A new team is developing

[Blake]

I'm always the fan of bad QBs who never knows what their QB really is yet.

Fixed that for you.

 

[CATCH17]

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.

My honest evaluation of this defense.

At worst it’s league average with upside to be better than that and playmakers who can get takeaways even when giving up yards.

NFL defenses suck in general so I kinda like the way we currently play.

1 thing I just can’t get sold on though is this idea of Parsons not rushing the QB nearly every chance they get to rush him. I don’t want to see him covering much. It’s not as natural to him and rushing QBs is which is far more important anyways.

 

[Proof]

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.

we survived against arguably the best front 7 in the league w/out zack, and against one of the best pass rushers in the league w/out la'el. I think our depth may be better than given cred, and derailing isn't an inevitability

 

[JD_KaPow]

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'm not sure how you conclude this. We were without Martin in game 1 and the offense performed. We were without Collins in game 2 and the offense performed.

(I know we only scored 20 points, but it was a very strange game in that we only had 7 drives the whole game and 3 in the second half. We scored on 4 of 7 drives, two others ended on an interception and turnover on downs. We had no three-and-outs. We scored 2.85 points per drive, which is top-5 this season and would have been top-5 last season.)

 

[conner01]

When I watched the draft I seen a change in what we went for
Still took some guys with histories but we went after guys with high motors. Guys that showed high effort
There were guys the so called experts had rated higher but to me the most important attribute you want from a player is heart and desire. Guys that love the game and are motivated to get better
Those are hard things to measure but we’ve taken guys in the past that showed signs of not loving the game, of not being a guy who gives 100%
Right now much of it is potential but it just seems like we got guys who are motivated to play the game

 

[Proof]

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.

i think the point was that we haven't won two games lol. we are 1-1. but hey, i like the feeling that we won 2 lmao

 

[CATCH17]

i think the point was that we haven't won two games lol. we are 1-1. but hey, i like the feeling that we won 2 lmao

We could be 2-0.. We could be 0-2..

1-1 is fine. We just need to collect wins while improving.

Dallas is a team with a lot of room to grow and are much closer to the floor than the ceiling as a team.

 

[Roland]

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.

Exactly. When was the last time you got pumped while we were on defense? I am seeing some tenacity, some hunger. Still worried about our run D a little. I think if LA had chosen to pound the ball more, not sure we hold up over the course of the game. But I definetely see improvement in our D, which I believe has been our achilles heel for years.

 

[CATCH17]

Exactly. When was the last time you got pumped while we were on defense? I am seeing some tenacity, some hunger. Still worried about our run D a little. I think if LA had chosen to pound the ball more, not sure we hold up over the course of the game. But I definetely see improvement in our D, which I believe has been our achilles heel for years.

Teams with great QBs aren’t going to put the game in their RBs hand.

Im not worried at all when a team runs. When Herbert or Brady hand off I celebrate.

 

[PhillyCowboysFan]

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.

WOW!!! Very very well stated! Can I like this a thousand times.

 

[Roland]

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.

Very Good Point! It does appear as though Moore has taken our game to another level. I dont doubt that MM has been in his ear with some tweaks. I seem to recall the MM said he was excited to work with Moore and maybe help him grow a bit. I could be remembering wrong. Either that is the case or Moore was holding out on us. But the ability AND willingness to change up your game to attack the opponents weakness successfully is something I havent seen from this team in a long time. And it is very refreshing!

 

[Doomsday101]

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 it is combination of growing as an OC and influence of McCarthy. Coaches much like players evolve and develop over time.

 

[kevm3]

This team can hang with any team in the league. My problem is moreso with weird coaching decisions that can ruin games like that decision to block the punt or the end of the game where we had 30 seconds and couldn't get a play off. That has to be fixed or it could cost us in an important game down the line.

 

[75boyz]

My response will be singular and contrary to my standard response normally touting all team responsibilities.

I did not give full credit to kskboys and AsthmaFields generational talent description of Parsons.

I'm a huge fan of Lawrence Taylor and how he changed the modern game from a defensive perspective. I won't get ahead of myself just yet with a comparison.

But as I stated in other Parsons posts...
If Quinn can somehow, some way figure out how to utilize Parsons defensive pass rush skillset as Belicheck did with Taylor and the Giants, this team is gonna be a very nice defense by the end of the year.

All the other pretty offensive stuff has now fallen behind my suddenly piqued interest into watching this kid grow.

Cowboys!

jmo

 

[Scotman]

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.

Seeing Steele play this week and McGovern last week, I feel better about our depth than I did a few weeks ago. You're not wrong. It's thin. But, for me, it's encouraging to see some depth developing.

 

[fivetwos]

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.

I need to be able to like this more than once.

Coach Jerry sure seems proud and vocal lately.

Wish someone would remind him of the two blown one seeds.

Win something first, gloat later....or just shut up entirely....but that's never going to happen. He is only here to do that, and since no one on earth knows better than Mr. "I'd do anything to win" he will never understand how him selling his product as an owner conflicts directly with the staffs ability to do their job effectively.

Jimmy Johnson spent much effort telling his very good teams how much they stunk.

Garrett was never able to overcome any of this and probably why they could never build on success.

It's a huge problem....one that we need to very much hope we can win in spite of, and why I want to puke when "fans" treat Jones like a rock star.

 

[CouchCoach]

The defense was going to be a work in progress and it would likely take those 6-7 games to see just what it is but ion in jo way did I expect this D to have 6 turnover in just 2 games and 4 picks. Hell, they only had 10 in 16 games last season.

However, the offense because of missing players is also a bit of a work in progress as well and I did not expect that.

I am optimistic about this team and predicted they'd win the East this season and I still think that; however, they've got to be able to rely on the players to be that new team. If the personnel changes too much week to week as it has the first 3 weeks already, difficult to become a team. Especially the DL and OL, which are mini teams unto themselves.

On the flipside of that pancake is that quite a few players are getting some really valuable reps in real games and that's the other side of that sword with missing players. The coaches are finding out about depth pretty fast.

Moving Parsons to DE was a great move and not just because it worked. Because it showed trying to solve a problem by getting in front of it. Quinn didn't wait for something to happen the them, he made that happen to the other team. He also gave OC's a little something extra to be concerned about when the DL is healthy.

I really liked the way he approached that. Some think they could have a "potential problem" and wait for verification to try and solve it like Garrett with Chaz Green in ATL. Quinn immediately surmised he had a problem and decided to solve it before it happened.

My confidence in the coaching has done wonders for the new team. Quinn and Moore have really shown me something in just two games. I just hope they're not showing too much to those 6 or 7 teams looking for new HC's after this season.

 

[CouchCoach]

I need to be able to like this more than once.

Coach Jerry sure seems proud and vocal lately.

Wish someone would remind him of the two blown one seeds.

Win something first, gloat later....or just shut up entirely....but that's never going to happen. He is only here to do that, and since no one on earth knows better than Mr. "I'd do anything to win" he will never understand how him selling his product as an owner conflicts directly with the staffs ability to do their job effectively.

Jimmy Johnson spent much effort telling his very good teams how much they stunk.

Garrett was never able to overcome any of this and probably why they could never build on success.

It's a huge problem....one that we need to very much hope we can win in spite of, and why I want to puke when "fans" treat Jones like a rock star.

I've said it from the beginning about Booger. The problem is not if the team is struggling because he becomes scarce. It's when the team is doing something well we have to worry about his involvement because he will swoop in for credit and self praise and that's already started 2 games in.

As fans, we have to always be concerned about his level of involvement........especially when the times are good.

 

[75boyz]

Exactly. When was the last time you got pumped while we were on defense? I am seeing some tenacity, some hunger. Still worried about our run D a little. I think if LA had chosen to pound the ball more, not sure we hold up over the course of the game. But I definetely see improvement in our D, which I believe has been our achilles heel for years.

Ditto here, well said.
And being led by a rookies passion, sense of urgency and refusal to being blocked. The other defensive players see this and elevate their game as well.
It is how true MVP type performances are often measured. Does he (insert name) make all the players around him better?
If referring to Parsons and his impact on this overall defense the answer is a resounding YES!

jmo

 

[Kingofholland]

As I watch the many threads on our forum, it is clear that most of us fans have a “narrative” about what this team is and isn’t. It’s based on past performance. And that’s normal and understandable.

But I want to challenge all Cowboys fans to keep your eyes open to what this 2021 team can become. This team is the second youngest team in the NFL. On the current 53 man roster, 21 players were not on the team last year. That means that almost 40% of this roster is new to the Cowboys.

The truth is, it takes at least 6-8 games- maybe more- for an NFL team to develop an identity. With 40% of this roster being new to the Cowboys, give this team some time to develop into something. None of us really know much about this team…yet.

Love this point and the positivity! I can feel the identity on defense changing with some of the new guys brought onto the team. Looking forward to how this team comes together as the season moves along.