DC: Rob’s Figure 4: Identifying Four Areas For Improvement On Offense, Defense

[Galian Beast]

The jury is still out for me.

Prescott had a great 2016 season and a fine start overall to 2017. While his finish was undeniably awful, I'm not closing the book on him just yet.

I'll give him 2018 to show which guy he truly is.

Matt Cassel went 10-5 with the Patriots in 2008. Dak didn't do that well. He just had good circumstances. He isn't very good.

 

[Stash]

Matt Cassel went 10-5 with the Patriots in 2008.

And Cassel looked clueless and incapable playing for Jason Garrett. That's a key difference. It's one thing to be coached by Belechick and quite another to be coached by Garrett.

Dak didn't do that well. He just had good circumstances.

He undeniably had that, but his 2016 performance was still remarkable, especially for a rookie. Pro Bowl worthy obviously. And I don't now try to discount that based off of some 2017 struggles.

He isn't very good.

As I've said, he's built up some equity with me. A half season of struggles doesn't erase a year plus of good play.

But if the Dak we get in 2018 is the same guy who finished 2017? I reserve the right to change my vote.

 

[dallasdave]

And Cassel looked clueless and incapable playing for Jason Garrett. That's a key difference. It's one thing to be coached by Belechick and quite another to be coached by Garrett.



He undeniably had that, but his 2016 performance was still remarkable, especially for a rookie. Pro Bowl worthy obviously. And I don't now try to discount that based off of some 2017 struggles.



As I've said, he's built up some equity with me. A half season of struggles doesn't erase a year plus of good play.

But if the Dak we get in 2018 is the same guy who finished 2017? I reserve the right to change my vote.

Belechick brings out a team ready and planning on winning every game. Kind of reminds of a guy Dallas had named Jimmy.

 

[dallasdave]

Jimmy

 

[Stash]

Belechick brings out a team ready and planning on winning every game. Kind of reminds of a guy Dallas had named Jimmy.

One things for certain, Jimmy wasn't at a disadvantage every Sunday. And Belicheck certainly isn't. The Garrett-led Cowboys always are.

 

[dallasdave]

One things for certain, Jimmy wasn't at a disadvantage every Sunday. And Belicheck certainly isn't. The Garrett-led Cowboys always are.

The only thing we have won with Garrett is the Clapping Award.

 

[Stash]

The only thing we have won with Garrett is the Clapping Award.

Yeah, that's great, we got "the Clap"...

 

[dallasdave]

Yeah, that's great, we got "the Clap"...

Reminds me many years ago when they said Clap for the Wolfman. I thought what did the Wolfman ever do to you ?

 

[ShiningStar]

im going to side with WM here. Dak is better on the run and Dallas kept him away from his strengths. A lot of forcing to Dez, which everyone on the board complained about. once dez was out of a game, the ball moved around to more targets.

The offense was not Dak friendly.

 

[waving monkey]

im going to side with WM here. Dak is better on the run and Dallas kept him away from his strengths. A lot of forcing to Dez, which everyone on the board complained about. once dez was out of a game, the ball moved around to more targets.

The offense was not Dak friendly.

]im going to side with WM here; I just fainted

 

[Sydla]

That’s quite a puff piece on the D.

For starters total yards is a bad defensive measure. They gave up more points per game this year. They basically had no improvement in generating turnovers. Advanced stats were none too kind to the defense.

They are a mediocre defense (that was awful without Lee) at best that, frankly, I think needed a coaching change. But that’s not coming so they better get smart in FA and bring in some quality vets at the 1 Tech, S, etc.

 

[Stash]

That’s quite a puff piece on the D.

For starters total yards is a bad defensive measure. They gave up more points per game this year. They basically had no improvement in generating turnovers. Advanced stats were none too kind to the defense.

They are a mediocre defense (that was awful without Lee) at best that, frankly, I think needed a coaching change. But that’s not coming so they better get smart in FA and bring in some quality vets at the 1 Tech, S, etc.

I totally agree with you on the complete botch they've done on the 1-tech, but I liked what I saw down the stretch and feel that they improved as the season went along, do you not agree?

 

[aikemirv]

Again QB gets a pass.

Dak is a huge problem.

Interesting that the difference in Sacks and hits from 2016-2017 really amounts to the Atlanta game.

Dak rarely stepped up in the pocket this year and he was very good at it last year. Romo must have been in his ear all the time last year. People talk about his inaccuracy and his arm strength and so forth but to me, it is his pocket precense and his refusal to go downfield that was the main cause for decline from 16 to 17

 

[jterrell]

Interesting look at it and good way to break it down for easy digestion.
The biggest things I took away are:
1. Need to generate more big plays on offense. Big plays lead to points.
2. Record without Lee at 1-5 is crazy. Record without Tyron at 1-3 is almost as bad. But we knew those were our best 2 players on their sides of the ball and now have W-L data to back that up.

Corrective Actions:
1. You need to add speed/playmaking to the offense.
1a. This can be a TE/WR/3rd down-wing back type so options galore but you need a game-breaking element to mix with the slow and steady hammer that is the Dak, OL plus Zeke.
2. We've got have better back up solutions for those 2 special guys who are unlikely to find Emmitt's Smith's magical health elixir.
2a. I think this means you draft a LB and sign or draft a proven Swing Tackle but you better have a plan.

 

[jterrell]

Interesting that the difference in Sacks and hits from 2016-2017 really amounts to the Atlanta game.

Dak rarely stepped up in the pocket this year and he was very good at it last year. Romo must have been in his ear all the time last year. People talk about his inaccuracy and his arm strength and so forth but to me, it is his pocket precense and his refusal to go downfield that was the main cause for decline from 16 to 17

Romo wasn't in Dak's ear last year, Mark Sanchez was.
And clearly, the added pressure and sacks are almost wholly due to losing Tyron Smith.
When you cant trust your blind side as a QB you are going to be lost period.
Anyone with Aikman in their name surely knows what Troy was like when he couldn't trust his OL versus what he was when he could.

 

[DC Cowboy]

No one wants to accept that the QB is a problem because of what that means for the franchise.

I get your point, he just finished his 2nd year and his record is 22-10. He set multiple rookie QB records. He was playing ok before suspension and injuries. He got the crap beat out of him in Atl.( no adjustment nor substitution from coaching staff), faced constant pressure the 2nd half of the season. First down on the 3 vs. Seattle and your coaching staff decides to pass, what was Dak thinking? it has been said by multiple teams we faced that our offense is simple, yeah you suck Dak. During games I can read on this board how you all can predict the play calling during games ( run on 1st, pass on 2nd, pass to Witten on 3rd, Dez on a fly route ...)and you all don't get paid to do it. Yeah I see where you are coming from. NOT

 

[Galian Beast]

I get your point, he just finished his 2nd year and his record is 22-10. He set multiple rookie QB records. He was playing ok before suspension and injuries. He got the crap beat out of him in Atl.( no adjustment nor substitution from coaching staff), faced constant pressure the 2nd half of the season. First down on the 3 vs. Seattle and your coaching staff decides to pass, what was Dak thinking? it has been said by multiple teams we faced that our offense is simple, yeah you suck Dak. During games I can read on this board how you all can predict the play calling during games ( run on 1st, pass on 2nd, pass to Witten on 3rd, Dez on a fly route ...)and you all don't get paid to do it. Yeah I see where you are coming from. NOT

He wasn't okay. He feasted on a lot of bad teams.

 

[Sydla]

I totally agree with you on the complete botch they've done on the 1-tech, but I liked what I saw down the stretch and feel that they improved as the season went along, do you not agree?

Improved to what? Average? Decent?

I think they are a D that still has big holes and can be exploited by any quality offense that you would likely encounter in the playoffs (if we ever get back there LOL).

The middle of the D is a question at every level - DT, MLB, S

 

[DC Cowboy]

He wasn't okay. He feasted on a lot of bad teams.

which a good/OK QB should do right? I live in the DC area and just watched Cousin fail miserably against the Giants. But since that is a poor team he should have played better, yet they say he should demand over 25 mil a year.

 

[DC Cowboy]

He wasn't okay. He feasted on a lot of bad teams.

read (please keep in mind this is his 2nd year. Bill Parcells said, who I think we all would agree knows more than us, it is year 3 when you can tell if they can play):
https://cowboyszone.com/threads/percys-stats-on-dak.394352/