{Numbers in braces are Approximate Value, other stats are labeled as appropriate.}
This was a good team throughout Year I, and possibly a great team with Russell Wilson at QB. The offense has a variety of weapons, from Emmitt Smith to The Three Amigos trio of wideouts (Dez Bryant, Michael Irvin, and Steve Largent) and the defense boasts great talent top to bottom. The Fog should be a playoff contender and, should they avoid key injuries, could even threaten for a championship in Year II.
Key Additions: LB Will Compton {3} from BEI; OL Bobby Maples {4} from TOK.
Key Departures: QB Tony Romo {5}; OL Travis Frederick {3}; DE Michael Bennett {3}.
#Year I Leaders
Passing: Russell Wilson: 2115 yards, 25 TDs.
Rushing: Emmitt Smith: 1419 yards, 13 TDs.
Receiving: Dez Bryant: 79 receptions, 1172 yards, 13 TDs.
Blocking: Walter Jones: 31 big holes.
Pressuring: DeMarcus Ware: 7 sacks; Cortez Kennedy and Too Tall Jones: 17 hurries.
Tackling: Bobby Wagner: 106 tackles; Too Tall Jones: 12 stuffs.
Defending: Richard Sherman: 5 interceptions; Earl Thomas: 14 deflections.
AV: W. Jones {13}, D. Bryant {12}, E. Thomas {12}, Z. Martin {12}, R. Sherman {11}, E. Smith {11}, E. Jones {11}, R. Wilson {10}.
#Year I Award Winners
All-League: Earl Thomas.
All-Pro’s: Dez Bryant, Walter Jones, Zack Martin, Richard Sherman, Emmitt Smith.
Offensive Player of the Week: Russell Wilson
Defensive Player of the Week: Bobby Wagner (x2), Jacob Green
#QB
London made one of the biggest choices of the offseason, jettisoning Year I’s initial starter Tony Romo {5} in favor of Russell Wilson. It wasn’t a very hard choice: it wasn’t that Romo was that bad, it’s that Wilson was truly spectacular, compiling a QB rating over 130 in his 8ish games. He attempted 66 fewer passes than Romo, but threw for over 300 more yards, 18 more TDs, and 1 fewer interception while rushing for 125 more yards. So, for Year II, he’s the man.
There are only question marks behind Wilson, with WFL unknown Troy Aikman and seldom used Year I third-stringer Roger Staubach waiting in the wings if Wilson’s injury woes return.
#RB / WR / TE
Emmitt Smith was one of the better RBs in the league, and both DeMarco Murray {3} and Marshawn Lynch {1} performed fine when called upon. This should continue to be a strength for the Fog, as should their WR situation with the return of Dez Bryant, Michael Irvin {7}, and Steve Largent {9}. Percy Harvin {2} returns as the long threat, and the team is high on Paul Skansi as a possession receiver off the bench.
The quality of the wideouts resulted in fewer touches for the TEs, but both Zach Miller {4} and Jason Witten {1} impressed and also return.
#OL
Walter Jones and Zack Martin were fantastic, and Mackenzy Bernadeau {7} was surprisingly good. The questions are if Russell Okung {4} can improve on a mediocre Year I and if offseason acquisition Bobby Maples {4} can anchor the line at C. There is more depth at T in Tyron Smith {5} and Rayfield Wright than elsewhere, so Maples has some pressure on him.
#DL
There was great depth here for London, but also a fair number of injuries. When healthy, the front four of Too Tall Jones, Jacob Green {7}, Kevin Williams {7}, and Cortez Kennedy {6} was fantastic, and Bob Lilly {3} stepped in at DT without sacrificing an ounce of quality. All five of those players return, with Cliff Avril {1} being asked to step up the depth chart due to the departure of Michael Bennett {3}.
#LB
Bobby Wagner {6} played 11 weeks as one of, if not the, dominant LB in the league. But that means he missed 6 games with injuries. DeMarcus Ware {7} was dominant on one side of Wagner, but Year II opens with question marks at the other side, where Beijing’s Will Compton was expected to start. However, a coaching decision to move Compton inside had buried him on the depth chart behind Wagner and Dat Nguyen {3}. With both Anthony Spencer {1} and Chuck Howley {3} having left the club, the other starting OLB position will go to Hollywood Henderson, but look for Bruce Scholtz to pressure him for playing time if he falters.
#DB
A strong secondary returns largely intact, led by CB’s Richard Sherman and Mel Renfro {6} alongside S’s Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor {4}, with support from Brandon Carr {4} and Sterling Moore {3}.
#ST
Dan Bailey {2} and Jon Ryan {1} are back as the kickers, and Harvin will return kickoffs while newcomer Glenn Presnell will handle the punt return duties.