Is this a rebuilding year?

[jday]

I say: Yes it is.

But it's really tough to say for certain.

I think most agree on this board that the offense has the potential to be great, whereas the defense has alot to prove and improve one year removed from ranking dead last in the NFL. You could say something similiar about the Broncos, who lost in the Super Bowl last year. But still, they made it there. I would further say that in terms of skill positions the Cowboys have more weapons, but when it comes down to it, obviously, having Peyton Manning is a big plus on the Broncos side. But still the Cowboys were very close to beating the Broncos last year, coming within 3 point - final score Cowboys 48 Broncos 51.

So what do you think - rebuild or contender?

 

[TheFinisher]

We're not really rebuilding because we have a 34 year old QB who we're all in on financially, we're been in cap hell the last few seasons due to a win now mentality and constantly robbing peter to pay paul (although we've taken some steps this off-season to try to change that, hopefully we navigate out of it soon).

However we're also not a real contender because our defense which finished last in the NFL in 2013 is still a bottom 5 defense based on talent/on paper, and although younger/cheaper, is arguably in worse shape than it was a year ago.

So to answer your question we're neither. We're the Romo-era Cowboys, stuck in mediocrity for the time being.

 

[Doomsday101]

I say: Yes it is.

But it's really tough to say for certain.

I think most agree on this board that the offense has the potential to be great, whereas the defense has alot to prove and improve one year removed from ranking dead last in the NFL. You could say something similiar about the Broncos, who lost in the Super Bowl last year. But still, they made it there. I would further say that in terms of skill positions the Cowboys have more weapons, but when it comes down to it, obviously, having Peyton Manning is a big plus on the Broncos side. But still the Cowboys were very close to beating the Broncos last year, coming within 3 point - final score Cowboys 48 Broncos 51.

So what do you think - rebuild or contender?

I think it is rebuilding of the defense I think offense has a chance to be very good. How will the defense fair we really do not know but I do think there are reasons to think they will be better than last years defense. I fully expect Dallas to compete for the division I don't see NY, wash or Philly as head and shoulders better than Dallas.

 

[Proximo]

We've been rebuilding since Wade got canned and Garrett took over. Just look at the roster turnover. We went from one of the oldest rosters in the league to one of the youngest. We're working towards something really good in my opinion, although some find that hard to believe.

 

[Arkyvarminter]

Well, Garrett is definitely trying to rebuild this team. His coaching is suspect but he does know we need players that can play along the lines. I think Garrett and even Romo know this team is a couple years away from doing anything unless the D gels, we stay healthy, and get on a roll during Dec/Jan. ANYTHING can happen in the NFL. I say we are rebuilding compared to the majority of the league. We are getting younger in the right spots. Now we just need players than can play.........

 

[LittleD]

We've been rebuilding since Wade got canned and Garrett took over. Just look at the roster turnover. We went from one of the oldest rosters in the league to one of the youngest. We're working towards something really good in my opinion, although some find that hard to believe.

You are correct... We are rebuilding but with a dual purpose. Jones is trying to put together 1 super bowl run with Romo and he
knows he only has a short 3 year window to get it done. Just look at the turnover on the team in the last 3 years...
He rebuilt the offensive line and is now re-tooling the defense. Youth movement has been the order of the day and Jerry is just
hoping this all comes together before his franchise QB is carted out...
Nice Plan but has lots of risk IMHO...

 

[Arkyvarminter]

You are correct... We are rebuilding but with a dual purpose. Jones is trying to put together 1 super bowl run with Romo and he
knows he only has a short 3 year window to get it done. Just look at the turnover on the team in the last 3 years...
He rebuilt the offensive line and is now re-tooling the defense. Youth movement has been the order of the day and Jerry is just
hoping this all comes together before his franchise QB is carted out...
Nice Plan but has lots of risk IMHO...

No doubt in my mind Jerry would have drafted Manziel had he not given Romo all that money but that's another subject.....

 

[Silver Surfer]

A schedule that includes SEA, SF, NO, and AZ (not to mention STL, IND and CHI) in addition to their divisional games makes this look like a rebuilding year.

 

[Arkyvarminter]

A schedule that includes SEA, SF, NO, and AZ in addition to their divisional games makes this look like a rebuilding year.

Every year we play tough teams so that's not an excuse. If your good enough to make a run you win most of the tough ones...

 

[LittleD]

No doubt in my mind Jerry would have drafted Manziel had he not given Romo all that money but that's another subject.....

Yep, Jerry played it as his "Bird in hand rather than the bush" scenario and he wasn't
taking the risk that Manziel would be there when they picked. Romo got the money
and Manziel flew the coop to Cleveland, Yuk!!!

 

[Doomsday101]

You are correct... We are rebuilding but with a dual purpose. Jones is trying to put together 1 super bowl run with Romo and he
knows he only has a short 3 year window to get it done. Just look at the turnover on the team in the last 3 years...
He rebuilt the offensive line and is now re-tooling the defense. Youth movement has been the order of the day and Jerry is just
hoping this all comes together before his franchise QB is carted out...
Nice Plan but has lots of risk IMHO...

In some way what was done with the pats by the time the team was build Bledose was on the tail end and Brady was about to take over.

 

[LittleD]

In some way what was done with the pats by the time the team was build Bledose was on the tail end and Brady was about to take over.

I agree...I suspect that replacement for Romo is now just a couple of seasons away, we just don't know who it is yet...

 

[jazzcat22]

Kind of both. Rebuilding with a win now to contend attitude.
Defense rebuilding, no way to say it isn't.
Offense been rebuilt but around Romo & Witten, but Witten's replacement may be in place in Escobar, but Romo still has a lot left, so we are told. But I think he does too. Even though in the next 2 years they need to find the future QB. OL & WR's, rebuilt, working on RB, as Murray still needs a 16 game full season.

They made the move to rebuilding the DL this year, but LB's, S's, CB's still a work in progress, unless some of these guys step up and show us something this year.

 

[Silver Surfer]

.... If your good enough to make a run you win most of the tough ones...

And that's why I consider this a rebuilding year.

 

[Doc50]

Rebuilding the d, fine-tuning the O.

 

[cowboyblue22]

other than qb and te they have been rebuilding for three years now they are almost done

 

[jday]

I think it is rebuilding of the defense I think offense has a chance to be very good. How will the defense fair we really do not know but I do think there are reasons to think they will be better than last years defense. I fully expect Dallas to compete for the division I don't see NY, wash or Philly as head and shoulders better than Dallas.

Not trying to be smart, but I'm curious - what reasons are there to think the defense could be better? I do agree that the offense has a chance to be great, but the defense is one big question mark.

 

[jday]

We've been rebuilding since Wade got canned and Garrett took over. Just look at the roster turnover. We went from one of the oldest rosters in the league to one of the youngest. We're working towards something really good in my opinion, although some find that hard to believe.

I do like the direction of the team, I'm not sure I like their chances at this point.

 

[TwoDeep3]

It feels like this reclamation of the Cowboys started about an hour after they placed the capstone on top of the Great Pyramid of Giza.

 

[Future]

A schedule that includes SEA, SF, NO, and AZ (not to mention STL, IND and CHI) in addition to their divisional games makes this look like a rebuilding year.

If Dallas really considers themselves underdogs to the likes of AZ, STL, and Indy, to the point of worrying about whether or not they can be contenders, then they might as well pack up and go home now.

This is not nearly as hard of a schedule as Cowboys fans are pumping it up to be.