarterback, which causes turnovers and hides a suspect secondary. Underwood has shown flashes of pass rushing ability, but realistically, anything that Underwood adds this season will be unexpected and gratefully accepted. Noble does nothing but make plays. He's always around the ball, and good things happen when he on the field. You really can't pinpoint how he contributes, but he has shown over the past two preseason that he deserves a roster spot. Mr. Lett-- you simply can't count on him. He is a weak person who should have been released two years ago. He doesn't deserve meal money much less millions of dollars. Peppi Zellner is a true enigma. He flashes ability at times, but most of the time he's out of position and overpowered by the weakest of offensive linemen. He reminds me of Kavika Pittman with less talent. Enough said... Michael Myers is a player we expect to be much improved. Since joining the Cowboys, he has been played out of position and out of scheme. Blessed with a super-quick first step, he's more of a pass rush specialist rather than a "in the trenches" run stopper. With his quickness, he can penetrate and provide an inside disruptive pass rush. In 2000, it appears as if the Cowboys finally have enough defensive line depth to use Myers in such a role.
Rookie Impact: None
Prediction: Ekuban is the starting right defensive end from game one, and leads the team in sacks. Underwood plays well and contributes five sack. Ellis returns and plays better as the season unfolds, and overall the Cowboys defensive line provide great pressure to the opposing quarterback.
Team Sacks: Ekuban 11, Spellman 7, Lett 7, Ellis 5, Myers 4, Hennings 3, Zellner 2.
Rating And Reality Check: B+
The Cowboys will put more pressure on the quarterback this season, but I have deep concerns about their secondary. Unless there is someone who steps-up their game opposite of Ryan McNeil, the defensive line will be under pressure to take up the slack. Pressure on the quarterback is an absolutely must!
QB | TE | RB | OL | WR | DL | LB | DB | ST