Is This Team Much Different Than Last Year?

[T-RO]

It's easy to look at the standings and conclude that the 2017 (2-3) Cowboys edition isn't nearly as good as the 2016 edition (13-3).

Is that true? I will argue here that there has a small decline, but not a great difference. LG, RT and MLB are the only spots where I really see decline.

Consider some of our wins last year:
-A last second miracle against Pittsburgh despite the fact we couldn't stop their offense.

-A win over the Vikings where they were missing about a third of their starters and where we were outgained. Dak had a QB rating of 51.

-A win against the Eagles where we'd been down 20-10 before punter Chris Jones sprinted for 30 on 4th down. We were on our own 27 yard line facing 4th and 8!

-A win against a Bears team that was decimated w/injury and relying on backup QB

-Win over hapless Cleveland

-Two nail-biter wins against Skins

-We were down 14 in SF

The margin separating success and failure in the NFL is often razor thin. I'm not as discouraged as some fans. We have a few poignant holes and we'll get them addressed...either during this season...or in the offseason.

I think the longterm outlook for the team is positive.

 

[Redball Express]

It's easy to look at the standings and conclude that the 2017 (2-3) Cowboys edition isn't nearly as good as the 2016 edition (13-3).

Is that true? I will argue here that there has a small decline, but not a great difference. LG, RT and MLB are the only spots where I really see decline.

Consider some of our wins last year:
-A last second miracle against Pittsburgh despite the fact we couldn't stop their offense.

-A win over the Vikings where they were missing about a third of their starters and where we were outgained. Dak had a QB rating of 51.

-A win against the Eagles where we'd been down 20-10 before punter Chris Jones sprinted for 30 on 4th down. We were on our own 27 yard line facing 4th and 8!

-A win against a Bears team that was decimated w/injury and relying on backup QB

-Win over hapless Cleveland

-Two nail-biter wins against Skins

-We were down 14 in SF

The margin separating success and failure in the NFL is often razor thin. I'm not as discouraged as some fans. We have a few poignant holes and we'll get them addressed...either during this season...or in the offseason.

I think the longterm outlook for the team is positive.

It would seem we are diminished from last year.

Plus our competition Philly..

has improved.

We all know that seasons hinge on injuries, good ref calls and luck.

We had all that last year

Not this year so far.

 

[percyhoward]

In its last two games, the Dallas defense has faced 18 opponent drives and allowed a score on 14 of them (78%).

The NFL average is 36%

 

[bark]

In its last two games, the Dallas defense has faced 18 opponent drives and allowed a score on 14 of them (78%).

The NFL average is 36%

So you are saying we got a chance huh ?

 

[T-RO]

In its last two games, the Dallas defense has faced 18 opponent drives and allowed a score on 14 of them (78%).

The NFL average is 36%

Yes. Lee's been hurt. He didn't miss time last season.

We enjoyed tremendously good health last season. Dez might have been out a few games but some argue that improved the team. What key starters missed extensive time?

If we can get Lee healthy and Hitch revved up...see Awuzie's hamstring settle down...the D can be much better. Keep Jaylon off the field. It still won't be a top ten defense...but it can be average.

As I argued a few weeks ago....and Bob Sturm drove home this week...90% of the defense's problems lie at linebacker. Hitchens was rushed back and needs to get game on. Lee will bring it and bring the glue the defense needs. I'd like them to draft another LB or two, but we might get things to a serviceable level on D this season. Gotta hurry!

 

[Doomsay]

Lol. We got lucky with some new toys last regular season and we gave up our gifted personnel advantages and never adjusted, from January on.

 

[T-RO]

Two other ways this defense adjust and improves is:
More of Xavier
Less of Taco

The coaches will likely move in this direction.

<Man I wanted Watt on draft day, sigh>

 

[WillieBeamen]

Easier Schedule last year

 

[pitt33]

In its last two games, the Dallas defense has faced 18 opponent drives and allowed a score on 14 of them (78%).

The NFL average is 36%

Yikes

This is not good my friends

 

[kiheikiwi]

Two other ways this defense adjust and improves is:
More of Xavier
Less of Taco

The coaches will likely move in this direction.

<Man I wanted Watt on draft day, sigh>

Xavier is the backup FS to Jones. Its Heath that needs to be replaced, Kavon Frazier is the SS backup. Good size, but not sure he has the talent to be a starter in his second year.
Taco, I'm not sure what we do there ...

 

[big dog cowboy]

It's easy to look at the standings and conclude that the 2017 (2-3) Cowboys edition isn't nearly as good as the 2016 edition (13-3).

Is that true? I will argue here that there has a small decline, but not a great difference. LG, RT and MLB are the only spots where I really see decline.

LG - Getting better. Progress is being made.

RT - Has Collins really been worse than Turnstile Free?

MLB - The plan wasn't for Jaylon to get nearly as many snaps as he has. We all know he was forced into action. Get back the original plan to put Hitch back in there and you should see improved play.

The plan this season was to improve as the season went along especially in the OL and secondary. The 2017 Cowboys aren't as good as the 2016 version.....yet. Will they be by January is the real question. Until then comparing W's and L's from last year isn't an honest way of judging the teams.

 

[Risen Star]

They lost their identity. The OL and the run game. Which is the reason I was campaigning to tag Leary and make a run at it this year while you guys were worried about cornerbacks and thinking Dak Prescott was an MVP candidate.

The defense is crap but the defense was crap last year. The OL and that gloriously sexy running back carried this team last year. It didn't matter that the QB was so limited.

This team can't compete unless it's led by the OL and run game because as you can see there are too many holes in the roster. Too many areas with a glaring lack of talent.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

People keep puffing up the Eagles. I get they have won the close games and that's all that matters but they have issues. They beat the giants and cardinals..... we did too. They beat 2 teams that were 0-4 until they played each other. They beat a Panthers team that turned the ball over twice allowing the Eagles to start in their redzone then Cam threw a pick right to a defender with no receiver 10 yards away on the last drive.

They aren't a dominate team and still have a QB with questionable decision making and bad accuracy. We take care of our games and we win the division. We don't need help, we control our destiny

 

[LatinMind]

It's easy to look at the standings and conclude that the 2017 (2-3) Cowboys edition isn't nearly as good as the 2016 edition (13-3).

Is that true? I will argue here that there has a small decline, but not a great difference. LG, RT and MLB are the only spots where I really see decline.

Consider some of our wins last year:
-A last second miracle against Pittsburgh despite the fact we couldn't stop their offense.

-A win over the Vikings where they were missing about a third of their starters and where we were outgained. Dak had a QB rating of 51.

-A win against the Eagles where we'd been down 20-10 before punter Chris Jones sprinted for 30 on 4th down. We were on our own 27 yard line facing 4th and 8!

-A win against a Bears team that was decimated w/injury and relying on backup QB

-Win over hapless Cleveland

-Two nail-biter wins against Skins

-We were down 14 in SF

The margin separating success and failure in the NFL is often razor thin. I'm not as discouraged as some fans. We have a few poignant holes and we'll get them addressed...either during this season...or in the offseason.

I think the longterm outlook for the team is positive.

Alot of Dallas' games last yr came down to the end and won it in dramatic fashion. This yr they've lost games at the end in dramatic fashion. Last yr couldve easily went the other way, just as this yr. Dallas just has a very dramatic fan base.

 

[kevm3]

Yes, it's different. The defense really stinks. We have most of the same personnel on offense, but the O line looks much less effective, and the run game is less effective as well.

 

[Redball Express]

In its last two games, the Dallas defense has faced 18 opponent drives and allowed a score on 14 of them (78%).

The NFL average is 36%

I think changes are coming.

Marinelli has really been conservative so far.

Because of so many new faces in the secondary..

and the DL and the LBrrs..

coordination has broken down.

More is going to happen going forward.

With this Bye week..

it should help the defense improve.

We'll see.

 

[percyhoward]

They lost their identity. The OL and the run game. Which is the reason I was campaigning to tag Leary and make a run at it this year while you guys were worried about cornerbacks and thinking Dak Prescott was an MVP candidate.

The defense is crap but the defense was crap last year.

Defense has been the obvious difference from 2016.

Offense - Points/Game
2016 26.5
2017 25.2

Defense - Points Allowed/Game
2016 19.6
2017 24.2

And the points allowed have nothing to do with the defense facing more possessions.

Opponent drives per game
2016 10.4
2017 10.0

 

[T-RO]

Easier Schedule last year

That's a massive part of the equation. And when we did face Rogers in the regular season '16...he was in a horrible funk and was missing receivers all over the field.

 

[ShiningStar]

Yes, we have to rebuild or do something with this D. We knew we would have hiccups but this is like fielding a whole defense of rookies

 

[T-RO]

Xavier is the backup FS to Jones. Its Heath that needs to be replaced, Kavon Frazier is the SS backup. Good size, but not sure he has the talent to be a starter in his second year.
Taco, I'm not sure what we do there ...

The Cowboys use their DBs in a lot of mix and match. If the Cowboys see Xavier as a guy who needs to see the field...they'll make it happen. And signs point to that happening.

Speaking broadly and Looking at next year I'm not sure Orlando will be able to merit a job here. Our slot options are abundant.