Cowboys 'Disrespected' in Early NFL Power Rankings?

What we think of "middle of the pack'' is ... That's fair.

Now, the Cowboys, who will be under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, have a chance to get back to where they think they belong.

Matt Eberflus will lead the defense. His key staffers so far are defensive passing game coordinator Andre Curtis, DBs coach David Overstreet, linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi, defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton.

Offensively, Schotty is putting together a staff with some names. So far ...

Klayton Adams (offensive coordinator), Lunda Wells (tight ends coach), Conor Riley (offensive line coach), Derrick Foster (running backs coach), Steve Shimko (QB coach) and Junior Adams (receivers coach) will all be tasked with getting the most out of Dak Prescott and company in 2025.

Oh, and now veteran coordinator Ken Dorsett is coming aboard as a "passing game specialist.''

With a key emphasis on running the football, the Cowboys have gone after proven coaches. Adams and Riley both have resumes that suggest they can be quality additions, particularly in the run game. Plus, Adams (who was the co-offensive coordinator at Oregon) focuses on the details of route running, which the Cowboys often blasted for last season.

And Dorsey has experience as an offensive coordinator from recent stints in Buffalo and Cleveland.

Nick Sorensen, formerly the 49ers' defensive coordinator, is the new special-teams boss, with Carlos Polk as his top aide.

All in all, that may mark the completion of the assemblage of Schottenheimer's new staff.

So, it's early, but Dallas appears to be in solid shape with Schottenheimer's staff - though as we often point out, one of the reasons fans and media say good things or bad about a coach is based on whether or not we've ever heard of him.

And then we grab some stats from his previous stop and his overall resume to support our case, one way or the other.

But we will get a much better idea of where the 18th-ranked Cowboys are once free agency begins, and we see how much the franchise really wants to help its first-time head coach.

The staff additions have been well received; now, it's time for the right players to walk through that door.