Cowboys: The Opportunity To Win Is Now Or Never

For the Dallas Cowboys, the window of opportunity to win the coveted Super Bowl is sooner than later.

In 2014, the Dallas Cowboys shocked the NFL when they went 12-4, won the NFC East, and defeated the the Detroit Lions in the first round of the NFC playoffs. Some thought the Cowboys would finish last in the NFC East that season, this after displaying the worst defense in franchise history in 2013.

The Cowboys came close to knocking off the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round, only to lose a close one in what is now deemed the “No-Catch” game. That’s as close as the Cowboys have come to advancing to the NFC Championship game since 1995, a feat that has eluded America’s Team for over two decades.

The truth is that this particular game might be as close as Dallas gets to an NFC Championship for years to come game if they don’t right the ship.

In reality, the Cowboys window of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy is closing. The opportunity is to win now or never. Basically, the Cowboys can win big or go home.

When I say go home, I mean continue to meddle in mediocrity and reminisce about a Super Bowl that happened when William Jefferson Clinton was President of the United States.

Or, Dallas can draft smart and sign key free agents that can get them over this hump and get the monkey off of its back. I know that everyone will say 2015 was an aberration because of quarterback Tony Romo‘s absence due to multiple broken collar bones last season. Plus, Pro Bowl receiver Dez Bryant missed a lot of games because of a broken foot.

I understand those poinst, but the sticking point is that Romo is injury prone, a fact proven by a total of three broken collarbone injuries in his career. Romo suffered a broken clavicle twice last season, and he turns 36 in April.

If the Cowboys really want to win the Super Bowl, Dallas needs to address several issues, starting with Romo.

More from Sports Dallas Fort-Worth

The best way to protect Romo is to give him a great running game with a powerful workhorse running back like he had in 2014 in DeMarco Murray. The running back set a Cowboys franchise record with 1,845 rushing yards, opening the season with eight straight 100-yard games.

With Murray running wild, Romo was well protected and the Cowboys had a balanced offense. The Cowboys controlled the clock and, as a result, the defense was on the field less. This resulted in the defense having fresh legs and also having a knack for creating turnovers. The more opportunities for the Cowboys offense the better.

The Cowboys need to draft a running back or sign one in free agency to play with current runner Darren McFadden. The former first-round pick out of Arkansas rushed for 1.089 yards and three touchdowns in ’15. McFadden played the entire season injury-free, which is a plus considering his injury-prone career.

McFadden could share the load with another runner which will open up play-action passes. We already know that once the safety comes down into the box, Bryant will likely face man coverage or it opens up other receiving targets for Romo.

The more the Cowboys run the ball, the more balanced and lethal the offense will be. Nevertheless, it allows less hits on Romo, especially with his sensitive clavicle.

Since the pass rush is the Cowboys major weakness on defense, why not go ahead and sign free-agent pass-rusher Mario Williams, who was cut by the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday. The dynamic sack specialist recorded double-digit sacks every season with the Bills except ’15, when Williams registered only five sacks. The sack artist is better suited as a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme like the one being run by the Cowboys.

In Buffalo, Williams played in a 3-4, sacking the quarterback 13 times in 2013. This illustrates Williams’ versatility, regardless of his five sacks from last season. The edge rusher might be a monster in defensive coordinator’s Rod Marinelli’s defense. Combine promising defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, who led the Cowboys defense with eight sacks, and the Dallas defense could be formidable.

A dominant pass rush will create turnovers for the Cowboys, where the defense only had a paltry 31 sacks last season. The deplorable total of eight interceptions last year must improve in 2016.

With a bona fide pass rush, the Cowboys defense will minimize and cover up the mistakes of Dallas’ secondary, where defensive back Jeff Heath led the defense with two interceptions. There is no need to elaborate about the significance of Heath’s two interceptions. It’s self-explanatory.

The return of cornerback Orlando Scandrick and safety Bryon Jones will boost the secondary. The Cowboys can sign a free-agent corner, like Adam Jones of the Cincinnati Bengals. If the Cowboys cut defensive back Brandon Carr, Jones is considered an offseason target of the Cowboys.

The sad reality is Romo has glass clavicles and now is the time to find his future replacement. In addition, the Cowboys must find a suitable backup quarterback that can win a game. Backup quarterback Kellen Moore offers a sample size that’s too small to suggest he is the answer.

With a healthy Romo, it’s unlikely the Cowboys will see another top-5 pick in the near future. Ohio State pass-rusher Joey Bosa is one talented player. Is he going to transform the Cowboys defense and lead them to the Super Bowl?

Next: Cowboys Draft: Is Emmanuel Ogbah The Best Fit?

If Dallas wants to win the Super Bowl, then it needs to address these issues sooner than later.

Because it’s now or never to win that coveted Lombardi Trophy.

Home/Dallas Cowboys