Dallas in 2009: What you THOUGHT would happen vs what DID happen

[Idgit]

Well I'm glad the Cowboys overshot my target for them by so much.

What do you possibly get out of being such an obvious and unfunny troll on a Cowboy fan site, anyway?

Life must be really sad for the meaningless baiting you do to be worth your time.

 

[VACowboy]

I didn't post any predictions, but I thought 10-6 and a playoff win.

I also thought...

The running game would be average...

Williams would prove he was worth what we paid for him...

Bennett would have a huge year...

Austin or Hurd would be replaced in the game day 45...

Romo would have a big year (still throw a ton of picks)...

Ware would get 15-20 sacks...

Spencer would prove to be a bust...

But, hey, I'm a pessimist who enjoys being pleasantly surprised.

 

[Monster Heel]

What do you possibly get out of being such an obvious and unfunny troll on a Cowboy fan site, anyway?

Life must be really sad for the meaningless baiting you do to be worth your time.

I've made a whole 2.72 posts a day here since I've been a member and largely when I do come here, I post in blocks. Clearly I'm wasting years and years of life posting the facts about the Cowboys.

 

[Chief]

I was thinking 10-6.


I was right about:

-- Predicted Owens' release and said it would open the door for Romo to be a more assertive leader.

-- I've always been in Romo's corner and believed he would have a good year, cutting down on turnovers.

-- Believed the Cowboys would make the playoffs.

-- Believed the chemistry would improve dramatically this year.


I was wrong about:

-- Thought Dallas would probably lose in the first round of the playoffs (this was before the season started. In the weeks and days leading up to the Philly playoff game, I thought they would win).

-- Once they got in the playoffs and beat Philly, I also thought they would beat Minnesota.

-- Believed well into the season that this was Wade Phillips' last year as head coach in Dallas.

-- Didn't think Mike Jenkins had the right attitude to improve so much.

 

[Idgit]

I've made a whole 2.72 posts a day here since I've been a member and largely when I do come here, I post in blocks. Clearly I'm wasting years and years of life posting the facts about the Cowboys.

So, you're point is that although you're wasting time here, it's not really all that much time in the long run?

 

[Monster Heel]

So, you're point is that although you're wasting time here, it's not really all that much time in the long run?

Pretty much. :laugh2:

Isn't that the point of message boards? Nothing anybody says here matters, it's entertainment.

 

[zrinkill]

I've made a whole 2.72 posts a day here since I've been a member and largely when I do come here, I post in blocks. Clearly I'm wasting years and years of life posting the facts about the Cowboys.

So does phoenix-talon and all the other teams trolls who roost here.

 

[Established1971]

We all saw the media predictions of 8-8. Emmitt Smith said it, and so did several others across the media, and even on this board.

My question is, what did you get right, and what did you get wrong?

Did you think Romo was going to struggle without TO? Did you think Ware would have 24 sacks?

Did you think Austin would get his chance and break out? Did you think Brooking would help transform the defense?

I wrote an article back in May previewing the 2009 season. Looking back on it, I'd say it was fairly accurate. I didnt give Miles Austin enough credit, and thought we would force more turnovers on defense, but said that our offense would rival the 2007 production if we blocked well, and that if we protected the ball, we'd be fine.

I thought we would get more sacks on defense, and that Barber would get better as the main guy at running back, but with Brooking in the middle, and Felix staying healthy, we really didn't need either to be successful.

How about you? What were your predictions that came to be true, or false?

I got the record right and the 1 playoff win, thought maybe it could be two. I wasnt sure if it was going to be a wild card or a division but I knew it wouldnt be a runaway division win nor a weak/squeak wildcard, so I guess I was right there. I honeslty didnt think Romo would miss a beat without TO.
But I thought the wealth would be spread between Miles, Hurd, Crayton. I was surprised how little Hurd was involved and very surprised that Bennett didnt do much at all. I thought one rookie or young defensive player would have more of an impact. I didnt anticipate the Folk fiasco nor the Brookings impact. I didnt think Barber would get 1000 and he didnt. So overall everything pretty much met my expectations.

 

[Arch Stanton]

I said 8-8 to 9-7 and said the team would go as far as the OLine would take them.

 

[Arch Stanton]

So does phoenix-talon and all the other teams trolls who roost here.

zrin you're an awesome troll hunter. :laugh2:

 

[Aikbach]

I predicted 11-5 and a shot at the NFC Championship, I predicted the NFC Champion would be either Dallas, Atlanta or New Orleans.

 

[BIGDen]

Let's see. I thought they'd be about 11-5 based on talent and what seemed to be a more cohesive group going into and coming out of training camp. They were 9-7 with a very banged up team that lost the QB for 3 games and had locker room issues in '08. I also thought we upgraded our D last offseason with a real safety and ILB. I never understood why 2 more wins was considered "unrealistic" (except for losing TO which turned out to just be a blessing).

I thought Ware would have about 16 sacks and I think he would have if he was less injured.

Thought Romo would have 26 TD's 10 INTs and about 4000 yds. That was really pretty dead on.

Thought we would win at least 1 playoff game, but predicted that we'd lose in the SB or NFC championship - not the Div round.

Thought Austin would be good, but not amazing. 50 catches for 800 yds and 6 TDs. He blew that prediction away. I was never down on him, but didn't know if he could be THAT good.

Thought we'd win the East and that the Giants would have about 9 wins. The Giants prediction looks good, but it was based on me thinking Eli would get killed without his security blanket Plaxico. Turns out he had a good year and the defense killed them.

I felt Choice was the most complete back, Felix was the most special, and Barber the most powerful. Still feel that way and hope they flip Barber and Choices touches and keep Felix's at like they were at the end of the year.

I thought Bennett would be a weapon and not just a good blocker.

Thought Roy would have better hands and overall production, but his blocking was better than I thought....yay.

Was never anti-Jenkins, but thought Scandrick would beat him out.

Thought Spencer would play the run well and have around 11 sacks. He didn't get the sack #s but was a huge reason our D was so good at the end of the year.

Overall, I think I had a pretty good idea of how the '09 team would play.

It was a good season that proved MANY MANY people wrong and that felt great, but I think that they could have gone all the way if things unfolded differently in Minny and I hate that another year went by without #6.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

can someone research my thoughts pre 2009 season?

 

[richzre]

I predicted 11-5. I'll admit it. I thought Roy Williams would get his act together and catch 70-80 balls. I didn't have Miles Austin on the radar except for maybe the 4th receiver and special teams. He exceeded all expectations.

I thought Brooking would be solid but not a difference maker. Barber did what I thought...play good at first, get hurt and get worse through the year. I expected at least 15 sacks from Ware but he still played as good as I predicted. I had hope for Scandrick and/or Jenkins. I knew one would bust out. I'm glad that Jenkins overcame last years missed/avoided tackle and became a truly shut down corner.

Guys that met and played as expected. Romo, Witten, Flozell, Gurode, James, and Ratliff. I'm glad Spencer picked it up. Was worried about him finally figuring it out.

 

[casmith07]

I thought we'd go 10-6 with a wildcard playoff win.

They exceeded my expectations. As the season went on I thought it was realistic to think we could make it to the Super Bowl.

Next season I'm predicting 12 wins and a Super Bowl victory.

 

[theogt]

-- Believed well into the season that this was Wade Phillips' last year as head coach in Dallas.

Forgot about this prediction. I was one of only a handful that claimed all year that Wade would be back. Most thought it was a foregone conclusion he was gone.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I thought 10-6, wild card, with at least one playoff win.

I thought one of the Giants or Eagles would fall off and miss the playoffs, though honestly I thought it would be the Eagles.

I didn't think our defense would be as good as it was. Imagine that -- me, the biggest Wade fan here. But I didn't think our talent was that outstanding. Still don't, really.

I didn't think Jenkins would be as good or as consistent as he was. I did believe in Spencer from the start.

I've been a big Miles fan since I saw him in the 2006 Thanksgiving Day warmups and saw how he was clearly in the tier of talent with TO and Terry Glenn and far above the Hurds and Craytons. I never expected a year like he had this year, though.

I thought, and still think, that Felix was special and should be used more.

I did expect big plays and a much bigger contribution from Marty B. Thought Roy would be better, too.

I thought Wade was done barring an end-of-year run where we won primarily due to lights-out defense... Which I guess is what happened.

 

[casmith07]

I liked your post, so I responded in bold.

I thought 10-6, wild card, with at least one playoff win.
Same here.

I thought one of the Giants or Eagles would fall off and miss the playoffs, though honestly I thought it would be the Eagles.
Also same here. Thought the Giants would be a much more formidable foe.

I didn't think our defense would be as good as it was. Imagine that -- me, the biggest Wade fan here. But I didn't think our talent was that outstanding. Still don't, really.
I didn't expect much from the defense but I expected it to still be good enough. They exceeded my expectations down the stretch.

I didn't think Jenkins would be as good or as consistent as he was. I did believe in Spencer from the start.
I thought Scandrick would be the better corner. I'm glad to be wrong. I also believed in Spencer from the word go.

I've been a big Miles fan since I saw him in the 2006 Thanksgiving Day warmups and saw how he was clearly in the tier of talent with TO and Terry Glenn and far above the Hurds and Craytons. I never expected a year like he had this year, though.
I've been wanting to see more Miles Austin since he ran that kick back wearing #14.

I thought, and still think, that Felix was special and should be used more.
Concur.

I did expect big plays and a much bigger contribution from Marty B. Thought Roy would be better, too.
Both. Thought Marty B would be almost unguardable against CBs in the red zone, and expected Roy Williams to be a deep seam/post threat early and often.

I thought Wade was done barring an end-of-year run where we won primarily due to lights-out defense... Which I guess is what happened.

 

[theogt]

I thought 10-6, wild card, with at least one playoff win.

I thought one of the Giants or Eagles would fall off and miss the playoffs, though honestly I thought it would be the Eagles.

I didn't think our defense would be as good as it was. Imagine that -- me, the biggest Wade fan here. But I didn't think our talent was that outstanding. Still don't, really.

I didn't think Jenkins would be as good or as consistent as he was. I did believe in Spencer from the start.

I've been a big Miles fan since I saw him in the 2006 Thanksgiving Day warmups and saw how he was clearly in the tier of talent with TO and Terry Glenn and far above the Hurds and Craytons. I never expected a year like he had this year, though.

I thought, and still think, that Felix was special and should be used more.

I did expect big plays and a much bigger contribution from Marty B. Thought Roy would be better, too.

I thought Wade was done barring an end-of-year run where we won primarily due to lights-out defense... Which I guess is what happened.

Whaaat? Okay, we can share the title.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I've made a whole 2.72 posts a day here since I've been a member and largely when I do come here, I post in blocks. Clearly I'm wasting years and years of life posting the facts about the Cowboys.

5-11 and wouldn't make the playoffs....would you please let us all know when you're going to actually start posting these facts about the Cowboys you're talking about?

Forgot about this prediction. I was one of only a handful that claimed all year that Wade would be back. Most thought it was a foregone conclusion he was gone.

I admit that I thought it was pretty much over for him. I really didn't think, going in, that outside of the Cowboys winning the Superbowl that he'd be able to save his job.