If the Cowboys don't get credible safety help and the O Line still sucks

[fanfromvirginia]

I think all teams have areas where they do not have good depth and taking an injury at that position would be extreamly costly to a team. Dallas clearly had depth at RB we took 2 injuries there and still saw backs producing. I think it is difficult to have depth at every position which is why it is easier to overcome some injuries than others

Yeah but it wasn't the same level of production. We really rely on the 1-2 punch. We had effectively zero depth at QB, absolutely zero depth at punter, next to nothing at LG and our other injuries were of the here-and-there/always-something-with-someone type.

 

[Smith22]

Didn't the Bengals have 20-some guys on IR last year?

The Ravens had at least 15 on IR, stared a rookie QB and they dealt with injuries at both CB positions all year.

 

[Doomsday101]

Yeah but it wasn't the same level of production. We really rely on the 1-2 punch. We had effectively zero depth at QB, absolutely zero depth at punter, next to nothing at LG and our other injuries were of the here-and-there/always-something-with-someone type.

Depth at punter? Who has depth at punter of FG as far as that goes. Teams normally carry 1 of each and when an injury happens they hit the streets looking for someone. QB you are right Dallas had hoped Johnson could hold things down should Romo suffer an injury and they clearly were wrong and will be looking for someone else this season. LG was also a problem once Holland came in things were starting to look better then he goes down. As for the RB not being at the same level no team is better when their starter goes out if the backup was that good he would be starting so yes you lose something when a starter goes down every team does.

 

[Alexander]

Yeah but it wasn't the same level of production. We really rely on the 1-2 punch. We had effectively zero depth at QB, absolutely zero depth at punter, next to nothing at LG and our other injuries were of the here-and-there/always-something-with-someone type.

The problem with punter is that we went with someone Read was familiar with. Nobody has two punters. The Steelers went through three or four until they found one they were comfortable with.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Depth at punter? Who has depth at punter of FG as far as that goes. Teams normally carry 1 of each and when an injury happens they hit the streets looking for someone. QB you are right Dallas had hoped Johnson could hold things down should Romo suffer an injury and they clearly were wrong and will be looking for someone else this season. LG was also a problem once Holland came in things were starting to look better then he goes down. As for the RB not being at the same level no team is better when their starter goes out if the backup was that good he would be starting so yes you lose something when a starter goes down every team does.

Of course I know that nobody has depth at punter. It was a dumb way to say it I suppose. My point is that injuries affected us quite a bit even though our number of injuries wasn't that high. We got hit in many instances where we couldn't afford to get hit. I guess my point about the punter is that -- precisely because you can't have depth there -- that that injury is going to hurt more than at a position like RB where you might be 3 deep.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

The problem with punter is that we went with someone Read was familiar with. Nobody has two punters. The Steelers went through three or four until they found one they were comfortable with.

See my above response. Our combination of injuries as a whole was what hurt us. The absolute number wasn't that bad and the many of the individual injuries themselves weren't that bad or unusual (i.e., not having backup at punter). But put them all together and it made for a pretty wicked stew.

 

[Doomsday101]

Of course I know that nobody has depth at punter. It was a dumb way to say it I suppose. My point is that injuries affected us quite a bit even though our number of injuries wasn't that high. We got hit in many instances where we couldn't afford to get hit. I guess my point about the punter is that -- precisely because you can't have depth there -- that that injury is going to hurt more than at a position like RB where you might be 3 deep.

All I'm saying is no team has solid depth across the board and depending on which areas are getting hit by injuries goes a long way in how great of an affect it will have on a team.

 

[Alexander]

See my above response. Our combination of injuries as a whole was what hurt us. The absolute number wasn't that bad and the many of the individual injuries themselves weren't that bad or unusual (i.e., not having backup at punter). But put them all together and it made for a pretty wicked stew.

We had adequate depth at both CB and RB. The issue wasn't the injuries. It was our preparedness for them and utilizing what we did have. Plenty of teams had injuries as bad or worse. But some, like Baltimore, fought through them.

 

[WarC]

But the Cowboys being 8-8 seems optimistic, IMO.

I agree.

I believe this team goes 10-6 and possibly squeeks into the playoffs with a wild card.

8-8 is my realistic expectation.

I really just think this coaching staff is a bigger joke than the Campo administration, and I really think the players just don't care, including Romo.

*shrug*

Tough time to be a fan of this team.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

We had adequate depth at both CB and RB. The issue wasn't the injuries. It was our preparedness for them and utilizing what we did have. Plenty of teams had injuries as bad or worse. But some, like Baltimore, fought through them.

I mostly agree with this. I am definitely not arguing that injuries made the difference (as some on this board have done). I do think they made a difference.

 

[Doomsday101]

I mostly agree with this. I am definitely not arguing that injuries made the difference (as some on this board have done). I do think they made a difference.

I think injuries or missing players can make a difference. Emmitt Smith misses the 1st 2 games and Dallas loses Jimmy is almost in tears at the podium after the loss to Buffalo. Haley puts his helmet through the wall. Emmitt resigns with the Cowboys we go on a long win streak and win the SB. Missing key players can have major impact. The cliché is injuries are no excuse I have heard that my entire life but injuries can have a negative impact on a team and make winning much more difficult. This past season for Dallas was not about injuries, I think it played a part but the problems was more than injuries alone.

 

[jday]

Uh, I was referring to starters.

Just so I'm clear, are you suggesting that starter quality is impossible to find in the 2nd round?

We found starter quality last year in every round save the last one.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

:bravo:

8-8 would not surprise me at all.

Wade's a lame duck coach. We all know he's gone after this season.

Will the players play hard for Wade? or basically are they going to clip their paychecks?

In theory, with the talent we have, we SHOULD be at least a 10-6 to 12-4 team, esp if we get a solid Safety this off-season.

But that's all theoretical and on paper.

IMO, it's NOT whether we can pick up a player or two, it's really more about passion to play, pride, ambition, drive, not giving up, staying together through adversity . . . .

You know, all those "things" that money can't buy.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Talent isnt the issue, the Cowboys could easily win the Super Bowl with the roster they have right now, without making any moves in free agency and the draft.

The work ethic and desire are what is missing from this team.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Just so I'm clear, are you suggesting that starter quality is impossible to find in the 2nd round?

We found starter quality last year in every round save the last one.

As a rule, yes, starters are difficult to find in the draft.
Even those who start face a difficult learning curve.

Also, some coaches, like Parcells and the Clown Wade Phillips, take their time in starting.

For an immediate need, i say look to FA. For the long-term, building process, the draft.

That's my glory and I'm stickin' to it.