2014 to 2018

[Bobhaze]

Whatever any of us think of what our team’s FO did in the offseason with the draft or FA, it is amazing how different this team is compared to the 2014 team that won the division and won a playoff game.

In fact, when training camp opens in a couple of months, the 2018 roster will contain only 11 players from that 2014 team, 3 of whom are special teams players. Of the 22 players that started that infamous “Dez no catch” playoff game at Green Bay in January, 2015, only 6 remain.

Current players remaining from the 2014 roster are Dan Bailey, Cole Beasley, Tyrone Crawford, Travis Frederick, Jeff Heath, Chris Jones, Sean Lee (on IR in 2014), DeMarcus Lawrence, L.P. Ladoceur, Zack Martin, Tyron Smith, and Terrance Williams.

It’s too early to know if the 2018 Cowboys team will be anything special, but it is crystal clear now that our front office is committed to trying to build a team mostly through the draft with talented, young players primarily on their first contracts. Of course that doesn’t always guarantee results, but the crazy “fantasy football” ways Jerry used to run this organization (like the Greg Hardy experiment) thankfully are not happening anymore.

The last team to win a playoff game in Dallas included 42 players that are no longer with this organization. The 2018 Cowboys are a different breed. We will see in a few months if it’s an upgrade.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Interesting.......maybe it just me, but seems like a lot turn over in three years. Maybe too much......

 

[Bobhaze]

Interesting.......maybe it just me, but seems like a lot turn over in three years. Maybe too much......

Remains to be seen if the new roster will produce but I am encouraged by the discipline this organization has used to try to build a roster the right way. Not overpaying in FA or signing some controversial locker room cancer like Hardy. This FO is trying to do the right things. If Jerry can stay out of the way....

 

[jazzcat22]

Different players, younger players, better players...same 3 in charge, HC, OC, DC....doesn't sound encouraging to me.
Show me on the field coaching staff, show me on the field.

 

[G2]

What's cool is that the players remaining include one of the best kickers, punters, LT, G, C, LBers, and long snappers.

 

[BourbonBalz]

The roster might not contain many of the same players from 2014, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Elliott is better than Demarco Murray (even though Murray was very good). Our Oline looks to be at least as good now and is definitely deeper. The talent on defense is definitely deeper and younger, especially along the Dline and in the backfield. I also think we're "potentially" deeper at WR as well, although we definitely don't have a clear # 1 receiver and we're pretty unproven there. Time will tell at the receiver spot. Losing Witten was a big blow, but Witten today isn't the same as a few years ago. We're completely unproven there and can only hope either one of our TE's takes a big leap forward or we can get it done using a committee approach with the four or five we have. QB? Who knows. Romo was great and Dak isn't at his level yet. However, Dak has played very well for his short time in the league. He should only get better with time (fingers crossed).

 

[Bobhaze]

The roster might not contain many of the same players from 2014, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Elliott is better than Demarco Murray (even though Murray was very good). Our Oline looks to be at least as good now and is definitely deeper. The talent on defense is definitely deeper and younger, especially along the Dline and in the backfield. I also think we're "potentially" deeper at WR as well, although we definitely don't have a clear # 1 receiver and we're pretty unproven there. Time will tell at the receiver spot. Losing Witten was a big blow, but Witten today isn't the same as a few years ago. We're completely unproven there and can only hope either one of our TE's takes a big leap forward or we can get it done using a committee approach with the four or five we have. QB? Who knows. Romo was great and Dak isn't at his level yet. However, Dak has played very well for his short time in the league. He should only get better with time (fingers crossed).

Yes I think it’s better the roster in 2018 is different and younger.

 

[SlammedZero]

Maybe that is a good thing. With all the new young guys the team might not have to carry that 2014 monkey on their back. I know as a fan, I still carry it. Still bothers me. LOL (like in a silly annoying way. I don't stay up at night still dwelling on it)

 

[DFWJC]

I like the direction that the defense is heading.
Gives us hope

It'll be a long time before we see a full season QB performance like we saw in 2014.
But with a more balanced overall team, we won't have to!
Team game!

 

[cern]

it would appear the age of accountability has arrived. I credit Stephen jones for that.

 

[Bobhaze]

it would appear the age of accountability has arrived. I credit Stephen jones for that.

We will know how “accountable” this team is by the end of the season. If this team doesn’t make the playoffs or maybe even if they don’t win a game in the playoffs, accountability means the HC is fired.

 

[waving monkey]

As painful as the last few seasons have been you could see this rebuilding your speaking of @Bobhaze
I dont think it could have been more controversial but whatever they have built I think were here regardless
of a missing piece here or there. Iam hopeful

 

[John813]

What's the average roster turnover year to year? 10-20% or roughly 5-10 guys out of 53?
Anywho, my guess is we are above that average in that timespan.

 

[cern]

We will know how “accountable” this team is by the end of the season. If this team doesn’t make the playoffs or maybe even if they don’t win a game in the playoffs, accountability means the HC is fired.

that's my gut feeling as well. we were bringing in wr's before dez was released. that tells me Stephen had already made up his mind, and not even jerry was going to change it when he said dez would be a cowboy in 2018. sticking with dak in 2016 even after tony was cleared to play has Stephen written all over it. bringing in sanjay lal and Richard speaks of Stephen. both will have meaningful input in the scheme of things. Stephen was openly critical of the coaching staff during the 2015 meltdown. the handwriting is on the wall for the hc, oc and dc.

 

[big dog cowboy]

the crazy “fantasy football” ways Jerry used to run this organization (like the Greg Hardy experiment) thankfully are not happening anymore.

Yet some still believe Jerry is calling all the shots.

 

[Bobhaze]

What's the average roster turnover year to year? 20% or roughly 10 guys out of 53?
Anywho, my guess is we are above that average in that timespan.

I think it also speaks to how much that 2014 defense was put together with duct tape. It had George Selvie at DE, Ro “Purple Drank” McClain at MLB, and Hayden at DT. The 2018 defense will have a ton more talent than the one that took the field in 2014.

 

[big dog cowboy]

we were bringing in wr's before dez was released. that tells me Stephen had already made up his mind, and not even jerry was going to change it when he said dez would be a cowboy in 2018.

Most of the Cowboys FO had decided to move on from Dez before last season ended. This wasn't a Feb, March or April decision.

 

[Bobhaze]

Yet some still believe Jerry is calling all the shots.

Let’s not kid ourselves. Jerry is still something this team has to overcome each year.

 

[cern]

Most of the Cowboys FO had decided to move on from Dez before last season ended. This wasn't a Feb, March or April decision.

the reality of things in dallas is that the front office is Stephen and jerry. jerry said dez would be a cowboy in 2018. why would he make such a ridiculous statement only to let dez go a couple of months later. easiest answer is Stephen put his foot down and said if he's to be director of player personnel, then let him do his job. jerry relented. same for the tony decision.

 

[cern]

Let’s not kid ourselves. Jerry is still something this team has to overcome each year.

no question about that. however, he seems to re relinquishing more and more control to Stephen. it's about time.