A two player turnaround

[TheSkaven]

In the midst of the Cowboys’ 3 game winning streak there are two players IMO that are mostly responsible for this turnaround. Amari Cooper and Leighton Vander Esch. If either of those two players were not playing right now, we would already be looking at the 2019 season.

Three. You're missing Xavier Su'a-Filo. The offensive line play has miraculously changed since he is playing guard. We no longer have a tight end playing guard and getting bull rushed. The difference has been night and day.

 

[Techsass]

Too many fans here assume that re-signing Cooper is an automatic. It’s likely....but it probably depends on what this team look like in a year.

If I was a player 100% committed to getting a SB ring, I would certainly shop before signing.

I would've thought that was all worked out before we traded a #1 draft choice for him.

 

[texbumthelife]

In the midst of the Cowboys’ 3 game winning streak there are two players IMO that are mostly responsible for this turnaround. Amari Cooper and Leighton Vander Esch. If either of those two players were not playing right now, we would already be looking at the 2019 season.

Cooper’s impact has been the most blatantly obvious, especially in yesterday’s win against the deadskins. But his presence alone has upgraded the entire offense. Dak’s averaging 256 yards per game since Coop’s arrival and his completion percentage has gone from 62% to 70%. The threat of Cooper has also forced defenses to back off the 8-9 man in the box stuff that smothered this offense for half the season. Suddenly Zeke can run.

I think LVE’s impact has been just as great. That 21 year old kid reminds me of a young Jack Lambert, the HOF LB from the Steel Curtain defenses of the Steelers 70s dynasty or the great bears HOF LB Brian Ehrlacher. LVE can cover ground like a safety, can hit like a LB and his his presence on the field upgrades the entire defense. This D was already improved from last year, but #55 makes everybody better.

I guarantee every OC we will face the rest of the season is already saying in the film room, “What are we going to do with Vander Esch?” When was the last time we had a defender like that?

I’m still not convinced this team is a playoff team...yet. But without Cooper and LVE, this team would already be thinking about next year’s draft. Now this team has a chance to do something.

Exciting times in spite of this team’s HC and GM/owner. But at least this team has clawed its way back to a contender status. With 5 games left in the season they have an opportunity that was literally unthinkable a month ago. #19 and #55 have been the center of this turnaround.

How about 3-4 with Columbo and Su'a in there too.

 

[Batman1980]

In the midst of the Cowboys’ 3 game winning streak there are two players IMO that are mostly responsible for this turnaround. Amari Cooper and Leighton Vander Esch. If either of those two players were not playing right now, we would already be looking at the 2019 season.

Cooper’s impact has been the most blatantly obvious, especially in yesterday’s win against the deadskins. But his presence alone has upgraded the entire offense. Dak’s averaging 256 yards per game since Coop’s arrival and his completion percentage has gone from 62% to 70%. The threat of Cooper has also forced defenses to back off the 8-9 man in the box stuff that smothered this offense for half the season. Suddenly Zeke can run.

I think LVE’s impact has been just as great. That 21 year old kid reminds me of a young Jack Lambert, the HOF LB from the Steel Curtain defenses of the Steelers 70s dynasty or the great bears HOF LB Brian Ehrlacher. LVE can cover ground like a safety, can hit like a LB and his his presence on the field upgrades the entire defense. This D was already improved from last year, but #55 makes everybody better.

I guarantee every OC we will face the rest of the season is already saying in the film room, “What are we going to do with Vander Esch?” When was the last time we had a defender like that?

I’m still not convinced this team is a playoff team...yet. But without Cooper and LVE, this team would already be thinking about next year’s draft. Now this team has a chance to do something.

Exciting times in spite of this team’s HC and GM/owner. But at least this team has clawed its way back to a contender status. With 5 games left in the season they have an opportunity that was literally unthinkable a month ago. #19 and #55 have been the center of this turnaround.

DeMarcus Lawrence, Byron Jones would also be in the discussion if he had ball skills.

 

[DFWJC]

Cooper will definitely get an extension to his deal.

LVE is the DROY hands down and will be a Cowboy for a very long time.

Both of those are good things.

LVE is for real
Yeah, I think Cooper will extend.
He better. Cant imagine wed give up a first for a short term rental.

 

[texbumthelife]

I would've thought that was all worked out before we traded a #1 draft choice for him.

Yeah, you don't trade a first for a WR with one year left on his deal unless you've already decided you want to keep him. Not unless you're one player from the bowl.

 

[CCBoy]

In the midst of the Cowboys’ 3 game winning streak there are two players IMO that are mostly responsible for this turnaround. Amari Cooper and Leighton Vander Esch. If either of those two players were not playing right now, we would already be looking at the 2019 season.

Cooper’s impact has been the most blatantly obvious, especially in yesterday’s win against the deadskins. But his presence alone has upgraded the entire offense. Dak’s averaging 256 yards per game since Coop’s arrival and his completion percentage has gone from 62% to 70%. The threat of Cooper has also forced defenses to back off the 8-9 man in the box stuff that smothered this offense for half the season. Suddenly Zeke can run.

I think LVE’s impact has been just as great. That 21 year old kid reminds me of a young Jack Lambert, the HOF LB from the Steel Curtain defenses of the Steelers 70s dynasty or the great bears HOF LB Brian Ehrlacher. LVE can cover ground like a safety, can hit like a LB and his his presence on the field upgrades the entire defense. This D was already improved from last year, but #55 makes everybody better.

I guarantee every OC we will face the rest of the season is already saying in the film room, “What are we going to do with Vander Esch?” When was the last time we had a defender like that?

I’m still not convinced this team is a playoff team...yet. But without Cooper and LVE, this team would already be thinking about next year’s draft. Now this team has a chance to do something.

Exciting times in spite of this team’s HC and GM/owner. But at least this team has clawed its way back to a contender status. With 5 games left in the season they have an opportunity that was literally unthinkable a month ago. #19 and #55 have been the center of this turnaround.

Great OP, BobHaze...and both of their influences have stabilized projections to the Cowboys' advantage.

 

[Bobhaze]

The thing these two young studs don’t fix...the mediocre at best head coach. Still remains a real liability.

 

[ultron]

Good post Bob, but for my money I would take #54 over #55 - I think Jaylon is playing lights out & is slightly more fluid and athletic than LVE. He's not getting the love and attention but if you have games saved on your DVR - go back and just watch 54 on defense!