If a sports talk radio station was discussing the NFL on Wednesday, they were certainly talking about the Cowboys and Giants season opener.
If you wanted to know what a bunch of experts were saying about the Cowboys but didn't want to deal with listening to any other topics, you're in luck.
Here is a compilation of thoughts from former Cowboys fullback Daryl Johnston, former Indianapolis Colts general manager Bill Polian, Hall of Fame defensive back Rod Woodson and former Baltimore Ravens head coach Brian Billick.
Johnston, who joined The Dan Patrick Show on Fox Sports Radio, on his expectations for the Cowboys this season:
"I think there's a couple of things that makes me believe they're going to have a good year. No. 1, they've had the entire off-season with (strength coach) Mike Woicik. … I think the extra time in Rob Ryan's system, this season, learning the subtleties of it. And I think Rob even scaled it back a little bit. Defensively, they'll be better and that's really the most important thing.
"When you look at what happened to Dallas last year, a lot of people want to fault Tony Romo and the offense, but they played very well last year. It was the defense that didn't hold up their end of the bargain. I have good expectations for Dallas this season."
Polian, who joined Mike & Mike in the Morning on ESPN Radio, on if the Giants are the better team entering Wednesday night's game:
"I think it's close. But the loss of Witten – if that's the case – will be a huge (factor). … That loss to me is critical for the Cowboys because he's the glue that holds that passing game together. They've got talent, no question about that. Tony Romo is a good quarterback. … He's a darn good quarterback. They didn't win last year because they didn't have a secondary."
Billick, who joined The Herd on ESPN Radio, on Romo:
"I like Romo as a QB. I think he has a unique way of making plays beyond the design of the offense. He pushes the envelope sometimes. Any great quarterback, the longevity comes from the ability to make that decision, make that throw that when you stop the film before it leaves his hand, you as a fan and even I as a coach would go, 'Boy, you can't make that throw.' And he throws it and makes it happen."
Woodson, who also joined The Heard, on his expectations for the Cowboys:
"They have the talent. They've always had the talent. Talent does not win in the National Football League. I think that's what everybody needs to realize. On paper is great, but until it starts to come to fruition on the football field on a weekly basis you don't ever win a championship.
"They've had situations where they've had opportunities to win close games and they didn't do so. Last year, it was more so because of the defense. … They upgraded their secondary, that's great. But they still have to make the plays when they're called upon to make those plays. Until that happens, I don't think you can put them as a front-runner to dethrone the Giants as the Super Bowl champs."
Woodson's take on Romo:
"He's an awesome quarterback, but I think the downside to Tony is when the big plays need to happen late in the year, they really haven't happened for him and the football team. And that's the downside. That's the only downside really for Tony Romo."
Follow Jon Machota on Twitter: @jonmachota
