News: Gil Brandt: Cowboys have one of NFL's best Super Bowl windows; here's why

[CCBoy]

Gil Brandt: Cowboys have one of NFL's best Super Bowl windows; here's why

http://sportsday.***BANNED-URL***/d...andt-cowboys-one-nfls-best-super-bowl-windows



Dez Bryant says the Cowboys have built something "that can last." Troy Aikman says this season was a success for Dallas.

So even though the Cowboys were one-and-done this season in the playoffs, there's still hope for the team's Super Bowl future. At least according to Gil Brandt.

Dallas was the No. 2 team of seven in Brandt's top Super Bowl windows. He gives the Cowboys a four-year window with Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott leading the way. The only team to top Dallas was Atlanta.

"There are some challenges on the horizon: handling a tougher schedule in 2017, improving the pass rush, keeping the secondary viable despite Barry Church, Morris Claiborne, Brandon Carr and J.J. Wilcox hitting free agency," Brandt said.

"But the coaching staff is staying together, while Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin are all under contract through at least 2018 (with Smith and Frederick locked up well beyond that), and Dez Bryant should continue to be a premier weapon. The bottom line is, Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott are just scratching the surface. History tells us guys improve a lot from Year 1 to Year 2, and hard as it might be to believe, Prescott and Elliott could be even better going forward."...

 

[SHAMSzy]

Church, Wilcox, Carr, Claiborne hitting FA is like Christmas to my ears

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

If you're #2 in Superbowl windows, that last thing you want to see is the #1 team being from the same conference.

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

Church, Wilcox, Carr, Claiborne hitting FA is like Christmas to my ears

Do you Donald?

 

[gmoney112]

When you have a rookie QB that just had maybe the best rookie season ever, that helps. A little bit.

A second rookie that made the All-Pro team and looked to be a a force in this league, helps a little bit too.

Having 3 All-Pro lineman with the oldest being 26, probably doesn't hurt. Especially when you're adding in another 23 year old 1st round pick talent to it.

The window is wide open and the opening can officially begin now.

That's why this offseason is incredibly important. We have got to put together a playoff caliber defense that can grow with the incredible nucleus on offense.

No more risky picks in high rounds, no more addictions, no more guys with off the field issues that we hope to hypnotize with the Star and alleviates them of all their mental burden.

Add as much dependable talent on defense as you possibly can. Period.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

If you're #2 in Superbowl windows, that last thing you want to see is the #1 team being from the same conference.

True.

But if the Falcons did win the SB this year... Well that knocks them down a peg or two in my book because as we've often seen SB winners have the tendency to take the foot off the gas for the following season or two.

 

[Bullflop]

Gil Brandt always seems to have a clear picture on just what the story is with the Cowboys. The defense will be challenged to improve upon their performance of 2016 with a tougher schedule and so many of their defensive players due for free agency next season. I'm hoping the draft will uncover several secondary and pass rushing talents to overcome that situation next season.

There's hope but it won't be anything resembling a cakewalk, that's for sure. Finding and acquiring sufficient talent to reload the defense's FA losses promises to be a critical step in stepping up their play. Improving a weak pass rush looms large as well. Will McClay has his work cut out for him to bolster this defense. Godspeed resolving those issues.

 

[waving monkey]

It would seem to me the FO will keep most of the DBs. You cant just void the talent at one position.
The Senior Bowl is giving a glimpse of some real Defensive line talent available [ MAdams looked like a beast]
Ya we have a good window open let the good times roll.

 

[jazzcat22]

Church, Wilcox, Carr, Claiborne hitting FA is like Christmas to my ears

Be careful what you wish for.
All 4 of then are solid...not spectacular, but solid....just can't replace all 4 of them in FA and the draft.
But many feel we must have spectacular at all positions like pulling a rabbit out of a hat.....well, here is a spoiler....it is not magic.....

At least 2, more like 3 will be brought back, maybe even all 4 though unlikely. Sorry to disappoint you and others, but at least 2 of these are needed back if for anything depth.

 

[DeaconMoss]

True.

But if the Falcons did win the SB this year... Well that knocks them down a peg or two in my book because as we've often seen SB winners have the tendency to take the foot off the gas for the following season or two.

SB winners get paid thats why repeats are tough. Nothing to do with a gas pedal

 

[Chuck 54]

Church, Wilcox, Carr, Claiborne hitting FA is like Christmas to my ears

We have to bring at least 2 of those guys back, one safety and one CB.
Personally, I'd bring back Wilcox and Carr, though I'm guessing the coaches want Church. At a reasonable price like this year, Carr is very important to our secondary....we also need to draft cornerback(s). In the first 7 games, switching sides worked great for Mo and Carr, but in the final 9 games, despite everyone's overestimation of Brown, Carr followed the best receivers all over the field, and he held up pretty well considering our inconsistent pass rush....that, and he's dependable.

 

[gmoney112]

Be careful what you wish for.
All 4 of then are solid...not spectacular, but solid....just can't replace all 4 of them in FA and the draft.
But many feel we must have spectacular at all positions like pulling a rabbit out of a hat.....well, here is a spoiler....it is not magic.....

At least 2, more like 3 will be brought back, maybe even all 4 though unlikely. Sorry to disappoint you and others, but at least 2 of these are needed back if for anything depth.

I think Carr and Church are a given. Wilcox/Claiborne are just going to be depending on if they want to take a really cheap deal or not.

 

[StarMan2112]

Don't buy into the "tougher schedule" stuff. Who knows? Every year is different and what may seem like a tough schedule could end up being easy, or vice versa.

 

[Parche]

I couldnt care less with this projections... Who would say after a 4-12 year, and after Romo went down, that we were going to be 13-3 and 1# in the NFC?

NFL changes so much yr after yr. We could be better next year... we could very probably be worse (like, lets say, wild card position). Its hard to think of us out of PO, tough.

 

[phildadon86]

Don't buy into the "tougher schedule" stuff. Who knows? Every year is different and what may seem like a tough schedule could end up being easy, or vice versa.

Playing against a Romo led Broncos team will be the most watched game in NFL history. LOL

 

[T-RO]

Do you Donald?

Don't go there. He'd love those players. For Donald its all about contributing. Just ask Jim Brown. Keep politics out of here.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

SB winners get paid thats why repeats are tough. Nothing to do with a gas pedal

Yes to a certain extent that's true.

But it's human nature to ease up once one has reached their goal.

Some more than others.

 

[willia451]

Worth exactly zero.

Same type of thing everyone said about the Cowboys after the 2007 season.

Two year later the Cowboys were 0-7 and the HC was fired half way through.

That's why everyone was saying 3 weeks ago the window is here and now. So take advantage. Because you simply never know how things are going to play out season to season.

Unless your franchise carries the moniker of New England Patriots. Then you know. At least until Belichick and Brady are gone. LOL!!!

 

[ShiningStar]

Very lame and very unbiased opinion. IF you want to do a rah rah piece, just have a picture of the cheerleaders and say "because we re the Cowboys" Plenty of posters will love it and repeat it.

IF you are going to be honest, write what we know "who knows whats in store for the Cowboys, from bad to good, good to average, average to average" Thats what Jason Garrett has brought. The playoffs are his boon and he has rested comfortably in the "on par" category. Does he strike fear into any team, no because he ll have the tendency to work against whatever his team does well. Does he prep his team to win, unless its against a lame QB, see a hobbled RG3 and Aaron Rodgers. He has beaten the bad, had flashes of something good and left the season as expected, beaten in the playoffs and left their fans dreaming of more. In fact Dallas has a better season with a rookie RB and a rookie QB , games where Dallas was in contention to win but to be disappointed by the expected turnover and instead came down to his team staying in the fight. In previous seasons games were won by Romos sheer will and desire to do good for the Cowboys despite their best efforts to hamper him. This year playoffs was not different for Linehan and Garrett tho, they thrilled the Cowboys by taking home field advantage in the playoffs this year only to neutralize the best RB in the league, their own. Doing another one and done the Cowboys FO feels, "another year for Garrett to learn" has been a solid approach, so why rock the boat. With a young core coming and the league not having stability, i guess the Jones boys are hoping other teams do for them what they refuse to do, play bad enough the Cowboys have another chance at the playoffs.

What is the goal for the offseason, same as before, another draft where the fans scream "we had another great draft" get a player or two and be content with whatever else befalls them, a project player, a converted player, hell anyone has a chance being picked by the cowboys. Only played two years in college, we ll take a chance on you, changed positions in a small school and dazzled against lesser talent, if the stats say you are great, we are buying. Previous injury, hey who doesnt love to gamble? Dallas is the next Vegas where anything is a gamble. 20 plus years of average has given us a sense of "who cares anymore". Make sure to collect that check, let the stadium sell and as long as the fans are willing to scream "we love everything Dallas does" just slap a pretty bow on the season and head on to the next, because the word the Big D in Dallas doesnt stand for "Dominant" anymore.

We are also expecting Garrett to plan that the NFCE to stay static because they never try to get better. Washington will invest in some wr's, Giants in their offensive line and the Eagles getting some help for Wentz, Dallas is just expecting things to remain the same. Obviously those franchises will do their best to accommodate the Cowboys, in what alternate reality we dont know, but it seems to be the train of thought around Cowboys headquarters.

To check out the glory years of Dallas, you ll have to purchase technology that isnt in production much or a vaccum to collect the dust if you have one buried in the cellar. Kids be sure to ask your parents how to work such antiquated technology.

Im Gil and ill just use this article for next year, see ya than.




That would be honest.

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

Don't go there. He'd love those players. For Donald its all about contributing. Just ask Jim Brown. Keep politics out of here.

Overreact much?