jterrell
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Everyone who watched the 2008 Cowboys saw injuries kill the team; ironically many of the same guys who chorused that it was not a valid excuse now champion the thin depth as concern 1.
They couldn't overcome injuries to Romo, Barber, Felix Jones, et al.
So it makes some sense that the johnny-come-lately argument about Dallas is they lack depth.
But the hand-wringing is at an all-time high and coming from respectable, intelligent sources not just tim macmahon or other beat writer types.
So let's look at this by group:
QB: Hard to argue the team isn't much better at QB depth-wise. Yes, Kitna did only look average in pre-season but he isn't dead in the water and already retired mentally like Brad Johnson. This was a huge upgrade over last year.
RB: Dallas has the same players but now it trusts them all. Choice has had a year to grasp things other than running to open lanes. Crosslin is on the P.S. This is a minor plus over last year.
WR: We no longer have a hall of fame WR on the roster but hof WRs no longer play like they are at some point. The depth isn't bad. Not with Ogletree winning the 5th WR job easily. He is clearly able to run good routes and get open and will catch the ball. Cutting Stanback means depth is better here. Especially since Hurd was out basically day 1 last year. If the 3rd and 5th guys are new and you really only lost 1 player that's a net plus at depth if not for the starters.
TE: You have two studs and a good 3rd option in Philips. Chandler is on the PS and that guy can catch at least. If BP left no other lasting effect we appear to be the best NFL team in TE evaluation/talent.
OL: The big uglies are a big ugly as depth goes. This isn't a shock to anyone.
The starters can play and the backups can't. That isn't a change from last year however. And even if Brewster stayed healthy was he really going to make a big difference as a rookie. The biggest difference may be Holland being here day 1 but that won't be answered until we see Holland play beside 4 starters. Legit concern but not a bigger weakness than last year.
DL: Canty for Igor is an even swap that may be more a plus with Canty hurting. Junior for Tank is hard to call because Tank himself admitted to being poor last year. The DL isn't great but it isn't paper thin either. They rotate in liberally and Marcus Dixon has shown flashes that make him intriguing if he gets called up from the PS.
LB: OK, this one is the bugaboo. You lose Ellis and Burnett and gain draftees but only one of the 3 draftees is healthy. Depth here is a big concern. ** as a side note can someone get Carpenter some bigger pads? Why does that dude wear DB pads? He plays like a CB. All we can do here is hope Ware walks the line all year. He is the best defensive player in the league and James/Brookings are quite solid inside. The depth here deserves the insults it gets.
CB: Another slight downer. Losing Henry meant losing depth. We couldn't pay 5 mil for a 4th CB though so his trade was a great move. I expect Dallas signs a vet for depth purposes after week 1; perhaps yes even pacman. He is talented enough to be a 4th CB for sure and he won't cost much; especially since he won't be guaranteed anything and probably won't be here all year anyway.
S: I like the safeties this year. I truly believe Hamlin and Sensabaugh can play. I think Mike Hamlin is solid depth and he should help before the year is over. Again last year we lost RW31 right out of the gate and the depth never handled that loss at all. Depth is about equal to last year maybe a little better since there is no Courtney Brown around.
All in all the depth is not close to perfect but it amazes me the story is so large this year but was ignored last year. If anything we have slightly more depth overall and especially on offense.
They couldn't overcome injuries to Romo, Barber, Felix Jones, et al.
So it makes some sense that the johnny-come-lately argument about Dallas is they lack depth.
But the hand-wringing is at an all-time high and coming from respectable, intelligent sources not just tim macmahon or other beat writer types.
So let's look at this by group:
QB: Hard to argue the team isn't much better at QB depth-wise. Yes, Kitna did only look average in pre-season but he isn't dead in the water and already retired mentally like Brad Johnson. This was a huge upgrade over last year.
RB: Dallas has the same players but now it trusts them all. Choice has had a year to grasp things other than running to open lanes. Crosslin is on the P.S. This is a minor plus over last year.
WR: We no longer have a hall of fame WR on the roster but hof WRs no longer play like they are at some point. The depth isn't bad. Not with Ogletree winning the 5th WR job easily. He is clearly able to run good routes and get open and will catch the ball. Cutting Stanback means depth is better here. Especially since Hurd was out basically day 1 last year. If the 3rd and 5th guys are new and you really only lost 1 player that's a net plus at depth if not for the starters.
TE: You have two studs and a good 3rd option in Philips. Chandler is on the PS and that guy can catch at least. If BP left no other lasting effect we appear to be the best NFL team in TE evaluation/talent.
OL: The big uglies are a big ugly as depth goes. This isn't a shock to anyone.
The starters can play and the backups can't. That isn't a change from last year however. And even if Brewster stayed healthy was he really going to make a big difference as a rookie. The biggest difference may be Holland being here day 1 but that won't be answered until we see Holland play beside 4 starters. Legit concern but not a bigger weakness than last year.
DL: Canty for Igor is an even swap that may be more a plus with Canty hurting. Junior for Tank is hard to call because Tank himself admitted to being poor last year. The DL isn't great but it isn't paper thin either. They rotate in liberally and Marcus Dixon has shown flashes that make him intriguing if he gets called up from the PS.
LB: OK, this one is the bugaboo. You lose Ellis and Burnett and gain draftees but only one of the 3 draftees is healthy. Depth here is a big concern. ** as a side note can someone get Carpenter some bigger pads? Why does that dude wear DB pads? He plays like a CB. All we can do here is hope Ware walks the line all year. He is the best defensive player in the league and James/Brookings are quite solid inside. The depth here deserves the insults it gets.
CB: Another slight downer. Losing Henry meant losing depth. We couldn't pay 5 mil for a 4th CB though so his trade was a great move. I expect Dallas signs a vet for depth purposes after week 1; perhaps yes even pacman. He is talented enough to be a 4th CB for sure and he won't cost much; especially since he won't be guaranteed anything and probably won't be here all year anyway.
S: I like the safeties this year. I truly believe Hamlin and Sensabaugh can play. I think Mike Hamlin is solid depth and he should help before the year is over. Again last year we lost RW31 right out of the gate and the depth never handled that loss at all. Depth is about equal to last year maybe a little better since there is no Courtney Brown around.
All in all the depth is not close to perfect but it amazes me the story is so large this year but was ignored last year. If anything we have slightly more depth overall and especially on offense.
