News: ST: The Cooper effect. How an unsatisfied Amari Cooper has improved the Cowboys offense

[Sydla]

I think it's false to suggest any team completely ignores needs and goes with best player available regardless of how much better that player is than someone who fills a position of greater need, or regardless of whether the team is already well set at the position that player plays. For example, it doesn't matter if the best player available when the Rams pick in the 1st round is a QB or RB, they are not going to take a QB or RB. The reality is need is a factor for every team.

Of course that's true............ there is some level of need. I mean if we had a Top 10 pick in 2019 we wouldn't take another TB if the best player on the board was a TB.

But the flipside is also true. There's no chance in the hell in October of 2018 the Cowboys know they were definitely going to take a WR in the first round of the 2019 draft.

 

[Sydla]

Valid point, but you can have an improved offence and not improve red zone efficacy. If Cooper is making the safety shade to his side or play back and opening up Zeke and Bease (as others have suggested) that effect would be lessened in the RZ where the field is shorter.

Of course, we also had the OL changes at the same time so nothing is conclusive.

In the end it's about scoring. Just because we move the ball a bit better between the 20s with Cooper but scoring doesn't/hasn't changed, I am not sure I can get behind the idea that Cooper has had this big effect on the offense.

 

[MeAgain]

Not really because in the end, the goal is to score points. If you suddenly start converting more 3rd downs but still are scoring roughly the same amount of points, how important then is that increase in 3rd down percentage? I guess it has an effect on your defense who might get more rest but offensively, if you convert more third downs and scoring doesn't change, is it that big a deal?

Right now, while 3rd down percentage has increased, the scoring has barely moved. Now maybe the increase in 3rd down percentage will translate to more points down the road, but right now, I really think it's hard to argue that Cooper has somehow transformed this offense.

Well now calm down and think football! If they keep the ball for 25 minutes each half moving up and down the field, the other team has no time to amass a load of points either. In that case a lower score could still win. Heck if they only get one safety an get 2 points and the other team has no chance to score. 2-0 wins the game.

 

[OmerV]

Of course that's true............ there is some level of need. I mean if we had a Top 10 pick in 2019 we wouldn't take another TB if the best player on the board was a TB.

But the flipside is also true. There's no chance in the hell in October of 2018 the Cowboys know they were definitely going to take a WR in the first round of the 2019 draft.

I agree with all this. I was merely pointing out the discussion about whether players picked are BPA or need doesn't really make sense. It's really always a combination of those factors, and the variables surrounding those factors.

 

[Vandyr]

I find it amusing you guys have these debates and heated discussions every week, and have been for years (been lurking awhile ). None of the arguments about players or drafts matter, because I'm going to tell you something you can take to the bank:

As long as Garret is the coach and Linehan is running the offense, this team will never go to a super bowl.

 

[Tussinman]

Successful franchises operate on value and not on stockpiling cheap talent when they have a very young team and tons of cap space. Dallas got a top 12 WR for a pick that was very unlikely to return that much value - WR or not. And they did it when a speed WR was their most critical need instead of writing off this season.

That's what angers me the most.

They had the resources to fix LG, Safety, and WR in the offseason.

If they had fixed 2 out of 3 at the beginning of the season I think there's a good possibility there 7-3 right now, at very worst 6-4 with the division lead

 

[Irvin88_4life]

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/points-per-game

Six out of that top seven (minus Indy) are the top tier. All those teams are scoring 28ppg or more. The Cowboys with Amari Cooper are around 21ppg. That would put them around 23rd on the list. The Cowboys are only relevant right now because the NFC East is so bad. No one thinks they’re a contender.

Just a question, how many points was Atlanta scoring at home.....30 ppg is the correct answer. 30 is more than 28 ppg right? So this defense allowed 19 against a 30 ppg team but somehow that's not possible against these other offense that averaged less points than Atlanta at home.

 

[OmerV]

That's what angers me the most.

They had the resources to fix LG, Safety, and WR in the offseason.

If they had fixed 2 out of 3 at the beginning of the season I think there's a good possibility there 7-3 right now, at very worst 6-4 with the division lead

They used a high 2nd round pick on a LG and they chased Sammy Watkins pretty hard. After that there weren't many top WR's to go around. That's not to say they couldn't have done more, but we do have to recognize that there is more to it than just having resources. There has to be availability and there has to be consideration for what resources will be needed the following year and the year after that.

 

[CATCH17]

Of course that's true............ there is some level of need. I mean if we had a Top 10 pick in 2019 we wouldn't take another TB if the best player on the board was a TB.

But the flipside is also true. There's no chance in the hell in October of 2018 the Cowboys know they were definitely going to take a WR in the first round of the 2019 draft.

The Cowboys have been an open book in the draft.

When we let our corners go it was clear it was going to be a corner heavy draft for us.

Same with letting Hitchens go and knowing Lee is injury prone and JAylon Smith still had all kinds of question marks.

Teams say they don't draft for need and then fans repeat it but almost all of the time that's what they do. They take the best player at a position of need and Dallas is as guilty of this as any team.

 

[kumizi]

Just a question, how many points was Atlanta scoring at home.....30 ppg is the correct answer. 30 is more than 28 ppg right? So this defense allowed 19 against a 30 ppg team but somehow that's not possible against these other offense that averaged less points than Atlanta at home.

You are saying I said things I did not say.

I said the top 6 are super bowl contenders.

Can the Cowboys beat one of those teams on any given week? Yes, it’s possible.

Are the Cowboys a contender averaging around 21 ppg? No

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...-nfl-power-rankings-why-all-32-teams-thankful

I think teams 7-10 on this list could make some arguments about being a contender. Everyone after that not so much.

 

[Starforever]

Third down Conversion %:

Before Cooper = 31%, (29th in the league)

(last three games) 50% (7th in the league)


The impact on Prescott:

His completion percentage before Cooper’s arrival was 62.1. It has been 69.7 since.

His quarterback rating was 87.4 before and is 96.4 after.

He averaged 202.4 passing yards per game before and is at 240.3 after.

His yards per attempt has gone up from 6.9 to 7.3.

And of course, the Cowboys have a 2-1 record.

Those stats may be accurate, but some are saying why spend a draft pick for a decoy? Although the stats may show improvement, this could have been accomplished without bringing in Cooper. Our coaching staff needs to put "foot to butt" and demand that this team execute better. If you can find a receiver that knows how to manipulate a route (get a defensive player to bite on almost any move), you can be successful drawing coverage. The line blocking better is partly due to getting rid of an inefficient line coach, Collins being injured, and players wanting to do better. There has been a culmination of events that have led to the recent change which could have been done many games ago.

 

[camaro69926]

Our defense is allowing 19 points per game and our offense is scoring 20 points per game. If Cooper is bringing our points per game up, he has an impact on the team. This is a team sport our defense is designed to not let the opponents in the end zone and our offense is designed to stay on the field as long as possible and score (albeit field goals). I used to find it funny some fans after week 1 say throw the whole season out and get a low draft pick, but now it is just getting annoying.

 

[kumizi]

Valid point, but you can have an improved offence and not improve red zone efficacy. If Cooper is making the safety shade to his side or play back and opening up Zeke and Bease (as others have suggested) that effect would be lessened in the RZ where the field is shorter.

Of course, we also had the OL changes at the same time so nothing is conclusive.

The Cowboys had 323 total yards against a porous Atlanta defense.

I am extremely confused by this thread. Is that good? Someone explain it to me.

 

[Melonfeud]

Whenever people start talking about all the "intangibles" or things that "don't show up on the stat sheet", you know they're starting to reach.

Also, when they *****,moan, lament & continually harp on the fact that the organization rammed a fist up their coolio& yarded out their #1 next years draft pick at mid season this year ,they were keeping all warm & comfy,,, all cozied up in their casing-liners, like they alone know just what the hell's best needed,,,ya,Man! Those people are in that category,as well



* ya know GANG?,,, It's really starting to come across as mentally immature if not downright childish in constantly bemoaning the loss of a #1 draft pick every time the #19 is mentioned,,, just saying as much,cuz',,, it wasn't yer' draft pick to begin with

 

[Kaiser]

They had the resources to fix LG, Safety, and WR in the offseason.

If they had fixed 2 out of 3 at the beginning of the season I think there's a good possibility there 7-3 right now, at very worst 6-4 with the division lead

I think you can make a strong case that signing Sammy Watkins makes the team 7 - 3, Hurns has been a huge fail as a signing.

But they did fix OG, they got a first round talent in the second round. OL take time to develop and Williams has been below average, but his play isn't that far off what Cooper did last year. IMO the main difference is Fred being out and the failed experiment with Paul Alexander.

And Safety takes two to tango, the Seahawks way overvalued ET and it was the right move to not give up a #1 for him. Woods has been inconsistent but the safety position hasn't been a weakness, which is OK if it cost you a UDFA and a 6th round pick.

 

[starfrombirth]

Dez the decoy bad.

Cooper + the first round pick the decoy good.

I hate the idea of spending resources on players that we can't use.

That's why I was one of the handful on here who was happy with LVE over Ridley.

We can actually use LVE. Ridley or any WR is just a waste. I'd rather have a TE .

We don't need to spend a first rounder on a guy to run off coverage. Dak's still a 200 yard passer.

Did you not see the game Catch? He got us some crucial 1st downs that allowed us to win that game. Yes it was only 36 yards but each catch was a 3rd down conversion. I like your discussions, but I'm not with you on this.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

You are saying I said things I did not say.

I said the top 6 are super bowl contenders.

Can the Cowboys beat one of those teams on any given week? Yes, it’s possible.

Are the Cowboys a contender averaging around 21 ppg? No

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...-nfl-power-rankings-why-all-32-teams-thankful

I think teams 7-10 on this list could make some arguments about being a contender. Everyone after that not so much.

Defense and run game makes Dallas a contender. Offense isn't the only thing on a football team and there isn't 1 way to win a title. Right now Saints, Rams and KC are the best teams and mainly have high powered offenses. Rams and KC can be scored on, while the saints have a little better defense then those guys.

With Garrett it's hard to get hope but Dallas has a good formula and will be able to travel. They are a contender just like anybody else you want to say.

 

[kumizi]

Defense and run game makes Dallas a contender. Offense isn't the only thing on a football team and there isn't 1 way to win a title. Right now Saints, Rams and KC are the best teams and mainly have high powered offenses. Rams and KC can be scored on, while the saints have a little better defense then those guys.

With Garrett it's hard to get hope but Dallas has a good formula and will be able to travel. They are a contender just like anybody else you want to say.

Whatever you say man. No one outside of certain Cowboys fans believes that. Find me any publication that has the Cowboys in the top 10 of power rankings.

 

[Kaiser]

Whatever you say man. No one outside of certain Cowboys fans believes that. Find me any publication that has the Cowboys in the top 10 of power rankings.

Sure, the National Media people saying it are all blind Cowboy homers who are drunk and/or stupid.

 

[Sydla]

Defense and run game makes Dallas a contender. Offense isn't the only thing on a football team and there isn't 1 way to win a title. Right now Saints, Rams and KC are the best teams and mainly have high powered offenses. Rams and KC can be scored on, while the saints have a little better defense then those guys.

With Garrett it's hard to get hope but Dallas has a good formula and will be able to travel. They are a contender just like anybody else you want to say.

Contender for what? The SB?

This offense, even if Zeke is running well, isn't good enough to win a SB IMO unless Dak picks up his play the rest of the year.