What have we learned from the 2020 season?

[CowboyRoy]

The end of any year is a good time to reflect on what has happened and more importantly, what we may have learned. This year is certainly a year we are all ready to kiss goodbye of the nearest cliff. The 2020 Cowboys season seemed to reflect what was going on everywhere else. So good riddance 2020!

So here is a list of some reminders and lessons from 2020 from my perspective on the Cowboys 2020 season as well as how we can move forward in no particular order:

• We have have been reminded for the 25th straight year that Jerry doesn’t know what he’s doing in building a championship roster. Will he get more help? Doubtful. Hopefully he will at least listen to someone other than his children. At this point we’re probably just going to have to get lucky to be playoff relevant soon.
• We need a vision of what kind of team we are trying to build. Unless I’m just blind, this team is seemingly put together by this front office like a fantasy football team rather than a real football team with a plan. Just collecting talent like a bunch of spare parts doesn’t work.
• This team is not 1-3 players away. More like 7-10 players away from being competitive. Stop drinking the blue koolaide. This team needs a big infusion of talent that aligns with whatever plan they have or hopefully get.
• We still need to draft a DT or S with premium draft capital. I know Donovan Wilson has flashed with some good play at times this year. But don’t kid yourselves into thinking we’ve solved our safety woes. Or think we can continue to have mediocre DTs and ever be able to stop the run. Talent on defense is no different than drafting offense. Most big difference makers aren’t 5th rounders. If you want a great defense, use some premium draft picks to fix it.
  
• This FO is at a dangerous crossroads with Dak. Either sign him or commit to drafting a top first round QB as a part of a massive rebuild. They cannot keep avoiding the decision by tagging Dak again. If he’s not the guy you want to build around, then he needs to be moved. Personally, I would sign him because even if you get Lawrence or Fields, there is no guarantee they will be better than Dak. It’s a dice roll. Because of Jerry’s age, I don’t think he wants a complete 1989 style rebuild.
• High paid RBs and WRs are not the centerpiece to playoff success. I was against resigning Cooper. He’s a great receiver but he hasn’t made any real difference the last two years in winning. Yes, he has great stats but often it’s when we’re behind and have to pass. Most teams winning SBs aren’t the ones with the highest paid RBs and WRs. We can have a very good running game without the top paid RB in the NFL.
• We need to need to be prepared for life without Tyron Smith. I wouldn’t be surprised if he does a T-Fred and retires soon. He’s not going to ever be what he was. I think we need to prepare now to have a new LT, a top 3 critical position on the field.
• It’s great having post game without having to listen to Jerry’s meaningless drivel. It helps the team when the Jones boys talk less. Period.

What do you think we’ve learned from 2020?

We learned that CowboyRoy was right about:

Zeke, Dak, Dalton, Pollard, Lamb, Jaylon, Hill, Gregory, Aldon, Diggs, Wilson, Garrett...................ect.......ect..............

 

[quickccc]

Good stuff. Well reasoned.
The 7-10 players I’m thinking of are at these positions:

• DT- we probably (1 or 2 needed here)
• LB- LVE is very good when healthy but he’s becoming more like Sean Lee- talented but unavailable. Jaylon Smith? (We need 1-2 new LBs)
• Secondary- l like Donovan Wilson but he’s a complementary player to a better player. We are kidding ourselves if we think he is the answer at S. We need 2 CBS as well. (That makes 3 for secondary)
• OL- What happens if Ty Smith retires? Are we going to be flat footed? Joe Looney isn’t the long term answer at C. Maybe Biadz is? (We need 1-2 OL)
• K- Zuerline has been better than what we had last year, but he’s getting old and starting to get inconsistent. (Need 1)

That’s how I get to 7-10. Obviously I could be wrong, but this defense is a long way from being good as currently constituted.

- Its more in the hands of Stephen, McClay and McCarthy than Jerry. But many insist it’s in more in his doing than what’s going on behind the scenes.
Per Stephen its about NFL draft, re-signing own players and bargain vet FAs. That’s the game plan of player core. No middle ground FA stud signing.
We have to realize that’s how its gonna be.

- Dak is the cornerstone of the franchise, it'll be the franchise tag at FA start -then hopefully it’s a long term deal and no more “ deadline makes deals “ episodes again.

- Team won’t prepare for post-Tyron Smith, they will stubbornly squeeze whatever leftover juice and remaining contract years outta Tyron Smith and, and have the usual bargain fillers
ala Cam Erving, Brandon Knight, or Steele etc. when he cannot show up.

- I don’t see team changing position priorities per Stephen Jones ala safety or 1 tech. It was reported that the team does not believe in drafting safety in 1st rd unless they think he’s
a super blue chipper .and there’s none as such in this class.

- And if we take a safety per McClay it’s gonna likely be mid to late rd -ala Donovan and Xavier. … 1 tech ? likely another street vet bargain, we traded late rd for a scouted DT, and
he’s turned into a simple JAG.

- I believe team would draft a high regarded 3 tech high as much as 1st rd. (ala aaron Donald or ed oliver as reported ) but never a 1 tech as a high 2nd or 3rd rd.
they don’t think 1 techs are game changers. they see them like mid round strongside LBs (ala Damien Wilson)

- Everything next year will depend upon new DC and addition of players that follow,imo.

- We don't have a star-stud core player to be built around; Dlaw ?.. LVE ?.. Jaylon ?.. Diggs ? we still don’t have one, imo. It’s a filler defense.
And it’s one that is gonna have to be downhill in depending upon a high scoring Dak-led offense.

 

[quickccc]

Big Mac gets a pass in his first season marred by Covid and injuries. How can we give a pass to the self appointed face of the franchise who for 25 straight years can’t even produce a divisional playoff win? When you choose to be the head honcho despite your repeated poor results on the field you deserve not getting a pass. Right?

25 years str8 ? .... Weren't Detroit (2014) and Seattle (2018) were divisional playoff wins …. ?

 

[Bobhaze]

@Bobhaze , did you see this video on Donovan Wilson?

I'm telling you, we're good with Donovan Wilson. We don't need to replace him.

I did. I don’t think we need to replace him either. I’m just saying the S position still needs a good draft pick to solidify.

 

[Bobhaze]

25 years str8 ? .... Weren't Detroit (2014) and Seattle (2018) were divisional playoff wins …. ?

Those were wild card wins. We haven’t won a divisional round playoff game since January 7, 1996 (1995 season) when we beat the eaglets 30-11.

 

[quickccc]

Good stuff. Well reasoned.
The 7-10 players I’m thinking of are at these positions:

• DT- we probably (1 or 2 needed here)
• LB- LVE is very good when healthy but he’s becoming more like Sean Lee- talented but unavailable. Jaylon Smith? (We need 1-2 new LBs)
• Secondary- l like Donovan Wilson but he’s a complementary player to a better player. We are kidding ourselves if we think he is the answer at S. We need 2 CBS as well. (That makes 3 for secondary)
• OL- What happens if Ty Smith retires? Are we going to be flat footed? Joe Looney isn’t the long term answer at C. Maybe Biadz is? (We need 1-2 OL)
• K- Zuerline has been better than what we had last year, but he’s getting old and starting to get inconsistent. (Need 1)

That’s how I get to 7-10. Obviously I could be wrong, but this defense is a long way from being good as currently constituted.

What 7 -10 players are what roles would u be talking about ?

DE - Gregory (Aldon Smith?)
DT-3 Tech – Hill
DT 1 Tech - ??
DE - DLaw

OLB – J.Smith
MLB – LVE
OLB - ??

LCB – Diggs
SS – Wilson
FS - ??
RCB - ??
_________

QB – Prescott
RB - ZKE
WR- Cooper
WR- Lamb
WR - Gallup
TE – Jarwin
LT- smith
LG- C-Will
C- Biadasz
RG- Martin
RT- Collins

FG - Zuerline
P - nicewander
LS – L.P.L

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

What 7 -10 players are what roles would u be talking about ?

DE - Gregory (Aldon Smith?)
DT-3 Tech – Hill
DT 1 Tech - ??
DE - DLaw

OLB – J.Smith
MLB – LVE
OLB - ??

LCB – Diggs
SS – Wilson
FS - ??
RCB - ??
_________

QB – Prescott
RB - ZKE
WR- Cooper
WR- Lamb
WR - Gallup
TE – Jarwin
LT- smith
LG- C-Will
C- Biadasz
RG- Martin
RT- Collins

FG - Zuerline
P - nicewander
LS – L.P.L

I can only guess that he's including players that are currently out for the season amongst those seven to ten.

 

[Kaiser]

All I know is that a strong coach can get accountability from Cowboys players. Bill parcells showed it as did Jimmy Johnson.

And we don't know the full story, but the team did play better right after they cut Poe and Worley.

 

[5Stars]

The end of any year is a good time to reflect on what has happened and more importantly, what we may have learned. This year is certainly a year we are all ready to kiss goodbye of the nearest cliff. The 2020 Cowboys season seemed to reflect what was going on everywhere else. So good riddance 2020!

So here is a list of some reminders and lessons from 2020 from my perspective on the Cowboys 2020 season as well as how we can move forward in no particular order:

• We have have been reminded for the 25th straight year that Jerry doesn’t know what he’s doing in building a championship roster. Will he get more help? Doubtful. Hopefully he will at least listen to someone other than his children. At this point we’re probably just going to have to get lucky to be playoff relevant soon.
• We need a vision of what kind of team we are trying to build. Unless I’m just blind, this team is seemingly put together by this front office like a fantasy football team rather than a real football team with a plan. Just collecting talent like a bunch of spare parts doesn’t work.
• This team is not 1-3 players away. More like 7-10 players away from being competitive. Stop drinking the blue koolaide. This team needs a big infusion of talent that aligns with whatever plan they have or hopefully get.
• We still need to draft a DT or S with premium draft capital. I know Donovan Wilson has flashed with some good play at times this year. But don’t kid yourselves into thinking we’ve solved our safety woes. Or think we can continue to have mediocre DTs and ever be able to stop the run. Talent on defense is no different than drafting offense. Most big difference makers aren’t 5th rounders. If you want a great defense, use some premium draft picks to fix it.
  
• This FO is at a dangerous crossroads with Dak. Either sign him or commit to drafting a top first round QB as a part of a massive rebuild. They cannot keep avoiding the decision by tagging Dak again. If he’s not the guy you want to build around, then he needs to be moved. Personally, I would sign him because even if you get Lawrence or Fields, there is no guarantee they will be better than Dak. It’s a dice roll. Because of Jerry’s age, I don’t think he wants a complete 1989 style rebuild.
• High paid RBs and WRs are not the centerpiece to playoff success. I was against resigning Cooper. He’s a great receiver but he hasn’t made any real difference the last two years in winning. Yes, he has great stats but often it’s when we’re behind and have to pass. Most teams winning SBs aren’t the ones with the highest paid RBs and WRs. We can have a very good running game without the top paid RB in the NFL.
• We need to need to be prepared for life without Tyron Smith. I wouldn’t be surprised if he does a T-Fred and retires soon. He’s not going to ever be what he was. I think we need to prepare now to have a new LT, a top 3 critical position on the field.
• It’s great having post game without having to listen to Jerry’s meaningless drivel. It helps the team when the Jones boys talk less. Period.

What do you think we’ve learned from 2020?

I have learned tons of tunes with my group in the band. I have also learned how good my herb is.

I loved this year for some reason, I(we)(some of you) stayed home, suffered thru this team and saw some young guys ready to take the next step...like we do need to do...it's fun.

Who knows? The way ICU this team is because of all sniffing some bull**** up your nose...2020. ? Stupid

I think that this next year coming is going to be an awesome year. By that, I mean the BIG GRUNTS are laying low for the rest of the year...hopefully come back strong like a bull...come back strong, horney for this team...

I learned that my fandom has not changed...a long time ago for one player, or two...maybe three? Never...I even loved QC...awesome drank. lol

Once 2020 is over, the Dallas Cowboys have some young pups. QB coming back, got a backup QB.

What I learned about this team this year was don't count your chickens before they hatch. Next year is going to be so much better with this team...wow. Oh, I think so.

Better times will show up...just look for the good times ahead,,, don't think of the past. I also saw my expectations go down the drain, just like this year with this team.

This team will come out next 2021...watch out dogs...this is not the team the lasts 10 years. Good things coming up...2020 SUCKS!
(time for a stick of devil weed, with my guitar...and love on the side)

 

[Bobhaze]

What 7 -10 players are what roles would u be talking about ?

DE - Gregory (Aldon Smith?)
DT-3 Tech – Hill
DT 1 Tech - ??
DE - DLaw

OLB – J.Smith
MLB – LVE
OLB - ??

LCB – Diggs
SS – Wilson
FS - ??
RCB - ??
_________

QB – Prescott
RB - ZKE
WR- Cooper
WR- Lamb
WR - Gallup
TE – Jarwin
LT- smith
LG- C-Will
C- Biadasz
RG- Martin
RT- Collins

FG - Zuerline
P - nicewander
LS – L.P.L

For starters- All the places you have ?’s on defense.

DL- In addition I have zero confidence Trysten Hill is anything more than a decent rotation player. Aldon Smith? Another pt player who’s getting old. Essentially a So we need 1-2 more DL players.

LB? LVE and Jaylon? What happens when LVE has another injury? Jaylon has been wildly inconsistent at best. Are we 100% confident he’s a key component to our defense? Sean Lee is finished. We need another LB in other words. Maybe 2.

Secondary? Ok Diggs has shown some potential, but we aren’t keeping Awuzie and Lewis. Maybe one. No way we keep Xavier Woods. So we probably need 2 corners and a S. That’s 3 more.

OL? We cannot just sit Pat with what we have. We may need some help at LT immediately. Ty Smith is on his last prayer. What if we have another TFred type surprise? I say we may also need another OL, but at least 1.

K- Zuerline is ok. But he’s old and he has been inconsistent of late. Are we going to just assume he’s ok? I think we need an upgrade.

That doesn’t sound like a team 1-3 players away.

 

[Shake_Tiller]

In the 55+ years I have been old enough to follow sports, I have never seen nor heard an organization in pro sports be so quick to embrace excuses. Sure the injuries we had this year probably knocked us out early. But because the Jones boys are never in danger of losing their FO gigs, they are completely comfortable with throwing away whole seasons and making excuses because there’s always another year next year. Most organizations have FO people whose jobs are on the line if they don’t win something within a time frame. That changes how you see things when you don’t have an eternal contract.

Maybe this comes from living out of the Dallas area, but I actually think for all of Jones' faults he is not particularly quick to make excuses. For one thing, he doesn't have to answer to anyone, so he really doesn't need to make excuses.

I really haven't heard much whining about the injuries, for instance. My goodness, when the Cowboys played the 49ers, listening to the broadcast, pre- and post-game stuff, you'd ha e thought SF showed up in a line of hearses and Dallas was as healthy as a gym rat.

The root of the Jones problem is the absence of accountability. That isn't good for anyone. But I don't think he's much of a whiner.

 

[kskboys]

Bob, you usually create great well thought out posts.
But you lost me as soon as you went into the first statement about Jerry.
Look at any team, say, SF for instance and look at their injuries and ours and no team can overcome that. Not when over half your starters as well as key backups are out, or have missed time.
Sorry, but this time I stopped reading right here.

If this was a one time thing, you guys would have a point.

 

[kskboys]

I've learned that many fans have no comprehension of what injuries do to a roster - mostly out of laziness - and would rather whine about Jerry than understand that what he built for this year was never executed specifically because of injuries.

Yes, injuries are an excuse. No, no other team is competitive with the injuries Dallas has had.

And that other fans have no comprehension of what a terrible GM does to a team over the years. Laziness? I guess that's why you don't get it.

 

[john van brocklin]

The end of any year is a good time to reflect on what has happened and more importantly, what we may have learned. This year is certainly a year we are all ready to kiss goodbye of the nearest cliff. The 2020 Cowboys season seemed to reflect what was going on everywhere else. So good riddance 2020!

So here is a list of some reminders and lessons from 2020 from my perspective on the Cowboys 2020 season as well as how we can move forward in no particular order:

• We have have been reminded for the 25th straight year that Jerry doesn’t know what he’s doing in building a championship roster. Will he get more help? Doubtful. Hopefully he will at least listen to someone other than his children. At this point we’re probably just going to have to get lucky to be playoff relevant soon.
• We need a vision of what kind of team we are trying to build. Unless I’m just blind, this team is seemingly put together by this front office like a fantasy football team rather than a real football team with a plan. Just collecting talent like a bunch of spare parts doesn’t work.
• This team is not 1-3 players away. More like 7-10 players away from being competitive. Stop drinking the blue koolaide. This team needs a big infusion of talent that aligns with whatever plan they have or hopefully get.
• We still need to draft a DT or S with premium draft capital. I know Donovan Wilson has flashed with some good play at times this year. But don’t kid yourselves into thinking we’ve solved our safety woes. Or think we can continue to have mediocre DTs and ever be able to stop the run. Talent on defense is no different than drafting offense. Most big difference makers aren’t 5th rounders. If you want a great defense, use some premium draft picks to fix it.
  
• This FO is at a dangerous crossroads with Dak. Either sign him or commit to drafting a top first round QB as a part of a massive rebuild. They cannot keep avoiding the decision by tagging Dak again. If he’s not the guy you want to build around, then he needs to be moved. Personally, I would sign him because even if you get Lawrence or Fields, there is no guarantee they will be better than Dak. It’s a dice roll. Because of Jerry’s age, I don’t think he wants a complete 1989 style rebuild.
• High paid RBs and WRs are not the centerpiece to playoff success. I was against resigning Cooper. He’s a great receiver but he hasn’t made any real difference the last two years in winning. Yes, he has great stats but often it’s when we’re behind and have to pass. Most teams winning SBs aren’t the ones with the highest paid RBs and WRs. We can have a very good running game without the top paid RB in the NFL.
• We need to need to be prepared for life without Tyron Smith. I wouldn’t be surprised if he does a T-Fred and retires soon. He’s not going to ever be what he was. I think we need to prepare now to have a new LT, a top 3 critical position on the field.
• It’s great having post game without having to listen to Jerry’s meaningless drivel. It helps the team when the Jones boys talk less. Period.

What do you think we’ve learned from 2020?

Outstanding post Bob, agree 100%

 

[john van brocklin]

Big Mac gets a pass in his first season marred by Covid and injuries. How can we give a pass to the self appointed face of the franchise who for 25 straight years can’t even produce a divisional playoff win? When you choose to be the head honcho despite your repeated poor results on the field you deserve not getting a pass. Right?

Truth!

 

[PAPPYDOG]

An AVERAGE team with over-rated players and inept coaching.
Going nowhere and getting older and cash FAT.
This team needs to be gutted from GM/HC to QB!
Your choice to continue drinking Jerry's Kool-Aid or accept our mediocrity.

 

[Verdict]

The amount of negativity Jerry Jones has received this season seems excessive to me.

A majority of this board liked a lot of the offseason acquisitions that were made. Acquisitions like signing McCoy, Poe, Haha Clinton-Dix and of course Dalton.

Getting players like Lamb (and staying at #17 to get him), Diggs and a couple of other draft picks were seen as great value picks and even "steals."

If McCarthy is getting a pass for injuries this year, then Jerry Jones should as well.

A lot of analysts and news outlets believed Dallas to have a stacked roster heading into the 2020 season.

Injuries derailed this season. It’s not really Jerry’s fault.

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

I've learned that Jerry hasn't learned anything. Same problems over and over again with this team.

 

[dsturgeon]

13 teams have won superbowls in the last 25 years. That means 19 teams have won 0. The cowboys have 1 win in those 25 years, and have had multiple rosters that could have won but didnt.

It is not easy. Jerry as GM is far from the bottom

 

[ghst187]

The end of any year is a good time to reflect on what has happened and more importantly, what we may have learned. This year is certainly a year we are all ready to kiss goodbye of the nearest cliff. The 2020 Cowboys season seemed to reflect what was going on everywhere else. So good riddance 2020!

So here is a list of some reminders and lessons from 2020 from my perspective on the Cowboys 2020 season as well as how we can move forward in no particular order:

• We have have been reminded for the 25th straight year that Jerry doesn’t know what he’s doing in building a championship roster. Will he get more help? Doubtful. Hopefully he will at least listen to someone other than his children. At this point we’re probably just going to have to get lucky to be playoff relevant soon.
• We need a vision of what kind of team we are trying to build. Unless I’m just blind, this team is seemingly put together by this front office like a fantasy football team rather than a real football team with a plan. Just collecting talent like a bunch of spare parts doesn’t work.
• This team is not 1-3 players away. More like 7-10 players away from being competitive. Stop drinking the blue koolaide. This team needs a big infusion of talent that aligns with whatever plan they have or hopefully get.
• We still need to draft a DT or S with premium draft capital. I know Donovan Wilson has flashed with some good play at times this year. But don’t kid yourselves into thinking we’ve solved our safety woes. Or think we can continue to have mediocre DTs and ever be able to stop the run. Talent on defense is no different than drafting offense. Most big difference makers aren’t 5th rounders. If you want a great defense, use some premium draft picks to fix it.
  
• This FO is at a dangerous crossroads with Dak. Either sign him or commit to drafting a top first round QB as a part of a massive rebuild. They cannot keep avoiding the decision by tagging Dak again. If he’s not the guy you want to build around, then he needs to be moved. Personally, I would sign him because even if you get Lawrence or Fields, there is no guarantee they will be better than Dak. It’s a dice roll. Because of Jerry’s age, I don’t think he wants a complete 1989 style rebuild.
• High paid RBs and WRs are not the centerpiece to playoff success. I was against resigning Cooper. He’s a great receiver but he hasn’t made any real difference the last two years in winning. Yes, he has great stats but often it’s when we’re behind and have to pass. Most teams winning SBs aren’t the ones with the highest paid RBs and WRs. We can have a very good running game without the top paid RB in the NFL.
• We need to need to be prepared for life without Tyron Smith. I wouldn’t be surprised if he does a T-Fred and retires soon. He’s not going to ever be what he was. I think we need to prepare now to have a new LT, a top 3 critical position on the field.
• It’s great having post game without having to listen to Jerry’s meaningless drivel. It helps the team when the Jones boys talk less. Period.

What do you think we’ve learned from 2020?

I agree with everything except the Amari comment. He def was an obvious and direct casual to winning the year he was added and he’s still our best WR. There was no way we could’ve expected Gallup to mature as he has and then land Lamb in the draft. I’m okay with Amaris contract, Zeke and Jaylon though, epic fails.