Welcome to this week's edition of Martin's 5!
The Dallas Cowboys are currently on a five-game winning streak and are playing like one of the hottest teams in the entire NFL. Yes, our Dallas Cowboys!
They are currently on their bye week after heading to Lambeau Field and defeating the Green Bay Packers rather impressively in a difficult environment.
Now, the Cowboys might have the week off, but that doesn't mean there aren't several things still weighing on my mind. Luckily, I have the platform to share with you the random thoughts that are running through my head in regards to the Dallas Cowboys.
Below are five random things I'm wondering about this week.
One: The defense for the Dallas Cowboys has been performing better than anyone could have ever expected so far in 2016, but there is one player not living up to expectations. Tyrone Crawford has been somewhat of a disappointment this season, and that makes me wonder if the Cowboys regret signing him to a contract extension? The Cowboys signed Crawford to a five-year $45 million contract extension last year in 2015, but so far this season he hasn't really played up to expectations. Crawford was supposed to be a difference maker at the all important 3-technique, but has been moved to defensive end because rookie Maliek Collins has been outplaying him. He is being paid as one of the top defensive tackles in the league, but is nowhere near the player the Cowboys were hoping to get. He currently has just 12 tackles and two quarterback sacks. Those numbers need to improve if he plans on living up to expectations.
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Two: Thinking about Tyrone Crawford underperforming expectations, made me start thinking about who is performing above expectations. Cole Beasley is playing like one of the best wide receivers in the NFL and is one of main reasons why the Cowboys offense is one of the best units in the entire league, despite the absences of Tony Romo and Dez Bryant. I wonder if he can continue to dominate out of the slot like he has been for the first six games of the season? Beasley's best season in the NFL was in 2015 when he caught 52 passes for 536 yards and five touchdowns. As things stand right now, he has 33 receptions for 390 yards and three touchdowns. He is on pace to finish the 2016 season with 88 catches for 1,040 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Not bad for an undrafted free agent out of SMU. Right!?
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Three: The Dallas Cowboys are currently on their bye week, and that means the players get to take a step away from the game for a few days. I wonder if this will have an impact on the momentum/win streak they had after defeating the Green Bay Packers? The Cowboys are playing some of the best football we have seen from the organization in some time and we all hope that they can carry this momentum throughout the season. The slightest little thing can negatively impact a team's momentum, so it's important that the players come back with the right mindset and pick up where they left off after coming away with the victory at Lambeau Field.
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Four: It looks as if running back Darren McFadden is on track to rejoin the team and practice after being out on the Non-Football Injury list the first six weeks of the season. It's hard to envision McFadden having much of a role on the team with the way Ezekiel Elliott and even Alfred Morris has been playing this season. I wonder if the Cowboys will keep him as insurance or if they will try to find a trade partner? There seems to be several running back needy teams around the NFL and that could possibly mean we have seen the last of McFadden in a Cowboys uniform. How about a wonder within a wonder? I wonder if McFadden could end up back with the Oakland Raiders? Oakland looks like they could be a playoff contender, but they have really struggled to run the ball this year. They have a familiarity with McFadden and a reunion between the two would make for a really good storyline.
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Five: I hate to say it, but I wonder if we will see Tony Romo back on the field in 2016? I was a big advocate of reinserting Romo as a starting QB once he was fully healthy, but I can't discount what Dak Prescott has been able to accomplish during his absence. The Dallas Cowboys haven't officially announced anything yet, but it looks as if Prescott will remain the starter after the bye week against the Philadelphia Eagles. If he continues to string together wins, it will be really difficult to justify making a change a QB. Romo has yet to really practice, so it's difficult to know exactly how healthy he is. I don't think there is a quarterback controversy, but that could all change if/when Tony Romo is ready to take the field.
Is there any thing weighing on your mind regarding the Dallas Cowboys?
Please feel free to take advantage of the comment section below to share any of your thoughts or opinions.
