Dallas Cowboys, Defensive Team/Special Teams

July 9, 2009 @ 01:00:00

By KFFL Staff
Edited by KFFL Staff

Dallas Cowboys Defensive Team/Special Teams

Bye Wk	Tot TD	Spec Tm TD	Fum TD	Int TD	Pass Int	Fum Rec	Sacks	Safety
6	2	1	0	2	16	12	49	0

Pros: The Cowboys ratcheted up their play big-time when head coach Wade Phillips started calling the shots halfway through 2008, and he will direct the defense again this season. Anchored by two Pro Bowlers - linebacker DeMarcus Ware (20.0 sacks) and defensive lineman Jay Ratliff (7.5 sacks) - the Cowboys racked up a league-best 59 sacks last season in their blitz-happy 3-4 scheme. Dallas has amassed 105 sacks in the last two years. The Cowboys also finished 2008 ranked No. 12 against the run and No. 5 versus the pass. The below-average return teams could improve with a healthy running back Felix Jones (toe, calf) back in the mix. 

Cons: Dallas ranked just No. 20 in scoring defense (22.8 points allowed per game) and amassed just 22 takeaways (eight interceptions and 14 recovered fumbles), which is a surprisingly low total for such an aggressive unit. The Cowboys scored just two touchdowns on returns in 2008 after scoring on four returns in 2007. The four new starters look like stopgaps: defensive end Igor Olshansky, linebacker Keith Brooking, linebacker Anthony Spencer and strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh. The secondary was porous due to injuries and poor play.

Fantasy tip: Since Dallas' fantasy value is heavily dependent on sacks, this one-dimensional, low-end No. 1 defense can be targeted in the mid-15th round. Even with the unremarkable personnel changes, the Cowboys have some modest upside if the secondary can improve and create more takeaways.

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