I know it is not cool to be optimistic.....

[jay cee]

But I am looking for the Cowboys to do much better than many are giving them credit for.

At the end of last season, I said if the Cowboys can stay relatively injury free to key starters in 2004 like they did in 2003, they would challenge for the superbowl. I still believe that.

I don't buy into the opinion that they will improve but finish with a worse record. IMO the only thing that will keep them out of the top 4 or 5 teams is major injuries to key players.

The defense should be just as good if not better with the addition of Wiley and a more experienced Roy Williams. Not to mention the nickel corner they signed last year who spent the season on injured reserve will be back.

The defensive line should be better, that may make up the difference if Hunter can't quite play as well as Edwards did. In only his 1st yr as a starter, I don't think he will be as good as Edwards, but I don't think he will be much worse.

The main problem last year was the offense. They sucked at blocking, running and passing with any serious consistency. But they still finished with a 10-6 regular season record.

Now I don't see how they won't improve at all three of those phases slightly with a healthy Larry Allen, more experienced Gurode and some talented rookies on the o-line including the center who was injured last year.

The improved o-line, along with the addition of a more talented runner in Julius Jones, should help the running game improve enough to force the defense to play more 8 men in the box formations.

IMO, a more experienced Quincy Carter can take advantage of the better passing situations, an emerging tight end in Witten and the addition of Keyshawn Johnson to provide a more consistent passing attack.

The Cowboys don't need anyone to become superstars on offense they just need more consistent play from the unit as a whole.

I think they will get it this year, unless injuries knocks out too many key players. I think they are the best coached team in the NFL, or at least 2nd best next to NE.

And that makes a huge difference IMO.

I picked them to win 9-10 games last year if they could stay healthy. This year I'm picking them to win 11-12. Unless they go out and make a major move for a Ty Law, Orlando Pace, or Kerry Collins, then I'd have to bump 'em up to 12-13.

[BrAinPaiNt]

You may indeed be dead on....I think the only thing that may make it harder for us is the fact that I believe we took some teams by surprise early last year.....later in the year they learned the game plan and took the team a tad more serious IMO.

Who knows what will happen...if everything goes well the sky is the limit...but we are talking about the O-line being great and injury free, Keyshawn really making a difference, Julius Jones having a really good rookie year, QC really improving, Antonio Bryant returning to the playmaking abilities he flashed his rookie year, Wiley making a difference in the pass rush, Hunter stepping up and making a difference or another CB doing that, our Punter (whoever it winds up being) doing a good job, the Special teams as a whole doing a better job blocking returns.

Just so many things that could either go great or bad that could sway this team either way.

[Hostile]

Just my opinion jay cee. Optimism is fine. I think we all get optimistic at times. For example on Julius Jones being an upgrade over Hambone. I've not seen anyone get all up in the air about that. Does he have his doubters? Sure.

The problem lies in some people being optimists, some being cynics and the desire of each side to shut the other side up. In my opinion, that is a bad thing. Neither side is ever going to one up the other side. Neither side is likely to change the other side's mind about anything. Yet that is exactly what many are trying to do.

I am a good debater. jterrell is a good debater. We are on opposite sides on some issues. One in particular that drives this forum. I have not seen anyone change sides or change opinions because of anything JT or I have ever said. I've never received a PM saying, "Hos, I was a big fan of Q until you showed me the light." Nor do I expect to.

It's just never going to happen jay cee. People change their minds on issues when they are ready. Not when you beat them senseless with your opinions.

Therein lies the problem at least partially.

The other part of the problem is that too many people take offense to the fact that they can't make someone else see their logic or side of the coin. I mean they get flat out angry about it. The anger has led to more and more insults being mixed in with actual football debates.

I submit unto you that both sides display this, therefore anger is not pessimism because the "optimists" are just as angry.

There are a good number of people who have cynacism as an ally. I am one of those people. Where does it come from? I suppose it exists because every dream and good wish I have ever had has not come true. Fantasyland is a Disney creation. It's fun for some people. Staying grounded is just as much fun for others.

I think it is fine to be optimistic. In many ways even the harshest cynics on this forum are optimistic. I don't think anyone on this forum who is a Cowboys fan thinks we are going backwards. Isn't that optimism on a certain level?

The differing opinions shouldn't get in the way of healthy debate. The problem is, too many people do not want healthy debate. They want to state their opinion, call it fact, and have people believe in it like the ideas are prophecy. That is true on both sides of the fence. No one side of any issue is totally right while the other is totally wrong. That just doesn't exist on any issue, and especially on football.

I am pretty sure that quite a few of the pro Quincy crowd dislike me immensely because I am outspoken on him. I am fine with that. I bet many would find it curious that some of his staunchest articulate supporters are my favorite people to read on this forum. It's called love of the debate. Some people do actually enjoy it and enjoy each other because of it.

I for one, like your optimism. Especilly the last paragraph.

[Portland Fanatic]

Originally Posted by BrAinPaiNt

You may indeed be dead on....I think the only thing that may make it harder for us is the fact that I believe we took some teams by surprise early last year.....later in the year they learned the game plan and took the team a tad more serious IMO.

Who knows what will happen...if everything goes well the sky is the limit...but we are talking about the O-line being great and injury free, Keyshawn really making a difference, Julius Jones having a really good rookie year, QC really improving, Antonio Bryant returning to the playmaking abilities he flashed his rookie year, Wiley making a difference in the pass rush, Hunter stepping up and making a difference or another CB doing that, our Punter (whoever it winds up being) doing a good job, the Special teams as a whole doing a better job blocking returns.

Just so many things that could either go great or bad that could sway this team either way.

Agree totally...one key to note is that we have everyone back on the O-line, plus a healthy Al Johnson, Jacob Rogers, and Peterman. Will they all be starting? Not sure, but if they are it's because they beat out Lehr, Vollers, Tucker, and Gurode...who I imagine will not want to give up their spots without a fight, and be even more improved with a year under their belt with BP. I personally think out O-line will be stronger then last year. LA will either be better and in better shape this year, OR it will be Peterman....don't think there is anything inbetween for LA.

Now look at the depth we have on the O-line...if someone is not stepping up...they can and may be replaced ASAP.

LT Adams, Collins, Vollers
LG LA, Peterman, maybe Tucker
C Johnson, Lehr, Din.....
RG Gurode, Peterman
RT Rogers, Vollers, Tucker

Walters and the rest....

[TruBlueCowboy]

If everyone stays healthy, I believe the Cowboys will contend for the NFC East. Key word is IF. I doubt we'll see a team that stays as healthy as last year's team. The worst thing about training camp is waiting to see which players will miss the rest of the year. I hope that new Parcells workout regimen does it's job again this year.

[Tsgt Hendricks]

Originally Posted by jay cee

But I am looking for the Cowboys to do much better than many are giving them credit for.

At the end of last season, I said if the Cowboys can stay relatively injury free to key starters in 2004 like they did in 2003, they would challenge for the superbowl. I still believe that.

I don't buy into the opinion that they will improve but finish with a worse record. IMO the only thing that will keep them out of the top 4 or 5 teams is major injuries to key players.

The defense should be just as good if not better with the addition of Wiley and a more experienced Roy Williams. Not to mention the nickel corner they signed last year who spent the season on injured reserve will be back.

The defensive line should be better, that may make up the difference if Hunter can't quite play as well as Edwards did. In only his 1st yr as a starter, I don't think he will be as good as Edwards, but I don't think he will be much worse.
[View Full Quote]
The main problem last year was the offense. They sucked at blocking, running and passing with any serious consistency. But they still finished with a 10-6 regular season record.

Now I don't see how they won't improve at all three of those phases slightly with a healthy Larry Allen, more experienced Gurode and some talented rookies on the o-line including the center who was injured last year.

The improved o-line, along with the addition of a more talented runner in Julius Jones, should help the running game improve enough to force the defense to play more 8 men in the box formations.

IMO, a more experienced Quincy Carter can take advantage of the better passing situations, an emerging tight end in Witten and the addition of Keyshawn Johnson to provide a more consistent passing attack.

The Cowboys don't need anyone to become superstars on offense they just need more consistent play from the unit as a whole.

I think they will get it this year, unless injuries knocks out too many key players. I think they are the best coached team in the NFL, or at least 2nd best next to NE.

And that makes a huge difference IMO.

I picked them to win 9-10 games last year if they could stay healthy. This year I'm picking them to win 11-12. Unless they go out and make a major move for a Ty Law, Orlando Pace, or Kerry Collins, then I'd have to bump 'em up to 12-13.

Sir, Let me say that this is a great post. I agree with you 200%.
Last season I read and heard people predict that they would go 5-11 again or worse, some gave them a 6-10 record. I felt that they would go 8-8 at the least and 9-7, of course I felt that in 2002 they would have been 8-8 the way things were going. btu when they benched Carter that set them back to a 5-11 record.

But they went 10-6 so they exceeded everyone's expectations. This season the team expects to do even better, I expect a better record and season, and a great season by QC.

[Nav22]

The line I love best is "They may be a better team, but finish with the same or worse record."

This was the EXACT SAME THING I read everywhere before last season.

While it may happen that way, who's to say that the team won't get better, and..get ready for this...have a BETTER RECORD to match this! Especially considering Parcells's track record in his 2nd year with a team.

People are saying the Cowboys are still "a year away at least", but what is this based on? Before last season, who said "The Patriots and Panthers are ready for a Super Bowl run this year"? They were both 7-9 in 2002.

[TheHustler]

i hope we run more of the flea flickers that we did early last season, those worked really well but we seemed to get away from that near the end of the year.

[dbair1967]

Originally Posted by jay cee

But I am looking for the Cowboys to do much better than many are giving them credit for.

At the end of last season, I said if the Cowboys can stay relatively injury free to key starters in 2004 like they did in 2003, they would challenge for the superbowl. I still believe that.

I don't buy into the opinion that they will improve but finish with a worse record. IMO the only thing that will keep them out of the top 4 or 5 teams is major injuries to key players.

The defense should be just as good if not better with the addition of Wiley and a more experienced Roy Williams. Not to mention the nickel corner they signed last year who spent the season on injured reserve will be back.

The defensive line should be better, that may make up the difference if Hunter can't quite play as well as Edwards did. In only his 1st yr as a starter, I don't think he will be as good as Edwards, but I don't think he will be much worse.
[View Full Quote]
The main problem last year was the offense. They sucked at blocking, running and passing with any serious consistency. But they still finished with a 10-6 regular season record.

Now I don't see how they won't improve at all three of those phases slightly with a healthy Larry Allen, more experienced Gurode and some talented rookies on the o-line including the center who was injured last year.

The improved o-line, along with the addition of a more talented runner in Julius Jones, should help the running game improve enough to force the defense to play more 8 men in the box formations.

IMO, a more experienced Quincy Carter can take advantage of the better passing situations, an emerging tight end in Witten and the addition of Keyshawn Johnson to provide a more consistent passing attack.

The Cowboys don't need anyone to become superstars on offense they just need more consistent play from the unit as a whole.

I think they will get it this year, unless injuries knocks out too many key players. I think they are the best coached team in the NFL, or at least 2nd best next to NE.

And that makes a huge difference IMO.

I picked them to win 9-10 games last year if they could stay healthy. This year I'm picking them to win 11-12. Unless they go out and make a major move for a Ty Law, Orlando Pace, or Kerry Collins, then I'd have to bump 'em up to 12-13.

I dont see why we'd make any sort of move for Orlando Pace, otherwise totally agree with your post...I think we're going to be pretty good as well, much better than most of the sad saps who complain regularly believe we'll be

David

[Jack]

I have no idea what the season will turn out to be like, I just can't wait until it gets started!

[scottsp]

Hos put it very nicely and I agree with basically everything he had to say.

Lot of people need be reminded that the games still have to be played. And the NFL being what it is, no one knows how the hell it's going to go. It's virtually impossible to accurately forcast a season anymore with parity and player movement.

Most teams who play in the Super Bowl now weren't there the season before. Even better, those who play in the big game one year tend to not make the playoffs the following campaign. That's just the way it is now.

So be as optimistic as you want. Who's to say you'll be wrong? I won't. I can't. I may disagree, but I don't own a crystal ball that actually works.

There are those who feel the overwhelming need to temper enthusiasm. I wonder what those Panther fans who felt the same way this time last year are saying now? And it's not like that team didn't have some serious holes going into last season.

We can go back and forth about problem areas and issues and whatnot. It makes for good discussion, nothing more. We have to play the games. Remember that.

[blindzebra]

As I said in another thread we have had .500 talent the last 4 years. 17 of the 33 loses we had during those 5-11 seasons were by a TD or less. 13 were by less than a TD. With better coaching we could/should have been 8-8 to 10-6 each and every year we went 5-11.

Parcells coached this 8-8 team to 10-6, our young players should be rising above .500 talent, let's hope Parcells can "coach up" the rest.

I predicted 9-7 before last year, I'm thinking 10-6 this year.

[dbair1967]

Originally Posted by blindzebra

As I said in another thread we have had .500 talent the last 4 years. 17 of the 33 loses we had during those 5-11 seasons were by a TD or less. 13 were by less than a TD. With better coaching we could/should have been 8-8 to 10-6 each and every year we went 5-11.

Parcells coached this 8-8 team to 10-6, our young players should be rising above .500 talent, let's hope Parcells can "coach up" the rest.

I predicted 9-7 before last year, I'm thinking 10-6 this year.

agree again...though I think we can better 10-6 with some luck and better QB play than we had last yr, whether its from Q or Henson

David

[RatisBeast]

Optimism > Pessism 16-0 in the regular season .... lol I think we go 9-7 and bring along Henson. At least that's what i hope, I try not to be pessimistic because it usually needs no where, nonetheless im hoping we do fine, and JJ turns out to be a stud and we get a high first rounder next year from buff.

[twa]

Predicted 10-6 last year .look for 12-4 this year.If the line comes together and we don't go turnover crazy on offense I feel we may finaly see our offense produce consistantly.The talent is coming together for another run.