DC.COM: Blog: Have Off-Season Moves Lowered Expectations?

[Cbz40]

Have Off-Season Moves Lowered Expectations?

Posted by jellis at 3/19/2009 3:11 PM CDT on truebluefanclub.com

We got into an interesting discussion during The Lunch Break today, right before flipping the television to March Madness. The question at hand was whether trading Anthony Henry and releasing Terrell Owens has lowered expectations for the Cowboys in 2009.

A lot of people picked the Cowboys to be in the Super Bowl last year, and evidently those expectations were a bit much. But in their moves to get younger by releasing two proven vets, have the Cowboys taken themselves out of the discussion?

Someone even threw out a 7-9 record as a possibility. But I just don't see that. What did Anthony Henry really give the Cowboys that younger, more athletic guys like Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick can't? Terrell Owens is an amazing talent, but there's a decent case to be made that he creates a disruption that takes away from everyone else.

Me, I still believe the Cowboys are closer to being in the Super Bowl than they are to having a losing record. People will forget some of the injuries they had last season. With a full off-season to move on and a new attitude, the Cowboys could be much improved. Even without Owens and Henry, the Cowboys are still among the league's most talented teams.

But what about you guys? Do you think the Cowboys taken a step back, or just moved on?

-Josh Ellis

 

[irvin4evs]

Anything is possible with Wade's anarchy and Garrett's hilariously inept offensive management.

 

[fweegy]

Last years gutless, heartless performance has lowered my expectations. Anywhere from 7-9 to 9-7 is my feeling.

 

[lcharles]

Last years team revealed who our MVP is......



Kyle Kosier.



Hopefully he will be healthy this year and we make a playoff run.

 

[Woods]

Realistically speaking, I'm guessing 9-7, which is what we've done in something like 3 out of the last 4 years.

In order to take the next step forward, we need to significantly improve our STs (including getting a real PR) and coverage units, create more turnovers on defense, cut penalties and turnovers on offense.

What this really means is we need to somehow become a lot more disciplined.

I'm not sure how we're going to do that. We've been playing sloppy for some time now. But I guess it all starts in the minicamps and TC.

The best team in our division is still the Giants, IMO, until we prove otherwise.

 

[windward]

Nope.I am thinking between 10-11 wins and a playoff win (hopefully)

 

[cowboyjoe]

half a step back

first thing, alot of people take for granted what adam jones did for the cowboys on pass coverage, jones did help the cowboys alot,

2nd we lose T O, T O kept 2 defenders on him in pass coverage all the time

half a step back

 

[Cowboys22]

3 straight years of the team quitting in December, Romo seemingly caring more about fame than winning, and keeping Wade as head coach has lowered my expectations. As soon as all 3 of those change for the better, I'll have hopes of a super bowl again.

 

[billknows]

Last years team revealed who our MVP is......



Kyle Kosier.



Hopefully he will be healthy this year and we make a playoff run.

:laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:

 

[speedkilz88]

They have a much more favorable schedule this year compared to last year. The team will be at least 11-5.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Last years team revealed who our MVP is......



Kyle Kosier.



Hopefully he will be healthy this year and we make a playoff run.

Realistically speaking, I'm guessing 9-7, which is what we've done in something like 3 out of the last 4 years.

In order to take the next step forward, we need to significantly improve our STs (including getting a real PR) and coverage units, create more turnovers on defense, cut penalties and turnovers on offense.

What this really means is we need to somehow become a lot more disciplined.

I'm not sure how we're going to do that. We've been playing sloppy for some time now. But I guess it all starts in the minicamps and TC.

The best team in our division is still the Giants, IMO, until we prove otherwise.

Romo hides alot of things wrong with our OLINE.

Believe it or not so does the pure talant of the Dallas RBs Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice.

Even more impossible is that Jason Garrett helps hide OLINE deficiencies.

When you WATCH THE GAMES it was easy to see why Tony Romo got injured and it was even easier to see the result of one of the most athletic QBs in the game trying to be replaced.

 

[TNCowboy]

half a step back

first thing, alot of people take for granted what adam jones did for the cowboys on pass coverage, jones did help the cowboys alot,

2nd we lose T O, T O kept 2 defenders on him in pass coverage all the time

half a step back

First, Adam Jones stunk.

Second, no TO did not. No one does.

 

[Rampage]

my expectations are 10 wins and hopefully a freaking playoff win. I don't see us winning a superbowl with Wade as the HC and until Garrett figures out how to use personel though.

 

[Ren]

I expect the same gutless undisciplined team until Wade is gone, anything over 9 wins would be huge but probably won't happen. Wade was a crap coach before TO and he'll be a crap coach after TO, we really didn't fix a much. If anything it has made us even more ignorant to what the problems really are and 09 will be another wake up call just like 08

 

[theebs]

I was flipping around the dial a couple of hours ago and unfortunately I caught 2 minutes of salisbury and scruggs on the fan. They were talking about how the cowboys are the 4th team in the division right now and not even in consideration for the playoffs!

Salisbury I think is intentionally trying to make everyone that listens to that show get all worked up and get a reaction. He basically is ripping romo everytime I listen and now today I heard him say we cant even play with the giants and that the Commanders leaped way ahead of us!

Now why anyone would listen to that garbage show I have no idea.

 

[Doomsay]

Easier Schedule +

Essentially the same Coaching Staff with diminishing respect --

Lost 5 Starters + 2 important Subs. Gained one or two decent FA'a, looking for rookies to provide depth -

Mr Holland's Fatarse should be an improvement over Procter +

Receiver Corps better than last year ??

Real NFL Backup QB +

Special Teams have better coach + return of elite punter but lose significant
cover men to FA +-

Significant Rookies stepping up in 2009 @ CB, HB and TE positions (more snaps) +

Spencer taking over for Ellis??

Injury situation, although it seemed bad at times was below the NFL average in terms of Starters lost, so that's a push, i.e. expect the same level.

Chemistry, leadership... who knows??

Safety situation doesn't seem any better and we are somewhat depleted @ NT. Push

I expect that the defense will get marginally better with a more stable 2ndary. The offense is a big mystery with the not ready for prime time receiving corps and a lazy offensive line. I think that the line just got complacent after Sparano's guys left, don't see any improvement there other than not having to rely on Procter anymore. Doesn't smell like an 11-5 season some how.

 

[Rampage]

I was flipping around the dial a couple of hours ago and unfortunately I caught 2 minutes of salisbury and scruggs on the fan. They were talking about how the cowboys are the 4th team in the division right now and not even in consideration for the playoffs!

Salisbury I think is intentionally trying to make everyone that listens to that show get all worked up and get a reaction. He basically is ripping romo everytime I listen and now today I heard him say we cant even play with the giants and that the Commanders leaped way ahead of us!

Now why anyone would listen to that garbage show I have no idea.

the playoffs next year who knows. but we're not the worst team in the division......right now we're the 2nd worst team in the division.

 

[Dallas]

Have Off-Season Moves Lowered Expectations?

Posted by jellis at 3/19/2009 3:11 PM CDT on truebluefanclub.com

We got into an interesting discussion during The Lunch Break today, right before flipping the television to March Madness. The question at hand was whether trading Anthony Henry and releasing Terrell Owens has lowered expectations for the Cowboys in 2009.

A lot of people picked the Cowboys to be in the Super Bowl last year, and evidently those expectations were a bit much. But in their moves to get younger by releasing two proven vets, have the Cowboys taken themselves out of the discussion?

Someone even threw out a 7-9 record as a possibility. But I just don't see that. What did Anthony Henry really give the Cowboys that younger, more athletic guys like Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick can't? Terrell Owens is an amazing talent, but there's a decent case to be made that he creates a disruption that takes away from everyone else.

Me, I still believe the Cowboys are closer to being in the Super Bowl than they are to having a losing record. People will forget some of the injuries they had last season. With a full off-season to move on and a new attitude, the Cowboys could be much improved. Even without Owens and Henry, the Cowboys are still among the league's most talented teams.

But what about you guys? Do you think the Cowboys taken a step back, or just moved on?

-Josh Ellis

Timmy Mac was saying that after stuffing his fat face w/ cheese fries. I was there, I heard it.

 

[Vintage]

The offseason hasn't so much lowered my expectations as much as last season has lowered my expectations. I thought coming off a 13 win season, we were an elite team.

I was wrong.

I can see anywhere from 8 to 10 wins. Maybe we get a playoff win. If we do, I'll never utter a word of complaint about the season after the season is over. All I want is one playoff win.... and I'll be happier than hell.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Have Off-Season Moves Lowered Expectations?

Getting rid of TO lowers the expectations for next year?

Bring back the cancer then!!!