Having played 3 of the 4 teams in the Championship games...

[InmanRoshi]

We've seen first hand how well we stack up with the current elite of the NFL. How far away are we from Denver, Seattle and Carolina's level?

 

[neosapien23]

It depends on what we do. If the Cowboys sign Bentley, Barry, Adoyele, and Hope than not very far. If BP squats on free agency, and doesn't address the Oline, linebacking, and free safety position, then we will still be a 9-7 team next year even with a healthy Flozell Adams.

 

[DLCassidy]

Give me a healthy Flo, JJ running hard like he did against Carolina, a healthy Henry, and one of their kickers and I think we can beat any of them.

 

[AdamJT13]

How far away are we from Denver, Seattle and Carolina's level?

The optimists say we're just about even with them already.

The realists say we can plug some holes and pull even with them.

The pessimists say we're not even close.

 

[neosapien23]

Give me a healthy Flo, JJ running hard like he did against Carolina, a healthy Henry, and one of their kickers and I think we can beat any of them.

What about Pettitti, Rivera, and Johnson? They were underperforming late in the season. There is a reason Jones didn't look as good as he did last year. Even when Adams was healthy, Dallas still wasn't getting more than 3.3 yards a carry. Rivera, Johnson, and Pettitti must all be replaced. Dat is going to retire and we still don't have a pass rushing OLB to help Ware. Oh yeah, Keith Davis is not the answer at FS. He is a SS playing out of position. I'm a huge Cowboys fan, but to compare our team to the upper echelon teams of the NFL is ludicrous if we don't pick up some quality free agents.

 

[Nors]

The optimists say we're just about even with them already.

The realists say we can plug some holes and pull even with them.

The pessimists say we're not even close.

The Norsimist thinks with another killer draft, a few key FA adds and year two in the 3-4 defense and we will be the front runners for NFC crown next season.

 

[Nors]

What about Pettitti, Rivera, and Johnson? They were underperforming late in the season. There is a reason Jones didn't look as good as he did last year. Even when Adams was healthy, Dallas still wasn't getting more than 3.3 yards a carry. Rivera, Johnson, and Pettitti must all be replaced. Dat is going to retire and we still don't have a pass rushing OLB to help Ware. Oh yeah, Keith Davis is not the answer at FS. He is a SS playing out of position. I'm a huge Cowboys fan, but to compare our team to the upper echelon teams of the NFL is ludicrous if we don't pick up some quality free agents.

Nayosaptien:

With all those warts you mention - we beat Carolina and outplayed both Denver and Seattle on the road.

We are already right there.

 

[InmanRoshi]

I sincerely doubt Jerry and Bill are going to get this far and say "My work here is done" this offseason.

But I don't think its a stretch to say that when you've played 3 of the 4 teams in the Championship games and went 1-2 with both of the losses coming down to a field goal (one in overtime) that you're not far.

 

[cowboyfan4life_mark]

We've seen first hand how well we stack up with the current elite of the NFL. How far away are we from Denver, Seattle and Carolina's level?

Two FGs.

 

[kingwhicker]

Well, considering we lost two by three and won the other by four, I'd say we're a kicker away from being right there with them. But realistically we need definite OL help, at least one young, fast WR, a clutch kicker, a true free safety and a thorough strengthening of the LB corps. At that point we would be SB contenders.

 

[neosapien23]

Nayosaptien:

With all those warts you mention - we beat Carolina and outplayed both Denver and Seattle on the road.

We are already right there.

Carolina had a bad game. It happens. 9 out of 10 times the Cats will beat us. I think Delhomme talked about Ware's Momma. No way could he replicate that days effort.

 

[Jimz31]

Who knows with the offense we put out on a weekly basis. Some weeks, there's not a team in the NFL that we couldn't beat....others, there isn't a team in the NFL that we could beat.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

Dallas is a 1-2 team against the remaining teams. That says it all. If, If, If well if my aunt.... Dallas is a team that can beat teams it is supposed to and can hang with the big dogs but not beat them in the end.

2-5 against playoff teams and 7-2 against the others says even more. What's Winicki say? Coming up small when it matters.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

What about Pettitti, Rivera, and Johnson? They were underperforming late in the season. There is a reason Jones didn't look as good as he did last year. Even when Adams was healthy, Dallas still wasn't getting more than 3.3 yards a carry. Rivera, Johnson, and Pettitti must all be replaced. Dat is going to retire and we still don't have a pass rushing OLB to help Ware. Oh yeah, Keith Davis is not the answer at FS. He is a SS playing out of position. I'm a huge Cowboys fan, but to compare our team to the upper echelon teams of the NFL is ludicrous if we don't pick up some quality free agents.

how is comparing us to teams we played pretty competitively ludicrous? and jeez, there's such a thing as an offseason

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Nayosaptien:

With all those warts you mention - we beat Carolina and outplayed both Denver and Seattle on the road.

We are already right there.

I find myself agreeing with Nors

should I seek help? j/k

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Carolina had a bad game.

can it be possible that we just outplayed them? that happens too

9 out of 10 times the Cats will beat us. I think Delhomme talked about Ware's Momma. No way could he replicate that days effort.

speculation

 

[neosapien23]

how is comparing us to teams we played pretty competitively ludicrous? and jeez, there's such a thing as an offseason

So would you squat on free agency. I was just saying that we will not make it to the playoffs if we don't address some needs in FA. We weren't exposed until after the Denver game, after that people ran right at Petitti.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

That is the sad thing about us being at home, I think we match up well with the any Playoff Team out there including injuries.

I thought play calling in about 3-4 Games on both sides of the ball didnt come through for us this year.

I really felt this was a legitamate playoff team who was at least as good as Washington, the Giants, Seattle, Carolina and the Bears in the NFC.

You dont have to run over to NFL.com, just go by what you saw on the field before the team mailed-it-in the last game of the season.

Yes with Petitti
Yes with Injuries
Yes I still think this was a legitamate playoff team, that is why I have 2005 inked in as a unsuccessful campaign.

With that said, we pick up one of those stud Tackles in the 1st Round, still some linebackers in the 2nd round or maybe a Receiver with speed (which this draft sucks for that) and sign Mike Vanderjact my expectations go way up for this squad.

- Mike G.

 

[Rogerthat12]

The optimists say we're just about even with them already.

The realists say we can plug some holes and pull even with them.

The pessimists say we're not even close.

Great summary ans so true

 

[DipChit]

Well we played 3 of the 4 Champ games' teams in '03 also. Two of the three teams we actually played twice. Splitting those contests with Philly and Carolina.. winning at home and losing on the road.

Then we lost to the eventual Champion Pats in a hard fought 12-0 road game.

Hmmm.. that doesnt make it sound like we were too far away back then either.