I wish I could be a casual fan like that.
yah, going by one stat is misleading. And if the Cowboys offense continues to be top notch, then other teams may have to play catch up and be one dimensional. So the run numbers would be lower and passing numbers would be higher.
But I dont agree that stats are meaningless. If the Cowboys are top 10 in all those things, it means we have a good defense. Regardless of whether we win or lose.
I agree!! Martin should be good to go. The other 2 is still a question mark.Probably the best assumption in the OP is that Zack Martin returns to form. He had a calf strain, not reconstructive surgery. I'd be shocked if Martin wasn't his usual dominating self.
The word assumption is defined as “something that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof.”
We all make assumptions. We often assume when someone says something, they mean something that they may actually not mean. (Like my wife for example, LOL!) We may assume that if a work colleague brings his lunch every day, and it’s a ham sandwich, he must love ham. Etc, etc.
In sports, we fans are always making assumptions- some accurate, some not. For example, if a young Cowboys CB has 5 interceptions his rookie season, we immediately assume he will have the same number of INTs or more the next year and many years ahead. Or in a broader sense, if our favorite team goes 13-3 one season, we can assume they will be close to that the next season.
But it’s pretty clear that the NFL is a year to year thing, and many of our football assumptions are inaccurate- positive and negative assumptions. Let’s look at some common assumptions going into this season:
The point here is we all make assumptions about players, coaches, who we will beat on next year’s schedule, etc. But the truth is, many of our assumptions from year to year are wrong. Can’t wait to find out what’s accurate and what’s not.
- Our OL will return to form- Tyron Smith- after neck surgery this last season (when he missed 14 games) many of us fans are assuming he’s going to be back to his normal form. We all assume La’el Collins and Zack Martin will also return to dominant form. Those are hopeful assumptions. If accurate- great! But what if 1 or 2 of those guys aren’t what they once were?
- Mike McCarthy is not a good HC- he did not have a great start as Cowboys HC, making several strategic blunders in key moments last year. The assumption of many is he’s not a good HC. Time will tell of course. But can we assume we know enough about Big Mac at this point? Maybe he’s better than we assume.
- Ezekiel Elliott is in decline- last year was a sub-par year for Zeke. The fumbles, the lack of burst and big plays. The assumption is he was not good last year primarily because of the injuries to our OL. Is that an accurate assumption or just fan hopes?
- Our LBs are terrible- Last year was a bad year for The whole D and LB play was atrocious. The assumption is Jaylon Smith is terrible and un-fixable and LVE is a China doll about to be injured again. Are those accurate assumptions? Maybe. But it’s also possible both can be greatly improved through some better coaching.
- Our defense will take years to fix- this is a common assumption that is understandable. Our D has been talent starved for far too long. Will it take 2-3 years, or will a great draft and some key FA make this year’s defense at least decent?
Most of these guys signed in FA this year are one year rentals.
Strawmanning again.. Just shut up about things others have said.
You see people post things and it’s just an absolute mess when you try to remember what you read.
I meant the stats in a given game, in other words if the other team passes for 400 yards and 3 tds but their defense gives up 500 yards and 4 tds, then for that game their 400/3 stat is meaningless. Stats don't win SBs, winning games does...
Again, true, but what if they mesh with the other players and collectively they are a top defense, or if they have a rejuvenation of their career? Then with the expected cap being back to normal next year the Cowboys could sign them for a multi-year contract and the defense could be a top one.
The whole point is that we don't know what next year will bring, we can no more assume the defense will be average at best than we can they will be the "top" defense...
Do you really think people have forgotten your Dalton love fest? Rest assured I will never let you or the board forget your laughable claims about Dalton outperforming Dak.
"Dalton efficiency" is still one of my favorites.
Isnt it ironic that the "terrible NFC East" didnt help your boy Dalton when he was leading the Cowboys did it? Made you look foolish. ONCE AGAIN your faith is sorely misplaced.
I'll give you this much about assumptions....The word assumption is defined as “something that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof.”
We all make assumptions. We often assume when someone says something, they mean something that they may actually not mean. (Like my wife for example, LOL!) We may assume that if a work colleague brings his lunch every day, and it’s a ham sandwich, he must love ham. Etc, etc.
In sports, we fans are always making assumptions- some accurate, some not. For example, if a young Cowboys CB has 5 interceptions his rookie season, we immediately assume he will have the same number of INTs or more the next year and many years ahead. Or in a broader sense, if our favorite team goes 13-3 one season, we can assume they will be close to that the next season.
But it’s pretty clear that the NFL is a year to year thing, and many of our football assumptions are inaccurate- positive and negative assumptions. Let’s look at some common assumptions going into this season:
The point here is we all make assumptions about players, coaches, who we will beat on next year’s schedule, etc. But the truth is, many of our assumptions from year to year are wrong. Can’t wait to find out what’s accurate and what’s not.
- Our OL will return to form- Tyron Smith- after neck surgery this last season (when he missed 14 games) many of us fans are assuming he’s going to be back to his normal form. We all assume La’el Collins and Zack Martin will also return to dominant form. Those are hopeful assumptions. If accurate- great! But what if 1 or 2 of those guys aren’t what they once were?
- Mike McCarthy is not a good HC- he did not have a great start as Cowboys HC, making several strategic blunders in key moments last year. The assumption of many is he’s not a good HC. Time will tell of course. But can we assume we know enough about Big Mac at this point? Maybe he’s better than we assume.
- Ezekiel Elliott is in decline- last year was a sub-par year for Zeke. The fumbles, the lack of burst and big plays. The assumption is he was not good last year primarily because of the injuries to our OL. Is that an accurate assumption or just fan hopes?
- Our LBs are terrible- Last year was a bad year for The whole D and LB play was atrocious. The assumption is Jaylon Smith is terrible and un-fixable and LVE is a China doll about to be injured again. Are those accurate assumptions? Maybe. But it’s also possible both can be greatly improved through some better coaching.
- Our defense will take years to fix- this is a common assumption that is understandable. Our D has been talent starved for far too long. Will it take 2-3 years, or will a great draft and some key FA make this year’s defense at least decent?
I understand, but "fixed" to me means it will be top-10, and I do think that's possible this year, maybe not likely but possible...
Do you really think people have forgotten your Dalton love fest? Rest assured I will never let you or the board forget your laughable claims about Dalton outperforming Dak.
"Dalton efficiency" is still one of my favorites.
Isnt it ironic that the "terrible NFC East" didnt help your boy Dalton when he was leading the Cowboys did it? Made you look foolish. ONCE AGAIN your faith is sorely misplaced.
Yes!The only assumption I have going into this season is that I will have a good time watching this team regardless of the outcome.
Your Dak was basically 0-4 (unless you want to count the fluke Atl game as a win) and leading the hapless 0-5 Giants by a couple of points late in the 3rd. Yeah, but he had a ton of yards against two of the weakest defenses protecting huge leads and another defense (Clev) protecting a humongous lead.
I wouldn’t be so sure the terrible NFC East would have helped your Dak.
So you’re assuming, aren’t ya?Seriously, Dak coming back, Jarwin coming back, the OL coming back, a new DC, more time for MM to put in his culture, the continued improvement from the young’s on defense, Diggs, Gallimore, Anae. Neal is going to be a big upgrade and a couple of the other free agent signings as well.
Great points. The people who can least afford making assumptions in pro sports are the GMs and front office people making roster/talent decisions...unless your name is Jones.I'll give you this much about assumptions....
We figured/assumed our average-ish defense from 2019 (which DID actually step up that season against better opponents...but that's another topic) would get better in 2020 with a coaching and scheme change, but it was stunningly worse.
We also for some reason figure/assume it can't go in the other direction from here with another scheme/coach change, back to something similar.
Fact is, yes....sports isn't fully predictable by any type of longshot....and folks around here have generally been conditioned to expect the worst.
Doesn't mean we don't hope against odds for the best.
Pretty much. It's easy to assume the defense will be better this year because it really can't get much worse. How better, time will tell.So you’re assuming, aren’t ya?
I do agree with your assumption.