It's so unfortunate - We're on the cusp...

[Kilyin]

All roads lead to Jerry. We really should all face the fact that Jerry is not ever going to hire a GM. If that means we're going to dwell in mediocrity until he decides to relent his power at VR, then so be it.. But Jerry will continue to be Jerry until Jerry decides to be something else. I faced that fact long ago.

Exactly, and that road leads to... no answer. There is no answer unless one is willing to ask the question, and we currently don't have anyone that is willing, if you catch my drift.

A lot of great players have and will continue to watch their careers basically rot away with the Dallas Cowboys, and that's a shame not only for the players, but for the loyal fans of this gutless team. And all because one man is too egomaniacal and narcissistic to admit he's in way over his head.

I feel like this has some therapeutic value, and I couldn't stay away.

 

[Cowboyz88]

Sadly, I think this draft and next will include NOT drafting a young QB to groom.

Not like McGee (I watched him as a Tech fan, and I still don't know what they saw in him), but a guy who played at a high level in college who actually has potential.

It makes so much sense, because Romo will not play at this level forever, that I'm confident that Jones won't do it, and much like after Aikman left, we'll get caught with our pants down.

 

[natedoug]

On the offensive side of the ball, we are on the cusp. Resign L.Robinson, address the interior oline, and the offensive will be legit. The Defense will require more work. Upgrades at safety, Dline, CB, and ILB are needed.

The Oline can be fixed with the draft , a full off season program and player development. Fixing the Defense will take time because we need an overhaul not a minor tweak.

But you can win in this league if your offense is straight up legit...see the Packers and the Patriots.

My 2012 wish list

Sign FA Laron Landry (S)
FA Calais Campbell (DE)

Overpay if needed, but put a star on both these guys.

Draft OG, OLB (pass rusher) , CB , QB in the draft

 

[Bleu Star]

Last offseason, we got rid of offense dead weight. This offseason, we will do that with the defense. ( I assume, hope)

Hopefully that is enough to get us competitive. I dont want to believe we need a complete overhaul. FIX THE DEFENSE, all will be okay, right?

I think you're definitely on the right track. Completely agree. Once the emotion of the loss blows over, I think many others will agree with you as well. This sucks but giving Rob Ryan the freedom to mold that defense would be huge in placing us in a better position next year collectively as a team.

 

[Dale]

I think you're definitely on the right track. Completely agree. Once the emotion of the loss blows over, I think many others will agree with you as well. This sucks but giving Rob Ryan the freedom to mold that defense would be huge in placing us in a better position next year collectively as a team.

I have to admit I'm not in favor of letting Rob go. He talks too much given the pieces he has to work with, but he was asked to polish up a turd this season. I'm sorry, but there's no good defensive scheme when working with some of the clowns we have on defense. He wants to bring pressure, but we have one pressure player and an atrocious secondary.

 

[Bleu Star]

Exactly, and that road leads to... no answer. There is no answer unless one is willing to ask the question, and we currently don't have anyone that is willing, if you catch my drift.

A lot of great players have and will continue to watch their careers basically rot away with the Dallas Cowboys, and that's a shame not only for the players, but for the loyal fans of this gutless team. And all because one man is too egomaniacal and narcissistic to admit he's in way over his head.

I feel like this has some therapeutic value, and I couldn't stay away.

The Cowboys organization likes to coddle players. Make them feel more comfortable than they should be... A comfortable player is a player that's not going to challenge himself day in and day out imo. A lot of the coddling comes directly from Jerry. It is what it is. Stephen is the only one that can possibly challenge that culture and be successful in doing so. I have always said competition only makes you stronger. Less coddling and more competiiton would be a good start.

 

[Ender]

The interior oline in crap. The D line isnt that good and the secondary is bad. Cusp? I dont know. Thats a lot of holes to fill.

 

[Cowboyz88]

Exactly, and that road leads to... no answer. There is no answer unless one is willing to ask the question, and we currently don't have anyone that is willing, if you catch my drift.

A lot of great players have and will continue to watch their careers basically rot away with the Dallas Cowboys, and that's a shame not only for the players, but for the loyal fans of this gutless team. And all because one man is too egomaniacal and narcissistic to admit he's in way over his head.

I feel like this has some therapeutic value, and I couldn't stay away.

Yeah, I never, EVER, want to hear that Jerry is a great owner who will do whatever it takes to win, because it's simply not true.

He simply won't take care of this team's biggest issue – him.

 

[bbgun]

Even though this was a historically bad year for the NFCE, we still got swept by the Eagles and Giants. Nothing "cuspish" about that.

 

[28 Joker]

Even though this was a historically bad year for the NFCE, we still got swept by the Eagles and Giants. Nothing "cuspish" about that.

That's pretty embarrassing, indeed.

 

[TNCowboy]

I'm going against my better judgment and posting tonight while the emotion is still extremely high...

Something about this makeup wreaks. We have talented players and talent at the coaching level. Let me first of all give major credit to Romo. That guy played manly with a hand that was still smarting. In stark contrast, people like Newman, Scandrick, Ball, Elam, and Sensebaugh all played like they barely deserved to start at the Canadian Football level... We simply must give Rob Ryan the opportunity to select the players that fit his system. This sad cast of characters on Defense has no idea where they need to be (with a few exceptions like Sean Lee). Build this defense around Lee NOW. If I were a decision maker at Valley Ranch, I would be handing out pink slips on the plane home tonight. Hey.. It was nice but you obviously aren't going to work out and I want to give you the earliest opportunity to catch on elsewhere in the NFL... BYE!

Romo is still one of the best QBs in the league when protected well. As much as I have professed my love for Doug Free in the past, he has regressed in a major way this year. They need to continue to build that line around a fine addition in Tyron. I think there's some young talent that can be molded into a strength if a few pieces are added along with a new coach. Houck? Pink slip sir...

Speaking of coaches... I'm sorry but Dave Campo should not be employed by the Dallas Cowboys next year. His style of coaching was fine in the 80s but today's secondary must be location aware at all times. The fact that the secondary doesn't look back to find the ball bugs the crap out of me. I feel they're being taught in a manner that just doesn't fit in today's progressive style of defense where the CBs need to guard against a number of different types of passes incl the back shoulder fade. We never look back and it allows teams to just move the ball right down the field on us. Old news... Dave Campo? Pink is your color. Bye.

Demarco, Tyron, Sean Lee, Romo... Build a team around these guys.

Lastly, I have been thinking this for the past few weeks but have purposely kept it to myself. I believe in giving the benefit of the doubt until my hunch is proven wrong. I firmly believe Garrett is stretched too thin right now. We really need to consider bringing in an offensive coordinator to allow a young maturing HC to concentrate solely on being a head coach. If we are to continue to follow the Garrett train, he needs to have another conductor to help move things along. Whether it's Sparano, Turner, or some other "proven" OC... Garrett needs help.

Why did I state that we're on the cusp in the title? I firmly believe that a little tweaking here and there will place us where we want to be. We already have a high powered offense. Tweak that Oline a little. Consider possibly bringing in a QB and RB as solid backups. Allow Rob Ryan to shop for his groceries. Standing pat is not an option. Let's get to tweaking...

Delusional. Just like you have been all season.

Put it in 3" headlines: this team is going nowhere as long as Jerry Jones is running the show.

 

[ManicDepressiveMan]

All we are on the cusp of is a lot of key players going into decline.

Romo, Ware, Witten, Ratliff all in their 30s next year.

Newman DONE.

Average at best at safety.

Bottom 3 OL.

How do you fix it all before your very good QB can't play at the level he's at right now?

And even if it could be done by an expert GM, one of those will NEVER be in Dallas any time soon.

 

[Kilyin]

Yeah, I never, EVER, want to hear that Jerry is a great owner who will do whatever it takes to win, because it's simply not true.

He simply won't take care of this team's biggest issue – him.

This team has run the gammut of coaches, players, and money spent. From the Poodle to Bill Parcells, and all points in between. From Ryan Leaf to Tony Romo, from Kavika Pittman to DeMarcus Ware. The list goes on and on. So many faces and names have come and gone in the past 15 years, and ole plasticface has seen us through it all. We love you, Jerrah.

 

[bbgun]

All we are on the cusp of is a lot of key players going into decline.

Romo, Ware, Witten, Ratliff all in their 30s next year.

Newman DONE.

Average at best at safety.

Bottom 3 OL.

How do you fix it all before your very good QB can't play at the level he's at right now?

And even if it could be done by an expert GM, one of those will NEVER be in Dallas any time soon.

And Free looked incredibly shaky this year. The interior of the o-line may not be the only problem.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

I appreciate and respect your optimism, Bleu. I really do. But this team is not resting on the cusp of greatness. At the very least, it needs the following before next season:

Starting center.
Starting guard.
Offensive line depth.
Starting corner.
Corner depth.
Starting safety.
Starting middle linebacker.
Staring outside linebacker.
Staring defensive end.

They must fill these holes if they want to be anything greater than wild card fodder. In fact, in a stronger division, they'll need these positions to even compete for a playoff spot.

That's a tall order for a single offseason, especially considering its propensity to whiff on draft picks.

 

[mmohican29]

I can't believe how terrible our defenders are with just stuff as simple as tackling and how to play a ball in the air.

There is nothing professional about our secondary. It's as amateur as it gets.

In it's ineptitude. This secondary is possibly the worst in Cowboys history. IMHO, Jenkins is the only CB worth a flying poo and he's year to year as it is so far in his career.

I'm tired of Scandrick looking like a dog chasing a car. Newman ... just forget it. just forget it before I really type something I'll regret.

I have a moderate respect for Ball because as stupid as he is, he is at least showing tremendous effort in his gazillionth fail. And that's not a lie.

Minus a few championship caliber players named Romo, Ware, Witten and Lee, this team is the Scarecrow of the NFL. No heart, no brains, and no spine. Oh, and no hands (Austin).

 

[CliffnDallas]

Things on the "cusp" normally fall in to a hole.

 

[Bleu Star]

Even though this was a historically bad year for the NFCE, we still got swept by the Eagles and Giants. Nothing "cuspish" about that.

A truly embarassing season indeed... But still. Do you blow it up or do you prudently continue to tweak and improve? That's my point. I never said we were on the cusp of "greatness". On the cusp to me means we're just a few changes away from being a very good team.

Delusional. Just like you have been all season.

Delusional?... :laugh2: I have historically been one of the biggest critics of the direction this organization takes year in and year out. Forgive me for feeling as though they are now finally starting to venture into a direction that I consider more positive than negative. Read my OP again... I think I spelled my feelings out completely.

All we are on the cusp of is a lot of key players going into decline.

Romo, Ware, Witten, Ratliff all in their 30s next year.

Newman DONE.

Average at best at safety.

Bottom 3 OL.

How do you fix it all before your very good QB can't play at the level he's at right now?

And even if it could be done by an expert GM, one of those will NEVER be in Dallas any time soon.

You stay the course and change what you have the power to change. The offense is in much better shape than the defense so you allow Rob to make the defense what he feels it has to be in order to succeed in his system and you continue to build that offensive line. I guarantee you, the usual suspects will all be right here on the board again next year complaining about Jerry. It's his ship and he will steer it as he sees fit until he can steer no more.

And Free looked incredibly shaky this year. The interior of the o-line may not be the only problem.

As stated in the OP, I feel I was wrong about Free. He regressed this year in a major way. Perhaps the notion of flip flopping him and Tyron isn't such a bad idea. Put him on the right side where he isn't seeing every team's premier pass rusher every single game. He can't handle it.

I appreciate and respect your optimism, Bleu. I really do. But this team is not resting on the cusp of greatness. At the very least, it needs the following before next season:

Starting center.
Starting guard.
Offensive line depth.
Starting corner.
Corner depth.
Starting safety.
Starting middle linebacker.
Staring outside linebacker.
Staring defensive end.

They must fill these holes if they want to be anything greater than wild card fodder. In fact, in a stronger division, they'll need these positions to even compete for a playoff spot.

That's a tall order for a single offseason, especially considering its propensity to whiff on draft picks.

For the record, I never said they were on the cusp of greatness. I said they were on the cusp of being where we want them to be. Greatness is a rarity. They can be "very good" and still do a fair amount of damage in the post season. When completely healthy, I would consider our offense "very good". I can't even begin to fix my mouth to say the same thing about the defense.

 

[SaltwaterServr]

both..a thousand times both.

we really don't have a wealth of talent bro.

That's a sad reality right now.

On offense we're good minus the offensive line. We can do very well with the folks we have at TE, RB, WR, and QB.

On defense...****. As they said on the post game show, there's not even back-up developmental players that can step up. That 2009 draft is a huge disappointment. Our depth sucks, and we've got a lot of players who are done.

Can we free up enough cap room to make a run at the type of players, impact players, to fill in the holes that are going to be made by the lackluster guys we have on the team now?

You've got Scandrick (meh) and Jenkins, and jack crap behind those two. Alan Ball, as they said on the post game, is your #10 man off the bench if this was a basketball team. Frank Walker? Sheesh.

Spencer?

ILB? Is Bruce Carter ready? Who's behind him?

We might be two full seasons away from it, because you have to BE ABLE TO EXPECT TO WIN A 17-20 GAME AND NOT REQUIRE THE OFFENSE TO GO OUT AND PUT UP 30 PLUS ON OFFENSE!

Something is so lacking on this team. I'm not sure we're heading in any direction right now.

 

[SA_Gunslinger]

We just need to be honest about this team. It wasn't a good team. We had I believe the 27th best Strength of Victory % in the league. That means the teams that we did beat were really really really bad teams. Our only good win all year was at San Fran, and if those teams played today, I imagine we'd get crushed.

We felt better about ourselves b/c we were able to squeak by a bunch of bad teams. That was our first clue....when we couldn't convincingly beat those bad teams.

Bottom line, the bright lights were far too big for this team (0-4 on SNF, anyone?) and the talent level of this team definitely doesn't even match the mediocre 8-8 record. We have 5 win talent right now, IMO.

We have so many holes to fill that it's hard to get too excited. And at this rate, by the time we do get around to filling those needs (IF we ever do), then we're going to be on the hunt for a new QB. And the last time we did that, it took us 7 seasons.

Good grief.

:starspin