ESPN: Cowboys among non-playoff teams primed to bounce back in 2016

[jobberone]

With a healthy Tony Romo back, the Cowboys are set up nicely for next season. Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports
8:50 AM ET

Mike Sando ESPN Senior Writer

The Detroit Lions no longer look like a lost cause after quarterback Matthew Stafford tossed 19 touchdown passes with two interceptions during a 6-2 finish to the season. The organization could still misplay its hand -- history has conditioned Lions fans to expect it -- but as the situation stands now, the Lions look like one of the 2015 non-playoff teams set up best for next season.

The Lions made my short list, but they weren't No. 1. That distinction went to one of the teams welcoming back a Pro Bowl QB.

One quick note before we dive in: Much will change in the coming months as teams tweak their coaching staffs, venture into free agency and add players through the draft. This initial look focuses on non-playoff teams that should have the best shot at improving, with special consideration for the ones that finished below .500.


http://espn.go.com/nfl/insider/stor...non-playoff-teams-primed-bounce-back-2016-nfl

 

[jobberone]

Generally 4-6 new teams that make the playoffs each year after failing the year before.

I'll be surprised if we aren't one of those teams.

PS: If anyone has the entire article from Insider I'd really appreciate your PMing me a copy.

 

[MRV52]

Oh please here we go again, just stop it already.

 

[jobberone]

Oh please here we go again, just stop it already.

I didn't write the article. But I do agree with it. If you disagree say so in a constructive way.

 

[viman96]

I'd love to read the article as well

 

[big dog cowboy]

The Cowboys would be #1 on my list. I can easily see us in the playoffs next year.

 

[LatinMind]

Can't be fans say romo is finished the ol is overrated no running game coaches are the worst in sports and Jerry ruined the team 20 yrs ago

 

[Beast_from_East]

I would like to know what they say, but I ain't paying for ESPN Insider.

 

[MRV52]

I didn't write the article. But I do agree with it. If you disagree say so in a constructive way.

I wasn't referring to you. Espn at it again so soon. Relax

 

[CCBoy]

The Cowboys would be #1 on my list. I can easily see us in the playoffs next year.

Give me a top four pick in the draft, and a healthy Tony Romo and Dez Bryant, with both Hardy and Rolando McClain from the start of the season...yea, the Cowboys should be back in the playoffs with their worst team schedule now.

 

[cowboyblue22]

personally I will just wait and see don't trust them at all they could be in the playoffs or they could be 4 and 12 again with this bunch you just never know.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

No doubt in my mind they could be a playoff team in '16.

Won't list the reasons why but there are several.

I would say the odds of them being a playoff team are greater than not being a playoff team.

 

[Alexander]

The Cowboys would be #1 on my list. I can easily see us in the playoffs next year.

If the East is anything close to as weak as this year and Romo is healthy, they had better be.

 

[Risen Star]

This mentality will doom our offseason. Mark it down.

 

[Alexander]

This mentality will doom our offseason. Mark it down.

The mentality of chalking up this abomination of a season to injuries and bad luck is something I have no doubt is the idea floating around the halls at Valley Ranch.

 

[Risen Star]

The mentality of chalking up this abomination of a season to injuries and bad luck is something I have no doubt is the idea floating around the halls at Valley Ranch.

Yep. There's nobody there with the sack to say anything different. He's surrounded by family and yes men.

 

[TheBigEasy]

The full article would be a nice read...I think? Teased...this thread is a tease.

 

[JW82]

Oh please here we go again, just stop it already.

I think they just cut and paste this story which followed the 97,98,99,2000,2001,2002,2004,2005,2008,2010,2011,2012,2013 and now 2015 seasons.

 

[tyke1doe]

I didn't write the article. But I do agree with it. If you disagree say so in a constructive way.

It's hard to disagree when you can't read the article.

But to the general concept, while I am officially off the Jason Garrett bandwagon (see my signature which I need to change), the only glimmer of hope I see is that the Cowboys continue to make wise decisions with their first and second round picks.

Garrett's simplistic, vanilla offensive scheme will only work if we have star players executing the offense. Hopefully, Tony comes back healthy, and we provide him and this offense with a bell-cow running back (Elliott, Henry, Collins?) who can restore this offense to DeMarco Murray efficiency. I was one who thought we could plug anyone behind this offensive line. In some respects, this offensive line is good as confirmed by Darren McFadden's 1,000 yard season with no threat of a passing game. But an elite back could reduplicate Murray's season.

So my focus in the first three rounds is getting a running back either in a trade down (assuming Bosa and the quarterbacks are gone) or in the second round. We can't fool around anymore or get cute and let running back after running back drop. We need a running back for this offense - a plug-and-play guy who can help Romo, the offense AND the defense.

 

[tyke1doe]

I wasn't referring to you. Espn at it again so soon. Relax

I found it interesting the headline speaks of "Dallas" but the story ledes with "Detroit." And then they want to make you pay to see what the story says about "Dallas."

It's all about marketing. ESPN knows EXACTLY what it's doing, which is why from here until the draft we're going to hear/read stories about Manziel to the Cowboys.

You can't spell The Dallas Cowboys without S-E-L-L-S!!!