jday
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Don't me wrong, I've posted comments here and there throughout the offseason, but I haven't submitted any threads of substance for quite some time. Bit's and pieces of the following, you may have already read in a few of my contributions. But it all leads to one big question: What the hell are these sport's analyst thinking? The Cowboy's will go 8-8 or worse and finish in 3rd place in the NFCE? What?
The Cowboys went 9 and 7 last year. That, I believe is where their collective rational begins. Then it migrates over to the loss of T.O. and his production, Romo's inability to win the big game, Wade's lack of success in the post-season, the list of other free agents and releases (Canty, Roy Williams (SS), Zach Thomas, Kevin Burnett, Anthony Henry, Tank Johnson, Pacman, Greg Ellis), and all the big names our interdivisional foes were able to nab in free agency and in the draft, versus are list of "nobodies."
What they ignore is the long list of injuries that led to that 9 and 7 record, the ability to replace T.O. by merit of a viable committee, the servicable, if not solid, replacements we found to man the holes created by free agency and releases, the long list of QB's throughout history whose first several years where marred by a lack of success in the post-season, and the interesting dynamic that has been created by the overall attitude left now that the smoke has cleared (gasps for air).
Let me explain.
From the very beginning of last year, starting pre-season, the Cowboy's had a new list of injuries every week. It got to the point where most of us dreaded Monday or Tuesday because that was when we got to find out who wouldn't be with the team the next Sunday. (DEEP BREATH) Tony Romo, both Roy Williams, Terence Newman, Kyle Kosier, Montrae Holland, Miles Austin, Sam Hurd, Isaiah Stanback, Anthony Spencer, Ken Hamlin, Patrick Watkins, Keith Davis, Flozell Adams, Leonard Davis, Felix Jones, Jason Witten, Marion Barber, Courtney Brown, Ken Hamlin, Matt McBriar, etc. etc. etc - they all experienced injuries and either missed significant playing time or played at less than a 100% at various times throughout the season. Those injuries don't happen, the Cowboy's go deep into the play-offs. Period. There is not an analyst in the world who could convince me otherwise.
The argument that the yards T.O. would likely have produced as being lost as result of his release doesn't quite make sense to me. Do we truly need one player to come in and feel that gap in order to be considered a dangerous team? Granted, I get the concept of one player drawing the attention of the opposing defense to open up holes for other offensive weapons. But, this team still has weapons who can take it to the house from any point in the field.
The Cowboys have one of the best, if not the best trio of backs in the league with Barber, Felix, and Choice. All three could likely start for most teams in the league, save maybe Felix, who still hasn't proven he can stay healthy and can be an every down back...but I digress.
Not to be debated, the Cowboys have the best duo tandem at TE. No question in my mind there. Jason Witten is the best all-around TE in the league and Martellus Bennett has improved his blocking, with already being a very fast and reliable receiver for a TE. Combine that with their size (Witten 6'5" 262 and Bennett 6'6" 265), and they are the most physically imposing threat in the passing game and blocking game in the league.
The Cowboy's obviously have question marks at WR, but there is potential for greatness. And when you have the firepower the Cowboys have at RB and TE, this aspect of the game becomes far less important. The Eagles have experienced quite a bit of success, putting the offense on the back of Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook for the last several years with no-name receivers. What makes these analyst so confident that the Cowboys can't do the same with a much better situation, all things considered?
If the Cowboy's Offensive Line can stay healthy, they can dominate the stingiest of defenses.
On defense, the Cowboys have the best OLB in the league with Demarcus Ware. They have the most technically sound Strong Side Inside Linebacker in the league with Bradie James; he has also led the team in tackles for the last three years in a row. Terence Newman, when healthy, can nullify the WR threat of any team in the league. Ratliff is a freak of nature. Marcus Spears, while unspectacular, has been solid. Ken Hamlin has received quite a bit of criticism for his contribution last year, sighting, in particular, the two missed tackles that led to two touchdowns in a row for Baltimore and a victory for what ended up being the last game at Texas Stadium. Those mistakes aside, the other aspect of Hamlin's game to consider is he was the QB of the defense surrounded by a lot of inexperience as a result of injuries for the vast majority of the season. Therefore, one could surmise that he had to spend more time ensuring the youngens where eyeing the right assignments, which led to less time spent eyeing what the offense was doing. It's just a thought, but there could be some truth to that...
Igor Olshansky misses Canty's career average by 1.2 total tackles, 2.3 solo tackles and .3 sacks. So we shouldn't see too much drop off in contribution on the other side of the line and he has experience in Wade's 3-4, which is huge. A player converting from the 4-3 or (gulp) a rookie would likely be a disaster waiting to happen, especially on Ware's beloved weak-side.
Zach Thomas may be the big name by comparison to Keith Brooking, but Keith is more ideal for the Cowboys considering his size (Keith 6'2" 241 vs. Zach 5'11" 242), his familiarity with Wade's 3-4, and his age (Keith 33 vs. Zach 35). We also picked up Jason Williams and Stephen Hodge in the draft and still have Bobby Carpenter, who despite his bust label, hasn't really received much of an opportunity to shine over the last several years.
What I'm predicting to be the Cowboys best acquisition, and the individual I have termed as the x-factor by merit of design, and not so much the players overall ability, is Gerald Sensabaugh. In past season's, Wade's strategy has been somewhat hamstringed by the fact that he has had to hide Roy Williams (SS) deficiencies in coverage. Wade couldn't blitz from the different angles he would like. Wade couldn't play man coverage like he likes (see the 10 to 15 yard gaps the CB's would give receivers throughout last season...yeah, that was because of a certain Roy Williams).
Wade has already gushed about the range and ability to move from sideline to sideline that Sensabaugh brings to the team. And I believe there is a very big reason he's excited. QUICK Poll - has anyone in the history of Wade coaching the Cowboy's seen Wade gush about one particular player? I haven't! He's excited because he know's he can finally implement the Wade 3-4 the way it is meant to be played. See San Diego in 2006. Top 10 in just about every catagory. But the very telling statistic is Sacks (1st with 61 for the year). And, personally, I think the Cowboy's have a better defense now than San Diego did in 06; but that is just my opinion. I also expect quite a few more turnovers as a result. Sensabauch might not be considered the bright spot of the defense by season's end, but by comparison to what they could do last season in terms of mixing up coverages and blitzes, Sensabaugh adds a very important element to this team.
The Cowboys, regardless of what anybody thinks, has a top-tier QB. Period. I won't rehash the stats to prove it, a simple comparison of his career stats versus any QB in the league should more than convince anyone who cares to look. Just know, I have done the research, and I know for a fact that he is good. Granted, his December #'s aren't pretty. But this, I believe is a reflection of the entire team's play in December, not just one player. And since there has been a plethora of QB's throughout history who have experienced slow Decembers, such as Terry Bradshaw, Troy Aikman, and Peyton Manning, just to name a few, I don't lend credence to the idea that this so-called inability to win the big game is a true issue that will plague Romo throughout his career. I just don't.
T.O. is gone. Tank is gone. Pacman is gone. Ellis is gone. The self-proclaimed mouth-pieces for the organization have left the building. Does anybody feel a new attitude being born from these losses? A renewed strength, despite the lack of overall experience and talent? Does anybody see the weight that has been lifted off the collective of this team and coaching staff?
Over the years, we have seen what the state of being hungry to prove worth has done to players. See Hamlin in 2007. See Ratliff over the last few years, after being drafted late. See Scandrick from last year. Heck, take a look at Romo who went undrafted. Granted, for every player I've mentioned, there have been players who didn't answer the call...who were happy with mediocrity and collecting a game check for being just good enough. But with that approach, comes a different attitude from the one that seems to be emanating from Valley Ranch. The 12 players drafted has created a situation where few positions are safe behind the starters. And even the starters have something to prove, even if they are already penciled in on the final 53.
Romo has to prove he can lead this team into the play offs and beyond. Barber has to prove he can carry the load, despite not really needing to with our trio of backs. Felix wants to prove he can stay healthy. Choice wants to prove last years explosion at the end of the season wasn't a fluke. Roy Williams has to prove he can be a #1 WR option. Crayton, Austin, Hurd, and Stanback definitely have to prove something - that they can stay healthy, that they can be counted on to catch the ball, that they can create separation from opposing team's DB and get open. Our OL has to prove they can dominate considering their performance last year. Demarcus Ware likely still has his eye on that Sack record and his ability to stop the run has been questioned (though I strongly disagree). Bradie James and Ratliff our in the same boat as players drafted late who will likely always feel a need to prove they we're better than their perspective draft grades. Scandrick and Jenkins are gunning to prove they belong in the #2 spot across from Newman. Newman wants to prove he can stay healthy, having missed significant time in the last two seasons. Marcus Spears is in a contract year, if anything he want's to prove he's worthy of the big contract, even if it means going to another team to get it. Igor Olshansky likely wants to prove he can aptly replace Canty. Hamlin wants to prove he is ever-bit as good as his contract price indicates. Sensabaugh wants to prove he deserves an extension, considering his one year contract. Deon Anderson wants to prove he belongs, having two other FB on the current roster.
In the coaching staff, Jason Garrett want's to reclaim the Offensive genius label he got in 07. Wade Phillips likely wants to keep his job as Head Coach, considering he won't be offered the HC position elsewhere ever again should he fail to see this team into the play offs. And as a team, our Cowboy's want to prove they are better than the 9-7 record they posted last year.
Everybody, in one way or the other, has something to prove. And I know this has been discussed ad nauseum, but I don't see this dynamic being as prevalent with other teams in the league as it is with the Cowboys. I realize my faith in the Cowboy's ability to be successful next year is founded on quite a bit of speculation, but so is the lack of faith the Cowboys are getting from the experts.
The Cowboys went 9 and 7 last year. That, I believe is where their collective rational begins. Then it migrates over to the loss of T.O. and his production, Romo's inability to win the big game, Wade's lack of success in the post-season, the list of other free agents and releases (Canty, Roy Williams (SS), Zach Thomas, Kevin Burnett, Anthony Henry, Tank Johnson, Pacman, Greg Ellis), and all the big names our interdivisional foes were able to nab in free agency and in the draft, versus are list of "nobodies."
What they ignore is the long list of injuries that led to that 9 and 7 record, the ability to replace T.O. by merit of a viable committee, the servicable, if not solid, replacements we found to man the holes created by free agency and releases, the long list of QB's throughout history whose first several years where marred by a lack of success in the post-season, and the interesting dynamic that has been created by the overall attitude left now that the smoke has cleared (gasps for air).
Let me explain.
From the very beginning of last year, starting pre-season, the Cowboy's had a new list of injuries every week. It got to the point where most of us dreaded Monday or Tuesday because that was when we got to find out who wouldn't be with the team the next Sunday. (DEEP BREATH) Tony Romo, both Roy Williams, Terence Newman, Kyle Kosier, Montrae Holland, Miles Austin, Sam Hurd, Isaiah Stanback, Anthony Spencer, Ken Hamlin, Patrick Watkins, Keith Davis, Flozell Adams, Leonard Davis, Felix Jones, Jason Witten, Marion Barber, Courtney Brown, Ken Hamlin, Matt McBriar, etc. etc. etc - they all experienced injuries and either missed significant playing time or played at less than a 100% at various times throughout the season. Those injuries don't happen, the Cowboy's go deep into the play-offs. Period. There is not an analyst in the world who could convince me otherwise.
The argument that the yards T.O. would likely have produced as being lost as result of his release doesn't quite make sense to me. Do we truly need one player to come in and feel that gap in order to be considered a dangerous team? Granted, I get the concept of one player drawing the attention of the opposing defense to open up holes for other offensive weapons. But, this team still has weapons who can take it to the house from any point in the field.
The Cowboys have one of the best, if not the best trio of backs in the league with Barber, Felix, and Choice. All three could likely start for most teams in the league, save maybe Felix, who still hasn't proven he can stay healthy and can be an every down back...but I digress.
Not to be debated, the Cowboys have the best duo tandem at TE. No question in my mind there. Jason Witten is the best all-around TE in the league and Martellus Bennett has improved his blocking, with already being a very fast and reliable receiver for a TE. Combine that with their size (Witten 6'5" 262 and Bennett 6'6" 265), and they are the most physically imposing threat in the passing game and blocking game in the league.
The Cowboy's obviously have question marks at WR, but there is potential for greatness. And when you have the firepower the Cowboys have at RB and TE, this aspect of the game becomes far less important. The Eagles have experienced quite a bit of success, putting the offense on the back of Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook for the last several years with no-name receivers. What makes these analyst so confident that the Cowboys can't do the same with a much better situation, all things considered?
If the Cowboy's Offensive Line can stay healthy, they can dominate the stingiest of defenses.
On defense, the Cowboys have the best OLB in the league with Demarcus Ware. They have the most technically sound Strong Side Inside Linebacker in the league with Bradie James; he has also led the team in tackles for the last three years in a row. Terence Newman, when healthy, can nullify the WR threat of any team in the league. Ratliff is a freak of nature. Marcus Spears, while unspectacular, has been solid. Ken Hamlin has received quite a bit of criticism for his contribution last year, sighting, in particular, the two missed tackles that led to two touchdowns in a row for Baltimore and a victory for what ended up being the last game at Texas Stadium. Those mistakes aside, the other aspect of Hamlin's game to consider is he was the QB of the defense surrounded by a lot of inexperience as a result of injuries for the vast majority of the season. Therefore, one could surmise that he had to spend more time ensuring the youngens where eyeing the right assignments, which led to less time spent eyeing what the offense was doing. It's just a thought, but there could be some truth to that...
Igor Olshansky misses Canty's career average by 1.2 total tackles, 2.3 solo tackles and .3 sacks. So we shouldn't see too much drop off in contribution on the other side of the line and he has experience in Wade's 3-4, which is huge. A player converting from the 4-3 or (gulp) a rookie would likely be a disaster waiting to happen, especially on Ware's beloved weak-side.
Zach Thomas may be the big name by comparison to Keith Brooking, but Keith is more ideal for the Cowboys considering his size (Keith 6'2" 241 vs. Zach 5'11" 242), his familiarity with Wade's 3-4, and his age (Keith 33 vs. Zach 35). We also picked up Jason Williams and Stephen Hodge in the draft and still have Bobby Carpenter, who despite his bust label, hasn't really received much of an opportunity to shine over the last several years.
What I'm predicting to be the Cowboys best acquisition, and the individual I have termed as the x-factor by merit of design, and not so much the players overall ability, is Gerald Sensabaugh. In past season's, Wade's strategy has been somewhat hamstringed by the fact that he has had to hide Roy Williams (SS) deficiencies in coverage. Wade couldn't blitz from the different angles he would like. Wade couldn't play man coverage like he likes (see the 10 to 15 yard gaps the CB's would give receivers throughout last season...yeah, that was because of a certain Roy Williams).
Wade has already gushed about the range and ability to move from sideline to sideline that Sensabaugh brings to the team. And I believe there is a very big reason he's excited. QUICK Poll - has anyone in the history of Wade coaching the Cowboy's seen Wade gush about one particular player? I haven't! He's excited because he know's he can finally implement the Wade 3-4 the way it is meant to be played. See San Diego in 2006. Top 10 in just about every catagory. But the very telling statistic is Sacks (1st with 61 for the year). And, personally, I think the Cowboy's have a better defense now than San Diego did in 06; but that is just my opinion. I also expect quite a few more turnovers as a result. Sensabauch might not be considered the bright spot of the defense by season's end, but by comparison to what they could do last season in terms of mixing up coverages and blitzes, Sensabaugh adds a very important element to this team.
The Cowboys, regardless of what anybody thinks, has a top-tier QB. Period. I won't rehash the stats to prove it, a simple comparison of his career stats versus any QB in the league should more than convince anyone who cares to look. Just know, I have done the research, and I know for a fact that he is good. Granted, his December #'s aren't pretty. But this, I believe is a reflection of the entire team's play in December, not just one player. And since there has been a plethora of QB's throughout history who have experienced slow Decembers, such as Terry Bradshaw, Troy Aikman, and Peyton Manning, just to name a few, I don't lend credence to the idea that this so-called inability to win the big game is a true issue that will plague Romo throughout his career. I just don't.
T.O. is gone. Tank is gone. Pacman is gone. Ellis is gone. The self-proclaimed mouth-pieces for the organization have left the building. Does anybody feel a new attitude being born from these losses? A renewed strength, despite the lack of overall experience and talent? Does anybody see the weight that has been lifted off the collective of this team and coaching staff?
Over the years, we have seen what the state of being hungry to prove worth has done to players. See Hamlin in 2007. See Ratliff over the last few years, after being drafted late. See Scandrick from last year. Heck, take a look at Romo who went undrafted. Granted, for every player I've mentioned, there have been players who didn't answer the call...who were happy with mediocrity and collecting a game check for being just good enough. But with that approach, comes a different attitude from the one that seems to be emanating from Valley Ranch. The 12 players drafted has created a situation where few positions are safe behind the starters. And even the starters have something to prove, even if they are already penciled in on the final 53.
Romo has to prove he can lead this team into the play offs and beyond. Barber has to prove he can carry the load, despite not really needing to with our trio of backs. Felix wants to prove he can stay healthy. Choice wants to prove last years explosion at the end of the season wasn't a fluke. Roy Williams has to prove he can be a #1 WR option. Crayton, Austin, Hurd, and Stanback definitely have to prove something - that they can stay healthy, that they can be counted on to catch the ball, that they can create separation from opposing team's DB and get open. Our OL has to prove they can dominate considering their performance last year. Demarcus Ware likely still has his eye on that Sack record and his ability to stop the run has been questioned (though I strongly disagree). Bradie James and Ratliff our in the same boat as players drafted late who will likely always feel a need to prove they we're better than their perspective draft grades. Scandrick and Jenkins are gunning to prove they belong in the #2 spot across from Newman. Newman wants to prove he can stay healthy, having missed significant time in the last two seasons. Marcus Spears is in a contract year, if anything he want's to prove he's worthy of the big contract, even if it means going to another team to get it. Igor Olshansky likely wants to prove he can aptly replace Canty. Hamlin wants to prove he is ever-bit as good as his contract price indicates. Sensabaugh wants to prove he deserves an extension, considering his one year contract. Deon Anderson wants to prove he belongs, having two other FB on the current roster.
In the coaching staff, Jason Garrett want's to reclaim the Offensive genius label he got in 07. Wade Phillips likely wants to keep his job as Head Coach, considering he won't be offered the HC position elsewhere ever again should he fail to see this team into the play offs. And as a team, our Cowboy's want to prove they are better than the 9-7 record they posted last year.
Everybody, in one way or the other, has something to prove. And I know this has been discussed ad nauseum, but I don't see this dynamic being as prevalent with other teams in the league as it is with the Cowboys. I realize my faith in the Cowboy's ability to be successful next year is founded on quite a bit of speculation, but so is the lack of faith the Cowboys are getting from the experts.
