jday
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I hope you do…otherwise you will not believe what you are seeing come opening day shortly after 3:25 PM September, 11 2016 (incidentally, one day before I turn 39). That’s right…I’m calling it now. This Cowboys team is going to be the boogie man (nay…the John Wick) to 31 other teams. I’m not saying they are going to go undefeated. Nor am I saying they are Super Bowl bound. But if the Cowboys can catch some luck on the health front, I do believe this team is going to be a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators. The question that will likely be written on Chalk Boards and Dry Erase boards across the football playing country will be: How do we stop Romo/Dez/Zeke?
Not to discount Witten/Beasley/Butler/Williams and/or other surprise contributor. No, no…all 53 will certainly be a key ingredient to this wizards brew. Clearly, the OL is a very significant part of my confidence. And, believe it or not, I actually do have some confidence in our defense, despite the fact that they are fielding largely the same cast of characters that have been marginal at best the last few years.
I don’t know how to describe it, but I do believe the addition of Zeke in particular coupled with the return of Scandrick is going to inject a 2015 Panthers-like attitude in this team as a whole. And the poor Giants will be the first team to experience the wrath of a team that has been discounted largely due to unfortunate circumstances in 2015. This Cowboys team is the best Cowboys team since 2007…possibly better than any Cowboys team that has taken the field since 1995.
I know what some of you are already thinking about posting in response to the above: Put the koolaid down. Pads have not even come on yet smh. It’s hard to steer a wagon when the horse is pushing the cart. I get it. It sounds like I am absolutely smashed on the blue and silver elixir. I assure you this is not unbridled expectations. This is not homerism at its best. This is simply looking at the roster and the projected 53 and making what I believe to be an astute observation; an assessment I do not give or take lightly.
For references, peruse my work coming into last year. I did not have near the confidence in the team that I do now. The loss of Murray and the lack of appropriate effort to replace him was certainly a big part of my doubts. But the Cowboys also had several other key losses during the Free Agency following 2014.
Here are just a few of my pre-preseason contributions from before 2015’s first preseason game:
http://cowboyszone.com/threads/the-great-running-back-debate.322136/
http://cowboyszone.com/threads/preseason-primer.327769/
http://cowboyszone.com/threads/the-cowboys-have-won-nothing-yet.325755/
But, yeah, mainly the lack of a running back that could truly hurt defenses on a consistent basis be it short-yardage situation or other, was my principal concern. This year, with the addition of Morris and Zeke, I am the least concerned about that position than I have been since Emmitt (3 years before he went to the Cardinals – I was done with him around 97) wore a star on the side of his helmet. Zeke and Morris’s running style compliment this Cowboys offense unbelievably well. I know for many of you it’s hard to envision…and to be fair many of you don’t know the difference between a Power Run Scheme and a Zone Blocking Scheme and therefore don’t quite understand why Morris and Zeke in particular are epic fits for the Cowboys. If that’s the case, allow me to put it like this: If you could design a Running Back for a particular scheme, the result for the Cowboys would look a whole lot like Zeke and/or Morris (3 years ago).
Granted, I was not happy with the acquisition of Morris initially in Free Agency because I suspected the Cowboys would stop addressing the position there. Fortunately, they did not and still got Zeke, which made me love the acquisition of Morris as more than likely the Zeke-reliever. In that role, Morris may end up being the best non-starting running back in the league. And let’s not forget about the speedster Darius Jackson. Granted, he will be hard pressed to make the final 53, but his style is also better suited for the Zone Blocking Scheme. For me, as admirably as he battled last year, McFadden will be the odd man out if for no other reason than his skillset is actually more suited for the Power Run Game. Part of the Cowboys early struggles last year, in fact, where due his lack of comfort which is why the Cowboys started dialing up more power run to better suit his abilities. That is also why the Cowboys likely added 3 new players in the offseason…they wanted to make sure they had enough dogs that could run the ball the way the Cowboys like to run the ball.
Without question, the improvement in the Cowboys run game that I am expecting is a very large part of my confidence. But that is not the only reason. We may be on the cusp of seeing the best Romo we have ever seen (and, yes, I understand that is saying a lot). He is further along with his back than he was a year ago. His knowledge of both the game and playbook has not diminished. An improved running game makes his job much easier. And as Coach Dooley recently intimated, this is the best WR core the Cowboys have had in a very long time. The big question here is what does Butler bring? He has the size and speed the Cowboys like; the question is his ability to see what Romo sees and adjust accordingly, catching the ball, and route running. In fact, of all the position battles that will take place in training camp, the receivers may just be the most interesting to watch…even over running back, since at this point it seems pretty obvious to me how that particular position stacks up. Zeke/Morris/Dunbar and/or Jackson. If Butler’s production matches the hype he has garnered, this Cowboys offense could collectively be one of the best to ever don the uniform. No kidding…but, keep in mind, players like Butler rarely if ever match the hype. As for the undrafted acquisitions, the Cowboys did find what looks to be hidden gems, but as is true with most undrafted hidden gem WR’s, it will likely take a season or two before they are ready to be serious contributors. In the meantime, while I wouldn’t call this wide receiver group the best receiving tandem in the league, I do think they have Top 10 potential.
Now for the defense…the place where I am likely to lose a good portion of the readers who have made it this far. Out of Scandrick, Carr, and Claiborne, I’m actually expecting to see the most improvement out of Claiborne. Last year teamed with the contract extension, I believe, injected a lot of confidence into Mo. And confidence is quite possibly the most important trait to have as a corner. The lack thereof, in my opinion, is a huge reason why I feel Claiborne has struggled to date.
Byron Jones is another player I’m expecting a significant jump from. Now with a season and, more importantly, an offseason under his belt and the ability to focus on one position, I am predicting he will be a difference maker. Not necessarily a playmaker, but he will certainly be a key contributor.
Linebacker and defensive line for me are the big question marks. For any of the aforementioned magic to work, the Cowboys will need players from these two position groups to show up in a big way…no doubt about it. But I do not believe that happening is all that far-fetched. Sean Lee will have to stay healthy. RoMac will have to do his best “I love football” impression. Tank Lawrence will have to continue his growth as an edge rusher. And the Cowboys will certainly need contributions from the plethora of no-names that presently man the front, middle and back end of the field.
But the truth that injects me with faith in this defense is the fact that they don’t have to be dominate…they just have to be good enough to keep the opposition from outscoring what looks to be a scoring machine that is the Cowboys offense.
The biggest question on this team is rather or not Romo can stay healthy for at the very least enough games to secure a spot in the playoffs. Based on last year’s results, we cannot hope for this coaching staff to win games minus Romo. We’d like to, sure; but realistically speaking, based on what is behind Romo and based on who is coaching the team, winning without Romo on the field for any length of time is not something I would bet on these Cowboys doing. That is the reality check of the offseason that keeps me grounded in my expectations. But all things considered, the Cowboys could have it a whole lot worse.
Thoughts?
Not to discount Witten/Beasley/Butler/Williams and/or other surprise contributor. No, no…all 53 will certainly be a key ingredient to this wizards brew. Clearly, the OL is a very significant part of my confidence. And, believe it or not, I actually do have some confidence in our defense, despite the fact that they are fielding largely the same cast of characters that have been marginal at best the last few years.
I don’t know how to describe it, but I do believe the addition of Zeke in particular coupled with the return of Scandrick is going to inject a 2015 Panthers-like attitude in this team as a whole. And the poor Giants will be the first team to experience the wrath of a team that has been discounted largely due to unfortunate circumstances in 2015. This Cowboys team is the best Cowboys team since 2007…possibly better than any Cowboys team that has taken the field since 1995.
I know what some of you are already thinking about posting in response to the above: Put the koolaid down. Pads have not even come on yet smh. It’s hard to steer a wagon when the horse is pushing the cart. I get it. It sounds like I am absolutely smashed on the blue and silver elixir. I assure you this is not unbridled expectations. This is not homerism at its best. This is simply looking at the roster and the projected 53 and making what I believe to be an astute observation; an assessment I do not give or take lightly.
For references, peruse my work coming into last year. I did not have near the confidence in the team that I do now. The loss of Murray and the lack of appropriate effort to replace him was certainly a big part of my doubts. But the Cowboys also had several other key losses during the Free Agency following 2014.
Here are just a few of my pre-preseason contributions from before 2015’s first preseason game:
http://cowboyszone.com/threads/the-great-running-back-debate.322136/
http://cowboyszone.com/threads/preseason-primer.327769/
http://cowboyszone.com/threads/the-cowboys-have-won-nothing-yet.325755/
But, yeah, mainly the lack of a running back that could truly hurt defenses on a consistent basis be it short-yardage situation or other, was my principal concern. This year, with the addition of Morris and Zeke, I am the least concerned about that position than I have been since Emmitt (3 years before he went to the Cardinals – I was done with him around 97) wore a star on the side of his helmet. Zeke and Morris’s running style compliment this Cowboys offense unbelievably well. I know for many of you it’s hard to envision…and to be fair many of you don’t know the difference between a Power Run Scheme and a Zone Blocking Scheme and therefore don’t quite understand why Morris and Zeke in particular are epic fits for the Cowboys. If that’s the case, allow me to put it like this: If you could design a Running Back for a particular scheme, the result for the Cowboys would look a whole lot like Zeke and/or Morris (3 years ago).
Granted, I was not happy with the acquisition of Morris initially in Free Agency because I suspected the Cowboys would stop addressing the position there. Fortunately, they did not and still got Zeke, which made me love the acquisition of Morris as more than likely the Zeke-reliever. In that role, Morris may end up being the best non-starting running back in the league. And let’s not forget about the speedster Darius Jackson. Granted, he will be hard pressed to make the final 53, but his style is also better suited for the Zone Blocking Scheme. For me, as admirably as he battled last year, McFadden will be the odd man out if for no other reason than his skillset is actually more suited for the Power Run Game. Part of the Cowboys early struggles last year, in fact, where due his lack of comfort which is why the Cowboys started dialing up more power run to better suit his abilities. That is also why the Cowboys likely added 3 new players in the offseason…they wanted to make sure they had enough dogs that could run the ball the way the Cowboys like to run the ball.
Without question, the improvement in the Cowboys run game that I am expecting is a very large part of my confidence. But that is not the only reason. We may be on the cusp of seeing the best Romo we have ever seen (and, yes, I understand that is saying a lot). He is further along with his back than he was a year ago. His knowledge of both the game and playbook has not diminished. An improved running game makes his job much easier. And as Coach Dooley recently intimated, this is the best WR core the Cowboys have had in a very long time. The big question here is what does Butler bring? He has the size and speed the Cowboys like; the question is his ability to see what Romo sees and adjust accordingly, catching the ball, and route running. In fact, of all the position battles that will take place in training camp, the receivers may just be the most interesting to watch…even over running back, since at this point it seems pretty obvious to me how that particular position stacks up. Zeke/Morris/Dunbar and/or Jackson. If Butler’s production matches the hype he has garnered, this Cowboys offense could collectively be one of the best to ever don the uniform. No kidding…but, keep in mind, players like Butler rarely if ever match the hype. As for the undrafted acquisitions, the Cowboys did find what looks to be hidden gems, but as is true with most undrafted hidden gem WR’s, it will likely take a season or two before they are ready to be serious contributors. In the meantime, while I wouldn’t call this wide receiver group the best receiving tandem in the league, I do think they have Top 10 potential.
Now for the defense…the place where I am likely to lose a good portion of the readers who have made it this far. Out of Scandrick, Carr, and Claiborne, I’m actually expecting to see the most improvement out of Claiborne. Last year teamed with the contract extension, I believe, injected a lot of confidence into Mo. And confidence is quite possibly the most important trait to have as a corner. The lack thereof, in my opinion, is a huge reason why I feel Claiborne has struggled to date.
Byron Jones is another player I’m expecting a significant jump from. Now with a season and, more importantly, an offseason under his belt and the ability to focus on one position, I am predicting he will be a difference maker. Not necessarily a playmaker, but he will certainly be a key contributor.
Linebacker and defensive line for me are the big question marks. For any of the aforementioned magic to work, the Cowboys will need players from these two position groups to show up in a big way…no doubt about it. But I do not believe that happening is all that far-fetched. Sean Lee will have to stay healthy. RoMac will have to do his best “I love football” impression. Tank Lawrence will have to continue his growth as an edge rusher. And the Cowboys will certainly need contributions from the plethora of no-names that presently man the front, middle and back end of the field.
But the truth that injects me with faith in this defense is the fact that they don’t have to be dominate…they just have to be good enough to keep the opposition from outscoring what looks to be a scoring machine that is the Cowboys offense.
The biggest question on this team is rather or not Romo can stay healthy for at the very least enough games to secure a spot in the playoffs. Based on last year’s results, we cannot hope for this coaching staff to win games minus Romo. We’d like to, sure; but realistically speaking, based on what is behind Romo and based on who is coaching the team, winning without Romo on the field for any length of time is not something I would bet on these Cowboys doing. That is the reality check of the offseason that keeps me grounded in my expectations. But all things considered, the Cowboys could have it a whole lot worse.
Thoughts?
