Bold and not so bold prediction time

[blindzebra]

1. We are going to keep a lot of bubble players that play special teams over more experienced players.

In: Crowder, Copper, Barber and Thompson

Out: Morgan and Thomas


2. Fear of losing his big players on waivers to make the practice squad again spells doom for a vets.

In: Ratliff and Johnson

Out: Carson

3. Parcells will again flip his back up QBs. He's seen some good and enough bad out of both of them to make having a 16 game #2 impossible.

4. Ferguson's ankle and conditioning will plague us the entire season and he will be a non-factor in our defense. Because of this we will rely on the versatility of our young guys to play multiple spots. Ware DE/OLB, Canty, Spears, and Ratliff DE/DT.

5. We will have a top 15 offense, a top 10 defense, and be top 5 in combined special teams.

6. Youth will not carry the day to a deep playoff run, but we will show improvement in a lot of areas and be in every game we play. Another solid draft and offseason will put us in position in 2006.

 

[AsthmaField]

14. Ferguson's ankle and conditioning will plague us the entire season and he will be a non-factor in our defense.

I don't think his ankle is going to be any kind of an issue. He's going to be a BIG factor in our defense. He'll draw double teams all season long from the nose tackle position.

Call that a prediction if you want to.

 

[aikemirv]

Ferguson's is a high ankle sprain, which do seem to take a lot of time, but they are not taking any chances and he has 18 days to 1st game -he should be alright.

Thompson, if he does not show inside running ability will be sent to PS IMO, because I don't think he is very good at KR.

 

[Big Country]

His conditioning is not an issue period bz... he has had contractual obligations toward that subject, and Parcells will not allow it...

I don't think his ankle will be an issue however...

 

[Fletch]

His conditioning is not an issue period bz... he has had contractual obligations toward that subject, and Parcells will not allow it...

I don't think his ankle will be an issue however...

Agreed aardvark! Ferguson is merely being held out for precautionary measures. And it is very much like Parcells to play it out to the media, in hopes Ferguson gets the message and gets his butt back on the field.

Parcells allready knows what Ferguson brings to the table. Heck, the entire NFL does. But the good news of today is that Spears is back and practicing. He is going to play a major role in our defensive line rotation. I bet he plays at least the 4th quarter of the Texans game this coming Saturday.

blindzebra, I will take the younger guys you have mentioned over guys like Leo Carson. Carson has hit his ceiling, and is merely a role player at best. Experience doesn't necessarily translate into more talent. These young guys coming in have more talent and their ceiling is much higher.

The backup QB position is what it is. Nothing spectacular as neither Romo or Henson has really seperated themselves from one another, giving Parcells another week to want to look at the backup spot.

2005 will have some ups and downs. But more ups than most in here are counting on. And look out, 2006 bodes well for these Cowboys. I see contenders.

 

[DBoys]

If Thompson hits the practice squad he will be gobbled up as will Pepper

 

[aikemirv]

If Thompson hits the practice squad he will be gobbled up as will Pepper

If he does not show any inside running ability he won't.

 

[joseephuss]

Anthony Thomas will make the team. Barber's little surgury assures that. Dallas needs an experienced back up and A-train is that.

I like the crew that has been assembled at running back this season. Obviously, after laster year Julius is the guy and I am excited about that. I have more confidence in Thomas as the back up than Eddie George last year. He is still young and useful and he is familiar with being a back up. Barber looks like he can help this team. Thompson is raw, but he has a great combination of size and speed. I don't think any other team would grab him for their active roster based on his limited playing time in the Arizona game, but he should have plenty of opportunities to show something in the next two games.

I would not have thought it before training camp, but it does look like 4 backs will be carried into the season. I have no problem with that.

 

[Banned_n_austin]

Anthony Thomas will make the team. Barber's little surgury assures that. Dallas needs an experienced back up and A-train is that.

I like the crew that has been assembled at running back this season. Obviously, after laster year Julius is the guy and I am excited about that. I have more confidence in Thomas as the back up than Eddie George last year. He is still young and useful and he is familiar with being a back up. Barber looks like he can help this team. Thompson is raw, but he has a great combination of size and speed. I don't think any other team would grab him for their active roster based on his limited playing time in the Arizona game, but he should have plenty of opportunities to show something in the next two games.

I would not have thought it before training camp, but it does look like 4 backs will be carried into the season. I have no problem with that.

I think Barber may be out ...

I'm thinking the backs are going to look like this ... (key word "thinking) ... Jones, Thomas, Thompson, Polite ... too much roster space to keep 4 HB's ..

 

[Future]

Drew Henson will be released or traded, that is my prediction.

As for special teams rankings, we still can't return punts or kickoffs. We will be average at best, with decent coverage

 

[The30YardSlant]

I predict that the Henson excuses and denial of his unmatched suckage will continue until the day Henson dies, at which time the claims will be "Well, if the tombstone was a little bigger, he would have completed that pass"

 

[joseephuss]

I think Barber may be out ...

I'm thinking the backs are going to look like this ... (key word "thinking) ... Jones, Thomas, Thompson, Polite ... too much roster space to keep 4 HB's ..

Barber is more polished than Thompson. He is more familiar with blocking and receiving. He is learning to return punts and already is a good kick returner. He has a lot of slight advantages over Thompson. Thompson has more of that scary word "potential". It will be a close, tough decision. I just don't see how you cut either, yet neither is ready to step in if Julius gets hurt. That has to be a concern since Julius has only one season under his belt where injuries played a part. That is why A-train sticks around at least for the start of the season. I would hate to cut any of the four at this point.

 

[DBoys]

You don't cut 4th round draft picks.

 

[Cbz40]

1. I think we shop A-Train......go with youth. We keep Jones, Barber, Thompson, Polite

2. Berry-O will make the team......will play both Safety spots probably as backup to Davis & Roy.

3. Keeping to the youth movement ....agree w/BZ......Ratliff and Johnson keepers, Carson gone.

4. The Achilles heel on this team is still the QB position......1, 2, & 3. I do not believe Bledsoe will make it through 16 games.

5. The D will keep us in every game ......and lead the league in take-aways.

6. The D will also lead the league in points off of turnovers.

7. We will finish 9-7 or 10-6

8. Lose the 1st game in the playoffs.

9. 2006.....We finally secure the QB position.......Go to the NFC Championship Game.

10. 2007 QB position and holes in the OL have been patched time for a.Super Bowl

 

[Banned_n_austin]

Barber is more polished than Thompson. He is more familiar with blocking and receiving. He is learning to return punts and already is a good kick returner. He has a lot of slight advantages over Thompson. Thompson has more of that scary word "potential". It will be a close, tough decision. I just don't see how you cut either, yet neither is ready to step in if Julius gets hurt. That has to be a concern since Julius has only one season under his belt where injuries played a part. That is why A-train sticks around at least for the start of the season. I would hate to cut any of the four at this point.

Joseephuss, I understand your concern and your point about the back situation. But here's my assesment on Thompson. He can get to the outside and keep the outside blitz in check because you have to account for his speed. If you don't, he'll burn you. This protects Bledsoe if need be late in the game or up real big or what not ... you have to account for him on the outside.

Julius hasn't shown the outside runs. I'm not sure if that's his thing. I think he has the ability but you don't see him running outside with a whole lot of success. At least last year, almost all of his success were on inside draw plays etc ...

And Thompson does the kick return thing too. I couldn't tell you who is better at it though, Thompson or Barber.

It's a tough call because it is intriguing to keep 4 guys if they can play a role on special teams ... then factor in Polite and it becomes mind boggling.

You could be right though, we could keep 4 backs. I certainly haven't seen enough of Barber to say he'll be cut, but I think someone has to go and that outside speed of Thompson is superb. And that can go a long way.

But I don't think we keep 4 HB's and 1 FB. IMO it's either 3 HB's and 1 FB or 4 HB's. And Polite convinced me we do need a FB this season. And it wasn't just Polite's play, I think we need a FB so we don't become so predictable on offense.

 

[blindzebra]

To me A-Train is Eddie George with a 2nd gear.

All the youngins, including Polite, hit the hole faster.

Barber and Thompson are returning kicks, and both, along with Polite, are on coverage teams as well.

I'm for versatility and upside over experience, especially at the least cerebral position on offense.

 

[Banned_n_austin]

To me A-Train is Eddie George with a 2nd gear.

All the youngins, including Polite, hit the hole faster.

Barber and Thompson are returning kicks, and both, along with Polite, are on coverage teams as well.

I'm for versatility and upside over experience, especially at the least cerebral position on offense.

Yo BZ, if you had to guess, what do you think the HB/FB final roster will look like and why?

I'm now on Polite's bannedwagon, so it's become a difficult perspective from my view point ...

 

[blindzebra]

Yo BZ, if you had to guess, what do you think the HB/FB final roster will look like and why?

I'm now on Polite's bannedwagon, so it's become a difficult perspective from my view point ...

I've been saying for over a week that it's going to be:

RB: Jones, Barber, Thompson

FB: Polite

TE: Witten, Campbell, Pierce/Ryan, Robinson

I think we showcased Thomas Monday to drum up interest to see if we can get a conditional 5th or a 6th or 7th for him.

 

[Banned_n_austin]

I've been saying for over a week that it's going to be:

RB: Jones, Barber, Thompson

FB: Polite

TE: Witten, Campbell, Pierce/Ryan, Robinson

I think we showcased Thomas Monday to drum up interest to see if we can get a conditional 5th or a 6th or 7th for him.

Eh ... So far, I'm not impressed with Barber - so far.

So, I'm curious. Why Barber and not Thomas?

 

[blindzebra]

Eh ... So far, I'm not impressed with Barber - so far.

So, I'm curious. Why Barber and not Thomas?

See post #16, I thought I explained it.