13-3 2007 Team v. 2009 Team

[BourbonBalz]

After reading and hearing from the "experts" about how we'll be a fringe playoff team this coming season, I began thinking about how this year's team compares with the 2007 team that went 13-3 and by all accounts was at the very least the second most talented team in the league. Since the 2009 Cowboys have yet to attend training camp, let alone take the field in a game, this is all speculation based on perceived talent and potential. Below is what I have come up with.

Offense:

QB - 2007 was Romo's first season as a full-time starter from the beginning of the season. He's better simply due to the experience he's gained over the 2 1/2 year's he's been the starter. Aside from that, we're in much better shape from a backup standpoint as well. A plus here for the 2009 squad.

RB - Absolutely no question we're light years better at RB now that in 2007. We have the best trio of RBs in the entire league and each one brings something different to the table. We couldn't go wrong starting either of the three. Another plus for the 2009 squad.

TE - Again, no doubt we're better now. Witten has continued to improve and now stands as the best in the league. Everyone knows about Bennett's athleticism and potential. Another plus for 2009.

WR - Either a push or a slight edge to the 2007 team. We lost T.O., but have a much younger (and less of a pain in the ***) Roy Williams. Crayton, Hurd, and Austin have all gained valuable experience are by default are better than they were in 2007. If everyone can stay healthy, I think WR is a push.

O-line - Probably better in 2007. We have all the same starting linemen, but they're all 2 years older. We have added Holland and that's a big plus and we've drafted Brewster, but no one knows whether he'll contribute this year or not. Pretty much the same names, but older. Edge to 2007, but hopefully everyone will stay healthy this year and the line will play more like it did in 2007 than 2008.

Defense:

Dline - Push. We lost Canty, but I think Igor will provide pretty much the same level of play. Ratliff has become a Pro Bowler, so that's a plus. Everyone else is pretty much the same, but more experienced. We're very young on the line, so age isn't an issue.

LBers - Push/Slight edge to 2007. We've lost several veterans here, but Ware has continued to get better and is now the best defensive player in the league. Spencer is going into his third year and I think will be much improved (as long as he can stay healthy). I think Bradie James and Brooking will be fine, and hopefully Carpenter can finally contribute. We have a LOT of very young talent at this position, and no one has a clue how they will perform this coming year. I think LB is one of our unknowns at this point, but we certainly have gotten younger and faster here.

Secondary - Edge to 2009. We've gotten much younger and faster at CB and safety. I think we have two of the brightest young stars-to-be in the league at CB in Jenkins and Scandrick. I also think we have some pretty good and young depth, although they're fairly unprove. If Sensabaugh can give us what everyone thinks he can, and if the young safetys can contribute on special teams, I think our secondary is a big plus for this team, regardless what the so-called experts think. Plus to the 2009 team.

Special Teams - Big edge to the 2009 team. Coaching change and added speed and youth. We had no where to go but up here.]

Call me a homer or whatever, but in reality the only place I see the 2007 team has somewhat of an edge is on the Oline and hopefully we'll stay healthy there and play like we did in 2007. I think that's certainly possible, but only time will tell. Overall, I think we have much more speed on the team, especially on defense, and we have gotten rid of numerous locker room problems. Personally, I see 2009 as an 11-5 or 12-4 season. Opinions?

 

[WarDaddy]

Great Post.

The comparison is kinda moot though since the 2009 team has to play against the rest of the league's 2009 teams. The 2007 team could have possibly won it all if they played in 2008 and according to some people could have beaten the 1995 Boys.

But I must admit, looking at the current roster it would be hard to say outright that the 2007 squad is/was better. I think the 2009 is much improved over last year, for sure.

 

[links18]

You lose some credibility when you say WR is close to a push. WR is one of our biggest question marks this year. Nobody has any idea how well RW11 will do and Austin is still a huge question mark.

You also have to compare the 2007 schedule, i.e. strength of opponent, to the 2009 schedule.

 

[BourbonBalz]

You lose some credibility when you say WR is close to a push. WR is one of our biggest question marks this year. Nobody has any idea how well RW11 will do and Austin is still a huge question mark.

You also have to compare the 2007 schedule, i.e. strength of opponent, to the 2009 schedule.

No, I don't lose any credibility here. We basically have the same wide receivers this year that we had in 2007, except we have RW in place of T.O. Based on T.O.'s falling effectiveness on the field, I think RW will replace Owen's stats and there's no reason he won't. As far as the other guys, they've got much more experience and can be counted on much more than in 2007, particularly Hurd and Austin. Bottom line is WR isn't that big of a ? in my mind. We will use more ball control this year, using our biggest weapons (Felix Jones, Marion Barber, Choice, Witten, and Bennett). We won't hit as many big plays as in 2007, but we will be more efficient and move the chains, keeping our defense on the sidelines. That, in my mind, is a very good thing.

 

[Woods]

WR - Either a push or a slight edge to the 2007 team. We lost T.O., but have a much younger (and less of a pain in the ***) Roy Williams. Crayton, Hurd, and Austin have all gained valuable experience are by default are better than they were in 2007. If everyone can stay healthy, I think WR is a push.


IMO, I think as of today you have to give the 2007 team an edge with respect to the WR position. We have to see what we've got with R Williams and if he produces.

 

[BourbonBalz]

I fail to understand why some of you guys seem to think RW is a rookie or an UDFA. He was a top 10 draft pick and has produced in the past. He played on a horrible team and still put up good numbers. He is surrounded by a lot of talent now and will thrive. Just wait and see. As long as the Oline holds up, our offense will be more than fine, though as I said previously, it will be different.

 

[Doomsday101]

You lose some credibility when you say WR is close to a push. WR is one of our biggest question marks this year. Nobody has any idea how well RW11 will do and Austin is still a huge question mark.

You also have to compare the 2007 schedule, i.e. strength of opponent, to the 2009 schedule.

Considering how teams go up and down on a regular basis in the NFL there is no way to know how strong the 2009 schedule will be. Teams that some may feel will be top team could fall and others no one expect can rise. Cards were not ranked high going into last season and ended up in the SB. Cleveland was expected to be much better and failed.

As for the comment on WR I agree it is an unknown right now.

 

[Section446]

After reading and hearing from the "experts" about how we'll be a fringe playoff team this coming season, I began thinking about how this year's team compares with the 2007 team that went 13-3 and by all accounts was at the very least the second most talented team in the league. Since the 2009 Cowboys have yet to attend training camp, let alone take the field in a game, this is all speculation based on perceived talent and potential. Below is what I have come up with.

Offense:

QB - 2007 was Romo's first season as a full-time starter from the beginning of the season. He's better simply due to the experience he's gained over the 2 1/2 year's he's been the starter. Aside from that, we're in much better shape from a backup standpoint as well. A plus here for the 2009 squad.

RB - Absolutely no question we're light years better at RB now that in 2007. We have the best trio of RBs in the entire league and each one brings something different to the table. We couldn't go wrong starting either of the three. Another plus for the 2009 squad.

TE - Again, no doubt we're better now. Witten has continued to improve and now stands as the best in the league. Everyone knows about Bennett's athleticism and potential. Another plus for 2009.

WR - Either a push or a slight edge to the 2007 team. We lost T.O., but have a much younger (and less of a pain in the ***) Roy Williams. Crayton, Hurd, and Austin have all gained valuable experience are by default are better than they were in 2007. If everyone can stay healthy, I think WR is a push.

O-line - Probably better in 2007. We have all the same starting linemen, but they're all 2 years older. We have added Holland and that's a big plus and we've drafted Brewster, but no one knows whether he'll contribute this year or not. Pretty much the same names, but older. Edge to 2007, but hopefully everyone will stay healthy this year and the line will play more like it did in 2007 than 2008.

Defense:

Dline - Push. We lost Canty, but I think Igor will provide pretty much the same level of play. Ratliff has become a Pro Bowler, so that's a plus. Everyone else is pretty much the same, but more experienced. We're very young on the line, so age isn't an issue.

LBers - Push/Slight edge to 2007. We've lost several veterans here, but Ware has continued to get better and is now the best defensive player in the league. Spencer is going into his third year and I think will be much improved (as long as he can stay healthy). I think Bradie James and Brooking will be fine, and hopefully Carpenter can finally contribute. We have a LOT of very young talent at this position, and no one has a clue how they will perform this coming year. I think LB is one of our unknowns at this point, but we certainly have gotten younger and faster here.

Secondary - Edge to 2009. We've gotten much younger and faster at CB and safety. I think we have two of the brightest young stars-to-be in the league at CB in Jenkins and Scandrick. I also think we have some pretty good and young depth, although they're fairly unprove. If Sensabaugh can give us what everyone thinks he can, and if the young safetys can contribute on special teams, I think our secondary is a big plus for this team, regardless what the so-called experts think. Plus to the 2009 team.

Special Teams - Big edge to the 2009 team. Coaching change and added speed and youth. We had no where to go but up here.]

Call me a homer or whatever, but in reality the only place I see the 2007 team has somewhat of an edge is on the Oline and hopefully we'll stay healthy there and play like we did in 2007. I think that's certainly possible, but only time will tell. Overall, I think we have much more speed on the team, especially on defense, and we have gotten rid of numerous locker room problems. Personally, I see 2009 as an 11-5 or 12-4 season. Opinions?

Good job, good points, a few though that I don't quite follow.

QB - As far as Romo is concerned I'm going to look at this season for him like I would for a rookie. In my opinion this is the season for him to become a real NFL QB. He finally has the proverbial money off his back and can just throw the ball to the guy who's open instead of feeling as if he needs to force the ball to a single target on virtually every play. He's also, as far as I can tell from interviews and such, going to be learning somewhat of a new system. No longer will we be living and dying by the big play, we'll now manage the clock, and in turn manage the game better.

WR - There's no doubt that the 2007 squad was the best WR corps. I have high hopes for Roy Williams and would like to think that the transition from T.O. to Roy Williams will be a seamless one, but there's no doubting who the better player is. Even now I can honestly say that I'd take T.O. over Roy Williams in the short-term.

OL - I would also give the edge to the 2007 group. I honestly had no faith in Flozell Adams then, and I have even less faith in him now. Especially considering that the older he gets, the worse the knees get. Will Kosier be fully recovered? That is one of the biggest question marks going into this season for me. He might not be a dominating player, many might even look upon him as being somewhat average. But you cannot discredit the importancce of chemistry between the Center, Left Guard, and Left Tackle. All three has to know what the other is doing to make the system work correctly, last season I think Kosier being out hurt Adams more than it hurt anyone because Kosier knows his flaws and knows when/where he needs to be on a given play to help Adams out. Davis and Colombo are our two most reliable OL in my mind going into this season.

 

[L-O-Jete]

No, I don't lose any credibility here. We basically have the same wide receivers this year that we had in 2007, except we have RW in place of T.O. Based on T.O.'s falling effectiveness on the field, I think RW will replace Owen's stats and there's no reason he won't. As far as the other guys, they've got much more experience and can be counted on much more than in 2007, particularly Hurd and Austin. Bottom line is WR isn't that big of a ? in my mind. We will use more ball control this year, using our biggest weapons (Felix Jones, Marion Barber, Choice, Witten, and Bennett). We won't hit as many big plays as in 2007, but we will be more efficient and move the chains, keeping our defense on the sidelines. That, in my mind, is a very good thing.

RW might (though I doubt it) be equal to 2009 TO, but 2007 TO is another thing...

 

[RS12]

Doesnt work that way. The 07 was coming off a playoff appearance that they could have easily won. The 08 team collapsed down the stretch and the owner for some reason thinks he needs coaching continuity to move forward. The current coaching staff does not inspire confidence in me, alot of people who post here, and likely alot of the players. The NFL is an 8-8 league where leadership means everything to rise above the mediocrity. I dont see it here.

 

[DFWJC]

Interesting.

Coaching: I also think the coaching staff may have been better in 2007 with Sparano and others....but who knows really.

WR: If WR turns out to be a push, we will be good! Our WRs (including the two years ago version of TO) were very good in 2007. Right now, I would say we are surely behind that 2007 group--TO was one the best in the whole league that year with 15 tds and 1355 yards and Crayton had nice numbers too. To say this group is a push is major speculation...which is fine i guess.

TE: Hard to match what Witten did in 2007, but add in Marty and this year may be better.

OLine: I think we may be slightly worse now than in 2007--2 years is a lot when in your 30s.

RB: Yeah we are better....but you only have so many carries. But for sure our home run ability and depth are better now.

QB: hopefully we are better...we'll see. A hungry Tony was lights out in 2007. But as you said, you would hope experience makes him better.

 

[bbgun]

http://img141.*************/img141/4144/44062678.jpg

 

[casmith07]

yeah lets just mail it in before training camp starts.

seriously.

 

[burmafrd]

QB: Romo has more experience and I think realizes that this is a make or break year for him as regards his reputation (which I think means more to him then he shows) and to the team. We have a very solid Back Up which is important.
So to me this is where we should see an edge to the current team.

RB: HUGE edge to the three headed monster.

WR: TO of 2007 was dominant but the fade started in 2008. Crayton is hard to judge- more determination and concentration is very important- we shall see.
Hurd and Austin have more experience and we have some other young guys who should show something. Roy seems to be making all the right moves as regards becoming a true #1 and if he duplicates his 2006 year I will be quite satisfied. Overall I think it will be a push if not a slight edge to 2007.

TE: Witten is god as regards TE. Bennett could be a real factor this year edge to 2009.

O line: most of the players except the Hotel are in their prime as judged by O line experts (28-32). Not worried about age except for the Hotel. I think this line will be as good.

D line: the emergence of the Rat puts us a step up. Igor = Canty and spears is motivated as its his contract year. We should have a slight edge.

LB: pass rush might suffer some without Ellis but against the run we will be better so to me that is a push.

Secondary: clear edge with young legs in Scandrick and Jenkins and Sensebaugh will be light years better in coverage to Roy. Also to me will lay wood better then roy did. Hamlin I believe will do better this year and rival his 2007 play.

Overall you have to say this team SHOULD be better.

 

[TwoDeep3]

The whole idea of quantifying the differences between 2007 and 2009 is strictly subjective by anyone who attempts to create the comparison.

So whatever you come up with has no validity until they begin to play games and you see where each squad stands.

But your typing was superior.

 

[EPL0c0]

great post...

RB - Absolutely no question we're light years better at RB now that in 2007.

Absolutely agree. This should be a running team in 2009; it's up to Garrett to come up with the right scheme to take advantage of all 3 guys while still preserving them physically for the late-season (and hopefully playoff) run.

 

[BourbonBalz]

The whole idea of quantifying the differences between 2007 and 2009 is strictly subjective by anyone who attempts to create the comparison.

So whatever you come up with has no validity until they begin to play games and you see where each squad stands.

But your typing was superior.

Apparently you did not start reading this thread from the beginning or you would have noticed I pretty much said the same thing about this year's team not having taken the field yet. It's just something to talk about. You know, a internet message board????

 

[dbair1967]

Great Post.

The comparison is kinda moot though since the 2009 team has to play against the rest of the league's 2009 teams. The 2007 team could have possibly won it all if they played in 2008 and according to some people could have beaten the 1995 Boys.

.

um, no

the 95 Cowboys would have steamrolled that team, easily.

 

[Sarge]

This team goes as the OL goes....and to me.....that's a concern.

 

[Clove]

No, I don't lose any credibility here. We basically have the same wide receivers this year that we had in 2007, except we have RW in place of T.O. Based on T.O.'s falling effectiveness on the field, I think RW will replace Owen's stats and there's no reason he won't. As far as the other guys, they've got much more experience and can be counted on much more than in 2007, particularly Hurd and Austin. Bottom line is WR isn't that big of a ? in my mind. We will use more ball control this year, using our biggest weapons (Felix Jones, Marion Barber, Choice, Witten, and Bennett). We won't hit as many big plays as in 2007, but we will be more efficient and move the chains, keeping our defense on the sidelines. That, in my mind, is a very good thing.

I know you're trying to think positive and so am I, but trying to convince the world that the WR core is better now than it was then is really silly.

Owens wasn't a pain in the butt in 2007 and was flat out dominant. You're better off giving the 2007 team 2 steps above this years group, but we don't need dominance there to win, especially with the great RB tandom we have.