News: DMN: Evaluating the Cowboys: During a rough season, which players actually exceeded...

[NewsBot]

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[StarBoyz83]

None exceeded.

 

[unionjack8]

I thought Jeff heath made progress

 

[dallasdave]

One game remains in the regular season.

But let's not fool ourselves. This Cowboys season came to an end long before the final seconds of Sunday afternoon's game against Washington tick off the clock.

You know what follows. Head coach Jason Garrett will praise his players for their fight and spirit while acknowledging they must do better. He must do better. Everyone in the organization must do better.

Questions about the future of specific players will be deflected by saying the staff must first complete their evaluations. That process, to borrow one of Garrett's favorite words, usually takes a couple of weeks.

"We have a evaluation process that goes on weekly with what went on in the game and where we are at this point with whatever it is -- personnel, scheme, whatever positive or negative it is for our football team,'' Garrett said. "And then you pull back again at the end of the year.

"Once we're done with the season we pull back and evaluate everything over the course of 16 games."

Now, ask yourself this: Will any performance in the season finale appreciably impact a player's evaluation? Will it persuade the coaches to disregard what they've seen the previous 15 games and form a new opinion?

No.

With that in mind, we've taken one of the performance evaluation forms lying around the office at The Dallas Morning News, filled in the blanks and gotten a head start on the process.

Garrett can thank us later.

Exceeds Expectations (5)

Description: Consistently exceeds performance expectations. Performs above standards with respect to quality and quantity of work. Requires minimal guidance, direction and motivation.

DeMarcus Lawrence, DE: After a slow start he has come on strong. Lawrence has picked up at least one sack in each of the last four games and has eight for the season to lead the Cowboys. He ranks second in quarterback pressures and in tackles for a loss. Lawrence has done a better job of setting the edge against the run in the second half of the season. He should be the team's starting left defensive end for a long time to come.

Darren McFadden, RB: He was signed as an insurance policy in case Joseph Randle didn't work out. He didn't, and now McFadden enters the final week of the regular season as one of the NFL's top five rushers. McFadden will rush for 1,000 yards for only the second time in his eight seasons. He's proven to be durable and reliable in averaging 86.8 yards in the 10 games since taking over for Randle. McFadden is the lone offensive bright spot in an otherwise dreadful season.

Byron Jones, CB: The rookie has been thrown into a variety of roles and circumstances and not flinched. He has started at corner, safety and played different roles in the team's nickel and dime packages. Jones is smart, athletic and physical. He doesn't have an interception, but leads the team in passes broken up. His versatility may have impeded his progress a bit this season, but look for him to settle in as the starting free safety entering next season.

Others


Dan Bailey, K: The most accurate kicker in NFL history made his first Pro Bowl. It won't be the last. As good as what he does as any player on the roster.

Travis Frederick, C: Teammates Tyron Smith and Zack Martin receive more acclaim. Rookie La'el Collins has more raw, physical talent. But Frederick has been the best of the lot this season.

Which Cowboy exceeded expectations the most this season? Which Cowboy needs the most improvement in 2016?
Find out which Cowboys met expectations, and which players failed to...

Continue reading...

Good write up !!!

 

[jobberone]

None exceeded.

Nonsense. Bailey and Collins did. Lawrence. McFadden. I'd put Free up there for most of you although I think he was solid. Irving probably the most. I'd put Lee here. The entire OL.

Disappointments:

Wilcox
Church some
Mo
All other CBs except Jones
Hitchens
Ro
Hardy
Gregory

There are some others who go on the negative roster and some who get an incomplete.

 

[StarBoyz83]

Nonsense. Bailey and Collins did. Lawrence. McFadden. I'd put Free up there for most of you although I think he was solid. Irving probably the most. I'd put Lee here. The entire OL.

Disappointments:

Wilcox
Church some
Mo
All other CBs except Jones
Hitchens
Ro
Hardy
Gregory

There are some others who go on the negative roster and some who get an incomplete.

Only one I would agree with is collins

 

[big dog cowboy]

This one will shock you: Mo.

The expectation before the season was we would get nothing from him all year. He played decent and even good at times.

 

[JohnnyTheFox]

Dont see how you could say Byron Jones exceeded? Oh i remember how....compare his play to Carr, Health and Wilcox etc. When someone did catch a pass on him and at least he was in position to make a tackle....which is progress i suppose for this 2nddary.

 

[jobberone]

Only one I would agree with is collins

Then we'll just have to agree to disagree.

 

[8FOR!3]

Without looking at numbers, McFadden seemingly protected the ball well in most games. He had a 1,000 yard season. And he stayed pretty healthy. I'd say he exceeded expectations...

 

[jobberone]

This one will shock you: Mo.

The expectation before the season was we would get nothing from him all year. He played decent and even good at times.

I didn't put anyone on the met or exceeded list because he didn't contribute enough. But I agree he played better than I thought he would. He's never performed at a top of the first round pick or up to his billing. But I agreed he exceeded expectations....after his first few years.

 

[DogFace]

None exceeded.

Settle down

 

[BAZ]

None exceeded.

Mcfadden absolutely did.

 

[StarBoyz83]

Settle down

Lol they really didn't let's be honest. Bailey did what he should do and so did mcfadden. Oline was ok but obviously took steps back. Dlaw showed up for like 4 games I expected more from him.

 

[StarBoyz83]

Mcfadden absolutely did.

He did what I expected from him. I don't get why so many people thought he was trash. Only reason I'm a little suprised is because the online didn't run block half as good as they did last year!!!

 

[J_Allen]

La'el Collins far exceeded my expectations. He played like a top 5 pick, reminding everyone of Larry Allen.

 

[jobberone]

I thought Jeff heath made progress

He did but is he good enough? As long as he isn't a progress stopper at safety and continues to play STs at a high level then I'm ok with him on the roster. What is disturbing is the lack of competition at safety. There are roughly 4 spots there so they should be bringing in enough guys to compete. And they should find someone who can play at a high level there. At least one guy.

Landry brought in older corners to play FS. They have the experience to see what the offense is doing. He also had a three year rule and Parcells used that.

 

[unionjack8]

He did but is he good enough? As long as he isn't a progress stopper at safety and continues to play STs at a high level then I'm ok with him on the roster. What is disturbing is the lack of competition at safety. There are roughly 4 spots there so they should be bringing in enough guys to compete. And they should find someone who can play at a high level there. At least one guy.

Landry brought in older corners to play FS. They have the experience to see what the offense is doing. He also had a three year rule and Parcells used that.

We have the worst set of safeties I have ever seen on a roster, its pitiful.

 

[BAZ]

He did what I expected from him. I don't get why so many people thought he was trash. Only reason I'm a little suprised is because the online didn't run block half as good as they did last year!!!

You expected a thousand yards and a healthy season.... Can you also pick the powerball numbers?

 

[StarBoyz83]

Thousand yards ya for sure. Healthy season ya kind of. Murray had one.