How do you feel about the Cowboy's future?

[RamziD]

I've found that, as a fan, I have trouble answering this objectively. I tend to always convince myself that good things are in store for us, regardless of the product I see on the field. I'll always watch and hope for the best.

 

[RastaRocket]

This is how I feel

 

[starman22]

This is how I feel

Wow, how have I never seen that!! Hilarious. Thanks for the belly laugh Rasta.

BTW, when was this PC?

 

[RastaRocket]

Wow, how have I never seen that!! Hilarious. Thanks for the belly laugh Rasta.

BTW, when was this PC?

I don't remember exactly, a couple of years ago maybe. I just remember listening to The Fan and they were laughing at it haha.

 

[RS12]

Defense needs about 7 new players, coaching staff needs a complete over hall as does the FO.

 

[Deep_South]

I think I'll just state the obvious and say if we have two good drafts, and if we can get reasonably healthy, we'll be a contender. Clearly, those are a couple of big "ifs".

 

[Risen Star]

As long as the QB is elite they'll be good enough to be in the mix as a middling playoff contender in a bad division. Once he declines it's back to where we were pre-Parcells.

 

[Matts4313]

right now it seems like we are starting late draft picks, udfas, cast offs at half our team. We are still a very competitive team with so few guys who have ample talent.

if we can keep adding to the trenches early and finding/developing gems late we obviously have a great shot.

if we try to get into a "win now" mode and sacrafice premium draft picks, we will probably implode within the next ~2-3 years.

 

[john van brocklin]

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.

The biggest question to me is the play calling which could easily be solved with a new O-Coordinator.

What do you think Jerry will do ?
He has already taken the play calling away from JG.
Do you see him bringing in an OC to redesign the offense ?

 

[5Stars]

No matter what life deals your way, your attitude should be, “I’m hurting, but I’m still here.” You need to make up your mind to stay in the game.

 

[Fredd]

I am optimistic about the team moving forward. they have built young talent (listed below in no particular order) in most key positions with the exception of DL...injuries have plagued this team in the last few years so having a younger group will benefit the team going forward

* OFFENSE - Fred, TSmith, Leary, TWill, Dez, Escobar (some day) are all young and playing well - adding another high draft pick on the OL in 2014 to me is very important
* DEFENSE - Carr, Mo, Lee, Carter, Church, Wilcox, Scandrick, Crawford (assuming healthy next year)

The youth will keep this team competitive because they can stay on the field; now, if the team EVER figures out that they require a real GM, HC, and OC, then maybe they go somewhere in 2014 - 2015....but, if Garrett is ousted, then you have a new guy trying to implement his new ideas and thus, the team is in "start over" mode once again...vicious cycle

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

More of the same. 7-9 to 9-7. Nothing more. And we'll continue to lose games in the most unbelievable fashion.

 

[cml750]

I personally believe the Cowboys future all depends on coaching. If Garrett remains coach we will continue to hover around .500 annually. He has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt he is nothing more than a .500 coach not to mention a terrible motivator and game / clock manager. If we hire the right coach we will have a bright future as I believe this team has the talent to make a San Francisco / Kansas City like turn around. I have a terrible feeling Jerry will retain Garrett because we will win the division not because we are the best but because we suck the least in the pitiful NFC LEast division.We will win the division with an 8-8 or 9-7 record and lose in the first round of the playoffs. Jerry will call winning the division "success" and waste another one of Romo's prime years on Garrett which will be terrible mistake.

 

[cowboys1981]

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.

Nice post! I see our team getting stronger next year. We will have some restructures in place to free up some money. If we were to get a FA on defense I'd go for Jared Allen on a 2 yr deal. I know he wants to win and he would bolster our Dline immediately. He would have an impact with the other Dlinemen in the same manner in which Waters was for the Oline.

I would also look at a 1 yr deal with Waters and draft another guard as well. He would come cheap for the impact he has on the line.

 

[SWG9]

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.

I think you accidentally added a zero there...

 

[SWG9]

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.

Yep. Given the depth of the 2014 draft class (especially the QB's), this would have been a good year to clean up the cap, deal Romo for some 2014 picks, bottom out, and draft one of the top QB's with an eye to contending in 2015.

It's the single biggest move that could have jump started this team out of mediocrity.

I see us with 2 more years at 9-7 before the wheels REALLY come off.

 

[dupree89]

I say you can probably pencil us in at 8-8.
A few bad breaks...make it 7-9.
Couple of good breaks...9-7.
But no playoff wins.
My reason: The GM and head coach have not demonstrated that they can do any better than building and running a .500 team. But we'll get to 7 or 8 wins each season. You;re gonna win 4 or 5 in this league just because of the balance (unless you are real bad like J'ville). And Romo is good to pull out a few wins with superb play.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

As long as Garrett is here, about the same as it's been.

If we got a coach who actually got more out of our talent, it would be a lot better.

 

[Risen Star]

As long as Garrett is here, about the same as it's been.

If we got a coach who actually got more out of our talent, it would be a lot better.

Everything he just said but in reverse. Work on talent. Give up the coaching scapegoat thing. Vince Lombardi couldn't win with this group.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Meh, no offense man, but as much as you like to label people as homers, you're being a Garrett homer. I have no idea why you think he's anything more than average as a coach.

So let's say in some alternate universe Sean Payton got this job a couple years ago. You seriously don't think we'd be any better? That makes no sense.