Are The Dallas Cowboys a Team On The Decline?

[PJTHEDOORS]

? I don't understand this comment. Of the starters that played for Jimmy, I can only remember 3 of them being on the roster prior to Jimmy's first year (Irvin, Newton, Tuinei). The only other Landry era player that I remember playing for Jimmy in the winning years was Bill Bates. I guess Herschel Walker would be also be included in a list of Landry era players that were beneficial to Jimmy's team.

Don't forget Jim Jeffcoat. Played for Dallas 1983-1994.

 

[ShiningStar]

I typically don’t care about what the mainstream media says about the Dallas Cowboys. I try my best to avoid the negativity that comes from much of the national media that is directed towards the team. But every once in a while I stumble upon an article that makes me want to pull my hair out with each and every word.

Evan Silva of Rotoworld.com recently wrote a piece about the best rosters in the NFL and ranked them from 1-32. Silva, whose opinion I respect, ranked the Cowboys with the 21st best overall roster in the league. And the ranking itself isn’t even what infuriated me. It was the last two lines he wrote about the Cowboys roster:

“The Cowboys’ talent is mediocre and their roster planning seems to lack direction. The arrow is pointing downward on this team.”

The talent is mediocre? The arrow is pointing downward on this team? I could not disagree more with this statement.

Read the rest at: http://thelandryhat.com/2013/05/19/i...allas-cowboys/

are the Giants a team on the decline? GB?

 

[ghst187]

Decline from what....? That's almost like saying the '85 Bears are in decline.
We've been trapped in mediocrity for nearly two decades, save one good year where we went 13-3 and lost our only playoff game to the eventual champions.
We've had our chances a few times but we've never committed to the OL or DL and it has cost us. We've had decent skill players on and off for a long time but either horrid QB'ing or poor OL ended up killing us. I'd say we, as a franchise, are DEFINITELY trending upwards. We now have a solid cadre of skill players and the POSSIBILITY of a decent OL this year. I get the sense that Garrett is indeed building something and has brought some semblance of a true PLAN to craft a winner. One thing you can point to about all the winners in recent past is that they had solid OLs and elite or near elite QBs. As maligned as Romo has been, the last time he had the combo of a decent OL and solid RB was the year he gave us 13-3. Where I'd rank our team parts:
QB: upper middle of the pack, I think he's good enough to win it all given an outstanding OL and RB
RBs: top 15 with a chance to go top 10 if Randle shows us something. Demarco is healthy for a full season and he's easily top 5.
WRs: top 5 cadre when healthy which may get better with TW and an improving Harris
TE: top 10 on Witten alone, if Escobar is a player we could be top 5 easily
OL: Bottom 10 but with good health, a new C, and a Leary could move us into the middle of the pack. They will have to for us to compete.
DL: bottom middle of the pack with tons of uncertainty right now with the 4-3 conversion
DEs: Think Ware and Spencer could easily be a top 5 tandem
LB: Carter and Lee are easily a top 5 LB duo but the third part is an unknown right now.
CBs: Top 10 pair which may have good depth if Webb pans out as expected and competes for the 3/4 spot
S: bottom 5, totally unproven as to whether they can even play in the NFL let alone back a strong defense
K: top 10 easily, Bailey is money

Overall, we're in decent shape except some of our biggest ?s are at the second and third most critical positions on the team: OL and DL. With a strong commitment to the OL and DL the next few off seasons, we should easily be in the mix for years to come. Overall, I can't see how we're not trending upwards...sure some of our big names are getting old but we also have some real rising stars.

 

[ShiningStar]

Decline from what....? That's almost like saying the '85 Bears are in decline.
We've been trapped in mediocrity for nearly two decades, save one good year where we went 13-3 and lost our only playoff game to the eventual champions.
We've had our chances a few times but we've never committed to the OL or DL and it has cost us. We've had decent skill players on and off for a long time but either horrid QB'ing or poor OL ended up killing us. I'd say we, as a franchise, are DEFINITELY trending upwards. We now have a solid cadre of skill players and the POSSIBILITY of a decent OL this year. I get the sense that Garrett is indeed building something and has brought some semblance of a true PLAN to craft a winner. One thing you can point to about all the winners in recent past is that they had solid OLs and elite or near elite QBs. As maligned as Romo has been, the last time he had the combo of a decent OL and solid RB was the year he gave us 13-3. Where I'd rank our team parts:
QB: upper middle of the pack, I think he's good enough to win it all given an outstanding OL and RB
RBs: top 15 with a chance to go top 10 if Randle shows us something. Demarco is healthy for a full season and he's easily top 5.
WRs: top 5 cadre when healthy which may get better with TW and an improving Harris
TE: top 10 on Witten alone, if Escobar is a player we could be top 5 easily
OL: Bottom 10 but with good health, a new C, and a Leary could move us into the middle of the pack. They will have to for us to compete.
DL: bottom middle of the pack with tons of uncertainty right now with the 4-3 conversion
DEs: Think Ware and Spencer could easily be a top 5 tandem
LB: Carter and Lee are easily a top 5 LB duo but the third part is an unknown right now.
CBs: Top 10 pair which may have good depth if Webb pans out as expected and competes for the 3/4 spot
S: bottom 5, totally unproven as to whether they can even play in the NFL let alone back a strong defense
K: top 10 easily, Bailey is money

Overall, we're in decent shape except some of our biggest ?s are at the second and third most critical positions on the team: OL and DL. With a strong commitment to the OL and DL the next few off seasons, we should easily be in the mix for years to come. Overall, I can't see how we're not trending upwards...sure some of our big names are getting old but we also have some real rising stars.

this is all true, BECAUSE had we invested in the lines than that WOULD create Patrick Crayton to catching the ball against the Giants and we would have won. Wait whut? No that WOULDNT HAVE HELPED WHAT SO EVER.

Okay but maybe during the Seattle game had the line been better than Witten would have obviously made the first down and we would have won. wait no, that doesnt work either.

Oh well its been the lines holding us back. Facts people facts. SOMEONE told us we have no invested in teh line and THats been holding us back from winning it all.

 

[EJ Blue]

Doesn't there need to be an incline in order for a decline to happen?

 

[Slamman]

this is all true, BECAUSE had we invested in the lines than that WOULD create Patrick Crayton to catching the ball against the Giants and we would have won. Wait whut? No that WOULDNT HAVE HELPED WHAT SO EVER.

Okay but maybe during the Seattle game had the line been better than Witten would have obviously made the first down and we would have won. wait no, that doesnt work either.

Oh well its been the lines holding us back. Facts people facts. SOMEONE told us we have no invested in teh line and THats been holding us back from winning it all.

The Boys had the worst rushing attack in team history in 2012 and the OL allowed 36 sacks despite having one of the most elusive QBs in the NFL with perhaps the fastest release of any QB in the NFL. I'm pretty sure the OL was holding something back... Speaking of holding, they were also one of the most penalized units in the NFL.

 

[ShiningStar]

Doesn't there need to be an incline in order for a decline to happen?

no just a bar, if you are an 8-8 team for 3 years and than go 6-10 thats a decline. could be from many many many many many factors, and than next year you can go 7-9 and win the SB. Is that an incline? Some people would say yes.

 

[Alexander]

We have missed the playoffs 3 straight years, so what exactly are we declining from?

There is still a mainstream belief that this is an underachieving roster capable of contention.

 

[CATCH17]

You don't trade or let go of a dez Bryant. Period.

Probably not but if you can't build a good oline and Dline through the draft than you can't spin your money on corners, inside linebackers, and receivers.

Protecting, pressuring, and having a quarterback needs to be our top priority.

Until it is we'll just be mediocre with or without Dez Bryant, Brandon Carr, and whoever else plays away from the LOS.

 

[ShiningStar]

The Boys had the worst rushing attack in team history in 2012 and the OL allowed 36 sacks despite having one of the most elusive QBs in the NFL with perhaps the fastest release of any QB in the NFL. I'm pretty sure the OL was holding something back... Speaking of holding, they were also one of the most penalized units in the NFL.

yet one game away from the playoffs, actually 1 bad turnover, how did the OL create that?

Had an interception done this or a run did that or a ref done the right call the season is changed, how does either line cause you to win or lose with so many factors involved?

 

[CyberB0b]

yet one game away from the playoffs, actually 1 bad turnover, how did the OL create that?

Had an interception done this or a run did that or a ref done the right call the season is changed, how does either line cause you to win or lose with so many factors involved?

Did you even watch the game? They blitzed non stop and the blocking never held.

 

[ShiningStar]

Did you even watch the game? They blitzed non stop and the blocking never held.

any team will blitz and create the OL to bend, thats the will of the blitz. My question is "is it always the lines?" no its not, but because some people get an opinion, they run with it. Frankily I think the Oline was getting better under Callahan, not just the talent of the line. Im hoping with Travis, it will get better, but we will see first. In order to make a line good, you have to have a good coach. See the Giants Oline and a few others.

 

[blackbull]

Probably not but if you can't build a good oline and Dline through the draft than you can't spin your money on corners, inside linebackers, and receivers.

Protecting, pressuring, and having a quarterback needs to be our top priority.

Until it is we'll just be mediocre with or without Dez Bryant, Brandon Carr, and whoever else plays away from the LOS.

I agree, I'm just saying in this nfl you need a top flight wr to win. You don't need two pro bowl linebackers. Id wait until this year plays out before resigning Lee.

 

[Eskimo]

Probably not but if you can't build a good oline and Dline through the draft than you can't spin your money on corners, inside linebackers, and receivers.

Protecting, pressuring, and having a quarterback needs to be our top priority.

Until it is we'll just be mediocre with or without Dez Bryant, Brandon Carr, and whoever else plays away from the LOS.

I kind of disagree with you here. Having a truly elite type talent at an offensive skill player can definitely make up for a lack of talent on the OL. It can make defenses back out of 8-man fronts which helps the running game and it can make defenses hesitant to blitz which gives the QB a bit of extra time to survey the field.

I do generally agree that without a certain minimal level of talent along the OL the offense is going to be doomed no matter how much skill we have on the roster. I also do agree that our OL was so bad last year that it dictated our gameplan most of the year which let defenses really play us aggressively. For example, they know they didn't have to worry much about our running game with or without Murray. The defenses also knew they would be able to generate pressure without blitzing so the DBs could play tight and not worry as much about double moves.

Having said all that, I think if Smith picks up where he left off, TFred plays at an average level this season, Costa picks up where he left off and Parnell/Free reduplicate their play in the last 3 weeks of the season our OL will be much improved. I've still been playing around in my head with this OL:

Tyron TFred Bern Livings/Costa Parnell

It let's TFred adjust to the NFL for a year before playing Center. It let's Costa get away from Center where he was always at a disadvantage with snapping the ball and then getting his short arms in position to block. It let's Bern play his best position last year as he seems to be incredibly slow to react to the snap which is where much of his problems came from. At Center he snaps and is right into his blocking.

Having said that I know it is much more likely to look like this:

Tyron Livings TFred Bern/Costa/Leary Free/Parnell

 

[CATCH17]

I agree, I'm just saying in this nfl you need a top flight wr to win. You don't need two pro bowl linebackers. Id wait until this year plays out before resigning Lee.

I don't even think you need a top flight receiver. You just need a good Quarterback and a group receivers that know their assignment.

 

[blackbull]

I don't even think you need a top flight receiver. You just need a good Quarterback and a group receivers that know their assignment.

Anquan boldins don't grow on trees. Neither do victor Cruz's. Niners and skins got away with it because of their running qbs. Pats are the other exception. Unless our defense is going to be that great.

 

[Eskimo]

I don't even think you need a top flight receiver. You just need a good Quarterback and a group receivers that know their assignment.

That's a situation that is hard to defend because who has that situation outside of Tom Brady. Brady wasn't some offensive wizard who broke scoring records until he got talent. In 2006-9 the keys were Randy Moss and Wes Welker. From 2010 on the key has really been Welker, Gronk and Hernandez and a decent running attack led by no-name RBs. You can't underestimate the significance of having 2 All-Pro options in the receiving game even if one is a slot receiver and the other is a TE. Brady is definitely not bereft of talent in his receiving core.

Other than that situation I can't think of a great QB who put up major production without good receivers. It may be true that with a great OL and a great QB you don't need elite receivers to have a potent offense but it certainly helps.

 

[CATCH17]

That's a situation that is hard to defend because who has that situation outside of Tom Brady. Brady wasn't some offensive wizard who broke scoring records until he got talent. In 2006-9 the keys were Randy Moss and Wes Welker. From 2010 on the key has really been Welker, Gronk and Hernandez and a decent running attack led by no-name RBs. You can't underestimate the significance of having 2 All-Pro options in the receiving game even if one is a slot receiver and the other is a TE. Brady is definitely not bereft of talent in his receiving core.

Other than that situation I can't think of a great QB who put up major production without good receivers. It may be true that with a great OL and a great QB you don't need elite receivers to have a potent offense but it certainly helps.

I'm not saying you don't need some talent out wide but the position is kind of overrated when you think about spending a ton of money on these guys.

A good QB will make average receivers look better than they actually are. Protecting a good QB just enhances it even more.

Plus receivers are a dime a dozen. Almost every team has quality receivers and if the receivers are viewed as not very good than it probably has something to do with the guy throwing the ball.

 

[DFWJC]

Did you even watch the game? They blitzed non stop and the blocking never held.

I agree

They got to Romo early and often.
Early in the second half they really crushed him on one play. It didn't break his ribs but he was busted up pretty bad for the rest of that game.

Then when BOTH Dez and Miles went down. Even then, they still maanaged a TD pass to Ogletree and a 2 point conversion to Harris. Then even Harris even went down. lol

Toward the end, there were no real WR options left. A total mismatch. With no run game, it wasalmost comical how impossible the situation was becoming.

 

[CATCH17]

Did you even watch the game? They blitzed non stop and the blocking never held.

IF we're talking about the Skins game the playcalling was part of the problem.

We were max protecting most of the game with 2 receivers in route.

The Skins were jamming our 2 guys at the LOS and just bringing the house. The middle of the field was wide open all night but Jason never adjusted.


We should've gone 5 wide and got the ball out quick and exposed the middle of the field if they dare blitz.

Instead we just let them dictate what we did the whole night and we lost to a team that couldn't execute a forward pass because of our conservative playcalling.

It takes a lot of time for receivers to get off that kind of jam when the refs are letting them play the way they were.