Some “When was the last time?” Questions

[Bobhaze]

So just for fun and curiosity...I’m wondering:

• When was the last time going into a season, you were confident the Cowboys were contenders for a Super Bowl? For me, it would have to be 2007. Romo had emerged as a real talent, and the Cowboys had a legit defense that Parcells had shaped. That team did get the number 1 seed...you know the rest.

• When was the last time you were confident going into the playoffs that we could make some noise? For me it was both 2014, the last year Romo was still upright, and 2016, when Dak was a rookie. The 2016 team had shown a physical dominance in the running game. The 2016 defense was also ranked 5th. Unfortunately both defenses were not that good when it counted.
  
  
• When was the last time you felt great about this organization’s off season Free Agency moves? I can’t think of a recent year.

• When was the last time this team had a dominant DT (or interior defensive lineman)? LeRoi Glover? He was a NT in the 3-4. Jay Ratliff? Not sure he was dominant. Anyone else? I contend that this FO for some reason (since Parcells left) no longer values interior DL. I don’t understand why.

• When was the last time this team had a dominant Safety? Roy Williams? He had a couple of really good years, then was exposed that he couldn’t cover receivers very well. Was it Darren Woodson? Woodson was great. It’s still a mystery why this organization undervalues the S position.

• When was the last time our defense was physically dominating opponents on a semi-regular basis? 2009? 2007? It’s been a very long time.

This off season has made me wonder again why this organization stubbornly chooses to undervalue interior defensive lineman and safeties. Those positions could certainly be addressed in this draft, but it seems pretty clear that this FOs philosophy of not valuing those positions needs to be looked at.

And this FO’s yearly dumpster dive philosophy in FA seems to put a lot of pressure on the draft being able to fix all the holes.

Thoughts?

 

[Silly]

Well, FA season is not over yet and neither is the draft so we don't yet know exactly what direction the Cowboys are headed. We may be very excited about the team come next season.

 

[Bobhaze]

Well, FA season is not over yet and neither is the draft so we don't yet know exactly what direction the Cowboys are headed. We may be very excited about the team come next season.

True. When was the last time you were confident in all the off season moves?

 

[blueblood70]

• When was the last time going into a season, you were confident the Cowboys were contenders for a Super Bowl? 2014 and 2016 but after the seatle win in 18 we looked pretty good..

• When was the last time you were confident going into the playoffs that we could make some noise? 2014 and 2016 but after the seatle win in 18 we looked pretty good..
  
  
• When was the last time you felt great about this organization’s off season Free Agency moves? last year i got duped those were solid names griffen poe haha and mccoy should not have all busted and AS started quick out of the gate..
• When was the last time this team had a dominant DT (or interior defensive lineman)?Not sure ends yes, interior no

• When was the last time this team had a dominant Safety? old news like above maybe this changes soon , post Garett i had hopes that new DCs would change this.. for sure why is is Nolan and Quinn cant get through to the Jonses. maybe quinn still might as the off season just started so this thread is premature in a lot of ways..

• When was the last time our defense was physically dominating opponents on a semi-regular basis? they played pretty well at times 2016 and 18 but there truly arent a lot of physically dominating's defenses around the league anymore as offenses for the time being seem to egt ahead pof the defenses, adjustment periods are needed..the college game is leaking over to the pro game..where the defense in college, no many dominate anymore..even Bama went offense this season..

 

[Sydla]

Well, FA season is not over yet and neither is the draft so we don't yet know exactly what direction the Cowboys are headed. We may be very excited about the team come next season.

FA isn't over but its not like there are some complete studs still out there that we could sign that would fix our biggest problems. Take DT. We signed two back up types. There isn't much out there left at DT that moves the needle. The draft is not strong on upper echelon DT prospects.

It's hard to imagine that we are going to be heading into the 2021 season thinking our DT situation is vastly improved from what was an abomination last year. It's why I am perplexed they weren't more active in trying to bring in a starter quality DT or two.

 

[Rockport]

So just for fun and curiosity...I’m wondering:

• When was the last time going into a season, you were confident the Cowboys were contenders for a Super Bowl? For me, it would have to be 2007. Romo had emerged as a real talent, and the Cowboys had a legit defense that Parcells had shaped. That team did get the number 1 seed...you know the rest.

• When was the last time you were confident going into the playoffs that we could make some noise? For me it was both 2014, the last year Romo was still upright, and 2016, when Dak was a rookie. The 2016 team had shown a physical dominance in the running game. The 2016 defense was also ranked 5th. Unfortunately both defenses were not that good when it counted.
  
  
• When was the last time you felt great about this organization’s off season Free Agency moves? I can’t think of a recent year.

• When was the last time this team had a dominant DT (or interior defensive lineman)? LeRoi Glover? He was a NT in the 3-4. Jay Ratliff? Not sure he was dominant. Anyone else? I contend that this FO for some reason (since Parcells left) no longer values interior DL. I don’t understand why.

• When was the last time this team had a dominant Safety? Roy Williams? He had a couple of really good years, then was exposed that he couldn’t cover receivers very well. Was it Darren Woodson? Woodson was great. It’s still a mystery why this organization undervalues the S position.

• When was the last time our defense was physically dominating opponents on a semi-regular basis? 2009? 2007? It’s been a very long time.

This off season has made me wonder again why this organization stubbornly chooses to undervalue interior defensive lineman and safeties. Those positions could certainly be addressed in this draft, but it seems pretty clear that this FOs philosophy of not valuing those positions needs to be looked at.

And this FO’s yearly dumpster dive philosophy in FA seems to put a lot of pressure on the draft being able to fix all the holes.

Thoughts?

This will go downhill quickly.

 

[Rockport]

True. When was the last time you were confident in all the off season moves?

Last year for me. Solid free agency and an awesome draft. The free agents were pretty much a bust however.

 

[Ranching]

So just for fun and curiosity...I’m wondering:

• When was the last time going into a season, you were confident the Cowboys were contenders for a Super Bowl? For me, it would have to be 2007. Romo had emerged as a real talent, and the Cowboys had a legit defense that Parcells had shaped. That team did get the number 1 seed...you know the rest.

• When was the last time you were confident going into the playoffs that we could make some noise? For me it was both 2014, the last year Romo was still upright, and 2016, when Dak was a rookie. The 2016 team had shown a physical dominance in the running game. The 2016 defense was also ranked 5th. Unfortunately both defenses were not that good when it counted.
  
  
• When was the last time you felt great about this organization’s off season Free Agency moves? I can’t think of a recent year.

• When was the last time this team had a dominant DT (or interior defensive lineman)? LeRoi Glover? He was a NT in the 3-4. Jay Ratliff? Not sure he was dominant. Anyone else? I contend that this FO for some reason (since Parcells left) no longer values interior DL. I don’t understand why.

• When was the last time this team had a dominant Safety? Roy Williams? He had a couple of really good years, then was exposed that he couldn’t cover receivers very well. Was it Darren Woodson? Woodson was great. It’s still a mystery why this organization undervalues the S position.

• When was the last time our defense was physically dominating opponents on a semi-regular basis? 2009? 2007? It’s been a very long time.

This off season has made me wonder again why this organization stubbornly chooses to undervalue interior defensive lineman and safeties. Those positions could certainly be addressed in this draft, but it seems pretty clear that this FOs philosophy of not valuing those positions needs to be looked at.

And this FO’s yearly dumpster dive philosophy in FA seems to put a lot of pressure on the draft being able to fix all the holes.

Thoughts?

I'm you're classic homer with the Cowboys, I'm always positive, because there is nothing I can do about it. I choose not to get aggravated, especially now that the former coach, that sucked, is gone.

 

[jazzcat22]

I expected to be contenders just about every year. until 2000 or so. Well, late 80's to early 90's, I did not expect them to do much. I then expected some down years for 4 or 5 years. Even with Parcels, I did not expect it, felt he needed 2 or 3 years. Then with wade, 2007 to 2009, back to expect making some noise. With Garrett, I did not know to expect. 2014, 2016, 2018 looked good as we were robbed in 2014.
Last year I just expected to win the division, then go from there.
This year, I am in a wait and see mode. However, if they stay healthy, I expect them to win the division or get a WC. But will not say a SB contender at this point.

 

[Flamma]

So just for fun and curiosity...I’m wondering:

• When was the last time going into a season, you were confident the Cowboys were contenders for a Super Bowl? For me, it would have to be 2007. Romo had emerged as a real talent, and the Cowboys had a legit defense that Parcells had shaped. That team did get the number 1 seed...you know the rest.

• When was the last time you were confident going into the playoffs that we could make some noise? For me it was both 2014, the last year Romo was still upright, and 2016, when Dak was a rookie. The 2016 team had shown a physical dominance in the running game. The 2016 defense was also ranked 5th. Unfortunately both defenses were not that good when it counted.
  
  
• When was the last time you felt great about this organization’s off season Free Agency moves? I can’t think of a recent year.

• When was the last time this team had a dominant DT (or interior defensive lineman)? LeRoi Glover? He was a NT in the 3-4. Jay Ratliff? Not sure he was dominant. Anyone else? I contend that this FO for some reason (since Parcells left) no longer values interior DL. I don’t understand why.

• When was the last time this team had a dominant Safety? Roy Williams? He had a couple of really good years, then was exposed that he couldn’t cover receivers very well. Was it Darren Woodson? Woodson was great. It’s still a mystery why this organization undervalues the S position.

• When was the last time our defense was physically dominating opponents on a semi-regular basis? 2009? 2007? It’s been a very long time.

This off season has made me wonder again why this organization stubbornly chooses to undervalue interior defensive lineman and safeties. Those positions could certainly be addressed in this draft, but it seems pretty clear that this FOs philosophy of not valuing those positions needs to be looked at.

And this FO’s yearly dumpster dive philosophy in FA seems to put a lot of pressure on the draft being able to fix all the holes.

Thoughts?

Pretty much agree. To some extent, I'd add the 2014 and '16 season. Those teams were dangerous and the only two other times besides 2007 was I truly upset when they lost. So I was expecting a lot more. I expected nothing in all other playoff appearances in the last two decades. I got it too.

I'd add, when was the last time you had high hopes for an upcoming season? Something I routinely had from the 70's into the mid 90s with a few bad years in the late 80s. For me it was 2008. What a drag that turned out to be.

 

[SlammedZero]

So just for fun and curiosity...I’m wondering:

• When was the last time going into a season, you were confident the Cowboys were contenders for a Super Bowl? For me, it would have to be 2007. Romo had emerged as a real talent, and the Cowboys had a legit defense that Parcells had shaped. That team did get the number 1 seed...you know the rest.

• When was the last time you were confident going into the playoffs that we could make some noise? For me it was both 2014, the last year Romo was still upright, and 2016, when Dak was a rookie. The 2016 team had shown a physical dominance in the running game. The 2016 defense was also ranked 5th. Unfortunately both defenses were not that good when it counted.
  
  
• When was the last time you felt great about this organization’s off season Free Agency moves? I can’t think of a recent year.

• When was the last time this team had a dominant DT (or interior defensive lineman)? LeRoi Glover? He was a NT in the 3-4. Jay Ratliff? Not sure he was dominant. Anyone else? I contend that this FO for some reason (since Parcells left) no longer values interior DL. I don’t understand why.

• When was the last time this team had a dominant Safety? Roy Williams? He had a couple of really good years, then was exposed that he couldn’t cover receivers very well. Was it Darren Woodson? Woodson was great. It’s still a mystery why this organization undervalues the S position.

• When was the last time our defense was physically dominating opponents on a semi-regular basis? 2009? 2007? It’s been a very long time.

This off season has made me wonder again why this organization stubbornly chooses to undervalue interior defensive lineman and safeties. Those positions could certainly be addressed in this draft, but it seems pretty clear that this FOs philosophy of not valuing those positions needs to be looked at.

And this FO’s yearly dumpster dive philosophy in FA seems to put a lot of pressure on the draft being able to fix all the holes.

Thoughts?

Honestly, we are almost on the exact same page. Though, to add to this, I went into 2015 with a pretty confident attitude. While I knew that 2014 playoff loss hurt, I figured we had a good team assembled, the team was motivated, and we signed (what we had all hoped would be) a difference maker on defense with Greg Hardy. Then, with the way we finished strong against the Giants to open the season, I thought the ball was rolling. Well, we all know how the story unfolds after that with Romo going down in game 2 against Philly. The rest is history.

 

[Aven8]

With Romo we always had a chance.

The experiment with JG took too long though. It wasted a lot of good players.

 

[JoeKing]

Asking those questions and honestly answering them in my head made me realize something. I'm a sucker. Like the kind P.T. Barnum talked about, only I'm a sucker for the Dallas Cowboys. I feel good about the team every year at some point. Here I am again getting my hopes up.

 

[plymkr]

So just for fun and curiosity...I’m wondering:

• When was the last time going into a season, you were confident the Cowboys were contenders for a Super Bowl? For me, it would have to be 2007. Romo had emerged as a real talent, and the Cowboys had a legit defense that Parcells had shaped. That team did get the number 1 seed...you know the rest.

• When was the last time you were confident going into the playoffs that we could make some noise? For me it was both 2014, the last year Romo was still upright, and 2016, when Dak was a rookie. The 2016 team had shown a physical dominance in the running game. The 2016 defense was also ranked 5th. Unfortunately both defenses were not that good when it counted.
  
  
• When was the last time you felt great about this organization’s off season Free Agency moves? I can’t think of a recent year.

• When was the last time this team had a dominant DT (or interior defensive lineman)? LeRoi Glover? He was a NT in the 3-4. Jay Ratliff? Not sure he was dominant. Anyone else? I contend that this FO for some reason (since Parcells left) no longer values interior DL. I don’t understand why.

• When was the last time this team had a dominant Safety? Roy Williams? He had a couple of really good years, then was exposed that he couldn’t cover receivers very well. Was it Darren Woodson? Woodson was great. It’s still a mystery why this organization undervalues the S position.

• When was the last time our defense was physically dominating opponents on a semi-regular basis? 2009? 2007? It’s been a very long time.

This off season has made me wonder again why this organization stubbornly chooses to undervalue interior defensive lineman and safeties. Those positions could certainly be addressed in this draft, but it seems pretty clear that this FOs philosophy of not valuing those positions needs to be looked at.

And this FO’s yearly dumpster dive philosophy in FA seems to put a lot of pressure on the draft being able to fix all the holes.

Thoughts?

*2017. Before that was the 2nd year of the wade wilson era. Both those years we were coming off great regular seasons and one and done playoffs. Both of those years were soul crushing.

*2014 and 2016, I truly thought going into the playoffs we were going all the way.

*99 or 98, when we signed Quentin Coyatte(sp) and rocket Ismail. We also signed a couple other FAs but those were the headliners. Quentin bombed but Ismail was good.

*Ratliff was pretty dominant when he wanted to play.

*Roy William's first year when he was paired with Woodson. Those 2 made a good safety combo. Then Woodson retired and Roy got fat and lost a step. And to think we could have drafted Ed Reed instead of Roy Williams.

*it's been so long since our D dominated and has been intimidating that I don't know. We did have the #1 defense in 2003, but I don't remember a D like the 92 or 93 seasons were we just got turnovers and was hard hitting.

 

[cowboyec]

1.last year.
2.2018...that became one of my favorite cowboys teams...everything changed after the trade for COOOOOOOP.i thought we'd beat the rams and win it all.
had no idea our defense would get gutted for over 300 rush yds.
3.last year...mccoy,poe,haha and everson griffen.
i thought it would elevate our defense.
4.russell maryland was the first face that i saw when i read the question.
5.roy williams.
6.the 2018 defense was damn good til the colts game and the rams div playoff gutting.
but they were an opportunistic bunch.

 

[Diehardblues]

It’s been about 25 years. That’s the last time I felt confident or had real hope. 1996.

 

[Point-of-the-Star]

I never intentionally feel optimistic anymore. I am very guarded about our Cowboys and while I'm definitely not from Missouri but I'm waiting on them to show me.

I think Bob the point you're trying to make with these questions is that it just seems the builders of the Cowboys are perpetually just :

 

[Bullflop]

There's no question but what a knowledgeable GM is a needed advantage that Jerry has refused to provide throughout his time in that role. Rather than do that, he'll be perfectly content to impose upon that role, with no regard for the football record of the team. His ego is a curse to providing that goal. That won't end as long as Jerry serves a role as his team's GM. It matters not that his team's many fans remain frustrated.

 

[RodeoJake]

I expected to be contenders just about every year. until 2000 or so. Well, late 80's to early 90's, I did not expect them to do much. I then expected some down years for 4 or 5 years. Even with Parcels, I did not expect it, felt he needed 2 or 3 years. Then with wade, 2007 to 2009, back to expect making some noise. With Garrett, I did not know to expect. 2014, 2016, 2018 looked good as we were robbed in 2014.
Last year I just expected to win the division, then go from there.
This year, I am in a wait and see mode. However, if they stay healthy, I expect them to win the division or get a WC. But will not say a SB contender at this point.

Even under Campo, I was excited to contend until I knew we sucked.

 

[GMO415]

So just for fun and curiosity...I’m wondering:

• When was the last time going into a season, you were confident the Cowboys were contenders for a Super Bowl? For me, it would have to be 2007. Romo had emerged as a real talent, and the Cowboys had a legit defense that Parcells had shaped. That team did get the number 1 seed...you know the rest.

• When was the last time you were confident going into the playoffs that we could make some noise? For me it was both 2014, the last year Romo was still upright, and 2016, when Dak was a rookie. The 2016 team had shown a physical dominance in the running game. The 2016 defense was also ranked 5th. Unfortunately both defenses were not that good when it counted.
  
  
• When was the last time you felt great about this organization’s off season Free Agency moves? I can’t think of a recent year.

• When was the last time this team had a dominant DT (or interior defensive lineman)? LeRoi Glover? He was a NT in the 3-4. Jay Ratliff? Not sure he was dominant. Anyone else? I contend that this FO for some reason (since Parcells left) no longer values interior DL. I don’t understand why.

• When was the last time this team had a dominant Safety? Roy Williams? He had a couple of really good years, then was exposed that he couldn’t cover receivers very well. Was it Darren Woodson? Woodson was great. It’s still a mystery why this organization undervalues the S position.

• When was the last time our defense was physically dominating opponents on a semi-regular basis? 2009? 2007? It’s been a very long time.

This off season has made me wonder again why this organization stubbornly chooses to undervalue interior defensive lineman and safeties. Those positions could certainly be addressed in this draft, but it seems pretty clear that this FOs philosophy of not valuing those positions needs to be looked at.

And this FO’s yearly dumpster dive philosophy in FA seems to put a lot of pressure on the draft being able to fix all the holes.

Thoughts?

2017, but I'll.never fall for it again.