Are the Cowboys really that far away

[kskboys]

They took the eventual NFC SB team to OT on their turf and were the best team in the NFL in close games. They beat the other NFCCG team during the regular season like they've not been beaten in a long time.

How far away is tricky because that is largely dependent on what the teams we consider to be ahead of the Cowboys do to improve and do they? How do LA, NO, CHI get better?

The hand wringing about this team comes down to the offense struggling too much, that Indy game and the run D in LA. Good teams are going to have those games that cause the fans to question everything and forget the one true thing, Any Given Sunday. Why do we think that came about? Good team stumbling against inferior teams. What happened in IND and LA were not indicative of this season or this team, just a bad game and bad day for the run D.

Now, the real reason for this "we're too far away" thinking is the offense. The passing offense was not great nor was the red zone offense but that pass game got measurably better with the addition of a very good WR1 and missing one of the best anchors of any OL was more of a problem than we anticipated. The dumbest thing said in the NFL is that casual "next man up" as if that loss will not be a problem.

So, what is half full glass of the offense? I am not mentioning the QB because that will derail a team thread into another QB debate but he will be the QB and he will have a new deal. RB1 is solid and may even get used more in the pass game. WR1 is solid and #2 made some great strides and looks like a real keeper. Slot is a ? at this time. The TE's showed some improvement and that might get addressed in the draft on the 2nd day. OL? According to Yosemite, he is 90-95% and that's the best news for the OL. Williams will get a badly needed soph off season and now knows what it takes to play at this level and I believe the OL gets some attention in the draft as well. The OC is an unknown but we all agreed the old one had to go so my glass gets half full on that.

So, here's what I don't get about the half empty glasses here. The team came back from 3-5 to win the division and took the eventual NFC team to OT but because they gave up a ridiculous amount of rushing yards, it's doom and gloom? Hell, they took them to OT while giving up those yards. They picked an inexperienced OC, but one lauded for his smarts by others, and that's an automatic half empty when it is an entirely unknown?

Well, you can feel however you want but this past season was a great one to me. I gave this team up for dead and while I agreed with the Copper trade saw little benefit to this season. I saw a young D come together with two exceptional LB's for the future and one of the DB's considered top 4, when did that last happen?

Ya know my best advice to those with those half empty glasses? Well, I am giving it anyway. Stop drinking the poison. The Kool-Aid drinkers get accused of Pollyanna thinking but what about the Doomers? You might not admit it, but drinking that 23 years of futility is a poisoned well. It affects everything about how you might be more optimistic about this season. It is so polluted that any good years are buried because of the playoffs losses. And at the first sign of struggle, that poison rises like bile. We condition ourselves to expect the worst.

Those past years have nothing to do with this coming year while this past year has everything to do with it. They have a D making progress that will be kept together and an O that improved during the year. Until proven otherwise, the Cowboys are a contender.

Yup. Pats won by scoring 13 pts in the super bowl.

 

[CouchCoach]

I hope we get there, but do you see Garrett out-coaching Belechik? McVey?

He took McVay to OT in his own stadium while giving him 275 yards rushing.

I do not see anyone outcoaching Belichick, he is simply the best of this era and understands how to deal with this FA and cap era better than anyone else. However, he is not invincible. Coughlin beat him by beating up his QB, Quinn thought the game was over and Carroll had a brain fart for two of his wins.

 

[MarcusRock]

They took the eventual NFC SB team to OT on their turf

They did? Nuh uh.

 

[OmerV]

Well, you’re staring at the Atlantic Ocean with pool float and a paddle thinking that if you can get better weather, you might make it across. Have at it.

Again, there are other threads to repeat Jason sucks in over and over. If your intent was to ignore the purpose of this thread and hijack it into yet another of the endless stream of Jason sucks thread, you really should have just started your own Jason sucks thread.

 

[CouchCoach]

Yup. Pats won by scoring 13 pts in the super bowl.

And held the Rams to 3. Crappy SB from what I gathered but not bad for a football game. And just another example of it's not all about Brady and never has been. Belichick has a record of winning rings with more different players that will never even be approached.

 

[TheHerd]

If we were up a couple scores and teams had to throw down field more then I think those sack numbers and turnover numbers would rise.

I'm not calling you out, but just wondering if this is based on anything other than a feeling.

It seems to me that when we know a team if passing, like 3rd and long or end of half/game, the pass rush disappears. I have no stats to back that up and I could be totally wrong, but that's my perception watching the games.

 

[Cowboys22]

Again, there are other threads to repeat Jason sucks in over and over. If your intent was to ignore the purpose of this thread and hijack it into yet another of the endless stream of Jason sucks thread, you really should have just started your own Jason sucks thread.

My intent was to give my thoughts and interject the truth into the discussion. The title asked if the Cowboys are really that far off and then talked only about players. The truth is no, the players are not that far off. The current roster is capable of winning a Super Bowl. They just don’t have the leadership that can prepare them well enough and then make the right calls at the right times in games.

 

[kskboys]

I'm not calling you out, but just wondering if this is based on anything other than a feeling.

It seems to me that when we know a team if passing, like 3rd and long or end of half/game, the pass rush disappears. I have no stats to back that up and I could be totally wrong, but that's my perception watching the games.

Seems to me our D faded badly in the 2nd half of the season.

 

[TheHerd]

Far away from what?

Competing and being an above average/top ~6-8 team? Of course not.

Beating 3 or 4 very good teams in a row in the post season for a SB? Yes, this team is far away.

 

[OmerV]

My intent was to give my thoughts and interject the truth into the discussion. The title asked if the Cowboys are really that far off and then talked only about players. The truth is no, the players are not that far off. The current roster is capable of winning a Super Bowl. They just don’t have the leadership that can prepare them well enough and then make the right calls at the right times in games.

And, again, how can it be that the team was so close to advancing in 2014 and 2016, yet it is still impossible to get past that hurdle with better talent? And how is it that Belichick, despite being considered far and away the best coach in the NFL by most, doesn't win it all every year? The reality is that although head coach is important, there is more that influences wins and losses that just who the head coach is, and again, that is what this thread is about. If you want a thread to be about something else, I would suggest starting your own.

 

[CouchCoach]

I am optimistic about Moore as well. He should be an upgrade. Just can't help but wonder.....

I agree but I accept the learning curve as well. It took time for Walsh to get his WCO going as it took his coaches as well. Not comparing the two either but I do wonder what other OC was out there that posters wanted? The ones I would have preferred already have jobs.

The one thing that is an advantage is that he's been there and they were able to pick his brain as to what would he have done differently, he is unknown to us but not the people involved on the front line.

I have a lot of respect for Chris Peterson and his opinion of Moore makes me comfortable with him.

One thing different about Booger's perspective and ours, we want to win this year, that's all we really care about. He's already proven that he will take coaches and players based on the come. He's having an active audition for a future HC just like he's done in the past.

 

[cowboyblue22]

the cowboys have the players to compete with teams in the regular season and they can have a outlier and beat a really good team but to compete for the superbowl this team is far away they don't the the coaching or qb play that they need there is no way u are competing for a superbowl with the passing game this team has

 

[LACowboysFan1]

Quinn thought the game was over and Carroll had a brain fart for two of his wins.

Pats' last 10 pt SB win was the largest point margin they ever won by, won others as you note and squeaked out other 1-2-3 pt wins with last second field goals. Yes they are by far the best for knowing how to win, but let's not act like they have been some kind of powerhouse team that bulldozes people in the playoffs.

Beating them seldom requires some juggernaut defense or 1,000 yard offensive performance, it takes smart coaching. And while Dallas doesn't have that with Jason, with Richard on board and if Moore is as smart as some say he is, we can work around Garrett, like we worked around Switzer. NO team wins 6 SBs without a big element of luck. Even Dallas' win over Denver could have been very different if some early Dallas fumbles, etc. were recovered by Denver.

Dallas is due some luck, if nothing else...

 

[northerncowboynation]

I was thinking about the Cowboys player personnel needs, and what has been posted on this site about those needs, and given that almost everyone has the same list, although not always in the same order, and given that it really boils down to about 3-4 important needs, I have to wonder if the Cowboys are really that far away from being the team we hope to see.

Let's not talk about Dak, because we won't draft a QB with a top pick, or Jerry and Jason who also won't be replaced for 2019. I know ... these are key roles, but for this thread let's talk about what is possible to address. If the mantra is only that the Cowboys have to suck with those guys, there are plenty of other threads to post that in.

It seems to me that the focus for most posters is solidly on 4 positions - S, DT, WR & TE, so, with so few major needs, I can't help but think the Cowboys have a realistic chance to address all of them.

SAFETY: If, as many think, ET is a target, signing him would address safety and take out one of the major needs.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE: Obviously not having a 1st rounder hurts the chances to find a strong one, so that could be the biggest impediment. Still, we could go heavy at DT in the draft to improve the odds, or maybe trade up. And who knows, there is at least an outside chance Irving could get his stuff together - don't jump on that though because I do not advocate treating the offseason as if that will happen, and in fact, I believe we should treat it as if it won't, and it will be bonus if we are wrong.

WIDE RECEIVER: The chances are improved by the fact we don't need a #1 because of the Cooper trade, and many, including myself, think Gallup will be a quality #2 with a year of experience under his belt. We are also helped by the fact Cooper can move into the slot whenever needed, so that gives us versatility and allows us to look for the best receiver rather than a specific type of receiver. We also may already have a strong candidate in house to step up in Cedrick Wilson, who the Cowboys liked as a rookie last year before he got hurt in training camp. Of course, Adam Humphries is a free agent, and many think he would be ideal to replace Beasley, but the general feeling is the Cowboys won't be willing to pay what it will take to get him. Golden Tate would also fall in that category. But there should be a lot of #3 receiver options in the draft, plus there are several proven free agents that might cost a little but not break the bank. On the small side, Jon Brown, Jamison Crowder and Kendall Wright, but with the flexibility we have with Cooper we could go for a bigger, stronger receiver like Donte Moncrief.

TIGHT END: My personal belief that I know some will disagree with is TE is not a position we need to stretch for because once the Cowboys started targeting Jarwin and Schultz late in the season we saw notable results. They won't make the position elite, but I don't think elite is necessary to make the team strong. If someone we like falls to the middle rounds, or we want to take a shot on a reasonably priced veteran like Eifert, who has talent but is often injured, that would be reasonable, but there are other areas I believe are much more important to address. Plus, if we can fill the #3 WR spot capably that minimizes the need for a top receiver at TE.

Obviously there are other areas that could stand to be upgraded (O-Line depth), but the above seem to be the biggies.

Nice summary Omer. Agree with all. I haven't been a strong advocate of signing ET but if the price isn't too egregious I'm good with it. I wonder if Adrian Peterson would sign a 1 year deal to spell Zeke and have a shot at a play off run. Wouldn't be against that after what he showed last year in Washington. Then there is the back up QB thing but I'm good with finding out what we have in White.

Good deal man

 

[northerncowboynation]

Pats' last 10 pt SB win was the largest point margin they ever won by, won others as you note and squeaked out other 1-2-3 pt wins with last second field goals. Yes they are by far the best for knowing how to win, but let's not act like they have been some kind of powerhouse team that bulldozes people in the playoffs.

Beating them seldom requires some juggernaut defense or 1,000 yard offensive performance, it takes smart coaching. And while Dallas doesn't have that with Jason, with Richard on board and if Moore is as smart as some say he is, we can work around Garrett, like we worked around Switzer. NO team wins 6 SBs without a big element of luck. Even Dallas' win over Denver could have been very different if some early Dallas fumbles, etc. were recovered by Denver.

Dallas is due some luck, if nothing else...

I forget who said "I'd rather be lucky than good". It is an oblong ball and takes crazy bounces sometimes . God knows we've had some crap bad luck... a knee in the back, a catch that wasn't that was, a finger out of bounds, some no-pronounceable disease for Freddy, Jackie Smith flopping like a flounder in the end zone.... buddy won't you lend us a dime

 

[LACowboysFan1]

the cowboys have the players to compete with teams in the regular season and they can have a outlier and beat a really good team but to compete for the superbowl this team is far away they don't the the coaching or qb play that they need there is no way u are competing for a superbowl with the passing game this team has

Has, or had last year?

That's to be seen, isn't it? Cooper not here until mid-season, Gallup a rookie, Jarwin did catch a Cowboys-record 3 tds in a game, not done for decades, not by Novacek or Witten. Frederick out, he's better at stopping up-the-middle rushes than Looney. Linehan did Dak no favors with his scheme.

So I'm not making the assumption the passing game IS insufficient to win a SB at this point. Time to let last year go...

 

[Jake]

Every season is a new start. That's why you have to take advantage of your postseason opportunities.

The only "window" currently in existence is the one in New England, aka the Brady-Belichik Era. If you haven't actually won anything with the current roster/staff your perception of a "window" is just a means of pacification.

 

[OmerV]

Nice summary Omer. Agree with all. I haven't been a strong advocate of signing ET but if the price isn't too egregious I'm good with it. I wonder if Adrian Peterson would sign a 1 year deal too spell Zeke and have a shot at a play off run. Wouldn't be against that after what he showed last year in Washington. Then there is the back up QB thing but I'm good with finding out what we have in White.

Good deal man

I haven't been a strong advocate of signing ET either, but it would be a way to address the safety situation while leaving the draft available for other areas. Of course, maybe there is a DT available in free agency and we could address safety in the draft. I haven't looked at that.

 

[northerncowboynation]

Every season is a new start. That's why you have to take advantage of your postseason opportunities.

The only "window" currently in existence is the one in New England, aka the Brady-Belichik Era. If you haven't actually won anything with the current roster/staff your perception of a "window" is just a means of pacification.

Good thing we didn't say that the first 6-7 years of the Landry era or the first 3 of the Johnson era. IDK man, if your theory is right there is a lot of pacification in the NFL. Does parity= pacification? Possibly. How many teams have changed HC's so far? We'll watch with anticipation whether that opens a new "window" for those teams

 

[OmerV]

Has, or had last year?

That's to be seen, isn't it? Cooper not here until mid-season, Gallup a rookie, Jarwin did catch a Cowboys-record 3 tds in a game, not done for decades, not by Novacek or Witten. Frederick out, he's better at stopping up-the-middle rushes than Looney. Linehan did Dak no favors with his scheme.

So I'm not making the assumption the passing game IS insufficient to win a SB at this point. Time to let last year go...

This is a good point. The second half of the season the passing offense was notably better in every category. With Cooper on the team all year, and with a little better health along the O-Line, the passing offense might be significantly better for the entire season. Of course, Moore at OC is a wild card, but I think even with the uncertainty around that, most agreed Linehan wasn't getting the job done, so at least Moore provides some hope.