July 23, 2004
Cowboys Sign Eddie George
For me, this is bigger news than the signing of Testaverde, which had been predicted for quite a while. They signed him to a one-year contract, much like with Vinny, so clearly realize he'll be nothing more than a temporary help to the team. Still, what a help. There's already been a fair amount of speculation that Parcells is planning a running back committee approach for the upcoming season while hoping Jones shows he can be a successful every down back. By adding George, that committee now has some real depth and experience that should help immediately while providing the team with someone who can mentor Jones in whatever areas he will need improvement. If whoever fills the right side corner position (likely Hunter) plays well, I predict the Cowboys will make it to at least the second round of the playoffs this year, quite possibly not as a wildcard.
The George signing is big news, but outside of the mentoring aspects, he may not make a big impact. George had less than 100 yards more than Hambrick last year, averaged slightly less YPC than Hambrick, and had one more TD (I think). Certainly a runner near the end of his career.
As for the Cowboys winning the division, I think we're still playing catchup to the Eagles who made a lot of big moves in the offseason. Jevon Kearse and Terrell Owens will be huge for them (I can't believe they're still under the freaking cap). The Eagles biggest liability will be corner (they let their two veterens go), and if we can establish a deep game (read: we need to pacify Antonio Bryant and make sure he stays with us), we will be able to exploit that weakness and hopefully score more this year than last.
I think it's very possible that the Cowboys are a better team this year than last year, and still win fewer games.
It's true, he's not much of an improvement over Hambrick on the field, but he will bring more experience and leadership. Plus, in goal line situations he may be a better runner than Hambrick was. Either way, it's good that we now have at least a backup RB in case Jones either doesn't work out or gets injured.
As for Bryant, he's talking to the team again and will be at training camp. Let's just hope he keeps his cool from now on. I don't think Parcells will have any qualms about cutting him if he messes up again.
And the Eagles.. yeah, they're gonna be tough if their defense can do well. I don't see us doing worse than last year though. Maybe no better, but worse would be a little surprising. After all, it's usually the second year with a team that Parcells really starts making the magic.
10 wins was a freaking gift last year man. Every team wins or loses games that they should have (respectively) lost or won, but last year we won games that we shouldn't have, and never really gave any games away. Consider MNF with the football Giants. If we get to ten wins, second in the division, and a wildcard berth, we should consider ourselves lucky. We have questions at almost every position, and the biggest questions are at the biggest positions: QB and RB. It will be a good season, but with the Giants adding new peices, the Eagles running away in the free agent market, and the Redskins adding Joe Gibbs (arguably one of the best coaches of all time, and certainly the best coach Washington has ever had), it will be a tough division.
I didn't even mention Clinton Portis in Washington. This division is freaking crazy.
True, last year was a freak, but I don't think the Redskins are going to improve that much this season. Maybe the Giants will be better, but they sucked pretty hard last year so they'd have to improve a LOT to seriously rival the new, improved Cowboys. And yeah, I don't think we're a favorite to win the division, but it seems more possible than last year. Even so, the division will be tougher and the Cowboys will likely, if they play well and get some luck, end up as wildcards again, but the prospect of winning the division seems at least plausible.