Don’t panic. Drink some Coffee; Skip the Koolaide

[Rajveer]

I’m not surprised at the overreaction of so many fans after last night’s game. Before the season started, the overconfidence here was laughable. It’s not time to panic or act like one game defines this team for 15 more games. That too is laughable. Sure, it was a disappointing start, but it is certainly NOT fatal.

What I encourage every Cowboys fan to do this morning is drink some coffee and skip the Koolaide. It will make you feel better to stop drinking the Koolaide that overlooks this team’s weaknesses. Drinking the coffee takes in both the team’s strengths and weaknesses.

Here’s some coffee which looks at the good and bad:

• This team lost last night because their defense gave up 422 yards, including 163 on the ground to an average running game. That has to improve.
• The defense had a problem stopping the run last night, but there are signs its pass rush will be potent. Aldon Smith and Everson Griffith really do look like great additions.
• The offense is always harder to to be in sync to start the season. It looked good at times, and out of sync at times.
• Dak Prescott had a very good game; just didn’t have a great game. As bad as the D played, if that ticky- tac PI call wasn’t made, we would be talking about the great pass Dak made to Gallup.
  
• The OL was missing two key starters, used a UFA rookie tackle, who wasn’t great but wasn’t awful either. Under Garrett, missing a starter on the OL seemed to always endanger our QB.
• Injuries to LVE, Blake Jarwin and Cam Ervin are troublesome. But this is where coaching and the FO matters. Coach up what you have, and hope the FO finds some help.
• This was ONE GAME. Don’t panic. The rams aren’t chopped liver. They have an excellent HC and were playing at home on national TV opening their new stadium. Why is anyone surprised they played well?

This list could go on. But one other thing to remember: Don’t drink the Koolaide. The Cowboys have a lot of question marks to solve. Doesn’t mean they won’t. Just stay hopeful and realistic.

There’s a difference between hope and overconfidence. Hope is a good thing because it keeps you positive but still tied to reality. Overconfidence is fools gold. It over-values strengths and overlooks weaknesses. Like all NFL teams we have both.

Folks- I have news for all of us. Every single game on our schedule will be difficult. Drink some coffee and fasten your seatbelt.

I don't drink Koolaide or coffee. Can I have some tea instead?

 

[OmerV]

Dak didn't have a very good game. He was average.

I disagree. It didn't qualify as a great game, but he was strong, on target, and moved the ball. Beautiful pass to Gallup that got called back in the 4th quarter.

 

[Diehardblues]

I agree as far as if it were my call to make I would have taken the 3 and the tie at 20 to 20, I felt defense at that stage of the game was playing better so I felt we could stop the Rams offense and give ourselves a chance to get the ball back for a chance at the win. Having said that I don't fault McCarthy reasoning to go for it, it was a gutsy call on his part that came up short, Any heat he takes for it is legit but I'm not down on him for doing it.

We should be down on him for taking it. It was a unnecessary risk at that point in the game.

Having said that , it doesn’t mean he can’t atone for the mistake coming up. But for this game it’s a major symptom.

 

[Bobhaze]

Greg is big on accountability and after one game that I picked wrong last season sent some guys that looked like agents from The Matrix to get me to apologize.

I’m always amused at the “opinion police” patrolling an opinion forum looking for offenders. It’s truly an oxymoron in line with great ones like “he’s a deeply superficial person”, lol.

 

[Diehardblues]

I disagree. It didn't qualify as a great game, but he was strong, on target, and moved the ball. Beautiful pass to Gallup that got called back in the 4th quarter.

Yes it was. Did he have any other similar downfield passes as such?

 

[cern]

Of course. We’re all accountable. My Criticism on this game heading in to it and since have been spot on.

Earlier in the week I was bashed for calling out kool-aid drinkers but it’s ok to console them this morning.

i prefer tang. fools criticize. wise men critique. you clearly are not the latter.

 

[cern]

I’m always amused at the “opinion police” patrolling an opinion forum looking for offenders. It’s truly an oxymoron in line with great ones like “he’s a deeply superficial person”, lol.

that was deeply profound, bob.

 

[Doomsday101]

We should be down on him for taking it. It was a unnecessary risk at that point in the game.

Having said that , it doesn’t mean he can’t atone for the mistake coming up. But for this game it’s a major symptom.

And some are questioning about it today. I have no issue with those who are questioning the call and as I said I would have taken the 3. He went for it and is taking the heat and I have no doubt McCarthy can take the heat.

 

[Creeper]

I wasn't convinced this team was that good to begin with. I figure 9-7 and they win the division. I did expect more from the offense, but was very concerned about the OL. The Looney-Williams tandem is a big concern.
But I agree it is one game. I do think this team gets better as the season wears on. I said a few times I'd rather a slow start and a strong finish than a strong start followed by a 2-6 finish.

As for the injuries, they happen and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Losing 3 guys in game 1 is a bad sign. Hopefully we get them out of the way early and they can come back later in the season - to help with that strong finish.

The Cowboys had a good draft on paper. But rookies need time to adjust. They may make a bigger impact in December than they will in September.

 

[Bobhaze]

that was deeply profound, bob.

More like “shallowly profound”,

 

[Diehardblues]

I’m always amused at the “opinion police” patrolling an opinion forum looking for offenders. It’s truly an oxymoron in line with great ones like “he’s a deeply superficial person”, lol.

It’s only important because those of us who are critical , take the bashing and get it right, should be held in a different light.

I have no issues with Homers cheerleading on the sidelines. Until they attempt to come up in the booth calling out the analyst and critics who get it right.

 

[Bobhaze]

It’s only important because those of us who are critical , take the bashing and get it right, should be held in a different light.

I have no issues with Homers cheerleading on the sidelines. Until they attempt to come up in the booth calling out the analyst and critics who get it right.

I’m not bashing anyone for any opinion, and don’t think you are either.

 

[Diehardblues]

i prefer tang. fools criticize. wise men critique. you clearly are not the latter.

You take personal issue with me cause , one -you don’t like my approach and two you are really more supportive of our ownership. You actually believe Stephen is saving this franchise and I’ve bashed him as well as his daddy.

These forums don’t take kindly to just criticism . Cause they’re filled with homers. And it develops from there. This has been the basis from the onset on these forums.

 

[Diehardblues]

I’m not bashing anyone for any opinion, and don’t think you are either.

I wasn’t directing this at you Bob. My response is a much broader stroke.

You usually take a more middle of the road less confrontational approach . Which is much more popular. That’s fine and dandy.

Me on the other hand am not afraid to take on the masses , Lynch mob and place myself more in harms way. Which isn’t a popular stance.

Taking on the Homers is treacherous territory in these forums.

 

[OmerV]

Yes it was. Did he have any other similar downfield passes as such?

He had a 33 yard completion to Lamb, but I don't think the game plan was to throw downfield given the Rams have a top pass rushing team and we had an undrafted free agent at RT, and are vulnerable at C & LG. Can't blame Dak for that. Goff wasn't throwing a lot of deep passes either.

 

[CyberB0b]

I disagree. It didn't qualify as a great game, but he was strong, on target, and moved the ball. Beautiful pass to Gallup that got called back in the 4th quarter.

That pass was great. The rest of the game was nearly below average. Super low 3rd down conversation percentage, didn't put up enough points to win. He had lots of off target throws throughout the game and most were drive killers. Not sure we watched the same game.

 

[Diehardblues]

He had a 33 yard completion to Lamb, but I don't think the game plan was to throw downfield given the Rams have a top pass rushing team and we had an undrafted free agent at RT, and are vulnerable at C & LG. Can't blame Dak for that. Goff wasn't throwing a lot of deep passes either.

But wasn’t that mostly yards after the catch. It wasn’t 30 yards downfield was it?

 

[cern]

You take personal issue with me cause , one -you don’t like my approach and two you are really more supportive of our ownership. You actually believe Stephen is saving this franchise and I’ve bashed him as well as his daddy.

These forums don’t take kindly to just criticism . Cause they’re filled with homers. And it develops from there. This has been the basis from the onset on these forums.

can you ever get enough of yourself. i have always bashed jerry the gm. he sucks. stephen is not his daddy. i suppose you think your going door to door to sell insurance qualifies you to think you'd be better at making 100 million dollar deals for players than stephen, but i strongly suggest its just your butt speaking.

 

[CouchCoach]

the only thing i didn't like about the coaching was the 4th and 3. i'd have gone for the field goal. but that's just me. the failure was in player execution. donald had his way with our o-line.

Yep, I am old school. Opening game, on the road and the last thing McC needed to do was fire up that D with a stop on a sure scoring drive.

When a HC goes for it as quickly as McC did on a 4th and 3 in their end of the field he's sending a message of disrespect. 3 yards is a lot under those circumstances.

The other question I have about that is if McC is calling the plays, does he call that play?

 

[MyFairLady]

The Dallas Cowboys have been a team that starts off strong and fades as the season goes on. It is in large part due to how we are built and how we operate fundamentally. If you are telling me that I should hope that the trend reverses and we rebound from a poor start to finish strong I guess I am pretty skeptical.