Everyone is writing Randy Gregory off. I'm not

[jday]

All in sheer desperation for a pass rush, which never materialized anyway.

I'll bet you dollars to donuts that this year the pass rush will improve without either of them.

To be fair, there are extenuating circumstances that could lead to an improved pass rush with or without them. If Romo's stay's healthy and Zeke is the player we think he is, the opposition will be playing from behind alot more and by extension passing alot more. That alone should lead to both more sacks and interceptions.

 

[jday]

The pass rush will be better because:

1. The interior of Thornton and Crawford will provide much better interior pressure than before. That helps the ends.

2. Lawrence is ready to surface as the player he was drafted to be. Pass rushers take time to develop.

3. Most importantly, the Dallas offense will force opposing offenses to take more chances. Having the lead in the second half with a dangerous offense that can EXTEND that lead forces opponents to score more and score faster. That makes them more predictable.

So you already know...ok...nevermind...

 

[LittleD]

Perhaps those to which you anecdotally refer did not have sufficient "cognitive function" in the first place? I can also point to many cognitively challenged individuals who are not users. Then I can point to geniuses and captains of industry who are.

The War on Drugs has been an epic failure. Billions spent with no results to speak of.

Raising taxes as a means to influence behavior is immoral in a free society. But if you choose to make this argument, we would be better served in raising taxes on sugary and fatty, unhealthy food which creates much more of a burden on our healthcare system.

No problem with raising taxes or those mentioned items either. I tend to think that there is no way for us two to find common ground so
we'll just have to agree to disagree. Have an awesome day!

 

[Denim Chicken]

That's been happening since the 1960's. Our economic growth in the U.S. has been steadily declining since 1972 and we're becoming just like
Europe. Open a book and do some reading. Oh, potheads can't really understand what they read...I forgot.

If you are seriously blaming economic decline on a perceived increase in drug use then I'm not sure you can fully grasp the issues you advocate and only further my example of non-users that are cognitively challenged.

 

[CowboyRoy]

The pass rush will be better because:

1. The interior of Thornton and Crawford will provide much better interior pressure than before. That helps the ends.

2. Lawrence is ready to surface as the player he was drafted to be. Pass rushers take time to develop.

3. Most importantly, the Dallas offense will force opposing offenses to take more chances. Having the lead in the second half with a dangerous offense that can EXTEND that lead forces opponents to score more and score faster. That makes them more predictable.

#3 is the only one that holds water and I might agree with. Lawrence is suspended for 4 games and will be rusty when he returns. 2nd half of the year he can hopefully get going again. And then lets not forget the back issue that he had to have surgery on. Crawford will be playing DE for the first 4 games and has never provided much of a pass rush. Thornton has NEVER been a pass rusher and is known as a defensive stopper. Hardy was the guy everyone had to account for last year and the guy that was double teamed. Lawrence may not do as well when he is the guy getting double teamed. For the first 4 games we will be lucky to have 2 or 3 sacks.

As in our last discussion about this you talk as if the first 4 games dont count for anything.

 

[erod]

#3 is the only one that holds water and I might agree with. Lawrence is suspended for 4 games and will be rusty when he returns. 2nd half of the year he can hopefully get going again. And then lets not forget the back issue that he had to have surgery on. Crawford will be playing DE for the first 4 games and has never provided much of a pass rush. Thornton has NEVER been a pass rusher and is known as a defensive stopper. Hardy was the guy everyone had to account for last year and the guy that was double teamed. Lawrence may not do as well when he is the guy getting double teamed. For the first 4 games we will be lucky to have 2 or 3 sacks.

As in our last discussion about this you talk as if the first 4 games dont count for anything.

Lawrence's suspension could be reduced, and he can participate in training camp anyway. Shouldn't be rusty. More like, rested.

Just watch Tapper. I'm an OU fan, and I couldn't understand why there wasn't more interest in him. He's much more suited for a 4-3 versus what he did in college. I realize pass rushers take time, but this guy is quick and has a non-stop motor. In situational spots, he could really add something.

I also think a DE could be in the works eventually that's not here yet.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Lawrence's suspension could be reduced, and he can participate in training camp anyway. Shouldn't be rusty. More like, rested.

Just watch Tapper. I'm an OU fan, and I couldn't understand why there wasn't more interest in him. He's much more suited for a 4-3 versus what he did in college. I realize pass rushers take time, but this guy is quick and has a non-stop motor. In situational spots, he could really add something.

I also think a DE could be in the works eventually that's not here yet.

Ok well your grasping at straws. More like wishful thinking that anything else. And what kind of DE do you think is in the works. More wishful thinking. And no doubt, whomever gets signed will be a difference maker correct? Its not humanly possible for anyone to be going into the season in worse shape on the pass rush than these 2016 Dallas Cowboys. Jones and Stephen both admitted it was our weakest link on the team before the draft and they got one 4th rounder to plug in. Sorry, but even the most optomistic Jerry Jones doesnt agree with you.

 

[erod]

Ok well your grasping at straws. More like wishful thinking that anything else. And what kind of DE do you think is in the works. More wishful thinking. And no doubt, whomever gets signed will be a difference maker correct? Its not humanly possible for anyone to be going into the season in worse shape on the pass rush than these 2016 Dallas Cowboys. Jones and Stephen both admitted it was our weakest link on the team before the draft and they got one 4th rounder to plug in. Sorry, but even the most optomistic Jerry Jones doesnt agree with you.

I'm not predicting a great pass rush. But that last year was crap. It can be better than that just with a legitimate offense to force teams to throw.

 

[Stash]

The pass rush will be better because:

1. The interior of Thornton and Crawford will provide much better interior pressure than before. That helps the ends.

2. Lawrence is ready to surface as the player he was drafted to be. Pass rushers take time to develop.

3. Most importantly, the Dallas offense will force opposing offenses to take more chances. Having the lead in the second half with a dangerous offense that can EXTEND that lead forces opponents to score more and score faster. That makes them more predictable.

I can provide a counter for each and every one of these claims that the results will be even worse.

1. They replaced a 0 sack guy in Hayden with a 1 sack guy in Thornton. To now expect a much improved pass rush based on that is wishful thinking and not based on supportable fact.

2. Lawrence is not only suspended for the first month of the season, but will now be the #1 focus of opposing defense because he's the only known threat the Cowboys have. Far less single blocking without Greg Hardy drawing the double teams in the other side. Given his back surgery, suspensions, and now being the focal point, I think it's more reasonable to expect a lower sack total than a higher one.

3. Another point based in assumption and wishful thinking. While I also hope that this becomes the case, until it doesn't, it simply isn't the case. If and when the Cowboys' offense is playing with a lead, it could certainly give an advantage to a pass rush, but only if the defensive players are then capable of doing their job.

The only fact is that a largely disappointing pass rush from 2015 has lost much more pass rush talent than it has gained and now we are left to hope that what they now do have can outperform expectations and past performance.

 

[BigStar]

Maybe you should start following another sport like Curling or Bowling. Federal law trumps State law in every case. If the Feds want to test
and intervene in these Liberal States that have passed MJ laws they can and would win in Federal court. Yes the NFLPA could try and get the NFL
drug testing removed from the CBA but, they know that's a loser with the Public Relations war and besides, the NFLPA just wants more money
and benefits and isn't going to argue long for relaxed drug testing rules. Your agenda is clear but, the majority of the American public doesn't agree with
you. No RED state is going to vote MJ laws in my friend.

Alaska is a liberal state? Alaska has voted red since it became a state?

 

[BigStar]

What a complete and utter fool you are. Do you think MJ, cigarettes or alcohol makes society better or worse? Just because ignorant people vote
for something doesn't mean it's good or healthy for them. I can only hope our children, which are our future, don't become a community of potheads
or alcoholics. What a terrible shame that would be.

Free country is just for some folks, etc.

 

[BigStar]

I don't think any of these vices are necessary or helpful. I think we should triple the taxes on all these addictive drugs that
cause society problems. Maybe we could then pay off our national debt and have decent healthcare.

You do know the debt is also related to the Billions wasted in the failed drug war, no? Read up on the FED, debt will always be part of this game by nature of the how the US creates "money"

 

[erod]

I can provide a counter for each and every one of these claims that the results will be even worse.

1. They replaced a 0 sack guy in Hayden with a 1 sack guy in Thornton. To now expect a much improved pass rush based on that is wishful thinking and not based on supportable fact.

2. Lawrence is not only suspended for the first month of the season, but will now be the #1 focus of opposing defense because he's the only known threat the Cowboys have. Far less single blocking without Greg Hardy drawing the double teams in the other side. Given his back surgery, suspensions, and now being the focal point, I think it's more reasonable to expect a lower sack total than a higher one.

3. Another point based in assumption and wishful thinking. While I also hope that this becomes the case, until it doesn't, it simply isn't the case. If and when the Cowboys' offense is playing with a lead, it could certainly give an advantage to a pass rush, but only if the defensive players are then capable of doing their job.

The only fact is that a largely disappointing pass rush from 2015 has lost much more pass rush talent than it has gained and now we are left to hope that what they now do have can outperform expectations and past performance.

1. Why are we counting sacks? It's about interior pressure. Thornton provides it far more than Hayden.

2. Hardy's impact is vastly overrated. He wasn't double-teamed nearly as much as advertised. He didn't give a crap at the end of the season.

3. This defense created sacks and turnovers at a much higher rate in 2014. Hardy didn't play on that team. Lawrence barely played that year. Nobody of significance did that isn't here now.

 

[erod]

Free country is just for some folks, etc.

It's not free when people drain the healthcare system as a result and become liabilities at work.

 

[BigStar]

It's not free when people drain the healthcare system as a result and become liabilities at work.

How are they draining the healthcare system by smoking mj? Alcoholism definitely drains the healthcare system, as well as cigarettes. So on page with you there. Liabilities at work is subjective and don't have evidence to work with? What occupations are conducting the drug testing, why is it important for them to do so (is it an insurance liability requirement or due to working performance standards) and in what ways does it effect performance for the position requirements, etc.? Not showing up to work is a character flaw, not a mj related flaw; alcoholics are notorious for missing work, etc.

Do you think I want a community of drunks and potheads, bc you know I was arguing his point in relation to the definition of freedom, not the subjects/vices he chose?

 

[erod]

How are they draining the healthcare system by smoking mj? Alcoholism definitely drains the healthcare system, as well as cigarettes. So on page with you there. Liabilities at work is subjective and don't have evidence to work with? What occupations are conducting the drug testing, why is it important for them to do so (is it an insurance liability requirement or due to working performance standards) and in what ways does it effect performance for the position requirements, etc.? Not showing up to work is a character flaw, not a mj related flaw; alcoholics are notorious for missing work, etc.

Do you think I want a community of drunks and potheads, bc you know I was arguing his point in relation to the definition of freedom, not the subjects/vices he chose?

I actually don't mind it that much. It culls the herd for my kids.

But an employer has every right to test for it.

 

[Doomsday101]

How are they draining the healthcare system by smoking mj? Alcoholism definitely drains the healthcare system, as well as cigarettes. So on page with you there. Liabilities at work is subjective and don't have evidence to work with? What occupations are conducting the drug testing, why is it important for them to do so (is it an insurance liability requirement or due to working performance standards) and in what ways does it effect performance for the position requirements, etc.? Not showing up to work is a character flaw, not a mj related flaw; alcoholics are notorious for missing work, etc.

Do you think I want a community of drunks and potheads, bc you know I was arguing his point in relation to the definition of freedom, not the subjects/vices he chose?

with freedoms comes consequences as well. Guys can choose to get high if they want, the NFL is also free to implement rules for it's employees. So the choice becomes do you want to get high or do you want to play in the NFL with the opportunity to make big money? There is no given right for anyone to play in the NFL. I will only speak for myself but if I was given the choice of getting high or getting paid big money to play a sport I was great at and loved the choice then is easy one to make but they are free to choose their own path.

 

[BigStar]

I actually don't mind it that much. It culls the herd for my kids.

But an employer has every right to test for it.

To work at 7-11 or as an Air Traffic Controller, etc.? I hear ya that some vital positions need you to be on your toes and mentally sharp as nails at all times, but the majority of jobs do not. So I guess we just disagree that if a guy working construction can smoke a joint after work over a beer, etc. I know we're just arguing semantics by now; until the insurance companies change their liability statutes when states legalize, this is all for "thought".

 

[BigStar]

with freedoms comes consequences as well. Guys can choose to get high if they want, the NFL is also free to implement rules for it's employees. So the choice becomes do you want to get high or do you want to play in the NFL with the opportunity to make big money? There is no given right for anyone to play in the NFL. I will only speak for myself but if I was given the choice of getting high or getting paid big money to play a sport I was great at and loved the choice then is easy one to make but they are free to choose their own path.

I agree. It is on the players to blow that opportunity because of etc. It really comes down to whether that player has the drive in them; mj user or not. Some of these young men aren't mature enough to understand the importance/repercussions of their actions (aka **** mode) and only wise up until it's too late. But it is the still on the player until policy changes otherwise.

 

[erod]

To work at 7-11 or as an Air Traffic Controller, etc.? I hear ya that some vital positions need you to be on your toes and mentally sharp as nails at all times, but the majority of jobs do not. So I guess we just disagree that if a guy working construction can smoke a joint after work over a beer, etc. I know we're just arguing semantics by now; until the insurance companies change their liability statutes when states legalize, this is all for "thought".

The insurance companies are bailing out of the national healthcare exchanges (United Healthcare just did from most), so who knows what it will all look like soon.