An Elite defense with Dak could be enough

[RonnieT24]

Give us a top 5 Defense and top 5 Offense and we will be good till the playoffs. At that point all the teams are pretty even. You need a good game plan and coaching to put your players in position to make plays. Get your star and most talented player the ball or around the ball. That’s where we suffer. Coaches like Moore have to improve. I thought Quinn let garapilo off the hook in the playoff game. He should have been treated like we treated heinkle when we played the wft. They were coming off of a win streak when we played them the first time. We pressured him and never gave him a chance to make plays. Made him look terrible both times. we spied garapilo more than bringing heat. Of course we had to deal with there run game but passing downs we should have been all over him.

While I mostly agree with your synopsis of how we should have handled Garapolo the fact of the matter is as long as they were averaging 7 ypc on the ground we were never going to be able to put him in "obvious passing situations." I mean they attempted 25 passes and ran it 38. And again for like a 5 ypc clip. Several times even when the Cowboys stopped them on first down and brought 2nd and long the 49ers ran it on 2nd down anyway. Shanahan knew what he needed to do to win the game.. more importantly he knew what he COULD NOT do which was get caught leaving it up to Garapolo. So he didn't. Our OC could learn a lot from that... Figure out what you need to do to win the damn game during the week.. and quit wasting entire halves feeling out the defense. I have long been critical of how he starts games.. SO friggin passive and so obviously "feeling things out" rather than attacking what film study should have shown to be favorable matchups.

 

[Brax]

Just because it’s not changing doesn’t mean we can’t still hold him responsible .

It’s arguably the core reason we haven’t had more success this era regardless the QB or HC we’ve had. And we can’t just tire of the basic cause and look to blame other results of his poor management.

But to expect Dak to perform at the same level of those Elite QB’s you mentioned says it all.

Cowboys need a more 49er type defense that only gives up 17.10 and 20 points in the playoffs. That would provide us a much better opportunity to advance deeper cause we are also going to face tougher defenses which will slow us down.

You are paid as one you need to perform like one it's not like the O is lacking very good talent. Jerry is responsible and I would bet he would tell you that, but it doesn't matter win draw or lose he holds all the cards and that isn't changing and you or anyone else isn't going to make any impact on his whims.

 

[Miller]

What do you consider "Elite" at the QB position? Give us some names...

What did Aaron Rodgers accomplish last season, especially during the playoffs? Isn't he considered "Elite" by most?

How about Russell Wilson? Isn't he another QB who has been considered "Elite"? What has happened to him the past several seasons?

What about Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray or DeShaun Watson? Aren't they considered "Elite" and better than Dak by many, especially by the anti-Dakkers in this forum? What happened to those "Elite" QBs?

How about Tom Brady? Isn't he the picture perfection of what one should consider "Elite"? Isn't he the G.O.A.T.??? What happened to him last season during the playoffs?

My point is that Dak is easily a Top 10 QB. Dak definitely has the talent to help lead the Cowboys farther into the playoffs and possibly to any championship game, but like any other so-called "Elite" QB, they need an "Elite" Offense and/or Defense, plus coaching, to help lead these "Elite" QBs to any championship game or Super Bowl.

I’m with you on much of this but there is some built on excuses in there. We have given him
Weapons. According to many here we have a good O coordinator. D does need to be better but Dak kind of wet the bed late season/playoffs. Heck the whole team did. The whole comparison thing is hard for me. All those guys are elite and have won something are go deep later. We are stuck in neutral. He takes part of that blame. Agree we need more to help but overall he needs to be better. I will say after a healthy off season I expect a dang good year for him.

 

[KJJ]

An elite defense would have been enough with Romo. Had we had an elite defense in 07 and 2014 we might have won the Super Bowl. Had we had an elite defense in 2016 we might have added another Super Bowl. I don’t see us having an “elite” defense in 2022. We haven’t had an elite defense since 92 and 93. Our defense still has a long way to go to be championship caliber. Look no further than the loss to San Francisco in the playoffs.

 

[KJJ]

We don’t need an “elite” defense we just need a real good, consistent defense that can raise their level of play in the playoffs and make critical stops. We need to be stout against the run and improve our pass rush. These are two areas that continue to kill us in the playoffs. Either we get road graded or an elite QB dissects us. We need to get more physical on defense. You’re not going win in the playoffs with your DL being dominated.

 

[Diehardblues]

You are paid as one you need to perform like one it's not like the O is lacking very good talent. Jerry is responsible and I would bet he would tell you that, but it doesn't matter win draw or lose he holds all the cards and that isn't changing and you or anyone else isn't going to make any impact on his whims.

So, since Jethro overpaid our QB like an Elite QB he must perform like an Elite QB even if we know Jethro is an idiot.
Ok then lol

Amazing how some fans will admit our owner is the core problem but won’t hold him responsible because he can’t be replaced. Absurd.

 

[Brax]

So, since Jethro overpaid our QB like an Elite QB he must perform like an Elite QB even if we know Jethro is an idiot.
Ok then lol

Amazing how some fans will admit our owner is the core problem but won’t hold him responsible because he can’t be replaced. Absurd.

And again your solution? You watch the games, support them most likely go to some. Let us know when you are buying the team, if not it’s absurd to expect Jerry to worry about what you or anyone thinks, right or wrong he owns the team he’s accountable as I stated but you still haven’t given your solution because you don’t have one and there isn’t one this is just arguing and hyperbole on your part.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

The thing about Dak is that his journey has been so different than most of those other guys on that "elite" list. In that he basically began his preparation to play NFL QB when he came to the Cowboys. Nothing he did in college really (thanks Dan Mullen) translated to the NFL. So he pretty much had to start from scratch in his development. That's what gets me excited about him. Realistically his QB development is where a "normal" QB would be in about year 2 in the NFL. What he showed in 2020 before the injury and again in 2021 before the injury lead me to believe that he's closer to reaching that level than many would like to admit. Now obviously he's got to quit getting hurt and keep playing at the pre-injury level when he comes back if he does get hurt, but the last 10 fully healthy games I've seen of him are enough for me to believe that if we keep him healthy we can go back to just hoping for a top 10-ish defense and we will be fine.

But check out these numbers.. In his last 10 games that he finished standing before the ankle in 2020 and the calf in 2021.. Dak Prescott has five 400 yard games including one 500 yard game, seven 3 TD games including two 4 TD games, 6 games of at least 70% completion rate and 2 games of at least 80%!!! (and a partridge in a pear tree) If we can get that dude for 20 games we WILL win the Super Bowl, almost regardless of the defense. No one can predict injuries.. but I have a really good feeling about these next 5 years with Dak Prescott. That's why another #1 pick for an offensive lineman was a good investment for the Cowboys. Keep this guy healthy and he will get you to the promised land.

OMG......Yes, Santa I was a Dak lover.....

 

[G2]

And again your solution? You watch the games, support them most likely go to some. Let us know when you are buying the team, if not it’s absurd to expect Jerry to worry about what you or anyone thinks, right or wrong he owns the team he’s accountable as I stated but you still haven’t given your solution because you don’t have one and there isn’t one this is just arguing and hyperbole on your part.

I agree. There are varying degrees of fanhood, but ultimately it's a silly hobby none of us have any real impact on.

 

[KJJ]

The Cowboys have only had “elite” defenses a few times in their history, the Doomsday defense of the 70s and the 92 and 93 defense that was ranked number one and lived up to that ranking in the playoffs and Super Bowl.

 

[mattjames2010]

A lot of QBs would be "enough" with a truly elite defense. Problem is, especially in today's league, putting together an elite defense is freakin' tough. It's even tougher to keep that elite defense around for more than a season or two.

Look how quickly the legion of boom and 2015 broncos D faded.

 

[Diehardblues]

And again your solution? You watch the games, support them most likely go to some. Let us know when you are buying the team, if not it’s absurd to expect Jerry to worry about what you or anyone thinks, right or wrong he owns the team he’s accountable as I stated but you still haven’t given your solution because you don’t have one and there isn’t one this is just arguing and hyperbole on your part.

That’s the problem. There really isn’t a solution with Jethro. Not as long as he’s alive. I waved my white flag years ago,

Blaming this toxic atmosphere and dysfunctional situation on the ones he’s assembled diverts the responsibility from him.

We’d all love to have one of the Elite QB’s, a great defense , a HC who isn’t undermined and a normal GM. But those aren’t real possibilities at this time . And why we are at such a distinct disadvantage to overcome.

It’s only because of some of the talent he has mustered up which keeps us relevant and interesting which in his own words are his priority.

Not many fans of the other 32 franchises would want to trade owners and our dysfunctional situation. It’s not a model for success on the football field.

 

[Reid1boys]

An Elite defense could set up the offense for more points or score themselves.

Not sure why Elite defenses aren’t more attractive this era?

The rules won't allow it. I bet if I went back to the 85 bears and watched their games, I would find 4 to7 penalties each week for hitting the qb high, low it late alone. That's not even counting all the illegal hits they'd have on WRS. The good defense today flat get after the qb. Its not like teams aren't trying. Saying teams aren't trying to get elite defense is like saying they aren't trying to get elite qbs. Its damn hard.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

That’s the problem. There really isn’t a solution with Jethro. Not as long as he’s alive. I waved my white flag years ago,

Blaming this toxic atmosphere and dysfunctional situation on the ones he’s assembled diverts the responsibility from him.

We’d all love to have one of the Elite QB’s, a great defense , a HC who isn’t undermined and a normal GM. But those aren’t real possibilities at this time . And why we are at such a distinct disadvantage to overcome.

It’s only because of some of the talent he has mustered up which keeps us relevant and interesting which in his own words are his priority.

Not many fans of the other 32 franchises would want to trade owners and our dysfunctional situation. It’s not a model for success on the football field.

Blah Blah Blah Blah.......we paid 160 million for a QB and YA I expect him for that price tag to be ELITE!!!!!
Now post some more BLAH BLAH BLAH and more BLAH!!!

 

[Flamma]

The NFL would disagree with you. And that’s who I’m aligning with.

Points can be scored on offense, defense and special teams. Yards gained translates to moving the chains , time of possession and more opportunity to score while not providing opponent as much opportunity.

Points not as certain of measurement . And I imagine why the league hasn’t changed. That said points are definitely an important factor much like turnovers are.

That's exactly what I thought as well. But now I'm not so sure. Did you think the Panthers D was any good last year? I didn't. Nothing to write home about. Their points allowed would also agree. Yards allowed has them as the 2nd best defense.

Yards allowed has its flaws too. How often are the Panthers blowing a team out and just sitting back in the 4th? Not often. So they're not giving up those junk yards.

 

[Diehardblues]

That's exactly what I thought as well. But now I'm not so sure. Did you think the Panthers D was any good last year? I didn't. Nothing to write home about. Their points allowed would also agree. Yards allowed has them as the 2nd best defense.

Yards allowed has its flaws too. How often are the Panthers blowing a team out and just sitting back in the 4th? Not often. So they're not giving up those junk yards.

I didn’t follow the Panthers much last year. I think they started off well and were 3-0 when they faced us but then their QB I think got hurt or was benched and they never really covered.

There’s always contributing factors like points and turnovers. But there’s a well established reason the NFL official rankings are based on yards.

Top defenses without an offense probably aren’t going to have much success.

 

[Diehardblues]

The rules won't allow it. I bet if I went back to the 85 bears and watched their games, I would find 4 to7 penalties each week for hitting the qb high, low it late alone. That's not even counting all the illegal hits they'd have on WRS. The good defense today flat get after the qb. Its not like teams aren't trying. Saying teams aren't trying to get elite defense is like saying they aren't trying to get elite qbs. Its damn hard.

Your right . The Cap won’t allow to maintain one. But you could build it thru 3 or 4 maybe 5 stellar drafts paying Rookie salaries. Maybe make 1 or 2 FA additions if needed.

So , your window for success is limited. Much like we saw with Elite defenses this Cap era with Tampa, Baltimore , Seattle and Denver.

 

[CowboyRoy]

While I mostly agree with your synopsis of how we should have handled Garapolo the fact of the matter is as long as they were averaging 7 ypc on the ground we were never going to be able to put him in "obvious passing situations." I mean they attempted 25 passes and ran it 38. And again for like a 5 ypc clip. Several times even when the Cowboys stopped them on first down and brought 2nd and long the 49ers ran it on 2nd down anyway. Shanahan knew what he needed to do to win the game.. more importantly he knew what he COULD NOT do which was get caught leaving it up to Garapolo. So he didn't. Our OC could learn a lot from that... Figure out what you need to do to win the damn game during the week.. and quit wasting entire halves feeling out the defense. I have long been critical of how he starts games.. SO friggin passive and so obviously "feeling things out" rather than attacking what film study should have shown to be favorable matchups.

Agreed. And you take the 7 ypc for the niners with us averaging 2.6 and you have the game wrapped up right there.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

Your right . The Cap won’t allow to maintain one. But you could build it thru 3 or 4 maybe 5 stellar drafts paying Rookie salaries. Maybe make 1 or 2 FA additions if needed.

So , your window for success is limited. Much like we saw with Elite defenses this Cap era with Tampa, Baltimore , Seattle and Denver.

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[CowboyRoy]

Your right . The Cap won’t allow to maintain one. But you could build it thru 3 or 4 maybe 5 stellar drafts paying Rookie salaries. Maybe make 1 or 2 FA additions if needed.

So , your window for success is limited. Much like we saw with Elite defenses this Cap era with Tampa, Baltimore , Seattle and Denver.

The reason the cowboys don’t have an elite D is because of terrible draft picks not a salary cap.