Gosselin: Having waited so long to address pressing needs, are Cowboys any better?

[waving monkey]

Gosselin: Having waited so long to address pressing needs, are Cowboys any better?

Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott (15) scrambles as North Carolina State defensive tackle Justin Jones (93) pursues in the first half of the Belk Bowl NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) ORG XMIT: NCCB1

By Rick Gosselin, Staff Columnist Contact Rick Gosselinon TwitterRickGosselinDMN

Are the Cowboys a better team now than they were three months ago?

Are they a better team now than they were three days ago?

Is this again a team capable of competing for playoff berths, division titles and Super Bowls?

The Cowboys entered the offseason as a team with multiple needs based on their 4-12 collapse in 2015. The defense had a minimal pass rush, finishing 25th in the NFL in sacks with 31. That defense also was without playmakers. Their 11 takeaways tied the NFL record for turnover futility.

The offense lacked a quality backup quarterback. Without an injured Tony Romo last season, the Cowboys spun through three quarterbacks and posted a 1-9 record with 11 TD passes and 15 interceptions. Without an injured Dez Bryant, the big plays were gone. The Cowboys averaged 6.96 yards per pass and 11.0 yards per catch last season. In 2014, when the Cowboys won the East, they averaged 8.4 per pass and 12.2 yards per catch.

The offseason fix-it list of Jerry Jones was short -- get the stars healthy, then find a pass rush and a backup quarterback. The sense of urgency heightened when the two players who projected to start on defense as Rod Marinelli's edge pass rushers, Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence, were suspended by the NFL for the opening month of the season.

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[content added by staff]

 

[Ashwynn]

If Romo stays healthy we are better, if Dez is 100%, we are better. If Romo goes down early and out for the year, we will be drafting in the top 10 again next year. It all depends on Romo's health. Zeke wont win us many games by himself and without a stout passing game, the D wont stand up to the rigors of a long NFL season.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

I wish the team had been more aggressive this off season thus far but the off season isn't over yet...

 

[Dallas_Cowboys50]

of course we're better, just not quite as much as we could of been.......but thats all on paper....we wont truly know til TC and the start of the season......

 

[EMMITTnROY]

We are better, why? We are adding these players this season:

1. Tony Romo
2. Dez Bryant
3. Orlando Scandrick
4. Ezekiel Elliott
5. Cedric Thornton

 

[AzorAhai]

Maybe Romo, Bryant and Elliott can give the franchise a modern-day set of triplets. But what this team still needs are a Haley, Lett, Maryland, Norton, Woodson and Sanders on the other side of the ball to close the deal on more Lombardi trophies.



It's so simple. Why didn't we think of adding HOF caliber players to the defense before now?

 

[darthseinfeld]

We improved the talent level of the defensive. Collins amd Tapper are NFL starter caliber talents. The real dividends may not show until 2017 but upgraded our talent level at the most important spots on the defense. Collins to me has the talent to be a top end 3 Tech

 

[NEODOG]

3rd down 3rd down 3rd down

If we improve thst simple struggle on both sides of the ball...... We improve

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Certainly better at DT than they were 3 months ago. Not even close.

 

[thisiscowboyscountry]

If the question is did we get better after the draft in 2016, I would say marginally. Elliot upgrades the rb spot, but realistically how many yards and tds does that lead to over a combo of Mcfadden and Morris? If he is the player he appears to be it should open up the offense more once he is fully established in his role. However, I do think Mcfadden and Morris take a lot of carries early on and I dont expect Elliott to be a workhorse this season where he gets a lot over 250 touches. Even Adrian Peterson split time with Chester Taylor who was a 1200 yard back a season before he was a rookie. Elliott enters one of the most crowded backfields in the nfl and I wouldnt be surprised to see 200, 100, and 75 carries be divided between the 3 of them. Defensively we got some players that will fill rotational roles and improve the depth in 2016, but there is no one you can point to thinking they will change the game this year.

Overall, we will be much better as a team with all the returning players and some of the depth we've added. My main concern remains with getting through the first 4 games without much edge rush help. Our lb depth is also shaky. As a team we have to strongly consider adding lb and des post draft. Jason Jones and Justin Durant would be good signings. If looking for a cheaper de option even someone like Mincey could bring some help early in the season.

 

[waving monkey]

Thornton,Collins and Tapper made us better alone.
Zeek is take us to the door of the play offs.

It's a weird draft but growing on me.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

Dallas should still try to add Jason Jones

 

[Dave_in-NC]

The team is still on Romos shoulders. If he goes down the team goes down.

 

[dstew60105]

We are better, why? We are adding these players this season:

1. Tony Romo
2. Dez Bryant
3. Orlando Scandrick
4. Ezekiel Elliott
5. Cedric Thornton

And to a lesser degree, Chaz Green to push Doug Free.

 

[Frosty]

All I am seeing is a team stuck in the 1990's. Stuck trying to recreate the Jimmy Johnson Cowboys. This FO is lost, wants to win now by using a 1990 blueprint in 2016. Its not the same NFL. Salary cap has changed everything, players have changed. Expect more of the same (8-8).

Look at the RB position. they refused to pay Murray or sign a Lamar Miller due to a Franchise Cap placed on the position. Zeke is making Lamar Miller money now, Murray money now. What happens 5years from now when Zeke wants paid again. Is Zeke a 10year player like a Romo, Smith, Witten, Dez or will Stephens philosphy of not over paying for a position put them back in the RB market again.

QB Position: If Romo goes down, who steps in...Do you honestly see any Quality QB on the roster that can win 2-4 games or worse case 5-7 games if Romo goes down. Prescott has so much to learn, and adjust to and it will take 2-3 years to see the progress, if EVER

Defense/Pass rusher: The Defense has been near or at the bottom of the league for the last 3 years. So these average players brought in FA and late round picks on defense are projected to change things...NO PLAYMAKERS just JAGS.. look at the CB's more of the same MO/Carr

Playoffs: Stephen Jones Cowboys have missed the playoffs 5 out of the last 6 years....anyone think 2014 was anomaly, an outlier or the answer to all Cowboys prayers. Again, Stephen Jones has failed to address the 2 most important positions in the NFL (QB/Pass Rusher).

The team went 4-12 in 2015 and its weakness got exposed, and how did they address their weakness.....JAGs. This franchise is focused on Entertaining the fans, and the draft is the perfect example, it was very Entertaining. As for production, expect more of the same....the typical 8-8 season,

 

[baltcowboy]

The goose is a total Debbie Downer. I bet he had a negative article for each 1st round selection the Cowboys could have made. He was ripping Ramsey because of his low interception total. I wish he would give us a list of players he would draft.

 

[baltcowboy]

If the question is did we get better after the draft in 2016, I would say marginally. Elliot upgrades the rb spot, but realistically how many yards and tds does that lead to over a combo of Mcfadden and Morris? If he is the player he appears to be it should open up the offense more once he is fully established in his role. However, I do think Mcfadden and Morris take a lot of carries early on and I dont expect Elliott to be a workhorse this season where he gets a lot over 250 touches. Even Adrian Peterson split time with Chester Taylor who was a 1200 yard back a season before he was a rookie. Elliott enters one of the most crowded backfields in the nfl and I wouldnt be surprised to see 200, 100, and 75 carries be divided between the 3 of them. Defensively we got some players that will fill rotational roles and improve the depth in 2016, but there is no one you can point to thinking they will change the game this year.

Overall, we will be much better as a team with all the returning players and some of the depth we've added. My main concern remains with getting through the first 4 games without much edge rush help. Our lb depth is also shaky. As a team we have to strongly consider adding lb and des post draft. Jason Jones and Justin Durant would be good signings. If looking for a cheaper de option even someone like Mincey could bring some help early in the season.

I think people do not understand the difference with Elliot compared to McFadden and Morris. He can score a touchdown every time he touches the ball. We now have two touchdown threats instead of one. Dez and Elliot together will change are offense. Just wait.

 

[jazzcat22]

If the question is did we get better after the draft in 2016, I would say marginally. Elliot upgrades the rb spot, but realistically how many yards and tds does that lead to over a combo of Mcfadden and Morris? If he is the player he appears to be it should open up the offense more once he is fully established in his role. However, I do think Mcfadden and Morris take a lot of carries early on and I dont expect Elliott to be a workhorse this season where he gets a lot over 250 touches. Even Adrian Peterson split time with Chester Taylor who was a 1200 yard back a season before he was a rookie. Elliott enters one of the most crowded backfields in the nfl and I wouldnt be surprised to see 200, 100, and 75 carries be divided between the 3 of them. Defensively we got some players that will fill rotational roles and improve the depth in 2016, but there is no one you can point to thinking they will change the game this year.

Overall, we will be much better as a team with all the returning players and some of the depth we've added. My main concern remains with getting through the first 4 games without much edge rush help. Our lb depth is also shaky. As a team we have to strongly consider adding lb and des post draft. Jason Jones and Justin Durant would be good signings. If looking for a cheaper de option even someone like Mincey could bring some help early in the season.

But Zeke will get the TD's as last year they didn't get the TD's....scoring is more important overall. I agree, Elliot doesn't need to be a 300 plus carry RB. He will get his workload. He may not even start right away. Even Emiitt did not start until game 3, Tommy Agee started the first 2 games.

On defense we are already better then the 2014 defense, even with the uncertainty of the DE's and the pass rush, still. So ye, overall we will be better.
Maybe a good scheme those first 4 games will be needed, have some creative blitzes to create a pass rush.

 

[jazzcat22]

The goose is a total Debbie Downer. I bet he had a negative article for each 1st round selection the Cowboys could have made. He was ripping Ramsey because of his low interception total. I wish he would give us a list of players he would draft.

Goose has always been negative...they can win the SB, and he will downplay it. When, on an extremely rare occasion when he says something positive, and it's 100 degrees outside, I will look out to see if we had an ice storm.
But here in the DFW area, it's normal, the media will not hire you unless you are negative. If you are a reporter and have positive ideas, you either are forced to change or get fired.

The Fan morning show, has a Jets and a Commanders fans talking about the Cowboys, man what is going on...LOL...Now, i don't want all talk good stuff, all the time, there are many times to be critical, but here it is just hate and sarcasm. Especially from Goose and Galloway and Hansen.

 

[Risen Star]

I don't get the triplets thing. You don't have triplets unless they're all relatively young and developing together. Romo's a cripple with one foot out of the league already.