Has everyones optimism waned alittle?

[Kangaroo]

Since the first preseason I have noticed the knee jerk reaction about how horrible the Cowboys will be this coming season. Granted we have a few things to work on. How is the general census of the zone? Are you still as optimistic since watching the first preseason game?

While I was not optimistic in the 1st place; I figure we where on the way to another 6-10 season at best.

Sorry Drew Bledsoe does not make me think we could win. I stated that all summer and hey I been kicked a little for that feeling.

We are relying on a lot of rookies on the defense; a washed up Bledsoe; a change in defense which will take some adjustment time. The two main wr are older and we need some young guys to step up. Both of the starting WR missed games last year due to injury. We had oline worries at rt and that seems to still be the case. So far Flo looks like last years Flo not the ProBowl Flo (which Flo we got was a cocnern for me). Hard to be optimistic all offseason with those and others.

 

[JakeCamp12]

By week 6 we will know what we are, either a young improving team or a team full of old players at skill positions that are way past their primes. Even after 4 preseason games, it will take time for this team to gel, if it ever does. I would have like to have seen BP try and grind out the running game early to give the oline time to work on that aspect of their game. Even if it meant alot of 3 and outs.

 

[Canadian BoyzFan]

We are an improving team with a shot at the Wildcard...nothing more imo.
I predict a 9-7 record.

Look out next year though!!!

 

[jobberone]

I don't understand people being this upset either. We obviously didn't play to win the game. We played to evaluate people. Parcells has said he didn't want to keep veterans for the sake of just knowing what they could do. He said that was how teams got "stale". I saw him playing a lot of younger players to get a good look at them. Rob, Tyson, and the young or unproven LBs (which is most of them), a young safety with no experience for the most part, and two young QBs. The play calling was vanilla. No Fergy. Lots of evaluation of the young unproven players on DL an OL. Basically all around.

We made way too many penalties. AZ played to win and went after Bledsoe big time.
Granted the OL play was still disappointing as was the QB play although I still think Romo played pretty well. JMO.

Despite the negatives we almost won the game. That's a positive. As was the play of more than a few individuals. CB play is going to be fine. I think we will be ok at S. The LBs answered some questions at least for now.

I do not think an OL of Flo, LA, two good centers, Rivera, and even suspect RT play is going to stay at the level we saw Saturday. There is just too much talent there. They will IMO develop nicely even if Parcells takes an even more active role in that area.

I think we should give it more time before getting too upset.

 

[doomsday_II]

Since the first preseason I have noticed the knee jerk reaction about how horrible the Cowboys will be this coming season. Granted we have a few things to work on. How is the general census of the zone? Are you still as optimistic since watching the first preseason game?

I would say truthfully I am not as optimistic, but my optimism is back down to a reasonable level. I admit, I was liquored up by the kool aid but I'm on the wagon again. Doesn't make me a bad fan or lack football knowledge. I just got bit by the Jerry bug. :

My let down all centered around the OL. One game is a screw up, two games is a worry, and three games is a trend. That will be my thinking from here on out.

 

[ravidubey]

Since the first preseason I have noticed the knee jerk reaction about how horrible the Cowboys will be this coming season. Granted we have a few things to work on. How is the general census of the zone? Are you still as optimistic since watching the first preseason game?

Media and fans need the NFL and so they sit through the draft and preseason and most of them don't know what to make of it. Like last year with the whole passing over Stephen Jackson and Kevin Jones thing in the draft. Fans and media went crazy-- without asking he simple questions as to why Philly, Denver, etc. also passed over Jackson, et al-- why did they slide to pick 24?

A lot like the draft, the average fan doesn't know how to react to a preseason game. There's no game planning or strategizing, there's players shuffling in and out who will never make the team, and the amount of time dedicated to starters is minimal and meaningless. Most starters want to work on a couple of things and go home uninjured.

Still, you can't totally discount the game and what bothered me most was the lack of attention to RT. It's inexcusable that all Dallas has to show for nearly five full seasons with no answer at RT is Rob Pettiti struggling in his first NFL action.

 

[Asklesko]

I never really had any optimism, just a wait-and-see attitude... And now I've seen.

 

[BlueStar II]

Preseason games are just that...preseason. If it had been the first regular season game, I would be more concerned!

 

[Hostile]

Since the first preseason I have noticed the knee jerk reaction about how horrible the Cowboys will be this coming season. Granted we have a few things to work on. How is the general census of the zone? Are you still as optimistic since watching the first preseason game?

Mine hasn't because I really do believe Parcells wanted to be very vanilla in this game and see what he had. I got that sense the whole game.

We didn't blitz.

We didn't attack deep.

We didn't keep the starters in long.

All these things are designed to open up the field or close it down depending upon which side of the ball you are on. I felt we played ultra conservative which is usually the case when evaluating. Let's be honest, you can't tell whether someone has something special on a "lucky" play.

This brand of football lends to better evaluation.

Brad Sham described the practices as having a "Super Bowl" feel to them. Sham is an old school guy who has seen a lot. That tells me he sees something pretty amazing looming.

Once we turn the team loose I expect much better results. Do I wish I could have seen an all out dogpile on the Cardinals? Of course I do. I admit to a certain amount of blood lust in football.

I saw enough to make me pretty happy.

 

[DandyDon]

Not at all. I have seen enough pre-season games over the years to know better.

I agree! You'd think everyone would have this figured out by now, but judging from alot of posters knee-jerk reactions, I guess not!

 

[Verdict]

Since the first preseason I have noticed the knee jerk reaction about how horrible the Cowboys will be this coming season. Granted we have a few things to work on. How is the general census of the zone? Are you still as optimistic since watching the first preseason game?

I no less optimistic. In fact I just bought my season tickets today. I guess I will have a ringside seat for our super bowl run this year.

 

[Cbz40]

Has everyones optimism waned alittle? Well to be perfectly honest....NO

The fine young talent I saw on the field Saturday night only enthused my enthusiasm.
Those young players on the D side of the ball alone should keep everyone optimism at a all time level.

Ladies and Gentlemen can you imagine the fun we are going too have watching these guys getting better with every game, gaining their confidence, and finally meshing together into a coherent defensive machine. It's going to be FUN>>>FUN>>>FUN

There are some fine young players on the O side of the ball as well. The young RBs, OL, TE, and the two young backup QBs.

I have one main concern (QB).........and, although difficult, I will exercise patience at this time. I will give the gentleman two more games to play at the level of my expectations or I will be calling for his head.

Still looking forward too a great season.