2015 NFL Preview: Cowboys look to build on solid foundation

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Dallas Cowboys

It was a catch!

Cowboys fans will go to their graves believing Dez Bryant's fourth-down non-catch late in the Cowboys' crushing playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers should have been ruled a catch.

It was a tremendously disappointing end to the season, but it shouldn't obscure a great year for a team many analysts predicted would struggle to contend for the playoffs. The Cowboys watched their running game emerge as the NFL's most unstoppable force and their defense overachieve despite free-agent departures and injuries.

And Tony Romo won a playoff game! The seeds for big things were planted. 2015 is about reaching those heights.

Highlight of 2014

It's painful to watch, but can it be anything else? Take one last look and then move on for good.

Preseason Power Ranking - #9

Vice president Stephen Jones says the Cowboys failed in their Super Bowl quest last season because they lacked pass-rushers. He's absolutely right. Well, now they have Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory in the mix. If the Cowboys hadn't subtracted the NFL's leading rusher, they would be a complete team. More...

2015 Season Outlook

Schedule | Roster

Head Coach: Jason Garrett
Off. Coordinator: Scott Linehan
Def. Coordinator: Rod Marinelli

Could 2014 have gone any better for the Cowboys' trio of coaches? Garrett saw his name removed from every hot-seat list as the Cowboys piled up wins thanks to Linehan's expertly coordinated rushing attack and Marinelli's near-miracle work with a talent-poor defense.

Full credit to the much-maligned Jerry Jones, who, as general manager, was ultimately responsible for crafting this coaching staff.

All three coaches were rewarded with new contracts in January. Garrett is back on a five-year deal, while Linehan and Marinelli signed three-year pacts.

Key Additions

• DE Greg Hardy
• RB Darren McFadden
• CB Byron Jones (1st round)
• DE Randy Gregory (2nd round)
• OT La'el Collins

Key Departures

• RB DeMarco Murray
• LB Bruce Carter
• LB Justin Durant
• DT Henry Melton
• DE George Selvie
• RT Jermey Parnell

The biggest news here is the retention of Bryant (first on the franchise tag and eventually on a five-year, $70-million contract) and the departure of Murray. The Cowboys apparently decided they could retain only one offensive star and chose the player more likely to retain long-term value.

Replacing reigning Offensive Player of the Year Murray's 392 carries and 1,845 yards rushing yards won't be easy. The job will likely be split between third-year runner Joseph Randle and free-agent acquisition Darren McFadden. The latter has failed to stay healthy for much of his career, but Cowboys ownership has been rumored to be sweet on the former Arkansas star since he entered the NFL as the fourth overall pick in 2008.

The biggest controversy here is the signing of Hardy, who was suspended for most of the 2014 season after allegations of domestic violence emerged. Hardy was initially suspended for the first 10 games of 2015, but later had the ban cut to four contests.

Collins is a potential gem. A bizarre legal situation had the highly touted offensive line prospect briefly involved in a murder investigation just as the NFL draft was being held, scaring teams off. The Cowboys snagged Collins after the draft, and after Collins was cleared, on a lucrative UDFA deal.

Bold Predictions

Jason Garrett will lose his job during the season. Many see the Cowboys as Super Bowl contenders, and nothing gets a coach fired like falling woefully short of those expectations. After a terrible start, the rumors will begin to swirl, and Jerry Jones will begin courting a high-profile replacement before Week 17. - Joe Thomson

Darren McFadden will have twice as many rushing yards as any other Cowboys back. McFadden will finally shed his injury-prone label and seize the Cowboys' starting running-back job ahead of Joseph Randle. Behind the team's beastly offensive line, McFadden will have a huge year. - David P. Woods

Darren McFadden will top 1,600 rushing yards. Darren McFadden should have an opportunity to earn the starting job if he's able to avoid the injury issues he's struggled with throughout his career, and running behind the league's most dominant line will put him in position for a massive year. 1,600 yards would blow away his previous career high of 1,157, and could stand among the league's top rushing totals for the season. - Dan Wilkins