Going into week one last year and now

[blindzebra]

QB: LY Bledsoe, TY Romo...the still slightly unknown versus the known and not very good...With a full offseason knowing the job was his this football "rat" will show his stuff. Advantage: This year

RB: Same RBs...Jones has a chip, a friendly competition is there pushing both, we made changes in the OL and with offensive philosophy. Advantage: This year

WR: Same top 3...Glenn has had knee issues, but Hurd took a major leap...TO has been a non-issue and Crayton is in a contract year. Advantage: Push

TE: Same top 2...Fasano has stepped it up, Curtis is a solid #3, and Witten should benefit from the new system. Advantage: This year

OL: Only one change Davis for Rivera, but it's a big one...Colombo is another year removed from injury, Flo is too and is in a contract year, we seem to have decent depth too. Advantage: This year

K: We began last year with Suisham, went to Vandy, ended up with Gramatica...this year we start a rookie...tough call, but based on week one...Advantage: This year...end of year would be push.

P: Same guy...still great. Advantage: Push

LS: Same. Advantage: Push

DL: Same players new system...Hatcher and Ratliff should play bigger roles...last years starters have something to prove. Advantage: This year...slightly.

LB: One new starter Spencer...Ellis is out, most likely to week 4 or 5, if then...everyone else seems energized by the new scheme, Burnett and Carpenter have both made moves for more playing time, and James and Ayodele have given no reason at this point to lose their jobs. The dependence on a rookie offsets the gains of the new scheme for week one anyway. Advantage: Push...but not for long.

DB: Hamlin in, Glenn out...Newman's foot is a concern as is depth...with a healthy T-New it's a big advantage for this year...as it stands week one. Advantage: Last year.

Coaching: It's all new except Sparano...I like what I've seen from the new staff in terms of enthusiasm and the players response...we have new and unproven versus proven yet, not getting it done to Cowboys standards...for week one. Advantage: Push.
__________________

 

[5Stars]

Very interesting, indeed! It's a new season, a new game...


:starspin

 

[tomson75]

Hmmm.

What are we basing this on? If its the fans' collective confidence in the team, or what we're led to believe we have right now as opposed to what we were led to believe we had at this time last year, I think ti would be like this...

QB: For the most part, I think we were pretty confident in Bledsoe at this time last year. Given the fact that Tony hasn't done "it" for a full season, I'd say this is a Push...that should soon become this years' advantage.

RB: JJ's attitude combined with the greater expectations easily makes this year's advantage.

WR: One guy banged up this time last year, one this year...but they're both a year older. I think we've calmed our expectations of all of our backups (with the exception of Hurd). Push...but this could go either way very quickly.

TE: Few listened when some of us touted Fasano's skills last year. Few doubt them now. Easily this years advantage.

OL: Without a doubt, this year.

K: I think we were far more confident last year with Vandy, whether we liked him or not. Advantage last year, but this will hopefully prove to be wrong.

P: Our little Aussie has had yet another year to improve his skills. Advantage this year.

LS: Push

DL: While I think our confidence in the players has faltered, I think our expectations with Wade's new system counter that. Push.

LB: I think we were hugely confident in our backer corps at this time last year, highlighted by the fact that our #1 pick couldn't get on the field. We've clearly got improved depth this year, but it hasn't come without doubts and personel questions. If Spencer learns the position quickly this could change. Push.

DB: One week ago and I think this would be a resounding "this year's advantage." With Hamlin playing well at FS throughout training camp, firmly entrenching a young favorite in Watkins as the primary backup, I think we can breathe a sigh of relief at safety. The injury to Newman, the release of Glenn, and the promotion of Reeves have many of us scratching our heads...or much worse. We may be worrying for no reason, but right now it's doubtful. The injury to Newman alone is cause to give the nod to last years' squad. Advantage last year.

Coaching: Too many Parcells haters to give the nod to last year. Although there are always questions with a new head coach, this has to be a push.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

I really hope that we win the opener this year, but I will be happy if our team is prepared to play every game. Last year and the year before, we never knew what to expect. We were all looking forward to a well prepared team taking the field, and expecting a win. What showed up at times was a poorly prepared, uninspired, mistake prone team.

I hope that changes. I can deal with a loss, if the team performs to its capabilities and is beat by the opponent. Beating ourselves because of poor preperation and not ready to play is unacceptable.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

QB: LY Bledsoe, TY Romo...the still slightly unknown versus the known and not very good...With a full offseason knowing the job was his this football "rat" will show his stuff. Advantage: This year

RB: Same RBs...Jones has a chip, a friendly competition is there pushing both, we made changes in the OL and with offensive philosophy. Advantage: This year

WR: Same top 3...Glenn has had knee issues, but Hurd took a major leap...TO has been a non-issue and Crayton is in a contract year. Advantage: Push

TE: Same top 2...Fasano has stepped it up, Curtis is a solid #3, and Witten should benefit from the new system. Advantage: This year

OL: Only one change Davis for Rivera, but it's a big one...Colombo is another year removed from injury, Flo is too and is in a contract year, we seem to have decent depth too. Advantage: This year

K: We began last year with Suisham, went to Vandy, ended up with Gramatica...this year we start a rookie...tough call, but based on week one...Advantage: This year...end of year would be push.

P: Same guy...still great. Advantage: Push

LS: Same. Advantage: Push

DL: Same players new system...Hatcher and Ratliff should play bigger roles...last years starters have something to prove. Advantage: This year...slightly.

LB: One new starter Spencer...Ellis is out, most likely to week 4 or 5, if then...everyone else seems energized by the new scheme, Burnett and Carpenter have both made moves for more playing time, and James and Ayodele have given no reason at this point to lose their jobs. The dependence on a rookie offsets the gains of the new scheme for week one anyway. Advantage: Push...but not for long.

DB: Hamlin in, Glenn out...Newman's foot is a concern as is depth...with a healthy T-New it's a big advantage for this year...as it stands week one. Advantage: Last year.

Coaching: It's all new except Sparano...I like what I've seen from the new staff in terms of enthusiasm and the players response...we have new and unproven versus proven yet, not getting it done to Cowboys standards...for week one. Advantage: Push.
__________________

I'd say

QB - This year - anytime Bledsoe isn't on a roster it's an improvement
RB - This year - Only because FB is upgraded
WR - Last year - Glenn's injury isn't insignificant
TE - This year - It takes time for a TE to adjust so I think Fasano steps up his level
OL - Push - Davis is an upgrade but injured tackles with a left tackle a year older makes it a push.

DL - This year - Young Dlinemen have another year
LB - Last year - Ellis is better than Spencer (for now).
DB - This year - Newman's injury is a concern but a second day rookie isn't starting at FS.
K - Last year - Last year had the all-time leader. It didn't work out but we didn't know that then.
P - Push - Same guy

Coaching - This year - Phillips wants to win to cement his coaching legacy. Parcells wanted the cash to cement around his new pool.

 

[blindzebra]

We didn't have Vandy to start the season last year, so anyone want to re-think Folk versus Suisham because those are the kickers going into week one.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

I am pleased with Phillips but I don't think you need to put Parcells down to pimp Wade up.

Re the QB, we are ahead this year but again no need to put Bledsoe down. He never did anything unclassy with us.

 

[blindzebra]

I am pleased with Phillips but I don't think you need to put Parcells down to pimp Wade up.

Re the QB, we are ahead this year but again no need to put Bledsoe down. He never did anything unclassy with us.

Did Parcells live up to a SB standard?

Was Bledsoe very good?

If the truth is putting them down, then I put them down...but dealing with the truth doesn't seem to be your strong suit.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Did Parcells live up to a SB standard?

Was Bledsoe very good?

If the truth is putting them down, then I put them down...but dealing with the truth doesn't seem to be your strong suit.

It never is.

You insulted the hero of the pacific NW and western Canada.

You cad.

 

[TunaFan33]

We DID spot JAX to an early 10-0 lead, but Parcells decided to quit and just sit on the lead.

IF we get off to a fast start, it'll be interesting to see what Wade/Garrett does.

 

[Manster68]

P: Same guy...still great. Advantage: Push

You know BlindZebra, I think this is actually an advantage for last season. He had the fifth highest punting average in history last year and the bar is set that high for this year.

If he has to do a bunch of short punts, due to Dallas having a 4th down on the other teams 40 for instance, then that will effect his numbers.

I would like to see more punts inside the 20 though.

 

[dcfanatic]

Didn't the 2006 season end like 13,777,834 posts ago. lol.

 

[blindzebra]

Didn't the 2006 season end like 13,777,834 posts ago. lol.

I know it's a pretty complex topic, being that it is comparing this years team to last years, so I'll give you some time to catch up.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

We DID spot JAX to an early 10-0 lead, but Parcells decided to quit and just sit on the lead.

IF we get off to a fast start, it'll be interesting to see what Wade/Garrett does.

Lets see:

a.) smell the blood in the water and go for the kill
b.) implement the killer instinct plan of 2007
c.) keep offense aggressive as if the game close enough to lose
d.) run the score up - forget about feelings
e.) all of the above and how...

I choose e.)

 

[Maxmadden]

We didn't have Vandy to start the season last year, so anyone want to re-think Folk versus Suisham because those are the kickers going into week one.

I was not at all comfortable with the kicking situation last year. Vandy had missed a couple in preseason but "promised to turn on in the regular season." He was also pushing Xtra points to the right. Xtra Points! Then he had this nagging groin injury.

I have so much more confidence in Folk. I know he's gonna miss a few but I would like to see him off to a good start. I'll take anything above 80 percent for the year, hopefully better.

The defense should be better if for no other reason than they are a young team, and with the exception of Fergy, should show improvement from just experience alone.