How do you feel about the Cowboy's future?

[john van brocklin]

For sake of argument, I am referring to the next 2 years.
In my opinion, what you see is what you got.
Because of the high cap hits we are carrying on the older vets, I don't see us as players
in free agency the next 2 years.
Stephen Jones has said as much.
We will be doing well to tie up our good young players like Dez.

I also have concern about our older players declining in performance due to age and injury, ie D. Ware.

Really the only potential changes I see would be draft picks coming in , and , or coaching changes.

So do you feel optimistic or pessimisic about our future ?

What facts would support your position ?

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Well truth be told, this is a young team. Not old at all. The only sort of downfall of our team is we have about 3 or 4 guys over 30 and those are our best players aside from Sean Lee and Dez.

But i'm okay with not being players in free agency. Usually hte teams that are players in free agency strike out. You have to remember that free agency is full of players either too old, previous teams didn't want or for the overpriced. This team doesn't need ANY of that.

Cowboy fans should feel okay about this teams future for the simple fact they've had some success in their drafts the past 3 years and those players are only getting better. We see year in and out how much better Dez and Sean Lee keep getting.

 

[cowboys1981]

Optimistic.

Our secondary is young and effective. Carter and Lee will only get eyed as they get more reps in the 4-3.

Smith and Frederick will be center pieces to our Oline for the next 10 years. Our receivers are all young as well with the exception of Miles. Although he is more and likely gone in the offseason.

We'll still have Romo and by then our receivers will be gelled in with his timing.

The areas we need to address by then are
2-OG
1-OT

Continue with rebuilding our Dline.

If we can address these needs I would be even more optimistic. This offseason we need to work on both side of the trenches. We would set ourselves back in ignoring this area.

 

[jgboys1]

Probably a steady decline, sorry to say. As long as Jerry Jones owns the team, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. I don't see much of an improvement. He's a great business man, lousy GM.

 

[Idgit]

I expect we'll play at more or less the same level for the next two years. Other than Tony Romo and Jason Witten, we're not getting a ton of production from many of our expensive veterans. That's hurting us now, but it's an indication we're probably not going to get hammered when they're cut or if their play drops off.

I'm going to assume we have enough success to retain the current coaching infrastructure, more or less. That's good, because I like the coaching staff right now.

We've got a solid roster now, though next season we'll obviously have to address the loss of Spencer, Rat, and probably Hatcher. The good news from my position is that we've done a nice job recently in building through the draft and both college and veteran FA.

The obvious big issue, though, is that we've only got 2-3 seasons left with Tony Romo playing at a very high level. We're going to have to backfill that huge roster hole at some point, soon, and without a ton of resources available for doing it.

 

[jazzcat22]

Well truth be told, this is a young team. Not old at all. The only sort of downfall of our team is we have about 3 or 4 guys over 30 and those are our best players aside from Sean Lee and Dez.

But i'm okay with not being players in free agency. Usually hte teams that are players in free agency strike out. You have to remember that free agency is full of players either too old, previous teams didn't want or for the overpriced. This team doesn't need ANY of that.

Cowboy fans should feel okay about this teams future for the simple fact they've had some success in their drafts the past 3 years and those players are only getting better. We see year in and out how much better Dez and Sean Lee keep getting.

Pretty much in line with my thoughts. Draft, Draft, Draft. FA's only got us in a salary cap problem, and kept us in an OL dilemma for a few years or more, no further FA's needed except at a good price for depth.
Frederick is a start to get us out of that. Tyson, Frederick, and if Leary get better. Free holding up this year, but still can use an upgrade. An OG next year will go a long way.
DT too, and either one in the 1st or 2nd rounds, doesn't matter the order. But with all these DL that Marinelli has playing good right now. If a few emerge to be even better by the season's end [hopefully that ends with a SB victory] then I think they wouldn't hesitate to go RB or S over a DL.
Yes, they will break the 2nd round TE love fest.

 

[Red Dragon]

I think the championship window - or even, rather, playoff window - will close somewhat with the retirement of Romo, who will still have gotten only a total of 2-3 playoff wins in his entire career. The Cowboys failed to provide him with a good longterm defense and offensive line.

In the next 2 seasons, I foresee 1-2 more playoff wins, that's about it.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Pretty much in line with my thoughts. Draft, Draft, Draft. FA's only got us in a salary cap problem, and kept us in an OL dilemma for a few years or more, no further FA's needed except at a good price for depth.
Frederick is a start to get us out of that. Tyson, Frederick, and if Leary get better. Free holding up this year, but still can use an upgrade. An OG next year will go a long way.
DT too, and either one in the 1st or 2nd rounds, doesn't matter the order. But with all these DL that Marinelli has playing good right now. If a few emerge to be even better by the season's end [hopefully that ends with a SB victory] then I think they wouldn't hesitate to go RB or S over a DL.
Yes, they will break the 2nd round TE love fest.

I agree. And I love Brandon Carr and his game and in a perfect world I wish we would've drafted him in the Jenkins and Scandrick draft. And while the Cowboys shouldn't feel regret from giving him that 50 million dollar contract, had we drafted him and re-signed him that price tag wouldn't have been that high.

Most teams that consistently contend aren't players in free agency.

The thing about free agency is that you are targeting a player who's looking for the biggest payday of his career. When you draft young rookies they are hungry. Even the off the street guys we are getting right now? They are virtually rookies for us because of that hunger. They want a job. I believe that is the type of player you fill your team with. Hungry guys. Not guys too comfortable.

 

[HankC]

I feel sad about the Cowboy's likely future mediocrity because Jerry Jones has shown for more than twenty years that he is a businessman not an NFL general manager.

 

[big dog cowboy]

For sake of argument, I am referring to the next 2 years.

What facts would support your position ?

We are in good shape. Forget those who complain about the salary cap they have for YEARS. We are drafting good and the roster is getting better each year. Romo will be around so we have our franchise QB. We are a young team.

Just imagine how much better we would be this year if our entire DL didn't melt down. The Dallas Cowboys arrow is definately pointing up.

 

[KB1122]

The concern that I have is that our quarterbacking situation is going to miss the peaks for our young guys. But realistically, quarterbacks don't start winning Super Bowls after 34 years of age. And 33 (this year) is the last good year for qbs in terms of SB victories. I'm worried we'll stick with Romo for too long. Which for me is anything after next year.

 

[Zordon]

i think things are going to get bad around here the next few years. people don't understand how badly jerry and his son have ruined our cap. all for an 8-8 product.

 

[perrykemp]

As a general rule, I don't waste my time bashing Jerry Jones here on CZ. I find it to be an exercise in futility.

Having said that, on this particular thread I think it's relevant for me to say that I think Jerry Jones has shown himself to be a bottom 50% GM since the Cowboy's superbowl run and it's highly unlikely the Cowboys challenge another title as long as the buck stops with him.

The days of outspending for top shelf FAs is over. The days of the Cowboys being able to have a much greater payroll is over -- especially now that the salary cap floor has kicked in.

That doesn't mean the Cowboys can't be a team that occasionally rises up and fields a strong club and/or makes the playoffs. It just means I don't think he can do it consistently.

Jerry has shown stretches of competence -- I'd say the Cowboy are in a stretch like that now, however, it typically doesn't last long before a back-breaking trade is made, a high priced free agent catches Jerry's eye, etc and the club is back at square one.

Finally, he has been below average on the #1 job of a GM -- picking good head coaches.

My long term prognosis for the team is neutral at best.

 

[TheCoolFan]

Not good at all. This is still a team with no offensive identity...just a bunch of random pieces being asked to do a lot of stuff instead of creating a system and putting players that can succeed in that system. Yeah we're young but we were young in 2007-2009 too and I still see us in the same endless cycle. And on defense, we keep changing defensive coordinators (4th in 7 years, 5th if you count Pasqualoni). And from the looks of it, everyone wants Kiffin gone so we'll probably go through another change next year.

Once upon a time we were optimistic about youngsters like Felix Jones, Mike Jenkins, Miles Austin, Martellus, etc. being the core of this team with Romo, Witten, and Ware. A few years later and you just replace those players with a new crop...same results. Rinse and repeat

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

I like some of our talent. In two years we could be contenders…. That depends on the decision makers of course.
If we have another draft like this year, the next 2 years, obtain solid free agents, and one or two game changer, dallas could help Tony Romo's last days be contending ones.

The coaching staff needs changes. The Offensive Line needs support, but there's talent. The running game needs two impact players, who can stay healthy. The receivers are good, Escobar needs time, but could develop to support Witten. The Secondary has young talent, but could use another game breaker, probably at the safety position. The linebackers are not perfect, but we have one of the best in the middle and some talent on the edge, a solid vet could sure up this unit. The top rounds of the next two drafts should be dedicated to the D-line, and or we have to add an impact free agent.

all that said, coaching & management can either accelerate or decelerate this process. I also believe dallas must draft a QB in the next two drafts. Develop, or if circumstances call for it, take over.

I don't believe its written that jerry will mess up this process, everyday is a new day, Jerry has a chance to right his mistakes…… But, will he take it??!?

 

[jnday]

i think things are going to get bad around here the next few years. people don't understand how badly jerry and his son have ruined our cap. all for an 8-8 product.

I think you have a good point. The future of this team is much like the present. This is an average team with very little hope of getting much better. The best players on this team, Romo, Ware , Witten etc are getting older and they are past their prime. They are still productive, but they have seen their better days. The core of this team simply hit it's peak and that peak was during a time when Jerry couldn't put the talent around them. I was not in favor of resigning Romo and I still feel like it is just delaying hitting rock bottom. The next two years will be just like the last couple. Average, followed by some really low years. They are not good enough to beat the good teams, and they are just good enough to win games to give a little false hope. They are stuck in average Hell, with a steep decline on it's way.

 

[Hoov]

Optimistic.

Our secondary is young and effective. Carter and Lee will only get eyed as they get more reps in the 4-3.

Smith and Frederick will be center pieces to our Oline for the next 10 years. Our receivers are all young as well with the exception of Miles. Although he is more and likely gone in the offseason.

We'll still have Romo and by then our receivers will be gelled in with his timing.

The areas we need to address by then are
2-OG
1-OT

Continue with rebuilding our Dline.

If we can address these needs I would be even more optimistic. This offseason we need to work on both side of the trenches. We would set ourselves back in ignoring this area.

This sums it up for me

 

[Hook'em#11]

Window is closed in two years..

I don't see them making any major changes to become a true contender.. Actually, I don't think they can without the draft, and then bring along young players... But, in 2 yrs? Naw, I am afraid that it's not looking to bright.

 

[lostar2009]

To be honest we need to look for replacements for Dware , and Romo... We already Austins replacement with TWill...

 

[xwalker]

For sake of argument, I am referring to the next 2 years.
In my opinion, what you see is what you got.

Excellent in 2014.

Possibly better in 2013 as the season moves forward.

They've got a winning record without contributions from many of the highly paid players; therefore, there is no loss when those players are gone for 2014. Spencer will be gone with no dead-money. Ratliff will be a big dead-money hit, but it will be off the books after 2014 and most of it is offset by not having his high base salary. Austin is likely gone in 2014. Again, being without his high base salary offsets the dead-money.

On offense, they have the required talent at almost all of the positions. They probably need 1 additional OLineman. They have multiple young players that are significant contributors that should continue to get better. Fred, Leary, TWill, Beasley, Harris, TSmith, Hanna. Others like Dunbar, Randle, and Escobar have talent and should progress.

The biggest issue on offense is the play calling. Unlike talent improvements, play calling could be improved immediately.

On defense, they're in the 1st year of a scheme change and have had massive numbers of injuries. Some added talent, less injuries and a 2nd year in the scheme could result in a drastic improvement. The health of Ware is the biggest question mark going forward in 2013 and into 2014. Despite the great season that Hatcher is having, I don't see him getting any huge offers in Free Agency due to his age and injury history.

I think they will restructure contracts and sign 1 significant Free Agent. It will be either an OLineman or DLineman.

In the draft, I expect the 1st round pick to be either OL or DL.

I foresee a very solid roster in 2014. The biggest question to me is the play calling which could easily be solved with a new O-Coordinator.