Don’t judge this team on opening night

CATCH17 said:

We got worse after opening night last year.

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shabazz said:

Sounds like the article I read entitled, “ Viewer ratings for the NBA finals will but not for the reasons you think”

It was clearly a preemptive excuse for viewership being in the tank and it was Exactly for the reasons we knew it would.

After 1 half of the game we may likely see the same players making the same mistakes they did the last 3 seasons. Cultural change hasn’t happened and they’ve only doubled down with bad bloated contracts for mediocrity.

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Bobhaze said:

It happens every year. Opening day occurs and win or lose, many Cowboys fans either proclaim, “Super Bowl here we come!”, or scream, “This team sucks!”….all after one game.

With our season opening on National TV in a Thursday night matchup with the defending SB champs, all eyeballs will be focused on Tampa Sept 9. I love when the season finally starts because all the speculation and hype about what kind of team and players we have begins to finally be answered. The long off season will finally be over and meaningful football begins. Sept. 9th can’t get here soon enough!

But just remember Cowboys fans- season openers don’t really tell us the whole story of any season. It takes at least 4 to 6 games to really get a decent idea of a team. Let’s look at the recent history of season openers and the first 4 games and whether it really predicted what actually happened in the whole season.

• 2020- lost season opener to Rams 20-17, then started 1-3 in one of the few seasons where our start predicted the whole season. Finished 6-10.
• 2019- started the season beating the giants 35-17, and went 3-1 in first four games, and looked unstoppable offensively. Finished 8-8 in Garrett’s last season.
• 2018- lost the opener to the panthers 16-8, went 2-2 in first 4. After 7 games, Jerry traded for Amari Cooper, the defense stiffened, and the team won 8 of its last 10 games to finish 10-6. Won a WC playoff game against the Seahawks before losing to the Rams in divisional round.
• 2017- won the season opener against the giants 17-9, went 2-2 to start. Finished 9-7 in a very disappointing non-playoff season.
• 2016- lost the season opener to the giants 20-19, in Dak and Zeke’s rookie year. A year when Romo went down early and expectations were low. The team proceeded to win 11 straight to capture the #1 seed in the nfc before losing in divisional playoff round one.
• 2015- The Cowboys won the season opener against the giants 27-26 on Sun night football. They went 2-2 in first 4, with Romo looking great- until he broke his clavicle in game 3, and the team finished 4-12.
• 2014- we lost our opener in miserable fashion 28-17 to start a season where expectations were low. The Cowboys then won 7 straight en route to a 12-4 season that included a WC win against Det and a close painful loss to the the pack in the divisional round.

This could go on and on. The point here is that it takes more than a few games to know what kind of team you have. I know on opening night, win or lose, these forum boards will explode with either joy or agony depending on the outcome. But we have a long way to go before we know what kind of team we have this year.

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Whyjerry said:

So they go 5-10-1 without a top 5 QB of all time for about half the season. 1 year made the playoffs and just missed the other. Matt Flynn became rich because of his affiliation with McCarthy. I would say he weathered the storms decently.

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Bobhaze said:

It happens every year. Opening day occurs and win or lose, many Cowboys fans either proclaim, “Super Bowl here we come!”, or scream, “This team sucks!”….all after one game.

With our season opening on National TV in a Thursday night matchup with the defending SB champs, all eyeballs will be focused on Tampa Sept 9. I love when the season finally starts because all the speculation and hype about what kind of team and players we have begins to finally be answered. The long off season will finally be over and meaningful football begins. Sept. 9th can’t get here soon enough!

But just remember Cowboys fans- season openers don’t really tell us the whole story of any season. It takes at least 4 to 6 games to really get a decent idea of a team. Let’s look at the recent history of season openers and the first 4 games and whether it really predicted what actually happened in the whole season.

• 2020- lost season opener to Rams 20-17, then started 1-3 in one of the few seasons where our start predicted the whole season. Finished 6-10.
• 2019- started the season beating the giants 35-17, and went 3-1 in first four games, and looked unstoppable offensively. Finished 8-8 in Garrett’s last season.
• 2018- lost the opener to the panthers 16-8, went 2-2 in first 4. After 7 games, Jerry traded for Amari Cooper, the defense stiffened, and the team won 8 of its last 10 games to finish 10-6. Won a WC playoff game against the Seahawks before losing to the Rams in divisional round.
• 2017- won the season opener against the giants 17-9, went 2-2 to start. Finished 9-7 in a very disappointing non-playoff season.
• 2016- lost the season opener to the giants 20-19, in Dak and Zeke’s rookie year. A year when Romo went down early and expectations were low. The team proceeded to win 11 straight to capture the #1 seed in the nfc before losing in divisional playoff round one.
• 2015- The Cowboys won the season opener against the giants 27-26 on Sun night football. They went 2-2 in first 4, with Romo looking great- until he broke his clavicle in game 3, and the team finished 4-12.
• 2014- we lost our opener in miserable fashion 28-17 to start a season where expectations were low. The Cowboys then won 7 straight en route to a 12-4 season that included a WC win against Det and a close painful loss to the the pack in the divisional round.

This could go on and on. The point here is that it takes more than a few games to know what kind of team you have. I know on opening night, win or lose, these forum boards will explode with either joy or agony depending on the outcome. But we have a long way to go before we know what kind of team we have this year.

Click to expand...

Bobhaze said:

It happens every year. Opening day occurs and win or lose, many Cowboys fans either proclaim, “Super Bowl here we come!”, or scream, “This team sucks!”….all after one game.

With our season opening on National TV in a Thursday night matchup with the defending SB champs, all eyeballs will be focused on Tampa Sept 9. I love when the season finally starts because all the speculation and hype about what kind of team and players we have begins to finally be answered. The long off season will finally be over and meaningful football begins. Sept. 9th can’t get here soon enough!

But just remember Cowboys fans- season openers don’t really tell us the whole story of any season. It takes at least 4 to 6 games to really get a decent idea of a team. Let’s look at the recent history of season openers and the first 4 games and whether it really predicted what actually happened in the whole season.

• 2020- lost season opener to Rams 20-17, then started 1-3 in one of the few seasons where our start predicted the whole season. Finished 6-10.
• 2019- started the season beating the giants 35-17, and went 3-1 in first four games, and looked unstoppable offensively. Finished 8-8 in Garrett’s last season.
• 2018- lost the opener to the panthers 16-8, went 2-2 in first 4. After 7 games, Jerry traded for Amari Cooper, the defense stiffened, and the team won 8 of its last 10 games to finish 10-6. Won a WC playoff game against the Seahawks before losing to the Rams in divisional round.
• 2017- won the season opener against the giants 17-9, went 2-2 to start. Finished 9-7 in a very disappointing non-playoff season.
• 2016- lost the season opener to the giants 20-19, in Dak and Zeke’s rookie year. A year when Romo went down early and expectations were low. The team proceeded to win 11 straight to capture the #1 seed in the nfc before losing in divisional playoff round one.
• 2015- The Cowboys won the season opener against the giants 27-26 on Sun night football. They went 2-2 in first 4, with Romo looking great- until he broke his clavicle in game 3, and the team finished 4-12.
• 2014- we lost our opener in miserable fashion 28-17 to start a season where expectations were low. The Cowboys then won 7 straight en route to a 12-4 season that included a WC win against Det and a close painful loss to the the pack in the divisional round.

This could go on and on. The point here is that it takes more than a few games to know what kind of team you have. I know on opening night, win or lose, these forum boards will explode with either joy or agony depending on the outcome. But we have a long way to go before we know what kind of team we have this year.

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Whyjerry said:

Can’t believe it but I am going to disagree with Bob. While he is correct in part I think we will know a lot about this team week one. It’s somewhat unique and based on the circumstances but here are a few reasons why:

1. This is Moore’s third year with this offense. Dak is back. Solid veterans all around. Exciting younger play makers. OL will be in tact. Zeke looks to be motivated. McCarthy is an offensive guru or so we are told. If this team doesn’t move the ball it’s a big problem.

2. The defense HAS to be better. I continue to believe if Gregory has a full off season he is going to ball out this year. I think that elevates the whole thing. Quinn HAS to be better than Nolan. Historically Quinn plays a pretty straightforward defense so the new playbook shouldn’t be an excuse. The LB and S play SHOULD be better. If 40 something Brady lights it up it’s a bad sign.

3. Dallas motivation has been questionable in a big spot. If they are flat to start and can’t get up for this game it’s a bad sign.

4. Will the real McCarthy please stand up. Is he the SB winning coach with a knack for winning when Rodgers was hurt or is he the bad coach he has appeared to be over his last few seasons? McCarthy made some very bad calls last year. Like really bad. I expect him to come in with a tight game plan. If not it’s a really bad sign.


So yeah I am watching this game very closely.

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Bobhaze said:

Until the first 3 and out on opening night, lol.

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Bobhaze said:

IMO most of the frustration (and sometimes anger) that comes from Cowboys fans who don’t like anything but cheerleading and blue skies is actually an emotional shield they have built for themselves. Like most Cowboys fans they so deeply want to win and any opinion that doesn’t support that narrative is a threat to the shield. Rational arguments can still be “threats” to what they want to happen.

To some other Cowboys fans, any preseason positivity is “kool aide”. They want to see us win too but have been burned so many times by this organization over the years, their shield is to not bite any hook of hype or promotion that suggests “this could be our year”.

There are all kinds of Cowboys fans and I’m fine with any and all fans’ take on the upcoming season. The only absolute that we can count on is this: NONE OF US KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN THIS YEAR!

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Westcoasthabsfan said:

What if they Win?

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Bobhaze said:

It happens every year. Opening day occurs and win or lose, many Cowboys fans either proclaim, “Super Bowl here we come!”, or scream, “This team sucks!”….all after one game.

With our season opening on National TV in a Thursday night matchup with the defending SB champs, all eyeballs will be focused on Tampa Sept 9. I love when the season finally starts because all the speculation and hype about what kind of team and players we have begins to finally be answered. The long off season will finally be over and meaningful football begins. Sept. 9th can’t get here soon enough!

But just remember Cowboys fans- season openers don’t really tell us the whole story of any season. It takes at least 4 to 6 games to really get a decent idea of a team. Let’s look at the recent history of season openers and the first 4 games and whether it really predicted what actually happened in the whole season.

• 2020- lost season opener to Rams 20-17, then started 1-3 in one of the few seasons where our start predicted the whole season. Finished 6-10.
• 2019- started the season beating the giants 35-17, and went 3-1 in first four games, and looked unstoppable offensively. Finished 8-8 in Garrett’s last season.
• 2018- lost the opener to the panthers 16-8, went 2-2 in first 4. After 7 games, Jerry traded for Amari Cooper, the defense stiffened, and the team won 8 of its last 10 games to finish 10-6. Won a WC playoff game against the Seahawks before losing to the Rams in divisional round.
• 2017- won the season opener against the giants 17-9, went 2-2 to start. Finished 9-7 in a very disappointing non-playoff season.
• 2016- lost the season opener to the giants 20-19, in Dak and Zeke’s rookie year. A year when Romo went down early and expectations were low. The team proceeded to win 11 straight to capture the #1 seed in the nfc before losing in divisional playoff round one.
• 2015- The Cowboys won the season opener against the giants 27-26 on Sun night football. They went 2-2 in first 4, with Romo looking great- until he broke his clavicle in game 3, and the team finished 4-12.
• 2014- we lost our opener in miserable fashion 28-17 to start a season where expectations were low. The Cowboys then won 7 straight en route to a 12-4 season that included a WC win against Det and a close painful loss to the the pack in the divisional round.

This could go on and on. The point here is that it takes more than a few games to know what kind of team you have. I know on opening night, win or lose, these forum boards will explode with either joy or agony depending on the outcome. But we have a long way to go before we know what kind of team we have this year.

Click to expand...

Bobhaze said:

It happens every year. Opening day occurs and win or lose, many Cowboys fans either proclaim, “Super Bowl here we come!”, or scream, “This team sucks!”….all after one game.

With our season opening on National TV in a Thursday night matchup with the defending SB champs, all eyeballs will be focused on Tampa Sept 9. I love when the season finally starts because all the speculation and hype about what kind of team and players we have begins to finally be answered. The long off season will finally be over and meaningful football begins. Sept. 9th can’t get here soon enough!

But just remember Cowboys fans- season openers don’t really tell us the whole story of any season. It takes at least 4 to 6 games to really get a decent idea of a team. Let’s look at the recent history of season openers and the first 4 games and whether it really predicted what actually happened in the whole season.

• 2020- lost season opener to Rams 20-17, then started 1-3 in one of the few seasons where our start predicted the whole season. Finished 6-10.
• 2019- started the season beating the giants 35-17, and went 3-1 in first four games, and looked unstoppable offensively. Finished 8-8 in Garrett’s last season.
• 2018- lost the opener to the panthers 16-8, went 2-2 in first 4. After 7 games, Jerry traded for Amari Cooper, the defense stiffened, and the team won 8 of its last 10 games to finish 10-6. Won a WC playoff game against the Seahawks before losing to the Rams in divisional round.
• 2017- won the season opener against the giants 17-9, went 2-2 to start. Finished 9-7 in a very disappointing non-playoff season.
• 2016- lost the season opener to the giants 20-19, in Dak and Zeke’s rookie year. A year when Romo went down early and expectations were low. The team proceeded to win 11 straight to capture the #1 seed in the nfc before losing in divisional playoff round one.
• 2015- The Cowboys won the season opener against the giants 27-26 on Sun night football. They went 2-2 in first 4, with Romo looking great- until he broke his clavicle in game 3, and the team finished 4-12.
• 2014- we lost our opener in miserable fashion 28-17 to start a season where expectations were low. The Cowboys then won 7 straight en route to a 12-4 season that included a WC win against Det and a close painful loss to the the pack in the divisional round.

This could go on and on. The point here is that it takes more than a few games to know what kind of team you have. I know on opening night, win or lose, these forum boards will explode with either joy or agony depending on the outcome. But we have a long way to go before we know what kind of team we have this year.

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plasticman said:

I agree and I think some of these important factors support your ideas:

Dependence on new young talent

-Because we expect last years and this year's draft class to contribute heavily, the Cowboys will struggle at first as the new players adjust to their position and surrounding teammates. There will be a learning curve that should improve the team on a weekly basis. It may not always show up in the games depending on the opponent. However, it should mean that the team's best performances should be in December, depending on the health of the team.

A new system on defense

- The Cowboy coaches should start off the season with a simplified approach. As the team improves, they will add in different features they think the team can handle. Also both sides of the ball should be more in sync as the season progresses. They will be more consistent towards the end of the season, hopefully peaking in December

I wouldn't be surprised if the team seems mediocre until around the middle of October with a record of about 6-4 or 5-5. They would then begin a surge around the week just before Thanksgiving, with their last 7 games something like 5-2. In fact, 4 of the last 7 are division games. They will also play Cardinals, Raiders and Saints. They will ultimately end the regular season at 11-6 or 10-7, winning the division.

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