All warm and fuzzy thoughts

[Typhus]

That's how I seem to handle most off seasons, my interest with football has naturally become more of a hobby than a true gut passion for a few seasons now, not sure if that's not age related though at this point.
I was one of the fortunate ones, that got to experience several great eras in Cowboys football.

So I'm on board as always,, yay.. go team,,

What I look forward to the most at this point is finishing off this Defense... not sure you ever really can,, I guess Jacksonville has come about as close as a franchise can, at least on paper alone, they have.

This Defense is on a fast track to top elite status, retooled the back 7, still some shuffling going on.
Will Woods and B Jones transition into slot and sub packages exclusively? Which is basically a starting gig, considering that 70 percent of the time there are sub packages used.

OScan days are numbered, and that's called transcending a strength,, that's a huge step forward for not just this Defense but any teams defense, being able to upgrade, talent wise, age, cap, all the intangibles, we did it in one off season.

A true 1 tech, a couple LBs, S... may seem like a lot, but considering the Cap situation this year, finally, and the decent comp picks,, is the defense really that far away from achieving "elite" status?

 

[Longboysfan]

Need to house clean a bit and clear more CAP space.

Let Will McClay do his thing.

 

[Hawkeye19]

That's how I seem to handle most off seasons, my interest with football has naturally become more of a hobby than a true gut passion for a few seasons now, not sure if that's not age related though at this point.
I was one of the fortunate ones, that got to experience several great eras in Cowboys football.

So I'm on board as always,, yay.. go team,,

What I look forward to the most at this point is finishing off this Defense... not sure you ever really can,, I guess Jacksonville has come about as close as a franchise can, at least on paper alone, they have.

This Defense is on a fast track to top elite status, retooled the back 7, still some shuffling going on.
Will Woods and B Jones transition into slot and sub packages exclusively? Which is basically a starting gig, considering that 70 percent of the time there are sub packages used.

OScan days are numbered, and that's called transcending a strength,, that's a huge step forward for not just this Defense but any teams defense, being able to upgrade, talent wise, age, cap, all the intangibles, we did it in one off season.

A true 1 tech, a couple LBs, S... may seem like a lot, but considering the Cap situation this year, finally, and the decent comp picks,, is the defense really that far away from achieving "elite" status?

The defense finished as a top 10 unit overall... stunning really. Young defense with lots of upside at this point.

Biggest concern has to be LBer depth followed by inconsistent safety play.

We need to add a young stud at LBer and resign Hitchens. Lee is not reliable in terms of health at this point and Jaylon is intriguing but still a gamble.

A 1Tech would be great— see what we can add in the draft. Another true safety would be nice as well— just don’t see Byron there long term. Maybe we move him back to corner or trade him?

 

[conner01]

There are things to be excited about. The youngsters on defense, j smith showing signs of recovery, Dlaw’s development
There are things to be concerned about
It’s just which you choose to focus on

 

[Typhus]

There are things to be excited about. The youngsters on defense, j smith showing signs of recovery, Dlaw’s development
There are things to be concerned about
It’s just which you choose to focus on

We can break down every individual, but what I believe everyone should be able to recognize, as a whole, this defense is faster, with more play making ability, they have proven that.
I will gladly take that upside at this point, considering the youth.

 

[Sydla]

The defense finished as a top 10 unit overall... stunning really. Young defense with lots of upside at this point.

Biggest concern has to be LBer depth followed by inconsistent safety play.

We need to add a young stud at LBer and resign Hitchens. Lee is not reliable in terms of health at this point and Jaylon is intriguing but still a gamble.

A 1Tech would be great— see what we can add in the draft. Another true safety would be nice as well— just don’t see Byron there long term. Maybe we move him back to corner or trade him?

Under what measure did they finish as a Top 10 defense?

I was happy with the secondary down the stretch, the continued great play from Lawrence, J Smith showing a bit of promise. But I think people overrate how good this defense really is. They need some real help still to be a great defense and I think it starts right up the gut............ they need a legit 1 Tech. They need a real MLB. They need at least one new S.

1 Tech is obvious. S is obvious. MLB is trickier but IMO I think you have to bring a vet MLB in here, a real thumper IMO that gives you a bit of insurance on J. Smith.

 

[TheSkaven]

That's how I seem to handle most off seasons, my interest with football has naturally become more of a hobby than a true gut passion for a few seasons now, not sure if that's not age related though at this point.

It’s age related. I feel the same way and you’re not the first person to say this.

When we’re young we live and die with every season and every game. As we get older, we start to think longer term. Obviously I want to see the team win every game but losses don’t sting nearly as bad as they used to hurt.

 

[Typhus]

It’s age related. I feel the same way and you’re not the first person to say this.

When we’re young we live and die with every season and every game. As we get older, we start to think longer term. Obviously I want to see the team win every game but losses don’t sting nearly as bad as they used to hurt.

I know you speak the truth,,, I just prefer to live in denial...

 

[waving monkey]

The magic of Marinelli sorry I had to.
The two sides of the ball have switched. I now worry about the offense.
Spend on that headache.
We do need to invest more on defense

 

[Melonfeud]

You guys know what pieces we need to add to the defense & I'm of 100℅ agreement. ( minimum of 2 L.B.'s though)
I hate pointing this out as I'm as much or more defensively minded in this draft as anybody but that malfunctioning void in the offensive line has got to be effectively addressed this off season, either thru a coveted pick or head hunting the F.A. if not?,,,well,fellers,,, get set&settled for another " all warm and fuzzy thoughts "
Around this same time a year from today.

Ya,know? I theory a 'block Wall' defense could dominate and win games based mostly on the strength of their place kicker,,,but, man! We can't even bank on Mr.Money #5 anymore, that's something that cannot be ignored,,, either

 

[AlterEgo]

It’s age related. I feel the same way and you’re not the first person to say this.

When we’re young we live and die with every season and every game. As we get older, we start to think longer term. Obviously I want to see the team win every game but losses don’t sting nearly as bad as they used to hurt.

Interesting. I was trying to figure out my deal. I remember when I was younger, I knew every player down to the PS. Loses would cause sleepless nights.

Now I'm still a fan. I'll follow the news and I'll still analyze what I think is going right/wrong with this team but it's not my priority anymore. I have no urge to go to a game. I don't buy merchandise. Frankly, without fantasy football I wonder how many games I'd really watch outside of the DC. I was trying to figure out if it was me or the 20+ years of not getting further than the divisional playoff game was to blame. Maybe it's a little of both? It's an interesting question either way.

 

[Melonfeud]

Interesting. I was trying to figure out my deal. I remember when I was younger, I knew every player down to the PS. Loses would cause sleepless nights.

Now I'm still a fan. I'll follow the news and I'll still analyze what I think is going right/wrong with this team but it's not my priority anymore. I have no urge to go to a game. I don't buy merchandise. Frankly, without fantasy football I wonder how many games I'd really watch outside of the DC. I was trying to figure out if it was me or the 20+ years of not getting further than the divisional playoff game was to blame. Maybe it's a little of both? It's an interesting question either way.

I was never that much of a fan to follow the P.S. when I was 'younger',,, but I would spend several hours studying the 'in season' n.f.l. section ( not much larger than a pack of cigerrettes) of the newspaper sports page and cut them out,thumb tacking them to the wall, my favorite overall 'stat' was that team that had the firepower! leading in the overall 'points for' category,, and we seldom led in that ,although after a huge blow-out victory around week 4 thru 7 we'd gain on the front runner& and I'd figure how many points we'd need 'next week' to leade in that ,,, I reckon that's just about as weird as memorizing our practice squad players,@AlterEgo ,,,

 

[Typhus]

You guys know what pieces we need to add to the defense & I'm of 100℅ agreement. ( minimum of 2 L.B.'s though)
I hate pointing this out as I'm as much or more defensively minded in this draft as anybody but that malfunctioning void in the offensive line has got to be effectively addressed this off season, either thru a coveted pick or head hunting the F.A. if not?,,,well,fellers,,, get set&settled for another " all warm and fuzzy thoughts "
Around this same time a year from today.

Ya,know? I theory a 'block Wall' defense could dominate and win games based mostly on the strength of their place kicker,,,but, man! We can't even bank on Mr.Money #5 anymore, that's something that cannot be ignored,,, either

Don't know whats up with Bailey at this point, but that's an entirely different thread, in itself.
I'm on board if a top OT falls in our lap, doesn't have to be the top pick, there are some decent prospects, but cant expect much after 3.
BTW,, Bailey is the 27th kicker in the league in point totals,,, don't know if that's a bad thing,,, we are talking kickers here... he has been a staple.. but get right, or find another job that pays you this much to kick a ball.

 

[Super_Kazuya]

Don't know whats up with Bailey at this point, but that's an entirely different thread, in itself.
I'm on board if a top OT falls in our lap, doesn't have to be the top pick, there are some decent prospects, but cant expect much after 3.
BTW,, Bailey is the 27th kicker in the league in point totals,,, don't know if that's a bad thing,,, we are talking kickers here... he has been a staple.. but get right, or find another job that pays you this much to kick a ball.

Bailey was mostly rotten but I’m pretty sure his low point total can be attributed to missing a month of games and his offense barely able to give him any extra points in the second half of the season thanks to their allergic reaction to the end zone.

 

[Typhus]

Bailey was mostly rotten but I’m pretty sure his low point total can be attributed to missing a month of games and his offense barely able to give him any extra points in the second half of the season thanks to their allergic reaction to the end zone.

I know what your saying, but kickers are a fickle bunch,, Ive seen it before with kickers, if you don't shake it off it haunts you,, its in his head at this point, but he has an entire offseason to get it right.

 

[Melonfeud]

Don't know whats up with Bailey at this point, but that's an entirely different thread, in itself.
I'm on board if a top OT falls in our lap, doesn't have to be the top pick, there are some decent prospects, but cant expect much after 3.
BTW,, Bailey is the 27th kicker in the league in point totals,,, don't know if that's a bad thing,,, we are talking kickers here... he has been a staple.. but get right, or find another job that pays you this much to kick a ball.

Lol,I saw a 'skip bayless' on u-tube lamenting his psycho semantic malfunction, suggesting a exorcism be preformed during the off season on him,,,

Man,I don't know?
If it still hurts to kick the ball,to the point where he's closing his eyes and just willing it unto his 'higher power' while kicking it
( which appears, that's exactly what he's doing)
He should've rehabbed longer,cuz' it's pretty bad with whatever is ailing him.

 

[Typhus]

M, you the man,,, but I'm going to need to refocus my day at this point,,, no offense,, love the discussion always, but I might go get a hair cut today,,,
we are talking kickers here.... kickers... might get a slow fade.

 

[Greasylake17]

That's how I seem to handle most off seasons, my interest with football has naturally become more of a hobby than a true gut passion for a few seasons now, not sure if that's not age related though at this point.
I was one of the fortunate ones, that got to experience several great eras in Cowboys football.

So I'm on board as always,, yay.. go team,,

What I look forward to the most at this point is finishing off this Defense... not sure you ever really can,, I guess Jacksonville has come about as close as a franchise can, at least on paper alone, they have.

This Defense is on a fast track to top elite status, retooled the back 7, still some shuffling going on.
Will Woods and B Jones transition into slot and sub packages exclusively? Which is basically a starting gig, considering that 70 percent of the time there are sub packages used.

OScan days are numbered, and that's called transcending a strength,, that's a huge step forward for not just this Defense but any teams defense, being able to upgrade, talent wise, age, cap, all the intangibles, we did it in one off season.

A true 1 tech, a couple LBs, S... may seem like a lot, but considering the Cap situation this year, finally, and the decent comp picks,, is the defense really that far away from achieving "elite" status?

I respect your opinion and optimism. But i can never see this defense ever being elite when you rely on our best def player to be on the field. Lee will never play a ful season.. He is too unreliable from a health issue. Their depth is not good. So from that fact alone I can never see us being elite. Also we have no doninant safety and not had one since Darren Woodson. So I have zero faith in us being dominant. Im sure we could be improved when these young DB get expierence. But im not feeling it. This defense has been bad for over 20 years

 

[Typhus]

I respect your opinion and optimism. But i can never see this defense ever being elite when you rely on our best def player to be on the field. Lee will never play a ful season.. He is too unreliable from a health issue. Their depth is not good. So from that fact alone I can never see us being elite. Also we have no doninant safety and not had one since Darren Woodson. So I have zero faith in us being dominant. Im sure we could be improved when these young DB get expierence. But im not feeling it. This defense has been bad for over 20 years

But point being that achieving that next level is within grasp, closer than it has been in quite some time.

 

[Hawkeye19]

Under what measure did they finish as a Top 10 defense?

I was happy with the secondary down the stretch, the continued great play from Lawrence, J Smith showing a bit of promise. But I think people overrate how good this defense really is. They need some real help still to be a great defense and I think it starts right up the gut............ they need a legit 1 Tech. They need a real MLB. They need at least one new S.

1 Tech is obvious. S is obvious. MLB is trickier but IMO I think you have to bring a vet MLB in here, a real thumper IMO that gives you a bit of insurance on J. Smith.

I was listening to Talking Cowboys yesterday and Mickey said they finished #8 in total defense. Did not look up the stats myself though...