Where would we be if Zeke wasn’t suspended?

[robjay04]

Well since the season is essentially over, I think we can discuss hypotheticals and what if scenarios.

If August 11, 2017 was just any other day...where would be now?

Yes we “tanked” free agency and we had a couple defenders facing suspensions but I remember feeling a real sense of optimism prior to the announcement of the Zeke suspension and the ensuing drama. I remember having full participation in voluntary workouts and a real sense of confidence with the team.

Then August 11th happened. Zeke was leaving practice to deal with legal matters, he was shielded from the media and he probably couldn’t even check his phone without being called a “woman beater”. I think it’s fair to say he was justifiably distracted early in the season. It didn’t matter if you were Dak or Witten...you couldn’t go through an interview without a Zeke question and the main question going into the season was “how long will Zeke play?”

I believe the distraction played a big role in our slow start. From all accounts, Zeke has an infectious personality and his fun loving personality was drained from him. I believe it took half the season for the suspension to become old news and for Zeke to start feeling like himself. In my opinion, that was the San Fran game...two weeks later, Zeke is gone and the coaches had no idea what to do nor were they prepared.

I still can’t help but wonder what this lost season would be if August 11th was just like any other day. If that day never happened, I believe we are at the minimal a 11-4 team right now regardless of our front office failing free agency.

 

[Avery]

Hard to say. He was present against Denver when we were totally annihilated. Would he have changed the three game stretch where we were spanked by ATL, PHI and SD? Probably not considering we couldn't score or stop others from scoring.

It was a cloud that hung over the team, but in the end, our record is what it is due to poor coaching, mental mistakes and erratic play at most positions.

 

[SDCowboy]

Probably about the same. The issues with this team largely were not Zeke's absence - And that is nothing against Zeke.

 

[dragon_mikal]

In the playoffs.

 

[Ranching]

Well since the season is essentially over, I think we can discuss hypotheticals and what if scenarios.

If August 11, 2017 was just any other day...where would be now?

Yes we “tanked” free agency and we had a couple defenders facing suspensions but I remember feeling a real sense of optimism prior to the announcement of the Zeke suspension and the ensuing drama. I remember having full participation in voluntary workouts and a real sense of confidence with the team.

Then August 11th happened. Zeke was leaving practice to deal with legal matters, he was shielded from the media and he probably couldn’t even check his phone without being called a “woman beater”. I think it’s fair to say he was justifiably distracted early in the season. It didn’t matter if you were Dak or Witten...you couldn’t go through an interview without a Zeke question and the main question going into the season was “how long will Zeke play?”

I believe the distraction played a big role in our slow start. From all accounts, Zeke has an infectious personality and his fun loving personality was drained from him. I believe it took half the season for the suspension to become old news and for Zeke to start feeling like himself. In my opinion, that was the San Fran game...two weeks later, Zeke is gone and the coaches had no idea what to do nor were they prepared.

I still can’t help but wonder what this lost season would be if August 11th was just like any other day. If that day never happened, I believe we are at the minimal a 11-4 team right now regardless of our front office failing free agency.

Same staff, same results. See Denver game

 

[jazzcat22]

I believe we would be in the playoffs.
Though the defense and coaching let the team down in some of those losses. I believe Zeke would have made a difference in a few games that would have us in the playoffs. or least in the situation that a win and in game would be this Sunday regardless of other teams.

 

[pugilist]

5 or 6 seed

 

[Bleu Star]

Well since the season is essentially over, I think we can discuss hypotheticals and what if scenarios.

If August 11, 2017 was just any other day...where would be now?

Yes we “tanked” free agency and we had a couple defenders facing suspensions but I remember feeling a real sense of optimism prior to the announcement of the Zeke suspension and the ensuing drama. I remember having full participation in voluntary workouts and a real sense of confidence with the team.

Then August 11th happened. Zeke was leaving practice to deal with legal matters, he was shielded from the media and he probably couldn’t even check his phone without being called a “woman beater”. I think it’s fair to say he was justifiably distracted early in the season. It didn’t matter if you were Dak or Witten...you couldn’t go through an interview without a Zeke question and the main question going into the season was “how long will Zeke play?”

I believe the distraction played a big role in our slow start. From all accounts, Zeke has an infectious personality and his fun loving personality was drained from him. I believe it took half the season for the suspension to become old news and for Zeke to start feeling like himself. In my opinion, that was the San Fran game...two weeks later, Zeke is gone and the coaches had no idea what to do nor were they prepared.

I still can’t help but wonder what this lost season would be if August 11th was just like any other day. If that day never happened, I believe we are at the minimal a 11-4 team right now regardless of our front office failing free agency.

Yup..

https://cowboyszone.com/threads/can-we-agree-on-one-thing.393808/#post-7793297

 

[SDCowboy]

Same staff, same results. See Denver game

Or heck, last week's game with Zeke. Zeke's absence was not what was wrong with this team.

 

[robjay04]

Same staff, same results. See Denver game

I think it’s safe to say that game was an outlier consider Denver wasn’t a good team but they’re very good at home early in the season.

Regardless...I think the suspension was a cloud early in the season. Zeke wasn’t himself and it showed on the field. The distraction started to fade shortly after the bye but the coaches were not prepared at all for life after Zeke once the suspension went into effect.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I think about the same. Even when he played, something was still missing from the 2016 offense. IMO it can down to two issues; teams took away Beseley and Witten ( affecting Dak comfort zone) and replacing Free and Leary ( affecting the 2016 successful running game). Both these issues grew larger and larger as the season progressed. Coaches never adjusted ........

 

[Risen Star]

Probably not that much different. Maybe a playoff team but who cares? They aren't winning anything with a QB this bad.

 

[Aven8]

Was he going to play LT against Atlanta??

The issue was more than that. They lost all confidence that this crappy offense could work once he left.

 

[willia451]

I'm forced to agree with the folks saying "about the same".

What we learned from the Seattle game is Zeke's presence is not the deciding factor in winning or losing. Even winning or losing against mediocre teams. The problems this franchise faces (or refuses to face may be more apropos) run much, much deeper and are across the board.

 

[Plankton]

The only game that they lost when Elliott was out that they likely would have won if he were available was against Atlanta (Chaz Green, notwithstanding). They would have lost to the Eagles and to the Chargers, as the defense was overwhelmed in the second half of the Eagle game, and throughout against the Chargers. One win would likely have gotten them into the playoffs, but, the team was too flawed to provide a real threat to other teams in the NFC.

One big issue with the team is that there was precious little individual improvement in players from 2016 to 2017. Elliott was out of shape and sluggish to start the season. Prescott took a major step backward, and raised questions as to whether he is anything more than a bus driver. The wide receivers regressed. The offensive line took too long to gel, and were not consistent in their performance. Witten is now a receiving threat who can't get YAC, and his blocking of guys with speed/quickness has become a liability. On defense, DeMarcus Lawrence, David Irving and Anthony Hitchens were the only players to really improve from 2016 to 2017. Maliek Collins was a no show. Benson Mayowa contributed little. The 1T position was a mess all season long. Byron Jones has not improved. Jaylon Smith was not ready for significant snaps. The young corners, however, show a lot of promise.

If we are being honest, the only guys who really showed improvement from 16-17 were three players on defense. Mostly everyone else performed worse. I don't think this team worked hard enough in the offseason, and regardless of whether there is any coaching changes next year, unless they improve their talent at WR, DT, LB and S, and reestablish a strong offseason work ethic, I don't see where this team becomes anything more than a team that's good enough to make the playoffs, but not much more.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

Squeaked into the playoffs and then one and done probably.

 

[Sydla]

We were 5-4 with Elliott.

So we'd probably be right where we are now or as noted above, maybe slipped into the playoffs only to get kicked out early once again.

In other words, not much different than any other ********* season under Garrett. Just not good enough.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

We were 5-4 with Elliott.

So we'd probably be right where we are now or as noted above, maybe slipped into the playoffs only to get kicked out early once again.

In other words, not much different than any other ********* season under Garrett. Just not good enough.

But, according to Linehan, the offense was ranked near the top ten before Zeke served his suspension. Losing Zeke was everything; why change anything.

 

[The Quest for Six]

I thought this was a 9-7 team before the season started because of schedule and defenses had an off season to evaluate the offense, so I don't think Zeke was as big of a difference maker as everyone makes him out to be....He's a great player, not taking anything away from him but This offense is just too predictable IMO.......you've heard that from players on numerous teams over recent years.....I love Witten but I would have never extended him and Dez is just a possession receiver at this point of his career.....the offense is just not dynamic and struggles with what identity is wants to go with....I do like how the defense is starting to look with the young guys but it still needs a monster DT, DE, a safety and two linebackers...

 

[Sydla]

But, according to Linehan, the offense was ranked near the top ten before Zeke served his suspension. Losing Zeke was everything; why change anything.

I hate everything Cowboys related at this point.