Impressive group of rookies

[rambo2]

If the league is totally different then why is it that, to this day, half of what I see on TV during an NFL game was invented by Tom Landry?

That includes passing from the shotgun, the 4-3 defense. offensive pre-snap motion, and even scouting opponent teams. Tom Landry invented the coaching position called Quality Control. It was basically his job to scout the opponents and report on tendencies, roster changes, injuries, etc.

For 20 consecutive seasons the Dallas Cowboys had a winning record. They went to five Super Bowls and won two.

I'm not trying to justify Tom Landry's significance; I absolutely don't have to do that. I'm explaining why the Cowboys had a dry spell in the 80's when it came to drafting.

Twenty consecutive winning seasons means drafting in the lowest quarter of each round for 20 years.

Five SB's means that 5 of 20 or 25% of the time the Cowboys had the last or next to last pick in each round of the draft.

It's true that Landry is dead as you put it. However, he is remembered but not remembered enough by those that would try to imitate his achievements. They look at the results without paying attention to his methods.

I know one coach in this league that didn't. Bill Belicek was a great admirer of Tom Landry to the point where he incorporates a lot of Landry's philosophy and methods. It seems to have worked out well for him.

Salary cap and free agency. You can't hold players hostage and control them.

 

[plasticman]

W

Salary cap and free agency. You can't hold players hostage and control them.

What did that have to do with Tom Landry?

That doesn't distinguish the Cowboys from the other NFL teams. That wasn't an advantage unique to them

Every team played under the same system back then just as they all play under the present system

 

[plymkr]

Smith, Williams, Tolbert, Ferguson, Bland, Turpin, Bell, Houston,Hendershot, and Malik Davis. Who are you most impressed with? This is an outstanding group.

Right now I'm pretty excited about Smith, Williams, Bland and Turpin. I'm looking forward to seeing Tolbert is real game action. But I'm encouraged that we seem to have a rookie class that can contribute for several years at a high level. That can redefine the whole organization.

 

[CowboyoWales]

IMO, it’s way too early to know much about these guys because training camp and ps games are not good indicators of real NFL action. History says only 2-3 of these guys will see lots of meaningful downs this year. Tyler Smith, Tolbert and Ferguson will play a lot. Those other guys probably more STs and occasional situations. Turpin has a chance to make some big ST plays.

I’m in agreement that there’s talent and potential there but until they face real game action, I don’t know how we can proclaim them more than having lots of potential. As the great Darrell Royal used to say, “Potential means you ain’t done it yet.”

Correct, but we can some match-ups that we can take certain positives from , like Sam Williams vrs Charles Cross.

 

[Risen Star]

Right now I'm pretty excited about Smith, Williams, Bland and Turpin. I'm looking forward to seeing Tolbert is real game action. But I'm encouraged that we seem to have a rookie class that can contribute for several years at a high level. That can redefine the whole organization.

We have a rookie class that can redefine the whole organization.