Is trying to run back 2016 our only hope?

[Risen Star]

Looking for any reason for hope this year? Maybe this is it.

Let me ask you a question. When were we the closest during the Prescott years of breaking this near 30 year drought since a Championship game appearance?

I would argue it was his rookie season. Which makes no sense but we're talking about Prescott here. You could say the McCarthy teams were better but they got outclassed in every playoff defeat. They shouldn't have won those games. The 2016 team didn't get outclassed. They should have won it. They were better. They were closer. They were Championship Game caliber.

How did they get there? Dominant run game and a top 5 defense.

Now I know now is when you say no crap, we all want to do that with Prescott. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out ...and you can get away with talking to me that way safely outside of the range of my fists.

But don't forget one of the biggest keys to that 2016 "success" (as much as you can get with Jerry). A truly transcendent talent at running back. What he's become is sickening but that dude was special when he entered the league. He should have won 3 straight rushing titles his first three years in the league if not for a bogus suspension.

So I'm not talking about merely beefing up the lines and drafting an Omarion Hampton or TreVeyon Henderson in the draft. Really good players who should improve the offense and be productive pros. I'm talking about getting the guy who is advertised as special. The unique one. The guy who can make everyone around them instantly better by his presence. That's what Ezekiel Elliott did. He was the alpha that carried his QB beta.

Now the two teams won't be exactly the same. We almost certainly won't have as good of an offensive line even with improvement and we won't have Prescott's mobility but this team will have some advantages over that one too. Namely at pass rusher and the return and kicking game. (Turpin comes back in this scenario)

I don't believe it's usually a good long term decision to draft a RB high in the first round of the draft but I'm wondering with this team and this group of coaches and players if focusing on the run game and defense as well as drafting Ashton Jeanty is not only the best shot but the only shot we have in 2025.

I think it is.

 

[slick325]

Mind blown! Who are you?

 

[CowboysRule]

I say, "Sure, why not?"

 

[big dog cowboy]

Looking for any reason for hope this year?

Does this look like it will be a championship caliber defense next year?

 

[thunderpimp91]

I think they should be in the market for Drew Dalman in FA for this exact reason. Hes a Center so he shouldnt be super expensive, one of the best run players in the league, and gives this team a veteran in their prime to add to the OL. I'm in the minority on this, but I don't think they can go into the season with as many question marks on the OL as they do and expect a 180 from adding a new RB.

 

[Aven8]

Yes! And it’s been the formula for success even when we had Romo at QB. I just have this feeling that someone is going to take Jeanty before us. Like Chicago. Or dare I say…….SF.

 

[MapleLeaf]

I don't believe it's usually a good long term decision to draft a RB high in the first round of the draft but I'm wondering with this team and this group of coaches and players if focusing on the run game and defense as well as drafting Ashton Jeanty is not only the best shot but the only shot we have in 2025.

I think it is.

This game is about moving the chains into the endzone and stopping the opponent's movement of the chains.

A star RB and a capable OL will do wonders for other parts of your team that are weak. Dallas can't solve all its roster woes, but a good RB and decent OL unit will mask alot of warts.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Looking for any reason for hope this year? Maybe this is it.

Let me ask you a question. When were we the closest during the Prescott years of breaking this near 30 year drought since a Championship game appearance?

I would argue it was his rookie season. Which makes no sense but we're talking about Prescott here. You could say the McCarthy teams were better but they got outclassed in every playoff defeat. They shouldn't have won those games. The 2016 team didn't get outclassed. They should have won it. They were better. They were closer. They were Championship Game caliber.

How did they get there? Dominant run game and a top 5 defense.

Now I know now is when you say no crap, we all want to do that with Prescott. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out ...and you can get away with talking to me that way safely outside of the range of my fists.

But don't forget one of the biggest keys to that 2016 "success" (as much as you can get with Jerry). A truly transcendent talent at running back. What he's become is sickening but that dude was special when he entered the league. He should have won 3 straight rushing titles his first three years in the league if not for a bogus suspension.

So I'm not talking about merely beefing up the lines and drafting an Omarion Hampton or TreVeyon Henderson in the draft. Really good players who should improve the offense and be productive pros. I'm talking about getting the guy who is advertised as special. The unique one. The guy who can make everyone around them instantly better by his presence. That's what Ezekiel Elliott did. He was the alpha that carried his QB beta.

Now the two teams won't be exactly the same. We almost certainly won't have as good of an offensive line even with improvement and we won't have Prescott's mobility but this team will have some advantages over that one too. Namely at pass rusher and the return and kicking game. (Turpin comes back in this scenario)

I don't believe it's usually a good long term decision to draft a RB high in the first round of the draft but I'm wondering with this team and this group of coaches and players if focusing on the run game and defense as well as drafting Ashton Jeanty is not only the best shot but the only shot we have in 2025.

I think it is.

Homer.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Does this look like it will be a championship caliber defense next year?

Yeah because free agency and the draft are already over

 

[Tabascocat]

That’s the formula with Dak at the helm. I am not so sure that Dallas can do both the run game and defense in one offseason. Jeanty is a luxury pick but it might be needed only if they use free agency as well. I still say go with the trenches, starting with Grant(DL).

 

[Hardline]

I'm having less confidence Jeanty falls to #12 now.

 

[GMO415]

Looking for any reason for hope this year? Maybe this is it.

Let me ask you a question. When were we the closest during the Prescott years of breaking this near 30 year drought since a Championship game appearance?

I would argue it was his rookie season. Which makes no sense but we're talking about Prescott here. You could say the McCarthy teams were better but they got outclassed in every playoff defeat. They shouldn't have won those games. The 2016 team didn't get outclassed. They should have won it. They were better. They were closer. They were Championship Game caliber.

How did they get there? Dominant run game and a top 5 defense.

Now I know now is when you say no crap, we all want to do that with Prescott. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out ...and you can get away with talking to me that way safely outside of the range of my fists.

But don't forget one of the biggest keys to that 2016 "success" (as much as you can get with Jerry). A truly transcendent talent at running back. What he's become is sickening but that dude was special when he entered the league. He should have won 3 straight rushing titles his first three years in the league if not for a bogus suspension.

So I'm not talking about merely beefing up the lines and drafting an Omarion Hampton or TreVeyon Henderson in the draft. Really good players who should improve the offense and be productive pros. I'm talking about getting the guy who is advertised as special. The unique one. The guy who can make everyone around them instantly better by his presence. That's what Ezekiel Elliott did. He was the alpha that carried his QB beta.

Now the two teams won't be exactly the same. We almost certainly won't have as good of an offensive line even with improvement and we won't have Prescott's mobility but this team will have some advantages over that one too. Namely at pass rusher and the return and kicking game. (Turpin comes back in this scenario)

I don't believe it's usually a good long term decision to draft a RB high in the first round of the draft but I'm wondering with this team and this group of coaches and players if focusing on the run game and defense as well as drafting Ashton Jeanty is not only the best shot but the only shot we have in 2025.

I think it is.

I think you're on to something. The only reason Eze was drafted was to help our inury prone broken-down QB Romo. Fast forward to today, now Dak is that same injury prone QB and we need a strong running game to keep him upright.

 

[cowboyec]

your post gets a secure spot on the ark.
2016 2.0.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Yeah because free agency and the draft are already over

You think that after FA and the draft it will be a championship defense?

Really?

 

[jwitten82]

Yup, but where we gonna get 3 all pro lineman?

 

[UncleRico]

Looking for any reason for hope this year? Maybe this is it.

Let me ask you a question. When were we the closest during the Prescott years of breaking this near 30 year drought since a Championship game appearance?

I would argue it was his rookie season. Which makes no sense but we're talking about Prescott here. You could say the McCarthy teams were better but they got outclassed in every playoff defeat. They shouldn't have won those games. The 2016 team didn't get outclassed. They should have won it. They were better. They were closer. They were Championship Game caliber.

How did they get there? Dominant run game and a top 5 defense.

Now I know now is when you say no crap, we all want to do that with Prescott. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out ...and you can get away with talking to me that way safely outside of the range of my fists.

But don't forget one of the biggest keys to that 2016 "success" (as much as you can get with Jerry). A truly transcendent talent at running back. What he's become is sickening but that dude was special when he entered the league. He should have won 3 straight rushing titles his first three years in the league if not for a bogus suspension.

So I'm not talking about merely beefing up the lines and drafting an Omarion Hampton or TreVeyon Henderson in the draft. Really good players who should improve the offense and be productive pros. I'm talking about getting the guy who is advertised as special. The unique one. The guy who can make everyone around them instantly better by his presence. That's what Ezekiel Elliott did. He was the alpha that carried his QB beta.

Now the two teams won't be exactly the same. We almost certainly won't have as good of an offensive line even with improvement and we won't have Prescott's mobility but this team will have some advantages over that one too. Namely at pass rusher and the return and kicking game. (Turpin comes back in this scenario)

I don't believe it's usually a good long term decision to draft a RB high in the first round of the draft but I'm wondering with this team and this group of coaches and players if focusing on the run game and defense as well as drafting Ashton Jeanty is not only the best shot but the only shot we have in 2025.

I think it is.

2021 I would say was best team of Dak era. Pollard, Cooper, CeeDee Dak. Just choked against 49ers. We were one dimensional in 2016.

 

[Coogiguy03]

You think that after FA and the draft it will be a championship defense?

Really?

It depends if they have a heart to add players

 

[Brooksey]

Looking for any reason for hope this year? Maybe this is it.

Let me ask you a question. When were we the closest during the Prescott years of breaking this near 30 year drought since a Championship game appearance?

I would argue it was his rookie season. Which makes no sense but we're talking about Prescott here. You could say the McCarthy teams were better but they got outclassed in every playoff defeat. They shouldn't have won those games. The 2016 team didn't get outclassed. They should have won it. They were better. They were closer. They were Championship Game caliber.

How did they get there? Dominant run game and a top 5 defense.

Now I know now is when you say no crap, we all want to do that with Prescott. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out ...and you can get away with talking to me that way safely outside of the range of my fists.

But don't forget one of the biggest keys to that 2016 "success" (as much as you can get with Jerry). A truly transcendent talent at running back. What he's become is sickening but that dude was special when he entered the league. He should have won 3 straight rushing titles his first three years in the league if not for a bogus suspension.

So I'm not talking about merely beefing up the lines and drafting an Omarion Hampton or TreVeyon Henderson in the draft. Really good players who should improve the offense and be productive pros. I'm talking about getting the guy who is advertised as special. The unique one. The guy who can make everyone around them instantly better by his presence. That's what Ezekiel Elliott did. He was the alpha that carried his QB beta.

Now the two teams won't be exactly the same. We almost certainly won't have as good of an offensive line even with improvement and we won't have Prescott's mobility but this team will have some advantages over that one too. Namely at pass rusher and the return and kicking game. (Turpin comes back in this scenario)

I don't believe it's usually a good long term decision to draft a RB high in the first round of the draft but I'm wondering with this team and this group of coaches and players if focusing on the run game and defense as well as drafting Ashton Jeanty is not only the best shot but the only shot we have in 2025.

I think it is.

Yes it is our only chance with Prescott. Draft Jeanty and build this defense through FA and the rest of the draft

 

[Risen Star]

2021 I would say was best team of Dak era. Pollard, Cooper, CeeDee Dak. Just choked against 49ers. We were one dimensional in 2016.

We got abused in the playoffs that year.

The 2016 team lost a Championship game berth by a historic late throw by a HOF caliber QB for a game deciding FG.

A team that we beat on their field earlier in the season.

The 2016 team was much closer.

 

[UncleRico]

We got abused in the playoffs that year.

The 2016 team lost a Championship game berth by a historic late throw by a HOF caliber QB for a game deciding FG.

A team that we beat on their field earlier in the season.

The 2016 team was much closer.

I meant 2022 not 2021. Year we beat the Bucs 1st round. That team would have beat 2016 team. That was a ****** Packers team