2009 Will Be About Getting It Right

[Hostile]

I have to admit I'm heartened by the direction of the team this off season. It started for me after the last game, that horrible loss to the Eagles. It started with Tank Johnson wanting out of here so he can go get paid. It continued with Zach Thomas wanting out of here because of the drama. I was glad Tank wanted out of here, and glad Zach's reason for wanting out came out in the wash. There simply was a need to remove the locker room malcontents.

My enthusiasm really caught fire with the announcement the team would release Pacman rather than bring him back in 2009. Hallelujah, makes me want to sing. I understand the risk Jerry took and I can't fault him for it, but moving on is absolutely right.

Then came the rumors that Owens might be released. Did I dare hope it was going to be sweeping changes? The fallout and drama has been interesting. To tell the truth, I have enjoyed the hell out of the whining.

You can gripe about a lot of things this off season, but the direction of the team is not one of them in my not so humble opinion. The direction is that we get younger and we come together. Both solid plans from where I sit.

I like young teams. I sense more hunger usually. This is one reason why I have not advocated bringing in a Tory Holt, but I am starting to gain interest in a WR with our 2nd round pick if the right kind of guy is there. Someone opposite Roy Williams. I'd be thrilled with a Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks, or Brian Robiskie. Right now I find myself focused on Nicks.

Unlike many, I do not have trepidations and heart murmurs over giving the #1 slot to Roy Williams. The guy is a proven commodity in the NFL, is young, and with the off season to get to work with Garrett and Romo on timing I have no doubts he will prove his worth. I also don't have any misgivings about using Austin or Hurd and keeping Crayton in the slot. I have a feeling we will run more anyway and use Bennett more and I feel these are good things.

Running the ball means controlling the clock. Throwing to TEs means moving the chains. I want Defenses to be worn down in the 4th quarter when we give the ball again and again to Marion Barber and he twists the dagger.

My biggest concerns on Offense were backup QB and OL. Though I am not all that horny about Jon Kitna I cannot deny he is a tough QB who will not lollipop throws like Brad "Shriveled Up" Johnson. I am consoled in the fact we will finally Draft a QB to groom. I've only been pissing and moaning about that since the last Century. It means that while I am not a Kitna disciple I can live with him while we groom a young arm.

I sincerely hope the Draft focus is on the O-line. Last year's debacle in front of Tony Romo was beyond painful. I had hopes when we brought Houck back, and then the OL sucked like a vacuum cleaner. I look forward to depth that can fight and fill in if we have injuries like last year.

I will miss Canty, but not at the price he cost. I like Igor just fine. I am glad Ratliff is going to stay at NT. I can't wait to have ware's contract done. I wish we'd waive Greg Ellis and move Anthony Spencer to start. I like the youth movement. Ellis is costly, annoying, and fading.

I wasn't crazy about bringing in Keith Brooking, but on the positive side he is younger than Zach and has time in Wade's 3-4. I hope that makes a difference. I read that he is a quality locker room and huddle guy too. I would have liked to restructure Roy Williams as well, and I'm not all that crazy about Gerald Sensabaugh. I don't doubt he can play and he is younger, but I wanted to move completely away from the guys who run afoul of the laws and common sense.

I can't even begin to tell you how thrilled I am that Bruce Read is gone and our new ST Coach has skins on the wall. It will be nice to see deep kickoffs this year. It will be nice to have a dangerous punter back as well. Here's hoping Decamilis can teach tackling. If he does we're going to be okay.

I've seen an awful lot of griping about the talent we have lost so far. I agree, there were some guys who were very talented. Not a doubt in my mind we will be a better team in 2009 and that is vital. Talent alone cannot help any team. As proof I offer you the last 2 Super Bowl Champions. Anyone think the Giants were more talented than the Patriots in 2007? I don't. They play 10 times the Giants win 1. I don't think the Steelers were more talented than the Cowboys in 2008, but they were a clearly better team.

I am looking for a better team in 2009. I believe the steps to remove locker room politics are the best step towards that goal.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Whenever I see Houck's name I just think of the pounding Aikman took in the 1997 AZ playoff game. I am not a Houck fan at all.

On a happier not I think I am going to get a Whataburger.

 

[AKATheRake]

Positive. But this team better believe getting it right has to do with winning a championship now.

 

[Monster Heel]

I think the defense and special teams (FINALLY) will be just fine. The biggest questions I have for this team in 2009 center around the offense.

I need to see the following things

- A commitment to the run. I don't care if we see 8 straight 2 yard gains to start the game, keep running. You don't have to gain massive yardage to have an effective running game.

- Proof that Roy E. Williams is not JAG. Everything positive said about this guy is based on production we're quite a bit removed from at this point. It's either he was great at Texas or "THAT ONE YEAR IN DETROIT"!.

- Tony Romo become more of a game manager. And I mean that in the sense that we can still get the big plays occasionally, but without so many of the boneheaded mistakes that set the team back. I realize that a lot of his ability to make the big play comes with the risk for turnovers, but there has to be a medium somewhere. I don't think we can afford to see him throw 18 interceptions or something to that effect (not to mention his "Fumblelina" tendency) because 35 TDs are probably not going to be there for him this year.

 

[DandyDon1722]

Yeah Hos pretty accurate on the off season, but here's where the tire meets the road. Do you believe in chemistry? Do you believe that inside the locker room is just as important as the field? Do you believe that the intangibles translate into wins?

Because if you do...that's a big question mark. If you don't...we've got the talent to win it all...

again.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

Good post, we are moving in the right direction. I am excited about next season.

 

[NeonNinja]

Great post Hos.

 

[Sarge]

I said it last year - I'll say it again. Our OL needs to be revamped. I've actually been saying same for 3 years. If they don't (and it doesn't look like they're going to) revamp and retool the OL, by mid-season, this board will sound JUST like last year, and the year before etc. - - "our OL sucks", "Flo has gotta go" "we can't run block for ****" etc......just my 2 cents FWIW...You win in the trenches and our OL is WAY overrated by many...

 

[Mash]

Great Post Hos,

I really hope you are right and this team is goin in the right directions.....So far I like the moves the Cowboys have made.

But my bigggest concerns are still on this team.....

We still do need some leadership....someone to step up....I really hope Romo will be that guy on offense.

Im not sold yet with this OL performance....especially run blocking. Houck coaching disappointed me.....but then again....maybe our O Lineman are overarted...this is my biggest concern.

I would love to see Bennett and Felix get more looks....I think they will have to because I dont see Roy Williams being a great #1 WR. I think he is a good WR but I dont know if he will demand the coverages we need to succeed.

On defense I think we filled the holes nicely....its time for Spencer to step up and be a every down player and a very good one at that. Losing Williams IMHO was a good move .....hated seeing him point fingers at teammates when coverage broke down.

On special teams....I hope the new coach will be better.....It probally cant be any worse. Our kickoff teams needs a better kicker....I love Folk but he doesnt have the leg to kick it in the endzone......and when he does...Folk doesnt have the air time on the ball to give our coverage a chance. That being said...Folk is solid....so maybe this team might waste a roster spot on another kicker..

 

[TNCowboy]

I said it last year - I'll say it again. Our OL needs to be revamped. I've actually been saying same for 3 years. If they don't (and it doesn't look like they're going to) revamp and retool the OL, by mid-season, this board will sound JUST like last year, and the year before etc. - - "our OL sucks", "Flo has gotta go" "we can't run block for ****" etc......just my 2 cents FWIW...You win in the trenches and our OL is WAY overrated by many...

IMO, they need to use a couple of their first 3 or 4 picks on OL.

Too many are deceived by Pro Bowls and big contracts.

 

[dbair1967]

Whenever I see Houck's name I just think of the pounding Aikman took in the 1997 AZ playoff game. I am not a Houck fan at all.

You realize Houck was the OL coach on the 93 and 95 Super Bowl teams too right?

 

[dbair1967]

I said it last year - I'll say it again. Our OL needs to be revamped. I've actually been saying same for 3 years. If they don't (and it doesn't look like they're going to) revamp and retool the OL, by mid-season, this board will sound JUST like last year, and the year before etc. - - "our OL sucks", "Flo has gotta go" "we can't run block for ****" etc......just my 2 cents FWIW...You win in the trenches and our OL is WAY overrated by many...

I still think that when healthy, our OL is plenty good enough.

I know Davis and Gurode are outstanding players. Adams is very good when he isnt playing a season with one arm. Colombo isnt any better than average IMO and the LG position is troublesome, but we are far from doomed with what we have.

I still have hopes for Doug Free too, although he may never pan out in a drive blocking type offense and might be better suited to a Mke Shanahan type scheme.

I think we'll see a couple of draft picks, maybe even three used on OL's next month. And its possible one of them could walk in and start at LG is Kosier or Holland arnt playing well.

 

[dueyhemlock]

You win in the trenches and our OL is WAY overrated by many...

I hear ya Sarge, trench warfare is what it is all about.

If the O-line can just do their job, not necessarily dominate, then we should be alright. There is just to much underachieving going on with that group for the money that is paid out to them.

Like they say , "**** or get off the pot"

 

[Chuck 54]

Enjoyed the post...probably what many of us have been thinking but didn't post because we didn't want to hear all the TO fans bashing us. It's not all about TO, but he wasn't going to help us win a championship at his age. I'm guessing not many people are expecting a championship this season...not impossible, but who's really expecting it.

That said, there was no reason to keep hanging on with TO and the drama and dissention he created with his presence even when trying to be a good teammate. I'll be happy with a playoff appearance and win this season. The fans who say nothing short of a championship are just being stupidly stubborn and defensive...when you've been as long without a playoff win as we have, a victory in the first round would be welcome and huge.

Then when you feel this young team is almost there, then you're willing to add a missing piece or two in FA.

If healthy, I believe the OL will perform very well this season, the running game will be consistent with some big plays wrapped in, and I believe we finish 10-6 or 11-5....I believe we win at least 1 playoff game....and I believe the Dallas fans will be very very excited going into March/April next year.

As for Hudson Hauck, I'm not sure what to think...the guy may know what he's doing, and he may be a very good coach, but if he can't really communicate with the young players of today in a way that fires them up, then he may just be too old. I base this on no facts whatsoever...just a wild assumption...successful OL groups become very tight, like family, and the coach has to be part of that tight group...the OL usually want to play hard.

 

[Romo2Dez4six]

good read Hos and I think you are right on mark. Even though I am for Holt, I still would like a Wr early in the draft if we don't pick up another vet.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Dallas can only get it truly right IF they fire Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett.

 

[Manster54]

I hear ya Sarge, trench warfare is what it is all about.

If the O-line can just do their job, not necessarily dominate, then we should be alright. There is just to much underachieving going on with that group for the money that is paid out to them.

Like they say , "**** or get off the pot"

What NFC EAST team did the Boy's O-line clearly outplay in 2008?
Certainly not the Giants or the Eagles. I don't even think the Commanders...
They just never came together and had too many penalties and mistakes.
I have just about given up on Free. He seemed to have promise and it never progressed beyond that.

 

[notherbob]

I agree, Hos.

I had become so tired of my own whining I almost quit posting because I had a hard time saying anything positive but the changes that we have seen so far have changed my attitude. For a change, I like the direction this team is taking.

Jerry is giving this team a much needed enema and we'll all feel better for it afterward. Looks like Jerry finally learned how to flush city toilets and is putting his newfound knowledge to good use.

I just hope Jerry keeps it up and that this spring and summer a team with a whole new attitude forms and comes together and fields a team worth watching.

Now, for a change, this off-season and upcoming season will be interesting.

I'm also glad to see Stephen Jones being a little more visible than in the past.

Ahhh. There's nothing like a breath of fresh air. :

 

[Hostile]

Dallas can only get it truly right IF they fire Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett.

As most on here know, I am not a Wade Phillips fan but am a fan of Jason Garrett. The one thing I am grateful for that they are back is that I believe their pride has been hurt. I find that to be a good motivation. Both are great coaches at what they do. In 2009 they will do it better than 2008. Pride will dictate that as much as anything else.

I won't go out on a limb and say we will win it all. First of all the Super Bowl is in Miami and we have lost all three times we have made it there for the big game. That's right, every loss in the big game happened in the same place. Second, I cannot get past the Wade has never won a post season game before fact. I do believe he gets that monkey off his back finally, but from nothing to all the way is a leap I cannot make yet.

We will be a top 3 Offense and a top 5 Defense in 2009. That shot I will call.

 

[Apollo Creed]

We need to lose that division between offense and defense. Its obvious that they were divided and they play like it, its hard playing for 3 head coaches. Especially when you can undermine both of them by goin straight to the top if you don't like your fine, penalty, etc.

The defense coming to the defense of Owens last year showed that there are problems on our team bigger than we can all understand. We can speculate all we want - but we're better off without Owens in terms of chemistry. I hope we match his production with a young burner opposite Roy, that can return punts and provide this offense with some wiggle.

The one thing you didn't mention Hos, Felix Jones. Great move by Jerry, being patient, and ultimately getting one of the more special backs I've seen in my 21 years of watching football. 6 TDs in 7 games, didn't get a single touch in that Skins game. So heres to Garrett getting a little more creative and using perhaps our best big-play option.

Our draft this year can't really hurt us, unless we totally bomb 11 picks - but it also can put us over the hump and load our depth chart with quality young guys that are hungry to perform. Which we saw with Felix, TC, Bennett, Jenkins, and Scandrick last year - guys wanting a chance to make plays, pushing our more lethargic elder-statesmen. Which is why I hope we draft OL/DL heavy in this draft, once we solve our SS and WR issues. That group needs more pushing than any other unit on our squad.