Long and difficult season, but fruitful in the end

erod

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Essentially, the preseason is over, aside from that monstrosity we have to sit through on Thursday. I appreciate the new cut system that allows teams to risk no one of significance anymore the last preseason game. It'll be a battle of laundry.

However, with the real deal nigh upon us, questions abound as suspensions and injuries drip from this roster like sap from a Gorosoe. The Cowboys aren't ready, but tough toodles, it's here.

Week One is littered with uncertainty. Zeke's appeal quite possibly might not be decided by then, so he might play against the Giants. If it comes down the Friday before, he won't have time to file for an injunction. If it's enough before, he might get an injunction. Or, he might just accept whatever fate the league decides. Who knows? Nobody, that's who.

Then there's Damien Wilson and Nolan Carroll, who could be suspended any minute and join Damontre Moore and David Irving as temporary outcasts from The Star.

Rookies Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis are seriously needed asap. They aren't supposed to be add-ons like Switzer and Woods. They're supposed to be critically relied-upon players, and they haven't sniffed the preseason, which for rookies is important. It's hard to imagine they're ready for a Sunday Night game against the Giants.

So what's that leave, aside from a slew of scenarios to juggle with one hand tied behind?

I am not worried about the offense. Dak looked poised and practiced over the offseason, which he deserves mountains of credit for. He dove in and improved his arm velocity and his knowledge of the offense. The offensive line has some quibbles, but they'll be solid enough and get better, and the skill groups are deep and talented.

Simply put, the offense looks unstoppable. I'm not really sure how defenses will be able to attack the Cowboys, though I'm sure coordinators have plans for young Dak. Good luck with that if you can't get to him because you're going to get carved to pieces. Glorious.

Defensively, (sigh), oh boy. The defense looks unstoppable, too, as in, it can't get any stops.

Aside from the defensive tackles and Sean Lee, there's almost nothing ready for prime time. The pass rush looks anemic yet again, and the secondary is decimated and waiting on rookies to save it. Hitchens is now down, so I guess they'll rely on Justin Durant again or move Lee inside, which is a bad idea for his health. Wilson may or may not be available, and Jaylon Smith is not ready for significant playing time. He needs to keep healing.

Scandrick looks good, but his aging bones can't play every snap. Carroll remains a turnstile, and Anthony Brown will have to handle the top receivers, which I'm not sure he's ready to do. Jones and Heath need to get on the same page because both look repeatedly late. Dallas desperately needs Lewis and Awuzie to heal up and grow up fast. Tomorrow, if you please.

Of course, other teams have issues, too. The Giants can't run the ball or score touchdowns, it seems. Let's hope our defense isn't the cure for their ills. Denver's next with QB woes. Everybody ails, but I wish our defense wasn't such an annual beating to sort through.

This team will have to evolve as the season progresses to be in position to make any hay in the sun. That means some necessary 38-35 type of wins early, I'm afraid. That's an exagerration for effect, but not by much. Marinelli is going to have to earn his lunch money.

What happens when you mix a 13-3 offense with a 3-13 defense? You usually get 8-8. Let's hope this defense improves as the season progresses to avoid that sister-kisser season that none of us want to commiserate through.

I think they will make that progress if the injury gremlins are few enough. I can see 11-5, which should be good enough for the East, and present a formidable foe for the postseason.

That's if they grow up fast.
 
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Ken

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The defense isn't going to be nearly as bad as some people think it is. I believe we will have our challenges in the early part of the year due to the suspensions and youth. We will get better and better as the year goes on and will be peaking when we need it most.

I think this defense will be playing better than any defense we have had in the last 5 years by the end of the season.
 

rockj7

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Essentially, the preseason is over, aside from that monstrosity we have to sit through on Thursday. I appreciate the new cut system that allows teams to risk no one of significance anymore the last preseason game. It'll be a battle of laundry.

However, with the real deal nigh upon us, questions abound as suspensions and injuries drip from this roster like sap from a Gorosoe. The Cowboys aren't ready, but tough toodles, it's here.

Week One is littered with uncertainty. Zeke's appeal quite possibly might not be decided by then, so he might play against the Giants. If it comes down the Friday before, he won't have time to file for an injunction. If it's enough before, he might get an injunction. Or, he might just accept whatever fate the league decides. Who knows? Nobody, that's who.

Then there's Damien Wilson and Nolan Carroll, who could be suspended any minute and join Damontre Moore and David Irving as temporary outcasts from The Star.

Rookies Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis are seriously needed asap. They aren't supposed to be add-ons like Switzer and Woods. They're supposed to be critically relied-upon players, and they haven't sniffed the preseason, which for rookies is important. It's hard to imagine they're ready for a Sunday Night game against the Giants.

So what's that leave, aside from a slew of scenarios to juggle with one hand tied behind.

I am not worried about the offense. Dak looked poised and practiced over the offseason, which he deserves mountains of credit for. He dove in and improved his arm velocity and his knowledge of the offense. The offensive line has some quibbles, but they'll be solid enough and get better, and the skill groups are deep and talented.

Simply put, the offense looks unstoppable. I'm not really sure how defenses will be able to attack the Cowboys, though I'm sure coordinators have plans for young Dak. Good luck with that because if you can't get to him because you're going to get carved to pieces. Glorious.

Defensively, (sigh), oh boy. The defense looks unstoppable, too, as in, it can't get any stops.

Aside from the defensive tackles and Sean Lee, there's almost nothing ready for prime time. The pass rush looks anemic yet again, and the secondary is decimated and waiting on rookies to save it. Hitchens is now down, so I guess they'll rely on Justin Durant again or move Lee inside, which is a bad idea for his health. Wilson may or may not be available, and Jaylon Smith is not ready for significant playing time. He needs to keep healing.

Scandrick looks good, but his aging bones can't play every snap. Carroll remains a turnstile, and Anthony Brown will have to handle the top receivers, which I'm not sure he's ready to do. Jones and Heath need to get on the same page because both look repeatedly late. Dallas desperately needs Lewis and Awuzie to heal up and grow up fast. Tomorrow, if you please.

Of course, other teams have issues, too. The Giants can't run the ball or score touchdowns, it seems. Let's hope our defense isn't the cure for their ills. Denver's next with QB woes. Everybody ails, but I wish our defense wasn't such an annual beating to sort through.

This team will have to evolve as the season progresses to be in position to make any hay in the sun. That means some necessary 38-35 type of wins early, I'm afraid. That's an exagerration for effect, but not by much. Marinelli is going to have to earn his lunch money.

What happens when you mix a 13-3 offense with a 3-13 defense? You usually get 8-8. Let's hope this defense improves as the season progresses to avoid that sister-kisser season that none of us want to commiserate through.

I think they will make that progress if the injury gremlins are few enough. I can see 11-5, which should be good enough for the East, and present a formidable foe for the postseason.

That's if they grow up fast.

I've given into the fact that this defense can get us through the regular season but its not a playoff style defense. So in order for us to go deep our O has to start quick and fast.
 

CATCH17

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I've kind of felt the same way all offseason and the Pre-season hasn't changed my mind.


The Cowboys will be a good football team early on but we will be a completely different team by mid-November / December.


I expect Zoners to throw their hands up and completely write off the defense after the first couple of weeks of the season but I think if you're a smart fan you will take the wait and see approach and grade the defense as a whole at the end of the season.

Now could the defense be worse then it was a year ago? Sure.


I just think they have a similar defense as last year but with far far more upside.

So by the time we get all of our suspended guys back and the rookies get caught up to the NFL level I think you will see a pretty good defense that can compliment the offense by the end of the year.

September could be a roller coaster though. I expect it to be really.
 

jazzcat22

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I don't agree on some of your player jabs, but that's your opinion.
Injuries and suspensions, yes will make it a tougher first 4 to 6 games. However as these players return, get healthy. And stay healthy, this team will be primed to make a 10 game run and into the playoffs can be playing like a well oiled machine.

The offense as we know will have to carry the team, but once Zeke returns, if he misses any games, may be almost unstoppable, as we play some of the tougher teams upfront. The schedule was by design, as they knew they were going to suspend Zeke for 6 games all along.

The defense will have it's struggles and growing pains as usual. But once all are back, and the will get in sync by game 8 or so. then will go into the playoffs strong and peaking. Just the way we need it to be. not like last year, have it all sewn up, and relaxed too much going into the playoffs. That is on Garrett and the coaches too. They need to find a way to keep their edge and drive.

this year they will have it, because they will need to fight for the wins at the end, to make up for any losses upfront.
 

casmith07

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I've kinda of felt the same way all offseason and the Pre-season hasn't changed my mind.


The Cowboys will be a good football team early on but we will be a completely different team by mid-November / December.


I expect Zoners to throw their hands up and completely write off the defense after the first couple of weeks of the season but I think if you're a smart fan you will take the wait and see approach and grade the defense as a whole at the end of the season.

Now could the defense be worse then it was a year ago? Sure.


I just think they have a similar defense as last year but with far far more upside.

So by the time we get all of our suspended guys back and the rookies get caught up to the NFL level I think you will see a pretty good defense that can compliment the offense by the end of the year.

September could be a roller coaster though. I expect it to be really.

Fortunately we're playing a lot of teams in September that don't have incredible defenses, so we'll be able to score quite a bit. It's really going to come down to not turning the ball over in a few of those contests, I imagine. They'll be closer than we'd like (28-21, 24-17), so making sure we don't put our defense in a position to "win the game" will be key until about week 5.
 

erod

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Fortunately we're playing a lot of teams in September that don't have incredible defenses, so we'll be able to score quite a bit. It's really going to come down to not turning the ball over in a few of those contests, I imagine. They'll be closer than we'd like (28-21, 24-17), so making sure we don't put our defense in a position to "win the game" will be key until about week 5.

The Giants, Broncos, and Cardinals don't have good defenses?

Their offenses have question marks, but those defenses are dang good.
 

cowboyblue22

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the cowboys have a really good offense but there defense is 8 and 8 or worse good if Elliot is truly suspended the first six games the offense will miss his scoring ablity they will still run the ball some but it will be way different if he is out they may make the playoffs or they may not if they do they wont stay long as usual
 

CATCH17

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The offense as we know will have to carry the team, but once Zeke returns, if he misses any games, may be almost unstoppable, as we play some of the tougher teams upfront. The schedule was by design, as they knew they were going to suspend Zeke for 6 games all along.


this year they will have it, because they will need to fight for the wins at the end, to make up for any losses upfront.


You can win like that in the NFL though.

The best defensive teams last year didn't even make the playoffs.

Atlanta had an awful defense last year and should've won the Superbowl.

The Patriots have an ok defense but they were great last year at not allowing points.

Dallas was also great at not allowing points a year ago.


What I fear in the playoffs is Aaron Rodgers and the lack of adjustment our defense will make against any team.

The Cowboys really ignore the chess side of football and it's more about imposing our will.

So ultimately our success will be on the O-line, Zeke, Dak making timely plays, and the defense keeping point totals low. That is our recipe and we are unique in a way because not a lot of teams are built to stop a strong run game.
 

Tabascocat

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Just tread water the first 5 or 6 weeks and the future will look bright. They can't go 1-5 or 2-4 and will need a potent offense to counter some of the defenses they will face. I think Denver and Arizona may take a step back defensively. It doesn't matter how NY looks, will be a tight game regardless.
 

DFWJC

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I say it's a 14-2 or 15-1 offense and 6-10 defense....so 11-5 ish?
:laugh:

Now, if you want to see 3-13 (or even worse) defenses, look no further back than those 8-8 teams:muttley:
 

erod

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Offense is going to be unstoppable but Collins can't play RT?

LOL.

Running backs can chip in pass protection. That helps, but blitzes can pull the back away. Dak's mobility will be needed.

Collins is good in the run game, so they need to avoid long yardage situations. He'll come around over time in pass pro hopefully.
 

robbieruff

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11-5 at the absolute worst. Bookmark this.
I hope you're right, Smitty...I am feeling pretty trepidatious going into this season, having nightmares of the requisite down season after a solid/good season (e.g., 2014 up and 2015 down, 2016 up and 2017...you get the picture). Granted, have some major life events that have prevented my usual close close following of the Boys during the preseason...but I am hoping the team can weather whatever early storms they appear to be headed for and then finish strong down the stretch and into the playoffs. I was so confident after the draft about this upcoming season...I need to see some glimmer of positivity to help me turn this frown upside down. I know one thing (per OP)...our offense looks like it's going to be a major problem for defenses and could overcome any sort of Zeke absence...no Dak sophomore slump here!
 

jazzcat22

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Running backs can chip in pass protection. That helps, but blitzes can pull the back away. Dak's mobility will be needed.

Collins is good in the run game, so they need to avoid long yardage situations. He'll come around over time in pass pro hopefully.

So he is Doug Free that will only get better in pass protection instead of worse....:laugh:
 
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