Over the next few weeks, “Shutdown Corner” will pay homage to “Office Space” (TPS reports) as we take a quick look back at each team’s 2012 season and a look at what lies ahead for the 2013 offseason. We now head to the NFC and begin in the NFC East and the Dallas Cowboys. 2012 record : 8-8 What went wrong : After a 3-5 start to the season, the Cowboys won five of six games and were on the cusp of making the playoffs before suffering back-to-back losses to the New Orleans Saints and Washington Redskins that dashed their playoff hopes. Dallas’ running game was a problem as No. 1 running back DeMarco Murray missed six games in the middle of the season due to a foot injury. The Cowboys had 50 yards or less on the ground in seven of their 16 games and averaged 79.1 rushing yards per game, which ranked 31st in the NFL last season. The Cowboys offense was 20th in the red zone and 27th in goal-to-go situations, resulting in them tying for the league lead in field goals. The Cowboys lost inside linebacker Sean Lee, the heart and soul of the unit, to a toe injury midway through the season and ranked 19th in total defense and were 23rd according to Football Outsiders’ opponent-adjusted defensive DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) metric. For a team that spent big money on Brandon Carr (five-year, $50.1 million) and moved up in the first round to select LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne, the Cowboys recorded just seven interceptions on the season. Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware had a team-high 11.5 sacks and was named to his seventh Pro Bowl, but the usually dominant pass-rusher was slowed late in the season by a shoulder injury that required surgery after the season. What went right : Perhaps the best aspect of the Cowboys’ 2012 season was the development of Dez Bryant into a legitimate No. 1 receiver. Dogged by questions about his maturity continued into training camp as owner Jerry Jones created a set of rules for the 2010 first-round pick to follow in order to remain a Cowboy. Bryant may always push the envelope with his decision-making away from the field, but 2012 was his statement season between the white lines. Bryant caught 92 passes and led the Cowboys with 1,382 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns, scoring 10 of his touchdowns during a seven-game stretch in the second half of the season. Tight end Jason Witten set an NFL single-season record for receptions by a tight end (110) and went over 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth time in his career. Witten was named to his eighth Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro. Aiding the great seasons by Bryant and Witten was quarterback Tony Romo, who completed 65.6 percent of 648 pass attempts for 4,903 yards with 28 touchdowns, though “Bad Romo” did toss 19 interceptions. Romo ranked sixth in Football Outsiders’ DYAR metric. Coaching/front office changes : The Cowboys made several coaching changes this offseason. The most notable move was to part ways with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and hiring the legendary Monte Kiffin to run the defense. Joining Kiffin is Rod Marinelli, one of the best defensive line coaches in the business, who will aide in the Cowboys’ transition to a 4-3 defense. Head coach Jason Garrett replaced special teams coach Joe DeCamillis with Rich Bisaccia. Estimated 2013 cap space : $20.19 million over their adjusted cap number
The rest is here:
‘Shutdown Corner’ offseason TPS report: Dallas Cowboys (Shutdown Corner)
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