5-0 start?

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Who's going to provide a pass rush especially the first 4 games? Scandrick is back but is coming off a serious injury so it remains to be seen where his game is. He was part of our secondary that got absolutely toasted in 2013. He may be the best corner we have but he still isn't anything special. This is one of the least talented defenses I can remember the Cowboys having in quite some time. Players are going to have to step up for this defense to be worth a damn.

Scandrick is coming off an ACL tear. This is not 1960 and they are not 'serious' in the sense that the prognosis is uncertain or degenerative. By the time the season rolls around, he will be over a year postop.

The defense in 2013 trotted out guys like Cam Lawrence, Ernie Sims, UDFA Heath, Jarius Wynn, Drake Nevis, Elliot Brown, Nick Hayden and Will Allen. Other than Heath who has improved, none of the other guys would even make the squad this year. When Spencer, Ware, and Lee got hurt there was no one left. Defense is about depth as much as it is about the front line guys particularly with our DC who loves to rotate.

Defense is about 3rd down and red zone efficiency as well as turnovers. Those are the stats that correlate to points. Scandrick being back helps 3rd down efficiency as pass coverage in the middle of the field has been our achilles heel. He doesn't get turnovers sure but he also doesn't give up wide open receivers and blow assignments. Jones at FS adds another dynamic player to help up the spine. It really won't excel unless someone like Gachkar or Smith can emerge as another ILB with range.

Thornton helps in 3rd down run situations and in the red zone. The betterment replacing Hayden with him is humongous as teams last year would run right up the gut with impunity.

The pass rush is the million dollar question but lets not play that we've had a good one lately so the bar isn't particularly high for improvement. Crawford healing up will help as will a DT to pair him with that isn't easy to single up. Gregory and DLaw are suspended and not dead. Guys like Irving, Russell, Tapper, and Mayowa have a shot to improve. Along with McClain, et al the key here is depth. We have a lot of servicable players with which to rotate. Marinelli really has never ahd that since he's been here.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Theres no way in hell the Cowboys beat the Eagles in week two...

Huh? STarting a rookie QB or the other scrubs to do along with a new coach and scheme and a roster that has been gutted and overturned particularly along the OL doesn't make for a sure thing in Philly. Wentz is one of the least prepared QBs to be drafted top 10.

 

[alicetooljam]

If Cruz comes back and resembles his old self their wr corp scare me for that first game. There was video of him at mini-camp and he looked quick and was cutting very well. I was shocked at how great he looked....They added Sterling Shepard in the draft, if all 3 wrs are healthy they could cause us major problems.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

If Cruz comes back and resembles his old self their wr corp scare me for that first game. There was video of him at mini-camp and he looked quick and was cutting very well. I was shocked at how great he looked....They added Sterling Shepard in the draft, if all 3 wrs are healthy they could cause us major problems.

That oline stinks though.

 

[big dog cowboy]

This is one of the least talented defenses I can remember the Cowboys having in quite some time.

Yea I heard the same thing the entire off season 2 years ago. I didn't buy it then and I don't buy it now.

 

[tyke1doe]

do you expect an 0-5 start?

No. But I don't think we'll go 5-0 either.

 

[JBS]

No. But I don't think we'll go 5-0 either.

It has to be one or the other

 

[StarBoyz83]

So can we mark down your prediction that the Giants will blow out Dallas in week 1?

I think Dallas will lose by at least 10

 

[DFWJC]

I think Dallas will lose by at least 10

Yes, if the Giants beat Dallas, in Dallas, by more than 10 points...that would be shocking.

Just some trivia regarding what you are predicting....with Romo under center, it had never happened before.
Plus, I'm sure you already know that Dallas has won 5 in a row vs New York with him under center....and these team should be better than most of those.

It takes a special love for the Giants to predict that large of a win. Congrats

 

[KJJ]

Scandrick is coming off an ACL tear. This is not 1960 and they are not 'serious' in the sense that the prognosis is uncertain or degenerative. By the time the season rolls around, he will be over a year postop.

The defense in 2013 trotted out guys like Cam Lawrence, Ernie Sims, UDFA Heath, Jarius Wynn, Drake Nevis, Elliot Brown, Nick Hayden and Will Allen. Other than Heath who has improved, none of the other guys would even make the squad this year. When Spencer, Ware, and Lee got hurt there was no one left. Defense is about depth as much as it is about the front line guys particularly with our DC who loves to rotate.

Defense is about 3rd down and red zone efficiency as well as turnovers. Those are the stats that correlate to points. Scandrick being back helps 3rd down efficiency as pass coverage in the middle of the field has been our achilles heel. He doesn't get turnovers sure but he also doesn't give up wide open receivers and blow assignments. Jones at FS adds another dynamic player to help up the spine. It really won't excel unless someone like Gachkar or Smith can emerge as another ILB with range.

Thornton helps in 3rd down run situations and in the red zone. The betterment replacing Hayden with him is humongous as teams last year would run right up the gut with impunity.

The pass rush is the million dollar question but lets not play that we've had a good one lately so the bar isn't particularly high for improvement. Crawford healing up will help as will a DT to pair him with that isn't easy to single up. Gregory and DLaw are suspended and not dead. Guys like Irving, Russell, Tapper, and Mayowa have a shot to improve. Along with McClain, et al the key here is depth. We have a lot of servicable players with which to rotate. Marinelli really has never ahd that since he's been here.

Anytime a player who's pushing 30 is coming off an ACL there's no assurances they'll be the same player. It's a lot different with aging players than with young players. Not only has Scandrick been having to rehab a serious knee injury he's had issues with his on and off again girlfriend that's made the news several times the past year. Personal issues like that can have an affect on a players performance. We won't know where Scandrick is mentally or physically until camp and preseason so we need to wait and see.

We still have a liability in Carr on the other side so unless Jones proves to be a HUGE upgrade at safety in 2016 we're still bound to have issues in coverage especially if we can't mount a solid pass rush. DE is the biggest issue on the defense and if a few players don't step up and provide a pass rush it's going to be a real struggle defensively.

We have discussions/debates about the defense every year with those insisting it's going to be much improved and we have yet to see that improvement. I'm not saying we're going to be bad defensively but it's going to take players stepping up for us to be any better than we've seen.

 

[Jstopper]

I think Dallas will lose by at least 10

Lolol. Not happening

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Anytime a player who's pushing 30 is coming off an ACL there's no assurances they'll be the same player. It's a lot different with aging players than with young players. Not only has Scandrick been having to rehab a serious knee injury he's had issues with his on and off again girlfriend that's made the news several times the past year. Personal issues like that can have an affect on a players performance. We won't know where Scandrick is mentally or physically until camp and preseason so we need to wait and see.

We still have a liability in Carr on the other side so unless Jones proves to be a HUGE upgrade at safety in 2016 we're still bound to have issues in coverage especially if we can't mount a solid pass rush. DE is the biggest issue on the defense and if a few players don't step up and provide a pass rush it's going to be a real struggle defensively.

We have discussions/debates about the defense every year with those insisting it's going to be much improved and we have yet to see that improvement. I'm not saying we're going to be bad defensively but it's going to take players stepping up for us to be any better than we've seen.

More wishcasting from the usual subject. Have you met Cal Poly?

 

[KJJ]

More wishcasting from the usual subject. Have you met Cal Poly?

The voices in your head are becoming increasingly annoying.

 

[alicetooljam]

That oline stinks though.

Im as optimistic as the next guy right now, but I wouldnt call our Dline or our secondary a strength. Time will tell and in no way am I saying we will lose.

 

[Vero_F250]

Theres no way in hell the Cowboys beat the Eagles in week two...

Agreed. I'd bet my house and my life on that. Just isn't happening people, sorry.

 

[Vero_F250]

Huh? STarting a rookie QB or the other scrubs to do along with a new coach and scheme and a roster that has been gutted and overturned particularly along the OL doesn't make for a sure thing in Philly. Wentz is one of the least prepared QBs to be drafted top 10.

Sorry Fuzzy, Cowboys aren't beating the Eagles week 2. Doesn't matter if Wentz is one of the least prepared QBs and they have a new coach. Isn't happening.

 

[Califan007]

Agreed. I'd bet my house and my life on that. Just isn't happening people, sorry.

You guys need to listen to him...he knows his stuff.

 

[Vero_F250]

You guys need to listen to him...he knows his stuff.

Oh I can't take credit for this. I'm following your expert insight! After thorough research of your argument I was finally able to come to the same conclusion you did. Well done.

 

[jazzcat22]

I think Dallas will lose by at least 10

I think Dallas won the last 3 home games against your Giants. Also your Giants have never beat Dallas home or away in an opening day game. Dallas is like 7-0 or 8-0
If we could have NY on the schedule the 1st 5 games, and treat every game as the first game, we would get to that 5-0 opening record...

 

[jazzcat22]

Sorry Fuzzy, Cowboys aren't beating the Eagles week 2. Doesn't matter if Wentz is one of the least prepared QBs and they have a new coach. Isn't happening.

And you know this for a fact?