CCBoy
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(title taken from a sports show discussion about Cleveland)
There are quite a few indicators that affect how a team is viewed and how trust of fans is applied to a team.
We all know that change is a requirement for observation and faith given up by media, other teams, and loyal fans. As tasty as an easy schedule; high draft picks over a period of time placed on roster; or projected records as to wins/losses. But these seem more as transient thoughts and not a ton of meat for our ever - present doubters.
In today's football world, the single most dominant feature is a team's quarterback. Here, a quick check of two statistics seems relevant. Probably, the strongest indicators in this arena are the total yardage per pass attempt, and completion percentage.
This pair of stats, will quickly tell one if his quarterback is win relevant, or just a bus driver.
In 2019, when Dak Prescott had the reigns, As to completion percentage, Dak was at 65.1%. Other players, such as Aaron Rogers at 63%; Patrick Mahomes at 65.6%; and Tom Brady at 60.5%, were below that levwl. That is truly ball park relevant. Dak can be seen as very relevant on a current view of Dallas team strength.
As to yardage per pass attempt, for his career, Dak at 6.86, he ranks above Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger and below Patrick Mahomes, Drew Brees, and Deshaun Watson. Another check mark for indicators for leadership.
As to relevancy of the entire team, a season's point differential is a pretty strong indicator for over all team strength. Dak's last full season, 2019, Dallas was 6th in point differential (points scored vs points allowed) +113
This past season, Dallas fell to 25...and there were many reasons, but not having Dak Prescott lead the list.
The Cowboys defense was the leading contributor to losses for this past season. The pandemic was the leading cause for both change and inability, but coaching and player depth were the culprits, here.
The team Defensive Coordinator was changed and this is a major move for the Cowboys...but that will remain to be shown as to degree of contribution.
The Dallas Cowboys needed a lot of work to rebuild their defense this offseason; that was clear after they fielded one of the worst units in team history last year. All three levels needed a boost in talent and the Cowboys went out and added several veterans, as well as most of their draft capital on defense. In a weird twist, it’s highly unlikely all the talent added will make the team come September.
The organization should’ve seen the defensive demise coming. Dallas had been declining on that side of the ball and they continued to make the same mistakes in its construction year after year. The team doesn’t value safety play, has a group of linebackers who can’t stay healthy and didn’t put enough resources into the defensive line.
Failing to address their defensive line with significant talent has been a major part of Dallas’ defensive issues.
Their rivals in the NFC East, the Washington Football Team, won the division in 2020 with one of the best defenses in the league. Washington built their defense around a strong group in the trenches, using four first-round picks on the defensive line in the past five drafts. Prior to the 2021 draft, the WFT used a first-round pick on a defensive lineman in four straight years.
https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/20...ster-building-defensive-line/ref=SiteHype.com
The positional group that should reflect strengthening and supportive depth, are the linebackers. This group now supports: OL Micah Parsons, OL Jaylon Smith, MLB Leighton Vander Esch...and important section contributors in Jabril Cox and Keanu Neal. This should serve as the glue that holds the 2021 defense together. This group can control the run, rush the quarterback, and support in pass defense at a high level as well.
Change can be seen with new additions in free agency as well as from the draft, at point in the secondary as well as the defensive line....but this is still projecting and sounds like another yea...yea...yea.
Here is the missing element, that even Jerry Jones needs to pick up and take to heart... Fans don't go looking at their teams for show room cars so powerful that the muscle car leaves the Little Old Lady from Pasadena's head bounced off her head rest...but for a team that does this...beats good teams.
As with Cleveland, and it's 11 win season...who did they beat to get there?
With a very soft schedule this year, Dallas should also come out with a 10 or 11 win season, but the old stumbling remains to be broken through. Who did you beat?
The first game of the season, is against NFL quality, Tampa Bay. The team had best add another quality secondary and defensive line free agent, and grow from that point in their season. That, or they may be yet another Cleveland Brown team with easy wins, quality players, and little to show come playoff time. Nothing will be there beyond another reckoning with the salary cap and musical chair depth at season's end, yet again.
Tampa Bay has all their starters returning from a Super Bowl team. Dallas better be pushing to play them on equal ground. That is at the start of this upcoming season, not a dream and easy wins.
You actually paying attention to your fans, Jerry...please don't end up after the Play Offs with your own fans asking you, who did YOU beat?
There are quite a few indicators that affect how a team is viewed and how trust of fans is applied to a team.
We all know that change is a requirement for observation and faith given up by media, other teams, and loyal fans. As tasty as an easy schedule; high draft picks over a period of time placed on roster; or projected records as to wins/losses. But these seem more as transient thoughts and not a ton of meat for our ever - present doubters.
In today's football world, the single most dominant feature is a team's quarterback. Here, a quick check of two statistics seems relevant. Probably, the strongest indicators in this arena are the total yardage per pass attempt, and completion percentage.
This pair of stats, will quickly tell one if his quarterback is win relevant, or just a bus driver.
In 2019, when Dak Prescott had the reigns, As to completion percentage, Dak was at 65.1%. Other players, such as Aaron Rogers at 63%; Patrick Mahomes at 65.6%; and Tom Brady at 60.5%, were below that levwl. That is truly ball park relevant. Dak can be seen as very relevant on a current view of Dallas team strength.
As to yardage per pass attempt, for his career, Dak at 6.86, he ranks above Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger and below Patrick Mahomes, Drew Brees, and Deshaun Watson. Another check mark for indicators for leadership.
As to relevancy of the entire team, a season's point differential is a pretty strong indicator for over all team strength. Dak's last full season, 2019, Dallas was 6th in point differential (points scored vs points allowed) +113
This past season, Dallas fell to 25...and there were many reasons, but not having Dak Prescott lead the list.
The Cowboys defense was the leading contributor to losses for this past season. The pandemic was the leading cause for both change and inability, but coaching and player depth were the culprits, here.
The team Defensive Coordinator was changed and this is a major move for the Cowboys...but that will remain to be shown as to degree of contribution.
The Dallas Cowboys needed a lot of work to rebuild their defense this offseason; that was clear after they fielded one of the worst units in team history last year. All three levels needed a boost in talent and the Cowboys went out and added several veterans, as well as most of their draft capital on defense. In a weird twist, it’s highly unlikely all the talent added will make the team come September.
The organization should’ve seen the defensive demise coming. Dallas had been declining on that side of the ball and they continued to make the same mistakes in its construction year after year. The team doesn’t value safety play, has a group of linebackers who can’t stay healthy and didn’t put enough resources into the defensive line.
Failing to address their defensive line with significant talent has been a major part of Dallas’ defensive issues.
Their rivals in the NFC East, the Washington Football Team, won the division in 2020 with one of the best defenses in the league. Washington built their defense around a strong group in the trenches, using four first-round picks on the defensive line in the past five drafts. Prior to the 2021 draft, the WFT used a first-round pick on a defensive lineman in four straight years.
https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/20...ster-building-defensive-line/ref=SiteHype.com
The positional group that should reflect strengthening and supportive depth, are the linebackers. This group now supports: OL Micah Parsons, OL Jaylon Smith, MLB Leighton Vander Esch...and important section contributors in Jabril Cox and Keanu Neal. This should serve as the glue that holds the 2021 defense together. This group can control the run, rush the quarterback, and support in pass defense at a high level as well.
Change can be seen with new additions in free agency as well as from the draft, at point in the secondary as well as the defensive line....but this is still projecting and sounds like another yea...yea...yea.
Here is the missing element, that even Jerry Jones needs to pick up and take to heart... Fans don't go looking at their teams for show room cars so powerful that the muscle car leaves the Little Old Lady from Pasadena's head bounced off her head rest...but for a team that does this...beats good teams.
As with Cleveland, and it's 11 win season...who did they beat to get there?
With a very soft schedule this year, Dallas should also come out with a 10 or 11 win season, but the old stumbling remains to be broken through. Who did you beat?
The first game of the season, is against NFL quality, Tampa Bay. The team had best add another quality secondary and defensive line free agent, and grow from that point in their season. That, or they may be yet another Cleveland Brown team with easy wins, quality players, and little to show come playoff time. Nothing will be there beyond another reckoning with the salary cap and musical chair depth at season's end, yet again.
Tampa Bay has all their starters returning from a Super Bowl team. Dallas better be pushing to play them on equal ground. That is at the start of this upcoming season, not a dream and easy wins.
You actually paying attention to your fans, Jerry...please don't end up after the Play Offs with your own fans asking you, who did YOU beat?
