The Things I Worry About for the 2021 Cowboys

Point-of-the-Star · Jun 2, 2021

. . . and things I don't worry about :

Worries:

- MM in game decision making! He's been questionable here.
- MM's judgement . The guy's made me scratch my head a few times.
- Dan Quinn's schemes. Nolan was an utter disaster and MM allowed it. Here's hoping DQ is a better choice that aids our players and doesn't compromise their abilities.
- All the Cowboy coaches and their schemes. As this thread suggests, coaching can make or break this team.
- Health of the OL in general. If our starters stay in there and play up to their capabilities this team's offense will be smokin hot!

Not Worried:

- Not worried about Daks leg/ankle/throwing motion/mobility. I think the guy's mentally tough and a top 5 QB. He has gotten better at the position every year and noticeably better. Not worried about him breaking his leg/ankle again or it hindering him.

- Not worried about Jaylon Smith and LVE's play. I think both looking so bad in 2020 is DIRECTLY attributable to Nolan's complicated scheme. Actually nobody on the D was sure of their assignments and this is evidenced by the team's D starting to look better toward the end of the year . . . still had holes but looked a bit better.

- Not worried about our TE situation. I think our guys will easily be top 10 statistically combined.

- Not worried about our DL (strangely enough). I think Tank will get his 8-10 sacks and Gregory too. We'll do much better plugging the middle. The LB'ers will be much better. Safety will not be our strongest point but will be satisfactory. Overall the D improves a lot (if DQ does his job, and I think he will).

- Not worried about Jerry anymore. He's really calmed down over the last 5-6 years. He knows he has been a richard at his GM job over the years and now wants to get one more before he goes off into that next phase of life / death.

I am optimistic (again) about this team and the possibilities. No, I don't "expect" a SB but I expect us to surprise a few folks and be a pretty good team. I expect a playoff team! I don't expect to post a thread in January 2022 lamenting this teams lack of success. Feel free to add your worries or optimisms here!

Just win, baby!

Go Cowboys!

jazzcat22 · Jun 2, 2021

I think MM's decision making had a lot to do with trying to make something happen, from all the injuries. Though a few really were head scratchers that dug into your skull. But I do not see him doing that as much this year.
With a full regular off-season and full participation in OTA's, this team is hungry and wants to learn to get it right. Should be a lot smoother start to the season.

4lifecowboy · Jun 2, 2021

jazzcat22 said:
I think MM's decision making had a lot to do with trying to make something happen, from all the injuries. Though a few really were head scratchers that dug into your skull. But I do not see him doing that as much this year.
With a full regular off-season and full participation in OTA's, this team is hungry and wants to learn to get it right. Should be a lot smoother start to the season.

I think a lot of his risk taking calls was due to lack of confidence in the defense.

BrAinPaiNt · Jun 2, 2021

4lifecowboy said:
I think a lot of his risk taking calls was due to lack of confidence in the defense.

I agree and with the idea that any spark might help turn the team around during a game.
I don't mind a gamble here and there and though the ginger would often err on the side of caution too many times.
However they made some silly gambles last year with the we got nothing to lose mentality that actually made things worse at times.

BourbonBalz · Jun 2, 2021

4lifecowboy said:
I think a lot of his risk taking calls was due to lack of confidence in the defense.

Same here. It’s like a basketball team with no post game. They have compensate and take too many perimeter shots.

Jake · Jun 2, 2021

Mental toughness has been an issue with this team for too long. Can they win a difficult road game? Can they win divisional battles late in the season?

Despite some impressive numbers in recent years, too often the answers to those questions has been no. That has to change.

Bullflop · Jun 2, 2021

I'm seeing some positive things brewing on both sides of the ball so far in 2021.

Hopefully, a full preseason, OTAs and training camp will help our cause.

I'm anxiously waiting to see just how Dan Quinn fares for us!

Point-of-the-Star · Jun 2, 2021

Bullflop said:
I'm seeing some positive things brewing on both sides of the ball so far in 2021.

Hopefully, a full preseason, OTAs and training camp will help our cause!

I'm anxiously awaiting to see just how Dan Quinn fares for us!

I am also feeling positive/upbeat for the 1st time in several years. I see and hear what I consider positives also. Originally the draft looked pretty mediocre to me but after some homework I'm encouraged.

The pattern is often a good year after a sorry year. Here's hoping this is the case. I'm hoping this team builds character to win those divisional games that are stacked at the end of the year. Like Jake said in his post there's got to be some mental toughening.

Risen Star · Jun 2, 2021

Jake said:
Mental toughness has been an issue with this team for too long. Can they win a difficult road game?

No because none of our road games will be difficult.

Point-of-the-Star · Jun 2, 2021

Risen Star said:
No because none of our road games will be difficult.

So your position is the opening game at TB will be an easy one? How about at KC? I also think the 3 out of our last 5 games being divisional away games have the potential to be "difficult". Yeah, I know that 2 of those divisional foes were pretty bad last year.

Maybe an explanation of what you consider difficult could help me understand your position on difficult games and I could see from your point of view.

MarcusRock · Jun 2, 2021

I've said it a few times but I think people are stamping 10 sacks on Gregory like it's a given when I wonder about where he truly is being relied on for a full season. As an offense, I would test him to see if he holds. I think we'll be better up the middle and it'd be even better if we can get some serious push up the middle to ease Gregory's burden. Of course even better if Gregory can also deliver to these expectations people are putting on him but it's my second straight year of wondering about the RDE position.

xwalker · Jun 2, 2021

Point-of-the-Star said:
. . . and things I don't worry about :

Worries:

- MM in game decision making! He's been questionable here.
- MM's judgement . The guy's made me scratch my head a few times.
- Dan Quinn's schemes. Nolan was an utter disaster and MM allowed it. Here's hoping DQ is a better choice that aids our players and doesn't compromise their abilities.
- All the Cowboy coaches and their schemes. As this thread suggests, coaching can make or break this team.
- Health of the OL in general. If our starters stay in there and play up to their capabilities this team's offense will be smokin hot!

Not Worried:

- Not worried about Daks leg/ankle/throwing motion/mobility. I think the guy's mentally tough and a top 5 QB. He has gotten better at the position every year and noticeably better. Not worried about him breaking his leg/ankle again or it hindering him.

- Not worried about Jaylon Smith and LVE's play. I think both looking so bad in 2020 is DIRECTLY attributable to Nolan's complicated scheme. Actually nobody on the D was sure of their assignments and this is evidenced by the team's D starting to look better toward the end of the year . . . still had holes but looked a bit better.

- Not worried about our TE situation. I think our guys will easily be top 10 statistically combined.

- Not worried about our DL (strangely enough). I think Tank will get his 8-10 sacks and Gregory too. We'll do much better plugging the middle. The LB'ers will be much better. Safety will not be our strongest point but will be satisfactory. Overall the D improves a lot (if DQ does his job, and I think he will).

- Not worried about Jerry anymore. He's really calmed down over the last 5-6 years. He knows he has been a richard at his GM job over the years and now wants to get one more before he goes off into that next phase of life / death.

I am optimistic (again) about this team and the possibilities. No, I don't "expect" a SB but I expect us to surprise a few folks and be a pretty good team. I expect a playoff team! I don't expect to post a thread in January 2022 lamenting this teams lack of success. Feel free to add your worries or optimisms here!

Just win, baby!

Go Cowboys!

This is the only "worry" that I agree with:
- "Health of the OL in general. If our starters stay in there and play up to their capabilities this team's offense will be smokin hot!"

Dan Quinn is going down 1 level of coaching from Head Coach to D-Coordinator.
Nolan was stepping up a level from LB coach to D-Coordinator.

Quinn had other offers as a DC.
Nolan did not.

Quinn will have a real off-season with the players.
Nolan did not.

McCarthy is a better game manage than Garrett.
- They were operating in an underdog role last season. In that role teams might as well take chances because they're probably not going to win just playing "straight up".

xwalker · Jun 2, 2021

MarcusRock said:
I've said it a few times but I think people are stamping 10 sacks on Gregory like it's a given when I wonder about where he truly is being relied on for a full season. As an offense, I would test him to see if he holds. I think we'll be better up the middle and it'd be even better if we can get some serious push up the middle to ease Gregory's burden. Of course even better if Gregory can also deliver to these expectations people are putting on him but it's my second straight year of wondering about the RDE position.

I've never worried about Randy Gregory on the field.

His pressures per snap played last season was really good.

His total snaps were limited because Mike Nolan loved Aldon Smith.
- Smith was one of the few players that had played in a similar NFL scheme before.

Gregory likely plays the Leo position in Quinn's defense which means less pounding on him in run defense as compared to playing DE in the Marinelli style defense.

Quinn's multi-front defense gives them options with regards to edge pass rushers.

Quinn will likely use Parsons similar to how Seattle used Bruce Irvin.
- Irving was an off-ball LB (4-3 type LB) in base but at times would move up and play as an edge pass rusher on passing downs.

JoeKing · Jun 2, 2021

The potential for a very good season is there but I'm not ready to set my expectations yet. I'll do that after a couple of preseason games and training camp in Oxnard concludes. The thing I worry about are things the Cowboys have little control over... injuries. I'm sold on the coaching and players.

Redball Express · Jun 2, 2021

Point-of-the-Star said:
. . . and things I don't worry about :

Worries:

- MM in game decision making! He's been questionable here.
- MM's judgement . The guy's made me scratch my head a few times.
- Dan Quinn's schemes. Nolan was an utter disaster and MM allowed it. Here's hoping DQ is a better choice that aids our players and doesn't compromise their abilities.
- All the Cowboy coaches and their schemes. As this thread suggests, coaching can make or break this team.
- Health of the OL in general. If our starters stay in there and play up to their capabilities this team's offense will be smokin hot!

Not Worried:

- Not worried about Daks leg/ankle/throwing motion/mobility. I think the guy's mentally tough and a top 5 QB. He has gotten better at the position every year and noticeably better. Not worried about him breaking his leg/ankle again or it hindering him.

- Not worried about Jaylon Smith and LVE's play. I think both looking so bad in 2020 is DIRECTLY attributable to Nolan's complicated scheme. Actually nobody on the D was sure of their assignments and this is evidenced by the team's D starting to look better toward the end of the year . . . still had holes but looked a bit better.

- Not worried about our TE situation. I think our guys will easily be top 10 statistically combined.

- Not worried about our DL (strangely enough). I think Tank will get his 8-10 sacks and Gregory too. We'll do much better plugging the middle. The LB'ers will be much better. Safety will not be our strongest point but will be satisfactory. Overall the D improves a lot (if DQ does his job, and I think he will).

- Not worried about Jerry anymore. He's really calmed down over the last 5-6 years. He knows he has been a richard at his GM job over the years and now wants to get one more before he goes off into that next phase of life / death.

I am optimistic (again) about this team and the possibilities. No, I don't "expect" a SB but I expect us to surprise a few folks and be a pretty good team. I expect a playoff team! I don't expect to post a thread in January 2022 lamenting this teams lack of success. Feel free to add your worries or optimisms here!

Just win, baby!

Go Cowboys!

I worry about Sts. Last year they were a hot mess and cost us some games. New players all around. Worried about it getting settled with so many new faces.

Chocolate Lab · Jun 2, 2021

I'm still worried about this defense. They were horrendous last year and we don't know if these young kids can play yet.

I'm not sold on Quinn, but I don't think he'll be the reason this defense isn't any good. That'll be because we don't have enough good players.

I'm not worried about the offense, special teams, or McCarthy at all.

CowboyRoy · Jun 2, 2021

Point-of-the-Star said:
. . . and things I don't worry about :

Worries:

- MM in game decision making! He's been questionable here.
- MM's judgement . The guy's made me scratch my head a few times.
- Dan Quinn's schemes. Nolan was an utter disaster and MM allowed it. Here's hoping DQ is a better choice that aids our players and doesn't compromise their abilities.
- All the Cowboy coaches and their schemes. As this thread suggests, coaching can make or break this team.
- Health of the OL in general. If our starters stay in there and play up to their capabilities this team's offense will be smokin hot!

Not Worried:

- Not worried about Daks leg/ankle/throwing motion/mobility. I think the guy's mentally tough and a top 5 QB. He has gotten better at the position every year and noticeably better. Not worried about him breaking his leg/ankle again or it hindering him.

- Not worried about Jaylon Smith and LVE's play. I think both looking so bad in 2020 is DIRECTLY attributable to Nolan's complicated scheme. Actually nobody on the D was sure of their assignments and this is evidenced by the team's D starting to look better toward the end of the year . . . still had holes but looked a bit better.

- Not worried about our TE situation. I think our guys will easily be top 10 statistically combined.

- Not worried about our DL (strangely enough). I think Tank will get his 8-10 sacks and Gregory too. We'll do much better plugging the middle. The LB'ers will be much better. Safety will not be our strongest point but will be satisfactory. Overall the D improves a lot (if DQ does his job, and I think he will).

- Not worried about Jerry anymore. He's really calmed down over the last 5-6 years. He knows he has been a richard at his GM job over the years and now wants to get one more before he goes off into that next phase of life / death.

I am optimistic (again) about this team and the possibilities. No, I don't "expect" a SB but I expect us to surprise a few folks and be a pretty good team. I expect a playoff team! I don't expect to post a thread in January 2022 lamenting this teams lack of success. Feel free to add your worries or optimisms here!

Just win, baby!

Go Cowboys!

Not worried about the DEFENSE? Do you even know what defense is?

CowboyRoy · Jun 2, 2021

Chocolate Lab said:
I'm still worried about this defense. They were horrendous last year and we don't know if these young kids can play yet.

I'm not sold on Quinn, but I don't think he'll be the reason this defense isn't any good. That'll be because we don't have enough good players.

I'm not worried about the offense, special teams, or McCarthy at all.

Isnt if hilarious some of the nonsense you see on here? You couldnt make this stuff up.

Point-of-the-Star · Jun 2, 2021

CowboyRoy said:
Not worried about the DEFENSE? Do you even know what defense is? After all, you suggested that "Dak could help give the defense good field position". Still waiting for you to explain that one.

Do you need warm milk to soothe the beast in you? :flagwave:

CowboyRoy · Jun 2, 2021

Point-of-the-Star said:
Do you need warm milk to soothe the beast in you?

Im just wondering what team you are watching. You devote an entire thread to what you are "worried about" and defense isnt listed once.

Its the biggest worry we have. Do you realize how ridiculous you look? :flagwave:

The Things I Worry About for the 2021 Cowboys

Point-of-the-Star

Well-Known Member

jazzcat22

4lifecowboy

Well-Known Member

BrAinPaiNt

Backwoods Sexy

BourbonBalz

Star4Ever

Jake

Beyond tired of Jerry

Bullflop

Cowboys Diehard

Point-of-the-Star

Well-Known Member

Risen Star

Likes Collector

Point-of-the-Star

Well-Known Member

MarcusRock

Well-Known Member

xwalker

Well-Known Member

xwalker

Well-Known Member

JoeKing

Diehard

Redball Express

All Aboard!!!

Chocolate Lab

Run-loving Dino

CowboyRoy

Well-Known Member

CowboyRoy

Well-Known Member

Point-of-the-Star

Well-Known Member

CowboyRoy

Well-Known Member