Describing this Cowboys team approximately 29% into the season

Jumbo075

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Bobhaze said:
It always takes at least 4-6 games into a season - maybe more - to start to understand what an NFL team is. The win in Pittsburgh showed grit and the ability to overcome mistakes.The Cowboys have now played 29% of the 2024 season and in my opinion, here are some things that describe this team so far:

OBSERVATIONS OF TEAM SO FAR
  • After 5 games, this team has shown that it can bounce back from some adversity after playing two really bad games followed by a couple of gritty wins. But it still has a long way to go IMO be as good as last year’s team.
  • This team is very reliant on several rookies who have mostly performed well. Relying on lots of rookies has some ups and downs as they continue to learn the NFL.
  • So far this team has looked worse than the 2023 team on offense and are struggling to score more than 20 points per game. A weak running game and a decent passing game make it far less explosive. That has to improve to be a serious playoff contender.
  • Mike Zimmer’s new defensive scheme has looked worse than last year too, although injuries have devastated that side of the ball as well. It has improved in the last two games
  • Overall this team through 5 games appears to still be struggling to find its identity and IMO lacks offensive firepower to be a playoff contender.
KEY QUESTIONS FOR REST OF SEASON
  • Will this team be able to find a running game? (Rico Dowdle has shown some promise)
  • Will this team be able to overcome the key injuries that have plagued it early this season?
  • Will the front office add some talent on offense? (If not, this offense does not appear to have enough to compete in the playoffs)
  • Will the rookies we are relying on develop into reliable starters?
  • Will the players continue to play hard for this coaching staff who are all on expiring contracts?
So far the Cowboys have looked like an average NFL team with as many questions as it has strengths. Lots of time to get better but without some additions on offense it will likely continue to struggle to score more than 20.

Other observations?
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The Cowboys are retooling the team on the fly, turning over key positions to younger players. The results are mixed, with some younger players doing well, and some not so well. Everyone is disappointed with Mazi Smith, but on the other hand the Cowboys have hit on DaRon Bland, and a couple of UFL players that have made the Pro Bowl.

Meanwhile, ageing past stars like Zack Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Zeke Elliott are faltering. Cooks is getting older by the game.

My personal expectation was the Cowboys would struggle early and get better as the season progressed. But the injuries have been unexpected. So, it is really unknown how the team will do going forward.

But other teams which have been good, like the 49ers are also struggling. So, and the Commanders and Vikings are tearing it up.

Every year is a new year in the NFL. The Cowboys have a chance to get better as the season goes forward, and could be among the best by the end of the year. Or not.
 
Pantone282C

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Bobhaze said:
It always takes at least 4-6 games into a season - maybe more - to start to understand what an NFL team is. The win in Pittsburgh showed grit and the ability to overcome mistakes.The Cowboys have now played 29% of the 2024 season and in my opinion, here are some things that describe this team so far:

OBSERVATIONS OF TEAM SO FAR
  • After 5 games, this team has shown that it can bounce back from some adversity after playing two really bad games followed by a couple of gritty wins. But it still has a long way to go IMO be as good as last year’s team.
  • This team is very reliant on several rookies who have mostly performed well. Relying on lots of rookies has some ups and downs as they continue to learn the NFL.
  • So far this team has looked worse than the 2023 team on offense and are struggling to score more than 20 points per game. A weak running game and a decent passing game make it far less explosive. That has to improve to be a serious playoff contender.
  • Mike Zimmer’s new defensive scheme has looked worse than last year too, although injuries have devastated that side of the ball as well. It has improved in the last two games
  • Overall this team through 5 games appears to still be struggling to find its identity and IMO lacks offensive firepower to be a playoff contender.
KEY QUESTIONS FOR REST OF SEASON
  • Will this team be able to find a running game? (Rico Dowdle has shown some promise)
  • Will this team be able to overcome the key injuries that have plagued it early this season?
  • Will the front office add some talent on offense? (If not, this offense does not appear to have enough to compete in the playoffs)
  • Will the rookies we are relying on develop into reliable starters?
  • Will the players continue to play hard for this coaching staff who are all on expiring contracts?
So far the Cowboys have looked like an average NFL team with as many questions as it has strengths. Lots of time to get better but without some additions on offense it will likely continue to struggle to score more than 20.

Other observations?
Click to expand...
Sounds like a soap opera season, Monsieur Bob.
Will the coaches have the chutzpah to make the any personnel changes necessary for a chance at success? Can they pull the plug on a comatose running back? Can they figure out that the Oline needs a reconfig?
 
HungryLion

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Whirlwin said:
It’s funny everybody had us losing to them lol now all of a sudden they suck
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Everybody did not have the cowboys losing to the Steelers.

Your comment is what’s called a generalization. FYI it’s a poor and dishonest debate tactic.
 
Whirlwin

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HungryLion said:
Ok gotcha. Sorry. Cowboys are Super Bowl contenders man. They’re going all the way this year!!!!!! GO COWBOYS!!!!!!!






Happy now?
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No. I have no problem critiquing the team when necessary, but they say we outright stink is ridiculous.
 
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Whirlwin

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HungryLion said:
Everybody did not have the cowboys losing to the Steelers.

Your comment is what’s called a generalization. FYI it’s a poor and dishonest debate tactic.
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You are absolutely correct. Not everybody let’s say most people the majority they took the pole.
 
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CWR

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HungryLion said:
Ok gotcha. Sorry. Cowboys are Super Bowl contenders man. They’re going all the way this year!!!!!! GO COWBOYS!!!!!!!






Happy now?
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The irony you'd call out someone else for a poor and dishonest debate tactic is pure gold.
 
plasticman

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I think the realistic expectation was for the team to struggle early due to the youth movement in addition to learning an entirely new defense.

The injuries disrupted just about everything they had planned to do.

They lost a starting All-Pro CB, a 3rd year DE expected to compete for a lot of playing time, some backup TE's, their backup CB, their two starting DE's, including one of the best defenders in the league, their 2nd backup DE, their WR2, their backup LT, their starting LT, and a backup DT.

It's difficult to find cohesion early with a new defensive system, practically impossible when the starting lineup is going through weekly changes as a result of injury.

With that said, they should improve their play almost every week as a result of added experience and improved health....assuming no future devastating injuries.
 
HungryLion

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CWR said:
The irony you'd call out someone else for a poor and dishonest debate tactic is pure gold.
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Please feel free to point out when I use one CWR. please be specific.

I personally dislike when people say stuff like “everybody said they would lose”. When that’s just flat out untrue. Maybe he was engaging in hyperbole. If so he could just let me know that.
 
HungryLion

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Whirlwin said:
No. I have no problem critiquing the team when necessary, but they say we outright stink is ridiculous.
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I didn’t say the cowboys outright stink. So I’m not sure why you say that.

I said they’re middle of the road. Which is a synonym for average FWIW.
 
HungryLion

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Bobhaze said:
Revisions of what?
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The resident homer wants to critique your evolving thoughts on the team.

Since you don’t just always homer out and try to sell how great they are to everybody else.
 
Whirlwin

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HungryLion said:
I didn’t say the cowboys outright stink. So I’m not sure why you say that.

I said they’re middle of the road. Which is a synonym for average FWIW.
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No, but someone else did I was responding to them
 
CWR

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HungryLion said:
Please feel free to point out when I use one CWR. please be specific.

I personally dislike when people say stuff like “everybody said they would lose”. When that’s just flat out untrue. Maybe he was engaging in hyperbole. If so he could just let me know that.
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Sorry man, you were being sarcastic but I don't think he was claiming we were superbowl contenders going all the way. My interpretation was most people picked Pittsburgh and they aren't a bad team.

I completely understand the hate for hyperbole, because that's what triggered me to respond. Probably because, I have a shred of optimism after what I consider a good road win, and wasn't ready to see it crapped on.

I get what your saying and shouldn't have been d$%ksh. My bad, lemme just appreciate this game another minute and I'm sure after Detroit reality can set back in.
 
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