NFL
NFC East: Dallas Cowboys preview

Keyshawn Johnson

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive Most read articles Most e-mailed articles

Other links Cowboys schedule

Predicted order of finish in the NFC East: Second

Coach: Bill Parcells, second season (10-6), 17th season overall (148-106-1).

2003: 10-6 (second in NFC East). Lost to Carolina 29-10 in NFC wild-card playoff.

Key additions: RB Eddie George, QB Drew Henson, WR Keyshawn Johnson, RB Julius Jones, OT Jacob Rogers, QB Vinny Testaverde, WR Dedric Ward, DE Marcellus Wiley.

Key losses: QB Quincy Carter, CB Mario Edwards, DE Ebenezer Ekuban, WR Joey Galloway, RB Troy Hambrick, OL Ryan Young.

Pre-snap read: These are beginning to look like the Dallas Jets. This offseason, Parcells brought in Testaverde, Johnson and Ward — who join FB Richie Anderson for a reunion of former Jets. Six years ago, Testaverde and Johnson were Pro Bowl players as Parcells' Jets went 12-4. Parcells is counting on them to step in as his newest team's top QB and WR. Testaverde replaces Carter, who was cut just a few days after camp started. Johnson was traded for Galloway and will team with WRs Terry Glenn (another two-time Parcells player) and Antonio Bryant. Testaverde, who turns 41 in November, will have to stay healthy, or Dallas will likely have to rely on first-year player Henson, the former baseball prospect who was obtained in a trade with Houston this year. The Cowboys also added George, the Tennessee Titans' career rushing leader. He will help Jones, the team's second-round pick, ease into the role of featured back. Parcells and offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon will have to hope their venerable QB and RB can hold up and provide enough points for Mike Zimmer's defense, which was ranked No. 1 last season.

What to expect: The Cowboys will run the ball and try to keep defenses off Testaverde. Parcells can probably milk enough from the offense to help the defense compete for a playoff spot. But the Cowboys are likely to come up short this season.

The line on the line: Other than LT Flozell Adams, this unit is likely to be a work in progress. The right side could be especially troublesome for a team that averaged just 3.9 yards per rush in 2003. Grade: C+

Offensive leaders
Pos.	Player	2003 statistics
QB	Vinny Testaverde	1,385 yds, 7 TD, 2 INT
RB	Eddie George	1,031 yds, 3.3 avg, 5 TD
WR	Terry Glenn	52 rec, 754 yds, 5 TD
WR	Keyshawn Johnson	45 rec, 600 yds, 3 TD
TE	Jason Witten	35 rec, 347 yds, 1 TD

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

E-mail this article

Print this article

Search archive

More Seahawks headlines...