Dallas Cowboys

Franchise Mode Strategy Overall Team Rating: 81 Offense: 83 Defense: 81 Offensive Scheme: Vertical Offense Defensive Scheme: Tampa 2 Strengths: LT, WR, ROLB Weaknesses: FB, LG, RE 2015 Team Rankings 4th NFC East (4-12-0) Passing Offense: 27th Rushing Offense: 9th Passing Defense: 5th Rushing Defense: 22nd 2015 Team Leaders Passing: Matt Cassel: 1,276 Rushing: Darren McFadden 1,089 Receiving: Jason Witten: 713 Tackles: Barry Church: 117 Sacks: Demarcus Lawrence: 8 INTS: Jeff Heath: 2 Key Additions CB Isiah Frey LT Brya Witzmann MLB Brandon Hepburn Key Rookies HB Ezekiel Elliot  QB Dak Prescott Coach Jason Garrett Level: 12 Offensive Scheme: Vertical Offense Defensive Scheme: Tampa 2

Offensive Scouting Report

• QB Tony Romo is back and very well known as a consistent player. He puts this team in the hunt every season. While his speed may be slowing down a bit, he’s smarter and more elusive against the rush, which allows him to keep plays alive.
• HB Darren McFadden had a decent season last year, but now with Ezekiel Elliot on the team, there are two consistent backs to do the work. The Cowboys’ offensive line is still strong and will help both players excel.
• WR Dez Bryant has consistently proven that he’s 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. Continue to develop 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’ defense finally has an identity, which was evident last season. Greg Hardy, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Randy Gregory should cause some havoc for the 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. Rolando McClain appears to be around for a bit longer, so take advantage of this; 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 to 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.

• Ezekiel Elliott is a very elusive HB with the ability to find the gaps and dodge any oncoming traffic.
• He is quick and has a high Juke Move rating, which gives you the power to break free. The only challenge is getting out in the open before this becomes really effective.

• Escobar has the size and agility to take control of the field and dominate any of the back line if covered.
• Escobar may not have the best speed, but being able to catch in traffic will offset this downside.

Offensive Depth Chart

Defensive Depth Chart

Special Teams

Best Offensive Plays

best RUN: Singleback Ace Close – HB Stretch

Running Plays

best PASS: Pistol Bunch – Corner Strike

passing Plays

Best Defensive Plays

Best RUN D: 4-3 Over Plus – Cover 4

Run Defense

Best PASS D: Dollar 3-2-6 Cover 4 QB Contain

Pass Defense