Shortcomings were clearly on display last night

[Idgit]

The guy who broke Moore's leg gets the real credit for developing Dak. But I will give Wilson credit for advocating for the kid (by all accounts).

Ok. You can assume Dak developed himself or was born with it if you want to. Whatever makes you happy.

Dak himself isn't shy about giving credit to the offensive coaches for his development, though. And there's no mistaking that he's gotten steadily better as he's been a pro. It makes a lot more sense to believe he's a product of his environment, and that the three guys, plus Tony, with combined however-many decades of NFLQB expereince probably had something to do with his development.

 

[Philmonroe]

I'm not saying that it's the first time it's been brought up, in fact I stated clearly otherwise.

But how many people have you seen in this thread attack the message rather than attempting to refute the points being made?

It's easy to try to dismiss something because you don't like the message. It's quite another to take a clear stand and refute the other position.

My bad didn't see the fact you mentioned it before regarding the topic being brought up. I guess people are attacking the message in this case because nobody disagrees with the points being made really. Everything people like you are saying has been talked about constantly plus its really no way to change it in season. I think that's why this topic mainly the defense gets so much push back. We get they don't have a pass rich but we've known that since TC. When you add that in to the mix I can see how it leads to this even if agreeing some might be attacking the message.

 

[Dodger12]

I'm not going to underestimate that Dak has "it," He's a winner and he's surprised all of us. If it was that easy, we would have developed a back-up QB behind Romo. I'd agree with you if Dak was moved up the depth chart after Romo went down but we would have gone into the season with Moore and prayed to go .500 until Romo got back.

 

[Idgit]

The Doug Free hate is a reach. The only place he gets "beat like drum" is on this board. He's a perfectly capable starting NFL right tackle. He just happens to have 4 guys to the left of him that have been playing at a pro bowl level, which magnifies his own imperfections.

I'm surprised OP didn't find a way to somehow include some digs on Jeff Heath. Usually when things don't go well he has something to do with it, lol.

stashes are gonna stash.

I get that weak links are going to be targets. It's only reasonable to want or hope for upgrades where you're weakest. But, yeah, there's zero need to overstate the case. Doug's been a good, solid player and a good teammate for a long time here. He's an integral part of that OL, and the fact that MIN generates a ton of edge pressure doesn't really change that. There are going to be games and situations where Doug Free needs support because he's up against a better player than he is. They're not all that frequent, but they're going to happen now and then.

 

[Idgit]

I'm not going to underestimate that Dak has "it," He's a winner and he's surprised all of us. If it was that easy, we would have developed a back-up QB behind Romo. I'd agree with you if Dak was moved up the depth chart after Romo went down but we would have gone into the season with Moore and prayed to go .500 until Romo got back.

I'm assuming this was directed to me, right? NFL QB is a tough position to fill. The fact that we had a gap at backup between Orton and Dak isn't really at all surprising to me. There are teams who've had gaps in their starting position longer than that. And you have to remember that we've spent less in terms of draft resources at the QB position than just about every team in the league over the last decade. Two 4th round picks is nothing at that position.

But in that time we've developed both Tony and Dak. Dak developed unbelievably quickly, though Tony took three years to come into his own. I don't see how any fan can look at the cost/return we've had at the QB position and be anything other than thrilled, honestly. If you then want to take that return and just assume it happened independently of coaching or development, have at it, but I think that's pretty unlikely. You really think everybody else struggles to find guys and we just benefit from multiple lightning strikes?

 

[Shuff]

I would have to add the pass defense for the last 3 games.

We are hemorrhaging in record numbers.

Pittsburgh came close in the second half to getting back in the game and their WRs burned us.

The Ravens exploited our secondary as well.

The Commanders torched us.

The Vikes nearly cut our ripcords.

We can not survive like this for long.

Teams are not bothering to run..they just pass.

QBs are throwing nearly 50 passes a game and for 400+ yds to try to beat us.

Not many World Titles have been won like that.

We are 11-1, chill.

 

[Stash]

Sure, we can revisit Doug Free again after the Giants game. I never said he wasn't a liability at times and I never said he couldn't be replaced. That was you putting words in my mouth. He is obviously the weak link in the current OL--which we're also in agreement happens to be the best OL in the league by a fairly wide margin. Where we disagree is in that I don't think he needs to be replaced in the short term, and I don't think every player on the roster who starts can reasonably be expected to be as good as the very best players we've got. Contract issues aside, I'd upgrade a half-dozen positions on defense before I'd worry about replacing Doug Free. Because that's where I typically reserve my criticism: for the talent on defense.

By all means, tell me exactly how I should feel about the topic. What the right amount of worry or disappointment should be or how much angst is warranted. That's what you do after all. Tell other people how to be perfect fans like you think you are.

It's amazing that while you can agree with me that Free is a weak link, I'm apparently off base to want to look for a possible replacement or improvement at that spot.

And, again, nobody ever said that he had to be as good as this team's best players, but continue to make things up.

As for my post history, while I could very easily walk through my recent posts for multiple examples of me criticizing the team for a variety of different reasons, I think it's better if I don't. If you really think I'm never critical, then you're simply not reading my posts. The fact that visionary or CowboyRoy or you, stash, can't see it really doesn't bother me a whit. When I start to go off on crazy unsupportable rants for very little reason, that's when I'll worry.

There's plenty more where we came from. And I agree with you. Unfortunately, I don't think that you do care. And it makes this place a bit worse for it.

 

[Doomsday101]

The Vikings also played 3 games in 12 days. That's not an excuse.

What excuse Dallas won. lol Yes it was not pretty not all wins will be pretty. Hell even the 90's team did not win every game in highlight fashion.

Vikes are fighting for their playoff lives and they came into this game with a very good defense. Dallas played sloppy and yet still managed to win this game. Winning when you are playing your best is great winning when you played less than your ability shows how good this team really is. Past teams turning the ball over and committing penalties as the Cowboys did last night would usually result in a loss especially in a road game. People seem to think all these games should be easy fact it they are not. Vike 4-1 at home is not an accident they are not some bottom of the barrel team. They played their hearts out and still lost.

 

[Idgit]

...There's plenty more where we came from. And I agree with you. Unfortunately, I don't think that you do care. And it makes this place a bit worse for it.

Ignoring the personal stuff because it's baseless. If you're going to make things up and not back it up, it isn't worth the time to respond to. I do know there's a long list of (mostly irrational) posters who don't to like me very much. Lol.

You're right that I really don't care at all about your interpretation of my posts. So maybe we can stop wasting everybody's time with it in every thread where I happen to disagree with you? It's tiresome to read.

I'd like to tie things back to your original post, but it's tough. Of the items on your punchlist, using Dez on returns or subbing Mo in, I guess, for Carr are the only realistic options I can see for addressing any of your concerns. We're not going to find a pass rush in week 13, or a replacement RT. I don't think our return teams are a particular problem, and would rather have Dez remain in his WR role and focused on that for the time being, though I wouldn't be opposed to using him as a returner later in the post season when the game situation calls for it.

When Mo comes back, I'm not sure who's snaps it affects most at this point. It'll be a good fight between Brown and Scandrick in the interim. I think it's more likely Mo comes back later, and is at least partially hobbled when he does. He might be not much more than an insurance policy if Scandrick can actually return to form.

 

[lukin2006]

All teams have flaws, we are no exception, we are 11-1 and getting close to HFA throughout...

Our weaknesses will remain until we can address them in the offseason...

That was a great D we played last night.

This year we've won in GB, Pitt and Min...three tough places to win, in the last 11 days we've beat 3 playoff caliber teams, 2 with really good defences and a great offence. What more would some like 12-0? Doubt anyone thought we'd be 11-1 with 2 rookies leading the way, I say let's enjoy this weekend, hopefully the Giants and Hawks both loose...

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

We can't run that with Twill?

TWill is slow.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Ok. You can assume Dak developed himself or was born with it if you want to. Whatever makes you happy.

Dak himself isn't shy about giving credit to the offensive coaches for his development, though. And there's no mistaking that he's gotten steadily better as he's been a pro. It makes a lot more sense to believe he's a product of his environment, and that the three guys, plus Tony, with combined however-many decades of NFLQB expereince probably had something to do with his development.

You're dealing with the all or nothing crowd. Trying to get them to understand that things happen and exist concurrently is a fool's errand.

Dak was helped by the Moore injury. That in their mind excludes an alternate explanation; this goes doubly when there is a bias to confirm. I say that it demonstrates someone who doesn't know how to perform deductions.

The notion of mutual exclusivity or in this case the lack thereof is literally beyond some people. Those people get inflamed when you point it out but it makes reasoning a lost cause.

 

[NextGenBoys]

We have to start forcing some turnovers and to do that we have to improve our pass rush. Affecting the QB causes bad throws and fumbles. Allowing offenses to chip away at us has allowed our last two opponents to stay in the game and that's going to come back on us in the playoffs. Giving up TD drives in the final moments which is keeping opponents alive is like playing with fire. The Cowboys still lack that killer instinct of slamming the door shut with big defensive plays. Coming up with a timely sack or INT to close out a game is the type of defense we need. We can't keep giving opponents a chance with seconds to play or it will catch up with us.

I'm in agreement on pretty much everything. We've had some nice defensive plays to close games though. First Wash game is first that comes to mind.

 

[NextGenBoys]

I'm assuming this was directed to me, right? NFL QB is a tough position to fill. The fact that we had a gap at backup between Orton and Dak isn't really at all surprising to me. There are teams who've had gaps in their starting position longer than that. And you have to remember that we've spent less in terms of draft resources at the QB position than just about every team in the league over the last decade. Two 4th round picks is nothing at that position.

But in that time we've developed both Tony and Dak. Dak developed unbelievably quickly, though Tony took three years to come into his own. I don't see how any fan can look at the cost/return we've had at the QB position and be anything other than thrilled, honestly. If you then want to take that return and just assume it happened independently of coaching or development, have at it, but I think that's pretty unlikely. You really think everybody else struggles to find guys and we just benefit from multiple lightning strikes?

This is incredibly well put.

We've also got tremendously lucky at the same time though. But you have to give credit where credit is due.

But the picks that we didnt blow on QB's we blew on tight ends in the 2nd round lol

 

[Dodger12]

I'm assuming this was directed to me, right? NFL QB is a tough position to fill. The fact that we had a gap at backup between Orton and Dak isn't really at all surprising to me. There are teams who've had gaps in their starting position longer than that. And you have to remember that we've spent less in terms of draft resources at the QB position than just about every team in the league over the last decade. Two 4th round picks is nothing at that position.

But in that time we've developed both Tony and Dak. Dak developed unbelievably quickly, though Tony took three years to come into his own. I don't see how any fan can look at the cost/return we've had at the QB position and be anything other than thrilled, honestly. If you then want to take that return and just assume it happened independently of coaching or development, have at it, but I think that's pretty unlikely. You really think everybody else struggles to find guys and we just benefit from multiple lightning strikes?

My bad, it was directed at you.

How you include Romo and Dak in the same sentence is beyond me. Romo developed under another coaching staff and they knew Tony had to be handled a certain way for him to succeed. If anything, this staff has been unable to take advantage of one franchise QB and we have yet to see where they go with Dak. It's almost comical the lengths some folks will go to attribute so much to this HC when even Wade Phillips knew he needed he needed help and wanted to bring in Dan Reeves.

 

[Cowboysfan917]

The entire team can't be diamonds. Give the Vikings defense credit. They attacked the weakest links of the team.

 

[Dodger12]

Dak was helped by the Moore injury. That in their mind excludes an alternate explanation; this goes doubly when there is a bias to confirm. I say that it demonstrates someone who doesn't know how to perform deductions.

And some folks just can't look at facts and see that Dak, who had probably never taken a snap from under center in college, wasn't going to start over Moore, who was Linehan guy with game day experience. I come to my conclusions by evaluating the facts. You form your conclusions around an established belief.

 

[landryscorner]

Doug Free and Whitehead need to go PERIOD

 

[Stash]

Ignoring the personal stuff because it's baseless. If you're going to make things up and not back it up, it isn't worth the time to respond to. I do know there's a long list of (mostly irrational) posters who don't to like me very much. Lol.

Yeah, because they don't like you, they're "irrational". You stay there.

You're right that I really don't care at all about your interpretation of my posts. So maybe we can stop wasting everybody's time with it in every thread where I happen to disagree with you? It's tiresome to read.

It's tiresome to keep pointing it out too. And this place is worse because of it, not better. Enjoy that fact too. And the fact that you're permitted to get away with what you do. Enjoy it. But never forget that this place is worse for it, not better. Lie to yourself about that fact, but you don't get to lie about it to me, or anyone else around here.

I'd like to tie things back to your original post, but it's tough. Of the items on your punchlist, using Dez on returns or subbing Mo in, I guess, for Carr are the only realistic options I can see for addressing any of your concerns. We're not going to find a pass rush in week 13, or a replacement RT. I don't think our return teams are a particular problem, and would rather have Dez remain in his WR role and focused on that for the time being, though I wouldn't be opposed to using him as a returner later in the post season when the game situation calls for it.

When Mo comes back, I'm not sure who's snaps it affects most at this point. It'll be a good fight between Brown and Scandrick in the interim. I think it's more likely Mo comes back later, and is at least partially hobbled when he does. He might be not much more than an insurance policy if Scandrick can actually return to form.

By all means, continue to project criticism of Whitehead's performance into somehow meaning Dez as punt returner. It doesn't make me look bad, it makes you look bad. I never said that, and never implied that, but you continue to make any such claims as you see fit. Dig that hole.

 

[Rockdoc]

i think whitehead has potential. the significance of his and free's deficiencies will be become evident in the off season