Conclusions after 7 weeks

[SportsGuru80]

Lawrence will ok... I still like him.

 

[dallasdave]

Escobar grossly is a shot pick.

Regarding Lawrence, if you look at the whole 2nd round of the 2014 draft, there's not many players that have had much impact in the league at this point.

Yes, we used our 3rd to move up but that round hasn't yielded even a few impact players either. With Lawrence it's a wash at a position we needed help in.

Well said

 

[Slashar00]

Escobar grossly is a shot pick.

Regarding Lawrence, if you look at the whole 2nd round of the 2014 draft, there's not many players that have had much impact in the league at this point.

Yes, we used our 3rd to move up but that round hasn't yielded even a few impact players either. With Lawrence it's a wash at a position we needed help in.

I'm guessing you mean Defensive Lineman. But even then, we could have kept our 3rd round pick and drafted Kony Ealy. I don't know how good Ealy is, or if he's a good fit here, but he's done better than Lawrence.

However, in terms of players, the guys drafted after Dlaw are a fantasy league dynasty team. Without Dlaw we would have 2 picks of Jarvis Landry, Carlos Hyde, Allen Robinson, John Brown, Donte Moncrief in rounds 2 and 3. Then, Devonta Freeman in round 4.

 

[Slim_JD]

Jason Garrett is still a solid coach and Scott linehan is still a good play caller. We're trying to win games with Matt cassel FFS

 

[Slashar00]

1) The identity of this team is not a great mystery like people have turned it into. TD is the identity, and it's that simple . Without Our Co-MVP's Tony and Dez, we just aren't that good. With them, we are one of the top teams.

2) JG isn't that good of a coach without Tony and Dez and Scott Linehan isn't that good of a play caller without Tony and Dez. From the first drive of the game to the last series, the coaching and play calling was pretty atrocious. One example early was first drive was going perfectly. Run, Run, Run all the way down the field perfectly. Then all of a sudden lets get cute and throw on two consecutive plays. 4 point swing. Inexcusable.

3) Tony makes T-Will better, and Dez makes BeeZ better. These guys are bad without the other two.

4) We have several players on the team who shouldn't be. Roster spots shouldn't be given because of the good old boy network. Clutz, Street , Heath, Hannah, McCray, Swaim are a few right off the top of my head. These should, at the very least be spots given to great ST players.

5) Escobar is a complete failure. It's time to move on. What a waste of size and talent. This guy should have got under JW's guidance and been ready to take over and be a protege'. Instead, he's went the opposite direction. Head scratcher for sure.

6) Joseph Randle should be used how Dunbar was being used and that's it. This guys a head case.

7) If all the guys on our team had the heart and intensity of Dez and Hardy, we would be in a different position. From the coaching staff to the rest of the team, look at those guys and take note. I know everyone calls them out, and don't understand their sideline antics, but these guys want to win.

My conclusion about this team after 7 weeks is that a team built around Tony Romo is really bad without Tony Romo.

 

[AKATheRake]

I'm guessing you mean Defensive Lineman. But even then, we could have kept our 3rd round pick and drafted Kony Ealy. I don't know how good Ealy is, or if he's a good fit here, but he's done better than Lawrence.

However, in terms of players, the guys drafted after Dlaw are a fantasy league dynasty team. Without Dlaw we would have 2 picks of Jarvis Landry, Carlos Hyde, Allen Robinson, John Brown, Donte Moncrief in rounds 2 and 3. Then, Devonta Freeman in round 4.

Ok so you mentioned 6 players. Allen Robinson and Devonta Freeman are nice players. Carlos Hyde and Moncrief get me going a bit too.

But lets do some math if you could be so kind to do so with me.

3 rounds x 32 teams= 96 players chosen in those 3 rounds.

6 (players you like from rounds 2-4)/96 x 100= 6.25% of players selected in rounds 2-4.

Can you imagine teams are only hitting 6.25% of the players they choose to be impactful to their teams? That's between rounds 2-4.

We didn't even go rounds 5-7 where the odds are probably less.


PS: To answer you're original question I meant players overall. Regarding Kony Ealy, there is nothing substantiating he has been a better pro than Lawrence to this last game.

 

[rags747]

To me Escobar is a waste because the coaches fail to get him in the gameplan. Dmac would have had his normal 6 carries yesterday if Randall didn't get hurt...again on the coaches. Beasley returning punts all season has been a total waste, he obviously does not have the knack of returning punts and yet we keep him out there. Lucky yesterday finally part of the gameplan...probably mostly due to desperation.

If Romo was healthy these past 4 games our record just may be the same...no receiver that we have can beat coverage consistently it seems and Romo would probably be paying the price physically.

I'm thinking #1 need next draft is the top receiver available, Williams contract will be coming up anyway.

 

[Slashar00]

Ok so you mentioned 6 players. Allen Robinson and Devonta Freeman are nice players. Carlos Hyde and Moncrief get me going a bit too.

But lets do some math if you could be so kind to do so with me.

3 rounds x 32 teams= 96 players chosen in those 3 rounds.

6 (players you like from rounds 2-4)/96 x 100= 6.25% of players selected in rounds 2-4.

Can you imagine teams are only hitting 6.25% of the players they choose to be impactful to their teams? That's between rounds 2-4.

We didn't even go rounds 5-7 where the odds are probably less.


PS: To answer you're original question I meant players overall. Regarding Kony Ealy, there is nothing substantiating he has been a better pro than Lawrence to this last game.

All of that is definitely true, although I'd say that Ealy has been more productive thus far for Carolina. I'm not saying the Cowboys blew it because everyone in the NFL makes mistakes in the draft, and Dlaw is not a bust so far. The percentages are very low for everyone. But to say that there isn't anyone making a real impact for their team from those rounds is a bit of a stretch. It just really hurts that the Cowboys traded up for Lawrence when other positions were extremely deep through three rounds (like WR).

Also, I can really only mention fantasy football players from that draft. I'm sure there are some 2-3 round guys that are playing really well at other positions that I don't know about.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Without Romo and Garrett coaching the team? Probably the same.

I know ur being sarcastic because if you had 53 all pros at every single position you dont lose.

 

[CATCH17]

I know ur being sarcastic because if you had 53 all pros at every single position you dont lose.

With Weeden QB'ing and Garrett coaching?

Oh you lose.. And you clap while doing it.

 

[Swanny]

1) The identity of this team is not a great mystery like people have turned it into. TD is the identity, and it's that simple . Without Our Co-MVP's Tony and Dez, we just aren't that good. With them, we are one of the top teams.

2) JG isn't that good of a coach without Tony and Dez and Scott Linehan isn't that good of a play caller without Tony and Dez. From the first drive of the game to the last series, the coaching and play calling was pretty atrocious. One example early was first drive was going perfectly. Run, Run, Run all the way down the field perfectly. Then all of a sudden lets get cute and throw on two consecutive plays. 4 point swing. Inexcusable.

3) Tony makes T-Will better, and Dez makes BeeZ better. These guys are bad without the other two.

4) We have several players on the team who shouldn't be. Roster spots shouldn't be given because of the good old boy network. Clutz, Street , Heath, Hannah, McCray, Swaim are a few right off the top of my head. These should, at the very least be spots given to great ST players.

5) Escobar is a complete failure. It's time to move on. What a waste of size and talent. This guy should have got under JW's guidance and been ready to take over and be a protege'. Instead, he's went the opposite direction. Head scratcher for sure.

6) Joseph Randle should be used how Dunbar was being used and that's it. This guys a head case.

7) If all the guys on our team had the heart and intensity of Dez and Hardy, we would be in a different position. From the coaching staff to the rest of the team, look at those guys and take note. I know everyone calls them out, and don't understand their sideline antics, but these guys want to win.

4) This will be the down fall of this team. I do still believe we have a VERY GOOD chance at winning the East. But number 4 on your list is what keeps us from being a great team (When Romo and Dez are healthy).

 

[LocimusPrime]

With Weeden QB'ing and Garrett coaching?

Oh you lose.. And you clap while doing it.

No because you have an all pro backup Qb. If everyone on the team had the skill level of hardy and dez which also means the back up and third string qbs are all pro too, and your practice squad guys where all pro too, and every single receiver on the team was a top 5 receiver. Lol. But i get u.

 

[windward]

Playing calling is always bad when it does not work and good when it does work. Did you really want them to just run the ball 10 times in a row?

Only if it worked. If it didn't, then we were too predictable.

 

[Tommy]

Playing calling is always bad when it does not work and good when it does work. Did you really want them to just run the ball 10 times in a row?

I don't think there is a single person on the planet who would have been talking about what a terrible play call the Seahawks made in the SB if they scored a TD. No one would have given it a second thought.

 

[xwalker]

4) This will be the down fall of this team. I do still believe we have a VERY GOOD chance at winning the East. But number 4 on your list is what keeps us from being a great team (When Romo and Dez are healthy).

The Cowboys downfall is that the bottom of the roster has guys like Clutz, Street , Heath, Hannah, McCray, Swaim ???

Have you looked at the bottom of other rosters? Did you look at the bottom of the Cowboys roster when they won Super Bowls in the Nineties?

McCray is a good special teams player. He might or might not have been partially to blame on the return TD but there is no consensus on who was actually to blame. It appears to have been multiple players that didn't quite do enough.

Hanna is a good blocker. He just returner from being out injured and was part of the resurgence of the running game.

Swaim was even active. In games that he did play he was good on special teams.

Heath is one of the top ST players. He has played some snaps on defense including in the Giants game and nobody noticed. If he had made a bad player people would have noticed.

Street had a beautiful TD catch that probably would have been the play of the game if they had won. His block that was penalized was textbook perfect according to many experts. That call was universally considered to be a bad call. Street should have been praised for how deliberately he avoided obvious interference by keeping his hands down and waiting. It really was a textbook example of how to execute the play. Street has had a bad ankle early this season which has limited him. It's surprising that he has not missed games considering they say his ankle was swollen up like a cantaloupe after some of the games.

I'm not a fan of Clutz but he's only averaged about 7 snaps per game on offense this season. He is a good ST player.

The Cowboys have added the best available players to upgrade the bottom of the roster. They trade for Brice Butler which indicates that there was not much available in terms of WRs on the street or on practice squads. Same with C-Mike. They added the other RB that was on and off of Seattle's roster. They added the DT from the Chiefs practice squad.

These guys were on the roster in 1992 when the Cowboys won the Super Bowl:
Derrick Gainer
Derek Tennell
Alan Veingrad T/G
Bobby Abrams MLB
Mickey Pruitt OLB
Clayton Holmes CB
Robert Williams CB

These guys were on the roster in 1993 when the Cowboys won the Super Bowl:
Lincoln Coleman EB/FB
Derrick Gainer
Derrick Lassic
Tim Daniel
Tyrone Williams
Scott Galbraith
Joey Mickey
James Parrish T
Matt Vanderbeek OLB/MLB
Joe Fishback CB
Elvis Patterson CB
Dave Thomas CB

 

[Verdict]

Most of this is nonsense.

Hanna was a big part of the run blocking last season. He has been injured and then missed 2 games. His return coincided with the improved run blocking.

McCray is good on ST.

Heath is good on ST and played a few snaps on defense with no problems.

Street had a brilliant TD that would have been the play of the game if they had won. He block on the penalty play was perfect but the refs screwed up that call.

Swaim was not even active. In games when he did play he was a very aggressive blocker.

I'll agree that Clutz seems like a waste of a roster spot; however, if they really wanted to add another player they can always demote the QB Moore to the practice squad.

Randle averaged 12 yards/carry before his injury in the Giants game.

Escobar has made some terrific catches in the past when Romo was the QB. He was probably the player of the game on offense last season in the home game against the Giants. He definitely has receiving skills but his limited blocking ability keeps him off the field. He would likely be decent if he ever had to fill in for Witten as the #1 TE but he is not ideal as the #2 TE role that Hanna plays.

Playing calling is always bad when it does not work and good when it does work. Did you really want them to just run the ball 10 times in a row?

All of your points are reasonable interpretations of the facts; however, I agree with the original poster, they should have stuck to the run on that drive. We were gashing them at that point. You stick with what is working if it is working that well. If they can't stop the run, you keep running it until doesn't work anymore, even if it is every play.

 

[ShiningStar]

All im sure is regardless of what happens, Garrett and BP (mod here) love them some clapping

 

[Seven]

You listed 8 dudes that shouldn't be on this team.

There's only 11 on the field.

That's a lot of holes to fill.

 

[dallasdave]

You listed 8 dudes that shouldn't be on this team.

There's only 11 on the field.

That's a lot of holes to fill.

Have to fill the holes if you want to avoid the flood !!!

 

[Stash]

1) The identity of this team is not a great mystery like people have turned it into. TD is the identity, and it's that simple . Without Our Co-MVP's Tony and Dez, we just aren't that good. With them, we are one of the top teams.

2) JG isn't that good of a coach without Tony and Dez and Scott Linehan isn't that good of a play caller without Tony and Dez. From the first drive of the game to the last series, the coaching and play calling was pretty atrocious. One example early was first drive was going perfectly. Run, Run, Run all the way down the field perfectly. Then all of a sudden lets get cute and throw on two consecutive plays. 4 point swing. Inexcusable.

3) Tony makes T-Will better, and Dez makes BeeZ better. These guys are bad without the other two.

I think all of these points are inter-connected. Does this team rely tremendously on Romo and Bryant? Sure they do! But I think that's true for every team in the league with a top quarterback and receiver. Take those two components away from any team and they would struggle.

4) We have several players on the team who shouldn't be. Roster spots shouldn't be given because of the good old boy network. Clutz, Street , Heath, Hannah, McCray, Swaim are a few right off the top of my head. These should, at the very least be spots given to great ST players.

I can agree with a few of these, like Clutts, Street, Heath, and McCray.

Clutts is subpar for the few times he's asked to block. I think Dallas should be bringing fullbacks in like the Saints have. This spot can definitely be upgraded.

Heath and McCray are supposed to be special teams guys, but where are they? McCray is a complete liability if ever asked to play defense, but where is he on special teams? Does he even have a single tackle? I will not blame him for that return, but I won't let him off the hook either. And even throwing out last week, what has he done all season to justify being here?

And while some want to point out one catch as some sort of "I told ya so", I prefer to look at the body of work, or lack thereof. One catch doesn't make up for being a total non-factor otherwise.

5) Escobar is a complete failure. It's time to move on. What a waste of size and talent. This guy should have got under JW's guidance and been ready to take over and be a protege'. Instead, he's went the opposite direction. Head scratcher for sure.

He's a bust of a draft pick. No way around it. Fans can try to make whatever excuses they want. Numbers don't lie, people do. Even more galling is knowing the team could now have Le'Veon Bell at running back instead of this non-factor. I never want to see this team waste another second round pick on a tight end.

6) Joseph Randle should be used how Dunbar was being used and that's it. This guys a head case.

No arguing he's a head case. I wonder if the team will start phasing him out as long as McFadden stays healthy?

7) If all the guys on our team had the heart and intensity of Dez and Hardy, we would be in a different position. From the coaching staff to the rest of the team, look at those guys and take note. I know everyone calls them out, and don't understand their sideline antics, but these guys want to win.

There are very few doing their job well enough to say anything right now. And if a player isn't good enough, he looks and sounds like an idiot trying to inspire or call out anyone else.