Your biggest reason for optimism

Stash

Stash

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Just prior to the start of training camp, I wanted to talk about the general feeling of optimism for this upcoming season (or not if you’re feeling pessimistic).

I honestly feel more optimistic about this team than I have in several years.

I think they’re really capable of competing for a Championship this year.
My own biggest reason for being optimistic is mainly the defense.

In Year One under Schottenheimer, the Cowboys offense was playoff caliber. It wasn’t perfect, but it was right there among the best. And all starters are returning, so I feel good about that side of the ball.

But the 2025 defense was an absolute disaster. And there’s nowhere to go but up. And I feel they’ve improved a great deal in personnel.

But I’m most impressed with the coaching staff they’ve been able to put together.

Consider the pedigree of these coaches:
  • Christian Parker - he’s coached several of the best defensive backs in the entire league. In 2025, his Eagles secondary ranked 8th in passing defense (189.8 ypg) and 5th in scoring defense (19.1 ppg) and allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the league.
  • Derrick Ansley - In 2025, his Packers pass defense ranked 11th in the NFL, giving up 194.1 yards per game.
  • Marcus Dixon - In 2025, the Vikings defensive unit ranked 2nd in passing yards allowed (158.5 ypg). Dixon has had a significant impact on both the defensive linemen as well as the linebackers in his defense.
  • Brandon "BT" Jordan - served as a pass rush specialist for the Denver Broncos, where he helped coach a unit that ranked 1st in the NFL in total sacks.

The proven track record of this staff is what gives the most confidence going into this season.
 
I am optimistic as well. Although I don't believe the offense will be as dynamic as it was overall, I think it will be good and hope it will improve where it needed it most, in the red zone. They can't rely on Aubrey to bail them out all season again.

But I am actually kind of excited about what this defense "might" be able to become under CP and co. I assume it will be at least 10+ positions better than it was last year just from better coaching and a new scheme. And then I start to look at how much the unit has been changed personnel wise compared to last year and I really think they can be much, much better. IMHO, middle of the pack at least.
And if the offense can be good again, that could mean a viable shot at moving deep into the post season.
 
This guy should have destroyed ANY optimism that any Cowboys fan might have......



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I'm more optimistic than I have been in a few years but that's not really saying much. Making the playoffs would be a huge accomplishment and a step in the right direction. SB is way beyond my expectations.

The reason for my optimism is what seems to be a strategic shift in team building with an emphasis on the middle. DT, LB and S. We're better up the middle on paper but we're not quite there yet.

Some seasoning and a couple more players and we might be on to something.
 
Stash said:
Just prior to the start of training camp, I wanted to talk about the general feeling of optimism for this upcoming season (or not if you’re feeling pessimistic).

I honestly feel more optimistic about this team than I have in several years.

I think they’re really capable of competing for a Championship this year.
My own biggest reason for being optimistic is mainly the defense.

In Year One under Schottenheimer, the Cowboys offense was playoff caliber. It wasn’t perfect, but it was right there among the best. And all starters are returning, so I feel good about that side of the ball.

But the 2025 defense was an absolute disaster. And there’s nowhere to go but up. And I feel they’ve improved a great deal in personnel.

But I’m most impressed with the coaching staff they’ve been able to put together.

Consider the pedigree of these coaches:
  • Christian Parker - he’s coached several of the best defensive backs in the entire league. In 2025, his Eagles secondary ranked 8th in passing defense (189.8 ypg) and 5th in scoring defense (19.1 ppg) and allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the league.
  • Derrick Ansley - In 2025, his Packers pass defense ranked 11th in the NFL, giving up 194.1 yards per game.
  • Marcus Dixon - In 2025, the Vikings defensive unit ranked 2nd in passing yards allowed (158.5 ypg). Dixon has had a significant impact on both the defensive linemen as well as the linebackers in his defense.
  • Brandon "BT" Jordan - served as a pass rush specialist for the Denver Broncos, where he helped coach a unit that ranked 1st in the NFL in total sacks.

The proven track record of this staff is what gives the most confidence going into this season.
Click to expand...
I agree, I think this is the best defensive coaching staff we have had for a while.
I am optimistic about Downs.

I think we have question marks at CB, LB and DE and threw a lot of bodies at it. remains to be seen.
 
I'm always optimistic, always drinking the Kool-Aid. I'm not saying the long history of failure doesn't hurt but without optimism what's the point. I might as well look forward to my next root canal. If you're a pessimistic fan, or a show me first fan, that's okay with me. I'm not here to change or recruit you.
I've always said fandom is like a fingerprint, we might share loops or swirls but never identical. I believe given good health this team is talented enough to reach the Super bowl. Sure a lot of things have to go right but that's with any Super bowl winner.
So here's the optimism and the 2026 Cowboys:thumbup:

Just another CZ Tangle_Foot opinion;)
 
by all rights we should be much better Defensively and hopefully the same offensively
our OT situation will decide how good the Offense is
and Parker will decide how good the Defense is
I expect the offense to be not quite as good but still top 5 and the defense to get better to the point where I think it will be around 15 by the end of the season.
I am thinking 11 wins or so
 
I guess I would say this is the most “all in” they have gone since they mentioned the dumb statement a few years ago. Thinking outside the box for new DC was very refreshing and then totally revamping that side with fresh new blood is also outstanding. Now will that unit be any good? Who knows yet but it will at least be fun to watch.

For the offense, I think it can actually improve with health of course. Lamb was out a lot of last year. Fergs was injured as well. Multiple Olineman missed time. If one of these backs can step up to add a new dynamic that will be even better. Plus you throw in Spann Ford and Trigg dynamic at TE.
 
Stash said:
Just prior to the start of training camp, I wanted to talk about the general feeling of optimism for this upcoming season (or not if you’re feeling pessimistic).

I honestly feel more optimistic about this team than I have in several years.

I think they’re really capable of competing for a Championship this year.
My own biggest reason for being optimistic is mainly the defense.

In Year One under Schottenheimer, the Cowboys offense was playoff caliber. It wasn’t perfect, but it was right there among the best. And all starters are returning, so I feel good about that side of the ball.

But the 2025 defense was an absolute disaster. And there’s nowhere to go but up. And I feel they’ve improved a great deal in personnel.

But I’m most impressed with the coaching staff they’ve been able to put together.

Consider the pedigree of these coaches:
  • Christian Parker - he’s coached several of the best defensive backs in the entire league. In 2025, his Eagles secondary ranked 8th in passing defense (189.8 ypg) and 5th in scoring defense (19.1 ppg) and allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the league.
  • Derrick Ansley - In 2025, his Packers pass defense ranked 11th in the NFL, giving up 194.1 yards per game.
  • Marcus Dixon - In 2025, the Vikings defensive unit ranked 2nd in passing yards allowed (158.5 ypg). Dixon has had a significant impact on both the defensive linemen as well as the linebackers in his defense.
  • Brandon "BT" Jordan - served as a pass rush specialist for the Denver Broncos, where he helped coach a unit that ranked 1st in the NFL in total sacks.

The proven track record of this staff is what gives the most confidence going into this season.
Click to expand...
Hopefully the defense. I think the offense, if it can duplicate last years play, the sky could be the limit...but, don't ask me to bet on these Cowboys because you just never know.
 
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