A 20 game window shows the big picture

[fivetwos]

It's a process.

 

[starman22]

Yep

And there were some of us who argued we weren’t under achieving . But I’d say the greater majority of fans on this forum felt this team was under achieving with the talent and roster we had.

So, while our front office should be able to recognize we have a fan base who either follows our front office or don’t have a clue either.

This really shouldn't matter. The fans aren't the ones making the decisions. Why harp on the fans when the front office is the ones making the decisions. As far as I know, the DC front office doesn't create a poll in the Cowboyszone and make personnel decisions based on the results.

 

[fivetwos]

Imagine what 2016 would have looked like without Romo coaching up Dak on the sidelines.....

Romo delayed a LOT of inevitables.

 

[sandbridge77]

With all those draft picks next year, I fully expect the Cowboys to be the first team in NFL history to roll out the 10 wide receiver set.

 

[erod]

Jaylon Smith, literally, is a hinderance to winning. Cap hit or not, him being off the team (or off the field, at the very least) makes us better, no matter who replaces him.

He is quite possibly the worst starting linebacker we've seen around here in decades.

 

[Future]

Anyone who thinks that, if healthy, doesn't have the talent to be a SB contender in the NFC does not watch football other than Cowboys games.

Is Seattle not a contender? Their defense is just as bad. Tampa can't cover anybody or run the football, and don't have a great long-term progrnosis. Green Bay hasn't beaten one good team in their last 20-something games. Chicago sucks, the Saints are totally washed, ATL, DET, MIN, and CAR are all headed for or in the grasp of complete rebuilds. San Fran doesn't have a QB.

I mean just go right down the list and every team is hugely flawed. It's an expression of ignorance to the state of the rest of the league to think that this Cowboys team should be blown up and started from scratch.

 

[Big_C_KU]

Dallas has talent at the skill positions on offense. Usually that clouds people perceptions of teams when evaluating whether they are talented or not. Fact is Dallas has a good QB, a good trio of WRs, and a RB that is beginning the downward slope of his career if you look at the longevity of RBs. None of them are great at their respective positions. Then you have the OL who have two great players in Smith and Martin but both have been injured and playing through injuries for the better part of the last 2 years. The offense is good when healthy but feel the OL needs a major overhaul, maybe move Amari and his contract for a 1st or 2nd round pick, and look at cutting ties with Zeke or at least trying to find his replacement whether that’s giving equal time share with Pollard to see what you have there or drafting another RB to challenge them.

Now the defense needs almost a complete overhaul. Really the only player I would consider keeping on this defense long term is Diggs at the moment.

 

[erod]

Romo delayed a LOT of inevitables.

Romo had a lot of 3-13 rosters that he got into late-season contention single-handedly. The team was pretty good when he first started, but he was too gun-slingy. Then he became elite quickly just as the aging roster disintegrated into crap, especially on the offensive and defensive lines.

Then, they finally got him a good team toward the end, but he was too beaten up and broken down to go beyond 2014 with it.

 

[blueblood70]

At the beginning of the 2019 season last September, our Cowboys started the year by beating three cupcakes- the giants, dolphins and deadskins. The offense was firing on all cylinders and even the defense seemed capable of holding its opponents at bay similar to the 2018 and 2016 seasons.

Since that 3-0 start last year, the Cowboys have played 20 regular season games, winning...wait for it...7 games. Let that wash over you. Since last October, the Cowboys are 7-13.

Here’s my point: Last year’s team tried to tell us it was on the decline. And the Jones front office did very little to address that decline. When you honestly assess the talent on this team without rose colored glasses, this team is just not nearly as talented as we wanted to believe. The first step in getting better is to accept reality- this team is talent starved at multiple positions.

So what should a team’s front office do when a team is clearly in decline? Here are a few steps I believe we should take:

• Wake up and realize this team has some declining players we assumed could still play that either can’t or have stayed injured, or have declined so much they are weighing down the rebuild.
  
• I would get aggressive and make some bold moves with this roster. Like trading assets for draft picks.
  • For example- I love Michael Gallup- but we could get something for him in a trade. He would be attractive in a trade for a contender.
• Here are some veterans whose days should be winding down if not over:
  • Tyron Smith, Sean Lee, Tyrone Crawford, Dontari Poe (I would cut immediately) and maybe others. Maybe LP Ladaceur, who is the highest paid deep snapper in the league on a team going nowhere. Maybe even Zeke and Jaylon Smith need to go too. Sure the dead money would stink, but we would replace them with young, cheap draft picks.
• Let’s be honest- Mike McCarthy was hired to win now. He’s not a rebuild HC. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but if I was GM, I would fire MM at end of the season and hire an aggressive, hard ace HC similar to Jimmy that can change this lazy, loser culture.

Bottom line: This is now a rebuild. And an effective rebuild starts with accepting the fact that this team is not going to get better without accepting reality. And in reality, this is not a very talented roster. Changing that requires understanding we aren’t going to be good again for at least another 2 years.

not necessary

i agree last year showed signs that popped up this season but they changes the staff brought in bigger name FAs to fill holes they knew they had and shortened off season and a major league Injury list of stars caused this to become much worse then it actually is..

teh Tos set us back early on and the injuries' killed the comeback attempt..i prefer to keep it simple..

you can retool the defense get back nearly the identical offense and get back at it 2021 with more of Nolans and Mm "Guys" they now know what they need..they started making changes now..and i se a retool on defense is all we truly need

unless you dont keep Dak i mean hes the wildcard you keep dak than you keep the offense intact..

If not and you are ready to do a QB change with a rookie high draft pick, then sure jettison as much big contracts as possible..

 

[nightrain]

At the beginning of the 2019 season last September, our Cowboys started the year by beating three cupcakes- the giants, dolphins and deadskins. The offense was firing on all cylinders and even the defense seemed capable of holding its opponents at bay similar to the 2018 and 2016 seasons.

Since that 3-0 start last year, the Cowboys have played 20 regular season games, winning...wait for it...7 games. Let that wash over you. Since last October, the Cowboys are 7-13.

Here’s my point: Last year’s team tried to tell us it was on the decline. And the Jones front office did very little to address that decline. When you honestly assess the talent on this team without rose colored glasses, this team is just not nearly as talented as we wanted to believe. The first step in getting better is to accept reality- this team is talent starved at multiple positions.

So what should a team’s front office do when a team is clearly in decline? Here are a few steps I believe we should take:

• Wake up and realize this team has some declining players we assumed could still play that either can’t or have stayed injured, or have declined so much they are weighing down the rebuild.
  
• I would get aggressive and make some bold moves with this roster. Like trading assets for draft picks.
  • For example- I love Michael Gallup- but we could get something for him in a trade. He would be attractive in a trade for a contender.
• Here are some veterans whose days should be winding down if not over:
  • Tyron Smith, Sean Lee, Tyrone Crawford, Dontari Poe (I would cut immediately) and maybe others. Maybe LP Ladaceur, who is the highest paid deep snapper in the league on a team going nowhere. Maybe even Zeke and Jaylon Smith need to go too. Sure the dead money would stink, but we would replace them with young, cheap draft picks.
• Let’s be honest- Mike McCarthy was hired to win now. He’s not a rebuild HC. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but if I was GM, I would fire MM at end of the season and hire an aggressive, hard ace HC similar to Jimmy that can change this lazy, loser culture.

Bottom line: This is now a rebuild. And an effective rebuild starts with accepting the fact that this team is not going to get better without accepting reality. And in reality, this is not a very talented roster. Changing that requires understanding we aren’t going to be good again for at least another 2 years.

Fantasy football is no way to build an NFL roster and BPA is a lazy and otherwise flawed draft strategy.

Injuries are part of the game and well structured teams survive those periods by having quality players across the roster including depth that can compete at the NFL level. That doesn't mean saving money on the cap, but it does mean having a system in place that helps the player personnel dept. make good selections with non blue chip players.

The Cowboys give out way too many deals to players who performed well on their rookie deals and then regressed after a big extension payday. Churning the roster with young, hungry talent is so important, particularly under a salary cap where keeping "stars" is not conducive to a balanced roster that can play complimentary football across the three phases.

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

Mr Bailey...

You shouldn't have wasted 15 seconds of your time typing this.

LLLOOLLL

 

[blueblood70]

The offense has plenty, and will have plenty more with Collins, Smith, Jarwin back next year.

Everyone loves picks. We can probably get a better win-win deal if we can get a trade for Gallup from a team with more depth than they need at what we want. Similar situation, but different position.

The young defensive players on rookie contract to build around for next year: LVE, Gregory, Anae, Diggs, Gallimore, Hill, Gifford, Robinson.
Still have Lawrence, AWoods, Hamilton, Wilson, Brown, Armstrong.

And we'll have a draft to go almost entirely defense. We have a lot of comp picks, and should be picking high. Big big defensive draft.

And we get an offseason to straighten out Nolan and the defense.

Offense should be very strong, defense not horrible. I think we can make the playoffs next year, be a good team in 2.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Thats not how rebuilding works anymore.
This isnt 1980.
You don't improve your team by blowing bigger holes in your roster and then using the draft to fill the holes you just created. Draft picks are rare and outside of the 2nd round its a huge gamble and the number are not on your side.

This plan I would not recommend.

There was a time not too long ago I would have agreed, but teams are having success with this type of model. Miami looks to be seeing good times after being a joke just a year ago. Same with the raiders. Now teams like the jets are adopting it as well, obviously that is still to be determined.

Its a multi year commitment to a rebuild, which I dont think is always necessary in the nfl, but I'd prefer this to staying in the land of mediocracy.

 

[pitt33]

I mean just go right down the list and every team is hugely flawed.

pretty valid points regarding the NFC.

Dallas desperately needs play makers on D.

O-line could use a few upgrades. And while were at it, throw in a new punter to help that defense out.

 

[superonyx]

Jaylon Smith, literally, is a hinderance to winning. Cap hit or not, him being off the team (or off the field, at the very least) makes us better, no matter who replaces him.

Now you are singing a different song than most.
Its like my father in law says about his wife.... sometimes son its just cheaper to keep her.

 

[superonyx]

There was a time not too long ago I would have agreed, but teams are having success with this type of model. Miami looks to be seeing good times after being a joke just a year ago. Same with the raiders. Now teams like the jets are adopting it as well, obviously that is still to be determined.

Its a multi year commitment to a rebuild, which I dont think is always necessary in the nfl, but I'd prefer this to staying in the land of mediocracy.

You just created only 2 options. Burn it down and suck for the next several years or suck forever.
Fortunately these are not the only 2 realities that exist.
This is the mindset of angry fans with sharpened pitchforks.

 

[superonyx]

Better off? Rather, how could you be any worse off.

I hate this team. This is a worthless roster of unlikable players who largely don't care a lick about authority and don't care about winning. They are about their brand and their scene only. Those that do care are average players.

I'd pick a handful of guys to keep and move on from the rest. What's the risk, going 8-8 or worse? Already doing that anyway.

Now here is a man who clearly is expressing himself from his emotions and not from a place or clear logical thinking.

 

[jwooten15]

Now you are singing a different song than most.
Its like my father in law says about his wife.... sometimes son its just cheaper to keep her.

I think I'm singing the same song as 90% of this forum at this point. Do you disagree with my assessment? Just curious.

When it comes to women, your second point is probably correct!! haha. But in football terms, you just have to bite the bullet sometimes.

 

[Creeper]

At the beginning of the 2019 season last September, our Cowboys started the year by beating three cupcakes- the giants, dolphins and deadskins. The offense was firing on all cylinders and even the defense seemed capable of holding its opponents at bay similar to the 2018 and 2016 seasons.

Since that 3-0 start last year, the Cowboys have played 20 regular season games, winning...wait for it...7 games. Let that wash over you. Since last October, the Cowboys are 7-13.

Here’s my point: Last year’s team tried to tell us it was on the decline. And the Jones front office did very little to address that decline. When you honestly assess the talent on this team without rose colored glasses, this team is just not nearly as talented as we wanted to believe. The first step in getting better is to accept reality- this team is talent starved at multiple positions.

So what should a team’s front office do when a team is clearly in decline? Here are a few steps I believe we should take:

• Wake up and realize this team has some declining players we assumed could still play that either can’t or have stayed injured, or have declined so much they are weighing down the rebuild.
  
• I would get aggressive and make some bold moves with this roster. Like trading assets for draft picks.
  • For example- I love Michael Gallup- but we could get something for him in a trade. He would be attractive in a trade for a contender.
• Here are some veterans whose days should be winding down if not over:
  • Tyron Smith, Sean Lee, Tyrone Crawford, Dontari Poe (I would cut immediately) and maybe others. Maybe LP Ladaceur, who is the highest paid deep snapper in the league on a team going nowhere. Maybe even Zeke and Jaylon Smith need to go too. Sure the dead money would stink, but we would replace them with young, cheap draft picks.
• Let’s be honest- Mike McCarthy was hired to win now. He’s not a rebuild HC. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but if I was GM, I would fire MM at end of the season and hire an aggressive, hard ace HC similar to Jimmy that can change this lazy, loser culture.

Bottom line: This is now a rebuild. And an effective rebuild starts with accepting the fact that this team is not going to get better without accepting reality. And in reality, this is not a very talented roster. Changing that requires understanding we aren’t going to be good again for at least another 2 years.

The bottom line is spot on. You cannot get better until you accept what the problem is. For too long this team has been overrated and they seem to fall for their own press. "You are what your record says you are" sounds cliche, but it's true. At some point the Cowboys FO has to accept that there is a problem with the players on the field. Or the culture in the clubhouse. I think the problem is both but it manifests in what we see on the field. Blame the coaches, the GM or anyone else, but the fact is the players do not sack the QB, force fumbles, tackle behind the LOS, or intercept the football and it has been like that for several years.

Bottom line: This group of players is not the answer. They are just not good enough. I have an opinion why it has been like this and it starts with the front office. They are willing to settle far too often for jags when they should be constantly looking for upgrades. That was why Jimmy Johnson was a HoF head coach. Johnson did not settle. He was always looking to get better. Jerry isn't. He had a bad DL last year and he thought signing a couple of overage, overweight free agents for chump change was going to fix that. FAIL! Safety has been a problem for years and they signed a guy who has a name but was cut before the season started. FAIL! Now, both of those problems are worse than they were last year.

They let Jeff Heath go because he was really not very good. That was the right move, but the fail is they got no one better to replace him. The position, like DT, should have been upgraded. That's what most good teams do.

Building a team in the NFL today requires a good eye for talent, an understand of the CAP situation going out at least 3 years, and a willingness to sign the players that will IMPROVE the team,not just keep the status quo. It also means letting players leave when their price tag is higher than their production.

 

[thunderpimp91]

You just created only 2 options. Burn it down and suck for the next several years or suck forever.
Fortunately these are not the only 2 realities that exist.
This is the mindset of angry fans with sharpened pitchforks.

If you have a better plan im all ears. Im just skeptical based on what this team has going for it right now. Do they have the pieces for a quick turnaround? Heavy cap constraints will make it tough to add on defense via FA, who knows if your LT, RT health status is? Is dak a sure thing to be 100%? Can we expect better production from Jaylon/dlaw/etc just because it can't get much worse?

You may be right, I just don't have the answer. IF everything falls right. Guys come back healthy, you hit in the draft, jaylon turns his game around, young guys on the 2020 team show improvement etc you have a real shot at 2021 being a success. That's just a lot of Ifs for me to feel comfortable.