Exuberant

jday

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Hat tip to @adbutcher.

You may have noticed...I fancy myself a wordsmith. But up until now the word that collectively best described this year's draft class has escaped me. I've alluded to it; I've said things like "a certain attitude about them" and "a youthful energy" all the while describing my way around a word that somewhat encompasses all of that: exuberant.

Granted, their shared qualities as players don't end there. There is also confidence, intelligence, bravado (not the arrogant variety, but convinced), and focus that just seems to permeate off everything they say and do.

Now, perhaps I'm getting way ahead of myself on patting these kids on the back and certainly you could point to last year's draft success as a potential accelerant to those feelings, but at the same time there is a side of me that says, "screw it! So what if they don't ever meet your expectations. You are a Cowboys fan; you deserve to love your team again and not just parts of it."

Can we be honest? Most of us were thrilled to see Carr, Claiborne, Church and Wilcox go. Are concern was the massive hole that was left in the secondary. That led many of us to believe they were handcuffed to addressing the secondary first. And then they didn't, opting to address the quickly diminishing pass rusher position instead.

As we all know now, that proved to potentially be genius, as the Cowboys were able to add not just talent, but talent that seemingly fits what Marinelli wants to do. They fit this locker room, the physicality, athleticism, and skillset requirements like a glove.

Again, too soon to tell if this yields immediate returns, but next season and beyond is looking better than it has in 10 years.

Thoughts?
 
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ShiningStar

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i think the word of they day is "potential"

I think regardless of which side you are on, the cowboys came up with a plan, stuck with it, we have tons of potential talent from this draft class. Now we have to see what it molds to.
 

TwoDeep3

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I test drive cars before I buy them. I have high hopes for the car, but must see the performance before i can intelligently determine their potential.

So too the draft has built in high hopes. Unless your GM makes a comment after the draft telling the world his mindset going into the draft was this was to fill out special teams.

However, I'd like to see these guys in battle before I suggest they are able to take over for anyone who was here before. Doesn't mean I am not filled with hope. But I temper that with the knowledge cornerback and safety are difficult positions to man, even for seasoned pros.

Wait and see ain't sexy. But, time will tell.
 

JoeKing

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Exuberant is a word that is used when your team wins a SB or any playoff game. Maybe it is used when your team wins a game against a divisional foe. The Cowboys had a good offseason and draft but they've done nothing to be exuberant about. I'm hopeful, the teams future is bright and this young talented infusion of players is aspirant, but you "wordsmiths" need to pump the break on your enthusiasm. Paper champions don't collect trophies.
 

jday

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I test drive cars before I buy them. I have high hopes for the car, but must see the performance before i can intelligently determine their potential.

So too the draft has built in high hopes. Unless your GM makes a comment after the draft telling the world his mindset going into the draft was this was to fill out special teams.

However, I'd like to see these guys in battle before I suggest they are able to take over for anyone who was here before. Doesn't mean I am not filled with hope. But I temper that with the knowledge cornerback and safety are difficult positions to man, even for seasoned pros.

Wait and see ain't sexy. But, time will tell.
There are pro's and con's to both approaches to how one chooses to view the team. Ordinarily I'd take the safe route and remain cautiously optimistic. But this is not ordinary times; this team is about to be really good. It may not materialize until next year, but good things are coming. Of that I'm confident.
 

TwoDeep3

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There are pro's and con's to both approaches to how one chooses to view the team. Ordinarily I'd take the safe route and remain cautiously optimistic. But this is not ordinary times; this team is about to be really good. It may not materialize until next year, but good things are coming. Of that I'm confident.

I agree about being on the cusp of greatness. Just not certain it will be this season. But unless there is a catastrophe on the horizon, I believe this team will post multiple championships in the next 6 years. My feeling is three.
 

CCBoy

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Last season, Prescott and Elliott had as great a rookie season as has been seen in Dallas...ever.

If the team put up a 12 and 13 win season with less projected talent levels on defense, no, jday, your OP has merit. I'm looking forward to seeing and studying this group of players...a lot.
 

Proof

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I test drive cars before I buy them. I have high hopes for the car, but must see the performance before i can intelligently determine their potential.

So too the draft has built in high hopes. Unless your GM makes a comment after the draft telling the world his mindset going into the draft was this was to fill out special teams.

However, I'd like to see these guys in battle before I suggest they are able to take over for anyone who was here before. Doesn't mean I am not filled with hope. But I temper that with the knowledge cornerback and safety are difficult positions to man, even for seasoned pros.

Wait and see ain't sexy. But, time will tell.

We already bought the car. The coaches test drove them, had the best mechanics look at them and spoke directly with the manufacturers. I'm anxious to experience what sold them, but I'm excited regardless
 

jday

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I agree about being on the cusp of greatness. Just not certain it will be this season. But unless there is a catastrophe on the horizon, I believe this team will post multiple championships in the next 6 years. My feeling is three.
On that, you and I agree.
 

jday

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Exuberant is a word that is used when your team wins a SB or any playoff game. Maybe it is used when your team wins a game against a divisional foe. The Cowboys had a good offseason and draft but they've done nothing to be exuberant about. I'm hopeful, the teams future is bright and this young talented infusion of players is aspirant, but you "wordsmiths" need to pump the break on your enthusiasm. Paper champions don't collect trophies.
"Exuberant" in the context I used it is a description of personality, not a state or condition earned by playing well. Certainly, losing could be a threat to that trait, but for the moment, it's fun to watch.
 

CCBoy

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"Exuberant" in the context I used it is a description of personality, not a state or condition earned by playing well. Certainly, losing could be a threat to that trait, but for the moment, it's fun to watch.

I find exuberant a fine descriptive word...don't apologize for excitement. Cherokee found exuberance in the thought of raiding and murder, with extreme tortures.

Heck, I find exuberance in this:

...We all know when the Cowboys signed Collins they were interested in his position flexibility. He played tackle at LSU, but they slid him into the guard position almost immediately. Now that Doug Free has retired and there’s a spot open on the outside, it’s logical the Cowboys would explore this possibility.

Collins wasn’t mismatched at guard, but I feel there’s ample evidence to support the conceit that the run offense ran much better with Ron Leary at left guard than Collins. Leary, of course, is now in Denver. Sliding Collins outside allows the Cowboys to slide Jonathan Cooper into that right guard position. Cooper, a first-round pick a few years ago, is physically and technically more capable, in my opinion, of doing the things the Cowboys want at that position. I also think that Zack Martin isn’t an option to move to right tackle. That might actually make the offensive line worse, even though Martin played tackle in college. His athleticism, and the way he applies that at his position when he pulls to his left, is unreal. Few NFL offensive linemen can do what he can do. He’s about to become a wealthy man for a reason.

Chaz Green is an option at right tackle, of course, and he played tackle in college. But the issue, as our Mike Fisher pointed out earlier this week, is that Green isn’t healthy right now. As talented as he is, staying on the field due to his health is his biggest hurdle, and it’s been that way since college. Collins hasn’t avoided injury, of course, but his history isn’t as extensive as Green’s. Plus, there’s Dan Skipper, the massive Arkansas tackle that, I believe, will earn an invite to training camp and intrigue the Cowboys right to the end of final cuts. It’s good to have options. But by September I believe Collins will end up being the Cowboys’ starter at right tackle and Cooper the starter at left guard. And this offensive line will continue to be one of the league’s best. And if it shakes out like that, then the Cowboys will have four first-round picks — and a fifth that should have been — opening holes for Ezekiel Elliott and protecting Dak Prescott. It’s amazing that the Cowboys not only committed to this, but have executed it so expertly...

http://www.scout.com/nfl/cowboys/story/1777954-cowboys-1st-10-a-collins-spin-rookies-in
 

JoeKing

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"Exuberant" in the context I used it is a description of personality, not a state or condition earned by playing well. Certainly, losing could be a threat to that trait, but for the moment, it's fun to watch.
Epic fail on you.
 

CCBoy

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Seems to be a bit strong for a difference in perspective, but you are free to believe your opinion has an impact.

Sometimes, txstar is a tough sell...but he's a strong fan of our Cowboys. ;)

Even if sometimes blowing on and polishing a mirror before looking...:thumbup:
 

Bullflop

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For one, I see good in being optimistic and excited about the likelihood to improve our favorite team. Enthusiasm is a healthy mindset. ;)
 
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