Let's have a chat without hand wringing

northerncowboynation

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Are we a better team today, June 14 2018 than we were a year ago today, June 14,201t.

Consider that our expectations were sky high at this point in 2017

Let's talk:

QB: including back ups

LB

WR

DL

TE

S

I left out CB because I think that's obvious given a year of experience.

It's pretty clear, at least to me, that the competition is set and we'll do some bottom churning and feeding but for the most part we won't be adding major names (c'mon baby you know what I like... Jerry Lee style).

So, hand wringing aside and no worrying like warts, is this a better team today than it was one year ago today?
 

GhostOfPelluer

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At QB, LB, DL I say we are better. At WR and S it's possible we are better, possible we are worse and possible it's basically a wash. At TE it's hard to say we are better, probably worse.
 

northerncowboynation

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For me, at QB yes because of a year of experience for Dakmeister and Red Rush and the addition of White. LB yes, for sure with Jaylon's brace off and Vander addition, DL yes, S exactly the same but again Woods has a year of experience and Heath/Frazier as well.

WR I don't know yet. TE i would have to say no today
 

McKDaddy

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Following instructions & giving a simple yes\no answer, hands down YES for me.
 

sjmike

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I think it remains to be seen if we are better but I am optimistic about how they are putting this team together. Youngest team in the NFL and they also have the best offensive line. Offensively, I think this team will be fine considering they have that offensive line and, arguably, the best running back in the league running behind it. Add to that the fact that the QB is mobile and they have real competition at the receiver position for the first time in years. Also, I love Jason Witten, but it is my contention that that position has been stale and one dimensional for years. We lost some good tight ends who wound up playing well and being able to stretch the field for other teams because Witten had the position locked down. Now, I thing we can open things up a little bit and give Dak another facet of the TE position he hasn't had. Again, I am not knocking Witten, I just think this could turn out to be a good thing.
Defensively, I think we are a much better team than we have been over the last few years. A healthy Jaylon Smith will wreak havoc on QBs in the league with his ability to blitz and to cover. The defensive line looks solid and we finally have that war daddy in Lawrence who, along with Irving, Taco, Armstrong and possibly Gregory, we should really be able to put pressure on Qbs and help out the secondary who, really are just coming in to their own.
I think that we are better at every position except WR and TE but I think both have the chance to be better
 

Big D

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On offense: YES

Why?
Zeke full time / w better backup
Healthy tyron
O-line depth
Tavons speed
More experienced qb
Open competition at te/wr
Better wr coaching

Defense: TBD(but it looks promising)

Healthy jaylon/lee
More d-line depth
Experienced dbs
Better db coaching
 

JIMMYBUFFETT

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QB = Yes. Another year of experience for Dak and the addition of competition at the back up spot makes it better or should at least.
LB = Yes. Another year of experience for Jaylon and the addition of LVE and Thomas makes it better or should at least.
WR = No. While I have no problem and understand the release of Dez, this isn't a case of addition by subtraction. Dez is better than any receiver on this roster and will be missed.
DL = Yes. Another year of experience for Taco and the addition of Ward, Armstrong, Ealy, and possibly Gregory make it slightly better.
TE = No. Again like the Dez situation this isn't addition by subtraction. Witten is better than anybody on this roster and will be missed.
S = Yes. I really like Heath and he's gotten better every season. I also see no reason why Frazier and Woods won't be better with more experience as well. I also think Kam Kelly finds a spot on this roster.
 

jazzcat22

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CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
QB - yes, Dak will improve as long as the OL stays healthy
RB - Yes, Zeke back 100% of the time for sure
FB - yes, Olawale brings more overall than K. Smith
TE - yes and no. Losing Witten's leadership hurts, but does it? Since he refused to come off the field, did it hurt at times. Could be addition by subtraction, but will be growing pains too, because every play will be over analyzed as to...what if Jason was in there...
WR - no, I still think losing Dez hurts, but also it could turn into a yes, if all the changes come together like we hope it does. Need to see them in TC
OL - YES

DE - yes, but there are too many involved here, who gets the reps to get better with the 1st team opposed to the 2nd and 3rd team. Could work against us in that regard, but is also a good problem to have
DT - NO, and they did not do enough to address the situation, and by moving Crawford back to. DE, hurts it even more.
LB - yes and no, yes on paper, they addressed it, but to me still not enough, but it could be and should be better, but of course depends on the health of Lee and Smith. Need to see them in TC
CB - yes, they will only get better, and with Jones back at his more natural positions, they will be even better, or should be
S - no, they did not address this either, could be an issue if no one steps up like they hope they do.

ST's - same

Coaching - better with the new assistants in some area, which may be the answer to the S,s as ell as need to see how new coaching in LB's and QB coach do. But secondary, OL, WR, TE all should help their groups. ST's coach, needs to be seen as well. But heals gets what they other coaches give him as to the depth they have.
But we still have the same top 3 in charge, so is that a challenge or not? It's been debated a lot, so though I am not all that confident in them, I will go into the season hoping they become better also.

Overall - I am calling it the same, show me on the field. From my comments above, one may conclude I think we are better, but there are too many questions at the same time. So I say better talent, but can the coaches make the right choices.
 

ESisback

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QB—An offseason of film study and working on mechanics, a full season of Zeke, a revitalized OL, and a truckload of route runners that aren’t declining, diva headcases, all translates to a better Dak.
 

CPanther95

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The biggest offseason moves were losing their #1 WR and TE. That generally doesn't improve a team , or more teams would do it.

So it all comes down to the draft picks.
 

waving monkey

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QB: even last year gained Dak valuable experience then the back ups yes of course

LB even in mini camp our late round guy was showing up Covington


WR dont know

DL
loads of new talent somebody will show up

TE no

S
I like Woods.

the additions of new coaches I like will be a big influence
 

Techsass

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I like the overall changes we've made for the long term. New bodies (not just the rookies) are always a bit of a gamble, especially right out of the gate.
 

CF74

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It all revolves around Tyron Smith’s health primarily followed by WR chemistry with Dak, and then will LVE succeed early with minimal growing pains, and lastly will our safety be at least average or better.

High hopes, lots of potential, we just need reps and live action but all in all I believe we are moving forward. 10-6 is doable....
 

conner01

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QB = Yes. Another year of experience for Dak and the addition of competition at the back up spot makes it better or should at least.
LB = Yes. Another year of experience for Jaylon and the addition of LVE and Thomas makes it better or should at least.
WR = No. While I have no problem and understand the release of Dez, this isn't a case of addition by subtraction. Dez is better than any receiver on this roster and will be missed.
DL = Yes. Another year of experience for Taco and the addition of Ward, Armstrong, Ealy, and possibly Gregory make it slightly better.
TE = No. Again like the Dez situation this isn't addition by subtraction. Witten is better than anybody on this roster and will be missed.
S = Yes. I really like Heath and he's gotten better every season. I also see no reason why Frazier and Woods won't be better with more experience as well. I also think Kam Kelly finds a spot on this roster.
Hit the nail on the head there
Good job
 
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