ESPN (Graziano): You're looking at the Cowboys all wrong

[ethiostar]

Good article. This is largely the reason why I think Garrett will be back next year. That and also he is only 1/3 of the way through his second full season as a HC (didn't have an off season in his first full season). I believe what he is doing is trying to build something from the ground up, and while I believe they want to contend this year, I believe they have their eyes set a couple of years down the road.

But there's a bigger picture here, and it's one that keeps getting missed as Cowboys fans wail and gnash their teeth about every single loss (and even some of the wins). These Cowboys are a work in progress -- a team and a staff and a roster that is piecing itself together and building something it hopes can be sustainable well into the future. You may not want to hear it, and you may not be able to believe it about the Cowboys, but they are in a rebuilding phase right now and much more likely to be a playoff contender in 2013 than this year. So as disappointed as Cowboys fans are about the loss, the penalties, the late-game clock management and everything and everybody else you want to blame, that bigger picture really needs to be the one on which the conversation about the 2012 Cowboys centers.


http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/44344/youre-looking-at-the-cowboys-all-wrong

[DallasDW00ds0n]

The reality is that this team needs to be probably seriously considered for the "blowing up" process after 2013

[RS12]

Jerry probably will bring him back, just like Wade after 44-7. It will be the wrong move again. The work in progress thing for the last 16 years is a little stale.

[Oh_Canada]

He's right...this team just isn't quite there yet...not sure if JG is the guy to lead them though. Guess we'll have to see how both he and the team improves over the year if they do at all.

[BoysFan4ever]

Jerry probably will bring him back, just like Wade after 44-7. It will be the wrong move again. The work in progress thing for the last 16 years is a little stale.

You're so right. How many years can they be a "work in progress?"

[ethiostar]

The reality is that this team needs to be probably seriously considered for the "blowing up" process after 2013

I think they've been doing that and I'm sure they will keep reloading/upgrading several positions going forward. However, I don't see them "blowing up" this team more than they already have.

21: Number of Cowboys on the 2012 roster who were there at the end of the 2010 season.

[ethiostar]

Jerry probably will bring him back, just like Wade after 44-7. It will be the wrong move again. The work in progress thing for the last 16 years is a little stale.

You're probably right. However, I see what is going on right now, in regards to overhauling the team, as a much more substantial effort than what they've done in the past, which amounted to nothing more than "band aid" solutions.

[RS12]

You're probably right. However, I see what is going on right now, in regards to overhauling the team, as a much more substantial effort than what they've done in the past, which amounted to nothing more than "band aid" solutions.

All Jerry has is bandaid solutions when it comes to football ops. The major surgery that needs doing is a Jerry removal.

[ethiostar]

All Jerry has is bandaid solutions when it comes to football ops. The major surgery that needs doing is a Jerry removal.

True, but we both now that ain't happening.

It may prove to be superficial but It seems like Garrett has more influence and control over the team than most, if not all, of the coaches since Jimmy.

[Mattsdad]

Im sure Jerry will forego 2 #1 picks again for a placekicker next year that can always hit a 51 yarder :)

Looking back.....this GM did that move not once, but twice, and severely damaged this organization.

[StylisticS]

Only thing I will say is that we have drafted considerably better the last couple years. The organization just needs to put that effort addressing the trenches this offseason. I like the corners, the skill players, and the linebackers. The lines need some TLC in 2013 no matter what happens the rest of 2012.

[Yakuza Rich]

I can understand the work in progress thing, but...where's the progress?

I think Sunday's running game is a mirage. The Ravens got steamrolled by a KC running game. We still see the same silly mistakes and still see the same lack of mental and physical toughness. And we cannot force turnovers on defense. When we relied on the defense to make stops, the Ravens marched right down and score a TD on cue.

All that and we have to remember that Romo is getting up there in age. Next week he could get hit hard enough and no longer be a top tier QB. And then it will be another 'work in progress' and how we are 'looking at the Cowboys all wrong.'







YR

[blackbull]

Good article. This is largely the reason why I think Garrett will be back next year. That and also he is only 1/3 of the way through his second full season as a HC (didn't have an off season in his first full season). I believe what he is doing is trying to build something from the ground up, and while I believe they want to contend this year, I believe they have their eyes set a couple of years down the road.




http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/44344/youre-looking-at-the-cowboys-all-wrong


Sick of reading this trash. Couple years down the road? Romp won't even be here. Lol disgusting apologist bs

[blackbull]

I can understand the work in progress thing, but...where's the progress?

I think Sunday's running game is a mirage. The Ravens got steamrolled by a KC running game. We still see the same silly mistakes and still see the same lack of mental and physical toughness. And we cannot force turnovers on defense. When we relied on the defense to make stops, the Ravens marched right down and score a TD on cue.

All that and we have to remember that Romo is getting up there in age. Next week he could get hit hard enough and no longer be a top tier QB. And then it will be another 'work in progress' and how we are 'looking at the Cowboys all wrong.'







YR


Great post. Love how it's assumed Romo will be elite in two years. 1 playoff win in what will be 9 years and all we'll get is (were building).

[burmafrd]

when you neglect the trenches you get what you deserve which is what we have.

And Red Ball was there for half of 2010 and the whole offseason and EVERYONE knew he was going to be the new HC. So he has had more time then some want to admit; that and he has been here since 2007 so he KNEW the roster.

That no offseason for 2011 is a pathetic excuse. I notice Harbaugh certainly did not seem to suffer

[blackbull]

when you neglect the trenches you get what you deserve which is what we have.

And Red Ball was there for half of 2010 and the whole offseason and EVERYONE knew he was going to be the new HC. So he has had more time then some want to admit; that and he has been here since 2007 so he KNEW the roster.

That no offseason for 2011 is a pathetic excuse. I notice Harbaugh certainly did not seem to suffer

People giving Garrett excuses are the same ones trashing Jerry, that's what's funny. He has the rest of the year to be the difference in our meetings with ny,Washington and Philly. Can someone show our avg ppg vs those 3 last year? If he's been here since 07 why were we held to 7 points in a division game???????I dare a Garrett apologist answer that.

[RS12]

People giving Garrett excuses are the same ones trashing Jerry, that's what's funny. He has the rest of the year to be the difference in our meetings with ny,Washington and Philly. Can someone show our avg ppg vs those 3 last year? If he's been here since 07 why were we held to 7 points in a division game???????I dare a Garrett apologist answer that.

process....mumble...progress....mumble...but but give hime 4 years...mumble

[garrett316]

That's all well and good. The problem is the franchise QB (they dont grow on trees) and the dominant pass rusher are now on the wrong side of 30. So by the time the GM, Head Coach, or whoever figures out the rest of the pieces to the puzzle - 2 of the most important players could be well past their prime.

[Future]

Rebuilding? What a crock. Most of the core of this team is over 30 and garrett doesnt give guys like hannah or beasley a chance to do anything so we dont know what we have in them. Plus, when you rebuild, you have to get back to fundamentals, have a coach that understands game management, and improve on the mental part of the game. This team loses because it beats itself. The idea that this team is rebuilding being an excuse for losses just entirely lets the players and coaching staff off the hook.

A talent rebuild would make sense if they were coming out focused, playing hard, and just getting beat. But thats not whats happening. In three of 5 games, we never showed up. In another, we shot ourselves in the foot. Those are not the signs of a team thats rebuilding

[bsheeern]

I see 2 big time themes from that video.
They ate up Brooking and James that game with McCoy.
Bennett........ Oh boy......

31 points off of old LB's and Bennedict Arnold TE.

[SilverStarCowboy]

when you neglect the trenches you get what you deserve which is what we have.

And Red Ball was there for half of 2010 and the whole offseason and EVERYONE knew he was going to be the new HC. So he has had more time then some want to admit; that and he has been here since 2007 so he KNEW the roster.

That no offseason for 2011 is a pathetic excuse. I notice Harbaugh certainly did not seem to suffer


Yeh by the time Jerry gives Garrett another 5 years Witten, Romo and Ware will be gone, what's going to be the excuse then.


It's all smelling like BS again.

[blackbull]

I see 2 big time themes from that video.
They ate up Brooking and James that game with McCoy.
Bennett........ Oh boy......

31 points off of old LB's and Bennedict Arnold TE.

If Rob flops again he's gone also, but I have a feeling the d will show up in division games this year. Will Garrett's offense?

[newlander]

Yeh by the time Jerry gives Garrett another 5 years Witten, Romo and Ware will be gone, what's going to be the excuse then.


It's all smelling like BS again.





...........when did it STOP smelling like BS? This enabling/apologist garbage has been spewed for years now......at least 15 I can think of. Ridiculous.

[Hoofbite]

Rebuilding phase?

Any time you have a legit QB you should be in the competing phase.

And if we're gonna call this a rebuilding phase they're only rebuilding because piss poor management depleted the roster during Wades years, years that Garrett was heavily involved.

[wileedog]

Any time you have a legit QB you should be in the competing phase..

Especially a 32 year old one.

And don't look now but Ware just hit 30 too.

[casmith07]

Graziano actually wrote a piece of literature worth reading and not wiping my buttocks with!?

[Risen Star]

Wait....so we're rebuilding by spending 50 million and 1st and 2nd round picks on a couple of cornerbacks?

This is what teams do when in rebuilding mode?

Nonsense.

[punchnjudy]

Also not buying the rebuilding angle.

If we step back and think how excited we were for the future when Romo burst on the scene...and then look at the last four years...safe to say we would have all been majorly disappointed to know how the future turned out.

[Zman5]

Again, you don't franchise a player like Spencer if you are in a rebuilding mode.

Complete BS.

[cajuncocoa]

Jerry's still going to be the owner next year, and the year after that, and the one after that too.

Until that changes, nothing else will.

[Bigdog]

Although I believe in Garret and he will turn this around, there is one thing that keeps coming up in my mind. The 49ers turn there team around in a one year with a new coach and they are off to a great start. The NFL is not what can you do for me in the future but what can you do for me now kind of league.

[ConstantReboot]

Garrett is not head coach quality. I know Jerry isn't going to get rid of him and thats okay. But he should seriously just give the playcalling duties to someone else. Garrett cannot handle it.

Another thing about Garrett is that he doesn't have a feel for the game. He seems lost on what to do with a challenge flag and how to call plays or make proper adjustments. If there is one thing right now that can majorly change the complex of this team, is to replace Garrett with an experienced playcaller like Callahan.

[Fredd]

Garrtt is in over his head, plain and simple

* no discipline
* no play-calling
* out-coached in virtually every game
* zero clock management (isn't that why Callahan was brought in?)

I am tired of the bs regarding this team

this is year 2 of the 3 year plan, so if they go out and bolster the lines for year 3, then we could have a very good team in 2013...the problem is that we likely still have this pos head coach and will certainly have our meddling owner...