Your biggest reason for optimism

[AyeAtey]

The draft. Practically all defense. Different concept, different results?

Time to break that 30year curse.

New players, on defense again.

New coaches, coordinators, what have you.

Big talk and hype on players ready to contribute and take the next step...forward.

Looking for a turn around season. 50-50 ball,...improvement...playoffs?

New season new hope.

 

[john van brocklin]

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.

Going to be predictable:
As long as Jerry is the GM
I have zero expectations of success
30 years of disappointment has me conditioned to see it that way.

 

[gtb1943]

Are you saying that isn't true. You can't be that stupid.

every post you make proves that

 

[rambo2]

Going to be predictable:
As long as Jerry is the GM
I have zero expectations of success
30 years of disappointment has me conditioned to see it that way.

That's being really closed minded. They have made some good additions this year.

 

[DarkVader33]

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.

The two bookends you mention don’t do will last year. Yet they were one of the top offenses in the league. Can you imagine if we get even modest improvement?

 

[JoeKing]

Lol

It's funny that's all you have to say.

 

[75boyz]

The two bookends you mention don’t do will last year. Yet they were one of the top offenses in the league. Can you imagine if we get even modest improvement?

That's the problem for me.
I can only see regression.
And that's after both of them having had suckass years.

 

[diamonddelts]

Wow. Just........wow. Groundhog Day now showing at the nearest theater you.

 

[DandyDon52]

Where did Jerry get that rain jacket ? I want one . Maybe Jane could find out .

all you need is some cowboys stars like that one to sew on , and the right color rain jacket.
Make your own gear lol.

 

[DandyDon52]

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 excited to see this new defense, more so than any since the 90's.
I think it should help the team get into the playoffs, and I am hoping for winning the div.
After that I dont know ,I will keep my expectations for playoffs low till they get there.

The new coaches are the big reason, along with many new players.

 

[DandyDon52]

This guy should have destroyed ANY optimism that any Cowboys fan might have......

Jerry Jones is almost 84 and a heavy drinker.

Do you have any evidence he is still a heavy drinker? I think he may have quit.
Also jerry has stepped into the background so far this off season, and he isnt creating any drama.
This is all very unusual , and somehow shotty got him do this.
Right now it is all about football and not being above the fold.

Shotty was able to find the DC, and did a good job finding parker.
I think we now have the best coaching staff we have had since jimmy years.

I dont think much of training camp, but when season starts I will be more excited than I have been in a long time.

 

[Whirlwin]

Are you saying that isn't true. You can't be that stupid.

Not too sure about that, lol

 

[TwentyOne]

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 going into the new season.

But the question about my optimism has to be answered by first defining my expectation. Because its mutual connected to my expectation.

I expect this team to win maybe one or two more games than last year. No playoffs of course. And so i am optimistic about our team.

If i had the expectation that this team is playoff good or even a contender id not be optimistic about that.

 

[ratkinson]

Not too sure about that, lol

I'm not too sure you know much about anything after co-signing for one of the most delusional posters on the board.

 

[SultanOfSix]

My optimism is only born out of the dopamine rush that hits me due to nostalgia as a teenager as a result of a the new beginning to a football season that is open to hopeful possibilities. That has now been tempered for many years by the historical reality that things most likely will end in practically the same way that it has for the last thirty years under JJ’s helm. You can’t be disastrously disappointed if you have no high expectations.

 

[ratkinson]

Are you saying that isn't true. You can't be that stupid.

Name them.
You seem mad...are you mad Rambro?

 

[Whirlwin]

I'm not too sure you know much about anything after co-signing for one of the most delusional posters on the board.

You need to get a sense of humor

 

[Rockport]

I am cautiously optimistic.
Pickens gives Dak a new weapon and our running attack seems good.
The defence will be someone improved, but it will still suck.
9-8.

Pickens was on the team last year.

 

[Whirlwin]

I am cautiously optimistic.
Pickens gives Dak a new weapon and our running attack seems good.
The defence will be someone improved, but it will still suck.
9-8.

Come on even with a little bit of more defensive help, we have to be better than that
I think we get 11 wins

 

[Rockport]

Yeah, not likely to happen. Especially the bookends. They're on their own. No one is helping them. They can't be propped up.

You haven’t even seen them play