News: Gil Brandt: Early signs point to rebound season for Dallas Cowboys

[speedkilz88]

» Ezekiel Elliott's quick study. The rookie running back looks as good as advertised. So many times you get a rookie and he comes in and everything is overwhelming to him. Not Elliott. Nothing seems to bother him; he looks exactly like the running back Urban Meyer had at Ohio State. At the OTAs, he displayed very good quickness and speed. I didn't see a coach correct any of his routes or runs. He has the mental ability and work ethic to succeed right away. He was always one of the first on the field, and one of the last to leave. I feel as strongly about him winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year as I did with Todd Gurley at this point last year.

» Dak Prescott's progression. The Cowboys knew Prescott would be a work in progress, but I'm not sure they expected it to come this quickly. Credit should go to offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson for getting Prescott up to speed so quickly. Prescott wasn't getting first- or second-team snaps, but when he did get in there he looked like someone who had taken the ball from under center all of his life. He made several good sight adjustments in passing drills and his mechanics were very sound. He also showed natural leadership qualities; players gravitate toward him and seem to genuinely like him.

» Randy Gregory's special skill set. The second-year player could have a bright future in the NFL, if he can figure out what it takes to be a professional off the field. His quickness and length as a pass rusher were easily identifiable at the OTA practices. If the four-game suspension he faces doesn't hurt him, I think he'll end up having a very good year.

» Cole Beasley's improvement. If Beasley were 6-2 and not 5-8, I think he'd be a star in the NFL. The fact is he's not, but there's still a lot to like about his game. I thought he looked much improved catching the ball and running routes. He showed last year when Dez Bryant went down that he wasn't ready. I think he learned something from that and went into the offseason to improve his overall game as a slot receiver. It showed.

NFL Network Discussion - Favorite To Win The NFCEast
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-hq/0ap3000000666398/Are-Cowboys-the-early-favorite-to-win-NFC-East

 

[Frozen700]

Yeah, they always do.

Then after half the season has passed, it's panic time, and how bad they really are.

 

[CowboyChris]

Ol' Gil must not have watched the defense

 

[slick325]

Really think Gregory takes a major step this season. He will show the blue chip talent.

 

[Hardline]

Doesn't an article come out like this every year about this time?

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Ol' Gil must not have watched the defense

You watched exactly how much of practice?

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Doesn't an article come out like this every year about this time?

Link some from past years.

 

[Fletch]

Ol' Gil must not have watched the defense

I trust Gil more than all you kooks. The man had skins on the wall to prove it.

 

[Hardline]

Link some from past years.

No

 

[TwentyOne]

Doesn't an article come out like this every year about this time?

I guess they have premade textblocks and automatic fill ins for the names and position.
Then they have a randomnizer for the day and there goes the news.

Perhaps even the author doesnt know that he his "father" of a new report by the time it is online.

 

[CWR]

Grumble grumble we suck. No news is good news. Jerry and Jason suck. I dont even know why I bother except for the fact I love a good baby cry.

No there had never been an article talking about Elliot as advertised and Prescott being ahead of schedule and so on. This article is unique to this year. If the article was blasting our rookies or whomever else all the whiners here would chime in on that and talk about how stupid we are.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

There is a lot to like about this team with a healthy Romo. He is the key, the rest are all nice complimentary pieces.

 

[CATCH17]

There is always something different this time of year.

Let the hype begin.. Reality sets in when the season starts.

 

[jday]

I trust Gil more than all you kooks. The man had skins on the wall to prove it.

It truly is amazing to me the amount of negativity that still lingers on this board like a hot fart four hours after Taco Bell. How soon they forget about 2014 going into a season with arguably more talent. Last years rookies should make a jump. The young players from 2014 should be significantly better following two years of experience. This years crop of rookies have the potential to contribute. The key really is Romo. If Romo can stay healthy, they could break offensive records. And sometimes, having a really good offense makes a good enough defense. Time will tell.

 

[The Ominous]

ZEKE still showing why he was number one on our board. Complete freak.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

Well I don't think there was much negativity last year coming of a 12-4 season. You come off a 4-12 season and it happens.

 

[jday]

Well I don't think there was much negativity last year coming of a 12-4 season. You come off a 4-12 season and it happens.

But that's what makes it amazing. There were clear reasons why 2015 flopped; no Romo. With Romo, this is a completely different team. With Zeke, this team could be a monster in the eyes of 31 other teams.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

No

True skepticism: assertions without basis are to be discarded.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

But that's what makes it amazing. There were clear reasons why 2015 flopped; no Romo. With Romo, this is a completely different team. With Zeke, this team could be a monster in the eyes of 31 other teams.

Yea but we don't know. A lot of fans are still worried about Tony's health. If he stays healthy we should be okay.

 

[big dog cowboy]

» Dak Prescott's progression. The Cowboys knew Prescott would be a work in progress, but I'm not sure they expected it to come this quickly. Credit should go to offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson for getting Prescott up to speed so quickly.

We have a few members who won't believe that for a second.