I have both hope and doubts. It's ok to have both

[blueblood70]

Yeah but this is how I picture most of y'all doubt is one thing absolute negativity and expecting doom and gloom..

This is the mood from a lot of you posters.

.

 

[leeblair]

Three months into a pretty good 2025 Cowboys off-season, I have realized I have a combination of both hope and doubts. Like the beginning of every Cowboys season I sincerely hope they have a great year. There are some reasons for hope.

And like most Cowboys fans who have watched the last three decades in mind numbing frustration, it’s also hard to not also have some doubts too. Especially when realizing the architect and centerpiece of this organization remains fully in charge. And fully unaccountable along with his DNA fortunate offspring.

So I have BOTH - hope and doubts.

Now I believe like most fans here on this forum that the Cowboys have had a pretty good off-season so far. Last off-season ended up being a kamikaze mission by Jerry, so anything would be better than that. But there are several good things about this off-season so far.

So until the real bullets fly in real games that matter beginning in September, I will remain both hopeful and skeptical.

For those fellow fans here who have nothing but good feelings about the coming year, as well as those who also have serious doubts about the coming season because of the past, I understand how you both feel. We should all allow each other some latitude around here to believe either.

This is my least favorite time of the football calendar. Honestly, I’m tired of the off-season and the endless speculation about what it all means and the silly arguments that take place . Only the regular season and (hopefully) playoffs will determine how good this off-season really was.

I’m so ready to see this regular season begin! Go Cowboys!

Bottom line; it's naive to think that Schottenheimer will be a major upgrade over Mike McCarthy. McCarthy was a top head coach, albeit constrained by Jerry Jones and hitched to Dak Prescott.
Schottenheimer will be, at best, the same caliber, with the same constraints.
So how can it be better?

 

[fivetwos]

My life doesn't revolve around the Cowboys. Hope might be important in the day to day life, but in regard to the Cowboys, hope really doesn't matter. They will win or lose regardless of whether I hope for it.

And yes, I am tired of the team being good enough to avoid getting a really great draft pick but not being good enough to win when the other team has a little more talent. I am tired of losing to teams that don't have as many talented players because our team isn't put in the best position to win.

I am tired of the GM that throws around accomplishments from 30 years ago as being meaningful today. They aren't. The glow has worn off and they are nothing but a distant memory. I am tired of the GM that says he would write the biggest check to win a Super Bowl but refuses to put pen to paper and do it. I am tired of the GM that is more impressed with glitz than about results.

I am tired of having great players that give their heart and soul and health for the team and leave the game never having had the chance to play for all the marbles. How many years did the Cowboys ignore the OL because Romo could run around and make plays while avoiding crazy pressure? How many years have the Cowboys refused to invest in the run defense, which in many ways is the single most effective way to stop teams? If you can shut down the run with your base defense, offenses will struggle against you. Philly feasts on offenses because their front four gets it done over and over.

Dallas won in the past because they weren't afraid to take chances. Jimmy Johnson came in and shook everything up with bold moves...and it worked. Since then we have just been pretenders, doing enough window dressing to not tank, but never doing enough to be a true threat. The Cowboys of the 90's went out and got the best CB in the game. They traded for the best pass rusher in the game. They built a team and system that emphasized precision rather than the spectacular. Everyone knew Michael Irvin was going to run the skinny post, but no one could stop it consistently. Everyone knew that Emmitt was gonna get the ball, yet he still got yard after yard, especially the most important ones.

My interest in football has decreased significantly over the past 5-10 years. Not sure if just aging or if it is because of the complacency of the owner. From Hot Boyz to team slogans it jsut falls on deaf ears. I am not ready to give up on the Cowboys but I definitely don't live and die with them anymore. Sadly, if they should ever win again, I don't think there will be nearly as much joy that comes with it.

Wow...that was long winded.

Well that’s about as perfect as it gets. One paragraph better than the next. Take the time to read it people.

This team and the NFL used to be more important in my life than it probably should have been, but now I’m much more numb to it…and no it’s not age…it’s Jerry and his act.

I’m in a strange spot. I can’t stand that guy so much that I’m not even sure I truly want to win until he is gone. I definitely wouldn’t enjoy it as much, and not close. Very moot however.

It really doesn’t come down to much more than the fact that the people running the team aren’t qualified and aren’t any good at what they do, yet can’t be replaced. Make the same mistakes again and again and carry themselves with an arrogance that makes one want to puke.

As a seven year old I chose this team because of who they were, who their leaders were, and what they stood for. Landry, Staubach, etc….Now I’m left with the Jerry ego act, stripper busses, and paternity suits…and it’s embarrassing. The guy is a complete buffoon yet can’t shut his mouth.

The whole organization is a sham and based on a lie so Jerry can get his “credit” and prove to the world that he could do what Johnson did. Ok Jerry. You’re “around the rim.”

 

[shabazz]

For those fellow fans here who have nothing but good feelings about the coming year

This is my least favorite time of the football calendar.

Excellent write up as usual.

The funny thing is that is the BEST time of the season for the resident homers here because its been several months since the end of another failed season and they are free to show their faces again despite their wrong proclamations AND the delusional proclamations can start AGAIN because they have 7 months to ride this Homer "High" until they have to slide back under their rocks.

Getting 1 elite player every 7 years through FA or trade doesn't move the needle for the fans, the media or the team

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

My reaction starting now and progressing to the end of season in 8 seconds.

 

[fivetwos]

Excellent write up as usual.

The funny thing is that is the BEST time of the season for the resident homers here because its been several months since the end of another failed season and they are free to show their faces again despite their wrong proclamations AND the delusional proclamations an start AGAIN because they have 7 months to ride this Homer "High" until they have to slide back under their rocks.

Getting 1 elite player every 7 years through FA or trade doesn't move the needle for the fans, the media or the team

Same unqualified people making the same mistakes. Why figure on different results?

For the life of me I can’t understand how you get murdered on the LOS vs the run in playoff games yet still collect corners, receivers and backup tight ends.

At least learn from mistakes. These two keep the same losing formula which tells me they have no real idea what they are doing and the high opinion they have of themselves means more than actual results.

 

[ChronicCowboy]

This team isn’t winning the Super Bowl. What else actually matters? I for one would prefer a high draft pick to an early playoff exit. If we accumulate talent over the next several years, maybe the next QB can get us a title.

 

[Bobhaze]

Yeah but this is how I picture most of y'all doubt is one thing absolute negativity and expecting doom and gloom..

This is the mood from a lot of you posters.

.

You know what I find interesting is why you care so much about what other Cowboys fans say about what they feel about the Cowboys. If they don’t agree with you, it’s “negative”? Isn’t this a forum?

I support your right to be as positive and thrilled about every move, every player acquired, every new coach, every possibility this team has. I support your right to believe anything good about the Cowboys. In fact, I wholly support your right to feel and express whatever you feel about the Cowboys.

So why can’t other fans express their feelings and opinions too? Even those you believe are “negative”?

 

[shabazz]

Same unqualified people making the same mistakes. Why figure on different results?

For the life of me I can’t understand how you get murdered on the LOS vs the run in playoff games yet still collect corners, receivers and backup tight ends.

At least learn from mistakes. These two keep the same losing formula which tells me they have no real idea what they are doing and the high opinion they have of themselves means more than actual results.

Like Sinatra, The Jones will continue to do things their way.

 

[rambo2]

Same unqualified people making the same mistakes. Why figure on different results?

For the life of me I can’t understand how you get murdered on the LOS vs the run in playoff games yet still collect corners, receivers and backup tight ends.

At least learn from mistakes. These two keep the same losing formula which tells me they have no real idea what they are doing and the high opinion they have of themselves means more than actual results.

They have made some good moves this offseason. Don't sell them short.

 

[Bobhaze]

Same unqualified people making the same mistakes. Why figure on different results?

For the life of me I can’t understand how you get murdered on the LOS vs the run in playoff games yet still collect corners, receivers and backup tight ends.

At least learn from mistakes. These two keep the same losing formula which tells me they have no real idea what they are doing and the high opinion they have of themselves means more than actual results.

Excellent point regarding getting killed on the LOS…especially on defense. And JJ seems to rush to get receiver upgrades while bargain bin shopping for defensive tackles that can stop the run. It is maddening.

I like the George Pickens trade. I would love it if there was a corresponding move for a top shelf run stuffer instead of a retread or Day 3 draft pick.

 

[Bobhaze]

They have made some good moves this offseason. Don't sell them short.

Serious question Rambo…why should Cowboys fans “buy in” and NOT sell this FO short?

After all these years of JJ leading this organization, why should we now “believe” this is the year?

Not saying you’re wrong. You can believe and express whatever you want. I’m just asking WHY should we have your level of faith?

 

[shabazz]

You know what I find interesting is why you care so much about what other Cowboys fans say about what they feel about the Cowboys. If they don’t agree with you, it’s “negative”? Isn’t this a forum?

I support your right to be as positive and thrilled about every move, every player acquired, every new coach, every possibility this team has. I support your right to believe anything good about the Cowboys. In fact, I wholly support your right to feel and express whatever you feel about the Cowboys.

So why can’t other fans express their feelings and opinions too? Even those you believe are “negative”?

For some of our felloww fans, they have this disorder that if you dont agree with every move the Cowboys make it means you crap on everything.....

I for one, really like the Pickens move and have zero issues with the draft because we have no final grade yet but the same few still deem that as a "haters" stance.

Those few have boxed themselves into that Pollyanna, Virtue Signaling corner and they cant get out of it.

I'd rather be real and say when things are good, bad or neutral.

 

[rambo2]

Excellent point regarding getting killed on the LOS…especially on defense. And JJ seems to rush to get receiver upgrades while bargain bin shopping for defensive tackles that can stop the run. It is maddening.

I like the George Pickens trade. I would love it if there was a corresponding move for a top shelf run stuffer instead of a retread or Day 3 draft pick.

It's not over. They did draft the UCLA dtackle, but they still could use a veteran upgrade at the position. How would you feel if they did acquire D J Reader?

 

[shabazz]

They have made some good moves this offseason. Don't sell them short.

The Pickens move should be a great one......the other moves are meh and the draft picks are yet to be determined

That's real

 

[Bobhaze]

It's not over. They did draft the UCLA dtackle, but they still could use a veteran upgrade at the position. How would you feel if they did acquire D J Reader?

Ask me when they do.

 

[rambo2]

Serious question Rambo…why should Cowboys fans “buy in” and NOT sell this FO short?

After all these years of JJ leading this organization, why should we now “believe” this is the year?

Not saying you’re wrong. You can believe and express whatever you want. I’m just asking WHY should we have your level of faith?

They should buy in because you can see the big changes this year. You can feel it. Starting with the coaching staff. It's a big change. Then look at the talent they are bringing in from the draft, from trades, and free agency. It’s different. They made some good moves. They made the team better and the players are buying in. They built the foundation and you can feel the difference in the building.

 

[rambo2]

The Pickens move should be a great one......the other moves are meh and the draft picks are yet to be determined

That's real

What's really real is you should wait and see. The draft picks have a lot of upside and some of the free agent and trade acquisitions should play well.

 

[5Stars]

They should buy in because you can see the big changes this year. You can feel it. Starting with the coaching staff. It's a big change. Then look at the talent they are bringing in from the draft, from trades, and free agency. It’s different. They made some good moves. They made the team better and the players are buying in. They built the foundation and you can feel the difference in the building.

Are you in the building? That is either a "yes" or "no" answer, so don't go off on some tangent. Answer the question. If you don't answer the question, anything you type from now on will be questioned.

 

[rambo2]

Are you in the building? That is either a "yes" or "no" answer, so don't go off on some tangent. Answer the question. If you don't answer the question, anything you type from now on will be questioned.

No, but I can see in the building when I turn on my tv.