Is this a rebuilding year?

[CF74]

I say: Yes it is.
So what do you think - rebuild or contender?

We've been rebuilding for the past 3 years or so...

 

[daveferr33]

this past offseason was, I believe, a departure from that old song and dance.

I can see that. And I respect that opinion. I need to see a little more to believe that. I can't tell if that perceived departure from the old song and dance is merely a FO reacting to a bad cap situation or not. I need a little more evidence.

However, if they play hardball with Dez (which they are in a position to do) then I may believe that there are indeed winds of change blowing through the ranch.

 

[DFWJC]

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'd say the Cowboys are still building the defense but are very far along is rebuilding the Oline. So better than a basic rebuild...but certainly not a SB contender .

Most people would strongly disagree with you that the Cowboys have more weapons than Broncos. They are preposterously loaded at WR, and TE...RB looks good too.

 

[AsthmaField]

In large part, the last few seasons have been rebuilding years.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

With a playoff appearance you might be setting your sights a little bit high. I'm really trying to keep my expectations tempered as much as possible, so this year I am all about simply enjoying the ride whatever this team brings.

That's basically what I mean, best possible outcome would be a simple appearance,,, and thats iffy. Simple improvements and some indication the coaching staff is worthy and I'm happy.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

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?

Well..NOOO...we could rebuild this team with two Vet signings, Labron James and Carmelo Anthony.

 

[waving monkey]

We've been rebuilding for the past 3 years or so...

I agree we have been rebuilding for three years and you don't have to draft a new QB to rebuild

 

[ATurkishSeaOtter]

Last season the Cowboys pull above .500 with a solid football win vs. the Rams. Response was that the Rams sucked and nothing good the cowboys did should be taken Into consideration. The team didn't have a prayer after being inches out by the chiefs who couldn't be any better than their record last year. The season started we lost to the chiefs! We should have beat the chiefs!

A few yards here, a first down there and a defensive stop made by that rookie guy we should have drafted stupid Jerry! Oh you think your team is better? Yeah you lost but did you see week 2? When the boys lost but should have won? Yeah your team lost and bad! oh you won? Well did you see them last year? They played soft vs you...and bound to lose and..how many superbowls does your team have again..0? Hahahah we're better some franchises have NO class! Unlike us Cowboys fans! Say no to number 1 picks and yes to number 1 fans. Sure our first 2 picks busted but the value we got in the 4th and prospects in the 7th shows once Jerry lets someone else....

Is it preseason yet? Anyone think Thompson would have been elite kr specialist if given more chances? Too bad parcels ruined jujo remember that game one time where he played well against the bears! Could have used him last year to wear down that d-line!

 

[Aliencowboy]

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?

Why not? The last two have been.

 

[Fredd]

IMO, the rebuild started as soon as Garrett was brought in...they focused on CB first and now OL (and offense in general)...the offense should be pretty good this year...tony has a few years left in him, but stacking the OL first not only helps Tony, but when it comes time to bring in a rookie after tony retires, then the OL will be established and be able to help any new QB...

rebuild? yes, for several years now...but, they did it while staying in contention...if the D can stay healthy and the O can put up points and control the clock, then this is a playoff team, and once you are in the playoffs, the hottest teams often rise to the top....I am hopeful for this season....the rebuild will continue on defense next year

 

[Bullflop]

The Cowboys organization is extremely sensitive about using the term "rebuilding," even if it's something reasonably close to suggesting just that. It's a term that implies not having playoff aspirations and that's something that Jerry Jones and Co. don't care to consider suggesting to a demanding Texas public.

The terms reloading, refurbishing and even restructuring seems to bear far greater appeal within the confines of Valley Ranch these days. Of course, whenever Romo sees fit to retire, the organization would most likely be afforded far greater patience and understanding with the word "rebuilding" entering the picture.

 

[jday]

I can see that. And I respect that opinion. I need to see a little more to believe that. I can't tell if that perceived departure from the old song and dance is merely a FO reacting to a bad cap situation or not. I need a little more evidence.

However, if they play hardball with Dez (which they are in a position to do) then I may believe that there are indeed winds of change blowing through the ranch.

I can certainly understand that. But the part of me that thinks it's not just the cap is the fact that they did even attempt to negotiate with Ware and Hatcher; if my memory serves correctly they both were allowed to walk without even seeing a bargain basement deal.

 

[jday]

I'd say the Cowboys are still building the defense but are very far along is rebuilding the Oline. So better than a basic rebuild...but certainly not a SB contender .

Most people would strongly disagree with you that the Cowboys have more weapons than Broncos. They are preposterously loaded at WR, and TE...RB looks good too.

But when stacked against the Cowboys WR/RB/TE the edge may only be at WR simply because they have both Wes Welker and Demarius Thomas, whereas behind Dez is still largely unproven...and that's a slight edge because in one on one comparisons neither one is Dez Bryant. The big difference is at QB. No offense to Romo, but Manning is one of the best of all time and he will simply make your weapons better with his ability...he is the definition of "Coach on the field."

 

[jday]

The Cowboys organization is extremely sensitive about using the term "rebuilding," even if it's something reasonably close to suggesting just that. It's a term that implies not having playoff aspirations and that's something that Jerry Jones and Co. don't care to consider suggesting to a demanding Texas public.

The terms reloading, refurbishing and even restructuring seems to bear far greater appeal within the confines of Valley Ranch these days. Of course, whenever Romo sees fit to retire, the organization would most likely be afforded far greater patience and understanding with the word "rebuilding" entering the picture.

I think we can contend in the East because the East sucks.

As for as getting to the SuperBowl, I don't think we are on Seattle's level. The are clearly better than us at almost every position, especially on defense. Most of our defensive starters would be backups in Seattle, that's just reality.

So yes, we can win the East and make the playoffs but we are not going to the SuperBowl unless Seattle loses about half of their roster to injury.

I'm not so certain about the East sucking this year. From 1 year to the next the East swings from one extreme to the other. My personal pick for a team that will give the Cowboys problems is the Commanders. I honestly think RGIII will return to form and if that happens, they could very well be the team to beat in the NFC. Many pick the Eagles to win the East but I'm not sold on them. And you can never rule out the Giants, even though on paper they still look like bottom-feeders. The last thing to consider, is for some reason these teams always give the Cowboys problems, regardless of how well they do against other teams.

 

[jday]

Just 2 years ago the Saints had the worse defense in the entire NFL history. As bad as we were last year not even we were able to reach the bottom of the pit as hard as they did. And yet the following year they turned around and had a top 10 defense. Not comparing our two franchises but the point is that it has happened very recently an example of an extreme turn around so I have not given up hope on this season and my expectations are playoffs.

The Saints defense turnaround, in my opinion, was as result of two things: 1. Rob Ryan breathed new life in a defense that had become stagnant since bounty-gate. 2. Drew Brees - when you have a QB that can keep the defense off the field, one they can stay relatively fresh, two, that's less time for them to be exposed, and, finally, three, Drew Brees, in many cases, was able to put teams behind which meant it made opposing offenses become one-dimensional in an attempt to catch up or keep pace, which makes playing defense much easier.

Having said that, Marinelli, with complete control of the reigns, very well could do the same thing. My only issue is that darned injury bug that has plagued this team for the last several seasons. And as you know, the injury bug in particular tends to hit guys with a history of injury, which unfortunately we have alot of on both sides of the ball in starting positions. I respect your stance, but I'm simply not interested in setting myself up for dissappointment. I take it way to hard and my family can't bare to be around me when that happens.

 

[jday]

I'd say the Cowboys are still building the defense but are very far along is rebuilding the Oline. So better than a basic rebuild...but certainly not a SB contender .

Most people would strongly disagree with you that the Cowboys have more weapons than Broncos. They are preposterously loaded at WR, and TE...RB looks good too.

So there basically the Baby Bear Cowboys, right?

 

[cowboy_ron]

Define rebuilding

 

[jday]

Define rebuilding

My definition of rebuilding is a team acknowledging that it is not a contender in the upcoming season and therefore makes moves that doesn't necessarily set them up for immediate success, but may lead to success in subsequent seasons. Now consider the evidence: They let Hatcher and Ware walk, arguably our two best defensive lineman. In Free Agency, they handed out cost effective contracts only that basically forces the player to earn their right to play for the team next season. And, finally, their allowing a combination of no-name players and players who once had a name, compete for most of the starting positions on defense, to see what cream rises to the top.

The reason I find it difficult to say rebuild for certain is 1. With a healthy Romo, this offense could be awesome, in my opinion. 2. What will be the Marinelli effect? Is he everything we've been told - a coach who squeezes every ounce of greatness he can out of his individual players? 3. Any given Sunday...a team of average talent can get hot at the right time and take it to the Championship.

The reason I find it difficult to abandon the thought that this is rebuild year is I really don't want to allow my hopes to exceed mediocrity for this team.

 

[cowboy_ron]

My definition of rebuilding is a team acknowledging that it is not a contender in the upcoming season and therefore makes moves that doesn't necessarily set them up for immediate success, but may lead to success in subsequent seasons. Now consider the evidence: They let Hatcher and Ware walk, arguably our two best defensive lineman. In Free Agency, they handed out cost effective contracts only that basically forces the player to earn their right to play for the team next season. And, finally, their allowing a combination of no-name players and players who once had a name, compete for most of the starting positions on defense, to see what cream rises to the top.

The reason I find it difficult to say rebuild for certain is 1. With a healthy Romo, this offense could be awesome, in my opinion. 2. What will be the Marinelli effect? Is he everything we've been told - a coach who squeezes every ounce of greatness he can out of his individual players? 3. Any given Sunday...a team of average talent can get hot at the right time and take it to the Championship.
IMO, rebuilding is like what we did in the 90's where pretty much you churn the entire roster through FA, draft and back then there was plan B FA as well....building through the draft and a spot FA here and there is not rebuilding...we had to churn the dumpsters last year due to a massive amount of injuries
The reason I find it difficult to abandon the thought that this is rebuild year is I really don't want to allow my hopes to exceed mediocrity for this team.

 

[Alexander]

It would be if there were a dominant team in the division. Dallas is keeping pace with that standard. The other teams are in the same boat.