A new team is developing

[Rockport]

Very good thread, now to pose this question - has Moore come out of no where with this play calling or has MM put him in a position to succeed?

I find it very odd all of us are anointing Moore when he's been on this team years past but give no credit to the head coach who was considered an elite offensive play caller - it's no coincidence this has had an affect on our game planning and matchups. Ceedee in the backfield is 100% a product of MM and what he used to do with Randall Cobb. I think MM doesn't get enough credit for how he has this team ready to play and how he's 1 upped Moore's bag when it comes to playcalling.

I think Moore has always wanted to do more on the offensive side and now MM is letting him.

 

[MyFairLady]

Actually, what you've seen lately is two wins against some really good teams. Take heart and keep hoping for that to continue.

 

[Bullflop]

I get it -- it's just a start but something worth encouragement, even if it's just a new beginning . . . the change has been striking, imho.

 

[youngjerryjones]

We need to remain top #10 in run defense after this week which should not be a problem but next week is my biggest concern. Can we hold CMC to under 100 yards and maintain our position - it will be very important for the defense to have elite run defending as their crutch to continue to create turnovers in the passing game going forward. After CMC we will not be tested with an elite back like that unless you consider Saquon elite until after the bye week. IMO Saquon has lost a step just like Zeke.

 

[waving monkey]

IMO if Jerry Jones is still the owner/GM, we are doomed for another 25 years of wasted fanship. Boo you Jerry Jones and spawn of Jerry.

Im glad your so open

 

[nyc-cowboy]

I think the offense is fine, and the defense will get better as the season progresses. My concern is with the Special Teams. Can someone tell Pollard not to take it out of the endzone? I understand he's trying to get us some good yards, but the majority of the time he doesn't make it to the 25 yard line, and when he does, there's a penalty that puts us back "half the distance to the goal". It's frustrating.

Agree 100% - our special teams have been so bad thru-out the years no matter the players or coach, that all I want them to do is "hold serve".

I dont care if they ever bring it out of the EZ again or if they call a fair catch on every punt - just dont get a flag and make it a negative play.

Case in point was that freakin "running into the kicker" penalty right before the half last week - that just cant happen.

 

[OGCowboy]

After two games....I like this team.
In my book last year was a total washout with covid stuff...no camp....no anything. Even with Dak out...to me football overall sucked last year. Pros and college. No fans...nothing. The whole so called season sucked.
Fast forward to this year. We have a seemingly very exciting and competitive club that I think will get much better...especially defensively. They are fun to watch and pull for.
That’s the first time in MANY years I’ve been able to say that. I see a different direction for this team. Different attitude. See more purpose in their play.
My glass stays half full
Puro Cowboys

 

[Plankton]

What this team/organization needs to be able to do, which they have not been able to do for a very long time is:

• Self scout. This organization has done a poor job of making internal assessments as to how they approach preparation and performance on the field. They establish their "way" of doing things, and do not adapt, nor have they cared to. What the Cowboys showed on offense the past two weeks is an encouraging sign (two completely different game plans and approaches, and both had success), but they need to do this on a continuing basis, and do the same for the defense.
• Leave wins in the rear view mirror. Jerry's Cowboys eat the cheese more than good teams do. A lot of this is based on the fact that the owner/GM is the biggest fan of the team, and preens more than his most outspoken players. The GM should be the biggest cynic in the organization, but in Dallas, he's the biggest optimist. As Jones insists on being the face and the loudest voice in the organization, there isn't the voice in the room to pop the swelled heads of players who have had a little bit of success during the regular season. This has to change.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

We know who we are on offense. It’s a high powered group with a razor thin offensive line. Any injuries on the line will derail us offensively.

I agree with you on defense as the personnel has changed greatly from last season.

Special teams we are comfortably below average. Our coverage units are maybe the worst in the league and it’s been that way for years.

Not so sure I'd agree with the "razor thin offensive line", at least not at this point.
When Martin went out it was like "oh no, McGovern will come in and get killed". But he played pretty well.

Then Collins was suspended and Nhekse was also going to be out, and it was like "oh no, Steele is playing, he's not very good". And he did pretty well.

Continuity is probably more important on the offensive line than any other place on the team, with the multiple blitz packages and formations teams use, guys had better know what the guy next to him will do in a given situation, that takes time. This offensive line may very well develop into a solid starting unit and the backups could very well get better with more playing time, which at least tackle will get if Collins' whole suspension is upheld.

Would have to re-visit the line in totality at mid-season...

 

[LACowboysFan1]

No doubt this is a team in flux, many new faces. And that's my biggest concern - all the new faces, you have to determine the best lineup and the best places to play the new guys. Until then, there will be mistakes, and if there's one specific thing this team needs to do, on defense especially, is stop with the stupid penalties at the exact worst time to do them.

We'll see if that happens...

 

[MoistMayonnaise]

While I agree we'll be a different team in week 8 and certainly by week 17, it remains to be seen if that difference is good or bad. There is a lot of upside on the D but as others have noted, the offense is a couple of injuries from being average. I already think that Gallup being out is a big deal and with Amari's bruised ribs we could be hurting for production. So many things go into a successful season, we are already behind with injuries and suspensions. I hope things turn around because the Cowboys will be fun to watch if they get rolling.

 

[JW82]

They are showing some promise. Lets leave it right there until they have 7-8 games under their belt.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I remember reading where Belichick once said the first 4-5 will give you a good idea of what to expect from your team. For me, the play of our defense ( especially turnovers ) has created a sense this could be a special year. The key though is this team winning the games they suppose to win.

 

[Beaker42]

I’ll say this. I know a lot of you are still terrified any time we go on defense but I’m the opposite.

Im actually excited when we go on defense and it doesn’t feel like I’m watching the other special teams.

I know we’re giving up yards but I feel like we got guys capable of making plays.

Id love to see what it looks like when the Full unit is healthy and Dallas decides Jaylon shouldn’t be on the field.

And Jaylon Kearse.. Looks really good.

Also, don’t sleep on that Holton Hill signing. I haven’t watched him since he came out of school but that guy had potential. I’d like to know his background in the league.

It’s totally obvious we have PTSD from Nolan’s BS D last season. Not sure he should have ever been a HC of anything in the NFL - probably even college.

 

[MountaineerCowboy]

Remember D-Law was or tried or wanted to be that guy.

Then the culture already in place engulfed him. Let's hope Parsons doesn't fall victim.

I think Garrett being gone will help a lot. He didn't create the culture per say, but he 100% made it worse. We don't have to worry about him infecting these new guys with his loser mentality.

 

[Beaker42]

It's going to take time for this defense to come together. We have a lot of new players, a lot of movement, and a new DC. So the only thing we can hope for is they continue to get turnovers until they can jell. If they can do that we'll definitely be in the playoff hunt.

Cox absolutely needs to get more reps at LB. Dude is a spark plug and just makes plays.

 

[glimmerman]

Then the culture already in place engulfed him. Let's hope Parsons doesn't fall victim.

I think Garrett being gone will help a lot. He didn't create the culture per say, but he 100% made it worse. We don't have to worry about him infecting these new guys with his loser mentality.

Look at the giants since he went there. No better for sure. Maybe worse.

I hope Parsons don’t play his tail off and set down early and hold out for contract.

 

[Beaker42]

Dlaw anointed the defense prematurely. It's as if they were entitled to be stars because of where they played. All we had at the time was a bunch of QB pressures, and no holding calls in our favor for like 8 games. It was bs, but still they hadn't earned a nickname.

I like Dlaw, but that whole thing was annoying. I do think he's a leader and has a lot of clot though. I just dont want to see celebrating mediocrity, or 7 yards gains. That was the culture in years past.

Great defensive units don’t give themselves a nickname - OTHERS DO OUT OF RESPECT.

I hope the “Hot Boyz” nickname dies a quick and painful death.

 

[ChronicCowboy]

don't think this holds up, we missed zack game one and now la'el for four more games. We've been fine. Multiple injuries to an offensive line i.e. last year with both LT/RT/OG/C injured will derail any team. Look at the ravens this year, they are struggling with a newer unit.

I’ve been impressed with the run blocking but Dak has had to make super quick reads to avoid the rush. If Steele can turn into a consistent player and TB can hold up at center, we should be ok.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Been saying it, but the Garrett era was full of snake oil and behind the scenes politicking more than quality coaching. And it lasted almost a decade. So it's no wonder people are gun shy.

But give this new group a chance. It won't happen overnight, but I feel like it is happening.

Like Catch said, this is fun watching this big group of young guys develop, especially on defense. They aren't very good yet and probably won't be this year, because that side of the ball had such a long way to go. But I feel like for the first time in a long time, we can see some mid round picks turn into quality players. We've seen it on other teams for years and I feel like it's finally our turn.