Fall of NFC Teams should make us aggressive

[Apollo Creed]

With a healthy Romo there is no reason we shouldn't win the East and be competing for a top seed in the NFC.

Seattle, GB, and Dallas are the premier teams. Detroit, Carolina, Philly and Arizona are the second tier. And I fully expect New Orleans and New York to be in the conversation next year as well.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

To maintain our competitiveness:
add to our OL depth - we were lucky with injuries last year
keep at least TWO running backs that can lead the charge - we were lucky with injuries last year
replace any LBs that may leave with equally talented players

To make us contenders
do the above plus upgrade the DL

what the other teams do is irrelevant, there will always be surprise contenders, we just need to build a solid core.

 

[Apollo Creed]

We were one impact pass rusher away from being the best team in football last year. Not sure why this team doesn't place a priority on safety, with a ball hawking center fielder back deep I feel like this defense could go from average to pretty good overnight.

No team is perfect, everyone has holes. So I'm not too concerned.

 

[Fletch]

I don't want us to be aggressive. We need to fall off some so others teams have a shot. I love parity.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I ddin't say anything about the offense. I said let's get help on defense.

Do not get in a lather (whatever that mean but I think it mean do not panic and gesticulate and be defensive).
I added the offense part just to underscore the need to think soley defensively.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

and let us be clear on the defense: the current group, without key additions to the middle, DEs and secondary will not take us farther than the 1st playoff game. This defense is not even second-tier yet.

 

[Aven8]

How are we cream of anything yet?

We have no RB, 2 LB's, and no PR/KR as of today. I'm confused.

 

[Nightman]

As of right now, with Mcclain, Carter and Durant set to hit FA, I think its fair to say the Defense is less talented. However, FA has not officially started and we haven't had the draft so its a moot point.

The Eagles though, I don't see improving their team over last years even this early. They've lost way too much talent to actually add all of that back before the season starts. Cap space is nice, but 32 teams compete for these players. At best I could see them being similar to last year.

I disagree. We are getting Lee back, a full year from DLaw and Brent, anything from Claiborne would be an upgrade, Wlicox has another year of experience and so does Hitchens. If we add an SDE in FA or the draft and get one of Carter, Durant or McClain back the unit is poised to make a big leap.

 

[AzorAhai]

I disagree. We are getting Lee back, a full year from DLaw and Brent, anything from Claiborne would be an upgrade, Wlicox has another year of experience and so does Hitchens. If we add an SDE in FA or the draft and get one of Carter, Durant or McClain back the unit is poised to make a big leap.

Lee is a big question mark due to staying healthy and how he recovers, DLaw was contributing last year so hes already included in the overall talent, and Brent and Claiborne arent world beaters. If they lose Mcclain, Durant and Carter I don't think there is even a question that is a net loss of talent, but like I said its a moot point because they are also going to bring players in through FA and the draft. Basically right now on paper we would definitely be a less talented defense, in 2 months that could definitely change

 

[Nightman]

Lee is a big question mark due to staying healthy and how he recovers, DLaw was contributing last year so hes already included in the overall talent, and Brent and Claiborne arent world beaters. If they lose Mcclain, Durant and Carter I don't think there is even a question that is a net loss of talent, but like I said its a moot point because they are also going to bring players in through FA and the draft. Basically right now on paper we would definitely be a less talented defense, in 2 months that could definitely change

Lee is not a question mark. He is a Pro Bowler.
DLaw barely played last year and was just getting his feet wet in the playoffs, same with Brent.
You are right though, to compare the D on March 9 to the team that will take the field is premature.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I disagree. We are getting Lee back, a full year from DLaw and Brent, anything from Claiborne would be an upgrade, Wlicox has another year of experience and so does Hitchens. If we add an SDE in FA or the draft and get one of Carter, Durant or McClain back the unit is poised to make a big leap.

That is still the profile of a defensive unit, a no-name unit, an underachieving unit that is staffed by journeymens. Lee an upgrade? Someone who cant stay healthy is not an upgrade but a liability and someone who takes up cap space and a spot that a younger, healthier and more mechanically-astute younger player could take.

Anytime a fan say "anything from so-and-so would be an upgrade, you can bet we are dealing with journeymens.

Great coaching half made this unit play to its limit, but the D won't take us anywhere with their play except to maybe mediocrity.

 

[Nightman]

That is still the profile of a defensive unit, a no-name unit, an underachieving unit that is staffed by journeymens. Lee an upgrade? Someone who cant stay healthy is not an upgrade but a liability and someone who takes up cap space and a spot that a younger, healthier and more mechanically-astute younger player could take.

Anytime a fan say "anything from so-and-so would be an upgrade, you can bet we are dealing with journeymens.

Great coaching half made this unit play to its limit, but the D won't take us anywhere with their play except to maybe mediocrity.

This unit doesn't have to be world beaters. Just stay opportunistic and make some big plays. Getting Lee, DLaw and Clairborne back would be a huge infusion of talent before FA and the draft even happened. Just don't be too afraid to jump into the FA pond. There is talent to be had and you don't have to wait to shop at the clearance rack.

 

[perrykemp]

Lee is not a question mark. He is a Pro Bowler.

Lee is a guy with Pro-Bowl potential who oddly enough has NEVER made it to the Prowbowl in his half decade career in Dallas.

But hey, he will only be 29 years old when the season starts, it's never too late!

 

[Nightman]

Lee is a guy with Pro-Bowl potential who oddly enough has NEVER made it to the Prowbowl in his half decade career in Dallas.

But hey, he will only be 29 years old when the season starts, it's never too late!

Keep hating our own players, it looks like fun

 

[perrykemp]

Keep hating our own players, it looks like fun

I don't hate Lee, I think Lee is a tremendous player when healthy and on the field.

 

[DFWJC]

Seattle and Green Bay should be good again

If Palmer is healthy and Peterson goes there, then Arizona could be a handful.

I didn't say this about them last year, but I think the Giants will be a bit of a challenge this year.

New Orleans blew it by overspending in free agency a few years in a row, and now are really hurting with nothing to show for it. (Take note, those that want us to forfeit the future for right now)

SF is spiraling downward.

Philly is a bit of mystery, with the coach/GM molding what he wants. Hard to say how that works out.

Carolina is steadily rising (not sure if the upside is high enough though)

Atlanta for sure will be better, but they stunk so bad that's not saying much

Minny seems to have a grasp ion things now, but they may be a few years away.

Detroit has some holes to fill

 

[Galian Beast]

It's difficult to make the pro bowl as a linebacker, and despite his advanced age Lee really hasn't been in the league that long.

He basically red shirted his first year in the NFL from his injuries in college and has been hurt the last 3 years.

I don't think anyone doubts his ability, but he does need to stay healthy.

The guy has 11 interceptions in 46 games... That's insane for a linebacker. It would have been great to have him last year, though if we did we probably don't get McClain. Was excited at the potential of having him and McClain on the same team together, but that is looking less likely now.

Also would have been nice to get Carter back. Maybe the market won't be kind to him and he will return, I guess we'll see though.

 

[Nightman]

I don't hate Lee, I think Lee is a tremendous player when healthy and on the field.

Sure you do

 

[Irvin88_4life]

I


Its all really going to depend on rod and the defense. Our d will be less talented than last year. But last years was less talented than the years before but rod being at the helm made it work. Aside from finding a good rb to replace murrary the offense should be ok.

We don't know if they will be less talented. Free agency hadn't started much less the draft. We can and will improve before kick off

 

[JoeBoBBY]

How are we cream of anything yet?

We have no RB, 2 LB's, and no PR/KR as of today. I'm confused.

This is true. Although I will say we played that GB game as if we were the better team. I didnt feel like the better team won that day. And that same GB team should have beat Seattle, if not for a lame onside kick error... These three teams are evenly matched imho. And They are the front runners for the NFC Title.

Also, more important then anything, we have a power structure in coaching. We have coordinators that demand respect and a head coach that is coming into his own. We seem to have a plan in the FO.

We have continuity. A direction. An identity. And I think the core players on this team are holding the rest of the players accountable. And I think the franchise, the organization, the players , the city, the fans, #cowboyszone are all Hungry to win...... And we have some studs on that Offensive Line. And they are young.......

They are coming together as a team. We pushed hard last year and damn near pulled it off...There is no reason to think we cant go farther this year.

Now , they actually believe they can win. That they can beat anybody. And if they dont, the other team better be ready for a fight! That is a powerful thing. Believing you can win, instead of just hoping.

Their test this year is: Can they handle success? I think they can. I think this team is...........................................................tough. physically tough, mentally tough. young and hungry.

Its time. Its time for the Cowboys to go to a SB and win one.....ITS TIME!