2012 Two-A-Days: Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

To help pass the time between now and the start of the 2012 NFL season I am going to be giving a look to two teams a day. I will give you their impact players on offense and defense, a breakout, and the biggest question as they open training camp.

Offense
QB - Tony Romo
RB - DeMarco Murray
TE - Jason Witten
WR - Miles Austin
WR - Dez Bryant

Defense
DT - Jay Ratliff
OLB - Anthony Spencer
ILB - Dan Connor (acquired in free agency)
ILB - Sean Lee
OLB - DeMarcus Ware

Dez Bryant WR

Breakout: Dez Bryant - While the criminal acts this off-season definitely put a damper on Bryant's upcoming make or break season, I still believe the former Okie State Cowboy will put on his big boy Cowboy boots this season and emerge as one of the best receivers in the game. Bryant is too big, too fast and too skilled to not earn a trip to Hawaii this year.

Training Camp Question: Behind a talented front seven, which is led by All-World stand-up defensive end DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys secondary needs to improve. After allowing 244 passing yards per game to opponents last year the corners and safeties needs to bottle up Vick, Manning, Griffin and the rest of the NFC much better if they are going to compete.

Last year's record: 8-8

Projected finish: 8-8 (Third in the NFC East)

Offense
QB - Peyton Manning (acquired in free agency)
RB - Willis McGahee
TE - Jacob Tamme (acquired in free agency)
WR - Eric Decker
WR - Demaryius Thomas

Defense
DE - Elvis Dumervil
DT - Justin Bannan (acquired in free agency)
OLB - Von Miller
OLB - D.J. Williams
CB - Champ Bailey

Peyton Manning QB

Breakout: Ronnie Hillman - While Willis McGahee will probably hold onto the starting gig, Hillman should pick up snaps as the season goes along. Peyton Manning loves his check down options and not only is the rookie a solid pass catcher, but Hillman's speed makes him a home run threat every time he touches the ball.

Training Camp Question: All eyes are on Peyton Manning during his first camp in Colorado, but they really should watching the skill players put around him. Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas both showed flashes last year (and that was with Tim Tebow, who wins, but cannot throw a football). If Manning is 75 percent of the QB he once was and Decker and Thomas can take another step forward, the AFC should be on the lookout.

Last year's record: 8-8

Projected finish: 10-6 (Second in the AFC West)


**Check back tomorrow for the Lions and Packers**