The Cowboys showing signs of Improvement

[Bobhaze]

There are no such thing as a “moral victory” in the NFL. But despite losing the last two weeks, the Cowboys have shown signs of life. We’ve seen both an uptick in effort and performance, and although we didn’t win either game, the improvements are visible.

Look at the ways the Cowboys have improved:

• Despite losing 4 straight since Dak went down, the effort has actually started to improve rather than decline. The Cowboys were written off yesterday before the game even started, but the players didn’t act like it.
  
• It appears Mike Mac and his staff are starting to get through to the players. The team looked like they were on the same page in all three phases of the game.
  
• Young players are emerging- How about Neville Gallimore yesterday? What a game he had. Cedee Lamb continues to shine (despite one bad TO), Tony Pollard showed flashes in the run game against one of the best defenses in the league, Diggs continues to improve, LVE had an excellent game.
• The defense has stopped bleeding and is actually performing- The defense looked competitive the last two weeks. LVE has returned to his 2018 form, and some of the youngsters like Diggs and Gallimore are having impact. DLaw and Randy Gregory are starting to look impactful. The defense still has a long way to go. But it’s clearly improving.
• Special Teams have greatly improved- what a difference from the last few years.That fun punt return was such a refreshing, fun play. The kick coverage teams are clearly better. Zuerline’s accuracy is refreshing. All good signs.

One area we MUST improve- Turnovers. We lost the TO battle 2-0 again yesterday. That was probably the difference in the game in the end.

But at least this team is fighting and improving.

 

[McKDaddy]

This is the exact formula we want. Individual & team progress but lose. I am giddy over the draft haul we could net. You might actually be able to address the most pressing needs in one offseason if we play our cards correctly.

 

[ArtClink]

It was encouraging to see some fight out of our players and great to see lesser known players step up, esp in special teams! Pollard is clearly the better back and it's not even close anymore. I don't see any advantage to using Zeke except to spell Pollard.

 

[foofighters]

There are no such thing as a “moral victory” in the NFL. But despite losing the last two weeks, the Cowboys have shown signs of life. We’ve seen both an uptick in effort and performance, and although we didn’t win either game, the improvements are visible.

Look at the ways the Cowboys have improved:

• Despite losing 4 straight since Dak went down, the effort has actually started to improve rather than decline. The Cowboys were written off yesterday before the game even started, but the players didn’t act like it.
  
• It appears Mike Mac and his staff are starting to get through to the players. The team looked like they were on the same page in all three phases of the game.
  
• Young players are emerging- How about Neville Gallimore yesterday? What a game he had. Cedee Lamb continues to shine (despite one bad TO), Tony Pollard showed flashes in the run game against one of the best defenses in the league, Diggs continues to improve, LVE had an excellent game.
• The defense has stopped bleeding and is actually performing- The defense looked competitive the last two weeks. LVE has returned to his 2018 form, and some of the youngsters like Diggs and Gallimore are having impact. DLaw and Randy Gregory are starting to look impactful. The defense still has a long way to go. But it’s clearly improving.
• Special Teams have greatly improved- what a difference from the last few years.That fun punt return was such a refreshing, fun play. The kick coverage teams are clearly better. Zuerline’s accuracy is refreshing. All good signs.

One area we MUST improve- Turnovers. We lost the TO battle 2-0 again yesterday. That was probably the difference in the game in the end.

But at least this team is fighting and improving.

and yet, Andy Dalton will start next week which is a mistake IMO.

 

[ClappingCarrot]

I fantasize how this team would play without Zeke and Jaylon. These two were drive killers yesterday.

 

[Silly]

Just to play devils advocate, I wonder if the Stealers OL were soft in the middle? Gallimore and Crawford played at an All Pro level.

I want to believe Dallas is turning the corner, but I just can't find the faith.

 

[CATCH17]

This is the exact formula we want. Individual & team progress but lose. I am giddy over the draft haul we could net. You might actually be able to address the most pressing needs in one offseason if we play our cards correctly.

We are 2 picks away from drafting a QB that can actually carry us to wins and championships and we’re worried about drafting some linebacker or DB.

All so we can create a 1 or 2 year window to win a wildcard game in 2023.

 

[Bobhaze]

This is the exact formula we want. Individual & team progress but lose. I am giddy over the draft haul we could net. You might actually be able to address the most pressing needs in one offseason if we play our cards correctly.

I think the key to long term success in the NFL is always churn your roster and never assume that a single good player is “automatically” going to perform at a high level the next year. Good teams are always looking to get better at every position every year.

 

[Bobhaze]

We are 2 picks away from drafting a QB that can actually carry us to wins and championships and we’re worried about drafting some linebacker or DB.

All so we can create a 1 or 2 year window to win a wildcard game in 2023.

How do you know that? Finding a top QB is THE hardest position to fill in this league.

 

[CATCH17]

How do you know that? Finding a top QB is THE hardest position to fill in this league.

It’s not.. The league is filled with young talented QBs playing on rookie deals and those teams have a huge advantage over the next 5 years.

QBs are easier then ever to find.

And this is Trevor Lawrence. He has far more ability than Dak ever thought about having.

 

[McKDaddy]

We are 2 picks away from drafting a QB that can actually carry us to wins and championships and we’re worried about drafting some linebacker or DB.

All so we can create a 1 or 2 year window to win a wildcard game in 2023.

I am open minded. If you truly believe one of the top QB's is the guy, then certainly you take him. (Watching Tua & Kyler yesterday was awesome) As good as T Law has been, I'm not completely sold on his NFL future. I will be watching closely when he returns from Covid. Fields, i honestly haven't watched very much at all.

However, if there is any doubt, I would trade the pick for a boatload and plug as many holes as possible. Let Dak, Dalton, Gilbert whoever drive the bus for a year. With a decent Oline & decent defense the team would be competitive whoever is at QB.

 

[Bobhaze]

It’s not.. The league is filled with young talented QBs playing on rookie deals and those teams have a huge advantage.

QBs are easier then ever to find.

And this is Trevor Lawrence. He has far more ability than Dak ever thought about having.

“Easier than ever to find”? History is also filled with first round QBs who were busts. It’s difficult. We do have some good young QBs emerging in the NFL but it’s way too early to declare this year’s crop as a success yet.

And for every Mahomes or Josh Allen, there are loads of busts the last 20 years. “Can’t miss” QBs like Matt Leinhart, David Carr, RGIII, Joey Harrington, DeMarcus Russell, Blake Bortles, Vince Young, Marcus Mariota, Mitch Trubisky, Jameis Winston, Josh Rosen, Sam Bradford, and I’ll even throw in Carson Wentz.

All the above guys were drafted in the top 10...most top 3. So despite your saying it’s “easier than ever” to find top talent at QB, the evidence is clear, it is still a crapshoot.

 

[MyFairLady]

I fantasize how this team would play without Zeke and Jaylon. These two were drive killers yesterday.

Neither one of those two have any sense of urgency nor do they put any value on each individual play. The play with a sense of entitlement that their mistakes do not matter. They know that they get the snaps no matter what. It is disgusting.

 

[CATCH17]

“Easier than ever to find”...History is also filled with first round QBs who were busts. It’s difficult. We do have some good young QBs emerging in the NFL but it’s way too early to declare this year’s crop as a success yet.

And for every Mahomes or Josh Allen, there are loads of busts the last 20 years. “Can’t miss” QBs like Matt Leinhart, David Carr, RGIII, Joey Harrington, DeMarcus Russell, Blake Bortles, Vince Young, Marcus Mariota, Mitch Trubisky, Jameis Winston, Josh Rosen, Sam Bradford, and I’ll even throw in Carson Wentz.

All the above guys were drafted in the top 10...most top 3. So despite your saying it’s “easier than ever” to find top talent at QB, the evidence is clear, it is still a crapshoot.

Every position there has ever been has busts and a lot of QBs are reached for out of need. Stop being scared to draft a QB.

Maybe we have sucked for 20+ years because we don’t have a Super talent at QB.

I’ll take the “crapshoot” of drafting Lawrence.

 

[Gaede]

Good post. As much as I love the draft, I love watching football more. So it was nice to see the team give us something to cheer about

 

[Bobhaze]

Every position there has ever been has busts and a lot of QBs are reached for out of need. Stop being scared to draft a QB.

Maybe we have sucked for 20+ years because we don’t have a Super talent at QB.

I’ll take the “crapshoot” of drafting Lawrence.

I have no “fear” about drafting a QB. I’m just saying that your confidence that a rookie QB is a “certainty” is not backed by any history.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

Just to play devils advocate, I wonder if the Stealers OL were soft in the middle? Gallimore and Crawford played at an All Pro level.

I want to believe Dallas is turning the corner, but I just can't find the faith.

Only one game, if we see this type of effort and play next game, yeah buddy, I'm glad to see it, work towards next year.

But if it's the s.o.s. next game, this game meant nothing.

We'll see...

 

[DogFace]

Diggs possibly gets another pick if Wilson doesn’t hit that ball. He’ll only get better.

 

[blueblood70]

too little too late but the young guys and finding depth and backups is nice head start for 2021

 

[blueblood70]

Diggs possibly gets another pick if Wilson doesn’t hit that ball. He’ll only get better.

cant get on wilson for going after it how many times have we had a S and CB both be at the right place at the same time defending a ball? rare occasion..