Proximo
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 4,697
- Reaction score
- 9,117
Alright fellow Cowboys fans, here we sit, exactly 25% of the way into the 2013 regular season. I admit, prior to the start of the season I thought there was a good chance we could be 3-1, or dare I say, even 4-0 at this point. Yet here we are at .500, just like we finished last year, and the year before that. Now, I know the sting of yesterday's game is still fresh within a lot of the fanbase, but if we can take an objective look at the first quarter of this year as a whole, we can find some good to go along with the bad, and I don't think there's any reason to go into full on panic mode and throw in the towel on our squad after just 4 games.
Here are my overall, general thoughts on the 1st quarter of the season:
The Bad:
1) Consistently inconsistent. This team has proven it can do one thing well, and that's be inconsistent. Wether it's through the course of a game or an entire season. And this is something that can't be blamed on one person. Every member of the team is at fault on this one. And it's mind boggling. The talent is there at the skill positions, and there's no doubt the O line has improved from last year, yet we're still waiting for back to back wins. Unless they that they can play good ball consistently, there's no reason to believe this team will be able to do any damage in the post season if they even make it that far.
2) Giving up too many pass yards on defense. Now, in all honesty, I love this new defense overall and I think as the season goes on we'll see improvement as players gain experience within the scheme. However, with that being said we cannot continue to give up as many yards as we have these first 4 games. And I have absolutely no problem with giving up some yards as long as we're keeping points off the board, but they've got to tighten up back there.
3) Where's the deep ball? I can't believe we're not taking any deep shots down the field with our group of receivers. I haven't looked at the exact numbers but the amount of passes Romo has thrown that travel 30+ yards in the air must be minimal so far. I'd think Dez should be getting a couple of these every game at least.
The Good:
1) Romo's efficiency (I know this one won't be popular). 8 TD's. 1 INT. Completing over 72% of his passes. This man's play is NOT part of this year's problems so far. Yes, I know I just stated above that I'd like to see him take more shots downfield, but I think he can (and hopefully will) do that without sacrificing his current level of efficiency. If he keeps playing at this level it will translate into W's. Believe it.
2) Defense getting after it. Through 4 games they've already racked up 14 sacks, 4 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries, and 3 defensive TD's. The importance of takeaways cannot be understated. If we can continue to protect the ball on offense and get these types of takeaways it could really be the difference for us and get us over that hump by year's end.
3) Improved O line. Lots of debate about this in the offseason, but through 4 games I don't think anyone can argue that this year's offensive line is much improved over last year's. Free has stepped his game up big time so far and has basically made a complete turn around. Smith continues to improve, and we've got 3 completely different starters on the interior that are ALL better than last year's. And considering how young some of these guys are, it's safe to say they should continue to improve as the season progresses. Romo is getting more time and seeing less pressure, and believe it or not Murray is actually 3rd in the league in rush yards, averaging 89 yards per game and just under 5 yards per carry. O line deserves some credit here.
Now, prior to week 1 I predicted we'd go 11-5 this year. For now, I'm going to stand by that. I think the good outweighs the bad so far and I think we're going to surprise some people over the next couple of months. Even if I'm wrong in my overall record prediction, I still think we'll win the division convincingly and make the post season.
And I know it's cliche to say this, but a lot of people forget that this is truly a league of parity at this point. Aside from the Broncos, NO team has looked legitimately dominant over the 1st quarter of the season. And with that in mind, think of how much better off we are than the teams that have been COMPLETELY outclassed and embarrassed in their losses (the Giants, 'Skins, Jags, Eagles, Steelers, Rams, plus others). These Cowboys are a very capable team and shouldn't be counted out. The problems that they've shown in the first 4 games are all fixable. I think the next 3 quarters of this season will be very interesting.
Here are my overall, general thoughts on the 1st quarter of the season:
The Bad:
1) Consistently inconsistent. This team has proven it can do one thing well, and that's be inconsistent. Wether it's through the course of a game or an entire season. And this is something that can't be blamed on one person. Every member of the team is at fault on this one. And it's mind boggling. The talent is there at the skill positions, and there's no doubt the O line has improved from last year, yet we're still waiting for back to back wins. Unless they that they can play good ball consistently, there's no reason to believe this team will be able to do any damage in the post season if they even make it that far.
2) Giving up too many pass yards on defense. Now, in all honesty, I love this new defense overall and I think as the season goes on we'll see improvement as players gain experience within the scheme. However, with that being said we cannot continue to give up as many yards as we have these first 4 games. And I have absolutely no problem with giving up some yards as long as we're keeping points off the board, but they've got to tighten up back there.
3) Where's the deep ball? I can't believe we're not taking any deep shots down the field with our group of receivers. I haven't looked at the exact numbers but the amount of passes Romo has thrown that travel 30+ yards in the air must be minimal so far. I'd think Dez should be getting a couple of these every game at least.
The Good:
1) Romo's efficiency (I know this one won't be popular). 8 TD's. 1 INT. Completing over 72% of his passes. This man's play is NOT part of this year's problems so far. Yes, I know I just stated above that I'd like to see him take more shots downfield, but I think he can (and hopefully will) do that without sacrificing his current level of efficiency. If he keeps playing at this level it will translate into W's. Believe it.
2) Defense getting after it. Through 4 games they've already racked up 14 sacks, 4 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries, and 3 defensive TD's. The importance of takeaways cannot be understated. If we can continue to protect the ball on offense and get these types of takeaways it could really be the difference for us and get us over that hump by year's end.
3) Improved O line. Lots of debate about this in the offseason, but through 4 games I don't think anyone can argue that this year's offensive line is much improved over last year's. Free has stepped his game up big time so far and has basically made a complete turn around. Smith continues to improve, and we've got 3 completely different starters on the interior that are ALL better than last year's. And considering how young some of these guys are, it's safe to say they should continue to improve as the season progresses. Romo is getting more time and seeing less pressure, and believe it or not Murray is actually 3rd in the league in rush yards, averaging 89 yards per game and just under 5 yards per carry. O line deserves some credit here.
Now, prior to week 1 I predicted we'd go 11-5 this year. For now, I'm going to stand by that. I think the good outweighs the bad so far and I think we're going to surprise some people over the next couple of months. Even if I'm wrong in my overall record prediction, I still think we'll win the division convincingly and make the post season.
And I know it's cliche to say this, but a lot of people forget that this is truly a league of parity at this point. Aside from the Broncos, NO team has looked legitimately dominant over the 1st quarter of the season. And with that in mind, think of how much better off we are than the teams that have been COMPLETELY outclassed and embarrassed in their losses (the Giants, 'Skins, Jags, Eagles, Steelers, Rams, plus others). These Cowboys are a very capable team and shouldn't be counted out. The problems that they've shown in the first 4 games are all fixable. I think the next 3 quarters of this season will be very interesting.
