Well, I voted yes because I didn't agree with the "no" answer. The 2003 Cowboys played an entirely softer schedule that year, well below .500. Dallas has played an above .500 schedule.
It's a tough pill to swallow that they could go 10-6 and miss the playoffs when they lost 3 games due to field goal kicking and the Oakland game where they were on the Oakland 3 as time ran out.
The main things I look at for any team are the following:
1. Coaching
2. O-Line
3. Quarterback
4. D-Line
5. Cornerbacks.
Coaching is pretty much the same. The O-Line is worse than it was from 2003, but better than it was from 2002. Hard to tell what they can do until they get healthy. QB play is far better and I'll take this team's D-Line play...especially considering the rookies they have...over the 2003 D-Line. Cornerback play is a blowout in favor of the 2005 team.
The one good thing is that when Parcells really focuses on one or two areas of the team, they generally improve.
In 2003 he worked hard at fixing the blocking all the way around, from the O-Line, RB's, and the WR's. The blocking was much much improved from 2002 and they were even very good at blitz pickups. Run blocking was hard to determine since Hambrick was the RB.
In 2004, his focus was on the running game. Julius got hurt, then tore up the league in the games he did play.
This year it's been the defense, which they had to overhaul. Result, vastly improved defensive play and a *better* pass rush.
So, my guess is that next year he will stick around and will focus heavily on the O-Line and they might not be great, but his track record should show improvement. My only concern is what weakness will suddenly pop up next season.
Rich......
