CFZ Early look at the NFC East-gap is growing smaller

[CCBoy]

I would take the PHL D over DAL without hesitation before they drafted. DAL was only better in picks and we'll see if they can repeat that.

Do not let the lucky addition of Parsons slant your opinion. If they'd picked Horn or Surtain, this defense would have been the same poor run D it had been and they hit a homer with Parsons.

The DAL D is Diggs and Parsons, I do not see another standout player.....yet. Vander Esch was the best D player in the playoff game so I do have some hope for him and he will need to deliver if they have to use Parsons too much to generate a pass rush. The Niners run game is what beat them in the playoffs. Did they fix that?

There is more to the equation than the highlighted directional points.

Dallas defense has an intense amount of defensive solidarity coming immediately around the bend. I'm not talking about we'll all go out and meet her when she comes, either.

A second year under current Defensive Coordinator and his player movements to make a very strong 2 linebacker pair as the core of this defensive unit. Three safety or three cornerbacks as the starting scheme will now be fully supported by a deep defensive line group that will own up to scheme assignments now.

Dallas will now have a pair of defensive ends; a rookie linebacker; a strong defensive tackle added; as well as a new and talented rook safety to mix with a strongly developing and young team that did make the trip into this season.

Six defensive tackles; six defensive ends; and five game day linebackers...to pair with 5 strong safeties and 5 strong cornerbacks...no sir, I'm not going to be the one short sheeting this bed when they will be even stronger and more helpful, this seaon.

 

[Flamma]

It is literally the luck of the draw with regards to drafting QBs. Even for teams drafting #1 overall, some years there just isn't much to choose from.

In 2016 it was Wentz and Goff at the top. Neither was a great option. I thought Wentz was better than Goff but neither was worth a top 10 pick, IMO.

I agree. But I hate seeing them even taking that shot. The only positive is they lose a lot of first rounders doing it. Then I have to hope he's a bust.

 

[Flamma]

The bigger problem is finding the QB worth the picks in the draft.
Wentz wasn't that guy. DAL sat and picked a better QB via sheer dumb luck in R4.
PHI doesn't have a 3-year roster. A lot of that talent on those lines is 30. And guys like AJ and Slay will be earning megabucks in 12 months when the heat of their deals kick in.

PHI couldn't sit back and play towards those picks they went out and tried to upgrade the roster regardless of QB.

Slay yeah, but it's not until 2024 for AJ to have a big cap hit. Slay won't be on the team.

 

[rambo2]

It's been 15 years since they have won back to back conference championships. We say this always thinking they will build on the previous season. This year they didn't even try to build on last year's success. But other teams did. I wish I had y'all's confidence but years of watching these idiots has taught me not to trust them.

I disagree, they do have a plan. They are building the team with younger players. They have built a good roster and are the favorite to win their division again. If their method works they will be good in 2022 and even better in 2023.

 

[baltcowboy]

You still have to put a team around him. Then you have other teams that want to win too. Just because you're good, doesn't mean you are winning anything. I think Romo was a Stafford clone. Just with a little more mobility.

I here the team build argument but was the 2007 Giants better then the 2007 Cowboys talent wise. Would you take those Eagles teams from 2006 to 2013 over the 2007 and 2009 Cowboys. We had opportunities to win the Super Bowl with Romo but failed. The 2006 dropped snap game probably the best chance Romo had. The Cowboys could have beaten the Bears and played the Colts in the Super Bowl. That was Romo’s open door and he dropped the ball.

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

It's been 15 years since they have won back to back conference championships. We say this always thinking they will build on the previous season. This year they didn't even try to build on last year's success. But other teams did. I wish I had y'all's confidence but years of watching these idiots has taught me not to trust them.

Won back to back conference championships…?

Did you mean back to back playoff appearances?

 

[jterrell]

Slay yeah, but it's not until 2024 for AJ to have a big cap hit. Slay won't be on the team.

Correct, They gave Brown the Option bonus which is really just a restructure style bonus for 2023.

But my point was meant to be more generic than literal.
The Eagles have no money invested at QB and still have the 31st ranked cap situation for 2023.
They aren't built for the future or to add a QB.

They cannot seem to get out of their own way in that front office with any consistent plan.
--But at least they can draft better than the Giants and Commoders.
--And they aren't saving cap space for the grave like Stephen Jones.

Still... going 9-8 versus the easiest schedule in the NFL and freely spending for vets around a QB who completes 60% of his passes for low yardage is wild stuff.

 

[Risen Star]

We win a terrible division and get bounced out of the playoffs in the wild card round and he's calling it a successful season.

There is no longer a gap.

 

[MountaineerCowboy]

We win a terrible division and get bounced out of the playoffs in the wild card round and he's calling it a successful season.

There is no longer a gap.

The fan base has truly fallen far, friend.

They have not only embraced it but they gleefully wallow in the mediocrity.

 

[Swagger]

Wentz has been hammered for last season but in reality and when looked at objectively, he largely played well. The assertion that he had an amazing o-line is simply untrue. The Colts had a load of injuries upfront at the start of the season and were not a top 10 unit even with the excellent run blocking for Taylor. The pass protection was one of the worst units in the league for many games. If the unit isn't sorted out next season then Matt Ryan will not do any better and spend most of the time on his back given his lack of mobility.

Fill your boots criticising Wentz for previous seasons but, whilst he had a few terrible interceptions, he played well last season particularly given the poor pass protection and average receivers around him.

 

[acr731]

They have not only embraced it but they gleefully wallow in the mediocrity.

Some are are only interested seeing Dak pad his stats.

 

[MountaineerCowboy]

Some are are only interested seeing Dak pad his stats.

Those aren't even Cowboys fans. Those are just Dak fans.

 

[ChronicCowboy]

I like the Eagles in the division this season. I think Dallas is going to take a bigger step back than most realize. We played .500 ball after October last season and lost pieces in the off-season.

 

[Flamma]

I here the team build argument but was the 2007 Giants better then the 2007 Cowboys talent wise. Would you take those Eagles teams from 2006 to 2013 over the 2007 and 2009 Cowboys. We had opportunities to win the Super Bowl with Romo but failed. The 2006 dropped snap game probably the best chance Romo had. The Cowboys could have beaten the Bears and played the Colts in the Super Bowl. That was Romo’s open door and he dropped the ball.

That 2006 Cowboys team was slightly better than average. Even if Romo doesn't fumble the snap, the Seahawks have a 1:20 left? That wasn't a game winning FG. Had the Cowboys held the Seahawks to 3 and out, they had a very good chance to get into FG range again. But they didn't. They let Alexander rip off a 25 yard run from the 1 yard line.

As far as 2007 goes, and like I said before, no matter how good you think you are, there are always other teams that want to win too. That Giants defense was top end by playoff time. I still think we should have beaten them, but no way were we beating the Patriots if we got to the SB.

That 2009 team, that offensive line embarrassed themselves against the Vikings. No other way to put it.

 

[Flamma]

Correct, They gave Brown the Option bonus which is really just a restructure style bonus for 2023.

But my point was meant to be more generic than literal.
The Eagles have no money invested at QB and still have the 31st ranked cap situation for 2023.
They aren't built for the future or to add a QB.

They cannot seem to get out of their own way in that front office with any consistent plan.
--But at least they can draft better than the Giants and Commoders.
--And they aren't saving cap space for the grave like Stephen Jones.

Still... going 9-8 versus the easiest schedule in the NFL and freely spending for vets around a QB who completes 60% of his passes for low yardage is wild stuff.

No argument from me here. But I think they trade up next year for a QB. They probably think they have a 1-2 year window. The Cowboys are saving cap space to absorb most of Dak's cap hit next year. I firmly believe that. They may not absorb it 100%, but close to it. There are no other players to be saving cap space for. It has to be him. They don't want to push more money forward. Even if they give both Lamb and Diggs stupid big extensions, that's not a next year thing as far as big cap hits.

 

[nalam]

Yep we have the best QB in the division.
As we get the edge.

I am sorry , the 2nd half 2021 QB is not the one you want , the 1st 6 games QB then you are talking.
Phi D and Washington D is always tough and so those games will be closer. ( Dont go by last years Philthy games , the 1st one with better Dak and 2nd they rested all front line .)

 

[Flamma]

I don't know what it is with people that keep blaming QBs. How many times do we see top end QBs get the golden shower by top end defenses? At one point Elway couldn't win the big one. Did Peyton Manning choke against the Seahawks? Did Theismann choke against the Raiders? Brady against the Giants? Team means a lot. Romo had a few teams that were contenders. In 2007 and in 2014. The rest of his teams were crappy. People keep bringing up 2006 and a few times they lost the division at the end. Those teams sucked. Who cares if they lost? It's not like the 2011 or 2012 Cowboys were going anywhere had the Cowboys won those games. They sucked.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

No argument from me here. But I think they trade up next year for a QB. They probably think they have a 1-2 year window. The Cowboys are saving cap space to absorb most of Dak's cap hit next year. I firmly believe that. They may not absorb it 100%, but close to it. There are no other players to be saving cap space for. It has to be him. They don't want to push more money forward. Even if they give both Lamb and Diggs stupid big extensions, that's not a next year thing as far as big cap hits.

Agreed the Dak Saga is closer to its end than its beginning......

 

[Flamma]

I am sorry , the 2nd half 2021 QB is not the one you want , the 1st 6 games QB then you are talking.
Phi D and Washington D is always tough and so those games will be closer. ( Dont go by last years Philthy games , the 1st one with better Dak and 2nd they rested all front line .)

The first 6 games? Where we played Carolina, Philly, and the Giants? We looked good against the Patriots even though they were sloppy **. Remember, Dallas still played good against the crap teams in the second half of the season. This is not two different Daks, it's Dak and the Cowboys not able to play well against better opponents.

 

[Flamma]

Agreed the Dak Saga is closer to its end than its beginning......

I love all of the excuses. Dak was hurt. Dak was better in the first half. No, Dak was Dak. It's amazing how Dak gets a pass because of his calf, but Baker Mayfield sucks. Him playing with a torn whatever in his shoulder doesn't mater.