Are you really that shocked by our 3-5 record?

[mr.jameswoods]

8 of our 10 wins last year came against teams that were below .500 That same year, 3 of our 6 losses came against teams that were below .500 which included Atlanta (even with Michael Vick missing), Tampa Bay and New Orleans.

Our greatest win last year came against the Eagles. But we played them at home when both their starting cornerbacks were injured and McNabb was in a funk. After the Eagles addressed these problems, they spanked us later in the season. No, they didn't beat us. It wasn't even a game. They spanked us as if our first win was an utter fluke.

The truth is we were lucky to finish 10-6 last year. We had an easy schedule and we proved we could only defeat really lousy teams. When it came to real competition last year, we struggled.

Of our 5 losses this season, only one of those has come against a team below .500 (the Bengals). This year is just a continuation of last year. We are still losing to teams with winning records. Like last year, we are still showing that we can't beat winning teams in general. We are still showing that we can only defeat weak teams. None of the teams we have beaten this year are above .500. Go figure

And let's be honest, how much was our team improved in the offseason. Mario Edwards was better than Pete Hunter. Julius Jones, even if healthy, would have likely struggled early on because he is a rookie and is learning the ropes. Keyshawn Johnson is better than Joey Galloway but how much better is he? Keyshawn is better in short routes but Galloway was better going deep. I like Vinny better than Quincy but Vinny isn't the Vinny of 1998 so how much of a true upgrade is that?

The reality is that it's likey that with everyone healthy, we may still have the same record we have now. I'm disappointed but I'm not suprised

[Eddie]

I'm surprised at our 3-5 record. I think 4-4 is probably where we should be.

We had a chance but blew it. The fumble against the Steelers was big.

Seems like the team is rolling downhill. It's gonna be hard to stop the downward momentum.

I am surprised that our D went from #1 to #25.

I'm also surprised how we have absolutely NO running game.

[Midswat]

I'm disappointed and suprised.

I thought we would contend for the division this year.

[Midswat]

I am surprised that our D went from #1 to #25.


I'm not, because our "D" was all smoke and mirrors last year.

We still didn't get turnovers or sacks. And we had very little big plays.

And whenever we played a good team, they had no problem moving the ball on us.

[Everlastingxxx]

I am disappointed and surprised we stink this bad. I hear about injuries spin, but every team has injuries. Cowboys played great last year at home...other than the Miami game. The second Eagle game it was still close at halftime.

This season we should have won against the Giants, Pittsburgh and Bengals. All these excuses about injuries don't sit well with me. We still should have played better than 20 something to 3 (forgot the score on purpose) against the Bengals.

To say this year is a carry over from last year is incorrect. That team was much better and played with emotion, this team ... is dead. Hopefully they can come alive in the spotlight this monday.

[Bach]

Shocked?

Yeah, I'm surprised.

I thought we'd be about 5-3 right now.

We had the Steelers game in the bag and fumbled it away. The Giants game was very winnable, but we fumbled before halftime. Failed to recover a fumble on the 2nd half KO. Stupidly went for it on 4th down early 4th quarter. Also, did anyone expect a 26-3 drubbing to the Bengals.

This team should easily be 5-3 right now. 3-5 is ridiculous.

[mr.jameswoods]

The truth is this season would look more like last season if we played more teams that were below a .500. None of you can keep ignoring the fact that 8 of our 10 wins (80% of our wins) came against teams below. 500

And the fact that we actually lost 3 games to teams below .500 tells me all I need to know.

[Bach]

The truth is this season would look more like last season if we played more teams that were below a .500. None of you can keep ignoring the fact that 8 of our 10 wins (80% of our wins) came against teams below. 500

And the fact that we actually lost 3 games to teams below .500 tells me all I need to know.

No offense, but that contradicts itself.

Last year we went 10-6 - in large part you say (and rightfully so) because we played sub .500 teams. You say this year would look more like last year if we played more sub .500 teams. Then you close by saying we've lost to 3 below .500 teams. So therefore playing losing teams won't make us be more like last years team. This years team is far worse.

[dbair1967]

8 of our 10 wins last year came against teams that were below .500 That same year, 3 of our 6 losses came against teams that were below .500 which included Atlanta (even with Michael Vick missing), Tampa Bay and New Orleans.

Our greatest win last year came against the Eagles. But we played them at home when both their starting cornerbacks were injured and McNabb was in a funk. After the Eagles addressed these problems, they spanked us later in the season. No, they didn't beat us. It wasn't even a game. They spanked us as if our first win was an utter fluke.

The truth is we were lucky to finish 10-6 last year. We had an easy schedule and we proved we could only defeat really lousy teams. When it came to real competition last year, we struggled.

Of our 5 losses this season, only one of those has come against a team below .500 (the Bengals). This year is just a continuation of last year. We are still losing to teams with winning records. Like last year, we are still showing that we can't beat winning teams in general. We are still showing that we can only defeat weak teams. None of the teams we have beaten this year are above .500. Go figure

And let's be honest, how much was our team improved in the offseason. Mario Edwards was better than Pete Hunter. Julius Jones, even if healthy, would have likely struggled early on because he is a rookie and is learning the ropes. Keyshawn Johnson is better than Joey Galloway but how much better is he? Keyshawn is better in short routes but Galloway was better going deep. I like Vinny better than Quincy but Vinny isn't the Vinny of 1998 so how much of a true upgrade is that?

The reality is that it's likey that with everyone healthy, we may still have the same record we have now. I'm disappointed but I'm not suprised

yeah I am surpruised, but moreso than the record is how poor the defense has played and the inability to run the football with any consistency...to me, those two things are more shocking than the record itself, and had either or both been up to par with what we though we'd get, we wouldnt be 3-5, and we certainly wouldnt be seeing the likes of the 26-3 to the lowly Bengals

David

[DandyDon]

I really think we could have a better record right now - hang with me - if it weren't for some key injuries. But, with that being said, ALL teams have key injuries to deal with, so I guess - as Bill says - WE ARE WHAT WE ARE. But we should get better with time, right?

[mr.jameswoods]

No offense, but that contradicts itself.

Last year we went 10-6 - in large part you say (and rightfully so) because we played sub .500 teams. You say this year would look more like last year if we played more sub .500 teams. Then you close by saying we've lost to 3 below .500 teams. So therefore playing losing teams won't make us be more like last years team. This years team is far worse.

No, it doesn't contradict itself. It just shows the vast majority of our wins came against losing teams but that we were still capable of falling to losing teams last season. That's supposedly how "good" we were last season.

[AdamJT13]

And whenever we played a good team, they had no problem moving the ball on us.

The Patriots did.

[mr.jameswoods]

Also, if you check out our losses last season, they were atrocious. We were not competitive in any of them with the exception of the loss to New Orleans. We were shut out by Tampa Bay and New England. We lost to Miami by 19 points. We lost to the Eagles by 26 points. We lost to the Falcons by 14 points.

[davey]

Not really surprised.

I thought 6-10 or 7-9 at best. Of course when I stated this before the season I was laughed at or accused of not being a real fan.

The Boys didn't really improve this off season, but teams in our division did.

[LaTunaNostra]

yah, I'm shocked

but then I was working off the dictionary definition of "upgrade"

[Everlastingxxx]

Also, if you check out our losses last season, they were atrocious. We were not competitive in any of them with the exception of the loss to New Orleans. We were shut out by Tampa Bay and New England. We lost to Miami by 19 points. We lost to the Eagles by 26 points. We lost to the Falcons by 14 points.

Come on, this team hasnt played well on the road since the 90's. Other than Miami, we "were" very good at home.

[mr.jameswoods]

Come on, this team hasnt played well on the road since the 90's. Other than Miami, we "were" very good at home.

We lost to the Falcons at home by 14 points last season. We beat the Giants, Jets, Lions and Redskins all on the road last season. We don't have trouble winning on the road as long as we play weak teams.

[DipChit]

Well we could've been better..but we're not. And I'm not terribly surprised. Look at the last 8 games we played last year.. what was our record? 3-5.

Had we *started* that way and finished 5-1 ish last year then my expectations would've been higher. Every single thing went our way last year. Scheduling, lack of injuries etc.

About the only shock I've had so far was indeed losing this last game and how we were never even competitive. We'd been very consistent under Parcells up until that game. Beat the crappy/wounded offensive teams and lose to the polished ones (regardless of our "No.1" D last year). Give or take a game or 2 like the OB KO by the Giants in the 1st meeting last year or the fluke fumble against Pitt this year.

[Everlastingxxx]

We lost to the Falcons at home by 14 points last season. We beat teams on the road like the NY Jets, Detroit and Washing the difference is they were below .500

I understand your point and i agree we generally beat bad teams and lost to better teams last season. But this season we are losing to better AND bad teams!

[mr.jameswoods]

Well we could've been better..but we're not. And I'm not terribly surprised. Look at the last 8 games we played last year.. what was our record? 3-5.

Had we *started* that way and finished 5-1 ish last year then my expectations would've been higher. Every single thing went our way last year. Scheduling, lack of injuries etc.

About the only shock I've had so far was indeed losing this last game and how we were never even competitive. We'd been very consistent under Parcells up until that game. Beat the crappy/wounded offensive teams and lose to the polished ones (regardless of our "No.1" D last year). Give or take a game or 2 like the OB KO by the Giants in the 1st meeting last year or the fluke fumble against Pitt this year.


Good post. I'm not blind. It's obvious we were winning games like the Steelers and Giants games. Yes, you could argue we should have won those games. But the fact that we lost them doesn't suprise me either. Our team is still in a rebuilding process. The 10-6 record disguised that notion.

[Sarge]

I'm not at all surprised we are struggling because the very few offseason moves we made are proving to be awful.

Eddie George? Are you serious?

V. Testaverde? Where we going there?

CB a major - MAJOR weakness last year - whatta we do? NOTHING.

M. Wiley? - major disappointment (at least we tried though).

Too early to judge our draft - but it doesn't look promising at this point.

I've said it many times - the spiral started this offseason.

This team IMO/FWIW is so far off from TRULY being competitive it's not funny.

Need DT, DE, CB, perhaps RB, WR, QB, and the list gets longer.

You top all of this off with some very questionable playcalling by Parcells and 3-5 is what you get. It's what is deserved.

I am not at all surprised and I expect our actual pick to be right there with Buffalos'.

[mr.jameswoods]

I understand your point and i agree we generally beat bad teams and lost to better teams last season. But this season we are losing to better AND bad teams!

Of the 5 teams we lost to, 4 of those losses came against teams who are .500 or higher. The Vikings, Giants and Steelers all have winning records. Green Bay is at .500 with a 4-4 record. Cincinnatti (spelling) is the only team we lost to that is below .500 this year.

[Everlastingxxx]

Of the 5 teams we lost to, 4 of those losses came against teams who are .500 or higher. Cincinnatti (spelling) is the only team we lost to that is below .500 this year.

Flawed stat...had we won those games, 4 of those teams wouldn't be over .500

Hey but you know, maybe our expectations were too high this year.

[DipChit]

Well yeah JW, we stole one against the Giants that first time around last year.. the other team scores like 32 on you but you win anyway even though you only scored 1 Offensive TD. Oh sure, we play the Giants in our house later in the year and win comfortably with Palmer at the helm for them.

But they're still a more talented team than we are and once they went back to an experienced QB that we couldnt really touch or rattle, the game this year was much more like the first game against them last year than the 2nd.

And yeah the Steelers game was winnable but how could one be surprised that we lost (other than the way we lost). Again thats a team thats doing some fine things on offense this year.

[mr.jameswoods]

Flawed stat...had we won those games, 4 of those teams wouldn't be over .500

Hey but you know, maybe our expectations were too high this year.

Look at the teams we beat thus far, Redskins, Browns and Lions. Not one of them has a winning record. Detroit is .500.

Truth is we are a rebuilding team who got lucky with an easy schedule and some inspired play. I think it would be tough to make the playoffs next season let alone this season even if we were to assume everyone was healthy and we added Abraham at DE. We lack depth in every phase of the game and some of our starters are too old.

[joseephuss]

Also, if you check out our losses last season, they were atrocious. We were not competitive in any of them with the exception of the loss to New Orleans. We were shut out by Tampa Bay and New England. We lost to Miami by 19 points. We lost to the Eagles by 26 points. We lost to the Falcons by 14 points.

The defense played very well against both Tampa and New England last season and kept Dallas in those games. The offense did nothing in either game especially the run offense.

Dallas was pounding the ball against the Eagles up in Philly, but could not get touchdowns early. I thought the play calling stunk in that game. When the running was going well they didn't call any play action passes. Blowing early opportunities to score will always come back and haunt a team. It happened against the Vikings this year on the first two drives and against the Bengals on the drive that ended in Vinny's poor attempt to convert 4th and 1.

The defense has not been as good this year as last and it is not because everyone has figured it out. Everyone always knew that Dallas did not provide much of a pass rush unless they blitzed. That wasn't a secret, it is just worse this season. Wiley is much worse than a bad Ekuban. I was glad Ek got the boot, but expected more from Wiley. To make matters worse, Coleman and Ogbogu are worse, too. They both played better last year coming off the bench.

The nose tackle has also been very sucky this year. It is a non-factor position. Blade and Carson played well last season and slowed down the run and occasionally provided a push into the pocket to limit where the QB could go. So far Carson has done nothing. Eaton was also bad.

The loss of Woodson also hurts. He is better in pass coverage than Dixon and Scott. I am not saying he is great in pass coverage, but he is better than what is out there. The big difference is his run support. He was a sure tackler and had great instincts. Dixon and Scott don't bring any of that to the game. When you can slow down a teams running game, then it gives you more freedom to defend the pass. Dallas is not getting help from their strong safety with that.

Add in poorer play from Coakley and Singleton this year and the defense isn't as good. There was no reason to expect all these positions to be worse, but that is the way things are going.

I am actually least worried about the position hit hardest by injury and that being right corner. Edwards was a good cover two corner, but not much else. Poor in run support and sucked at manning up. Frazier looks like he can play. I wish Hunter would not have gotten hurt so a true evaluation could finally be made. Fix all the other problems on defense and the corner has less to worry about and will look better.

[Duane]

I am a little shocked because I had my blinders on after last season. I thought that with another year of Parcells coaching and Ekuban and Hambrick gone we'd be as good or better. Turns out that Wiley has been a down grade and JJ's early injury has made us depend on a washed up EJ.

Now with Glenn and Campbell gone we're an even worse offensive team than we were last year.

Looking back on it I should have probably been more realistic. Still doesn't make the team's poor play look any better.

[mr.jameswoods]

The defense played very well against both Tampa and New England last season and kept Dallas in those games. The offense did nothing in either game especially the run offense.

Dallas was pounding the ball against the Eagles up in Philly, but could not get touchdowns early. I thought the play calling stunk in that game. When the running was going well they didn't call any play action passes. Blowing early opportunities to score will always come back and haunt a team. It happened against the Vikings this year on the first two drives and against the Bengals on the drive that ended in Vinny's poor attempt to convert 4th and 1.

The defense has not been as good this year as last and it is not because everyone has figured it out. Everyone always knew that Dallas did not provide much of a pass rush unless they blitzed. That wasn't a secret, it is just worse this season. Wiley is much worse than a bad Ekuban. I was glad Ek got the boot, but expected more from Wiley. To make matters worse, Coleman and Ogbogu are worse, too. They both played better last year coming off the bench.

The nose tackle has also been very sucky this year. It is a non-factor position. Blade and Carson played well last season and slowed down the run and occasionally provided a push into the pocket to limit where the QB could go. So far Carson has done nothing. Eaton was also bad.

The loss of Woodson also hurts. He is better in pass coverage than Dixon and Scott. I am not saying he is great in pass coverage, but he is better than what is out there. The big difference is his run support. He was a sure tackler and had great instincts. Dixon and Scott don't bring any of that to the game. When you can slow down a teams running game, then it gives you more freedom to defend the pass. Dallas is not getting help from their strong safety with that.

Add in poorer play from Coakley and Singleton this year and the defense isn't as good. There was no reason to expect all these positions to be worse, but that is the way things are going.

I am actually least worried about the position hit hardest by injury and that being right corner. Edwards was a good cover two corner, but not much else. Poor in run support and sucked at manning up. Frazier looks like he can play. I wish Hunter would not have gotten hurt so a true evaluation could finally be made. Fix all the other problems on defense and the corner has less to worry about and will look better.



The defense was good early last season because teams respected our corners in those blitz schemes. If you recall, we didn't blitz in the Giants game and they scored 32 points on us. Fans were calling for Zimmer's head so he decided to get aggressive and blitz like there is no tomorrow. That scheme worked for a while. We would bring up the safeties and use man coverage. When we blitized, QB's respected Newman and Edwards and wouldn't just throw on them. this includes New England and Tampa Bay. Teams didn't realize Newman didn't know how to use his hands and turn around for the ball; they just saw that he could keep up with receivers. They didn't realize that Mario Edwards was a lot slower than he looked despite his having good instincts. If you watch the trend of last season, teams stopped respecting Newman and Edwards and it paid off. Soon, we had to play Cover 2 at times which meant our safeties couldn't be set free to blitz. That killed our team since we couldn't generate a pass rush with the front 4. Ekuban was terrible last year regardless if he is playing better with the Browns.

[joseephuss]

The defense was good early last season because teams respected our corners in those blitz schemes. If you recall, we didn't blitz in the Giants game and they scored 32 points on us. Fans were calling for Zimmer's head so he decided to get aggressive and blitz like there is no tomorrow. That scheme worked for a while. We would bring up the safeties and use man coverage. When we blitized, QB's respected Newman and Edwards and wouldn't just throw on them. this includes New England and Tampa Bay. Teams didn't realize Newman didn't know how to use his hands and turn around for the ball; they just saw that he could keep up with receivers. They didn't realize that Mario Edwards was a lot slower than he looked despite his having good instincts. If you watch the trend of last season, teams stopped respecting Newman and Edwards and it paid off. Soon, we had to play Cover 2 at times which meant our safeties couldn't be set free to blitz. That killed our team since we couldn't generate a pass rush with the front 4. Ekuban was terrible last year regardless if he is playing better with the Browns.


I thought Ekuban sucked as a pass rusher and still does. I didn't realize how much he helped in stopping the run until now. Wiley has 9 tackles on the season. Every time Coleman and Ogbogu go in the game, teams run outside with ease. Find anyone to at least contain the run on the right side and this team gets better. Find someone that can pressure the QB from the right and this team gets immensely better.

[Bababooey]

Im shocked at the direction this team is heading and the progress or lack thereof that the team has made.

Being 3-5 would be palatable if we we're atleast moving in the right direction with young players on a learning curve.

[DoomsDayD]

If i had just woken up out of a coma i would have been shocked to find that the cowboys are 3-5 and going no where. But since i am of sound mind i can honestly believe my eyes when i open the paper and find them at the bottom. If you watch any of there games you will honestly admit it is no real surpise what there record is. I am surprised at one thing...the way they are losing and the lack of heart and guts.

[joseephuss]

Im shocked at the direction this team is heading and the progress or lack thereof that the team has made.

Being 3-5 would be palatable if we we're atleast moving in the right direction with young players on a learning curve.

You got that right.

[Charles]

I am surprised many fans are surprised that the Cowboys have played poorly this year.

Haven't we all been watching the same National Football League for the past 7 to 8 years. The Jake Delhomme lead Panthers are 1-7 and the San Diego Charges are going into the bye week with a 6-3 record. :eek:

[TruBlueCowboy]

We may not have been the elite of the league last year but let's stop putting down last year's team like they were nothing. We beat the NFC Champions and we played great ball against the AFC Champions and might have actually won that game if we had some offense. Parcells essentially kept the defense because of how well they played last year and tried to fix the offense without putting us in cap jeopardy. It didn't work, the defense isn't as good this year and the offensive tweeks weren't enough to get us over the hump. Sh!t happens sometimes. :o

[Kangaroo]

I said in the offseason if we have to rely on Vinny and EG we will not make the playoffs. I figured we come out the gate with the Schedule 5-3 or 4-4 and fade down the stretch.

When JJ got hurt I was well maybe we can surive to 4-4 or 5-3 and with the way EG was running yet we stick with him and Vinny I am not suprised we are 5-3 but I did not expect the defense to drop to 25 in the league. I knew they would drop with the rule change and the need for pass rush but I figured we dropn to middle of the pack :mad:

I hate when I am right on things that are bad I rather eat 500 plates of crow and have Vinny and EG getting us to 5-3. I just do not see how we can turn it around with the old guys running the ship

[Sarge]

. I just do not see how we can turn it around with the old guys running the ship

Which is exactly why I have been scratching my head since we picked up those dinosaurs.

[Bluefin]

We may not have been the elite of the league last year but let's stop putting down last year's team like they were nothing. We beat the NFC Champions and we played great ball against the AFC Champions and might have actually won that game if we had some offense.
The regular season win over the Panthers was a good example of what happens when you get a pretty complete game from your team these days in the NFL.

Every facet contributed.

Bradie James opened the game by forcing a fumble on the kickoff which Jason Witten recovered. Dallas settled for a field goal when a touchdown pass to Dan Campbell was broken up due to a free lancing Antonio Bryant running his corner into the play.

Still, the tempo was set.

A few series later, special teams again showed up when Derek Ross returned a kickoff 37 yards to set the Cowboys up on the 49 yard line. A Carter to Galloway touchdown soon followed.

With the game tied 10-10 in the third quarter, Roy Williams intercepted a deflected pass and set the offense up on the 11 yard line. Carter to Robinson, touchdown.

The Panthers again tied things up.

The Cowboys drove 63 yards for another touchdown, one where Big Bill dipped into his bag of tricks.

The running game was the only thing silent in this contest, but it showed up when things mattered.

Richie Anderson pitched the ball to Aveion Cason on a fullback option play in the red zone and AC scooted 16 yards for the score.

The defense held the Cats to only another field goal and the offense ran out the clock for a 24-20 victory.

That's what it takes to win, plays from your offense, defense and special teams.

Despite only 22 runs before Carter taking a knee three times, the offense was able to help win TOP with a ball control passing attack (24-44) and Dallas held the ball 8 minutes loner than Carolina.

The turnover on special teams and the defensive interception both helped the offense put points on the board.

Positive field position by the kick return team also made the offense's job easier.

We didn't see complete team games often last year and it's more of the same this year.

I just do not see how we can turn it around with the old guys running the ship
We can't.

But it isn't like Parcells envisioned having to start Vinny Testaverde all year or use Eddie George as the featured ball carrier.

It was supposed to be Quincy Carter's last year to show something and Julius Jones' first.

One was released for smoking dope and the other was injured in week two.

Parcells can't control such factors, he had to adjust on the fly.

And while I haven't been happy with his game plans or in-game decisions most weeks, the Tuna's doing the best he can shorthanded.

Hopefully, things will start to look better when Jules debuts on Turkey Day or the following game. And I'll keep my fingers crossed than Drew Henson will eventually be called upon, even if we have to wait for mathematical elimination from the playoffs, and he'll get some meaningful on field experience before next season.