Does this year feel different?

[DZSierra]

I always have hope, but at the same time feels beat into submission, honestly believing that I will be let down.

I think I won't feel this way until when Jerry dies, Stephen takes over, and Stephen decides that he is going to let "football professionals" run his organization and hold those people running his football team accountable.

 

[DuncanIso]

I for one, was not going to get too excited about the upcoming season bc I've been let down so often as we all have. That being said... does this off season seem different... like there is an actual plan? Was Shotty the right pick for HC? Will Klayton Adams really have us moving the ball on the ground... will we set up every play to look the same so the run and the pass keep the defenses honest. Did we really draft a 1-2 punch at RB? Will George P and CD rip up defenses. Have we done enough on the D side of the ball to at least put us in the top half of league and will our O be able to up points as we hope they will?

Year 2 of the rebuild.

 

[DuncanIso]

Blue is more explosive and a better receiver than Rico. We also have more physical runners than Rico for short yardage.

I believe the days of overpaying and or drafting a high RB that can do it all are over in Dallas.

GM Jethro is all on the passing league.

Scrub RBs don’t work.

 

[DuncanIso]

I always have hope, but at the same time feels beat into submission, honestly believing that I will be let down.

I think I won't feel this way until when Jerry dies, Stephen takes over, and Stephen decides that he is going to let "football professionals" run his organization and hold those people running his football team accountable.

Man…Jerry and Stephen are the same.

 

[DZSierra]

Man…Jerry and Stephen are the same.

A fan can have hope can't he?

If they are the same and Stephen is both the owner and GM, I honestly don't believe anything will be different.

Since I'm not local to Texas and really don't have time for all the local stories, is Stephen really a publicity hound like his father? I honestly don't know.

 

[CowboyoWales]

That being said... does this off season seem different... like there is an actual plan?

Yep agree. Temper expectation as the Defense may still need work, and with Comms/Eagles will be a tough prospect in 2025. I see this plan as being a 'prove it/lets see' for the unit of the teams which more 'advanced', the Offense.
If the Offense can: gel under a rejuvenated Dak, improve variety (with a flexible backfield), strong inside O-Line and a genuine WR 1/1A.......then I can: see/hope/expect we go:

• ALL-IN 2026
• Re-sign Pickens
• FA to plug whatever holes (inc. probably the run D)

You initial point is spot on, there does seem a plan, lets hope we manage to improve on the field....AND JERRY LOOKS TO BUILD ON IT.....RATHER THAN CHEAP OUT (ie - we dont need Pickens, the Offense should be good enough).

 

[Sydla]

You say this every year.

Last year you said to get ready for some playoff wins.

Get ready for some playoff wins

After this year sputters out you will say the same stuff next year.

LOL, where’d rambo go?

 

[CowboyoWales]

For the most part all we did was replace what we lost. The two biggest holes on our team have not been adequately addressed - run defense and run offense.

The only legit move made was trading for Pickens and that comes with some risks. Could end up being a 1 year rental.

Blue/Williams (and or Sanders/Luepke/Mafah), gives a ton of flexibility in the running game and is a marked upgrade of what we had going into 2024 and as @TexasBacon correctly said, look at the problem with Martin and the expected man moving Booker helping out.

The run game will also benefit from the Pickens/Lamb threat.

Yes, run Defense may well be a problem, but didnt Eberfus bring Sanborn with him from the Bears (not that the Bears Run D. was anything to shout about)......maybe we'll improve by scheme/maybe not......

........but the take away is that its a new coaching set up WE ARENT NECESSARILY WINNING IN 2025, but this should be an Offense led springboard to a quick turnaround.

 

[TequilaCowboy]

Nope. Just the same BS worded different. I don't give this team even a shread of benefit of the doubt.

Right on, they’ve exhausted the benefit of the doubt hopes and now it’s a show me stage. Every year it seems fans want to pour their dreams and hopes onto Jerry and co once AGAIN and believe this year is different. Nope, until proven otherwise, the team and Jerry in particular are cursed.

So just sit back and enjoy the football season for what it really is, no matter what happens, your quality of life is not going to change or improve. Unlike Jerry and the players.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

I don't know why this is funny, it just is.
Do they get a trophy for trying?

Yeah...funny...um sorta.

We like runner up awards around here.

 

[shabazz]

I for one, was not going to get too excited about the upcoming season bc I've been let down so often as we all have. That being said... does this off season seem different... like there is an actual plan? Was Shotty the right pick for HC? Will Klayton Adams really have us moving the ball on the ground... will we set up every play to look the same so the run and the pass keep the defenses honest. Did we really draft a 1-2 punch at RB? Will George P and CD rip up defenses. Have we done enough on the D side of the ball to at least put us in the top half of league and will our O be able to up points as we hope they will?

Have we done as much in the offseason to move ahead of the Eagles or Skins?

The Eagles only had to hold serve and the Skins actually aquired more talent so does the Pickens aquisition overcome this?

Some of us compare the rosters and the Head Coaches and forsee this season's outcome

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

I for one, was not going to get too excited about the upcoming season bc I've been let down so often as we all have. That being said... does this off season seem different... like there is an actual plan? Was Shotty the right pick for HC? Will Klayton Adams really have us moving the ball on the ground... will we set up every play to look the same so the run and the pass keep the defenses honest. Did we really draft a 1-2 punch at RB? Will George P and CD rip up defenses. Have we done enough on the D side of the ball to at least put us in the top half of league and will our O be able to up points as we hope they will?

it feels like the first year of every new coach that's come to the cowboys. excitment. hope for new changes. hope for new direction. and by year 2 it starts to fall apart.

Blue is a faster version of Pollard. he is not an inside runner. he will have to split carries. Mafa has to prove himself. he is bigger, but he has a lot of limitations. not sure where on the depth chart he falls.

all of this, was perfectly executed and falling in place for Jerry to create hope and bring fans back and generate interest. this team is not a superbowl contender by any means. at best. at best. at best they are a playoff team and one and done. repeat the Dak arguments about post season again. and we got pickens. one year rental. Jerry can't sign Pickens, Ferguson, Smith and Bland in one off season. so the team will be depleted and they will have to go bargain shopping again. Jerry makes one year plans. not long term plans.

 

[jazzcat22]

There's that 3 year thing again.
3 years have come and gone many times....

10 times?

 

[Chasing6]

Blue/Williams (and or Sanders/Luepke/Mafah), gives a ton of flexibility in the running game and is a marked upgrade of what we had going into 2024 and as @TexasBacon correctly said, look at the problem with Martin and the expected man moving Booker helping out.

The run game will also benefit from the Pickens/Lamb threat.

Yes, run Defense may well be a problem, but didnt Eberfus bring Sanborn with him from the Bears (not that the Bears Run D. was anything to shout about)......maybe we'll improve by scheme/maybe not......

........but the take away is that its a new coaching set up WE ARENT NECESSARILY WINNING IN 2025, but this should be an Offense led springboard to a quick turnaround.

Expecting the offense to score 30+ per game, is not a winning strategy.

 

[zrinkill]

LOL, where’d rambo go?

Jerry's lap was probably getting cold.

 

[CowboyoWales]

Expecting the offense to score 30+ per game, is not a winning strategy.

2025 primary goal isnt to win (this roster isnt strong enough). Im not even calling for/expecting the Offense to score 30+/ or even X no. of points.
Im looking for this Offense to 'click', to such a level that 2026 (with the exception of re-signing Pickens), our main attention/resources are on the Defensive side of the ball.

 

[Bullflop]

Every year is different from the one recently passed. This year promises to have some players to be interesting additions to take notice of. The offense that's about to get exposure will be one that promises to display some newfound talents and that, in itself should prove intriguing. Let's be patient with the rookies that will take the field for the preseason games to come. They will make their fair share of miscues, but their development should prove to be an interesting watch.