He is too short to play in the NFL. But he does! Dexter Coakley took the league by storm as a rookie and showed that he belonged by chasing plays from sideline to sideline-- relentlessly. A linebacker, with 4.3-4.4 speed in the forty-yard dash, he plays at 235 pounds which is a bit light for a linebacker. Opponents game-plan to run right at Coakley thinking it might negate his great speed, but he continues to dominate due to his great instincts. Coming off a Pro Bowl season, Coakley is in the same position that Randall Godfrey was entering last season. Amazingly, Coakley also led the Cowboys in interception with four, and he return one for a touchdown. Yes-- more INTs than Deion Sanders! It will be interesting to see whether the Cowboys can find a creative way to keep Coakley under contract next season or will he follow the long list of quality linebackers that have departed Dallas for the mighty dollar. Jerry Jones has already broken with the past by giving Coakley the highest possible qualifying offer-- over $1 million, so perhaps Coakley can be the first linebacker that forces a rethinking of what I believe is a flawed linebacker philosophy.
I have embraced Dat Nguyen as the starting middle linebacker. He had tremendous production in college against quality opposition. He's an exciting player with the tackling instincts you can only be born with, and while many compare him to Zach Thomas because of his instincts and lack of size, he reminds me of former Cowboys middle linebacker Robert Jones who had incredible college statistics in college at East Carolina. My concern last year was that the Cowboys already had one undersized linebacker in Dexter Coakley. With two undersized linebackers, I thought the NFL would be too physical for the defense. But, after showing playmaker ability in limited play last season, I truly believe Nguyen has what it take to replace Randall Godfrey.
Wanted: Do you have speed? Can you chase plays sideline to sideline? Will you work for a team that strives to employ you near the NFL minimum wage and at a position of little organization respect? If so, you can be a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys. Answering the call this year is Joe Bowden, a talented linebacker who signed with the Cowboys for one reason-- to follow the footsteps of Randall Godfrey into the ranks of quality linebacker who left Dallas for big money. In reality, it was shocking that Bowden left the Tennessee Titans because he was supposed to team with Godfrey to form a dynamic duo. However, negotiations fell apart when discussing the amount of a signing bonus, and the two side broke off contract talks. Then, in the NFL draft, the Titans select linebacker Keith Bulluck, and Bowden decided to take his considerable talent elsewhere. Bowden is no stranger to Texas since he was born in Dallas, and he also played high school football at North Mesquite. Coming off a career year, Joe Bowden will help this team on the field and in the locker room. Enjoy him while you can Dallas Cowboys fans!
Backup: Darren Hambrick - South Carolina 3rd Season Chris Bordano - Southern Methodist 3rd Season Barron Wortham - UTEP 8th Season
Last season, Darren Hambrick turned his career around and contributed on the field, and stayed out of trouble off the field. Previously, he was arrested for fleeing a vehicle with a strong pot smell, yet, for some reason he was dumb enough to return to his car after changing clothes-- except for muddy socks. He moved into the starting lineup last season, but the coaches don't feel very comfortable with him for some reason. Frankly, I think he played rather well after a few growing pains. Nevertheless, he doesn't have the stature of a Joe Bowden, so it's only a matter of time before Hambrick moves to the bench. In my opinion, this change should happen sometime before the August 13 preseason game against the Raiders.
Chris Bordano was obtained in a trade with the New Orleans Saints in exchange for cornerback Kevin Mathis. With depth at linebacker, it was supposed to be somewhat of a long-shot for Bordano to make the team. He needs to shine on special teams, and thus far he has done just that with three special teams tackles against the Pittsburgh Steelers in preseason play.
Rounding out the linebackers, Barron Wortham was signed to give Dat Nguyen competition for the starting middle linebacker position. Throughout his career-- and even in college at UTEP, he was criticized as being too small to play in the middle, but he has proved each and every one of his critics wrong. Wortham, a teammate of Joe Bowden with the Tennessee Titans, brings experience, fire, and a reputation as a great influence in the locker room. Unfortunately, Wortham suffered torn cartilage in his knee, and will miss most of the preseason. This clearly points to Nguyen winning the starting job, and Worth's injury also has led to Bordano getting a few more snaps that he would had Wortham been on the field competing. Once healthy, Wortham will help on special teams, and be ready to step in should injuries occur.
Major Losses: Randall Godfrey - Tennessee Titans Quentin Coryatt - Retired
Randall Godfrey is history! Before the 1999 season he expected a long term contract offer from either the Cowboys or another team willing to give up a second-round pick given that Godfrey was a restricted free agent. However, coming off of re-constructive shoulder surgery, he did not receive that offer, and he quietly signed a $429K qualifying offer with the Cowboys in the hopes that a strong season would result in a big contract as an unrestricted free agent in 2000. And, like most of the previous quality Cowboys' linebackers, he received a free agency offer that the Dallas Cowboys were unwilling to match-- a five year $25 million deal with a $5 million signing bonus. His play will be missed, but the Cowboys just couldn't match such a big contract because of the salary cap, and a basic philosophy that linebackers deserve the NFL minimum wage. Best wishes and thanks for the great play, Randall Godfrey!
For two season, the Dallas Cowboys flirted with Quentin Coryatt. He signed a contract with Dallas in 1998, but failed his physical due to a injured shoulder that required re-constructive surgery. He rehabbed and signed another contract with the Cowboys, but retired after a brief stint due to various injuries. Then, during the season last year, he again signed, but could not make an impact. He finally retired for good, and it's rather comical that throughout this flirtation, Coryatt never register a tackle-- in two years. I only mention such wasted effort to point out how desperate Dallas was for linebacker bodies. Now, even after the free agency loss of Godfrey, the Dallas Cowboys are loaded with talent and quality depth. Give Jerry Jones credit for finally getting it right!
Rookie Impact: Orantes Grant - Georgia
It's very doubtful that Grant makes the team. At best, he could land on the practice squad and hope to play in NFL Europe next season. On the other hand, Grant is doing his best make the decision to cut him difficult. Against the Falcons in the American Bowl, Grant recorded a sack and a tackle for a loss.
Rating And Reality Check: A+
It looks like six linebacker at most will make the team. That leave rookie Orantes Grant and Chris Bordano fighting for the final roster spot. Regardless, the talent, depth, and versatility at linebacker is one of the strengths of the team. There is also a chance the Cowboys go with five linebackers, but that's doubtful-- especially with Barron Wortham recovering from knee surgery.
QB | TE | RB | OL | WR | DL | LB | DB | ST