Random thoughts on where we go from here

[Woods]

1. Anyone want to guess our roster turnover between this year and next year? I'd guess around 25-28%, which assumes about 7 new players via FA and 7 draft picks/UDFA.

2. Gurode was playing o.k. until the last few games, and his inconsistency once again came to the forefront. I don't think BP is going to "trust" Gurode going into 2005. Personally, I hope we get a decent Guard in FA and we also move Tucker inside. I think Gurode is gone after this season.

3. Is Rogers finally going to get on the field? I'm hoping so vs. Washington.

4. We need to cut D. Ward and give Crayton and Copper the additional playing time. Ward, like EG, isn't going to be around in 2005.

5. I think S. Ryan can turn out to be a fine blocking TE. Many were questioning this draft pick, but I think in 2005 when Campbell gets healthy, we should have 3 tough TEs who will play football the way the NFC East used to be played.

6. It's amazing that an 8-8 or 9-7 record can get you in the playoffs now-a-days. If we can improve our OL (Guard pick-up in FA), get a QB who can limit mistakes, and add a few defensive players, there's no reason why we can't make the playoffs next year.

7. My gut says that we're going to draft DL and LB with our 1st two picks. I think we pick up a Safety and two DL in FA.

8. BP has to get Romo and Henson on the field the final 2 games of the season. At this stage, BP knows what type of team he has, and it isn't a good one. BP was right to fight for wins after Thanksgiving, but this team isn't going anywhere this offseason.

IF BP truly believes there is better than average possibility that either Henson or Romo starts in 2005, if I were BP, I'd want to take a look asap.

[Sarge]

6. It's amazing that an 8-8 or 9-7 record can get you in the playoffs now-a-days. .

I think this has a LOT to do w/the way BP has handled this team.

Getting into the playoffs 'ain't what it use to be.'

Perhaps we are 'this close' to getting into the playoffs. I can guarantee you, come playoff time, we aren't 'this close' to beating the liks of NE, INDY, Pitt etc.

[Woods]

I think this has a LOT to do w/the way BP has handled this team.

Getting into the playoffs 'ain't what it use to be.'

Perhaps we are 'this close' to getting into the playoffs. I can guarantee you, come playoff time, we aren't 'this close' to beating the liks of NE, INDY, Pitt etc.

For sure.

Baby steps, I suppose.

[Kittymama]

What's interesting is the comments the announcers made before the game, & what BP said during Cowboys Huddle. The announcers were saying the players talked about how Parcells had distanced himself from the team this week. On Cowboys Huddle, he was very upbeat but said that now that he's had 2 years to evaluate players, he's seen the ones he thinks will step it up & continue to improve & the ones who won't. The performance of the defense yesterday may show us that some players all of a sudden realize they're playing for their jobs now & get it. Certainly Ellis has earned a spot on next year's roster, Newman seems to have moved forward (we'll see if it continues), & a few others. Reading the various articles today about Ellis, we may also have seen a new locker-room leader emerge on defense. I think next week's game will be really critical--do they build on yesterday's performance or slump again (like they did with the Saints after coming off the Seahawks game)? Since we're realistically not playing for a playoff spot any longer, it will at least be interesting to see what players "cut themselves" as opposed to the ones who will show they really want to be with the team.

[BrAinPaiNt]

I think this has a LOT to do w/the way BP has handled this team.

Getting into the playoffs 'ain't what it use to be.'

Perhaps we are 'this close' to getting into the playoffs. I can guarantee you, come playoff time, we aren't 'this close' to beating the liks of NE, INDY, Pitt etc.
Hmm...good for us we would never play those teams in the playoff.:D

[jterrell]

I think this has a LOT to do w/the way BP has handled this team.

Getting into the playoffs 'ain't what it use to be.'

Perhaps we are 'this close' to getting into the playoffs. I can guarantee you, come playoff time, we aren't 'this close' to beating the liks of NE, INDY, Pitt etc.
Ya know as bad as Dallas has sucked this year we had every chance to beat Philly on the road and Pitt at home. I do think we are closer than we can comprehend given how bad we suck but the league is just sad right now.

[Woods]

What's interesting is the comments the announcers made before the game, & what BP said during Cowboys Huddle. The announcers were saying the players talked about how Parcells had distanced himself from the team this week. On Cowboys Huddle, he was very upbeat but said that now that he's had 2 years to evaluate players, he's seen the ones he thinks will step it up & continue to improve & the ones who won't. The performance of the defense yesterday may show us that some players all of a sudden realize they're playing for their jobs now & get it. Certainly Ellis has earned a spot on next year's roster, Newman seems to have moved forward (we'll see if it continues), & a few others. Reading the various articles today about Ellis, we may also have seen a new locker-room leader emerge on defense. I think next week's game will be really critical--do they build on yesterday's performance or slump again (like they did with the Saints after coming off the Seahawks game)? Since we're realistically not playing for a playoff spot any longer, it will at least be interesting to see what players "cut themselves" as opposed to the ones who will show they really want to be with the team.

The players I would keep on defense would include,

Ellis
Glover
L. Carson - as a rotation guy (not a starter)

Dat Nguyen

T Newman
RW

Of course, I'd probably keep guys like B. James to see if he can develop further, as well as several of the young LBs for depth (like Shanle, Thornton), Frazer as a nickel, and Hunter as a back-up.

But we could definitely use 2 starters on the DL, at least 1 new starter at LB, a new starter at Safety and at CB as well. That's quite a bit to ask for, I suppose!

BUT, if we were to end up using our 2 first rounders on defense, we could easily pick up 3-4 starters via FA next year.

[AdamJT13]

6. It's amazing that an 8-8 or 9-7 record can get you in the playoffs now-a-days.
It's very possible that AT LEAST one 7-9 team will make the playoffs -- Seattle could even win the West at 7-9. The Seahawks (who are 3-7 in their past 10 games) face Arizona and Atlanta, the Cardinals face Seattle and Tampa Bay, and the Rams face Philadelphia and the Jets. If the Seahawks and Rams lose out, and the Cardinals lose to Tampa Bay, Seattle will win the division at 7-9. And unless either Carolina, New Orleans or St. Louis wins out, one 7-9 team will get a wild card.

[Duane]

It's very possible that AT LEAST one 7-9 team will make the playoffs -- Seattle could even win the West at 7-9. The Seahawks (who are 3-7 in their past 10 games) face Arizona and Atlanta, the Cardinals face Seattle and Tampa Bay, and the Rams face Philadelphia and the Jets. If the Seahawks and Rams lose out, and the Cardinals lose to Tampa Bay, Seattle will win the division at 7-9. And unless either Carolina, New Orleans or St. Louis wins out, one 7-9 team will get a wild card.
How sad would it be for a sub .500 team to win a division and make the playoffs? Just goes to show how watered down the league has become.