Speed Kills
Bigger, faster, younger, stronger... All things every team strives for in the National Football League. The Cowboys know this more than most teams as evidenced by their enviable collection of Super Bowl rings.
According to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys are placing a huge emphasis on their return game this season with the additions of running back Felix Jones and corner back Mike Jenkins. Both players figure to see plenty of action on Special Teams this season as the team looks to boost the speed of their kick and punt returns.
In pre-draft workouts, each of the team's top draft picks ran an impressive 4.3 in the 40. Watkins also reminds us that the last time the Cowboys had a player lead the conference in either kickoff or punt returns was 1998, when Deion Sanders led the NFC with a 15.6-yard average on punt returns.
Special Teams coach, Bruce Read says, "Anytime you can be explosive in the return game, it helps everything. The closer the offense starts that drive to the goal line, the better chance they have of scoring."
Last season, Miles Austin and Terence Newman handled most of the return duties and although they weren't exactly ineffective, they certainly showed that there was plenty of room for improvement.
I believe the Cowboys have made great strides in adding an explosiveness to the return team that has been lacking in recent years. Whether or not it can be as dominating as in the days of Deion Sanders, remains to be seen. But, all indications are that we will be bigger, younger, stronger, and faster than last season, and as the old adage goes... Speed Kills!
Comments
I so can't wait too see Mike and Felix retun kicks and taking it too the house. Don't forget about Pacman if he gets reinstated another return man and we all know he can take it the house as well. Too all the 2008 opponents and the Cowboys haters look out the boys are back. Superbowl bound baby Cowboys 4-life!!!
Posted by: John | June 1, 2008 2:17 PM