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Best of Brandon George: Toughest early game in 2016? Who has the most to prove this year?
By Brandon George
Here is a sampling of offseason musings and hot sports opinions from Dallas Morning News Cowboys beat writer Brandon George, taken from online chats, podcast interviews and his stories.
Question: Do you think the Cowboys are banking too much on returning to what made them successful in 2014? That season probably can't be easily replicated.
Brandon George: Yes and no. Yes, they found lightning in a bottle in 2014 with few injuries and a stellar running game. And that will be hard to match. However, it's clearly the strength of this team: the offensive line and now the backfield, so you move forward building behind that strength.
Question: What do you think is the Cowboys' ceiling this year?
George: Hard to say this early into the offseason, but if Tony and Dez stay healthy they should have a good chance to reach double digits in wins and win the NFC East. The defense is still too suspect to believe the Cowboys can make a long playoff run, though.
Question: Which game do you think will be toughest for Dallas in the first month of the season?
Brandon George: I'd lean toward at Washington in Week 2. That's always a tough game for the Cowboys and it comes early in the season, when Dallas will be without DEs Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence.
Question: Who impressed you the most at OTAs and why?
George: That's really difficult to say ... [but] so far RB Ezekiel Elliott looks every bit the part. Charles Tapper is quick off of the ball but you knew already about his speed. He should contribute early.
Question: Which training camp battle will be the most fierce?
Brandon George: I'm looking forward to seeing Ezekiel Elliott go against Sean Lee in the open field. That should be fun to watch, may bring back memories of when DeMarco Murray and Lee faced off in fierce training camp battles before Murray left in free agency.
Question: Which Cowboys player has the most to prove in 2016?
George: This whole team has a lot to prove coming off of a pitiful 4-12 campaign. But if you make me pick just one I'd take Tony Romo. Can he return to form? Can he stay healthy? Can he show that age isn't slowing him? Does he show he's capable of playing another 4-5 years?
Question: Do you think Ezekiel Elliott will be a big factor in keeping Tony Romo healthy?
Brandon George: I think he'll help. Yes. Not only should he help with his touches in the backfield but one of his strengths is his ability to pass protect. That should help keep a few more players from pounding Romo in the backfield.
Question: Off the field and out of pads, who's the most interesting member of the Cowboys?
Brandon George: Again, this is a matter of perspective and how you define "interesting." I would say if you base it purely on entertainment value and depth, Randy Gregory would rank pretty high on the list. Orlando Scandrick is an interesting person just because of his personality and how he likes to debate just about anything. Travis Frederick, when he wants to open himself up, which is more rare these days, has some depth to him as well. You'll be had-pressed to find a more competitive person than Dez Bryant, so talking about what makes him tick is always intriguing.
Question: What's the weirdest/funniest thing you've ever heard Jerry say in person?
Brandon George: Wow, the choices are unlimited. But off the top of my head, I'd lean to him saying he felt "lower than a crippled cricket's ass." I always laugh when he reminds the media, "Just because I said it doesn't make it so."
Question: Which 2015 draft pick is going to make the biggest step forward in 2016?
George: Byron Jones. He was spread so thin a year ago trying to play both at CB and safety that he wasn't able to focus on one and excel. Now that the Cowboys plan to keep him at safety it will give him the chance to lock in on one position and really take that next step.
Question: What grade do you give the Cowboys [2016] draft and what would you have done differently?
Brandon George: I would have given the Cowboys a C (although it's always an incomplete grade at this point), but just based on the fact they were picking higher than they had since 1991 and only came away with one walk-in starter in 2016 (Elliott). I still would have taken Ramsey at 4 and then taken another RB later.
Question: Who would you expect to lead the team in tackles next season?
George: If Sean Lee is healthy he's a good bet. If not, I'd lean toward Barry Church.
Question: Which offensive lineman would be the most catastrophic loss if injured?
Brandon George: It'd have to be LT Tyron Smith. He protects Tony Romo's blindside and is one of the best offensive tackles in the league. He usually is lined up across from the opposing defense's best pass-rusher. He's vital to the success of the Cowboys' offensive line and it would be a big dropoff if they lost him for any extended time. But he's been healthy throughout most of his Cowboys' career and has proved he can play through injuries as well.
Question: Saw the video of Beasley uh... dancing, I think? Who's got the best and worst moves on the team?
George: I don't see the players dance enough to get a good feel. And I'm certainly not the one to critique someone else's dance moves.
By Brandon George
Here is a sampling of offseason musings and hot sports opinions from Dallas Morning News Cowboys beat writer Brandon George, taken from online chats, podcast interviews and his stories.
Question: Do you think the Cowboys are banking too much on returning to what made them successful in 2014? That season probably can't be easily replicated.
Brandon George: Yes and no. Yes, they found lightning in a bottle in 2014 with few injuries and a stellar running game. And that will be hard to match. However, it's clearly the strength of this team: the offensive line and now the backfield, so you move forward building behind that strength.
Question: What do you think is the Cowboys' ceiling this year?
George: Hard to say this early into the offseason, but if Tony and Dez stay healthy they should have a good chance to reach double digits in wins and win the NFC East. The defense is still too suspect to believe the Cowboys can make a long playoff run, though.
Question: Which game do you think will be toughest for Dallas in the first month of the season?
Brandon George: I'd lean toward at Washington in Week 2. That's always a tough game for the Cowboys and it comes early in the season, when Dallas will be without DEs Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence.
Question: Who impressed you the most at OTAs and why?
George: That's really difficult to say ... [but] so far RB Ezekiel Elliott looks every bit the part. Charles Tapper is quick off of the ball but you knew already about his speed. He should contribute early.
Question: Which training camp battle will be the most fierce?
Brandon George: I'm looking forward to seeing Ezekiel Elliott go against Sean Lee in the open field. That should be fun to watch, may bring back memories of when DeMarco Murray and Lee faced off in fierce training camp battles before Murray left in free agency.
Question: Which Cowboys player has the most to prove in 2016?
George: This whole team has a lot to prove coming off of a pitiful 4-12 campaign. But if you make me pick just one I'd take Tony Romo. Can he return to form? Can he stay healthy? Can he show that age isn't slowing him? Does he show he's capable of playing another 4-5 years?
Question: Do you think Ezekiel Elliott will be a big factor in keeping Tony Romo healthy?
Brandon George: I think he'll help. Yes. Not only should he help with his touches in the backfield but one of his strengths is his ability to pass protect. That should help keep a few more players from pounding Romo in the backfield.
Question: Off the field and out of pads, who's the most interesting member of the Cowboys?
Brandon George: Again, this is a matter of perspective and how you define "interesting." I would say if you base it purely on entertainment value and depth, Randy Gregory would rank pretty high on the list. Orlando Scandrick is an interesting person just because of his personality and how he likes to debate just about anything. Travis Frederick, when he wants to open himself up, which is more rare these days, has some depth to him as well. You'll be had-pressed to find a more competitive person than Dez Bryant, so talking about what makes him tick is always intriguing.
Question: What's the weirdest/funniest thing you've ever heard Jerry say in person?
Brandon George: Wow, the choices are unlimited. But off the top of my head, I'd lean to him saying he felt "lower than a crippled cricket's ass." I always laugh when he reminds the media, "Just because I said it doesn't make it so."
Question: Which 2015 draft pick is going to make the biggest step forward in 2016?
George: Byron Jones. He was spread so thin a year ago trying to play both at CB and safety that he wasn't able to focus on one and excel. Now that the Cowboys plan to keep him at safety it will give him the chance to lock in on one position and really take that next step.
Question: What grade do you give the Cowboys [2016] draft and what would you have done differently?
Brandon George: I would have given the Cowboys a C (although it's always an incomplete grade at this point), but just based on the fact they were picking higher than they had since 1991 and only came away with one walk-in starter in 2016 (Elliott). I still would have taken Ramsey at 4 and then taken another RB later.
Question: Who would you expect to lead the team in tackles next season?
George: If Sean Lee is healthy he's a good bet. If not, I'd lean toward Barry Church.
Question: Which offensive lineman would be the most catastrophic loss if injured?
Brandon George: It'd have to be LT Tyron Smith. He protects Tony Romo's blindside and is one of the best offensive tackles in the league. He usually is lined up across from the opposing defense's best pass-rusher. He's vital to the success of the Cowboys' offensive line and it would be a big dropoff if they lost him for any extended time. But he's been healthy throughout most of his Cowboys' career and has proved he can play through injuries as well.
Question: Saw the video of Beasley uh... dancing, I think? Who's got the best and worst moves on the team?
George: I don't see the players dance enough to get a good feel. And I'm certainly not the one to critique someone else's dance moves.
