How would you feel about an 11-5 no playoffs season?

[jrumann59]

My $0.02 is the team ending 11-5 without making the playoffs could only be viewed as a failure.

This is my reasoning:

• First and foremost, I don't think JG is a particularly good coach, I don't think he gives the Cowboys any advantages on gameday and with today's league enforced parity in terms of talent (salary cap, etc), coaching and the front-office are the biggest differentiators available to teams. I wanted JG gone after last year and while he the team has finally broken out of the 8-8 mold this year I can't say I've seen a whole lot to make me think he is some sort of hot shot coach. By going 11-5 the Cowboy will likely extend JG which IMHO means the Cowboys have to live with a mediocre coach for at least the next 3-4 years. Really no progress there. I watch a lot of games and I do not seen 1 game where a any coach has impact during the game. Are their better during the week coaches, sure but JG against similar coaches is above is above average. he is not Belicheck, but Belicheck was not belicheck his 1st 4 seasons in the NFL as a Cleveland's head coach.

• What is typically every team's goal coming out of the offseason? It's not expressly achieving a winning record -- the first goal is ALWAY to win the division. In this scenario, the Cowboys will have failed to win the division for the 5th year in a row. Really no progress there. Symantics really, did the team improve in key areas, yes the team does need improvement in other areas but to say well 8-8 and 11-5 are the same is really dis service to the team.

• 2nd goal is to make the playoffs. In this scenario the Cowboys will fail to make the playoffs in JG's 4th (full) year in a row. Really no progress there.

• Time is ticking away for Romo and Witten. Romo is running on fumes -- he has to injected 10 ways to Tuesday each and every week, and is basically held together with duct tape and bailing wire. I am hoping that his back injury is something he can recover from this offseason but if this past off-season was any indicator, Romo is in the terminal phase of his career. That is the nature of the game, winning super bowls relies on having the right personnel at the right time and making that run. Saying it needs to be done is a lot easier said then done.

There it is. In this 11-5 / no playoffs scenario I personally end the season pleasantly surprised that the team won more games, I throughly enjoyed the ride (especially the Seattle game), however, I don't go into next season feeling like the Cowboys are ready to challenge the Eagles for the divison title -- mainly because I think Chip Kelly is 2x the coach JG is and the fact that Romo's spectacular career is coming to a close. I'd feel much better about things if they draft a QB of the future in rounds 1-2 this offseason.

I think Chip inherited a talented roster but their are signs they are becoming what dallas was, a finesse team. And they are not replenishing the taent on the roster as fast as it is leaving.

 

[CyberB0b]

This is not NCAA where power or schedule matters especially when you play who the nfl decides you play. Out side of two games a year the schedule is pre-determined by the normal cycle of what afc and NFC division you ply outside your own. The eagles schedule is barely better than ours I mean they played Carolina and GB that is the only difference in their schedule.

Well, in that scenario, the Eagles won and we didn't. That makes you feel better about the situation?

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Here is your dose of reality......

I'm going to assume we get beat on Sunday, lose to the playoff bound Colts and finish off the Commanders burning house. Finish 10-6

That being said.....

We were lucky to beat Seattle. Down 23-20 late in the 4th quarter...only a miracle 3rd & 20 conversion saves us from defeat.

We were down 21-3 to the Rams on the road...and had no business coming back in that game. but managed to take advantage of a backup QB throwing blind INTs....Hard to believe we came back in that game considering the Rams beat Seattle, SF and Denver in their house. If that game was played a few weeks later no way we make that comeback.

Take those 2 victories away and what do you got? Another lousy 8-8. Some people see progress.....Some people see taking advantage of a soft schedule.

Cowboys right now have played the 3rd easiest strength of schedule as of this week. Only Pittsburgh and Houston have had it easier.

1 Tampa Bay 2-11 .478
2 Tennessee 2-11 .488
3

Jacksonville 2-11 .517
4 NY Jets 2-11 .553
5 Oakland 2-11 .587
6 Washington 3-10 .500
7 NY Giants 4-9 .519
8 Carolina 4-8-1 .498
9 New Orleans 5-8 .483
10 Chicago 5-8 .522
11

Minnesota 6-7 .478
12 St. Louis 6-7 .538
13 Houston 7-6 .440
14
Cleveland 7-6 .454
15 Miami 7-6 .505
16 Kansas City 7-6 .519
17 Cleveland (from Buffalo) 7-6 .524
18 San Francisco 7-6 .538
19 Baltimore 8-5 .474
20 Dallas 9-4 .452
21P Atlanta 5-8 .474
22P Pittsburgh 8-5 .445
23P San Diego
8-5 .510
24P Cincinnati 8-4-1 .493
25P/F Philadelphia 9-4 .474
26P/F Indianapolis 9-4 .474
27P/F Detroit 9-4 .474
28P Seattle 9-4 .541
29P Green Bay 10-3 .483
30P New England 10-3 .512
31P Denver 10-3 .526
32P Arizona 10-3 .529


So w/ all that being said.. I say it's time to move on and blow this thing up...because it's not gonna get better. Better to get on w/ the rebuilding now than let this thing fester. We have seen the Tony Romo era and it's about over. Considering all our key people are free agents...and they are gonna want to get paid.

All the issues this team has.....it's a mirage that we are even talking playoffs.

Offensively....

Romo's back issues aren't going away.

Murray is a FA. Cowboys are running him into the ground because they intend to let him walk away in FA.

Dez/Cowboys can't work out a long term deal...So watch Dez get franchised... which is gonna be fun to watch. People thought the T.O. show was fun to watch.

We have a WR (Williams) who is better suited to be a #3 WR instead of #2.

Witten is slowing down.

The only thing we have to hang our hat on right now is the O-line play...but Free is a free agent and I think they are gonna let him walk as well.

Defensively....Sounds like they are gonna let about a half dozen guys walk in free agency or cut. Carter, Carr, Melton, Selvie, Lee, and Spencer.

And we stiill have holes to fill @ FS, LDE, DT and CB. I mean look @ reality. This thing is far closer to being a major rebuild than a championship club. We have zero depth on defense. And no money to spend to help fill holes.

And don't forget Garrett isn't under contract either......

The only other thing I can see happening is if we don't make the playoffs is this year is doubling down in the draft and go for it 100% as in trading 2016 and 2017 draft picks to secure players....and that's a big if.....if Romo continues playing.

For the long term success of the club....I think it's time to @ least try and find a new QB. Regardless of how this season turns out. You just can't continue to be held hostage by Romo's health every year.

BTW, is it safe to assume you dont think whats being built here by Red is anything more than a house of cards?

 

[Idgit]

Huh?

You mean backup?

Yeah. I meant in the position group as a whole, but that backup guy who might actually be a starter some day. Ie, hitting on the right high pick to groom who can replace Weeden.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Yeah. I meant in the position group as a whole, but that backup guy who might actually be a starter some day. Ie, hitting on the right high pick to groom who can replace Weeden.

I think Weeden just probably needs to be replaced regardless. We could do that by either drafting his replacement or signing an FA or doing both.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

I'm glad they FINALLY got a decent OL in front of Romo and it has put them in the top half the league, but I remain unconvinced that this GM is capable of putting together a complete roster that can contend. They have feasted on bad teams this year, the defense is rebuilding, the QB is on his way out and the cap is a problem,,, this incremental improvement is just too slow.

 

[Idgit]

I think Weeden just probably needs to be replaced regardless. We could do that by either drafting his replacement or signing an FA or doing both.

I'd like to see us take a guy we like anywhere from the 3rd round on down, and let Vaughan/Weeden battle it in camp for that backup spot. Loser is off the roster. Assuming, of course, no really talented veteran backup becomes available somehow.

 

[cowboys1981]

If we finish in that scenario it would still be a good season. I would still hate the fact we didn't make the playoffs. I'd find it hard to criticize a team that went 11-5 when most predicted 5-11.

 

[Alexander]

As fans I don't see how you can not be disappointed in missing the playoffs, but not be excited by some developments like the OL becoming excellent. But this would unquestionably be the most confusing 11-5 possible. As for how it impacts 2015, just too many questions to take into next year to feel definite about most areas of the team, save the OL. That would be my takeaway, that was fixed but still was not good enough overall. Just bring back what you can, attack the defensive weaknesses and move on.

As for the feeling of being shafted for the playoffs, those are the breaks and we are not the first team that has happened to.

Regrettable, but not something that demands change.

 

[reddyuta]

I am already thrilled we got 9 wins which i didnt think we can do it with this no talent Defense,i think next year we can make some noise provided we can keep romo healthy and fix the holes on the D.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Playoffs or bust, there's no excuse to lose 4 of 5, or possibly all 5 games at home

when you start 6-1, you should never have to talk about being out of the playoffs

 

[MonsterD]

I would turn my attention to the draft and prepare to see which CB we will draft in the 1st round.

 

[jrumann59]

Well, in that scenario, the Eagles won and we didn't. That makes you feel better about the situation?

The season is not over yet. We win Sunday things get a little more complicated. I will be disappointed that the team gets 10 or 11 wins and not make the playoffs. Which is far cry from being 8-8 and trying to back in. If JG has 10-6 and 11-5 records for the next 10 years he makes the playoffs 8 out of 10.

 

[BigStar]

It would suck as all hell, but I would keep JG @ 11-5 with no playoffs. That is crap luck for JG (team) and fans.

 

[jrumann59]

when you start 6-1, you should never have to talk about being out of the playoffs

Except this is not the average year, no one expected the NFC south to be terribad and the west to be as good as it is.

 

[wileedog]

I'm glad they FINALLY got a decent OL in front of Romo and it has put them in the top half the league, but I remain unconvinced that this GM is capable of putting together a complete roster that can contend. They have feasted on bad teams this year, the defense is rebuilding, the QB is on his way out and the cap is a problem,,, this incremental improvement is just too slow.

My feelings pretty much exactly. Best takeaway from the season (playoffs or no, because we wouldn't go far in them anyway) is that they not only built the Oline, they established an offensive identity with them that was no longer "give Romo the ball and pray." Kudos for Garrett and/or Linehan for finally realizing what they had and using them. Hey, only took 4 years.

But really, that's it. Other than that, we have continued doing everything we have always done - beat bad team, lose to contending ones. Yes that Seattle win was great, but in typical fashion we turned around a couple weeks later and lost to a putrid Washington team at home (and don't start with divisional games are tough stuff, both the Eagles and even the lowly Giants creamed the Commanders in their initial games). The defense started well, again I think aided by our much better TOP with the offense, but despite being healthy is reverting to last years form in recent weeks. Special teams outside of Bailey have been nothing special.

I thought everyone predicting 5 or 6 wins before the season was being too critical - and let's face it, it is easy to be critical of a team run by Jerry - and predicted 8-8. And I've been off because I thought the Saints, Bears and Texans would be much better teams than they turned out to be, which was really crappy. That's pretty much your 3 game swing.

This Philly game will tell a lot. They have zero excuses to lose this game. 10 days to rest and prepare, coming of a curb-stomping at home two weeks ago on Thanksgiving no less, and the Eagles just got physically beat up by Seattle last week. I guess in the long run you pretty much have to extend a coach off an 11-5 season, but if we lose this one I'm going to be that much less happy about it, even if we wind up beating the Colts and Skins to finish out the season.

 

[John813]

I would feel the same way after the 8-8 seasons. Disappointed they couldn't get past the regular season.

 

[Zordon]

I'm not much of a thread starter but I really am interested in the responses.

Obviously nobody is going to be happy about missing the playoffs. That's not the point of this thread. I'm talking about how you would feel about the state of the team and it's immediate future.

Let's say the Cowboys win 2 of the next 3 games. Beat the Eagles, lose to the Colts, beat the Commanders. Or whatever way you want to do it. But they lose the tiebreakers for the division and wild card. They sit at home at 11-5. This is a pretty rare happening in the NFL.

What's your reaction? Is this the same team that can't close the deal and just misses the playoffs? Like every other year in recent memory? The record doesn't matter, all that matters is they came up short again?

Or was it just a flukey season, the team went 5-2 down the stretch, clear progress has been made and this is merely a case of some bad luck? No 11-5 team should ever be sitting at home watching a 7-9 division winner? This was a clear step forward towards 2015?

I say 11-5 and no playoffs. You say?

I ask because I really don't know.

bad. it's why you don't mess around with the skins at home.

 

[jday]

I'm not much of a thread starter but I really am interested in the responses.

Obviously nobody is going to be happy about missing the playoffs. That's not the point of this thread. I'm talking about how you would feel about the state of the team and it's immediate future.

Let's say the Cowboys win 2 of the next 3 games. Beat the Eagles, lose to the Colts, beat the Commanders. Or whatever way you want to do it. But they lose the tiebreakers for the division and wild card. They sit at home at 11-5. This is a pretty rare happening in the NFL.

What's your reaction? Is this the same team that can't close the deal and just misses the playoffs? Like every other year in recent memory? The record doesn't matter, all that matters is they came up short again?

Or was it just a flukey season, the team went 5-2 down the stretch, clear progress has been made and this is merely a case of some bad luck? No 11-5 team should ever be sitting at home watching a 7-9 division winner? This was a clear step forward towards 2015?

I say 11-5 and no playoffs. You say?

I ask because I really don't know.

Here's the problem with the question you pose: Tony Romo and Free Agency.

What we saw this year suggest a few more pieces on defense, namely at Corner and Defensive End and the Cowboys may be a real contender in 2015...if they can keep the top contributors on the team; in particular Demarco Murray and Dez Bryant and Tony Romo's back situation does not deteriorate further.

I have been saying for awhile that I like the direction of the team and I hope the Cowboys are able to keep the coaching staff as is. I believe they have at least proved this team is headed in the right direction. But if the Cowboys lose one of the above mentioned Free Agent's or Romo has further set backs as he prepares for 2015, the progress the Cowboys made this year may be all for naught.

 

[Hostile]

11-5 without consistent pressure on the opposing QB would be a miracle in some ways.