I think this team is in worse shape than we think

[Fletch]

Wow! So let's keep 4 O linemen and Dez and star over? Lol

Don't worry, it's going to be a full offseason of this. The Zone just might burn down. This is just the calm before the storm. Gosh,
I just love the offseason.

 

[perrykemp]

Seems like a prime Rant Zone thread topic

Is it a rant to cast a critical eye on the roster?

 

[CyberB0b]

Funny how some of those "JAGS" at WR suddenly found an extra bounce in their step when Moore started throwing it.

They didn't exactly tear it up.

The WRs combined had 10 catches for 116 yards and a TD.

 

[robjay04]

The team is not as well run as teams like the Patriots or Packers who always seem in contention every season and they likely won't be run on that level anytime soon....BUT the team can win. This team had less talent last season and won, the 3 seasons before they had even less talent and were 8-8 for 3 straight seasons. This is not your typical 4-12 or 5-11 team---it is just a matter of staying healthy and finding a groove. That can happen to this team again, that is parity in the NFL. A team can go from 4-12 to 12-4 in a season or vice versa.

No NFL team has each position group loaded with talent---I happen to think we are better off at many positions than several playoff teams.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

We don't have any more holes than your typical NFL roster. The question marks is if we can stay healthy which we haven't been able to do under Garrett. Then the question becomes if we have the talent to win a Super Bowl.

Staying healthy is a large part of success in the NFL. It's not ust coincidence that teams like the Bengals, who have stayed incredibly healthy, have a great record this year.

The big thing for this team is that we are very good in the trenches. That is what has kept this team in games despite an abysmal passing attack and problems in the secondary.





YR

 

[robjay04]

We don't have any more holes than your typical NFL roster. The question marks is if we can stay healthy which we haven't been able to do under Garrett. Then the question becomes if we have the talent to win a Super Bowl.

Staying healthy is a large part of success in the NFL. It's not ust coincidence that teams like the Bengals, who have stayed incredibly healthy, have a great record this year.

The big thing for this team is that we are very good in the trenches. That is what has kept this team in games despite an abysmal passing attack and problems in the secondary.





YR

Thank you!

We have the worst QB play in the NFL and probably the worst overall offense but somehow we have been in 8 out of our 10 losses going into the fourth quarter. The team has holes but this is a playoff team, especially in this division, with even average QB play.

 

[J_Allen]

I think Lucky Whitehead could be a great #2 receiver who stretches the field.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Seems like a prime Rant Zone thread topic

Yea, heaven forbid anybody post negativity about a team with 4 wins that was considered a contender coming into the season looking to take the next step. Instead they've taken like 20 steps back . . . . . .

Or should it be no worries, we've got the braintrust . . . . . . . . ?

Nothing like Larry, Mo & Curly to make us fans confident . . . . .

 

[CATCH17]

There is a lot of talent on this team, however, my main concerns are the head coach and scouting dept (primarily QB evaluation). Those 2 areas scare me for the future

I don't mind the scouting department since McClay took over.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Don't worry, it's going to be a full offseason of this. The Zone just might burn down. This is just the calm before the storm. Gosh,
I just love the offseason.

Its nothing yet. Wait till we take a TE in the 2nd round.

 

[Sydla]

I struggle to criticize the overall roster in terms of talent when they are being coached by this gaggle.

Are there some holes? Sure. Secondary needs upgrading. Another stud LB would be nice. A real 1 tech would be a big help.

But overall, this roster is a heck of a lot closer to being a SB contender than a bottom feeder IMO.

But unfortunately, like we wasted Romo's prime years with Garrett in charge, we'll likely waste a few years of this roster on him as well as I suspect Jones will stick with him for a few more seasons.

 

[dfense]

They didn't exactly tear it up.

The WRs combined had 10 catches for 116 yards and a TD.

Yeah, but just seeing several receivers average over 10 yards a catch is nice.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I think Lucky Whitehead could be a great #2 receiver who stretches the field.

Yeah, I would be surprised they haven't tried him on some deep routes here and there. But again, this is Garrett. Anything remotely out of his comfort zone...even for 1 or 2 plays a game...forbidden.







YR

 

[jjktkk]

Yea, heaven forbid anybody post negativity about a team with 4 wins that was considered a contender coming into the season looking to take the next step. Instead they've taken like 20 steps back . . . . . .

Or should it be no worries, we've got the braintrust . . . . . . . . ?

Nothing like Larry, Mo & Curly to make us fans confident . . . . .

The BIG difference between CyberBob and you is, while I disagree with some of CyberBob's opinions regarding the Cowboy's roster, he at least attempts to discuss topics about how the Cowboys can improve going forward. You, on the other hand, just want to rant and whine every single time you post. IMO, you come across as a non Cowboy's fan on here, just spamming this forum with your constant negative posting.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I think that the low turn-overs are representative of directional change from a unit that two seasons ago was among the worst in NFL history...take it for what it's worth. But the team is shifting from an all time low in the defensive box, as it did five seasons ago along the offensive line.

There's some of that too.

But I think a lot of the turnover stuff was just bad luck on the part of the Cowboys this season.

You could march the same unit out there next year and see double the number of turnovers.

 

[21Savage]

Naw. Pretty much everything he's said is spot on. If I said Witten needs to be demoted to the #2 tight end, everyone would lose their minds because it's Jason Witten; even if his production should dictate such a move.

I agree about Witten. At this point in his career he should transition to a blocking TE that only runs the short to intermediate routes. He can have another great 3-4 years in that role.

But you really think our special teams have been horrible this year?

That Tyrone has been a huge disappointment? That Lawrence is still a question mark?

 

[Doc50]

I don't mind the scouting department since McClay took over.

Agreed, but it's difficult to stand behind the backup QB choices (which were probably not McClay's).

I blame the Staff for poor offensive scheme, poor game management, and poor player development.

 

[jterrell]

Far too long to break down point by point but ultimately I strongly disagree.

Dallas isn't elite as we suspected they might be but they also aren't 4 win bad.
Sometimes things go against you and it snowballs.
I am almost grateful it has. Winning 7 or 8 games but missing the playoffs is pure purgatory.

Garrett's strengths showed up last year. His weaknesses this year. He isn't Belichek but he's also not the opposite. I do hope JJ asks the question of if Garrett can win after Romo retires. I suspect that is a tough call to make.

Dallas has 4 Pro Bowlers and all are under contract longish term. That's a huge plus.

ST: We have the best Kicker in football. And Lucky has grown into his job. I'd like a better punt return option but this isn;t a big concern for 2016 imho.

Weeden was abysmal and you do wonder if the coaches talk to the personnel guys.
Romo being de facto co-OC probably has a lot to do with offense being so Romo-centric.

But we've hit on so many guys it is tough to be too damning of the front office at a MACRO level.

My top 5 needs are:
1. WR2
2. Safety beside Byron Jones
3. Back up QB
4. RB2
5. CB2-3

To me that is a lesser list than most of the league. I think free agency and the draft can clear that list up.

 

[lwehlers]

This disaster of a season has to leave you questioning the process that decided Brandon Weeden was an adequate backup after 2 seasons, and knee-jerking to trade for Matt Cassel after a couple of weeks. There are some legitimate coaching concerns from the top down. Special teams have been horrible, the defense can't get a turnover to save their life, and the WR coaching has been suspect. This is at a macro level.

At a micro level, when you start to break it down, there are some serious holes that need to be filled.

QB: Obviously, an adequate backup has to be a priority.

RB: McFadden is putting together a nice season, but do you really trust him to carry a big load 2 years in a row? Lance Dunbar is still unproven, and looks to be a one trick pony coming off a major injury.

OL: I think we're in good shape, but Doug Free needs at least someone to push him, if not replace him outright. Is this guy on our roster? There aren't a lot of good right tackles floating around in this league.

TE: Jason Witten is a sure fire Hall of Famer, but he has a limited route tree at this point in his career. He is good for intermediate option routes, and that's about it. He has never been a red zone target, and the two guys behind him aren't able to push for playing time. He is playing a ridiculous number of snaps this year.

WR: Where do we start? We have a lot of guys who are extremely limited, with very little explosion. I think Dez will come back better, but his lack of focus and production is pretty disturbing. Terrance Williams has proven that he needs to be replaced. Beasley, again, is extremely limited in what he can do. Butler and Street are JAGs.

So to sum up the offense, we lack explosion and playmaking ability. The only positions I feel really comfortable with are #1 WR and OL.

DL: What a disappointment. I think Greg Hardy's rust and time off have caught up with him. I don't think he will be back. Lawrence and Gregory have to be listed as question marks. Tyrone Crawford has been a big let down. Hayden, Mincey, and J. Crawford are JAGs. They have been weak against the run and haven't really generated much of a pass rush. 27 sacks is near the bottom of the league. You could point to basically any player on this defensive line and say you will need to see a drastic improvement to get this team where they need to be next year.

LB: McClain probably won't be back. Sean Lee will get hurt. Anthony Hitchens has disappeared. Players like Gachkar are a dime a dozen. No real depth here.

CB: Claiborne has been slightly better this year, but hurt a lot, as usual. If he comes back, it will be on a minimum contract. Brandon Carr hasn't been good. Hopefully, Scandrick will come back to true form. We have removed a lot of the depth guys from this team and are left with basically only Terrance Mitchell.

S: The safety play has been terrible this year, outside of Byron Jones, when he is covering a TE. Wilcox has been god awful and needs to go. Barry Church has been disappointing, to say the least. I think Jones replaces Wilcox, but we still need an upgrade for church.

I look at this team, and I see a lot more problems than just a backup quarterback.

I also agree that we need another wr who can scare teams other then dez.i wish we had a tightend like Jordan Reed like the Commanders do. as much as witten is my favorite player he is really limiting this offense. also the safetys are an complete embarrassment. lawerence has played great the last eight games though. should have waited to sign Crawford but with the way free agent money is tossed around someone would have paid Crawford the same money the cowboys did.

 

[jterrell]

Agreed, but it's difficult to stand behind the backup QB choices (which were probably not McClay's).

I blame the Staff for poor offensive scheme, poor game management, and poor player development.

Those are fair but the same staff was aces in those areas last year. Player Dev wise it has been mixed IMHO.
Lucky/Beas/Collins/Hitchens/BJ all look like great young guys.
Others have not developed it seems. But often they have the same coaches....
Sometimes you just need better players