CFZ Calm before the storm

[rambo2]

Perhaps, but I'll counter it this way. Mike is now entering the 4th season of him being HC here. He's had 3 years to watch Dak work with Kellen, who was calling the plays. He's been able to see what Dak likes to run and doesn't like to run. Now that he's calling the plays and is experienced at calling plays, he can tailor an offense (a TCO, if you will) to Dak that works well for him.

With McCarthy's and Dak's experience and abilities that sounds absolutely logical.

 

[T-RO]

Dak should thrive in this new system.

You are making things up as you go along.

Here are known WCO QB requirements:

-Pin Point accuracy. Dak ranked 22nd in 2022 on "Bad Throw %"

-Precise Footwork. Dak is a big bulky guy with a history of foot surgery, and footwork issues.

-Quick Delivery. Dak isn't a quick dart thrower like Purdy

Dak is great at chunk plays down the field. He's often not so good doing quick re-set and throwing to a RB. That's not a WCO quarterback.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

With McCarthy's and Dak's experience and abilities that sounds absolutely logical.

Exactly, the only question is, to @Haimerej 's point, is how much influence Mike has had so far. My guess, based on the move to sack Moore, was that Mike didn't have much say (presumably due to Jerry meddling) and wants control of the offense. I mean, if he had more say, then why sack Moore? So, to me, the decision to sack Kellen Moore suggests that Moore had more say into the offense, and now Mike will. If my guess is correct, then I think the experience that Mike has and the skillset that Dak has will be a nice fit. Bear in mind, a lot of your best (elite) quarterbacks are greatly aided by an experienced HC. Consider the likes of Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy, Tom Brady and Belichick, and even Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. Peyton Manning struggled before the arrival of Tony Dungy. Would Tom Brady have been as great as he was without Belichick (especially early on)? I think not. I think if he had, say, Jason Garrett coaching him early on, he'd have been considered as just another 6th round pick. He, of course, is a great QB. However, he needed Belichick early on, and Belichick needed him. As for Mahomes, yes, he's the best in the league ATM. But, what would happen if Reid wasn't his HC? Suppose Kingsbury followed him from Texas Tech to KC. Would the Chiefs be the juggernaut they are now with Andy Reid and Mahomes? I'd say these are examples of coaches and QBs being perfect fits for each other's systems.

I think the fact that McCarthy was able to create offenses for an old Brett Favre, a young Aaron Rodgers, and an aging Rodgers (before Rodgers became a petulant imp) and lead all three to NFCC games (and a Lombardi with Rodgers) at various points bodes well for Dak.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

You are making things up as you go along.

Here are known WCO QB requirements:

-Pin Point accuracy. Dak ranked 22nd in 2022 on "Bad Throw %"

-Precise Footwork. Dak is a big bulky guy with a history of foot surgery, and footwork issues.

-Quick Delivery. Dak isn't a quick dart thrower like Purdy

Dak is great at chunk plays down the field. He's often not so good doing quick re-set and throwing to a RB. That's not a WCO quarterback.

Counterpoint, yes, he had the foot surgery, but he still has decent speed. Yes, I know his throw % was bad in 2022. Thats probably a big reason for the change of offense. However, from what I've seen, he had been good at taking care of the ball before that. Also, look at his 2016 season. Yes, he can throw a good long ball, but his 2016 season showed him doing a lot of short passes too. I think he does well with short/medium passes. That's why I think he will do well in Mike's system. However, this will all be revealed this season. I'm optimistic because I think he has traits that do well in the WCO, and he's got a HC who, now that he's got control of the playcalling, knows how to tailor offenses for his QB.

 

[Haimerej]

You are making things up as you go along.

Here are known WCO QB requirements:

-Pin Point accuracy. Dak ranked 22nd in 2022 on "Bad Throw %"

-Precise Footwork. Dak is a big bulky guy with a history of foot surgery, and footwork issues.

-Quick Delivery. Dak isn't a quick dart thrower like Purdy

Dak is great at chunk plays down the field. He's often not so good doing quick re-set and throwing to a RB. That's not a WCO quarterback.

The footwork is big for him. I doubt we see a true WCO.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

He doesn’t understand sarcasm

I do not concern myself with your observations on sarcasm.
I was stating me belief in a 10-7 season. That is all. If you disagree, lick Dat's boots and you'll feel better, sullen chap.
And wipe that smirk off yer face, or I will send Charles Atlas to counsel you!

 

[buybuydandavis]

I think Mazi Smith is going to be a major cog in our machine. He and Hankins will be able to free up a lot of room for the rest of the team

Two legitimate NTs on the roster. The last pieces in the puzzle of a very different defense.

A Swiss Army Knife defense. The opposite of the Kiffinelli "we do what we do" defense.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Two legitimate NTs on the roster. The last pieces in the puzzle of a very different defense.

A Swiss Army Knife defense. The opposite of the Kiffinelli "we do what we do" defense.

Exactly. So, this defence should be a lot of fun to watch.

 

[Rayman70]

Nevermind. Cant say what I wanted. Like the thread Title.

 

[visionary]

Excited: Defence. Can be really really good is Mazi plays well and Hankins stays healthy

Concerns: Kicker and RB. I dont think Pollard can last the season and the playoffs as the lead back on a run heavy team and we have nothing behind him

 

[DandyDon52]

He got kicked out because he had the greatest quarterback in the world, and only one ring. Sarcasm all over the place.

Mike was in a then weak nfcn, won the div most years, in playoffs year after year, made it to nfcchamp game many times, only won 1 time.
He wasnt that good in playoffs, I watched him blow a big lead to seattle, when they had their miracle comeback win and they went to SB
instead of GB.
2007 giants knocked him off, I think 2011 giants too , and others.

And now he is supposed to help dallas do better in playoffs ! lol without Rodgers.

It is possible, but unlikely.

 

[DandyDon52]

Also what I have heard , is that mike is simplifying the plays, focusing the players on details, like what they are supposed to do, so there
are less mistakes that lead to int's and incomplete passes.
For most part, we wont know if all his changes ( 30%) will be better ,worse, or the same. Just need to see 8 games or so to get a good idea on
how it is working out.
It will make the season more interesting.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

I am excited to see the defense play but I have concerns with the offense. Don't know what it's going to look with McCarthy calling the plays. Don't particularly like our RBs if anything happens to Pollard. And Dak needs to quit playing like Jekyll and Hyde. And the Cowboys have a habit of underachieving when they're over-hyped.

Dak remains a concern for me. As you said the huge "Jekyll and Hyde" swing just can't continue for us to move forward. The math might come down to "average" (or better, sure why not?) but be consistently average and we will be okay.

Another concern is can Dak develop that true "trusted" outlet. Romo had Witten. Dak had Bease for a short time. Not sure if there was any redevelopment. I think every QB needs that one guy he just knows will be there. This may not be all on Dak...maybe the receiving corp has been adjusted to facilitate that.

Pollard remains a concern to me, and even by some professional accounts, rightly so. Probably come off the injury fine...but I distrust the way this team manages injuries over the years. I also think he will find things rough going as teams focus on him. With a good game plan that is less predictable, we might be okay there.

Can the TE's step up and become a dominant force as we are accustomed to?

Can the OL firm up and stabilize? I wanna see some HOLES and downfield PANCAKES!

I don't know what to think of the defense. It LOOKS better. Probably LBer my biggest question mark.

As mentioned, will the offensive coaching change help our offense be more consistent and dominant? I look forward to NOT seeing endless delay handoffs up the clogged middle and a missed pass on third and long.


FG Kicker?

"Gosh Steve, all negative, sheesh what's wrong with ya?". Nope...I look forward to fun exciting season!

 

[jazzcat22]

Did you know Linehan taught the spread option offense to Dan Mullen? They had the same terminology and everything. So this will be Dak's first year under a new philosophy since before college.

This will be the interesting part. How quick will he learn 30% new plays. I bet he can do it.
I am pretty sure he learned more than that in his 10 plus years in the NCAA & NFL.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Concerns: Kicker

Please explain.

 

[visionary]

Please explain.

A team that wants to rely on defense and run game needs to have a great ST unit. Field position and FG points are at a premium

We don’t have a reliable kicker

 

[rambo2]

A team that wants to rely on defense and run game needs to have a great ST unit. Field position and FG points are at a premium

We don’t have a reliable kicker

Yet

 

[McKDaddy]

Short/intermediate routes that are based on timing and/or hitting the WR on the run are key,

Not trying to be Debbie downer but another thread showed Dak vs NFL averages to all the quadrants of the field and I'm pretty sure down the middle of the field was by far his worst so I'm not sure that the WCO really helps you if you can't execute those across the middle at a very high level. You can only do so much to the edges in the short\intermediate range if you don't threaten the middle consistently.

We should all agree that consistently hitting receivers in stride isn't a strong suit.

I do think the WCO suits him in some ways. Just saying there is evidence it may not in others.

 

[noshame]

Remodeling our movie room to a 3 screen Cowboy football zone!

 

[CowboyFrog]

I think alot is being made of what WCO we will see when I dont think its going to look like one... again you probably going to see less formations with more plays run from similar formations with motion and twists...but they will be familiar formations to what we had. your going to see runs that attack certain points on the defense that set up same formation routes that attack the counter to that run play...option routes will be few and far between when they were on every route in the play before..the routes will attack players and spots on the field needing less reaction from the WR/QB during the play and more set this up from other plays...obviously this is pure speculation on my part but kinda mirrors the news comming from the players.