Grizz: Close, but no cigar, yet

[FuzzyLumpkins]

The key guy is newsome. They havent done much since winning that super bowl and I dont consider them an elite team in any way. A few very good seasons though since then, but in the end not much.

you said that the team was completely changed that wsa what my response was based on but i guess well just ignore that.

 

[AtlCB]

New England and Baltimore have won the superbowl in recent memory. I dont consider San Diego elite mainly because of their coaching mainly.

Its an opinion anyway. I dont not believe that we will have arrived until we see Romo, Witten, Ware, Williams and Newman hoisting the Lombardi.

Baltimore won the superbowl after the 2000 season - 7 years ago. Do you consider Pittsburgh and Tampa elite teams? Was Indy an elite team before they won the superbowl. San Diego has average 12 wins the last three years. Only Indy and New England were better.

 

[Silverstar]

I think we're very close, because this team doesn't have any real weaknesses IMO.


Here's my take...

QB - Romo is now primed and ready to lead this team to the promised land. He's the best QB the Cowboys have had since Aikman left...no doubt about it. He'll also be playing for a big time contract this year and with a little chip on his shoulder as well. Johnson is a SB winning QB and can certainly get the job done if Romo were to get injured.

RB - Jones and Barber combined for 1,738 yards and 20 TD's last year and will likely improve on those numbers in 2007. Tyson Thompson (1 TD), Alonzo Coleman and Jackie Battle round out a suddenly strong and talented RB corps.

FB - Anderson, Polite and Hoyte all can play special teams and have that lunch pail mentality going for them. I expect Anderson to start, but I'd feel comfortable with any of them playing at this point. Another example of good depth on the team.

WR - Owens and Glenn are one of the best WR tandems the Cowboys have ever had. They combined for 155 catches, 2,227 yards and 19 TD's last year. Both players had a 1,000 yards and are certainly capable of doing it again IMO. Crayton could probably start on most teams and added 36 catches and 4 TD's. Miles Austin, Sam Hurd and rookies Jamel Richardson and Isaiah Stanback provide good young depth. Jamaica Rector, Jerheme Urban, Jerard Rabb and Mike Jefferson round out a solid receiving corps.

TE - Witten ranked third on the team with 64 catches (1 TD) and is clearly one of the best TE's in the league. Fasano caught 14 passes and wasn't utilized enough like Parcells had promised. However, I expect Witten and Fasano to improve on last years numbers with Garrett as OC. Tony Curtis, Andy Thorn and Rodney Hannah provide good depth.

OL - With the resigning of Gurode, Colombo and the addition of Leonard Davis, this group looks solid across the line to me. McQuistan, Proctor, Berger and Darilek are the backups going into TC. Rookies James Marten, Doug Free, Robert Turner and Steve Rissler will vie for playing time. However, I don't expect the backups or rookies to get much after the season starts. With Romo starting and Rivera being replaced, this group should improve on last year's 37 sacks.

DL - Returning starters Spears, Canty, Ferguson and backups Hatcher, Ratliff, Stanley and Bowen combined for 9 1/2 sacks last year. However, great expectations are being heaped upon this group right now. With Phillips in command of the defense, this group will be more aggressive and disruptive according to players. Even doubling those sack numbers seems possible all of a sudden...but time will tell. Remi Ayodele, Marcus Smith and Ola Dagunduro round out a solid unit.

LB - Returning starters Ware, Ellis, James, Ayodele and backups Carpenter, Burnett and Glymph combined for 19 1/2 sacks, 5 fumble recoveries, 6 INT's and 3 TD's last year. Pretty darn good...but that should get even better with Ellis back from injury and rookie Anthony Spencer coming aboard. Another group, that should reap the benefits of Phillips' new defensive scheme. John Saldi, Dedrick Harrington, Alex Obomese and Blair Philllips round out this outstanding group.

DB - Returning starters Newman, Henry, Williams, Watkins and backups Glenn, Reeves, Jones, Davis and Elam combined for 12 INT's and 3 fumble recoveries last year. This group gets praised and criticized almost equally from fans and media. Giving up 25 TD's, 179 first downs and 3,506 yards passing, leaves plenty of room for improvement IMO. Roughly, that translates to 11 points, 11 first downs and 219 yards per game. With the addition of Ken Hamlin, there should be better coverage from the secondary all around. Quincy Butler, Joey Thomas, Damarius Bilbo, Courtney Brown, Alan Ball and Jasper Johnson round out this very talented group. Keep an eye on Brown...I think he's a steal.

PK - Gramatica filled in admirably after Vanderjagt was released, but now he's got some serious competition. Rookie draft pick Nick Folk looks the part and has the stronger leg, but can he handle the pressure at this level? I don't like the idea of keeping two kickers, so I'll be rooting for the younger and stronger Folk to win the job.

P - Mat McBriar made his first Pro Bowl last year and I expect many more from him. Paul Paulesesccu was merely signed to split the work load during preseason.

LS - L.P Ladoucer has solidified himself as the teams long snapper. He's still young and will only get better with time. I don't see any competition for him on the roster and I don't expect to.



Overall, there's no reason why this team can't win their division and make a run at the SB. I think this team is very balanced, talented and with good depth across the board. If the freakin' Bucs can win the SB with a new HC, there's no reason why the Cowboys can't do the same!


:starspin :starspin :starspin :starspin :starspin :starspin

 

[SultanOfSix]

You can't pick and choose your facts.

This coming from a Commanders fan.

Today's lesson fellow board members: The word "irony".

 

[Cochese]

I think we're very close, because this team doesn't have any real weaknesses IMO.


Here's my take...

QB - Romo is now primed and ready to lead this team to the promised land. He's the best QB the Cowboys have had since Aikman left...no doubt about it. He'll also be playing for a big time contract this year and with a little chip on his shoulder as well. Johnson is a SB winning QB and can certainly get the job done if Romo were to get injured.

RB - Jones and Barber combined for 1,738 yards and 20 TD's last year and will likely improve on those numbers in 2007. Tyson Thompson (1 TD), Alonzo Coleman and Jackie Battle round out a suddenly strong and talented RB corps.

FB - Anderson, Polite and Hoyte all can play special teams and have that lunch pail mentality going for them. I expect Anderson to start, but I'd feel comfortable with any of them playing at this point. Another example of good depth on the team.

WR - Owens and Glenn are one of the best WR tandems the Cowboys have ever had. They combined for 155 catches, 2,227 yards and 19 TD's last year. Both players had a 1,000 yards and are certainly capable of doing it again IMO. Crayton could probably start on most teams and added 36 catches and 4 TD's. Miles Austin, Sam Hurd and rookies Jamel Richardson and Isaiah Stanback provide good young depth. Jamaica Rector, Jerheme Urban, Jerard Rabb and Mike Jefferson round out a solid receiving corps.

TE - Witten ranked third on the team with 64 catches (1 TD) and is clearly one of the best TE's in the league. Fasano caught 14 passes and wasn't utilized enough like Parcells had promised. However, I expect Witten and Fasano to improve on last years numbers with Garrett as OC. Tony Curtis, Andy Thorn and Rodney Hannah provide good depth.

OL - With the resigning of Gurode, Colombo and the addition of Leonard Davis, this group looks solid across the line to me. McQuistan, Proctor, Berger and Darilek are the backups going into TC. Rookies James Marten, Doug Free, Robert Turner and Steve Rissler will vie for playing time. However, I don't expect the backups or rookies to get much after the season starts. With Romo starting and Rivera being replaced, this group should improve on last year's 37 sacks.

DL - Returning starters Spears, Canty, Ferguson and backups Hatcher, Ratliff, Stanley and Bowen combined for 9 1/2 sacks last year. However, great expectations are being heaped upon this group right now. With Phillips in command of the defense, this group will be more aggressive and disruptive according to players. Even doubling those sack numbers seems possible all of a sudden...but time will tell. Remi Ayodele, Marcus Smith and Ola Dagunduro round out a solid unit.

LB - Returning starters Ware, Ellis, James, Ayodele and backups Carpenter, Burnett and Glymph combined for 19 1/2 sacks, 5 fumble recoveries, 6 INT's and 3 TD's last year. Pretty darn good...but that should get even better with Ellis back from injury and rookie Anthony Spencer coming aboard. Another group, that should reap the benefits of Phillips' new defensive scheme. John Saldi, Dedrick Harrington, Alex Obomese and Blair Philllips round out this outstanding group.

DB - Returning starters Newman, Henry, Williams, Watkins and backups Glenn, Reeves, Jones, Davis and Elam combined for 12 INT's and 3 fumble recoveries last year. This group gets praised and criticized almost equally from fans and media. Giving up 25 TD's, 179 first downs and 3,506 yards passing, leaves plenty of room for improvement IMO. Roughly, that translates to 11 points, 11 first downs and 219 yards per game. With the addition of Ken Hamlin, there should be better coverage from the secondary all around. Quincy Butler, Joey Thomas, Damarius Bilbo, Courtney Brown, Alan Ball and Jasper Johnson round out this very talented group. Keep an eye on Brown...I think he's a steal.

PK - Gramatica filled in admirably after Vanderjagt was released, but now he's got some serious competition. Rookie draft pick Nick Folk looks the part and has the stronger leg, but can he handle the pressure at this level? I don't like the idea of keeping two kickers, so I'll be rooting for the younger and stronger Folk to win the job.

P - Mat McBriar made his first Pro Bowl last year and I expect many more from him. Paul Paulesesccu was merely signed to split the work load during preseason.

LS - L.P Ladoucer has solidified himself as the teams long snapper. He's still young and will only get better with time. I don't see any competition for him on the roster and I don't expect to.



Overall, there's no reason why this team can't win their division and make a run at the SB. I think this team is very balanced, talented and with good depth across the board. If the freakin' Bucs can win the SB with a new HC, there's no reason why the Cowboys can't do the same!


:starspin :starspin :starspin :starspin :starspin :starspin

Great post, I completely agree. I see this group of players as the best we have had in a LONG time, and a change or two in coaching philosophy could be all thats needed to put us over the top. The NFC is weak, we are as good as any team that could stand in our way. I am the most optimistic now as I have ever been about the state of the Cowboys. I could very well be wrong, but I have a feeling that great things are ahead.

 

[Royal Laegotti]

The Cowboys can't even spell e-l-e-e-t! See! Until they start really playing some good football consistantly after Thanksgiving into the playoffs, of course they'd have to be in the hunt up to that point, which they atleast have done that lately.