Did We Move the Proverbial Needle this Off-season?

[rambo2]

Could you imagine if the Cowboys were actually active in free agency for the better free agents?

Lol, they just acquired the best receiver available in this offseason and you don't even know it. You have absolutely no idea who the better free agents are.

 

[rambo2]

Very concerned about our run defense.

Tell us John, how would you fix that?

 

[rambo2]

Pretty much my attitude as well.
I have come to expect nothing from this team.
And they have met my expectations unfortunately.

You need to go to Costco and get some tissues.

 

[kskboys]

Personally, I don't see how you could think the team didn't at least put in a solid effort at improving.

I won't list all the players, but I think the ones we've added via draft or FA or UDFA or trades, probably move the needle at least a little bit.

I just hope they aren't done yet. I don't know what we're getting done. But get 'er done, Jerry!

They improved to an 8-10 win team, but got nowhere nearer to super bowl contention. All these flashy players we got will improve our win total a bit, but we did almost nothing to improve the D so we can beat playoff QBs, and that is the biggest objective to playoff success. I do like the other pass rusher we drafted, I call him Ezra, but it's common knowledge that QBs will step up into the pocket to avoid the pass rush, and we didn't address that major weakness that we have.

 

[Nova]

This offseason has been a net positive, so the needle has moved, yes.

But barring a repeat of last years disastrous offseason, we were bound to improve this year.

What matters is if we’re able to build on those improvements in the coming years.

A lot hinges on the Pickens trade— and Pickens is a risky gamble that may only pay off in this likely meaningless season.

 

[Diehardblues]

Personally, I don't see how you could think the team didn't at least put in a solid effort at improving.

I won't list all the players, but I think the ones we've added via draft or FA or UDFA or trades, probably move the needle at least a little bit.

I just hope they aren't done yet. I don't know what we're getting done. But get 'er done, Jerry!

Of course we improved. But did we improve more than rest of our division and top teams in NFC?

Ultimately it’s not just about what we did but how the rest of our division and conference did.

It looks like on the face we are still probably a 3rd place team team behind Phil and Wash. And most would argue NY had one of the best drafts. If their new QB blossoms quickly Cowboys could have worst QB in division. For now 3rd best.

I think it’s fairly easy to name 7 NFC teams ahead of us. That said if we can remain healthy this year we should be contending for that last seed if we have 8 or 9 wins which is the forecast for 2025.

 

[kskboys]

This offseason has been a net positive, so the needle has moved, yes.

But barring a repeat of last years disastrous offseason, we were bound to improve this year.

What matters is if we’re able to build on those improvements in the coming years.

A lot hinges on the Pickens trade— and Pickens is a risky gamble that may only pay off in this likely meaningless season.

Even more hinges on our 7th round NT. Too bad we didn't think of it earlier.

 

[dcstar]

Every year moves the proverbial needle...one way or the other.

Question is...do Messers' Jones ever do enough to move out of middlin'town and on to the road to titletown?

Go Cowboys!

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Personally, I don't see how you could think the team didn't at least put in a solid effort at improving.

I won't list all the players, but I think the ones we've added via draft or FA or UDFA or trades, probably move the needle at least a little bit.

I just hope they aren't done yet. I don't know what we're getting done. But get 'er done, Jerry!

Jerry is probably done. This splashy Pickens move excited fan base and the jerseys are being printed as we speak. Jerry is excited to see the sales numbers

 

[BlindFaith]

Every team and fanbase is saying the same exact thing. Needles moving everywhere.

Are we good enough to make the SB? No. Playoffs? No.

Are we better than last year? No.

Heres why.

OFFENSE Push

1. QB Worse - Dak isnt getting any better and will be coming off an injury. His play declined considerably after his last injury. We dont have a legit backup. Milton needs a ton of time before we can count on him. Downgrade from Rush.
2. WR Better - Cooks missed a lot of the season. We'll at least start the season with some consistency. I dont think Pickens has a huge positive impact, but we have enough collective talent to produce more. Provided Dak improves his ability to distribute the ball. Which is unlikely. But at least on paper, the WR group is improved.
3. OL Push - Jerry brought in 3 JAG OL in FA. Then wasted the 12th pick on a guard. Martin was a liability last year. When he went out, the unit collectively was better. Booker wont just come in and be all world. Hopefully Guyton takes a step forward.
4. TE Push - Same group.
5. RB Slightly better - Almost a push, but we do have some depth nnow. Still the worst collective bunch in the NFL. But crazily still a little better than last year. And it should be the end of duece, which makes the team better.

DEFENSE Worse - Worse compared to what we were projected to have starting last year. Injuries killed the D last year. So barring a rash of injuries, the D should be better than the group we had last year. But worse than what we were expected to have starting for us last year.

1. DE Worse - At least to start the year. Just as Jed did with over reacting on the Oline, he did the same with DE. Added Turner, Fowler, resigned Wheat. Drafted a 2nd rounder. None are as good as Lawrence, not yet. But this group, led by Micah, is clearly the best group on this side of the ball.
2. DT Worse - And the wost group in the NFL. We went from bad to embarrassing. Osa is a solid player. But undersized. Mazi didnt show significant improvement and is close to being a bust. And then we have nothing. We couldnt even upgrade from Joseph, Gholston and Watkins. Pathetic. We have a cast off 3T. A couple late round rookies and a recycled previous cast off in Rodgers.
3. LB Worse - IF Overshown comes back and starts the season, then its only slightly worse. Neither of the jags we brought in from fa are better than Kenndricks. And we basically ignored the position, as we did with DT, in the draft.
4. Corner Worse - Last year we were looking at Bland, Diggs and Lewis as the starters. With Cason looking promising. This year we are looking at Bland, Elam and Revel? And the same Cason who got benched/hurt/sucked. Elam, yet another first round bust reclamation project and a rookie who is coming off a knee injury and seems injury prone. But with a ton of potential. Oh, and Butler will miss mostbof the year with his own knee injury. Diggs will likely be back at some point, so that'll help. But we still wont make up for the loss of Lewis.
5. Safety Slightly worse - Same group just older. Possibly the worst tandom in the NFL

ST Best Kicker, Punter and Returner combo in the NFL. Aubry is the only thing that will keep us from being a complete embarrassment.

This is why Jed and this org are a complete disaster. Our head coach wants to lean more on the run game. Yet we have the highest paid QB and second highest WR. And we just got a one year rental on a head case that most other teams didnt want on their teams. Oh, and we have the worst group of RBs in the NFL. But hey, we have 2 first round guards.

And how do we plan on running the ball when we are always chasing teams because our defense is giving up 30 a game?

Move the needle. Ha.

 

[Nova]

Even more hinges on our 7th round NT. Too bad we didn't think of it earlier.

My biggest annoyance was waiting to take a DT until the late rounds. Especially in a class like this one.

But if they get a couple via FA, trades, or draft in the coming years, it might end up being okay.

There were too many holes to fill this season.

 

[kskboys]

Every year moves the proverbial needle...one way or the other.

Question is...do Messers' Jones ever do enough to move out of middlin'town and on to the road to titletown?

Go Cowboys!

That is an excellent question!!!!!

Jerry is not interested in super bowl contention. All he wants is yearly relevance. How do I know this? Because the players have been there several times that could've vaulted us up, and Jerry has always passed for flash or Offense. If he really wanted to win a title, he would not do things as he does them. Because what he is doing does not work, and that has been proven incessantly.

 

[kskboys]

Every team and fanbase is saying the same exact thing. Needles moving everywhere.

Are we good enough to make the SB? No. Playoffs? No.

Are we better than last year? No.

Heres why.

OFFENSE Push

1. QB Worse - Dak isnt getting any better and will be coming off an injury. His play declined considerably after his last injury. We dont have a legit backup. Milton needs a ton of time before we can count on him. Downgrade from Rush.
2. WR Better - Cooks missed a lot of the season. We'll at least start the season with some consistency. I dont think Pickens has a huge positive impact, but we have enough collective talent to produce more. Provided Dak improves his ability to distribute the ball. Which is unlikely. But at least on paper, the WR group is improved.
3. OL Push - Jerry brought in 3 JAG OL in FA. Then wasted the 12th pick on a guard. Martin was a liability last year. When he went out, the unit collectively was better. Booker wont just come in and be all world. Hopefully Guyton takes a step forward.
4. TE Push - Same group.
5. RB Slightly better - Almost a push, but we do have some depth nnow. Still the worst collective bunch in the NFL. But crazily still a little better than last year. And it should be the end of duece, which makes the team better.

DEFENSE Worse - Worse compared to what we were projected to have starting last year. Injuries killed the D last year. So barring a rash of injuries, the D should be better than the group we had last year. But worse than what we were expected to have starting for us last year.

1. DE Worse - At least to start the year. Just as Jed did with over reacting on the Oline, he did the same with DE. Added Turner, Fowler, resigned Wheat. Drafted a 2nd rounder. None are as good as Lawrence, not yet. But this group, led by Micah, is clearly the best group on this side of the ball.
2. DT Worse - And the wost group in the NFL. We went from bad to embarrassing. Osa is a solid player. But undersized. Mazi didnt show significant improvement and is close to being a bust. And then we have nothing. We couldnt even upgrade from Joseph, Gholston and Watkins. Pathetic. We have a cast off 3T. A couple late round rookies and a recycled previous cast off in Rodgers.
3. LB Worse - IF Overshown comes back and starts the season, then its only slightly worse. Neither of the jags we brought in from fa are better than Kenndricks. And we basically ignored the position, as we did with DT, in the draft.
4. Corner Worse - Last year we were looking at Bland, Diggs and Lewis as the starters. With Cason looking promising. This year we are looking at Bland, Elam and Revel? And the same Cason who got benched/hurt/sucked. Elam, yet another first round bust reclamation project and a rookie who is coming off a knee injury and seems injury prone. But with a ton of potential. Oh, and Butler will miss mostbof the year with his own knee injury. Diggs will likely be back at some point, so that'll help. But we still wont make up for the loss of Lewis.
5. Safety Slightly worse - Same group just older. Possibly the worst tandom in the NFL

ST Best Kicker, Punter and Returner combo in the NFL. Aubry is the only thing that will keep us from being a complete embarrassment.

This is why Jed and this org are a complete disaster. Our head coach wants to lean more on the run game. Yet we have the highest paid QB and second highest WR. And we just got a one year rental on a head case that most other teams didnt want on their teams. Oh, and we have the worst group of RBs in the NFL. But hey, we have 2 first round guards.

And how do we plan on running the ball when we are always chasing teams because our defense is giving up 30 a game?

Move the needle. Ha.

And we had a real shot to move the needle, and passed on it, as usual.

 

[Rockport]

To me it depends on what you consider moving the needle. If moving the needle means they will be better and complete (and I think win) the division and get to the playoffs, yes the needle has been moved. If moving the needle means we are legit contenders for a NFC championship game or SB, then no.. we haven't moved the needle at all. And it will be at least another 2 years before we can move the needle in that direction.

They just moved the needle a huge amount by signing a legit WR2 who’s really a WR1.

 

[Rockport]

That is an excellent question!!!!!

Jerry is not interested in super bowl contention. All he wants is yearly relevance. How do I know this? Because the players have been there several times that could've vaulted us up, and Jerry has always passed for flash or Offense. If he really wanted to win a title, he would not do things as he does them. Because what he is doing does not work, and that has been proven incessantly.

He wants to win more than anyone. He’s just been unable to figure out how to do it for the last 3 decades. Anytime I read someone say “Jerry is not interested in Super Bowl contention” I immediately disregard their knowledge.

 

[CCBoy]

This offseason has been a net positive, so the needle has moved, yes.

But barring a repeat of last years disastrous offseason, we were bound to improve this year.

What matters is if we’re able to build on those improvements in the coming years.

A lot hinges on the Pickens trade— and Pickens is a risky gamble that may only pay off in this likely meaningless season.

The Cowboys medical staff really is very good. That many top player injuries don't usually repeat to last season's degree.

 

[CCBoy]

He wants to win more than anyone. He’s just been unable to figure out how to do it for the last 3 decades. Anytime I read someone say “Jerry is not interested in Super Bowl contention” I immediately disregard their knowledge.

He at least tries on a grand level. His staff and coaches prove this in the now.

 

[CCBoy]

Every team and fanbase is saying the same exact thing. Needles moving everywhere.

Are we good enough to make the SB? No. Playoffs? No.

Are we better than last year? No.

Heres why.

OFFENSE Push

1. QB Worse - Dak isnt getting any better and will be coming off an injury. His play declined considerably after his last injury. We dont have a legit backup. Milton needs a ton of time before we can count on him. Downgrade from Rush.
2. WR Better - Cooks missed a lot of the season. We'll at least start the season with some consistency. I dont think Pickens has a huge positive impact, but we have enough collective talent to produce more. Provided Dak improves his ability to distribute the ball. Which is unlikely. But at least on paper, the WR group is improved.
3. OL Push - Jerry brought in 3 JAG OL in FA. Then wasted the 12th pick on a guard. Martin was a liability last year. When he went out, the unit collectively was better. Booker wont just come in and be all world. Hopefully Guyton takes a step forward.
4. TE Push - Same group.
5. RB Slightly better - Almost a push, but we do have some depth nnow. Still the worst collective bunch in the NFL. But crazily still a little better than last year. And it should be the end of duece, which makes the team better.

DEFENSE Worse - Worse compared to what we were projected to have starting last year. Injuries killed the D last year. So barring a rash of injuries, the D should be better than the group we had last year. But worse than what we were expected to have starting for us last year.

1. DE Worse - At least to start the year. Just as Jed did with over reacting on the Oline, he did the same with DE. Added Turner, Fowler, resigned Wheat. Drafted a 2nd rounder. None are as good as Lawrence, not yet. But this group, led by Micah, is clearly the best group on this side of the ball.
2. DT Worse - And the wost group in the NFL. We went from bad to embarrassing. Osa is a solid player. But undersized. Mazi didnt show significant improvement and is close to being a bust. And then we have nothing. We couldnt even upgrade from Joseph, Gholston and Watkins. Pathetic. We have a cast off 3T. A couple late round rookies and a recycled previous cast off in Rodgers.
3. LB Worse - IF Overshown comes back and starts the season, then its only slightly worse. Neither of the jags we brought in from fa are better than Kenndricks. And we basically ignored the position, as we did with DT, in the draft.
4. Corner Worse - Last year we were looking at Bland, Diggs and Lewis as the starters. With Cason looking promising. This year we are looking at Bland, Elam and Revel? And the same Cason who got benched/hurt/sucked. Elam, yet another first round bust reclamation project and a rookie who is coming off a knee injury and seems injury prone. But with a ton of potential. Oh, and Butler will miss mostbof the year with his own knee injury. Diggs will likely be back at some point, so that'll help. But we still wont make up for the loss of Lewis.
5. Safety Slightly worse - Same group just older. Possibly the worst tandom in the NFL

ST Best Kicker, Punter and Returner combo in the NFL. Aubry is the only thing that will keep us from being a complete embarrassment.

This is why Jed and this org are a complete disaster. Our head coach wants to lean more on the run game. Yet we have the highest paid QB and second highest WR. And we just got a one year rental on a head case that most other teams didnt want on their teams. Oh, and we have the worst group of RBs in the NFL. But hey, we have 2 first round guards.

And how do we plan on running the ball when we are always chasing teams because our defense is giving up 30 a game?

Move the needle. Ha.

Root for the enemies and collect gold jewelry

 

[CCBoy]

That is an excellent question!!!!!

Jerry is not interested in super bowl contention. All he wants is yearly relevance. How do I know this? Because the players have been there several times that could've vaulted us up, and Jerry has always passed for flash or Offense. If he really wanted to win a title, he would not do things as he does them. Because what he is doing does not work, and that has been proven incessantly.

Don't worry, you'll never know.

 

[KJJ]

The offense clearly looks better at least on paper but the defense is still a big concern. Even if the offense is good enough to overcome some of our defensive deficiencies it will catch up with us. If we don’t get some real sold DT play we’re going to continue getting road graded.