What we cannot see yet

[Bobhaze]

There is little question that the 2026 Dallas Cowboys have improved their overall talent, especially on defense. That’s exciting at the time of year when optimism is highest. And it’s not un-reasonable to expect improvement in the upcoming 2026 season.

But here’s the one key element that mini-camps, training camp, and pre-season games cannot show us yet: How will this team handle adversity?

When the real bullets begin to fly on September 13th, we will begin to see what this team is truly made of, and how strong the revitalized culture that so many have talked about. And it will take more than a game or two to see what this team is. It may be November before we really know what this team can be.

Adversity is something that measures every football team every season. The question is not whether or not you will face adversity. The real question is, “How well will our team handle the adversity that will come its way?

So I’m glad to see the glowing reports I’ve heard all summer saying, “This team is different.” Do we know that yet? No. Not yet.

But we will begin seeing this team’s potential when they are faced with rebounding from a tough loss, overcome an injury, or stick together through all adversity.

Adversity is what measures all great football teams. We haven’t seen any adversity yet. But when we do, how this team responds will decide its ultimate fate.

 

[rambo2]

Bottom line is if they are healthy they should win. They have the players and the coaches. They have the talent.

 

[Blackrain]

The best teams handle adversity through leadership lots of times that comes from elite coaching and it also comes through elite players who have been able many times in their career to pull the rabbit out of the hat and make everybody better.

At this point in the season if you're going to ask yourself how we will handle adversity

You have to assess our leadership and see where it rates I would say the addition of von Miller just gave our defense a leader someone who has been there one championships faced adversity and come out the other side.

I'm going to say on offense George Pickens and javonte Williams are two players especially Pickens that can make other players believe Pickens is a clutch player.

Coaching is a giant? Yes we have guys that relate to the players well communicate well.

But can they out coach the guy across from them in the biggest moments.
Coaches that have won super bowls and been in Super bowls.

Our division is full of them and our coaching staff is going to have to prove itself against guys who have already proven themselves

 

[Diehardblues]

There is little question that the 2026 Dallas Cowboys have improved their overall talent, especially on defense. That’s exciting of at the time of year when optimism is highest. And it’s not un-reasonable to expect improvement in the upcoming 2026 season.

But here’s the one key element that mini-camps, training camp, and pre-season games cannot show us yet: How will this team handle adversity?

When the real bullets begin to fly on September 12, we will begin to see what this team is truly made of, and how strong the revitalized culture that so many have talked about. And it will take more than a game or two to see what this team is. It may be November before we really know what this team can be.

Adversity is something that measures every football team every season. The question is not whether or not you will face adversity. The real question is, “How well will our team handle the adversity that will come its way?

So I’m glad to see the glowing reports I’ve heard all summer saying, “This team is different.” Do we know that yet? No. Not yet.

But we will begin seeing this team’s potential when they are faced with rebounding from a tough loss, overcome an injury, or stick together through all adversity.

Adversity is what measures all great football teams. We haven’t seen any adversity yet. But when we do, how this team responds will decide its ultimate fate.

Well done Bob. But Bullets begin flying on Sept 13th

 

[DCBoysfan]

Very good write up Bob as usual. I agree by the way.

 

[Bobhaze]

Well done Bob. But Bullets begin flying on Sept 13th

My first adversity!
I changed it to the 13th. Thank you for the heads up.

 

[Diehardblues]

Another great post from Hazey. And very sound advice . Doesn’t mean we can’t get fired up sitting on edge of our seats.

With all of the playoff disappointments I’d be a little hesitant even with a good regular season being overly confident. We’ve stubbed our toes so many times this era when we’ve had a team which could have advanced further .

 

[Bobhaze]

Bottom line is if they are healthy they should win. They have the players and the coaches. They have the talent.

Now we need to find out if they have the guts. Only time will tell.

 

[Tangle_Foot]

In every adversity there lies a seed of an equivalent advantage

 

[Diehardblues]

I’ll be excited if we can just contend for division and playoffs.

Seems like we should have learned our lesson this era to not put the cart before the horse .

Too many fans wanting to anoint this new defense and team before the season has begun.

I keep thinking of the old Three Stooges bit, Niagara Falls.

 

[Risen Star]

Your imaginary adversity will not stop this season of destiny, Bob.

 

[Diehardblues]

Now we need to find out if they have the guts. Only time will tell.

I’m more worried about facing teams with better coaching, greater QB’s and defenses.

Not to mention better leadership, less meddling and undermining from front office .

 

[Hawkeye0202]

QW, Clark, EZ, Overshawn, Winters, Gary, Downs, Bland, Revel, Vonn Miller, Dak, Tyler Smith, Booker and Lamb all have strong leadership traits AND talent to play at a high level. We are no longer relying on ONE superstar to lead our defense. Remember when DLaw left; Parsons' first words were, this is my defense now ( of course, that was before he and Jerry started fighting ).

This is why I am 100% confident we have better players to handle adversities and tough cycles during the season. Player who won't spend a lot of time reading their clippings when things are going great or go into a funk when the ship is sinking.

The way I see Bob, we have
** Right coaches ( excellent mixture of old, young and new )
** Right players ( both sides of the ball )
** Right leadership ( again, both sides of the ball)


It's our time, let's roll ...........

 

[big dog cowboy]

Adversity is what measures all great football teams. We haven’t seen any adversity yet. But when we do, how this team responds will decide its ultimate fate.

You don't want to see Barham when he gets mad.

 

[30yearsstillwaiting]

There is little question that the 2026 Dallas Cowboys have improved their overall talent, especially on defense. That’s exciting of at the time of year when optimism is highest. And it’s not un-reasonable to expect improvement in the upcoming 2026 season.

But here’s the one key element that mini-camps, training camp, and pre-season games cannot show us yet: How will this team handle adversity?

When the real bullets begin to fly on September 13th, we will begin to see what this team is truly made of, and how strong the revitalized culture that so many have talked about. And it will take more than a game or two to see what this team is. It may be November before we really know what this team can be.

Adversity is something that measures every football team every season. The question is not whether or not you will face adversity. The real question is, “How well will our team handle the adversity that will come its way?

So I’m glad to see the glowing reports I’ve heard all summer saying, “This team is different.” Do we know that yet? No. Not yet.

But we will begin seeing this team’s potential when they are faced with rebounding from a tough loss, overcome an injury, or stick together through all adversity.

Adversity is what measures all great football teams. We haven’t seen any adversity yet. But when we do, how this team responds will decide its ultimate fate.

This is the first year in awhile I feel like they can go deep in the playoffs if they stay healthy. There’s a lot of good things in place to feel optimistic about

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Not to mention better leadership,

Call me biased, but I will match our leadership with any team out there. In fact, it's a major strength that is getting overlooked, IMO.

 

[Risen Star]

QW, Clark, EZ, Overshawn, Winters, Gary, Downs, Bland, Revel, Vonn Miller, Dak, Tyler Smith, Booker and Lamb all have strong leadership traits AND talent to play at a high level. We are no longer relying on ONE superstar to lead our defense. Remember when DLaw left; Parsons' first words were, this is my defense now ( of course, that was before he and Jerry started fighting ).

This is why I am 100% confident we have better players to handle adversities and tough cycles during the season. Player who won't spend a lot of time reading their clippings when things are going great or go into a funk when the ship is sinking.

The way I see Bob, we have
** Right coaches ( excellent mixture of old, young and new )
** Right players ( both sides of the ball )
** Right leadership ( again, both sides of the ball)


It's our time, let's roll ...........

When you have a mediocre career coordinator win 7 games his first season you know you got the right head coach.

 

[Diehardblues]

Just for the fun of it would be interesting to see who fans think might have better teams and coaching, QB’s and defenses along with recent history of success.

Maybe that would be a good thread . I’d start with Seahawks and Rams . Probably put Bears , GB and Egirls up there . Maybe even Lions .

So assuming we are as upgraded as many want to think where do we rank . Surely no one places us above LA or Sea. I’d think somewhere between 5-8 would be a good place to start before seeing more.

Bottomline is measuring how much we’ve improved is only part of the equation. We need to know how rest of division and conference is before we begin making such bold predictions .

 

[Diehardblues]

Call me biased, but I will match our leadership with any team out there. In fact, it's a major strength that is getting overlooked, IMO.

Surely you can’t be serious. Lol

 

[CTcowboy203]

Surely you can’t be serious. Lol

Our leadership or the prerequisite I guess no longer actually means winning meaningful playoffs games