Some “When was the last time?” Questions

Future · Mar 22, 2021

Anyone who didn't think this team would have cleaned up in the division and been a contender in the NFC last season just chooses to be that way.

IrishAnto · Mar 22, 2021

Bobhaze said:
So just for fun and curiosity...I’m wondering:

When was the last time going into a season, you were confident the Cowboys were contenders for a Super Bowl? For me, it would have to be 2007. Romo had emerged as a real talent, and the Cowboys had a legit defense that Parcells had shaped. That team did get the number 1 seed...you know the rest.

When was the last time you were confident going into the playoffs that we could make some noise? For me it was both 2014, the last year Romo was still upright, and 2016, when Dak was a rookie. The 2016 team had shown a physical dominance in the running game. The 2016 defense was also ranked 5th. Unfortunately both defenses were not that good when it counted.

When was the last time you felt great about this organization’s off season Free Agency moves? I can’t think of a recent year.

When was the last time this team had a dominant DT (or interior defensive lineman)? LeRoi Glover? He was a NT in the 3-4. Jay Ratliff? Not sure he was dominant. Anyone else? I contend that this FO for some reason (since Parcells left) no longer values interior DL. I don’t understand why.

When was the last time this team had a dominant Safety? Roy Williams? He had a couple of really good years, then was exposed that he couldn’t cover receivers very well. Was it Darren Woodson? Woodson was great. It’s still a mystery why this organization undervalues the S position.

When was the last time our defense was physically dominating opponents on a semi-regular basis? 2009? 2007? It’s been a very long time.

This off season has made me wonder again why this organization stubbornly chooses to undervalue interior defensive lineman and safeties. Those positions could certainly be addressed in this draft, but it seems pretty clear that this FOs philosophy of not valuing those positions needs to be looked at.

And this FO’s yearly dumpster dive philosophy in FA seems to put a lot of pressure on the draft being able to fix all the holes.

Thoughts?

When was the last time the defense was in the top 10 for generating turnovers for two or more consecutive years?

Jake · Mar 22, 2021

When was the last time going into a season, you were confident the Cowboys were contenders for a Super Bowl? 2016. I chalked up 2007 to a fluke - those Giants went on to make history. But when it happened again in 2016 I realized I'd been duped, again.

When was the last time you were confident going into the playoffs that we could make some noise? See above.
When was the last time you felt great about this organization’s off season Free Agency moves? Not so much free agency but I remember liking the Galloway deal - boy, was I wrong. I remember hating the WR Roy Williams deal - sadly, I was right.

When was the last time this team had a dominant DT (or interior defensive lineman)? Randy White? If we're talking DT it goes back to the 20th century.

When was the last time this team had a dominant Safety? Darren Woodson. Roy Williams couldn't even play today, with his big hits and horsecollar tackles. He was a liability in pass coverage as well (Still ticked off about Triplets night. That was a long flight home).

When was the last time our defense was physically dominating opponents on a semi-regular basis? Dominating? Again, we're going back to the 20th century.

CouchCoach · Mar 22, 2021

I have pretty much been "next year is our year" about this team almost every year.

I approach every season the same, "we''re going to need some luck" to even reach the NFCCG.

For me, it all comes down to one additional question to add to Bullet's list.

When was the last time you felt confident that a lead, late in the game, could be turned over to the defense to close the game out? That hasn't happened for me since the early 90's. The D always seems to be missing some necessary ingredient.

I place almost all of my confidence on the D. The O is very good and entertaining but the game is still all about the D's ability to get the stop when it's necessary. It's been so long since the Cowboys were able to do that I am used to this being only an offensive driven team.

Got one more for y'all.

When was the last time you felt the Cowboys were a mentally and physically tough team? My answer is the same as above.

Whyjerry · Mar 22, 2021

Bobhaze said:
So just for fun and curiosity...I’m wondering:

When was the last time going into a season, you were confident the Cowboys were contenders for a Super Bowl? For me, it would have to be 2007. Romo had emerged as a real talent, and the Cowboys had a legit defense that Parcells had shaped. That team did get the number 1 seed...you know the rest.

When was the last time you were confident going into the playoffs that we could make some noise? For me it was both 2014, the last year Romo was still upright, and 2016, when Dak was a rookie. The 2016 team had shown a physical dominance in the running game. The 2016 defense was also ranked 5th. Unfortunately both defenses were not that good when it counted.

When was the last time you felt great about this organization’s off season Free Agency moves? I can’t think of a recent year.

When was the last time this team had a dominant DT (or interior defensive lineman)? LeRoi Glover? He was a NT in the 3-4. Jay Ratliff? Not sure he was dominant. Anyone else? I contend that this FO for some reason (since Parcells left) no longer values interior DL. I don’t understand why.

When was the last time this team had a dominant Safety? Roy Williams? He had a couple of really good years, then was exposed that he couldn’t cover receivers very well. Was it Darren Woodson? Woodson was great. It’s still a mystery why this organization undervalues the S position.

When was the last time our defense was physically dominating opponents on a semi-regular basis? 2009? 2007? It’s been a very long time.

This off season has made me wonder again why this organization stubbornly chooses to undervalue interior defensive lineman and safeties. Those positions could certainly be addressed in this draft, but it seems pretty clear that this FOs philosophy of not valuing those positions needs to be looked at.

And this FO’s yearly dumpster dive philosophy in FA seems to put a lot of pressure on the draft being able to fix all the holes.

Thoughts?

2014 for me. I loved the physical running game and thought Romo was primed.

Also 2014 and sadly last year. I truly thought Big Mike would make magic with Dak and the defense would be serviceable.

Not is recent memory. They haven’t been focused on FA at all.

Glover. It’s been a steady stream of Jags since. I do think Gallimore has something.

Woodson. Williams was good as a rookie. He went down hill after that. He was actually terrible his 3rd year on.

2005 to 2007. They didn’t have stars but Parcells had built a rough group. I will also give a hat tip to the Purple Drank Punisher. He had a few games where he beat teams up. Too few though.

Jake · Mar 22, 2021

CouchCoach said:
I have pretty much been "next year is our year" about this team almost every year.

I approach every season the same, "we''re going to need some luck" to even reach the NFCCG.

For me, it all comes down to one additional question to add to Bullet's list.

When was the last time you felt confident that a lead, late in the game, could be turned over to the defense to close the game out? That hasn't happened for me since the early 90's. The D always seems to be missing some necessary ingredient.

I place almost all of my confidence on the D. The O is very good and entertaining but the game is still all about the D's ability to get the stop when it's necessary. It's been so long since the Cowboys were able to do that I am used to this being only an offensive driven team.

Got one more for y'all.

When was the last time you felt the Cowboys were a mentally and physically tough team? My answer is the same as above.

Other than the Jimmy and Parcells years the Cowboys have been a soft team. Jimmy had more talent. Switzer inherited that talent and the team won a SB in spite of him, yet we saw how rapidly the team disintegrated after it.

It comes back to the head coach. The kind of coach who will instill that sort of mental toughness will also rub Jerry the wrong way, at times. So we get coaches who make Jerry "comfortable", first and foremost. But soft coaches build soft teams.

Creeper · Mar 22, 2021

Bobhaze said:
So just for fun and curiosity...I’m wondering:

When was the last time going into a season, you were confident the Cowboys were contenders for a Super Bowl? For me, it would have to be 2007. Romo had emerged as a real talent, and the Cowboys had a legit defense that Parcells had shaped. That team did get the number 1 seed...you know the rest.

When was the last time you were confident going into the playoffs that we could make some noise? For me it was both 2014, the last year Romo was still upright, and 2016, when Dak was a rookie. The 2016 team had shown a physical dominance in the running game. The 2016 defense was also ranked 5th. Unfortunately both defenses were not that good when it counted.

When was the last time you felt great about this organization’s off season Free Agency moves? I can’t think of a recent year.

When was the last time this team had a dominant DT (or interior defensive lineman)? LeRoi Glover? He was a NT in the 3-4. Jay Ratliff? Not sure he was dominant. Anyone else? I contend that this FO for some reason (since Parcells left) no longer values interior DL. I don’t understand why.

When was the last time this team had a dominant Safety? Roy Williams? He had a couple of really good years, then was exposed that he couldn’t cover receivers very well. Was it Darren Woodson? Woodson was great. It’s still a mystery why this organization undervalues the S position.

When was the last time our defense was physically dominating opponents on a semi-regular basis? 2009? 2007? It’s been a very long time.

This off season has made me wonder again why this organization stubbornly chooses to undervalue interior defensive lineman and safeties. Those positions could certainly be addressed in this draft, but it seems pretty clear that this FOs philosophy of not valuing those positions needs to be looked at.

And this FO’s yearly dumpster dive philosophy in FA seems to put a lot of pressure on the draft being able to fix all the holes.

Thoughts?

On paper, the Cowboys are going to the Super Bowl every year, according to Jerry.

Ratliff probably was a dominant player at DT, or at least dominant enough.

Roy Williams was around a lot longer then you think. But once offenses figured him out his career came to a pretty abrupt end.

I cannot recall the last time the Cowboys had a defense that could be counted on to get a big stop on an important 3rd down? or one a big drive to same a game. The lack of turnovers from the defense over the last bunch of years is an enigma.

CowboyRoy · Mar 22, 2021

Bobhaze said:
True. When was the last time you were confident in all the off season moves?

When was the last time a fan said we were going to suck before FA and the draft were over?

About 10 times today at least.

tyke1doe · Mar 22, 2021

When was the last time going into a season, you were confident the Cowboys were contenders for a Super Bowl? 2017 after Zek's and Dak's rookie season. How'd that turn out?

When was the last time you were confident going into the playoffs that we could make some noise? 2016 Dak's and Zeke's rookie season. Win one game, we're in the NFC Championship at home. Well, we know what happened.
When was the last time you felt great about this organization’s off season Free Agency moves? When we signed Deion Sanders.

When was the last time this team had a dominant DT (or interior defensive lineman)? In the era of Randy "Manster" White.

When was the last time this team had a dominant Safety? Roy Williams. Until the rules changed and before he lost his fire. He went from looking like Ronnie Lott to playing like Sir Mix a Lot.

When was the last time our defense was physically dominating opponents on a semi-regular basis? The 92-94 era. A long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

Winonesoon · Mar 22, 2021

GMO415 said:
2017, but I'll.never fall for it again.

yes you will, don't lie. I will too and know better will doing it. You just never know when it will be for real. If you wait until the 4th quarter of the Super Bowl you have waisted all the fun.

foofighters · Mar 22, 2021

Bobhaze said:
So just for fun and curiosity...I’m wondering:

When was the last time going into a season, you were confident the Cowboys were contenders for a Super Bowl? For me, it would have to be 2007. Romo had emerged as a real talent, and the Cowboys had a legit defense that Parcells had shaped. That team did get the number 1 seed...you know the rest.

When was the last time you were confident going into the playoffs that we could make some noise? For me it was both 2014, the last year Romo was still upright, and 2016, when Dak was a rookie. The 2016 team had shown a physical dominance in the running game. The 2016 defense was also ranked 5th. Unfortunately both defenses were not that good when it counted.

When was the last time you felt great about this organization’s off season Free Agency moves? I can’t think of a recent year.

When was the last time this team had a dominant DT (or interior defensive lineman)? LeRoi Glover? He was a NT in the 3-4. Jay Ratliff? Not sure he was dominant. Anyone else? I contend that this FO for some reason (since Parcells left) no longer values interior DL. I don’t understand why.

When was the last time this team had a dominant Safety? Roy Williams? He had a couple of really good years, then was exposed that he couldn’t cover receivers very well. Was it Darren Woodson? Woodson was great. It’s still a mystery why this organization undervalues the S position.

When was the last time our defense was physically dominating opponents on a semi-regular basis? 2009? 2007? It’s been a very long time.

This off season has made me wonder again why this organization stubbornly chooses to undervalue interior defensive lineman and safeties. Those positions could certainly be addressed in this draft, but it seems pretty clear that this FOs philosophy of not valuing those positions needs to be looked at.

And this FO’s yearly dumpster dive philosophy in FA seems to put a lot of pressure on the draft being able to fix all the holes.

Thoughts?

Back when I was too young to be a pessimist and the world really hadn't dropped on me yet. Now, I understand why Red Foreman was always so cranky...

Aviano90 · Mar 22, 2021

Future said:
Anyone who didn't think this team would have cleaned up in the division and been a contender in the NFC last season just chooses to be that way.

The mood of the board was definitely positive, even from posters who Rockport would classify as always negative. I saw many claims of it being the best off-season in a long time.

Future · Mar 22, 2021

Aviano90 said:
The mood of the board was definitely positive, even from posters who Rockport would classify as always negative. I saw many claims of it being the best off-season in a long time.

I mean I don't think our offseason was that great (I never liked Poe or HaHa), but talent-wis, they were a top 5 team in the NFC.

Bobhaze · Mar 22, 2021

Jake said:
Other than the Jimmy and Parcells years the Cowboys have been a soft team. Jimmy had more talent. Switzer inherited that talent and the team won a SB in spite of him, yet we saw how rapidly the team disintegrated after it.

It comes back to the head coach. The kind of coach who will instill that sort of mental toughness will also rub Jerry the wrong way, at times. So we get coaches who make Jerry "comfortable", first and foremost. But soft coaches build soft teams.

Totally agree. The “comfort code” Jerry lives by with his head coaches is the foundation for the Charmin-like culture that has afflicted this team for years. Jerry has avoided a HC that could develop an accountable culture with the exception of Parcells. This “comfort” has ruined the culture.

What’s ironic, is the Jerry-Jimmy team worked so well because they balanced each other out. Jimmy was an excellent talent evaluator and great at motivating players to give their best. A master psychologist. Jerry was brilliant at business and marketing and willing to take risks. But all the things Jimmy was Jerry would never be good at. And yet to this day, oddly that’s what Jerry covets

But the good things that Jimmy brought to the table, Jerry ended up resenting and purging from the organization. Other than Parcells, we haven’t had a HC that demanded and enforced a toughness necessary to win in this league.

And I’ve said this for a long time. Talent is great- you have to have it to win in this league. But talent alone is not enough. If it’s not paired with toughness it’s just a tease.

Pantone282C · Mar 22, 2021

Bobhaze said:
So just for fun and curiosity...I’m wondering:

When was the last time going into a season, you were confident the Cowboys were contenders for a Super Bowl? For me, it would have to be 2007. Romo had emerged as a real talent, and the Cowboys had a legit defense that Parcells had shaped. That team did get the number 1 seed...you know the rest.

When was the last time you were confident going into the playoffs that we could make some noise? For me it was both 2014, the last year Romo was still upright, and 2016, when Dak was a rookie. The 2016 team had shown a physical dominance in the running game. The 2016 defense was also ranked 5th. Unfortunately both defenses were not that good when it counted.

When was the last time you felt great about this organization’s off season Free Agency moves? I can’t think of a recent year.

When was the last time this team had a dominant DT (or interior defensive lineman)? LeRoi Glover? He was a NT in the 3-4. Jay Ratliff? Not sure he was dominant. Anyone else? I contend that this FO for some reason (since Parcells left) no longer values interior DL. I don’t understand why.

When was the last time this team had a dominant Safety? Roy Williams? He had a couple of really good years, then was exposed that he couldn’t cover receivers very well. Was it Darren Woodson? Woodson was great. It’s still a mystery why this organization undervalues the S position.

When was the last time our defense was physically dominating opponents on a semi-regular basis? 2009? 2007? It’s been a very long time.

This off season has made me wonder again why this organization stubbornly chooses to undervalue interior defensive lineman and safeties. Those positions could certainly be addressed in this draft, but it seems pretty clear that this FOs philosophy of not valuing those positions needs to be looked at.

And this FO’s yearly dumpster dive philosophy in FA seems to put a lot of pressure on the draft being able to fix all the holes.

Thoughts?

Close to the same for me in terms of super bowl chances - 2007 but also 2016.
A truly dominant defensive unit has not been evident for quite some time - the 2016 D was good enough, but the scheme, execution, and in-game coaching decisions sucked when it mattered.
This year, I am hopeful, as always, but we shall see if a new DC helps. The offense has the weapons for skill positions; we need the OLine to gel and stay healthy.
In short, I am not confident in a Super Bowl this year. This year is the most uncertain I have been in some time.

plasticman · Mar 22, 2021

Bobhaze said:
True. When was the last time you were confident in all the off season moves?

The last time there was no such thing as "offseason moves" other than the draft.

Wouldn't it be great if the Cowboys didn't need veteran free agency, they managed the cap perfectly, their timing for extending contracts of productive players were perfect, they drafted players to perfection, they were even perfect when it came to acquiring rookie free agents.

It's a fantasy but I miss the days when the players you loved didn't turn into the players you rooted against four years later and visa versa.

Jake · Mar 23, 2021

Creeper said:
On paper, the Cowboys are going to the Super Bowl every year, according to Jerry.

It appears Jerry is not alone in his self-delusion.

The Cowboys have always had the talent

Pantone282C · Mar 23, 2021

Jake said:
It appears Jerry is not alone in his self-delusion.

The Cowboys have always had the talent

After all, he put the players there!

Some “When was the last time?” Questions

Future

Intramural Legend

IrishAnto

Well-Known Member

Jake

Beyond tired of Jerry

CouchCoach

Whyjerry

Well-Known Member

Jake

Beyond tired of Jerry

Creeper

Well-Known Member

CowboyRoy

Well-Known Member

tyke1doe

Well-Known Member

Winonesoon

Well-Known Member

foofighters

Well-Known Member

Aviano90

Go Seahawks!!!

Future

Intramural Legend

Bobhaze

Pantone282C

Well-Known Member

plasticman

Well-Known Member

Jake

Beyond tired of Jerry

Pantone282C

Well-Known Member