Cowboys critical analysis

[Verdict]

I have been trying to evaluate "where we are" so to speak compared to the rest of the NFL. Here are a few on my thoughts on that topic.

First off, many of the football prognosticators seem to have the Arizona Cardinals as a team on the rise. We lost that game, but in my opinion, we intentionally tied both hands behind our backs in that game, and Arizona did just the opposite. They revealed quite a bit more, playing to win, having placed a higher emphasis on winning the game rather than player evaluation, or keeping plays in their playbook secret.

In the Seattle game we revealed a little more of the playbook than we should have. Our pass rush looked pretty good, but lets face it we blitzed them a lot late in the game. I think we revealed that part of the playbook to evaluate the blitzing ability of Bariault. Overall this defense looks like it is going to be able to pressure the passer, but looks suspect, at least at this point, regarding the underneath stuff. It is easier to fix that than create pressure on the Qb, so that part can be fixed.

I really like where we are headed. Barring injury, we are a vastly improved team over last year. I realize I sound like a kool-aid drinker or a crack smoker but I am going to go out on a limb, as I have before, and predict a 13 and 3 record. Yes that is way out there. The limb I am on will probably get sawed off out from under me, but I'm thinking superbowl in early 2006. Get on the bandwagon early, before it gets full.

 

[Hollywood Henderson]

Good prediction...
IF...Fergy & Rivera play & are healthy!
WE also need Spears to come back strong!

 

[devotedfan]

Something tells me the 'bandwagon' you're riding on is about the size of a rickshaw. And at that, there will still be plenty of room for all you 13 and 3'ers. :laugh2: :

 

[jobberone]

I have been trying to evaluate "where we are" so to speak compared to the rest of the NFL. Here are a few on my thoughts on that topic.

First off, many of the football prognosticators seem to have the Arizona Cardinals as a team on the rise. We lost that game, but in my opinion, we intentionally tied both hands behind our backs in that game, and Arizona did just the opposite. They revealed quite a bit more, playing to win, having placed a higher emphasis on winning the game rather than player evaluation, or keeping plays in their playbook secret.

In the Seattle game we revealed a little more of the playbook than we should have. Our pass rush looked pretty good, but lets face it we blitzed them a lot late in the game. I think we revealed that part of the playbook to evaluate the blitzing ability of Bariault. Overall this defense looks like it is going to be able to pressure the passer, but looks suspect, at least at this point, regarding the underneath stuff. It is easier to fix that than create pressure on the Qb, so that part can be fixed.

I really like where we are headed. Barring injury, we are a vastly improved team over last year. I realize I sound like a kool-aid drinker or a crack smoker but I am going to go out on a limb, as I have before, and predict a 13 and 3 record. Yes that is way out there. The limb I am on will probably get sawed off out from under me, but I'm thinking superbowl in early 2006. Get on the bandwagon early, before it gets full.

I admire an optimist. I have a hard time always doing that. Hope your prediction comes thru. That means probably home field advantage and a first round bye.

Some time ago we used to worry about things like that. Now we worry about making the playoffs and not where we will position ourselves.

 

[Verdict]

Something tells me the 'bandwagon' you're riding on is about the size of a rickshaw. And at that, there will still be plenty of room for all you 13 and 3'ers. :laugh2: :

Lets hear your fearless prediction. I will bet that you take the "safe" ground and say that we will be a mediocre team. I would like to test your prognostiction skills. Will we be closer to 13 and 3 or 5 and 11.

 

[LeonDixson]

I'm thinking more like 10-6 and hope for 11-5, but I would sure like to see your predicition come true. Even with a 10-6 record, if we are a much improved team at the end of the season over what we were during the 1st half of the season, we could go deep into the playoffs. Maybe even the big dance. And the last game is all that really counts.

 

[Fletch]

Yep, gotta credit you Verdict. That is stepping out pretty far on the prediction limb. But heck, why not us? It's a game of parity now and our young guys are showing a ton of heart and lots of hunger. And like Hollywood Henderson mentioned, when Ferguson and Marco Rivera get back and healthy, and Spears gets back into the rotation on the DL, this team will have a lot more versatility and be in position to win a lot of games.

 

[jksmith269]

I'm going 11-5

I see a lot of close games that could go either way.....

 

[devotedfan]

Lets hear your fearless prediction. I will bet that you take the "safe" ground and say that we will be a mediocre team. I would like to test your prognostiction skills. Will we be closer to 13 and 3 or 5 and 11.

I guess if you spell "safe" ...r-e-a-l-i-s-t-i-c, I would have to disagree with 13-3 and the SB in '06. I'm thinking 9-7 or 10-6 would be a home-run. 13 and 3 is KOOLAID with rose-coloured glasses and a horseshoe in your butt. :laugh2:

 

[followthestar]

i might not have laughed too hard at a 13-3 prediction before Cundiff went down. with Cortez and his history of mediocrity, it will probably cost us a game (maybe two) if he is our starter all season. think about it...

 

[Verdict]

I guess if you spell "safe" ...r-e-a-l-i-s-t-i-c, I would have to disagree with 13-3 and the SB in '06. I'm thinking 9-7 or 10-6 would be a home-run. 13 and 3 is KOOLAID with rose-coloured glasses and a horseshoe in your butt. :laugh2:

Is that sarcasm? LOL I will try to overlook the tone of your post, but I do note that, despite being critical of my post you, at least in this thread, have still shied away from making a prediction. You state that you think that 9-7 or 10-6 "would be a home run", but you still do not state what our record will be.

Logic would say that if you think that 9-7 or 10-6 "would be a home run" then you see us finishing below that. How far below that? I could care less whether you agree or disagree with my post or my prediction. I just am interested in what you think it will be. You might be more accurate than me, but lets see.

Please answer my question, for the record. Will we be closer to 13-3 or 5-10. I am still waiting on your response.

I am not trying to start a flame war here, so keep that in mind. In my original post I admitted that I was probably erring to the side of optimism, and actually admitted to drinking the kool- aid, so your comment on that wasn't even going out on a limb. LOL. It is OK to be wrong. It is likely that I "will" be as the NFL is very unpredictable.

It is funny to me that the posters who often take pot shots at other posters are the very ones who have no opinion, so they are never wrong. They wait for someone to be wrong and jump in and be critical of other posters.

Also. I am a big boy, (and on top of that a lawyer) who is very used to criticism. It really does not faze me. But keep in mind (as I remind myself at times) that there are a lot of kids on this board who follow the Cowboys. Lighten up on the criticism of other posters guys. It is a little hard on the young'uns. LOL The "horseshoe comment" would be a little harsh if I were a 12 year old and if I was 12 I doubt that I would post again. "Luckily" for you guys it has not fazed me and I will continue to post at will. LOL

 

[LeonDixson]

Also. I am a big boy, (and on top of that a lawyer) who is very used to criticism.

Mods, can we start a lawyer jokes zone?

Just kidding, Verdict.

 

[Verdict]

Mods, can we start a lawyer jokes zone?

Just kidding, Verdict.

Trust me. It wouldn't be the first time I have heard them (laughing).

 

[MinnesotaCowboy]

I like your thinking, Verdict.......but I would extremely happy with 11-5 or 10-6! If all those young defensive guys come through it could be "katie bar the door" time! How about them Cowboys!

 

[Billy Bullocks]

Hoping for 11-5, expecting 10-6, wont be sad with 9-7 as long as we make the playoffs

 

[Verdict]

Did I miss your prediction? Just kidding.

 

[billknows]

Something tells me the 'bandwagon' you're riding on is about the size of a rickshaw. And at that, there will still be plenty of room for all you 13 and 3'ers. :laugh2: :

HaHaHaHaHa please feel free to rip on me with my 11-5 pre-dict

 

[Verdict]

HaHaHaHaHa please feel free to rip on me with my 11-5 pre-dict

You can thank me, in advance, for me taking the heat off of you. LOL.

 

[smashmouth]

If we're healthy in key positions: 11-5
If we're not and RT sux, : 8-8

 

[devotedfan]

Did I miss your prediction? Just kidding.

I stand by my 'prediction. What I said was 9-7. I went on to say 10-6 would be a home run. I trust you to do the math on which will be closer to 5-11 (who predicted this???) or 13-3 (your pipe dream). Don't get me wrong,... if we finish 13-3, I'll be all teeth. I already have my '06 SB ticket, but I'm not betting Cowboys to be there. Like the earlier post said 'if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle'.