Dallas Cowboys

Connected Franchise Mode Strategy CFM Team Rating: 89 Offense: 97 Defense: 85 Offensive Scheme: Balanced Defensive Scheme: Base 4-3 Strengths: QB, WR, OL, TE Weaknesses: HB, SS, FB 2014 Team Rankings 1st NFC East (12-4-0) Passing Offense: 16th Rushing Offense: 2nd Passing Defense: 26th Rushing Defense: 8th 2014 team leaders Passing: Tony Romo: 3,705 Rushing: DeMarco Murray: 1,845 Receiving: Dez Bryant: 1,320 Tackles: Barry Church: 97 Sacks: Jeremy Mincey: 6 Ints: Bruce Carter: 5 Key Additions DE Greg Hardy LB Jasper Brinkley WR A.J. Jenkins HB Darren McFadden Key Rookies CB Byron Jones LB Randy Gregory T Chaz Green Owner: Jerry Jones Legacy Score: 9,625 Coach: Jason Garrett Level: 9 Legacy Score: 250 Offensive Scheme: Balanced Defensive Scheme: Base 4-3

Offensive Scouting Report

• QB Tony Romo is an incredibly consistent player and will allow your team to be in the hunt every season. While his speed may be slowing down a bit, he is smarter and more elusive against the rush, which allows him to keep plays alive until a WR breaks open downfield.
• The Cowboys lost their feature HB from last season, DeMarco Murray, when he signed with division rival Philadelphia. The good news is the Cowboys’ offensive line is a dominant one and should help another player emerge to take the lead role .
• WR Dez Bryant has consistently proven that he is one of the top WRs in the game. Dallas goes to him in all their big moments, and he is worth whatever it takes to keep him a Cowboy for the long term. Keep developing the young stars at the TE position to help take the pressure off QB Tony Romo and eventually find a replacement for the reliable Jason Witten.

Defensive Scouting Report

• The Cowboys’ defensive front has undergone a big transformation over the last few seasons but finally has an identity. Greg Hardy, DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory should cause some havoc for opposing passers.
• LB Sean Lee is one of the best defenders in the league when healthy, so give him plenty of zone assignments and watch him have a huge season. Consider signing MLB Rolando McClain to an extension before his contract comes up; he has proven he has more than just the size required to be a star player in the league.
• CB Orlando Scandrick has been one of our favorite CBs for a long time, and the Cowboys rewarded him with a long-term deal. Continue to build around his solid man coverage. Everyone else in the secondary is on a game-to-game basis. Stick with whatever scheme and lineup works best. CB Brandon Carr has some size and can press WRs but will need help over the top.

Schedule

Key Players

• Bryant is easily one of the best WRs at winning one-on-one matchups, even though he is only 6’2”.
• Bryant has brought the Cowboys’ offense to a new level and has great chemistry with QB Tony Romo.

• Scandrick is a great man-to-man defender who should be able to stick with WRs on their cuts.
• Scandrick has decent press, but with his smaller size, don’t expect him to cover a 6’3”-plus WR without some help from time to time.

• Jones has good size and a solid combo of agility and acceleration to build around. Boost his Man Coverage rating to go with his 82 Press.
• If you want Jones to be a starter early in his career, try playing him in the flat zones on Cover 2, which will match his strength.

• Bernadeau may not have the best speed, but his acceleration should allow him to be an effective puller on runs like 0 1 Trap.
• If you don’t want to use an extra lineman in your power run scheme, consider finding a trade partner who is weak at guard. Otherwise all his strength will go to waste.

OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

SPECIAL TEAMS

Best Offensive Plays

BEST RUN: Gun Wing Deep Offset — Inside Zone

Setup:

• The Cowboys still have some great under-center run formations, like Strong Close, if you want to use the offensive line to pound the rock.
• This run tends to go outside more than you’d think — try the 0 1 Trap if you really want to attack up the middle.

Advanced Setup:

• None

Running Plays

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

BEST PASS: Gun Empty Trips Te — Four Verticals

Setup/Reads:

• Against zone coverage wait for the deep breaking route across the middle to get behind the LBs.
• This formation has some excellent man-beating concepts, so don’t feel like you need to go deep every play.
• Against the blitz, unleash the deep pass downfield if you get a one-on-one look. Otherwise, hit the flat and keep the chains moving.

Advanced Setup:

• Flat or zig the left slot WR.

Passing Plays

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

Best Defensive Plays

BEST RUN DEFENSE: 46 bear — Buzz Weak 3

Setup:

• Try spreading your defensive line to help against edge runs. The blitzing defender should get wide, but sometimes he can get lost in the shuffle of blockers.
• If your opponent has a strong offensive line to the left, consider flipping the play to protect yourself.

Player to Control:

• Any defensive lineman

Run Defense

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

BEST PASS DEFENSE: Big Dime 4-1-6 — Cov 3 Buzz Press

Setup:

• This is a great way to start the game against pass-heavy teams. Consider containing your DEs against mobile QBs.
• Dallas will likely need to blitz to get consistent pressure; adjust at halftime and call some heat if needed.
• Switch between Cov 1 Thief Press and Cov 3 consistently to throw off your opponent’s reads.

Player to Control:

• Flat zone defender on the short side of the field

Pass Defense

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ