News: No excuses left in make-or-break year for Jason Garrett and the Cowboys

[CowboyRoy]

But that's my point, they really didn't have to do a whole lot.

To do what? Win a SB?

I dont see that happening with the horror show at safety and Garrett involved in the offense. This defense has issues that are being bandaided at other positions at the moment.

 

[Stash]

To do what? Win a SB?

Yes. They went 6-1 after the Cooper deal. Sweeping the Super Bowl champions and dominating the team that shoulda have represented the NFC. And they got better after last season, not worse.

I dont see that happening with the horror show at safety and Garrett involved in the offense. This defense has issues that are being bandaided at other positions at the moment.

Coaching shortcomings are my biggest concern. The player talent is as good as anybody’s in my opinion.

 

[Diehardblues]

Really, because CHI and NE gave you the blueprint to shut down LA's offense.

Sometimes it’s simply about matchups and or just a poor outing and performance.

Brady looked awful until winning drive. I think it was just one of those games. I doubt it they played 10 more games they’d be 13-3.

 

[Diehardblues]

Yes. They went 6-1 after the Cooper deal. Sweeping the Super Bowl champions and dominating the team that shoulda have represented the NFC. And they got better after last season, not worse.



Coaching shortcomings are my biggest concern. The player talent is as good as anybody’s in my opinion.

For the record. They actually went 7-2 with Cooper .

They were 3-4 at time of trade losing first game with Cooper falling to 3-5. Then going 7-1 the rest of the way.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Yes. They went 6-1 after the Cooper deal. Sweeping the Super Bowl champions and dominating the team that shoulda have represented the NFC. And they got better after last season, not worse.



Coaching shortcomings are my biggest concern. The player talent is as good as anybody’s in my opinion.

Yah, Im not going that far. The offense is stacked, but the defense has a few great players and the rest are JAGS. Worst safeties in the NFL.

DE is a bandaid, 3rd linebacker spot is a bandaid (although nice one), DT is far from figured out. I dont even think corner is that sorted out. Question marks there.

And then we have the coaching. If we had one of the best coaches in the NFL, like we should then I would say we have a fighters chance.

The rest of that stuff you said about beating this team ect.... is garbage. Rams game really wasnt close.

 

[Stash]

Yah, Im not going that far. The offense is stacked, but the defense has a few great players and the rest are JAGS. Worst safeties in the NFL.

Really? So Woods is now terrible too? Now it's just negativity and hatred, not critical analysis.

DE is a bandaid,

How so?

3rd linebacker spot is a bandaid (although nice one), DT is far from figured out.

How should DT be "figured out"?

I dont even think corner is that sorted out. Question marks there.

And then we have the coaching. If we had one of the best coaches in the NFL, like we should then I would say we have a fighters chance.

I did mention coaching as my biggest concern. If that doesn't improve, I think we lose in the playoffs as we usually have.

The rest of that stuff you said about beating this team ect.... is garbage accurate. Rams game really wasnt close.

Fixed that glaring mistake for you.

 

[buybuydandavis]

I just hope that - no matter what they do - the offensive line returns to their once dominant form. Far too much is invested there to have the struggles like we did last year. I know there were some extenuating circumstances, but even that doesn't excuse all of the issues they had.

The one that can't be excused was the hiring and management of Alexander. And it's really the latter, as the guy was a real oline coach and could have benefited the oline. Management should have made it clear that we've got a good thing that was working, and he shouldn't be making major changes to a scheme in which 3 guys are perennial pro bowlers and occasional All Pros. Refine, don't overhaul.

Other than that, stuff happens. People like to say "no excuses", but rarely say how we could have better dealt with the loss of Frederick and injury to Martin. They actually did a good job with depth in Looney, Sua-Filo, Fleming, and Williams.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Really? So Woods is now terrible too? Now it's just negativity and hatred, not critical analysis.



How so?



How should DT be "figured out"?



I did mention coaching as my biggest concern. If that doesn't improve, I think we lose in the playoffs as we usually have.



Fixed that glaring mistake for you.

The combination of the two is the worst tandem in the NFL. Woods has done nothing of note up to this point. How about we wait till he has a breakout year until we declare him the answer. Woods might be fine with an all pro next to him, but not with the horrid Heath.

At DE, Gregory is suspended and Quinn is a one year bandaid. Then we are back to square one at RDE position.

DT could be figured out by Hill being a stud or possibly signing a guy in FA. But as of now, its still a problem.

Outside Lber on Lees side is fine until he gets hurt and they who do we have starter caliber?

 

[Stash]

The one that can't be excused was the hiring and management of Alexander. And it's really the latter, as the guy was a real oline coach and could have benefited the oline. Management should have made it clear that we've got a good thing that was working, and he shouldn't be making major changes to a scheme in which 3 guys are perennial pro bowlers and occasional All Pros. Refine, don't overhaul.

I don't think anyone should have to tell Alexander that. Everyone in the league knew who these guys were, what they did, and how they played, most of all offensive line coaches. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". And yet, that's just what that goof decided to do. And things went so wrong that the team had to fire the guy less than half way through a season. And now he's effectively exiled from the NFL. That takes quite a bit of incompetence to accomplish such a feat.

Other than that, stuff happens. People like to say "no excuses", but rarely say how we could have better dealt with the loss of Frederick and injury to Martin. They actually did a good job with depth in Looney, Sua-Filo, Fleming, and Williams.

It was a patch job, but nobody had a great season. Every one of the linemen had issues at some point or another. And they all know that they weren't up to their usual standards and that things need to improve. There's too much invested to be just a "good offensive line".

 

[Stash]

The combination of the two is the worst tandem in the NFL. Woods has done nothing of note up to this point. How about we wait till he has a breakout year until we declare him the answer. Woods might be fine with an all pro next to him, but not with the horrid Heath.

How about you also "wait" before you bash him and declare him part of the "worst tandem in the NFL?"

At DE, Gregory is suspended and Quinn is a one year bandaid. Then we are back to square one at RDE position.

And I thought the topic was improving now? Now it's switched to building long term?

DT could be figured out by Hill being a stud or possibly signing a guy in FA. But as of now, its still a problem.

They used their best draft asset to address it, and they signed two guys in free agency. They made a significant effort.

Outside Lber on Lees side is fine until he gets hurt and they who do we have starter caliber?

I'll ask you this, how many teams have what we've already got starting? And then who has this "fourth starter" you're referring to?

 

[CowboyRoy]

How about you also "wait" before you bash him and declare him part of the "worst tandem in the NFL?"



And I thought the topic was improving now? Now it's switched to building long term?



They used their best draft asset to address it, and they signed two guys in free agency. They made a significant effort.



I'll ask you this, how many teams have what we've already got starting? And then who has this "fourth starter" you're referring to?

Are you starting to get belligerent? LOL

Woods and Heath are the worst starting tandem in the NFL at this time. Not sure what there is to argue about there. Even if Woods is currently average that still applies.

You asked me about a side comment, so I answered you. And if were talking about "improving now" my point remains about the defense. Its pretty much par for the course. We did little to improve the defense "this year". I wouldn't call what they did, making a significant effort. But then they didn't have a first rounder either.

They signed a few rotation guys and drafted a kid that has a chance to work out in the future. Do these facts make you angry or something?

We seem to agree that this team will fall short mostly because of coaching. In order for us to win with Garrett, the defense has to be top 5 and Moore has to completely take over the offense, game plans, and in game management. That's my opinion. And I don't think we did enough to improve the defense.

 

[Stash]

Are you starting to get belligerent? LOL

Not at all, I'd very much prefer to have a civil conversation. They're usually far more productive.

Woods and Heath are the worst starting tandem in the NFL at this time. Not sure what there is to argue about there. Even if Woods is currently average that still applies.

That's unsupported hyperbole. I know of the hatred for Heath, and for the most part I agree. I gave him benefit of the doubt that he would improve last year and he didn't. And now I'm done too. But the fact is that while this tandem may not have made a lot of big plays, the facts also remains that they didn't give up many either. This secondary wouldn't have performed as well as they did with "the worst staring safety tandem in the league".

You asked me about a side comment, so I answered you. And if were talking about "improving now" my point remains about the defense. Its pretty much par for the course. We did little to improve the defense "this year". I wouldn't call what they did, making a significant effort. But then they didn't have a first rounder either.

That sounds like a no win situation. They traded for Quinn and used their top draft asset, but still didn't "make a significant effort".

They signed a few rotation guys and drafted a kid that has a chance to work out in the future. Do these facts make you angry or something?

Not at all. But your assuming the worst doesn't make any a "fact".

We seem to agree that this team will fall short mostly because of coaching. In order for us to win with Garrett, the defense has to be top 5 and Moore has to completely take over the offense, game plans, and in game management. That's my opinion.

I share those concerns. If Moore can't craft a more creative and effective offense, we're in trouble. And if Marinelli can't eliminate the tells that got his 'Rushmen' ripped apart in Los Angeles, it won't matter who they bring in. Coaching will be the determining factor for this season, and these coaches jobs.

And I don't think we did enough to improve the defense.

We traded for Quinn, signed two other linemen, signed a safety, and used the majority of our draft picks on defense, starting with our best asset to draft Hill. How much more could they have done? Or is this because they didn't sign a "name guy"?

 

[CowboyRoy]

Not at all, I'd very much prefer to have a civil conversation. They're usually far more productive.



That's unsupported hyperbole. I know of the hatred for Heath, and for the most part I agree. I gave him benefit of the doubt that he would improve last year and he didn't. And now I'm done too. But the fact is that while this tandem may not have made a lot of big plays, the facts also remains that they didn't give up many either. This secondary wouldn't have performed as well as they did with "the worst staring safety tandem in the league".



That sounds like a no win situation. They traded for Quinn and used their top draft asset, but still didn't "make a significant effort".



Not at all. But your assuming the worst doesn't make any a "fact".



I share those concerns. If Moore can't craft a more creative and effective offense, we're in trouble. And if Marinelli can't eliminate the tells that got his 'Rushmen' ripped apart in Los Angeles, it won't matter who they bring in. Coaching will be the determining factor for this season, and these coaches jobs.



We traded for Quinn, signed two other linemen, signed a safety, and used the majority of our draft picks on defense, starting with our best asset to draft Hill. How much more could they have done? Or is this because they didn't sign a "name guy"?

So to be civil someone has to agree with every angle of your opinion? LOL

Whatever, never mind.

 

[Stash]

So to be civil someone has to agree with every angle of your opinion? LOL

Whatever, never mind.

No, not at all. Being civil has nothing to do with agreeing or disagreeing.

 

[CowboyRoy]

No, not at all. Being civil has nothing to do with agreeing or disagreeing.

So then how is our conversation "uncivil"?

 

[Stash]

So then how is our conversation "uncivil"?

Nope. Feels totally civil to me. I'll let you know otherwise.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Nope. Feels totally civil to me. I'll let you know otherwise.

So where do you rank our Safety tandem in the NFL?

 

[Stash]

So where do you rank our Safety tandem in the NFL?

Middling. I'm done waiting for the light to come on for Heath, but Iloka may be a better strong safety fit this year. But I think Woods has some ability and upside.

Maybe this will help you to feel a little better about him.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Middling. I'm done waiting for the light to come on for Heath, but Iloka may be a better strong safety fit this year. But I think Woods has some ability and upside.

Maybe this will help you to feel a little better about him.

"some ability and some upside"? That doesn't sound very confident to me.

Not sure about that stat either. So if the QB throws the ball out of bounds above Woods receiver, is that considered a "forced incompletion"?

Woods is better than Heath. That's about all we can say at this point. He is slight, and definitely NOT a jarring hitter. So he is going to have to be a ball hawk and great in coverage. Which I haven't seen either yet.

 

[Roadtrip635]

He is slight, and definitely NOT a jarring hitter.