A big dose of reality

[haleyrules]

And yet this era has produced the most dominant dynasty ever.

Yep. How did that happen!

 

[haleyrules]

I was choked we lost to GB of course but I have learned with both the Cowboys and my ultimate favourite team, Montreal Canadiens (both of whom haven't won a championship since the 1990s) that if I keep getting all hung up on the fact our glory is old, it ruins watching today. I had more fun watching the team this year than in a long time. It was a total surprise. Losing to Green Bay does not detract from the win in GB, Pitt, hammering the Eagles in OT after being down all game, giving it to the Commanders on US Thanksgiving etc

Watching sports is a way to forget about life for a few hours. Winning is gravy.

Nice Post. I grew up a hard core Canadiens fan...lived around Montreal at different times and watched those great teams live! You would have loved it. I was at the Montreal vrs Red Army News Years eve 1975!

 

[TheHerd]

Nice Post. I grew up a hard core Canadiens fan...lived around Montreal at different times and watched those great teams live! You would have loved it. I was at the Montreal vrs Red Army News Years eve 1975!

Sinners! The Habs are my mortal enemies! Bruins fan here.

I was at the too many men on the ice game in Montreal. Great game, great city.

Respect for the Canadians in truth. They were (and still are) an incredible franchise. I always grudgingly loved the way they played. It seemed like those 70s teams were always on the power play.

 

[TheHerd]

Three key areas. Must have a great QB, protect him and put pressure on their elite QB. Anyone of those lacking could cost you. The other parts are interchangeable,

And putting pressure with today's rules requires an aggressive defensive philosophy, which is why I don't think Rod is the answer.

I know that's sacrilege around here, but I just don't like non-aggressive defense.

 

[beacamdim]

Let's not overreact, either. Pittsburgh and Green Bay were playing their third playoff games and second on the road. There's a reason why teams making a SB run in that fashion is rare - it's very difficult.

This is very true . . . for most.

 

[Diehardblues]

And putting pressure with today's rules requires an aggressive defensive philosophy, which is why I don't think Rod is the answer.

I know that's sacrilege around here, but I just don't like non-aggressive defense.

The pressure must come from the front four.

Marinelli's philosophy doesn't rely on blitzes which is necessary without a talented front four.

 

[haleyrules]

And putting pressure with today's rules requires an aggressive defensive philosophy, which is why I don't think Rod is the answer.

I know that's sacrilege around here, but I just don't like non-aggressive defense.

Agreed. Does Marinelli have any choice? The FO are inclined to draft offensive talent first and treat the defense like step son.

 

[pancakeman]

I know it makes me a homer, but I sincerely believe the Packers spent everything they had to beat the Cowboys and had nothing left. They were more spent than incapable.

That said, I do agree with the OP's sentiment that there are not a lot of great teams in the league this year.

 

[DandyDon52]

Someone understands this!


I hear people yelling for a pass rush all the time.. Meanwhile Eli takes 2 steps back and releases over and over and over and over.


We do need pass rushers but we need DB's that can press as well and stop all of these short passes from happening.

You can't get to the QB if you give WR's free release and they are only trying to get a few yards on a play.

true, no matter how good your db's are a good qb can put the ball so only the wr can catch it. and the quick release can
defeat a good rush.
some teams like atlanta or GB you have to jam receivers at the line otherwise they will eat you up.
you also have to find ways to get to the qb and jamming gives a def more time to do that.
GB didnt jam and played zone, and got ate up.

 

[Bohuntr97]

And yet this era has produced the most dominant dynasty ever.

Are you referring to the Pats?

 

[DFWJC]

Team Offense (DVOA)

Atlanta: 1st
Dallas: 3rd

Team Defense (DVOA)

Dallas: 17th
Atlanta: 27th

Given this backdrop you really think the Cowboys lose 19 of 20 games? Hyperbole much?

Dallas would have been a home favorite against the Falcons. Doesn't mean we win. Think it's ridiculous to think we lose 19 of 20.

Agree that 19 of 20 is over the top.

I also do think you realize that this young Atlanta team playing now is WAY better than that ranking.
They're not great ondefense,but theyve really pulled it together and the year progressed.

Not at all saying the Falcons are on that level, but The 2007 Giants defense was low ranked,but they jelled late and flat out dominated those playoffs.

 

[Nightman]

And yet this era has produced the most dominant dynasty ever.

1 SB title in 11 years is hardly a dynasty

 

[erod]

Let's not overreact, either. Pittsburgh and Green Bay were playing their third playoff games and second on the road. There's a reason why teams making a SB run in that fashion is rare - it's very difficult. Those two games don't suddenly erase everything the Cowboys did this season. Dallas exceeded all reasonable expectations and by all appearances have found their next QB. 13 wins were no accident, either.

Address weaknesses and come back next season. Pittsburgh and Green Bay will do that as well.

Actually, it's quite common. The Giants win two Super Bowls that way without a single home game.

 

[DandyDon52]

I know it makes me a homer, but I sincerely believe the Packers spent everything they had to beat the Cowboys and had nothing left. They were more spent than incapable.

That said, I do agree with the OP's sentiment that there are not a lot of great teams in the league this year.

True, but that is where the bye helps, Atlanta won the div game, and were not tired out by that one game,
and GB was just tired from reg season, the wc then div game, so they were tired, and banged up, then lost some players early.

But another factor was Atlanta wanted to put pressure on rodgers, and maybe did more jamming at the line on GB,
and on other side GB looked like they copied the marinelli defense lol playing zone and no jamming.

 

[noshame]

Rod cost us the Green Bay game. Watched the game again the other day and I just don't understand why he decided to come out and play soft when will be were having so much success in the previous week's being aggressive.
We could have beaten Green Bay and while we probably would have lost to Atlanta I would like to believe we would have given them a better game than Green Bay did and that's not bad for a young team

We need at least four to 5 good players on defense and I hate to say it but somebody has to take away the game planning from Rod and we'll be ready for the big dance

 

[dueyhemlock]

Really don't know what you're looking at this was an exciting 2016 season. The NFC East went from the Least to the Beast and we had 2 rookies take the NFL by storm. We have a terrific Super Bowl matchup in two weeks between Tom Brady going for a record 5th SB win matched up against the MVP of the league Matt Ryan.

I understand the first "we had 2 rookies" reference meaning us cowboy fans.

Then you state "We have a terrific Super Bowl matchup" referencing us NFL people ? My Cowboys aren't in it so I don't have no Super Bowl matchup.

This kind of statement seems to follow your stance on a lot of the questionable things going on with the NFL / our (?) Cowboys. Be careful, your true colors might be starting to bleed through.

 

[TheHerd]

Are you referring to the Pats?

Of course. 6 straight championship games. 11 of 16 I believe. Division champs for 111 years in row. No NFL team has approached the run they are having over such a long time span. With no end in sight.

 

[CCBoy]

Ehhh. Atlanta showed me yesterday that we definitely need playmakers and athletes in the secondary. A pass rush (against Atlanta) almost doesn't matter since the QB gets rid of the ball so quickly.

I still want pass rush. We just can't have slowpokes like Barry Church and guys who are always a step behind the WR (Carr and Byron) all over our secondary. Need a guy of two with real ball skills.

Exactly.

Yes more/better defensive end play is needed, but a more athletic secondary is needed also.

Marinelli's defense shows an ability to defense the run...already. A top quality secondary, will keep the team in a shoot out with a top echelon and passing/balanced type of team.

The team definitely needs a pair of outside rushers to keep turn-overs and stopping more than a single drive during a game...and they have to be able to show up in big games.

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

Rod cost us the Green Bay game. Watched the game again the other day and I just don't understand why he decided to come out and play soft when will be were having so much success in the previous week's being aggressive.
We could have beaten Green Bay and while we probably would have lost to Atlanta I would like to believe we would have given them a better game than Green Bay did and that's not bad for a young team

We need at least four to 5 good players on defense and I hate to say it but somebody has to take away the game planning from Rod and we'll be ready for the big dance

You must not have watched the GB-Dal regular season game. Dallas didn't bring much pressure, sat back in a heavy zone with three guys rushing and had a surprising amount of success. Considering that our secondary this year was much better than our pass rush, it's not a bad strategy. We won 13 games for a reason.

 

[noshame]

You must not have watched the GB-Dal regular season game. Dallas didn't bring much pressure, sat back in a heavy zone with three guys rushing and had a surprising amount of success. Considering that our secondary this year was much better than our pass rush, it's not a bad strategy. We won 13 games for a reason.

Actually, I did watch it and Rodgers was not Rodgers.