Gil Brandt on Cowboys

[KJJ]

Management has definitely improved the overall talent of the team. I hope they are able to sustain it long term but think we are unlikely to see another off season like this one (Hardy, Jones, Gregory, Collins) for a while.

As of now the Cowboys will only have Hardy for 6 games and the rest of those players still have to prove themselves at the NFL level. The team made what looks like some promising young additions to the defense but we'll just have to see if those additions significantly improve the defense. Regardless how the running game is in 2015 the Cowboys aren't going to get past teams in the playoffs that have elite QB's unless they improve their pass rush and overall defensive play.

 

[Bungarian]

Yeah. it was before last year. Basically they were saying what 75-80% of this board was saying--which was silly imo.

Anyway, water under the bridge and we're mostly all on at least a similar page this year.
That actually scares me a little.

I was one of the 80%

I thought the defense was going to be terrible and I was wrong.

 

[KJJ]

I thought the defense was going to be terrible and I was wrong.

It wasn't terrible but it still wasn't very good which is why the Cowboys first 2 picks were on defense. The pass rush sucked last season the 27 sacks the Cowboys recorded were 8 fewer than in 2013. It was the defense spending an average of 12 fewer plays on the field in 2014 than the previous season that improved it. The D wasn't being exposed as much due controlling the ball offensively with the running game but the defense still has a long way to go to be a solid unit that can hold up vs an elite QB like Aaron Rodgers. The pass rush has to improve to get past a team like the Packers in the playoffs.

 

[Doc50]

Yes it has become very apperant that this team has some depth to it. And we can thank one man for that.

When we talk about your favorite Cowboy, the first person that comes to mind for me is not a player. It's Will McClay.

In this man I trust to build this team and to keep it competitive for yours to come and also to find Tony's replacement when that time comes.

This guy is going to be a good GM one day. I just hope it's for the Dallas Cowboys.

Here is a good article on Will:

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4726674/in-will-mcclay-cowboys-will-be-covered

Good article.

When the 'Boys start showing some consistent dominance, he'll finally get some credit for his role in building this team.

 

[Sportsbabe]

Like anyone in the whole Universe buys into a Soap Opera filling in for professional football.

You underestimate the intelligence of the American people.

 

[speedkilz88]

Gil also likes Geoff Swaim and thinks La'el Collins looks like a OG.

 

[Staubacher]

Gil also likes Geoff Swaim and thinks La'el Collins looks like a OG.

Good to hear about Swaim. He may be the sleeper pick of our draft.

 

[Kevinicus]

When you are in Week 17....win and you are in the playoffs scenario....4 years in a row...you are NOT the 5th worst franchise in the NFL. And we did all of this while rebuilding! Was I happy with 8-8? No! But we had a first time head coach who was trying to BUILD something. And to be in the hunt while you are BUILDING means you have a young progressing roster/coach....this scenario does not hardly constitute a bottom feeding franchise

3 years in a row. In year 4, the division was already wrapped up prior to week 17. Your point is still valid though (probably more so).

 

[Doc50]

He's slipping. Depth? Yeth, it be better. As a aggregate, RB is a big question marx. On defense, the whole unit is suspect. Better luck next time, Gil.

You negatricity sound like a non-fan.

 

[Staubacher]

You negatricity sound like a non-fan.

He's been a Debbie Downer lately

 

[big dog cowboy]

Impossible. I've read the opposite from some of our resident experts on here several times.

 

[tyke1doe]

When you are in Week 17....win and you are in the playoffs scenario....4 years in a row...you are NOT the 5th worst franchise in the NFL. And we did all of this while rebuilding! Was I happy with 8-8? No! But we had a first time head coach who was trying to BUILD something. And to be in the hunt while you are BUILDING means you have a young progressing roster/coach....this scenario does not hardly constitute a bottom feeding franchise

Fair enough. But I think the ranking is relative in a few respects. For example, if the Browns continue to suck, are they the worst franchise or is such a ranking relative to the fall?

I would say while Al Davis was alive, the Raiders were the worst franchise in the NFL, even though there were others as bad as they. And that ranking was relative to where the Raiders have fallen and because their prospect weren't great as long as Davis ran the show.

I can honestly say at one point, I had real despair that the Cowboys would become the Raiders. So I wouldn't quibble with someone who thought we were one of the five worst franchise, relative to how far we've fallen.

Having said the above, I understand your point.

 

[tideh20heel]

Some fans and that annoying guy from The Break will be proven wrong about Murray and his importance.

Steve Dennis is the most annoying person in the world!!

 

[DFWJC]

I was one of the 80%

I thought the defense was going to be terrible and I was wrong.

It was pretty bad though.
Without a clock eating run game and the league's most efficient QB, that defense would have been uglier
But no doubt they were better than that steaming pile we put out there in 2013. That D was so bad that 8-8 was fairly heroic.

Can't wait to see how that unit does just two years later.

 

[speedkilz88]

Steve Dennis is the most annoying person in the world!!

Dale Hansen has an argument.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

Steve Dennis is the most annoying person in the world!!

When the Ice Bucket challenge was going strong, I proposed the Steve Dennis challenge. For a small contribution to a chosen charity, participants would be allowed to punch Dennis in the face. Could of cured cancer.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Impossible. I've read the opposite from some of our resident experts on here several times.

I do find it fitting that Gil Brandt has the complete opposite opinion of the Swaim trade haters. Risen has tried to give him the Beuhler, Coale, and Johnson kiss of death though.

 

[Bullflop]

Depth has improved considerably. I wouldn't say it's better at every position but overall, it's better than what this team has seen in quite a while. Hopefully, Romo will stay healthy throughout. If so, we're in quite good shape. I'll remain optimistic that we'll add a durable RB at some point to ensure our RB corps may remain capably healthy.

 

[AzorAhai]

You negatricity sound like a non-fan.

Don't feed him Doc, you're better than that.

 

[AzorAhai]

Gil also likes Geoff Swaim and thinks La'el Collins looks like a OG.

Swaim ran a 40 at his pro day which would have been 3rd fastest at the combine for his position. From the video and reports I've seen, he looks like a fast, athletic TE.