The Window, How Open Is It?

[Colombiacowboy]

I think we have about 3 more years to win it.

We’ve already wasted 3 years of Dak/Zeke and the OL.

The window is open now, but if all 3 are signed, next year we will have less talent and less depth because we wont be able to pay Jones, Smith and a cadre of others.

 

[xwalker]

Except for Haley...and Deion. They were pretty much the one player away. Unfortunately, getting that type of free agent isn't gonna happen today.

The success of those 2 fueled Jerry to do things like trade for Joey Galloway.

 

[Diehardblues]

This is a question for the SB or bust fans more than anyone else, those that would take 3 years of irrelevancy and rebuilding to get that elusive ring. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with being that. I was years ago but now would prefer to hang around and contend more than actually win one.

The answer to that is the key to most of what we've been discussing this off season. The answer to this really helps answer most of the other salary issue questions.

If you are a window is wide open, then get everyone signed and on the team and worry about any ramifications of heavy contracts later. The time in now.

If you are a quarter of the way open fan, then you are more careful and since you don't think this team has what it takes to get that ring, then some of these players are expendable to save the cap space. The time is later.

If you are a halfway open fan, which is what I am, it gets more difficult. I want to hedge my bets that it wasn't as open as I thought and save some for the future. I want my cake and to eat it too but is that realistic?

Ya know one post that used to show up a lot was that "it's not our year, next year will be our year" and that showed up every year, without fail.

This is one of those situations that I am really on the fence because I can make a case against and for each one of these situations but the fact is if they do all of them, there is no mystery to how they perceive that window and as a fan how can I be upset with them trying to reach through it now? Isn't that what they're supposed to do, go for it? If they don't, what are they waiting for?

The more we prepare for the future, the further away it gets.

The way I see it is there’s no guarantees for the future. Even if we want to play it safe there’s other factors which can detour you like injuries.

We were managing Cap and boom, you lose your QB and you got nothing until you get another QB.

Just because you’re All In or you think the Window won’t be open long with this core of talent doesn’t mean you think it’s a team which can win it. It’s just close enough not to rip it apart or let key talents go.

 

[Blackspider214]

Meh. I will take what the Mavs did. Won a title in 2011 and have been pretty mediocre since then and now really bad. The goal is to win it all. I don't care about hanging around every year knowing we will most likely get bounced in the first half of the playoffs. That gets old. I'll take winning one in the next few years and then slip into what the Giants did afterwards. I want to experience Dallas winning it as an adult. Many of us have never experienced that. The NFL is not other sports where you can slowly build for the future. It's set up to go hard for it right now and then. The Rams did it. And it paid off. They didn't win it all but it's much better than they have did in forever and much better than we have did in over 2 decades.

The time in the NFL is always now. We have wasted prime years of so many players all due to thinking about the future and never about the present.

We are always next year's champs. We have seen zero progress.

 

[CowboyRoy]

This is a question for the SB or bust fans more than anyone else, those that would take 3 years of irrelevancy and rebuilding to get that elusive ring. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with being that. I was years ago but now would prefer to hang around and contend more than actually win one.

The answer to that is the key to most of what we've been discussing this off season. The answer to this really helps answer most of the other salary issue questions.

If you are a window is wide open, then get everyone signed and on the team and worry about any ramifications of heavy contracts later. The time in now.

If you are a quarter of the way open fan, then you are more careful and since you don't think this team has what it takes to get that ring, then some of these players are expendable to save the cap space. The time is later.

If you are a halfway open fan, which is what I am, it gets more difficult. I want to hedge my bets that it wasn't as open as I thought and save some for the future. I want my cake and to eat it too but is that realistic?

Ya know one post that used to show up a lot was that "it's not our year, next year will be our year" and that showed up every year, without fail.

This is one of those situations that I am really on the fence because I can make a case against and for each one of these situations but the fact is if they do all of them, there is no mystery to how they perceive that window and as a fan how can I be upset with them trying to reach through it now? Isn't that what they're supposed to do, go for it? If they don't, what are they waiting for?

The more we prepare for the future, the further away it gets.

Its honestly not really open until Garrett and his horrid conservative offense gets outta town. Never going to happen.

 

[Diehardblues]

The only teams in Cap era who can manage the Cap more effectively and maintain a competitive team or consistent contender are those with Elite QB’s because you can surround them with less than Elite talent supporting cast throughout.

They might have an occasional down year but usually is because of an injury to QB or too many losses of surrounding support. All QB’s need a supporting cast but it’s what they do with it when they have enough that separates them from the rest.

 

[CowboyRoy]

We finally have a Pro Bowl corner, and you guys want to run him off.

Just pay the guy and get back to football.

Pay Zeke too.

Just pay them what? Whatever they want? Do you have any concept of team building or cap management or are you just one of those casual fans that doesnt care?

 

[Diehardblues]

We’ve seen what Dak is without the Elite supporting cast. This is why the window won’t be open long. Cause eventually the Cap will tear either the OL and or the RB and WR apart . Not to mention possibly defensive talent.

And why in Cap era if you don’t have Elite QB, can’t pay them as such. Most teams aren’t as dependent on an Elite RB or even a WR1. But we are cause of our QB skill set.

If we pay Dak top 5 money that alone will limit our window.

 

[Diehardblues]

I’m all for resigning Dak but if we think we need a star studded OL, WR1 and Elite RB then we must pay him closer to a Foles or Flacco type contract in the low to mid 20 million a year.

Or be prepared for the consequences. We will be about a .500 team and everyone can wear their Dak gear cheering him on as we hope to draft new Elite surrounding support.

If Dak is intent on being top paid , I’d let him walk next year cause in the long run a top paid QB who isn’t a top QB will hinder us under Cap long term. Basically if you’re not Elite we shouldn’t pay as such.

 

[75boyz]

Meh. I will take what the Mavs did. Won a title in 2011 and have been pretty mediocre since then and now really bad. The goal is to win it all. I don't care about hanging around every year knowing we will most likely get bounced in the first half of the playoffs. That gets old. I'll take winning one in the next few years and then slip into what the Giants did afterwards. I want to experience Dallas winning it as an adult. Many of us have never experienced that. The NFL is not other sports where you can slowly build for the future. It's set up to go hard for it right now and then. The Rams did it. And it paid off. They didn't win it all but it's much better than they have did in forever and much better than we have did in over 2 decades.

The time in the NFL is always now. We have wasted prime years of so many players all due to thinking about the future and never about the present.

We are always next year's champs. We have seen zero progress.

Nice post.

 

[zrinkill]

So I ask the question...

I think we have a good QB ...... not great after 3 years ...... but good with promise.

 

[Diehardblues]

I want to be clear what’s being asked here?

We are afraid that we might risk a continued mediocre franchise for an occasional All In for a championship? Okey Dokey... lol

 

[Diehardblues]

Is the window half open or half closed?

If you’re a play or two from reaching championship game I’d argue is more open than closed.

Losing a couple key talents could set you back while adding one or two could put you over the top.

We’re definitely closer to half open than closed assuming everyone is on the field.

 

[Diehardblues]

The best probability of reaching the Super Bowl is to mange the roster to make the playoffs every year but to avoid the "All-In" approach.

The window is closing or 1 player away concepts most often result in failure.

The 1 player away concept was the top cause of Jerry's failed moves over the years.

The Cowboys have finally moved away from that approach.

But yet we were 1 player away last year from most likely a dismal finish after a 3-4 start.

And in 2017 losing 1 player for 6 games derailed a potential playoff season after beginning 5-3.

We saw 2015 collapse after losing 1 player after starting 3-1.

The key is knowing the player or need which can put you over the top. And having the team that can be impacted by such an infusion.

We often hear how well we’ve managed the Cap and accumulated a talented roster how but do we account for 1 player making such an impact ?

 

[Diehardblues]

3 years . Then it’s time to start the next rebuild.

Dallas has always wasted our best players prime years.

They wasted Romo’s best years.

2011-2014, some of his best years, and they gave him a defense that was terrible.

We’ve flipped . Have a top 10 defense . We have a star studded offense with a poor passing QB.

We’re going to waste a better team with a lesser QB. Lol

 

[ShortRound]

You think we have a chance at a SB with Garrett?

Is this your leader of men?

 

[Big_D]

There is no window with Garrett here. It's closed and sealed off until a coaching change.

 

[Diehardblues]

You think we have a chance at a SB with Garrett?

Is this your leader of men?

Looks like they might could kiss. Lol

And I have less hope we’ll win another one with Jerry than Jason.

Garrett actually provides me more hope than Jerry does simply because we’ve seen the rest of the puppets he’s hired.

 

[ShortRound]

Looks like they might could kiss. Lol

And I have less hope we’ll win another one with Jerry than Jason.

Garrett actually provides me more hope than Jerry does simply because we’ve seen the rest of the puppets he’s hired.

You’re right. We could have it a lot worse than Garrett. At least we’re somewhat competitive.

 

[75boyz]

The only teams in Cap era who can manage the Cap more effectively and maintain a competitive team or consistent contender are those with Elite QB’s because you can surround them with less than Elite talent supporting cast throughout.

They might have an occasional down year but usually is because of an injury to QB or too many losses of surrounding support. All QB’s need a supporting cast but it’s what they do with it when they have enough that separates them from the rest.

Yup, Pro Football 101 pretty much. Exceptions to every rule of course but for the most part, this is the accurate blueprint to success in the NFL.