Restoring the Star || Driveshaft's Dallas Cowboys

[Driveshaft815]

The 2014 Dallas Cowboys - Season Summary

The Dallas Cowboys were one of the biggest surprises in 2014. Entering the season, the team had arguably one of the worst defenses in the league, and a lot of questions regarding the aging quarterback Tony Romo, and head coach Jason Garrett, who was coming off his third back-to-back-to-back 8-8 season.

The Cowboys made a few changes to the cornerback position before the start of the season; Sterling Moore was cut, and in exchange, Brandon Burton was signed. The Cowboys also traded their offensive guard, Ronald Leary, to the Patriots for their cornerback, Alfonzo Dennard.

The Cowboys, surprising everyone, finished first in the NFC East, with a 13-3 record, and even more surprising: a Super Bowl appearance, although the result was a loss to the New England Patriots.

Tony Romo won NFL MVP honors, Dez Bryant came up second in the league in both receiving yards and touchdowns, the offensive line was stellar, and the defense performed well above their original expectations. J.J. Wilcox and Barry Church developed into two of the leagues top safeties; both were in the running for NFC Defensive Player of the Year awards. Jason Garrett was also able to silent his critics, winning the Coach of the Year award.

After a 13-3 season, first place in the NFC East, a Superbowl appearance, and awards for both Tony Romo and Jason Garrett, the team certainly exceeded their expectations in 2014. However, did the team set the bar too high for 2015?


Team Rulebook

Game: Madden 15
Console: Xbox 360
Mode: Coach
Clock: 10 minutes
Acc. Clock: 25 seconds
Difficulty: All-Pro
Sliders: Custom

* The entire first season has been completely simulated. I'll be starting this franchise off with the off-season, and then I'll be playing every game from then.

* Sliders are my own. Nothing fancy, just designed to make All-Pro a tad bit harder, since All-Madden is still too hard for me. They may be changed down the road, but I've played with them prior to this, and like how they are as far as realistic stats go.

[Driveshaft815]

2014 Cowboys Schedule

Preseason
Week 1: @ San Diego Chargers, W 28-21
Week 2: vs. Baltimore Ravens, W 16-13
Week 3: @ Miami Dolphins, L 27-24
Week 4: vs. Denver Broncos, L 29-10
Regular Season
Week 1: vs. San Francisco 49ers, L 24-21
Week 2: @ Tennessee Titans, W 37-31
Week 3: @ St. Louis Rams, W 38-24
Week 4: vs. New Orleans Saints, W 37-34
Week 5: vs. Houston Texans, W 37-9
Week 6: @ Seattle Seahawks, W 26-23
Week 7: vs. New York Giants, W 47-6
Week 8: vs. Washington Redskins, L 26-20
Week 9: vs. Arizona Cardinals, W 23-20
Week 10: @ Jacksonville Jaguars, W 15-13
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: @ New York Giants, W 29-23
Week 13: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, L 27-20
Week 14: @ Chicago Bears, W 38-20
Week 15: @ Philadelphia Eagles, W 31-17
Week 16: vs. Indianapolis Colts, W 33-21
Week 17: @ Washington Redskins, W 27-17


Team Leaders

Tony Romo, QB: 107.6 QBR, 4,716 yards, 40 TDs, 5 INTs
DeMarco Murray, RB: 163 att., 817 yards, 3 TDs
Dez Bryant, WR: 113 rec., 1,572 yards, 14 TDs
Sean Lee, ILB: 140 tackles, 1 sack, 3 INTs


Players In Review

The Over-Achievers:

Tony Romo, Quarterback
In his 11th season with the Dallas Cowboys, Tony Romo put up the best season ever with outstanding numbers. Tony Romo put up personal bests in QBR, TDs, and INts -- a 107.6 QBR, with 40 TDs, and only 5 INTs. Tony Romo helped lead his team to the playoffs and to the Superbowl, leading the NFL in almost category. The only QB to outdo Romo in total yards was Drew Brees. Romo also won his first ever MVP award.

Dez Bryant, Wide Receiver
Not to be outdone, Dez also put up his best season alongside the captain Tony Romo, putting up a career best in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Dez put up over 1,500 yards with 113 receptions and a whopping 14 touchdowns.

Terrance Williams, Wide Receiver
In just his second season lining up on the opposite side of star receiver Dez Bryant, the young Terrance Williams put up 1,000 yards, performing well above expectations.

Sean Lee, Linebacker
For the first time since entering the league in 2010, Sean Lee remained healthy and played an entire season, and the results were outstanding. The captain of the defense recorded a team-high 140 tackles, recording his first sack in the NFL, and putting up 3 interceptions as well. Sean Lee deserves a lot of credit for the defenses' performance in 2014.

J.J. Wilcox and Barry Church, Free Safety/Strong Safety
Jason Garrett and Rod Marinelli both love these two young safeties, Marinelli has praised them as "the next Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor". Arguably the best safety combination in the entire NFL in 2014 -- the two young men put up a combined 226 tackles, 10 interceptions and a touchdown.
Wilcox was right behind Lee with 126 tackles, and Church wasn't far behind with 100 tackles, and 8 interceptions. Those 8 interceptions ranked him second in the league in that category -- both Wilcox and Church were int he running for the NFC Defensive Player of the Year award.


The Under-Achievers:

Doug Free, Offensive Tackle
Unfortunately, the veteran Doug Free was the weakest point to an otherwise stellar offensive line. Free let through 9 sacks; the second most was from the backup tackle, Jeremy Parnell, who allowed 3 sacks. Doug Free was also at fault for many false start and holding penalties, which could have potentially changed the outcomes of a few games.

Henry Melton, Defensive Tackle
After missing almost all of 2013 with the Chicago Bears, Jason Garrett understood the risk of signing Henry Melton. The young defense tackle ended up missing only a couple games in 2014, but even then, he just couldn't perform at the standard in which he was expected. Recording just 13 tackles and 1 sack, Henry Melton's future in Dallas is questionable.

Bruce Carter, Linebacker
After putting up almost 100 tackles in 2013, along with a couple of sacks, Bruce Carter was coming into 2014 with a chip on his shoulder. Even though the young linebacker recorded his first ever interception in the NFL, he also recorded a very underwhelming 26 tackles, with no sacks. 2014 was a struggle for Carter.

Morris Claiborne, Defensive Back
The Cowboys' 2012 first round pick is certainly turning into what could be a bust. A disappointed rookie season was followed up by an even more disappointing sophomore season. His third season in the NFL was the biggest disappointment, as Mo was replaced by Alfonzo Dennard at the CB3 position, and ultimately benched for free agent Brandon Burton. Claiborne was benched after week three, in which he only recorded 7 tackles.


The Up-and-Comers

Joseph Randle, Running Back
Joseph Randle had a lot of playing time in 2014, filling in for the often-injured DeMarco Murray. Randle's numbers weren't spectacular (208 attempts, for 506 yards and 7 touchdowns) but he also didn't get to play the full season. Randle was impressive for the most part, and seeing as how DeMarco's contract is up, Randle could be looking at a potential staring job in 2015.

Alfonzo Dennard, Defensive Back
Dennard came over from the Patriots in a trade early in the season, and Dennard as comfortably assured himself a CB3 slot for the Cowboys. With 73 tackles, 1 interceptions, and 11 passes deflected, Dennard put up his best season while providing the Cowboys with the depth they needed at the CB position. Marinelli is looking forward to seeing what this young man can do in 2015.

Brandon Burton, Defensive Back
Signed as free agent, initially intended to be used in special teams, Burton quickly assured himself the CB4 slot, replacing the first round pick Mo Claiborne. Burton impressed Marinelli with his speed and agility, while being able to get in and make plays. The young corner put up a career best 43 tackles in 2014.

Jeremy Mincey/DeMarcus Lawrence, Defensive End
The veteran Mincey, and the rookie Lawrence, both topped the team in sacks with 4 a piece. Mincey had his best season in years, and Lawrence just seemed to get better and better as the season progressed. Marinelli looks forward to bringing Mincey back in 2015, and also seeing how much more DeMarcus Lawrence can improve in his sophomore season.

Tyrone Crawford, Defensive Tackle
The young tackle out-performed Henry Melton in almost every way. Although he only recorded 3 sacks in 2014, defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli was impressed with his high motor, constantly being able to apply pressure to the quarterback on plays. Crawford will definitely see a bigger workload in 2015.

[Driveshaft815]

Around The League - 2014 In Review

League Standings

NFL Standings - Updated: Feb 2, 2015
NFC EAST	W	L	T
Dallas Cowboys	13	3
Washington Redskins	8	8
Philadelphia Eagles	8	8
New York Giants	5	11
NFC NORTH	W	L	T
Green Bay Packers	13	3
Minnesota Vikings	9	7
Detroit Lions	6	10
Chicago Bears	2	14
NFC SOUTH	W	L	T
New Orleans Saints	12	4
Atlanta Falcons	11	5
Carolina Panthers	8	8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	2	14
NFC WEST	W	L	T
San Francisco 49ers	13	3
Seattle Seahawks	9	7
Arizona Cardinals	8	8
St. Louis Rams	3	13
AFC EAST	W	L	T
Buffalo Bills	12	4
New England Patriots	11	5
Miami Dolphins	10	6
New York Jets	8	8
AFC NORTH	W	L	T
Baltimore Ravens	11	5
Cincinnati Bengals	10	6
Cleveland Browns	6	10
Pittsburgh Steelers	4	12
AFC SOUTH	W	L	T
Jacksonville Jaguars	9	7
Tennessee Titans	8	7	1
Indianapolis Colts	5	10	1
Houston Texans	5	11
AFC WEST	W	L	T
Denver Broncos	10	6
San Diego Chargers	8	8
Kansas City Chiefs	8	8
Oakland Raiders	0	16

League Leaders

NFL League Leaders - Updated: Feb 2, 2015
QB - Yards		QBY	RB - Yards		RBY
	1. Drew Brees	5,150		1. Adrian Peterson	1,863
	2. Tony Romo	4,716		2. Marshawn Lynch	1,569
	3. Peyton Manning	4,622		3. Eddie Lacy	1,346
	4. Aaron Rodgers	4,469		4. Alfred Morris	1,144
	5. Matt Ryan	4,388		5. Jamaal Charles	1,130
RB - Touchdowns		RBTD	WR - Yards		WRY
	1. Adrian Peterson	14		1. Steve Smith Sr.	1,736
	2. Marshawn Lynch	14		2. Dez Bryant	1,572
	3. James Starks	12		3. Calvin Johnson	1,551
	4. Ryan Matthews	12		4. Andre Johnson	1,389
	5. Dexter McCluster	11		5. Josh Gordon	1,346
WR - Touchdowns		WRTD	DEF - Tackles		TAK
	1. Steve Smith Sr.	15		1. Mason Foster	167
	2. Dez Bryant	14		2. Daryl Washington	160
	3. Calvin Johnson	11		3. Koa Misi	157
	4. Stevie Johnson	11		4. Mychael Kendricks	154
	5. Randall Cobb	11		5. Lawrence Timmons	154
DEF - Sacks		SCK	DEF - Interceptions		INT
	1. Ryan Kerrigan	17		1. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie	9
	2. Terrell Suggs	14		2. Barry Church	8
	3. J.J. Watt	12		3. Tramaine Brocks	8
	4. Paul Kruger	11		4. Hussain Abdullah	8
	5. Carlos Dunlap	11		5. Leon Hall	8

League Awards
NFL MVP: Tony Romo, Quarterback (DAL)
Coach of the Year: Jason Garrett (DAL)

AFC Awards
OPOY: Peyton Manning, Quarterback (DEN)
DPOY: Kiko Alonso, Linebacker (BUF)
OROY: Blake Bortles, Quarterback (JAC)
DROY: C.J. Mosley, Defensive Back (BAL)

NFC Awards
OPOY: Tony Romo, Quarterback (DAL)
DPOY: Daryl Washington, Linebacker (ARI)
OROY: Teddy Bridgewater, Quarterback (MIN)
DROY: Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, Defensive Back (GB)

[Driveshaft815]

BREAKING NEWS
Cowboys, Dez Bryant come to terms


The Dallas Cowboys' star receiver just got paid! After a monster season in 2014, Jerry Jones and Jason Garrett weren't going to let their offensive playmaker test free agency. Dez Bryant and the Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms: a 6 year deal worth $105 million.

Rumors had begun to circulate of the Cowboys' wanting to use the franchise tag on Dez this year, to save cap space... but Jason Garrett made Dez a priority, and made sure the receiver got paid.

[Driveshaft815]

BREAKING NEWS
DeMarco parts way with Dallas

It's been officially announced by the Dallas Cowboys, that the team will part ways with running back DeMarco Murray. High expectations were held for the young running back in 2014, and while he was stellar when healthy, the problem was being able to remain healthy. DeMarco, despite missing half of the 2014 season with injuries, as well as most of the post-season, still put up a team-high 817 yards.

"DeMarco definitely deserves to be paid like a top-tier back," said Jason Garrett in a press conference on Monday afternoon, "but we had to be realistic, and what we could offer was nowhere in the ballpark range of what Murray was looking for... we wish DeMarco the best of luck wherever he lands..." continued Garrett.

[djp73]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-nxdzgQH8U

[Driveshaft815]

Quote: Originally Posted by djp73

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-nxdzgQH8U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwEihRd7fKA

[djp73]

Quote: Originally Posted by Driveshaft815

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwEihRd7fKA