A story about the 2020 season and a story about Mike McCarthy

[RustyBourneHorse]

We have to win this week. Winning 4 in a row then losing would be a disaster.

I dunno, even if we lose, we've still had an incredible turn around.

 

[john van brocklin]

How are you?

Playoffs!!!!

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Playoffs!!!!

Yaas! We may be able to make it!

 

[CowboyRoy]

I dunno, even if we lose, we've still had an incredible turn around.

If we lose it will be the worst thing possible. All we have done is beat the worst teams in the nfl with 2nd and third string qb’s.

but honestly, winning and getting blown out in the first round will be the worst thing.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

If we lose it will be the worst thing possible. All we have done is beat the worst teams in the nfl with 2nd and third string qb’s.

but honestly, winning and getting blown out in the first round will be the worst thing.

Unless we completely crap the bed, I will not see it that way.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Unless we completely crap the bed, I will not see it that way.

we have fallen from the 3rd pick all the way to now the 11th pick. We win the division and we’re picking like 20th.

better get to the 2nd round to make that worth while.

 

[Typhus]

we have fallen from the 3rd pick all the way to now the 11th pick. We win the division and we’re picking like 20th.

better get to the 2nd round to make that worth while.

Looking at this draft, it doesnt really make a significant difference at this point.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Looking at this draft, it doesnt really make a significant difference at this point.

Spoken like the draft expert you are.

 

[Typhus]

Spoken like the draft expert you are.

Yes, my reputation precedes me...

 

[Whyjerry]

To make my point clear, let me start with the story of this season. Dak went down with his horrific injury against the Giants in Mid-October in a game we ended up winning. The season was already difficult at this point, but this was a much needed divisional win. However, this win was soured by the loss of Dak. The next game, we get taken to the cleaners by the Cardinals on Monday Night in what was arguably the worst showing that this team has had in a while. That was until the following week when we get taken to the cleaners by Washington. During that game, enter Ben DiNucci as Dalton left with an injury. We went on from there to another QB in Gilbert who nearly beat the then undefeated Steelers in a valiant effort before we'd come back to Dalton. Going into the last 4 games, of this season, we were 3-9 and sitting at the 3 or 4th overall pick. Many of us, including me truthfully, were begging for the "tank" to continue. However, the tank was not to be the story of the 2020 Dallas Cowboys. In the craziest of seasons in one of the worst years in history, the Cowboys reeled a 3 game winning streak. Going from one of the worst teams to arguably looking like a playoff team. Most importantly, McCarthy has done this with FOUR different QBs. He's won FOUR games with a backup QB. Something that the previous coach couldn't do. Oh, and in a season with no real offseason. Yet, this team is red hot right now. Even if we miss the playoffs, this is impressive, and McCarthy deserves A LOT of credit. More importantly, while our draft spot is getting lower, the CONFIDENCE of this team is growing. I have no idea what will happen next week. I certainly hope we make the playoffs. I think we could be a quietly dangerous team in the playoffs. This team has been playing like they've got nothing to lose. We've quietly become a team that is finding an identity while playing with a backup QB. Our defence is getting takeaways. The team is understanding the scheme that McCarthy is implementing. They are confident in themselves. Even if we miss the playoffs, this is important because it could make us a VERY dangerous team next year. Let's say, hypothetically, we beat the Giants and the WFT beats Philly. Sure, we'd finish 6-10 and in second place in a horrible division. Sure, it might've been nice to pick 4th overall. However, the confidence that this team is exhibiting is MUCH more important than picking 4th overall. This confidence and ability that this team is showing can feed into us becoming one of the most DANGEROUS teams going into next season.

To illustrate this, I shall give you all an example. Let me tell you all a story about Mike McCarthy. In 2006, McCarthy took over the Packers as HC. They went 8-8 and missed the playoffs that year. Ironically, they finished that season in 2nd place. They were 4-8 with 4 games remaining on their schedule. Yet, they won their final 4 games including a convincing 30-19 win over the 49ers in San Francisco against a good young QB by the name of Alex Smith (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Green_Bay_Packers_season) who finished the season 7-9. The next season, the Packers roll to an impressive 13-3 record. They had the same record as us that season. We were the 1 seed because we beat them on the Thursday Night game in which TO did his popcorn celebration. This was only their second loss of the season. They went on to the NFC Championship where they lost to the eventual SB Champion NY Giants. This was the final game for Brett Favre in a Packers uniform. Not saying we'll be exactly like the Packers were then, but this is not the first time that McCarthy has started his first year with a new team and had a rough year to start. Who knows where we will finish next season? And we still have a game to go! Who knows where we'll finish this season and what confidence THAT will bring going into next season?

I daresay, if we get some key pieces on defence fixed, have Dak back healthy next season, and a full offseason including preseason games and in person OTAs, we will be quite the contender going into next season. Furthermore, this might be just the season our team needs going into our future with McCarthy. This shows our team what it takes to win games and be a dangerous team. No matter what, the players that played on this team this season can point to this season to say, "No matter what, we can do this! We can start in a huge hole and make this kind of rally." I think we should be excited as a fan base.

They have a lot of wood to chop on D plus several bad contracts. DT, LB, LB, CB and S need to be addressed. I expect the LB position to need a complete overhaul.

 

[Pantone282C]

I am rethinking the fire Nolan thing too. He's done well lately.

I'm good with MM getting a couple of years more - most new coaches do.
Not convinced about Nolan just yet - still iffy.

 

[BourbonBalz]

If all of our injured players come back healthy next year we’re definitely set on offense. Our backup OL are getting some good experience and Smith, Collins, and Martin should probably be healthier than in awhile with the time off. We’re obviously set at WR and RB, and it looks like we’re going to be in pretty good shape at TE. If we can have a good draft from a defensive standpoint and maybe pick up a good free agent or two on defense, we’ll be a contender.

 

[stiletto]

Spoken like the draft expert you are.

You are still really thinking this year is like "all the rest"? LOL..the fact that there is even what is going on is going on should give you "pause". LOL I agree it's ridiculous as hell..but if this sorry raggedy assed team goes to the playoffs... the record is 0-0...

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

They have a lot of wood to chop on D plus several bad contracts. DT, LB, LB, CB and S need to be addressed. I expect the LB position to need a complete overhaul.

I think LB will be the top priority going into the draft given that Lee will probably retire. DT needs help as does SS.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I'm good with MM getting a couple of years more - most new coaches do.
Not convinced about Nolan just yet - still iffy.

I think one more season for him should do.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

we have fallen from the 3rd pick all the way to now the 11th pick. We win the division and we’re picking like 20th.

better get to the 2nd round to make that worth while.

Well yes, and we will see where we finish. I would like for us to make it to the second round of the playoffs. Still, if we even make the playoffs, Mike Mccarthy will have gone from having done an amazing job to an incredible job imo all things considered.

 

[gjkoeppen]

I think MM deserves 3 years to get this team right. Nolan has a much tighter lease. After week 5 I wanted him gone, now I'm willing to be a little more patient with him considering over the past 3-4 weeks we are the best in the league at forcing turnovers.

It's the players that caused the turnovers not Nolan's defense. I've been against Nolan from the start installing a new defense with no off season programs or preseason games that requires the players to fit his defense instead of installing a defense that fits the players. I truly would have like to see what the defense would have done when the defense is designed to fit their talents and not the players fitting his defense. Would it have taken 14 weeks for them to start to play well?
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[RustyBourneHorse]

If all of our injured players come back healthy next year we’re definitely set on offense. Our backup OL are getting some good experience and Smith, Collins, and Martin should probably be healthier than in awhile with the time off. We’re obviously set at WR and RB, and it looks like we’re going to be in pretty good shape at TE. If we can have a good draft from a defensive standpoint and maybe pick up a good free agent or two on defense, we’ll be a contender.

Agreed. If we can use our resources wisely in the draft on sound defencive players and maybe an olineman or two, we will definitely be contenders. I reckon that this time next season, we'll be debating how far in the playoffs we will go.

 

[75boyz]

The foundational premise of the OP is the trending upward direction you are feeling about the team from what I read here.
I question the foundation of this supposed upward trend.
Is there an asterisk to be added for how historically bad the whole division is?
Is the realization that in the last 31 games this team has beaten last year's Philly playoff team and the Ram's 9-7 2019 non playoff team as it's signature wins not somewhat telling?
Regardless of coach, QB, covid or injuries those are the 2 wins over winning teams.
1-6 last year against playoff teams and 0-4 this year so far with Rams, Ariz, Cards and WFT still tbd if they are playoff teams. But regardless, were all losses as well.

Next year's defensive roster turnover strikes me as needing more than a standard makeover in not only many new personnel pieces but to include a new coordinator and position coaches.

I did not care for the last coach nor am I a fan of this current choice.

But in the last 2 years the Cowboys haven't beaten any good teams regardless of coaching or quarterbacking or defense.

The whole what ifs surrounding return from injury and the entire QB drama that has yet to fully unfold still awaits.

I would temper my expectations somewhat until consistent post season success can be achieved by this HC without that guy Rodgers carrying him on his back.

My .02.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

The foundational premise of the OP is the trending upward direction you are feeling about the team from what I read here.
I question the foundation of this supposed upward trend.
Is there an asterisk to be added for how historically bad the whole division is?
Is the realization that in the last 31 games this team has beaten last year's Philly playoff team and the Ram's 9-7 2019 non playoff team as it's signature wins not somewhat telling?
Regardless of coach, QB, covid or injuries those are the 2 wins over winning teams.
1-6 last year against playoff teams and 0-4 this year so far with Rams, Ariz, Cards and WFT still tbd if they are playoff teams. But regardless, were all losses as well.

Next year's defensive roster turnover strikes me as needing more than a standard makeover in not only many new personnel pieces but to include a new coordinator and position coaches.

I did not care for the last coach nor am I a fan of this current choice.

But in the last 2 years the Cowboys haven't beaten any good teams regardless of coaching or quarterbacking or defense.

The whole what ifs surrounding return from injury and the entire QB drama that has yet to fully unfold still awaits.

I would temper my expectations somewhat until consistent post season success can be achieved by this HC without that guy Rodgers carrying him on his back.

My .02.

That may be. But this coach has been in a situation where he had a bad start, finished strong, and the team the year after went to the NFCC. The confidence that this team is experiencing is important.