Your biggest reason for optimism

LonnieElam said:
Not really any optimism for me. They ALWAYS fall short when the hype level is this big. ALWAYS.
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Not only that, but it seems that when the offense is good and the defense is bad, the team stinks. Then the following year, hopefully not this year, but when the defense rises to the occasion, the offense stinks to high heaven! Happens all the time. And like the coogie always says, "And you never seen anything like it". lol
 
Need to hit on essentially all our draft picks and we have a chance. I don’t expect alot from Washington, nyg will be more competitive and Eagles are a little weaker than prior years. Division can be taken.
 
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.
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Well done. It’s also worth mentioning that they’re all relatively young with the experience. Hopefully we’ll see some in game adjustments by the defense this year.
 
I’m optimistic this team will be better overall. Which is a fairly low bar considering that since the 2023 season, this team is 14-19-1.

The worst defense in team history has nowhere to go but up. I am optimistic about Christian Parker helping turn this dumpster defense of the last two years become better. We have an infusion of talent at several positions and Parker’s new influence has certainly been a shot of good adrenaline.

Having said that, Parker is not likely to go from a defensive assistant to a HOF coordinator in one season. I don’t think it will be immediate. And we still have holes at LB and edge. Lots of question marks.

This team has the talent to make the playoffs and I believe they probably will. The question after that is do they have enough to compete with the big boys in the playoffs? I doubt it. Sorry - just keeping it real.
 
Bobhaze said:
I’m optimistic this team will be better overall. Which is a fairly low bar considering that since the 2023 season, this team is 14-19-1.

The worst defense in team history has nowhere to go but up. I am optimistic about Christian Parker helping turn this dumpster defense of the last two years become better. We have an infusion of talent at several positions and Parker’s new influence has certainly been a shot of good adrenaline.

Having said that, Parker is not likely to go from a defensive assistant to a HOF coordinator in one season. I don’t think it will be immediate. And we still have holes at LB and edge. Lots of question marks.

This team has the talent to make the playoffs and I believe they probably will. The question after that is do they have enough to compete with the big boys in the playoffs? I doubt it. Sorry - just keeping it real.
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Excellent post.
 
Flamma said:
No optimism for me what so ever. I expect a team that will be competitive, but not a contender. Besides maybe 2007, 2014, and maybe 2016, that's how it's been.
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Well said.
I can't get past #4 winning 4 consecutive playoff games against 4 playoff level defenses and coaches.

And equal to that is for these 2 bookend passblockers to even hold up well enough for the full season just to reach the playoffs.

Yep, no matter how hard I shut or squint my eyes, I can't seem to see past these 2 realities.
 
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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 do hold players accountable...(and not just DAK....for you Crusaders)...but I don;t believe the debacle last year was all on them. If our coaches can train them up and pu tthe right game plan in....it HAS to get better.

Right?
 
There is no real reason to be optimistic when the worst GM in team sports history still won't get the hell out of the way.

grinch-waiting-grinch.gif
 
I'm not that optimistic that this will be some top team. The defense was so horrific last year that I think even massive improvement only gets them to decent, to competent. And IMO the offense won't look as great when it has a better defense. I think it benefited more than most people realize from always being behind 14 points and defenses playing soft.

Reason for optimism for me is that for the first time in a long time we should have two really top young coordinators. Hasn't been that way in a very long time. Not sure Adams and Parker will be better than McCarthy and Quinn (who obviously weren't young), though.
 
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