Where's your Optimeter needle pointing?

[blueblood70]

Just want improve from 8-8, 6-10 I'm thinking with luck in the injurys department division winner and wc win...need to start this climb upward..

 

[Direwolf63]

I've done this every off season after the draft just to check and see where posters' heads are at with the upcoming season. I did not do it last season because I am not sure what last season was.

Which brings me to this season. I am really feeling good about this season, I think the Cowboys will win the East and possibly a playoff game that first weekend.

But it's not the record this season or the playoffs that have me extra tuned in, it is to see if I can get that feeling I had in 1990-91 when I could see something special coming together. That's when that defense began to emerge and I could see the speed and the train coming.

New DC, 8 D players drafted and more signed in FA and UDFA and some of the missing pieces returning like Diggs and we'll see about Vander Esch. Not to mention the OL coming back an of course, the QB and Jarwin and we'll get a good look at Lamb's soph season and I do think it will be impressive. Ya know, I got the feeling watching him at OU when Hollywood Brown was there that this guy was just meant to be a WR, he's a natural.

If I were a clever illustrator, I would put a graphic up with the needle and different categories but I am neither clever nor an illustrator so I will just list them.

Your choices are: Let's Talk Draft 2022, 2020 in Hindsight (no better), Barely Better than 2020, Wild Card, Division Champs, Noisemaker in the Playoffs, This is Our Year.

I am in that Division Champs section of the Optimeter.

Please state your reasons for where your needle is pointing and could we try and refrain from going after someone or name calling like Homer or Hater because of where their needle is? You feel how you feel and don't have to defend it.

This year, I'm from Missouri. Don't tell me, SHOW me.

The hype machine is always in overdrive during the offseason, followed by disappointment when the games start.

I'm not getting sucked in again. Until I see it, it's just more blah........

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

I always go into the season full of optimism..... foolishly or not

 

[Stash]

This year, I'm from Missouri. Don't tell me, SHOW me.

The hype machine is always in overdrive during the offseason, followed by disappointment when the games start.

I'm not getting sucked in again. Until I see it, it's just more blah........

I’ve been there brother. I can’t blame anyone for being down.

Hang in there.

 

[Stash]

I always go into the season full of optimism..... foolishly or not

That’s a big reason why we’re still fans at all.

 

[CowboyoWales]

Basically it comes down to Quinn getting this defense from looking pitiful and helpless in 2020 to a somewhat respectable unit ranked in the 20ish range in 2021. I believes he has much better players to work with particularly in the front 7. So with that and better luck with injuries on the OL, this is a 10-7/11-6 team and in contention for the division title.

On paper 2020's Poe, McCoy, Thomas, Griffen, Aldon and Lee.... looked a pretty decent front 7 and i'm not sure we have better players going into this year, however, hopefully we're better coached and the youngsters we've brought in show more determination than some of those that put on the Star last year.

 

[Sydla]

Not sure how optimistic I am but frankly, in this division, I think this team should be able to win 10 games, at least. Assuming relatively good health, of course.

So maybe not optimism as much as expectation.

 

[conner01]

Basically it comes down to Quinn getting this defense from looking pitiful and helpless in 2020 to a somewhat respectable unit ranked in the 20ish range in 2021. I believes he has much better players to work with particularly in the front 7. So with that and better luck with injuries on the OL, this is a 10-7/11-6 team and in contention for the division title.

If he can’t get to the middle of the pack then we will be drafting high again next year

 

[CouchCoach]

This year, I'm from Missouri. Don't tell me, SHOW me.

The hype machine is always in overdrive during the offseason, followed by disappointment when the games start.

I'm not getting sucked in again. Until I see it, it's just more blah........

That hype machine should always be avoided because it never changes. However, there were changes made this past offseason and those look like positive ones to me.

I never listen to anything the Joneses have to say but there are people I consider more attuned to the game than I am and some of those people are right here. If posters would take the time to absorb some of what others are observing and the knowledge some have of the players drafted and just knowledge of the X's and O's of the game and not be in such a defensive mood, they might get more out of this site.

I am not saying that because I am a mod, felt that way long before that and have said that, one of the reasons I come here is to learn. There are some real students of the game here and they're not bent to hyperbole or trying to rain on parades. They're not complainers either, they call it like they see it.

All comes down to what one is looking for, I like debate but I like discussion better and discussion with respect is sorely needed when the whole world is mad at something.

I've seen a lot of negative things written about our forum recently, mostly about the negative vibe. Fight it, don't feed it. And I don't mean arguing and personal insults, if you don't like negative, fight it with positive. Posters don't come here to feel worse and they're not trying to make you feel worse. We could all do with a little back off and respect around here. Those are human beings at the end of those keyboards, they're not avatar punching bags.

OK, sorry for that Direwolf, not intended for you at all. Just been on my mind a lot because I am seeing too much negative about our forum and it is our forum, Reality may own it but it is ours and we can make it as good or bad as we want.

 

[Creeper]

My needle points to 8-9. I don't think that wins the division or makes the playoffs. I need to see a few things from Dallas to change my mind.

1. I need to see the offense get off to better starts than they did in 2020, even when Dak was playing. That means no more stupid fumbles, drive killing penalties or dropped footballs into the arms of defenders in the first quarter.
2. I need to see the play calling not go off the rails when inside the 10 yard line.
3. I need to see a more consistent running game.
4. I need to see a more consistent pass rush, and a little pressure up the middle.
5. I need to see the DE or OLBs capture the edges and force runs inside. I do not want to see Lawrence chasing the RB inside when the QB runs around his end for 40 yards.
6. I need to see few broken pass coverages resulting in long gains or TDs.
7. I need to see the DTs and inside LBs make more plays in the running game - behind the line of scrimmage.

I rally think we need to see a minimum of 4 of these things, to win the division.

 

[Stash]

That hype machine should always be avoided because it never changes. However, there were changes made this past offseason and those look like positive ones to me.

I never listen to anything the Joneses have to say but there are people I consider more attuned to the game than I am and some of those people are right here. If posters would take the time to absorb some of what others are observing and the knowledge some have of the players drafted and just knowledge of the X's and O's of the game and not be in such a defensive mood, they might get more out of this site.

I am not saying that because I am a mod, felt that way long before that and have said that, one of the reasons I come here is to learn. There are some real students of the game here and they're not bent to hyperbole or trying to rain on parades. They're not complainers either, they call it like they see it.

All comes down to what one is looking for, I like debate but I like discussion better and discussion with respect is sorely needed when the whole world is mad at something.

I've seen a lot of negative things written about our forum recently, mostly about the negative vibe. Fight it, don't feed it. And I don't mean arguing and personal insults, if you don't like negative, fight it with positive. Posters don't come here to feel worse and they're not trying to make you feel worse. We could all do with a little back off and respect around here. Those are human beings at the end of those keyboards, they're not avatar punching bags.

OK, sorry for that Direwolf, not intended for you at all. Just been on my mind a lot because I am seeing too much negative about our forum and it is our forum, Reality may own it but it is ours and we can make it as good or bad as we want.

Well said.


I very much agree with you. And I will certainly cop to my own passions getting the better or from time to time and pulling me down that road to being insulting and regretting it. I’m trying to work on that, to be more aware when I slide into that area, and to do better and be better.

I still have a lot of work to do!

 

[JoeKing]

I love the team, optimistic about its future, but I hate most of the fans. Cowboys fans are the biggest A-holes in the league.

I've been a fan since the Cowboys beat the Dolphins in 1972. I've seen them win 5 Super Bowls in that time. I'll always be a Cowboys fan but it's been nothing but hard times for the Cowboys lately. They have a solid core of guys to build on but I don't think the fans see this. The fans are ready to give all the glory to the rookies that were just added to the team and haven't done anything yet. Parsons is their new hero and I keep telling them to hit the breaks. Celebrate this guy when he's done something and not before. I like how they targeted drafting defense but I won't be sold any of these rookies will help until I see them in action. I want to be optimistic about this team's future. They have the right coaching staff and the right core group of players to go in the right direction. Now it's up to how well these rookies can adjust to being professional athletes.

 

[J-man]

Division Champs, Noisemaker in the Playoffs

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

I love the team, optimistic about its future, but I hate most of the fans. Cowboys fans are the biggest A-holes in the league.

I've been a fan since the Cowboys beat the Dolphins in 1972. I've seen them win 5 Super Bowls in that time. I'll always be a Cowboys fan but it's been nothing but hard times for the Cowboys lately. They have a solid core of guys to build on but I don't think the fans see this. The fans are ready to give all the glory to the rookies that were just added to the team and haven't done anything yet. Parsons is their new hero and I keep telling them to hit the breaks. Celebrate this guy when he's done something and not before. I like how they targeted drafting defense but I won't be sold any of these rookies will help until I see them in action. I want to be optimistic about this team's future. They have the right coaching staff and the right core group of players to go in the right direction. Now it's up to how well these rookies can adjust to being professional athletes.

Cowboys fans are not the biggest A-holes in the league and it's not even close. Eagles fans are infinitely worse.

 

[Reality]

To me it all comes down to the defense. Nothing matters until they fix the defense.

They added pieces and a new coach to the defense, so hopefully it is much improved, but it is very hard to be optimistic about this team until the defense shows they can stop teams early and when it matters.

 

[nate dizzle]

Optimistic that we can make playoffs if offensive line stays healthy and defense can jump up about 10 spots from last year.

 

[Shane612]

I'm always hopeful this time of year.

Why wouldn't anyone be?

Because this the Jerry Jones' cowboys.
You never know what you're going to get.
11-5, 5-11, and everything in between is possible.

 

[MyFairLady]

This time last year I was told the following things:

1. Zeke is gonna bounce back and have a monster year. Guess what he was worse than ever.
2. I was told Dak was gonna break all the Cowboy passing records. Guess what he broke his ankle instead.
3. I was told the defense was going to improve. It was impossible for them to get worse. Guess what they got even worse. Worst ever in fact.
4. I was told the O line was gonna stay healthy and be a force again. Guess what they were even more frail.
5. I was told Jaylon was gonna bounce back and dominate. Guess what he was beyond pathetic.
6. I was told LVE would regain his pro bowl form. Guess what he was as frail as ever.

If these things all sound familiar to you well they should because they are all the same things that I am being told this year. IMHO there is no reason to believe any of these things are going to be better this year. If a player or a unit played well last year then you can say things like I think so and so will be good again this year and it would sound reasonable. When I hear people say the things I listed above it sounds to me like an alcoholic who is "really gonna quit this time" or a degenerate gambler who has a "sure thing this time". Honestly the optimism is bordering on pathetic.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

To me it all comes down to the defense. Nothing matters until they fix the defense.

They added pieces and a new coach to the defense, so hopefully it is much improved, but it is very hard to be optimistic about this team until the defense shows they can stop teams early and when it matters.

$75M Spent on three offensive players (Dak, Cooper, and Elliott). Over 40% of the cap on three guys. Throw in Tyron Smith, Martin, and Collins which accounts for roughly $30M more. $105M of the $182M cap on 6 offensive players, and it comes down to defense?

I’d say it is time these 6 offensive players to shoulder the load and deliver for once.

 

[Rayman70]

This time last year I was told the following things:

1. Zeke is gonna bounce back and have a monster year. Guess what he was worse than ever.
2. I was told Dak was gonna break all the Cowboy passing records. Guess what he broke his ankle instead.
3. I was told the defense was going to improve. It was impossible for them to get worse. Guess what they got even worse. Worst ever in fact.
4. I was told the O line was gonna stay healthy and be a force again. Guess what they were even more frail.
5. I was told Jaylon was gonna bounce back and dominate. Guess what he was beyond pathetic.
6. I was told LVE would regain his pro bowl form. Guess what he was as frail as ever.

If these things all sound familiar to you well they should because they are all the same things that I am being told this year. IMHO there is no reason to believe any of these things are going to be better this year. If a player or a unit played well last year then you can say things like I think so and so will be good again this year and it would sound reasonable. When I hear people say the things I listed above it sounds to me like an alcoholic who is "really gonna quit this time" or a degenerate gambler who has a "sure thing this time". Honestly the optimism is bordering on pathetic.

Im very cautiously optimistic. Quinn is on record as saying this will be a culture change. I wish MM would utter those same words but hasnt as of yet. Our draft class seems to be indicative of what Quinn has said.