After disappointing seasons from their defenses, the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans revamped their rosters in hopes that the makeovers can propel their teams into the playoffs.

Dallas finished 16th overall in defense last season after ranking 5th the year before. They allowed 405 points, didn't force turnovers and couldn't generate sacks. HC Bill Parcells is a 3-4 guy from way back and finally decided to install it this season. One problem is Def. Co. Mike Zimmer has never coached this system before. There will still be some 4-3 looks thrown in but Parcells is convinced this is the system to elevate the 'Boys.

To that end, he brought in NT Jason Ferguson and drafted DEs Marcus Spears and Chris Canty, and OLBs DeMarcus Ware and Kevin Burnett. This will shift former Pro Bowl DT LaRoi Glover to the bench and force DE Greg Ellis to be a 3-4 end, something he is not happy with. Spears looks like the real deal but has been sidelined with injuries. Ware had a stellar preseason and looks like a budding superstar but is still a rookie. ILB Dat Nguyen has been productive but needs protection at only 235 pounds. Fellow LB Bradie James is a big question mark in the middle. He is physical but struggles with plays run at him and has holes in his coverage ability.

Parcells addressed the gaping hole at RCB by bringing in Anthony Henry. He should be a big upgrade over a quartet of imposters that manned the position in '04. He also signed Aaron Glenn, a former player of his with the Jets. Keith Davis is a weak link at free safety.

Overall, the talent has improved but could take a while to jell. I feel that the Cowboys will be improved on defense, especially against the pass. Their playoff chances hinge on the statuesque Drew Bledsoe (an apt description for Pamela Anderson, not an NFL QB) and RB Julius Jones.

Houston ranked 23rd on defense last season and had an NFL-low 24 sacks. Their method of getting better was by keeping their 3-4 defense but replacing four starters. Their desire was to get younger and faster and they've done that. The question remains: are they better? The D-line returns intact and is an experienced group. The Texans need former Pro Bowl DE Gary Walker to return to his former form and for NT Seth Payne to stay healthy. 1st-round pick, Travis Johnson, will help keep the line fresh. The LB crew returns only one player to his position of a season ago. OLB Jason Babin had four sacks last season as a rookie but was inconsistent. Morlon Greenwood was signed to man one of the inside spots despite playing on the outside in Miami. However, he is not a physical player and lacks lower-body strength, not traits you would expect from an ILB. He will be joined by Kailee Wong, who will be playing his third position in three years. He led the team with 5 ½ sacks last year and should be a good blitzer from the inside. The wild card will be Antwan Peek, who gets his first chance to start on the outside. He has some impressive physical tools but lacks awareness and discipline. Jamie Sharper and Jay Foreman were the two leading tacklers from the past three seasons and their production must be replaced. Houston hopes the youth and athleticism of the new starters will compensate for their lack of experience.

The jettisoning of veteran talent continued in the secondary. Gone is Aaron Glenn, an original Texan, but he's 33 and has lost a step. His replacement is Philip Buchanon, the enigmatic corner from Oakland. He's 24 and loaded with confidence but problems on and off the field earned him a ticket out of the Bay area. He has been undisciplined, lacks technique and isn't physical. He did have a good camp and the Texans are happy with him. They sent a 2nd and 3rd-rounder for him, so he better deliver. In conclusion, I like the youth movement by Houston but feel they will need more than one season to put it all together. I don't see the playoffs for them this season.

NFL Selection:

Last week I hit with my Bengals -3 pick. This week I like another young team looking to make a name for itself. The Detroit Lions won their 3rd-straight season opener and looked good doing it. They didn't allow a TD to a Packer team that had scored in 77-straight games, the longest current streak in the league. QB Harrington was an efficient 15-28 for 167 yards and 2 TDs. The Bears allowed 323 total yards to a Redskin team that ranked 30th last year. RB K. Jones will be the focal point of the Lion offense. Chicago allowed RB Portis to gain 121 yards last week and must toughen up in the front seven. I like the size advantage the Lions' receivers have and believe that TE Pollard will be an underrated weapon for Harrington.

I'll take the Lions minus 2 1/2 points. If it goes over 3, buy it back to 3. Good Luck.