DC: Spagnola: Going On The Offensive Again

[waving monkey]

So at some point last season, and I’m not quite sure when it was, maybe when it became apparent there would be no Jay Ratliff and no
Anthony Spencer. Or maybe when none of the three starting linebackers were available for the Green Bay game. Or maybe during that time period when Jason Hatcher missed a start while DeMarcus Ware was playing with an elbow in need of postseason surgery.

Heck, maybe it was even earlier than that when the Cowboys had given up at least 30 points in three of the first five games of the season and that revolving door on the defensive line already was spinning out of control.

But I did say, realizing this was a sad-sack defense on its way to becoming the worst in Cowboys history and 32nd in the league last year, OK offense, this is on you. Gotta score thirtysomething each week to win.

Well, knowing what we now know about the Cowboys current defensive state, already having lost Sean Lee for the season, combined with the looming unknown since there is a chance the Cowboys could roll out seven new starters in 2014, we just might have to up that offensive ante to, hey, better score fortysomething.

Real smart aleck, right?

Of course, that would be asking the Cowboys to reset the NFL scoring record the Denver Broncos smashed this past season, putting up 606 points to break the 2007 mark of 589 set by the New England Patriots. Tall order, and an unreasonable edict.

But here is the point: With all the negativity swirling around this team – my gosh, what would folks be saying if the Cowboys were coming off 5-11 last year instead of the middling 8-8? – has anyone even considered:

An awfully good Cowboys 2013 offense, injury permitting, will be even better in 2014? Becoming a real Lean On Me unit?

Don’t you dare scoff!

Let’s examine, and start here:
link/http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/a...ve-Again/8b3da289-4f37-425f-a243-7e0ba64ef9cc

 

[Fredd]

so, the FO drafted a communication and called Spags and said "use this, word-for-word"...not that I disagree with this at all, just that I can't take spags seriously in virtually any circumstance...he is the poster-boy and pumping cowboys sunshine

 

[noshame]

Show me.....because I've heard it all in the past 18 years. We all hope

 

[Cowboy06]

so, the FO drafted a communication and called Spags and said "use this, word-for-word"...not that I disagree with this at all, just that I can't take spags seriously in virtually any circumstance...he is the poster-boy and pumping cowboys sunshine

pumping or pooping? LOL I agree either way.

 

[Fredd]

pumping or pooping? LOL I agree either way.

haha....he certainly tows the company line...that piece just reminded me of things that Stevie would say....

 

[Toruk_Makto]

so, the FO drafted a communication and called Spags and said "use this, word-for-word"...not that I disagree with this at all, just that I can't take spags seriously in virtually any circumstance...he is the poster-boy and pumping cowboys sunshine

So you're incapable of judging the merit of a piece because of it's source?

And far from being ashamed at your lack of sophistication, discipline and maturity you revel in it?

Interesting.

 

[jobberone]

A little fluffy at times but there's nothing unfactual about the piece. Actually we were an elite offense last year and we were poor at converting 3rd downs. Our Sc% need to go up a bit, penalites down a bit, and have a few more plays and supporting playmakers to become really elite. Add an effective running game esp in short yardage and goal line situations and you have a winner.

This is why I'm optimistic we can contend within the division if we can put the defense in the middle of the road.

 

[Reality]

I think people are forgetting that last year, our defense and special teams set up a lot of short field situations that led to a lot of easier-than-normal points. There are many variables that came into play last year that may not come into play this year even if the offense turns out to be better talent and efficiency wise.

 

[Alexander]

Actually we were an elite offense last year and we were poor at converting 3rd downs. Our Sc% need to go up a bit, penalites down a bit, and have a few more plays and supporting playmakers to become really elite. Add an effective running game esp in short yardage and goal line situations and you have a winner.

So you have faith it will finally come together for the first time since Garrett has been on the Dallas sidelines? That Scott Linehan better be good.

 

[morasp]

After the Super Bowl and seeing what a great defense could do to an offense that set records I am more inclined to prefer an elite defense. Since that isn't going to happen at least this year I hope he is right and we do take the offense to the next level. They are talking a lot about being more balanced and that has been the case in previous off seasons but maybe this year we'll have the offensive line that can back it up.

 

[Alexander]

After the Super Bowl and seeing what a great defense could do to an offense that set records I am more inclined to prefer an elite defense. Since that isn't going to happen at least this year I hope he is right and we do take the offense to the next level. They are talking a lot about being more balanced and that has been the case in previous off seasons but maybe this year we'll have the offensive line that can back it up.

It was not just this Super Bowl. The Giants did it to a dominating Patriots offense as well. This offense could be all-timer good and still end up with nothing at the end of it all.

That is why I really have no interest in depending on the offense to win games. Ultimately, when the season is on the line, the team that has defense step up in the postseason gets further.

 

[morasp]

It was not just this Super Bowl. The Giants did it to a dominating Patriots offense as well. This offense could be all-timer good and still end up with nothing at the end of it all.

That is why I really have no interest in depending on the offense to win games. Ultimately, when the season is on the line, the team that has defense step up in the postseason gets further.

Agree. And their offenses are usually good at running the ball and not turning it over ala Trent Dilfer and the Ravens.

 

[Tawney88]

So you're incapable of judging the merit of a piece because of it's source?

And far from being ashamed at your lack of sophistication, discipline and maturity you revel in it?

Interesting.

Micky is a hack and he is a company man. He is rarely if ever objective about this team. Everything he says should be scrutinized and taken with a grain of salt.

I've seen far more people railing on other media members on this site with nothing but kudos and high fives from other members, but when someone takes issue with the spin master/propagandist for the team he gets insulted.

Talk about what he said instead of attacking the poster. Makes for a better Discussion, JMO.

 

[jday]

So at some point last season, and I’m not quite sure when it was, maybe when it became apparent there would be no Jay Ratliff and no
Anthony Spencer. Or maybe when none of the three starting linebackers were available for the Green Bay game. Or maybe during that time period when Jason Hatcher missed a start while DeMarcus Ware was playing with an elbow in need of postseason surgery.

Heck, maybe it was even earlier than that when the Cowboys had given up at least 30 points in three of the first five games of the season and that revolving door on the defensive line already was spinning out of control.

But I did say, realizing this was a sad-sack defense on its way to becoming the worst in Cowboys history and 32nd in the league last year, OK offense, this is on you. Gotta score thirtysomething each week to win.

Well, knowing what we now know about the Cowboys current defensive state, already having lost Sean Lee for the season, combined with the looming unknown since there is a chance the Cowboys could roll out seven new starters in 2014, we just might have to up that offensive ante to, hey, better score fortysomething.

Real smart aleck, right?

Of course, that would be asking the Cowboys to reset the NFL scoring record the Denver Broncos smashed this past season, putting up 606 points to break the 2007 mark of 589 set by the New England Patriots. Tall order, and an unreasonable edict.

But here is the point: With all the negativity swirling around this team – my gosh, what would folks be saying if the Cowboys were coming off 5-11 last year instead of the middling 8-8? – has anyone even considered:

An awfully good Cowboys 2013 offense, injury permitting, will be even better in 2014? Becoming a real Lean On Me unit?

Don’t you dare scoff!

Let’s examine, and start here:
link/http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/a...ve-Again/8b3da289-4f37-425f-a243-7e0ba64ef9cc

While this is a classic case of bending stats to back up an argument, I am optimistic about the immediate future of this offense, provided Romo can stay healthy. What I have questions about is rather or not this defense can prevent opposing offenses from outscoring the Cowboys. Furthermore, as someone already pointed out, in the end, as we have seen throughout the years - especially with offenses that set records, is defense wins champoinships. It was true last year, it was true when the Patriots set records in 2007, it was true when the powerhouse offense of the Raiders faced the Bucs defense, it has been true since the dawn of football.

 

[Idgit]

I think people are forgetting that last year, our defense and special teams set up a lot of short field situations that led to a lot of easier-than-normal points. There are many variables that came into play last year that may not come into play this year even if the offense turns out to be better talent and efficiency wise.

There have been some pretty great threads that have unpacked those situational performance statistics pretty well. On a points/offensive drive basis, we were effective last season relative to the rest of the league regardless of where we were starting from. That might not continue, but there's no reason to think the roster will be the cause if it does not.

 

[Risen Star]

So you have faith it will finally come together for the first time since Garrett has been on the Dallas sidelines? That Scott Linehan better be good.

I wouldn't rule out the possibility that the biggest offensive improvement this year, what may take them to the elite level, will be Rod Marinelli.

 

[visionary]

So you're incapable of judging the merit of a piece because of it's source?

And far from being ashamed at your lack of sophistication, discipline and maturity you revel in it?

Interesting.

Did uncle jerry approve this message?

 

[Idgit]

I wouldn't rule out the possibility that the biggest offensive improvement this year, what may take them to the elite level, will be Rod Marinelli.

Lol. Totally thought you were going to go with Ben Bass there. Good one!

 

[DFWJC]

This was equal pessimism (defense) and equal optimism (offense).
In this case at least, why is this a fluff piece?

Why do some of you only see the bad side of things. He basically said the defense will suck and then went on to say why the offense could be good.

What did he say that you disagree with?

 

[visionary]

A little fluffy at times but there's nothing unfactual about the piece. Actually we were an elite offense last year and we were poor at converting 3rd downs. Our Sc% need to go up a bit, penalites down a bit, and have a few more plays and supporting playmakers to become really elite. Add an effective running game esp in short yardage and goal line situations and you have a winner.

This is why I'm optimistic we can contend within the division if we can put the defense in the middle of the road.

I disagree
An offense that a poor third down % and is poor at short yardage pick up and can't run when the run is expected is not anywhere near elite in my book