How many believe we will have a top

[BHendri5]

5 Defense and offense this season?

I believe our Defense and offense will be top 5.

 

[jrumann59]

Defense possibly offense maybe top 10, OL is still a worrying point

 

[polinskijr]

Agreed, however, there is something to add. I believe we will have the #1 ranked special teams coverage unit, and we should be vastly improved in the return game (punt returns especially) as well.

 

[bobtheflob]

Even with a top 5 calibur offense (which I don't think we have), it would be tough for a Parcells team to finish up there statistically because of the conservative playcalling. I could see a top 5 defense and a better than average offense this year.

 

[Dale]

I like the pieces we have. I really do.

But there are still a lot of "ifs." Too many for me to sit here, right now, and make a bold prediction.

But, yeah, if some things hold up....I think the Cowboys could be a darn good team. It's all gonna come down to the OL, and injuries.

 

[Galian Beast]

I think you should rid your thoughts of conservatism this year. At least compared to years past.

We now have Terrell Owens.

Our offense is based on speed more than it ever has been. And look at all the additions we made to our passing game this year. We were conservative last year only because we were forced to by a young and inexperienced and unhealthy oline.

Fact is going to a two tight end formation means we certainly aren't going to be conservative. Having two tight ends creates a mismatch on the field. And its a mismatch we're going to exploit against every defense in the nfl. In addition to having Glenn and Owens...

 

[JackMagist]

Agreed, however, there is something to add. I believe we will have the #1 ranked special teams coverage unit, and we should be vastly improved in the return game (punt returns especially) as well.

I won't say that we won't have a good ST but I really don't see any reason for the optomisim there. Our ST's have sucked in coverage since the arrival of Bruce DeHaven and he is still here; he has been a horrible ST coach. Here's hoping you're right but I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

top 5 D? the potential is there, so i'm gonna say it's a strong chance, plus us being in the 2nd year in the scheme and all, and the added talent, esp. a force opposite Ware in Carpenter, but top 5 O? no, it's simple, the line is still a big question

 

[JackMagist]

top 5 D? the potential is there, so i'm gonna say it's a strong chance, plus us being in the 2nd year in the scheme and all, and the added talent, esp. a force opposite Ware in Carpenter, but top 5 O? no, it's simple, the line is still a big question

Agreed the Line is still a big question on O. And beyond that we still have Parcells and his Bus Driver, play not to lose philosophy which is not conducive to a highly productive Offense. The two TE set is not a high powered type of Offense so I expect a lot of close games. Maybe this year we will have a FG kicker who can pull our fat out of the fire at the last minute.

 

[MiStar]

I expect a top 5 defense, and a middle of the pack offense. Similar to the Steelers, but without the ability to enforce our will with a bruising running game.

 

[Apollo Creed]

T.O. already creates mismatches in passing situations, thus leaving Glenn (arguable one of the NFC's best one on one receivers) to stretch the field. Leaving LB's to cover Witten and Fasano. I really like our offensive capabilities, especially with a healthy Julius Jones. The effectiveness of the pass will open up draw plays, which Jones thrived off us if you study his game film (esp. New York and Seattle games).

Defensively we had a great unit last year until Henry went down, now we've added solid rookies in Watkins and Carpenter to help our glaring holes of OLB and FS. Ayodele isn't exactly a scrub either, bolstering the interior of our defense. We've really got a shot this year, regardless if I'm being a little bit too much of a homer.

Add the most accurate kicker in the NFL, and the best receiver in the NFL statistically the past two-three years. How can we not have a shot to be in the top 5 on both sides of the ball?

 

[Eskimo]

On offense, the key to success will be the OL. The skill positions are looking good barring injury to our group of fragile playmakers - TO, TGlenn and Julius.

On defense, the key will be Jason Ferguson - if he plays better next year combined with improved play of the ILBs against the run, then we should be considerably improved. I think Carpenter should start before the year is through and will be a big upgrade over what we had last year.

I see us finishing borderline top 10 defense and offense but I doubt we make it into the top 5 in either. With a little luck we should make the playoffs and then anything can happen. This should be the best Cowboys team since 1996.

 

[Apollo Creed]

I just hope BP knows what he's doing with that O-Line. If we had a wall up front like the dynasty Boys had we'd be putting up Colt-like numbers.

 

[jbsg02]

a top 5 offense requires a premiere offensive line. like a seattle or indy

 

[GhettoxCowboy]

Defense possibly offense maybe top 10, OL is still a
worrying point

I agree our OL still needs some improvement. But I believe our D can b a top 5 in the league. About our offense we can b a top 10 if our OL can protect drew this yr.

 

[bobbie brewskie]

i agree with the idea of us having a top5 defense just because i dont see any glaring hole anywhere, FS is our biggest hole and with the amount of guys trying to start at that position we will find somebody good enough to free up roy.

as for offense, we are great at the skill positions. RB is a small concern with JJ and his injuries. and oline is a huge concern with unproven and below average players.

i say defense top5
offense top10

think of it like this, our Defense will have fewer points allowed/game than our offense will have points scored/game. this will result in a winning season .

 

[Smith22]

Winning games comes down to being the better team in at least 2 of 3 areas: special teams, offense and defense. We have upgraded considerably at placekicker and we've added some solid special teams guys in players like Boiman and Skyler Green, not to mention the fact the Davis should be freed up to concentrate more on special teams. As long as our rotation at NT is effective, our defense should be top 10, with a chance of being top 5 depending on how our LB's hold up. Offense will all come down to our OL and TE play. For now, I would give our offense a solid chance at being top 10.

 

[NorTex]

For perspective here is how the Cowboys did in 2005:

Offense: 13th - Only 35 yards per game from being in top 5

Defense: 10th - Only 16 yards per game from being in top 5

Getting into the top five in both offense and defense seems more than doable considering the upgrades on both sides of the ball.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

Our OL wasn't that bad until injuries started to hit it. Consider we improved the mobility with adding Kosier, our running game should be more productive. I don't see 49 sacks this year with a healthy line, which means more yards per game in the passing game, with the addition of TO. We are going to be hard to stop. Top 5 is very doable.

On D, I wouldn't expect anything less than a totally awesome D. Ware, should get over 10 sacks easy this year. Roy will be freed up to roam the line again and the additions of Carpenter and Akins in the LB core will shore up the run D. Watkins in the FS, will help to prevent some late game TDs and drives that haunted us last year and adding Green and Mike V, our special teams will be awesome. Green and Vandy will win us 2-3 games alone.

I like the way Bill has put this team together so far. If the young OL don't step up this year and prove they are worth the time and effort, next year draft and FA should be heavy on OL. This is the only area of NEED i see on this team besides one more true WR to develop. I think we add 2 good OL to the mix and one 2nd or 3rd round WR talent and we are set for the next several years.

 

[Idgit]

I won't say that we won't have a good ST but I really don't see any reason for the optomisim there. Our ST's have sucked in coverage since the arrival of Bruce DeHaven and he is still here; he has been a horrible ST coach. Here's hoping you're right but I'll believe it when I see it.

Statistically, we were strong on ST coverage units last year. We got knocked out of the top 7 b/c of weakness at K, which there's every reason to believe we've improved.

If we add juice to the return game, especially on punts, get more of Davis and if Beriault, Boiman, and Watkins can deliver on their ST promise, there's every reason to believe we'll have very good ST units all around next year.