Hope is not a strategy

[zekecowboy]

Some of us realize that Dallas is not going to be a good team this year due to defense. Play the young players, get them some experience and go defense in 2015 draft.

Some people cannot handle uncertainty.

Selvie, Hayden, Melton, Mincey, Crawford, Bishop, Coleman, and McClain will all rotate in 9 days. DLaw is going to return at some point

Trading for a 'blue chip' DL is a pretty pie in the sky hope. Plan with the world as it is and not how you want it to be.

 

[xwalker]

Don't agree with all your points but at least you are not advocating prayer as a strategy (let's just close our eyes real tight and wait and see what happens). If Garrett believes that going young is the foundation to winning, then lean on the youngsters instead off the invalid.

IMO, too many veteran stopgaps has been a huge detriment to this team over the years. Jerry has always operated with the mindset they they could contend for a Super Bowl every season with just a couple of lucky bounces. He has always tried too hard to force the issue with veteran players. Just look at the backup QB for instance. Many teams don't pay an older vet QB with no upside. The Pats, Commanders, etc.. made the #2 QB and their developmental QB the same guy. In the past, Jerry would have insisted on a veteran #2 even if they had the same young QBs that other teams used as the #2. Jerry would have made Kirk Cousins the #3 and insisted on Kitna, Orton, etc.. as the #2.

This past off-season there were just too many roster issues to overcome with Free Agents. In the 2013 off-season I think most of us would have advocated for signing a big time OL (or 2) based on the fiasco in that area from 2012. That would have turned out to be a waste of money, because it was the defense that ended up being the problem.

I still don't know if DT, DE, LB, Safety or the 3rd CB is going to be the biggest problem in game 1. I think they will find some answers this season and will be able to narrow down the critical needs going into the next off-season. Unlike past years, they shouldn't be losing players due to age or cap reasons.

 

[EST_1986]

The fix starts next May in the Draft..

The fix starts on Black Monday

 

[Hoofbite]

Cannot fix everything this year.

Probably the 4th offseason this phrase has been around. Just when the team fixes one area, another has gone to crap it seems.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I'm not the one praying to icons (Jerry) and hope for a favorable decision. I am an advocate of activisim, like the scientists and futurists in our history. One does not accept what is and hope things change organically, real change occurs by seeking then taking advantage opportunities even those with associated risks. Dreaming big means nothing without bold execution.

I just told you they drafted two DL including one they felt was the last of the top edge rushers. I just told you that they signed a half dozen FA.

The plan has been to draft and sign players and develop them. The broken foot for Lawrence hurts but drafting him wasn't 'hope.' Coleman and Bishop have both come along very well in player development over TC. Crawford is another top 100 pick that has flashed in his first year in this scheme.

Melton has been a pro bowler and his injury is one that has a long history of success. McClain and Mincey have a history of working as rotation players which you discount as possible.

Basically what I see is that unless you are presented with a bevy of first round picks or a trade that historically has been rare then you will deem it a failure. You don't even know what the market really looks like amongst NFL front offices yet you feel comfortable making judgements based on what should be possible.

All you want is instant gratification.

 

[The Quest for Six]

Maybe in January with a new HC

The biggest problem is higher up in the organization

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Probably the 4th offseason this phrase has been around. Just when the team fixes one area, another has gone to crap it seems.

Yep, that's about the size of it. The draft hole from 2006 until 2009 gutted the depth of several units on the team.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Some of us realize that Dallas is not going to be a good team this year due to defense. Play the young players, get them some experience and go defense in 2015 draft.

Well others of us realize that because something is looking difficult that it does not mean you should give up before it even begins.

 

[Risen Star]

The fix starts next May in the Draft..

I disagree. If this team was to get fixed it would start in the winter with a radical change in the front office.

The players not playing good enough is the symptom. The disease is the front office. You treat the disease.

 

[Coy]

The biggest problem is higher up in the organization

Maybe so, but that ain't changing.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I just told you they drafted two DL including one they felt was the last of the top edge rushers. I just told you that they signed a half dozen FA.

The plan has been to draft and sign players and develop them. The broken foot for Lawrence hurts but drafting him wasn't 'hope.' Coleman and Bishop have both come along very well in player development over TC. Crawford is another top 100 pick that has flashed in his first year in this scheme.

Melton has been a pro bowler and his injury is one that has a long history of success. McClain and Mincey have a history of working as rotation players which you discount as possible.

Basically what I see is that unless you are presented with a bevy of first round picks or a trade that historically has been rare then you will deem it a failure. You don't even know what the market really looks like amongst NFL front offices yet you feel comfortable making judgements based on what should be possible.

All you want is instant gratification.

Yeah. LOL!

And folks forget that acquiring talent in the NFL is close to being a zero-sum game. For Dallas to get superior talent it has to come from some other team, which of course is going to do its best not to only keep Dallas from getting that talent, but improve the talent then do have.

With rare exceptions there is no turning "straw into gold" when it comes to talent acquisition in the NFL.

 

[Sinister]

They drafted Lawrence and Bishop. They signed Coleman, Mincey, McClain, and Melton.

The myth of the cheaply obtained blue chip DL prospect.

What choice did they have they lost Hatcher (A team leader also last years sack leader) and Ware (future Hall of Famer).

Lawrence is already hurt to top it off he was already an undersized Defensive End who the Cowboys traded up for. Bishop was a 7th round draft pick, Coleman an UDFA, Mincey is a never was from Jacksonville (actually a 6th round pick of the Patriots) , McClain (career sack total 1) and Melton (hasn't played a down in over a year).

You seem to be buying into the myth pretty heavily.


Honestly why is Hayden on this team? What purpose does it serve? Is there anything more we can learn from Hayden? Is there anyone you wouldn't take over Hayden?

 

[Risen Star]

Yep, that's about the size of it. The draft hole from 2006 until 2009 gutted the depth of several units on the team.

Oh, so we can admit now that those years sucked? They're far enough in the rearview mirror for your fan psyche?

A few years from now you'll be talking about the same draft hole of 2010-2013.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Oh, so we can admit now that those years sucked? They're far enough in the rearview mirror for your fan psyche?

A few years from now you'll be talking about the same draft hole of 2010-2013.

I've said for several years now that those drafts sucked.

 

[BAT]

IMO, too many veteran stopgaps has been a huge detriment to this team over the years. Jerry has always operated with the mindset they they could contend for a Super Bowl every season with just a couple of lucky bounces. He has always tried too hard to force the issue with veteran players. Just look at the backup QB for instance. Many teams don't pay an older vet QB with no upside. The Pats, Commanders, etc.. made the #2 QB and their developmental QB the same guy. In the past, Jerry would have insisted on a veteran #2 even if they had the same young QBs that other teams used as the #2. Jerry would have made Kirk Cousins the #3 and insisted on Kitna, Orton, etc.. as the #2.

This past off-season there were just too many roster issues to overcome with Free Agents. In the 2013 off-season I think most of us would have advocated for signing a big time OL (or 2) based on the fiasco in that area from 2012. That would have turned out to be a waste of money, because it was the defense that ended up being the problem.

I still don't know if DT, DE, LB, Safety or the 3rd CB is going to be the biggest problem in game 1. I think they will find some answers this season and will be able to narrow down the critical needs going into the next off-season. Unlike past years, they shouldn't be losing players due to age or cap reasons.

I agree but never was fond of the term stopgaps or progress stoppers. If players can play, then play them. Of course, the financical side has to work but letting philosophy intefere with improvement, even if only short term, is more of a progress stopper than ANY vet player. Cowboys have been 8-8 the last 3 seasons but have been eliminated from playoffs the last game of the season each time. We can say they were mediocre or we can say they were on the cusp on getting into the postseason, because once you get in to the postseason, the game changes. Perhaps I am just a glass half full guy, with a mean streak, but if Cowboys add one impact player last season or the season before, someone like Seymour - what kind of opportunities would he provide to a team on the cusp of making the playoffs? A team not just devoid of talent, of health, but of leadership as well. Seymour is a proven winner and while his skills have declined, what kind of emotional/mental edge could he have provided? Landry's 70's teams always credit the inclusion of vets like Mike Ditka, Herb Adderley, Jackie Smith, Lance Alworth in taking them from Next Year's Champions to America's Team. Grit and championship mentality is learned, not just earned.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I agree but never was fond of the term stopgaps or progress stoppers. If players can play, then play them. Of course, the financical side has to work but letting philosophy intefere with improvement, even if only short term, is more of a progress stopper than ANY vet player. Cowboys have been 8-8 the last 3 seasons but have been eliminated from playoffs the last game of the season each time. We can say they were mediocre or we can say they were on the cusp on getting into the postseason, because once you get in to the postseason, the game changes. Perhaps I am just a glass half full guy, with a mean streak, but if Cowboys add one impact player last season or the season before, someone like Seymour - what kind of opportunities would he provide to a team on the cusp of making the playoffs? A team not just devoid of talent, of health, but of leadership as well. Seymour is a proven winner and while his skills have declined, what kind of emotional/mental edge could he have provided? Landry's 70's teams always credit the inclusion of vets like Mike Ditka, Herb Adderley, Jackie Smith, Lance Alworth in taking them from Next Year's Champions to America's Team. Grit and championship mentality is learned, not just earned.

Don't even go there BAT.

There is a HUGE difference in talent from those teams to this one.

I was a fan during the 70's... I know the difference.

 

[Risen Star]

I've said for several years now that those drafts sucked.

You did?

Did you say it at the time or even, say, a year or two later?

Could you explain to me how 2010-2012 is any better than those years? Too soon?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

You did?

Did you say it at the time or even, say, a year or two later?

Could you explain to me how 2010-2012 is any better than those years? Too soon?

Better yet, instead of me having to prove my point (which I constantly have to do).

Please prove yours.

Roll up those sleeves over those massive forearms and do some research...

 

[BAT]

I just told you they drafted two DL including one they felt was the last of the top edge rushers. I just told you that they signed a half dozen FA.

The plan has been to draft and sign players and develop them. The broken foot for Lawrence hurts but drafting him wasn't 'hope.' Coleman and Bishop have both come along very well in player development over TC. Crawford is another top 100 pick that has flashed in his first year in this scheme.

Melton has been a pro bowler and his injury is one that has a long history of success. McClain and Mincey have a history of working as rotation players which you discount as possible.

Basically what I see is that unless you are presented with a bevy of first round picks or a trade that historically has been rare then you will deem it a failure. You don't even know what the market really looks like amongst NFL front offices yet you feel comfortable making judgements based on what should be possible.

All you want is instant gratification.

Thanks for telling me what I want. What I want is not to depend on injured/unavailable players, unlike others taking a wait and see attitude has never sat well with me. Explore opportunities instead of settling for injured players to return to their pro bowl form (which were outliers instead of constants to begin with). I would rather develop the young players now instead of later. At least give them a fighting chance. And the draft is simply ONE tool. Any business man would fail if he only relied on ONE resource to generate success. And signing scrubs is not my idea of mining the FA market for success.

 

[BAT]

The fix starts next May in the Draft..

That's what our resident experts have been telling us ad nauseum these last few years.