xwalker
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I was just thinking about what the team as lost and gained this offseason. Some gains were very small, incremental gains and other are big obvious gains.
If I look at the Green Bay playoff loss, then I see 1 big loss (Murray) and 2 big additions (Hardy and Jones). The lack of pass rush and Sterling Moore were the primary reasons for that loss other than the officiating.
Negative:
Murray gone – This is negative, but he did have over 800 yards before first contact.
Parnell gone – They’ve added depth on OL, but RT could take a step back with Free gimpy and no experienced backups.
Carter – Not really a negative. Hitchens had already surpassed him on the roster.
Durant – Lee more than offsets Durant who had as many injury issues as Lee.
Selvie - Not really a loss, IMO.
Spencer - Didn't do much in 2014 while returning from major injury issue.
Positive:
Add Hardy – A top 3 and possibly the #1 4-3 DE in the NFL.
Add Jones – Replacing Sterling Moore with Jones is big.
Add Gregory – Incredible talent to be the #4 DE.
Add Collins – Bonus depth.
Add Green – Maybe depending on recover from surgery.
Add Wilson - Similar to Hitchens.
Add Russell
Add redshirt Gardner
Add redshirt Whaley.
Add Weems (IR in 2014)
Add White – Could be a big upgrade at the 4th CB position of 3rd Safety position.
Add three 7th round picks. – Could add depth.
Add Brinkley – Legit NFL backup. Rarely injured.
Add Gachkar – Legit NFL backup. Rarely injured.
Add McFadden – At a minimum he is a terrific pass blocking RB. His ypc jumped significantly in the games in 2014 when he was the backup so that should be a good role for him this year.
Romo much healthier. He could barely function at the beginning of 2014.
Martin in his 2nd year
Fred in his 3rd year
Leary in his 3rd year starting
Wilcox in his 2nd year as a full time starter.
Lee is back.
Hitchens in his 2nd year after 11 starts as a rookie and out-playing Carter.
RoMc with experience in the scheme and more off-season time with the team.
Legit depth at LB with Brinkley, Gachkar, Rivers over Cam Lawrence and Keith Smith.
Mincey in his 2nd year in the scheme.
T. Crawford is in his 2nd year at the 3tech DT position.
Carr was much better at the end of the season. Maybe they figured out his issues.
Escobar reported to be much bigger.
D. Lawrence reported to be much bigger and is healthy. In his 2nd season.
T. McClain healthy.
Bishop now has NFL experience.
Backup QB – Can’t be worse. More experience in the scheme for both backups.
Ryan Willliams – A year practicing the scheme and was coached up on pass blocking.
Randle – Was getting into minor trouble twice last year actually a good thing for him?
Multiple other players got experience in the scheme that are competing for the final spot on the DL (J. Crawford, Edwards, Coleman, etc.).
Linehan in his 2nd season with the team as OC.
Marinelli in his 2nd season as the DC.
Recap:
Yes, Losing Murray is a concern, but considering that he had over 800 yards before contact would indicate that other RBs should have success behind this OL.
Hardy is a huge addition. Yes, he’ll miss the first 4 games, but last season it was the playoffs where the pass rush the most needed. With Hardy on the team, the Cowboys likely win the GB game when the 1 legged Rodgers was rarely touched.
Jones is also a huge addition when you consider that he is replacing Sterling Moore who got torched in the GB playoff game. If Jones and Hardy had both been on the team for the GB playoff game, then the probably of a win would have dramatically increased.
The 2014 team had many very young players like Martin, Wilcox, etc. playing key roles. All of those players got a year of experience plus the experience of 2 playoffs games. This could be a bigger upgrade than the new additions.
If I look at the Green Bay playoff loss, then I see 1 big loss (Murray) and 2 big additions (Hardy and Jones). The lack of pass rush and Sterling Moore were the primary reasons for that loss other than the officiating.
Negative:
Murray gone – This is negative, but he did have over 800 yards before first contact.
Parnell gone – They’ve added depth on OL, but RT could take a step back with Free gimpy and no experienced backups.
Carter – Not really a negative. Hitchens had already surpassed him on the roster.
Durant – Lee more than offsets Durant who had as many injury issues as Lee.
Selvie - Not really a loss, IMO.
Spencer - Didn't do much in 2014 while returning from major injury issue.
Positive:
Add Hardy – A top 3 and possibly the #1 4-3 DE in the NFL.
Add Jones – Replacing Sterling Moore with Jones is big.
Add Gregory – Incredible talent to be the #4 DE.
Add Collins – Bonus depth.
Add Green – Maybe depending on recover from surgery.
Add Wilson - Similar to Hitchens.
Add Russell
Add redshirt Gardner
Add redshirt Whaley.
Add Weems (IR in 2014)
Add White – Could be a big upgrade at the 4th CB position of 3rd Safety position.
Add three 7th round picks. – Could add depth.
Add Brinkley – Legit NFL backup. Rarely injured.
Add Gachkar – Legit NFL backup. Rarely injured.
Add McFadden – At a minimum he is a terrific pass blocking RB. His ypc jumped significantly in the games in 2014 when he was the backup so that should be a good role for him this year.
Romo much healthier. He could barely function at the beginning of 2014.
Martin in his 2nd year
Fred in his 3rd year
Leary in his 3rd year starting
Wilcox in his 2nd year as a full time starter.
Lee is back.
Hitchens in his 2nd year after 11 starts as a rookie and out-playing Carter.
RoMc with experience in the scheme and more off-season time with the team.
Legit depth at LB with Brinkley, Gachkar, Rivers over Cam Lawrence and Keith Smith.
Mincey in his 2nd year in the scheme.
T. Crawford is in his 2nd year at the 3tech DT position.
Carr was much better at the end of the season. Maybe they figured out his issues.
Escobar reported to be much bigger.
D. Lawrence reported to be much bigger and is healthy. In his 2nd season.
T. McClain healthy.
Bishop now has NFL experience.
Backup QB – Can’t be worse. More experience in the scheme for both backups.
Ryan Willliams – A year practicing the scheme and was coached up on pass blocking.
Randle – Was getting into minor trouble twice last year actually a good thing for him?
Multiple other players got experience in the scheme that are competing for the final spot on the DL (J. Crawford, Edwards, Coleman, etc.).
Linehan in his 2nd season with the team as OC.
Marinelli in his 2nd season as the DC.
Recap:
Yes, Losing Murray is a concern, but considering that he had over 800 yards before contact would indicate that other RBs should have success behind this OL.
Hardy is a huge addition. Yes, he’ll miss the first 4 games, but last season it was the playoffs where the pass rush the most needed. With Hardy on the team, the Cowboys likely win the GB game when the 1 legged Rodgers was rarely touched.
Jones is also a huge addition when you consider that he is replacing Sterling Moore who got torched in the GB playoff game. If Jones and Hardy had both been on the team for the GB playoff game, then the probably of a win would have dramatically increased.
The 2014 team had many very young players like Martin, Wilcox, etc. playing key roles. All of those players got a year of experience plus the experience of 2 playoffs games. This could be a bigger upgrade than the new additions.
