Cowboys two years away from Super Bowl contention

[CowboyRoy]

I think Nolan put us in a hole early this year with trying to do too much on defense without a real training camp.
Early in the year, the D was historically bad.....2012 Cowboys level bad
dead last.

I said at the time that the D would end ranked higher...maybe mid 20s and the did rise about 7-8 spots.
But by then, Dak had been hurt and the season was basically lost.

Blame Nolan all you want, and trying to put in too much was a mistake. But it was the injuries and lack of talent that was the big issues. Simplifying the defense wouldnt have mattered. This defense sucked before Nolan got here.

 

[DFWJC]

Blame Nolan all you want, and trying to put in too much was a mistake. But it was the injuries and lack of talent that was the big issues. Simplifying the defense wouldnt have mattered. This defense sucked before Nolan got here.

of course its not all on Nolan....not at all.

But theres a big difference between the being 15th or so ranked vs being 32nd.
That’s 3-4 games right there

Dallas ended up 22nd....which means they were closer to the middle of the pack later in the year

 

[CowboyRoy]

of course its not all on Nolan....not at all.

But theres a big difference between the being 15th or so ranked vs being 32nd.
That’s 3-4 games right there

Dallas ended up 22nd....which means they were closer to the middle of the pack later in the year

If you think the defense couldnt stop the run because Nolan's scheme was more complicated, then you are kidding yourself. But I understand how some fans want to protect their beloved players. Because it cant possibly mean they suck. After all, they sucked for the last DC too.

 

[Captain-Crash]

And you blame the offense for those losses when we scored an average of 37 points a game? You would have to be dumb to come up with that analysis.

I'll give you a big clue as to why we lost those games.....................................ready..................wait for it......................The defense gave up 39 points per game.

Offense broke the NFL record for offense through the first 4 games. Broke the record set by...............THE GREATEST SHOW ON TURF, Rams team. Yet we still lost.

Did you watch the Cleveland game where the defense gave up 300 yards rushing and 50 points?

Duh It was Dak's fault!!!


Delete your account. You don't belong in a football conversation.

and he got a lucky onside kick to get one of his wins. lmao, Dalton came in and won the other one. How'd those stats work out.

 

[DFWJC]

If you think the defense couldnt stop the run because Nolan's scheme was more complicated, then you are kidding yourself. But I understand how some fans want to protect their beloved players. Because it cant possibly mean they suck. After all, they sucked for the last DC too.

What beloved players?
Im not protecting or making excuses for anyone

just saying that
1) if later season defense (still terrible, but better) was there all year
And
2) if Prescott had not been hurt

the team was probably going to the playoffs
Probably one and done anyway

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Blame Nolan all you want, and trying to put in too much was a mistake. But it was the injuries and lack of talent that was the big issues. Simplifying the defense wouldnt have mattered. This defense sucked before Nolan got here.

I think it was a combination of all of it....not having the talent and having injuries, then nolan should have really simplified his defense and adjust it to his personnel. His system is complex as it is, now using back ups and lower skilled players to implement is futile and that's what we saw. they all bore a hand in it. Nolan's system required all the players to make decisions, on the fly and success depended on those decisions being right, and if one or two made the wrong decision, then it would fall part.....I am not dismissing the fact, our DTs sucked. LBs were out of place and couldn't execute, and Jaylon was down right awful (he is not right physically). Our DBs got injured and thus we had 4th, 5th stringers running trying to execute the same scheme and they just weren't equipped.

I don't think we have enough talent to be top 10 defense, 2 years ago it was smoke and mirrors. this defense does need some infusion of talent, but they also need a coach that can put the right scheme in place. hopefully Quinn is that.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

and he got a lucky onside kick to get one of his wins. lmao, Dalton came in and won the other one. How'd those stats work out.

Dalton won what? the giants game? Dalton was handed a lead, and the ball on the 19 yard line and all the momentum in the world...he lost the lead....he got extremley lucky given Gallups super acrobatic catch saving his arse with an under thrown ball and the giants DB playing it wrong.

Dalton sucked all year. he beat three teams, who had their back up QBs playing, mostly injured and needed 9 turnovers to get it done....

 

[quickccc]

Blame Nolan all you want, and trying to put in too much was a mistake. But it was the injuries and lack of talent that was the big issues.
Simplifying the defense wouldnt have mattered. This defense sucked before Nolan got here.

And the defense quadruple sucked even more once Nolan took over; .out of the fryin' pan and into the fire.

And most of the big injuries was on the other side of the ball on offense per QB, OL, TE.. we got hit biggest with Trysten Hill, Diggs was able to return
and eventually Sean Lee but he clearly wasn't same as a year prior, and we well know how fragile he's been over an entire career.

And frankly I dunno what the deal is with Dlaw and his yearly lingering injuries - hasn't been the same since re-signing that big contract.

Yes we have issues with talent personnel,.. yes we have issues with the way management doesn't invest enough financially or strategically in the defense and team continues
to have low regards for certain positions on defense.

But if your team has gone from just decent to the very worst defenses in team history, with what you yourself are observing on the playing field and preparation, then you know it
has to point towards your coaching staff, first and foremost. ,.imo.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

To be fair, every team in the league is probably 2-3 years away from competing in the Super Bowl. That doesn't mean they will compete. It just means they could. Nobody knew the Bucs or Bills would be competing. Even the Chiefs didn't become a sure thing until recently. Heck, the Rams were bad and then became competitors, and then became bad again, and are now getting back to being competitors - all in about 3 years. Even if you look at Dallas, we're 13-3 every 5 or so years, and we're 10-6 every 2 or so years. And you can compete for Super Bowls at 10-6. The Bucs are playing in the Super Bowl at 11-5 this year. There's a difference between being a competitor and actually being a winner. I'm not surprised the 11-5 Brady-led Bucs are in the Super Bowl. I would've been shocked if our recent 13-3 teams made it.

 

[cowboyblue22]

as time goes by dak just keeps getting older and more injury prone if they dont go soon then it will be time to find another qb rebuild and move on

 

[Pantone282C]

It’s like that movie the money pit....”2 more weeks”

Yes, we believe you...

 

[quickccc]

Didn't read the article, but if they do everything right, it would take two years minimum to get a top defense here. Thats all we need to be a true contender.

-With me, I don't even place a time limit on it, when it more comes down to strategically adding what it takes to become a better overall team, in personnel and coaching and management.
With the way, the Cowboys want to continue to penny pinch the FA market we're not likely to get that middle ground help we could sorely use to help get us over the hump.

-None of defensive areas are fortified from DL to LB to Secondary, ..and how long are we gonna keep going through DCs and lead defensive coaches.

-Stephen wants to depend solely on the NFL draft and bargain based vets and an occasional Robert Quinn type Money Ball trade to get to the Super Bowl.
He cannot even get his cornerstone franchise QB re-signed to a long term commitment deal for the last 2 years. So even that is an ongoing story roll.

-The Chiefs went to trade for DE Frank Clark to add to Chris Jones, Juan Thornhill ..and then they added pro bowl safety Tyranny Matheiu as an Free agent to the mix.
while they are not really busting it from a NFL draft prospectively, they have hit it big in FA and trades - that's allow them to function and compete on the defensive side.

We all know how they were constructed jack pot winners on the offensive side per draft with Mahomes, Tyrek, Kelcie

-i'm not a big believer in CBs Chaverius Ward and Breeland nor the LBs Hitchens and Wilson - they are decent to average defenders, imo but the Chiefs coaching staff is somehow making it
work to allow them to compete. Thus they are not Dan Fouts' San Diego Chargers in all offense and no defense.

-No only did they alleviate in talent personnel but they did so in coaching area as well. Even when they were horrible in the Gunther area, they still manage just one or two penalty plays away from
advancing in to their first SB vs Pats in AFC title game,...

 

[waving monkey]

The defense blows. Offense will continue to be one of the best in the NFL with Dak back.

offence will have problems soon with TSmith

 

[Jake]

as time goes by dak just keeps getting older and more injury prone if they dont go soon then it will be time to find another qb rebuild and move on

About 8 years ago you could've said the same thing, just replace "dak" with "Romo".

As long as Jerry & Stephen keep playing fantasy football get ready to say it about the next QB, too.

 

[atlantacowboy]

Paying Dak has nothing to do with the defense. Nothing at all. Dak was paid an average of 1 million for 4 years and we couldnt build defense. Or did you miss all that?

You would be better off complaining about Zeke being paid or Lawrence or Jaylon. Dak earns his money and is a top 5 QB at the most important position in all of sports.

Jones has failed the defense by failing the draft.

Drafting:

Zeke over Ramsey
Taco over TJ Watt
Hill over Rapp

And on top of it, Dak has proven that he doenst need Zeke anymore. He doesnt even need a top Oline anymore. He is now a fully developed top 5 QB that can carry an offense. The Oline the first 4 games was injured and horrible. Dak lead the best offense in NFL history during that time scoring 37 points per game.

Who will I sacrifice? Easy one......................Zeke, Jaylon, Tyron Smith. Thats 40 million right there. Plenty of money. I would also resign Gallup if he will resign for under 13 million or under and let Cooper walk. Thats another 7 million.

Diggs has already replaced Jones. And he actually had 3 picks.

Any other questions?

Here is a question for you.................what is your magic plan to find another top 5 QB fully developed? And how are you going to do both that and build a defense? Now your offense sucks AND your defense sucks, AND you dont have a QB.

But hey, you got another 20 million to spend in FA. LOL

I don't consider Dak a top 5 QB. I think he's a stat compiler not a winner.

Obviously bad draft choices effect the team......effect every team not just Dallas.

Andy Dalton was actually impressive once he got comfortable. We don't an 8-8 Qb being paid like he's a super bowl contender. Dak's 9-11 in his last 20 starts with a full compliment of talent. But lets pay more money for that b/c it was so close to working right?

 

[Jake]

Rowr.
Maybe you should give up the fan card.
That'll show 'em!

Meh. I've said many times I'm only following now out of habit and old time's sake. I'm long past the days of expecting to make the playoffs and thinking about Super Bowls. The Cowboys have become a laughingstock.

Jerry & Stephen are NEVER going to win a Super Bowl as long as they continue to play fantasy football as "General Manager" and "Director of Player Personnel", titles not earned but simply handed to themselves.

No NFL team would hire either of them for those roles, so pardon me for having no hope in this franchise. I've seen enough articles about "windows", and "two years away" over the last quarter century to know better.

Feel free to quote me on that someday. I'd happily eat crow, but I suspect Jerry will go to his grave chasing that elusive one more Super Bowl. Then we'll see if Stephen learned the right lessons or the wrong ones.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

as time goes by dak just keeps getting older and more injury prone if they dont go soon then it will be time to find another qb rebuild and move on

how is he exactly getting more injury prone? sean lee is injury prone. tyron smith is injury prone. Dak has a broken ankle from a tackle....Tom brady had a ligament tear from a tackle, did that make him injury prone?

and every team (except perhaps new england) build, competes for a short period, then rebuilds....that's the cycle in the NFL. no team stays on top for long periods, except again, for New England, but then again there is only one bilicheck. and their cycle took 20 years, seemingly rebuilding now.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

-With me, I don't even place a time limit on it, when it more comes down to strategically adding what it takes to become a better overall team, in personnel and coaching and management.
With the way, the Cowboys want to continue to penny pinch the FA market we're not likely to get that middle ground help we could sorely use to help get us over the hump.

-None of defensive areas are fortified from DL to LB to Secondary, ..and how long are we gonna keep going through DCs and lead defensive coaches.

-Stephen wants to depend solely on the NFL draft and bargain based vets and an occasional Robert Quinn type Money Ball trade to get to the Super Bowl.
He cannot even get his cornerstone franchise QB re-signed to a long term commitment deal for the last 2 years. So even that is an ongoing story roll.

-The Chiefs went to trade for DE Frank Clark to add to Chris Jones, Juan Thornhill ..and then they added pro bowl safety Tyranny Matheiu as an Free agent to the mix.
while they are not really busting it from a NFL draft prospectively, they have hit it big in FA and trades - that's allow them to function and compete on the defensive side.

We all know how they were constructed jack pot winners on the offensive side per draft with Mahomes, Tyrek, Kelcie

-i'm not a big believer in CBs Chaverius Ward and Breeland nor the LBs Hitchens and Wilson - they are decent to average defenders, imo but the Chiefs coaching staff is somehow making it
work to allow them to compete. Thus they are not Dan Fouts' San Diego Chargers in all offense and no defense.

-No only did they alleviate in talent personnel but they did so in coaching area as well. Even when they were horrible in the Gunther area, they still manage just one or two penalty plays away from
advancing in to their first SB vs Pats in AFC title game,...

I think you have to draft well and if you don't, then you are going to be medicore...seemingly we draft well offensively and struggle defensively...15 years, 44 picks. we had perhaps only 2 impact players, in Lawrence and Jones. the rest were ho hum. that included high first round picks, mid first round, bottom first round and any other round.....compare that to the offensive picks in the same period that include Tyron, Martin, Dak, Zeke, CD, Fredrick, Biadasz (all rookie team), Schultz, Pollard, Gallup, Collins, Jarwin....some how we find the offensive players, but not the defensive players....

and like you said, you build through draft or key trades (like we did with cooper) and you throw in a FA here or there and the evaluation process matters. on the defensive side we suck in evaluation even on FAs who have NFL history. this past year we got 4, none made it past mid season. Quinn!!! a huge liability on run defense, for a team that had trouble stopping the run, you just weakened a position more, which was already weak...we added the likes of Hardy, Irvin, etc....perhaps talented but all head cases. and other teams seemingly add the right mid level players. we couldnt' even recognize/evaluate the talent we had on our team. we let Hitchen walk. we let Damien Wilson walk, we let Ward walk and look at KC and how they are using those players...

fix the defensive evaluation problem and lots of things will get fixed.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

I don't consider Dak a top 5 QB. I think he's a stat compiler not a winner.

Obviously bad draft choices effect the team......effect every team not just Dallas.

Andy Dalton was actually impressive once he got comfortable. We don't an 8-8 Qb being paid like he's a super bowl contender. Dak's 9-11 in his last 20 starts with a full compliment of talent. But lets pay more money for that b/c it was so close to working right?

if you really evaluated all the QBs, outside of Mahomes, Brady, Rodgers they are all stat compilers. which is normal. you perform less against better teams and defenses. you get stats against lesser teams and bad defenses. only makes sense....I don't put all wins and losses on the QB, given they don't control every thing. the coaches bear a great brunt of the blame. to say our coaching has lacked for the past 10 years is an under statement. Romo's career got wasted by garrett's incompetence. Dak's first four years were a folly of stupid coaching decisions. I was hoping MC would be better, but this past year wasn't a good indicator we are heading in the right direction.

 

[Corso]

Meh. I've said many times I'm only following now out of habit and old time's sake. I'm long past the days of expecting to make the playoffs and thinking about Super Bowls. The Cowboys have become a laughingstock.

Jerry & Stephen are NEVER going to win a Super Bowl as long as they continue to play fantasy football as "General Manager" and "Director of Player Personnel", titles not earned but simply handed to themselves.

No NFL team would hire either of them for those roles, so pardon me for having no hope in this franchise. I've seen enough articles about "windows", and "two years away" over the last quarter century to know better.

Feel free to quote me on that someday. I'd happily eat crow, but I suspect Jerry will go to his grave chasing that elusive one more Super Bowl. Then we'll see if Stephen learned the right lessons or the wrong ones.

Right on!