The Cooper, Gallup and Cobb upgrade

[JBond]

But I thought dak couldn't throw guys open? Lol

I'm not sure he threw guys open, but he did hit wide open guys on a regular basis. That is a big improvement. He also had some decent velocity on some tight throws. Yesterday was a confidence builder for him.

 

[Runwildboys]

It’s interesting- the Dak critics have alternately pointed to his mechanics (which needed to improve), his accuracy (he’s always been statistically above average there), and his lack of stats (which is always a bit overrated).

But Dak is 33-16 as a starter, has started every game for this team in 3+ seasons (he’s durable) and for the stat junkies out there, he has thrown for nearly 800 yards in his last two regular season games. Yeah they were against the giants but the criticism of Dak not being that great should be decreasing.

But there were throws he struggled with, and one was that over-the-shoulder throw that he made beautifully a couple of times yesterday. Another was the back shoulder throw, which he seemed to have fixed by late last season. Granted, he had a lot of time to throw yesterday, but he appears to be the best he's ever been.

 

[Cowboyz88]

Grateful for Copper (obviously), but I love me some Gallup!

Such a gem for a third-round pick!

Yes it's very early, but I'm gonna say that he's already the best #2 we've had since Tony Hill — better than Williams, Rocket, Harper, etc.

The kid appears humble, dedicated, fast with great hands and could be a #1 in a pinch. Great, young player.

 

[Runwildboys]

I'm not sure he threw guys open, but he did hit wide open guys on a regular basis. That is a big improvement. He also had some decent velocity on some tight throws. Yesterday was a confidence builder for him.

I agree he wasn't throwing guys open, but I'm rewatching the game now, and I can tell you, he was fitting the ball into some pretty tight spaces, as well as hitting the wide open guys in stride. There were a couple the receivers had to turn around and catch behind them (Jarwin/Cobb) but even those weren't bad. The TD to Jarwin may have been intentionally thrown behind him, to make sure the defender couldn't get to it, even though that wasn't really a threat.

 

[JBond]

I agree he wasn't throwing guys open, but I'm rewatching the game now, and I can tell you, he was fitting the ball into some pretty tight spaces, as well as hitting the wide open guys in stride. There were a couple the receivers had to turn around and catch behind them (Jarwin/Cobb) but even those weren't bad.

I am very impressed with his improvement. I had doubts, not hate, about Dak. He was money on the deep passes yesterday and his tight throws arrived quickly giving our trio a better chance at the catch before the DB arrived. If Zeke can remember how to be a dominant back we might have something special this season.

 

[ItzKelz]

Just one game but we are definitely in a better situation than we were going into last season at WR. Play calling was amazing to watch. Dak's improvement was amazing to watch. Hopefully it continues next week. Gift and a curse with the offense quick strike ability as it will keep our defense from getting as much rest as they have the last 3 seasons but that is only if we continue this offensive pace.

 

[Fizziksman]

there isn't a secondary in the nfl that can defend our collective group of receivers. the only way the offense will fail is if the protection breaks down or Dak reverts to throwing with bad mechanics and not able to hit those receivers.

 

[Pantone282C]

Our FO deserves credit for this upgrade.

I remember some fans last year saying we couldn’t afford to lose Cole Beasley. It’s an example of fans sometime only being able to see “the known” as worth keeping instead of an “unknown” that would actually be better. Looks like our FO has learned some good lessons about talent acquisition.

I think they are getting it done and it's about time to see it pay off!

 

[GMO415]

Bease who?

 

[Blackrain]

Here’s a quick example of how much better the Cowboys are in 2019 at acquisition of talent.

At the beginning of the 2016 season, the Cowboys’ starting receivers were Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley. Williams was a former 3rd round pick and Beasley a former UFA. They were the supporting cast for #1 receiver Dez Bryant who had signed a big contract in 2015. A pretty decent trio at the time, and it appeared they were our future at WR.

Flash forward to 2019 and we actually have a huge upgrade with Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and Randall Cobb which was on display yesterday in the giants game. Dez was definitely a playmaker in his day, but Amari Cooper is a much more complete player with his precise route running. Comparing 3rd round pick Michael Gallup to TWill is also a huge upgrade. Gallup is also a great route runner and his savvy for getting open far exceeds TWill. And comparing free agent Randall Cobb to his predecessor Cole Beasley is also better. Cobb is bigger, stronger, and a better blocker in addition to his solid route running.

This year’s receiver group is a huge upgrade to what we had in 2016. And it showed yesterday. The weapons Dak has now make this offense potentially the best we’ve seen in a long time.

It’s early in a long season, but I think it’s pretty clear we have upgraded big time at the WR position.

Yes Bullet I spoke of it in many threads my belief that the handful of missed plays with Gallup last yr would turn into Game Breakers this yr and so far it looks true .

At first I was skeptical about hiring an unproven OC but as I came to grips with it I knew there was no way he would not be an improvement over linehan.

Always felt Cobbs physical presence had to be a great improvement over Beasley .

Cooper is just the QUIET Assasin that we need . A guy who does his job at a very high level making everyone around him better and brings no other DRAMA.

 

[glimmerman]

Was glad to see him spreading the ball around. At first it seemed every throw was to Cooper. Then he opened it up. Loved it when he hit the TE for TDs. That really throws defenses off.

 

[Pantone282C]

I agree he wasn't throwing guys open, but I'm rewatching the game now, and I can tell you, he was fitting the ball into some pretty tight spaces, as well as hitting the wide open guys in stride. There were a couple the receivers had to turn around and catch behind them (Jarwin/Cobb) but even those weren't bad. The TD to Jarwin may have been intentionally thrown behind him, to make sure the defender couldn't get to it, even though that wasn't really a threat.

He needs to fine tune some of those deep throws - the one bomb to Cooper had TD all over it if he had led him more. But, I think he can get synced in. Nice to see that KM using the whole route tree more often.

 

[Runwildboys]

He needs to fine tune some of those deep throws - the one bomb to Cooper had TD all over it if he had led him more. But, I think he can get synced in. Nice to see that KM using the whole route tree more often.

It's unrealistic to expect every throw to be perfect, but yeah, that throw could've been a little farther. Last year he was overthrowing a lot of those.

 

[Pantone282C]

True, true. He's getting there and did hit some beautiful passes. Nice to see the progress. He's got the fire down below!

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

Only one forced pass to Witten was an upgrade, too. That year with him away will make him more valuable because he can be used as just another piece instead of the security blanket.

 

[aikemirv]

I agree he wasn't throwing guys open, but I'm rewatching the game now, and I can tell you, he was fitting the ball into some pretty tight spaces, as well as hitting the wide open guys in stride. There were a couple the receivers had to turn around and catch behind them (Jarwin/Cobb) but even those weren't bad. The TD to Jarwin may have been intentionally thrown behind him, to make sure the defender couldn't get to it, even though that wasn't really a threat.

The ball came out of his hand wobbly. I don't care one bit if a couple of the long balls are a little short as long as they are not overthrown, it is all good. Nobody is perfect on every pass. The deep one underthrown was because he had defenders at his feet

 

[morasp]

They need to extend Cobb! I thought Cooper and Gallup would bring it and new Cobb was good but his play yesterday exceeded my expectations. And, he was cheaper than Beasley would have been.

 

[doomsday9084]

It’s interesting- the Dak critics have alternately pointed to his mechanics (which needed to improve), his accuracy (he’s always been statistically above average there), and his lack of stats (which is always a bit overrated).

But Dak is 33-16 as a starter, has started every game for this team in 3+ seasons (he’s durable) and for the stat junkies out there, he has thrown for nearly 800 yards in his last two regular season games. Yeah they were against the giants but the criticism of Dak not being that great should be decreasing.

But can you see why people would complain? That TD pass to Jarwin was awful. There were a number of other throws early that were high or behind receivers. After the first quarter or so, he really settled down but I would hope that people, even yesterday, would see why Dak detractors feel as they do. He frequently makes mediocre throws to the right receiver. His detractors don't give him enough credit for consistently making the right read but his supporters don't admit how much the accuracy issue can hurt.

Overall, Dak played great yesterday though and yeah, if he keeps playing like that, I would questions someone's motivation if they kept attacking him.

 

[Bobhaze]

But can you see why people would complain? That TD pass to Jarwin was awful. There were a number of other throws early that were high or behind receivers. After the first quarter or so, he really settled down but I would hope that people, even yesterday, would see why Dak detractors feel as they do. He frequently makes mediocre throws to the right receiver. His detractors don't give him enough credit for consistently making the right read but his supporters don't admit how much the accuracy issue can hurt.

Overall, Dak played great yesterday though and yeah, if he keeps playing like that, I would questions someone's motivation if they kept attacking him.

The only way the problems you described with any QB become a real problem is when you don’t win.

We could list plenty of QBs in NFL history that threw an accurate ball with a beautiful rotation...and their team doesn’t win. Remember Jeff George? Great arm, accurate, and a perennial loser with multiple teams.

Most here probably don’t remember Joe Kapp of the Vikings or skins QB Billy Kilmer who both threw ugly ducks way more than Dak. Yet both took teams to a SB. Or how about the Bears Jim McMahon? His passes weren’t pretty but he’ll show you his ring when that’s pointed out.

And Dak is better than any of those guys.

 

[Pantone282C]

They need to extend Cobb! I thought Cooper and Gallup would bring it and new Cobb was good but his play yesterday exceeded my expectations. And, he was cheaper than Beasley would have been.

I bet he feels ecstatic in this offense - looks healthy and energized.