Another month, and then it truly begins for real - Dallas Cowboys Forum

erod · 12-05-2012

So we've got another four weeks of football, and at least we're in the discussion. Not because the Cowboys are playing well, mind you, but because the NFC East is the worst division in the NFL.

If we're being honest, not a one of us would be surprised if the Cowboys went 0-4 to finish this season. Doesn't mean they will, just means that our expectations are low and our trust has been mightily strained. But this is the NFL, where greatness no longer reigns, and every game comes down to a field goal. The Cowboys could stumble into a division title. Who knows?

Regardless, my focus is on 2013. Has been since August.

This is the most important upcoming offseason in a long, long time. A lot of good and important things have happened. The roster has gotten younger overall, and key players are now here. However, there are still fatal flaws to mend with a smart spring of decision making.

Some of that task can be filed under "duh". Surely, even Jerry understands to rebuild the offensive line before he does a thing. Re-up on Romo. Restructure or dump unproductive contracts. Create salary cap space for about 2-3 key free agents and the draft picks.

The good news is, we no longer need 10-12 players to get this thing to respectability. The team is respectable, just functionally challenged because of the offensive line.

But there are some serious unknowns out there that cloud the picture.

Will Dez behave this offseason? Is Sean Payton seriously interested? Is Rob Ryan the useless blowhard it appears, or is it all because of the injuries? Is Garrett seasoned enough now to truly instill and guide the right culture and discipline we hoped he would? Are Austin, Murray, Ratliff, and Church ever going to be healthy? Is Ware starting a steep decline, and would the 4-3 greatly benefit him? What to do with Spencer after a good season?

So it's not as simple as just rebuilding an offensive line. RIGHT decisions must be made across this roster.

This next month will be fun, and I hope they make the playoffs. But doing so changes nothing as far as the central questions about this team. I seriously hope Jerry is truly as "realistic" as he claimed to be Sunday, and I fear an accidental playoff appearance will send him into yet another fantasy bender. Still, it is not within my DNA to root for anything but wins, and besides, you don't need a top ten pick to draft the best center in college football.

It's always depressing to me when football season ends. But I've been waiting for the kickoff to 2013 since long before the start of this season. "Next year" really is the no-excuses time for the Cowboys to contend if the right decisions are made. Lack of talent shouldn't be the issue anymore.

I'm ready to get on with it.

Cajuncowboy · 12-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by erod

So we've got another four weeks of football, and at least we're in the discussion. Not because the Cowboys are playing well, mind you, but because the NFC East is the worst division in the NFL.

If we're being honest, not a one of us would be surprised if the Cowboys went 0-4 to finish this season. Doesn't mean they will, just means that our expectations are low and our trust has been mightily strained. But this is the NFL, where greatness no longer reigns, and every game comes down to a field goal. The Cowboys could stumble into a division title. Who knows?

Regardless, my focus is on 2013. Has been since August.

This is the most important upcoming offseason in a long, long time. A lot of good and important things have happened. The roster has gotten younger overall, and key players are now here. However, there are still fatal flaws to mend with a smart spring of decision making.

[View Full Quote]

So you gave up on this team in training camp? Wow! That's new.

erod · 12-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajuncowboy

So you gave up on this team in training camp? Wow! That's new.

I just recognize that, without a good offensive line, you can't win consistently unless you have a hellaciously good defense. Football 101.

Romo can't win every game by himself. See what a running game did for him last week? He only threw 27 passes, and he was brilliant.

But that was the hapless Eagles. They've got to be able to run like that against good teams, not just 3-9 teams.

Build an o-line, then watch this thing get a LOT better instantaneously.

ufcrules1 · 12-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajuncowboy

So you gave up on this team in training camp? Wow! That's new.

He is a homer who is slowly being forced into being a realist. Your time will come too.

erod · 12-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by ufcrules1

He is a homer who is slowly being forced into being a realist. Your time will come too.

No, I said (and wrote) this all spring and summer long, again and again. I thought 2012 was a year early. I liked the offseasons in general the past two years, but I thought another was needed to get this team in real contention.

Sometimes things come earlier than expected (like 1991), but usually they don't. I hoped like everyone it would, but I've thought 2013 would be the target for a long time.

anj113 · 12-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by erod

So we've got another four weeks of football, and at least we're in the discussion. Not because the Cowboys are playing well, mind you, but because the NFC East is the worst division in the NFL.

If we're being honest, not a one of us would be surprised if the Cowboys went 0-4 to finish this season. Doesn't mean they will, just means that our expectations are low and our trust has been mightily strained. But this is the NFL, where greatness no longer reigns, and every game comes down to a field goal. The Cowboys could stumble into a division title. Who knows?

Regardless, my focus is on 2013. Has been since August.

This is the most important upcoming offseason in a long, long time. A lot of good and important things have happened. The roster has gotten younger overall, and key players are now here. However, there are still fatal flaws to mend with a smart spring of decision making.

[View Full Quote]

I hear this every year this team misses the playoffs.. This offseason is the most imortant.. NOTHING changes.. this team stills tinks... Please tell em what will be different this offseason? Tell me... AS long as the same people and the philosphy stays the same NOTHING will change with this team

DandyDon1722 · 12-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by anj113

I hear this every year this team misses the playoffs.. This offseason is the most imortant.. NOTHING changes.. this team stills tinks... Please tell em what will be different this offseason? Tell me... AS long as the same people and the philosphy stays the same NOTHING will change with this team

Not so fast. I know what you're saying and I agree to a certain extent but the gut wrenching way the secondary played last year led to big changes and for the better i might add.

Now, the next four weeks are going to provide another gut wrench, this time with the offensive line and I believe the team will address that.

Jerry is emotional and as this month unfolds he is going have a bitter pill to swallow and he isn't getting any younger. No doubt we will address some things that need to be fixed.

Where I absolutely agree with you that things don't get better is some of the contracts that are given to unproductive players. That's still a killer.

Fletch · 12-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by anj113

I hear this every year this team misses the playoffs.. This offseason is the most imortant.. NOTHING changes.. this team stills tinks... Please tell em what will be different this offseason? Tell me... AS long as the same people and the philosphy stays the same NOTHING will change with this team

So just quit watching and posting in here all together. I just don't understand the self-proclaimed "realists". If it bugs you so, then stop.

Doomsday101 · 12-05-2012

In another month? FA does not start until March, the draft is not until April. Mean time there is a season underway. I think I will focus on that for now and worry about FA in March.

TTexasTT · 12-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fletch

So just quit watching and posting in here all together. I just don't understand the self-proclaimed "realists". If it bugs you so, then stop.

Yeah I was wondering this myself. If the "realist" community knows we are going to lose "book it" why do they still showing posting regurgitating the same garbage day after day? If you give, for gods sake, be a man of your word and give the hell up. There is no reason to be miserable when you can just move on.

burmafrd · 12-05-2012

Brutal fact is that even if we somehow make it to the playoffs we will get worked once there. Simply too many holes between injuries and stupid GM decisions to get past that this year.

Now if Jerruh has FINALLY seen the light on the O line (miracles do occasionally happen in the offseason) and we get that mostly fixed this offseason we really will be without a SERIOUS Defect on this team.

Not saying we will be strong everywhere but at least competent everywhere.

Fix the Oline.

ufcrules1 · 12-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doomsday101

In another month? FA does not start until March, the draft is not until April. Mean time there is a season underway. I think I will focus on that for now and worry about FA in March.

I bet you start thinking about FA before March. We could get mathamatically eliminated pretty quickly. If that happens, there will be no reason to think about our current season anymore. We will all be talking about FA and the draft.

Zordon · 12-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by burmafrd

Brutal fact is that even if we somehow make it to the playoffs we will get worked once there. Simply too many holes between injuries and stupid GM decisions to get past that this year.

Now if Jerruh has FINALLY seen the light on the O line (miracles do occasionally happen in the offseason) and we get that mostly fixed this offseason we really will be without a SERIOUS Defect on this team.

Not saying we will be strong everywhere but at least competent everywhere.

Fix the Oline.

i dont agree. if this team makes the playoffs that would mean they would have won the rest of their games and have some serious mojo going into the playoffs. i cant see a scenario where this team is good enough to flip a switch and win 4 or 5 of the final regular season games and then get whooped by gb, nyg, or the bears. none of those teams scare me w/ the exception of probably the giants.

Doomsday101 · 12-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by ufcrules1

I bet you start thinking about FA before March. We could get mathamatically eliminated pretty quickly. If that happens, there will be no reason to think about our current season anymore. We will all be talking about FA and the draft.

I'm sure I will look to FA after the season is done but even at that we don't know what players will be allowed to hit FA market or not. Until the season is over with there is not much to think about unless you like to pretend of who may be out there and which guys will get resigned, franchise tagged or allowed to shop the FA market.

As for the draft again until the season is done we don't know exactly where we will pick or what players will declare for the draft outside of Sr.

burmafrd · 12-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zordon

i dont agree. if this team makes the playoffs that would mean they would have won the rest of their games and have some serious mojo going into the playoffs. i cant see a scenario where this team is good enough to flip a switch and win 4 or 5 of the final regular season games and then get whooped by gb, nyg, or the bears. none of those teams scare me w/ the exception of probably the giants.

in some ways it might be bad to make the playoffs since that gives Jerruh ANOTHER excuse to do less in the offseason for the O line