It's that time again

[Satchel89]

The offense has a legitimate shot to be a top 5 offense and we all know a lot of that depends on Romo staying healthy. I know I'm going to panic anytime he gets hit but I like their chances of making a run at the Super Bowl. I know I'm getting a little crazy especially with the defense in the first four games and not having Lawrence and Gregory. The bigger loss is Lawrence but I like Tapper. I think they got a pretty good player. I love his speed and He has a chance to create some havoc. Maybe I'm just being a big fan boy and too optimistic. A healthy Dez with Terrance back to being number 2 is already better and Butler could have a breakout year. I'm excited about him and Lucky. Witten will still be solid and I'm not giving up on Escobar. I can't do it, Not yet anyway. I'm not sure how the running back position shakes out after Zeke but I'll take McFadden and Morris or Dunbar as a backup. I just don't know how many they will keep. They could do worse and I'm not even mentioning the rookie. The big thing as it is every year is injuries. If they can avoid the star players getting hurt unlike last year, Then they are going to put up a lot of points. The East is there for the taking. The Commanders are beatable and the Eagles suck. I'm saying that because I hate them and they really do suck. The Giants are always the team I worry about. Eli can be horrible and he can light up the Cowboys secondary. As far as the NFC, I'm thinking the Packers and the Panthers are the teams to beat. I know the Seahawks are good but the Cowboys have pretty much went toe to toe with them 2 years in a row. I'm respecting the Panthers because they're the NFC champs but the Packers are the team to beat for me. That's the team that their going to have to outscore. The Tight End Rodgers started coming on at the end of the year and put him with a healthy Nelson, Cobb and Adams and that's tough to stop. I don't have to mention 12. Call me crazy but I like the Cowboys to represent the NFC. ESPN and FOX have all their analysts doing their way too early Super Bowl predictions, I can too.

 

[DallasEast]

But circling back to the temperature of the zone room, I do wonder why the doom & gloom is so prominent in this neck of the woods.

Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill.
- Stephen Schwartz, composer, When You Believe, The Prince of Egypt movie soundtrack

All things aren't equal unfortunately. The Super Bowl drought has killed hope within some fans. Smothered its very essence. Nothing less than actually witnessing Jerry Jones wrap his boney little Mr. Burns' fingers around a Lombardi trophy and pump it over his cheap toupee has any chance of rekindling it in them. So wonder why doom & gloom sits so heavily upon CowboysZone's chest now and for such a long time? That's why.

Hope never truly dies though. This season's team potential should inspire it. Our offense can be great. Our defense can be good enough. Or possibly better than just good enough. Special teams may be markedly productive. Coaching could continually improve over past seasons' efforts. Significant injuries are not predestined.

We'll all see how things will eventually turn out. The season will dictate its own rewards and failures--and not though negative self-proclamation. Fans can roll with what may be. Or stew and mope. It is and always will be a personal choice.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Excellent post!!

Count me as more excited for the 2016 season than I was last year. For some reason, the loss in the divisional round (the Dez non-catch) haunted me for months, and I just couldn't get myself geared up mentally again for 2015. The comeback win over the Giants was stirring, but once Romo went down in week two, I remember telling myself "that's it".

Now, I'm getting excited again. Romo and Dez are coming back, and I yelled out "yes!!!" when the Cowboys picked Ezekiel Elliott in the draft. And for some reason, the Cowboys seem to perform better when little is expected of them- see 2009 and 2014.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill.
- Stephen Schwartz, composer, When You Believe, The Prince of Egypt movie soundtrack

All things aren't equal unfortunately. The Super Bowl drought has killed hope within some fans. Smothered its very essence. Nothing less than actually witnessing Jerry Jones wrap his boney little Mr. Burns' fingers around a Lombardi trophy and pump it over his cheap toupee has any chance of rekindling it in them. So wonder why doom & gloom sits so heavily upon CowboysZone's chest now and for such a long time? That's why.

Hope never truly dies though. This season's team potential should inspire it. Our offense can be great. Our defense can be good enough. Or possibly better than just good enough. Special teams may be markedly productive. Coaching could continually improve over past seasons' efforts. Significant injuries are not predestined.

We'll all see how things will eventually turn out. The season will dictate its own rewards and failures--and not though negative self-proclamation. Fans can roll with what may be. Or stew and mope. It is and always will be a personal choice.

Hope springs eternal around every NFL team this time of year. Everybody is 0-0 and nobody knows what circumstances are going to arise and who the next superstar will be. It's been 20 years since the Cowboys won the Super Bowl, but I can close my eyes and remember it like it was yesterday (and I was a senior in high school that season). I try to stay optimistic every season, but I will admit I couldn't wait for 2015 to get over. By late October I mentally tanked in.

 

[jday]

Great Friggin Write-up jday!

Thank you sir!

 

[jday]

Excellent post!!

Count me as more excited for the 2016 season than I was last year. For some reason, the loss in the divisional round (the Dez non-catch) haunted me for months, and I just couldn't get myself geared up mentally again for 2015. The comeback win over the Giants was stirring, but once Romo went down in week two, I remember telling myself "that's it".

Now, I'm getting excited again. Romo and Dez are coming back, and I yelled out "yes!!!" when the Cowboys picked Ezekiel Elliott in the draft. And for some reason, the Cowboys seem to perform better when little is expected of them- see 2009 and 2014.

If you asked me to point to one thing I'd say it was the departure of Murray and the meager attempt at replacing him with DMac/JoRan. I know we have a great offensive line. And I know anyone can run behind it and put up decent numbers. But this offense thrives when the Cowboys can run at will; aside from the loss of key personnel that was the big difference between 2014 and 2015. With the drafting of Zeke, someone whom I project to actually be a better all-around running back and much better fit for the ZBS than Demarco, I absolutely cannot wait to see what he can do with a star on the side of his head.

 

[jday]

Jday, wow, that was some kind of extended thought process going on as you sit diligently at your desk, all the while pretending to be hard at work. I've gotta admit, you've got me wondering what you do career-wise. I'm unsure as to whether to simply thank God I'm not in your shoes or otherwise, somewhat insanely jealous of your career -- LOL.

Anyhow, be that as it may, I've got to say I share your optimism (although mine is also somewhat guarded as well.) On one hand, I'm somewhat fairly tempted to spout in overly optimistic fashion about the defense having a decent measure of hope for improvement, while at he same time not wanting to seem excessively "homerish."

Our youngsters, whose numbers are considerable this year, appear quite capable of success but equally capable of being somewhat less than ideally set up to impress. Those filling in for Lawrence and Gregory (during their suspensions) will only be afforded enough time to get their feet wet, as opposed to being afforded the necessary time to develop and eventually flourish in the process. Still, it'll be interesting to see how they fare. Here's hoping they find enough success to encourage one and all that they'll develop admirably, given the needed the time to do so.

Epic response, sir.

If you were at least alive for the dynasty (the tone and manner of your response suggest as much) you have learned from experience to temper your expectations and be cautiously optimistic.

My job does not have a title; it's a position that was created by a group of managers for me because I have an exceptional amount of experience doing alot of different things... mostly IT work, but also reporting, campaign builds, analytics, and presentations. Or if you want to be a Richard about it you could point out I have poor work history and I'm doing all the jobs my bosses don't want to do.

 

[jday]

When Romo got hurt the second time in the Panther game, I was done.

 

[fortdick]

Did I actually get thru two pages without getting pissed about some spoiled lil' pudding, living in his mom's basement not saying how badly this team sucks? Did I click on Hos' board by mistake?

JDay made MyDay!

 

[jday]

Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill.
- Stephen Schwartz, composer, When You Believe, The Prince of Egypt movie soundtrack

All things aren't equal unfortunately. The Super Bowl drought has killed hope within some fans. Smothered its very essence. Nothing less than actually witnessing Jerry Jones wrap his boney little Mr. Burns' fingers around a Lombardi trophy and pump it over his cheap toupee has any chance of rekindling it in them. So wonder why doom & gloom sits so heavily upon CowboysZone's chest now and for such a long time? That's why.

Hope never truly dies though. This season's team potential should inspire it. Our offense can be great. Our defense can be good enough. Or possibly better than just good enough. Special teams may be markedly productive. Coaching could continually improve over past seasons' efforts. Significant injuries are not predestined.

We'll all see how things will eventually turn out. The season will dictate its own rewards and failures--and not though negative self-proclamation. Fans can roll with what may be. Or stew and mope. It is and always will be a personal choice.

 

[jday]

I think this will be a biggie. I understand Dez was playing hurt last year, but I wish they would have just IR'd him because without Romo he made absolutely no difference. But I have to say that he was the most disappointing player to me. He got lazy on his routes and constantly cried to the officials about being interfered with, even when he made no effort to catch the ball. The Tampa game comes to mind the most. Dez needs to be a better leader by example.....

Perhaps I'm reading too far into things but following Dez in the media this offseason I've noticed what seems to be a different Dez...he looks like he has figured some things out.

 

[ksadler1]

Perhaps I'm reading too far into things but following Dez in the media this offseason I've noticed what seems to be a different Dez...he looks like he has figured some things out.

I sure hope you're right. Dez is a beast when his game is on. He reminds me of a little kid when things aren't going his way. He pouts and has fits. I hope just having Zeke in the game will open some things up in the passing game.....

 

[StarBoyz83]

When Romo got hurt the second time in the Panther game, I was done.

I was done after the saints game

 

[Aven8]

We missed Romo and Dez big time. But we missed Demarco as well. 3 of your triplets, all out, or gone. Amazing actually.

However the coaches looked like they have been hanging on the coat tails of Romo for years. Very scary.

But what the hell......it's about to be a new season!!!

 

[Bullflop]

We missed Romo and Dez big time. But we missed Demarco as well. 3 of your triplets, all out, or gone. Amazing actually.

However the coaches looked like they have been hanging on the coat tails of Romo for years. Very scary.

But what the hell......it's about to be a new season!!!

Really good post. If delivers an outstandingly insightful summary of a year that was extremely painful from the get-go. Onward with 2016.

 

[Bullflop]

Epic response, sir.

If you were at least alive for the dynasty (the tone and manner of your response suggest as much) you have learned from experience to temper your expectations and be cautiously optimistic.

My job does not have a title; it's a position that was created by a group of managers for me because I have an exceptional amount of experience doing alot of different things... mostly IT work, but also reporting, campaign builds, analytics, and presentations. Or if you want to be a Richard about it you could point out I have poor work history and I'm doing all the jobs my bosses don't want to do.

Thank you kindly for the generous respect. Like yourself, I suppose I can proudly say without reservation that I've been there and back with this team, what they've done since 1960 and will continue to do. Also, I suspect, like myself, that you live and breathe with everything that merely hints of a surviving pulse with the Cowboys. I think, hope and pray that the year ahead will be encouraging.

Anyhow, thanks for sharing your occupational experiences. Congratulations on your workplace accomplishments and here's wishing you the greatest of success saving your bosses from their unwanted hassles today and in the future. Your job sounds challenging, although possibly sporadic at times. As a fellow Zone dude, I've enjoyed the Cowboys' Football chats that you share in your spare time.

 

[jazzcat22]

Elliott will have an immense impact on this team, but Romo has to stay healthy, and Dez has to re-prove himself.

Why does Dez have to "re-prove" himself...he didn't do anything bad to need to "re-prove" himself...Why doesn't Tony need to "re-prove" himself. both were injured.
Why doesn't Witten need to "re-prove" himself, he was the one out there with bad QB's and all, still running one yard short of 1st downs, still getting false start penalties.

 

[jazzcat22]

I just noticed the pre season Dress rehearsal is at Seattle...

Do they still have dress rehearsal games...

Seems the game that is supposed to be the dress rehearsal really isn't. We see so little of them in any game, I truly believe the dress rehearsal is the 1st real game.

 

[erod]

Why does Dez have to "re-prove" himself...he didn't do anything bad to need to "re-prove" himself...Why doesn't Tony need to "re-prove" himself. both were injured.
Why doesn't Witten need to "re-prove" himself, he was the one out there with bad QB's and all, still running one yard short of 1st downs, still getting false start penalties.

Dez was awful last year, and there's no guarantee that foot will ever be the same. I want to hear a lot less about monkeys and see fewer tantrums, too.

 

[jazzcat22]

When Romo got hurt the second time in the Panther game, I was done.

I was done after the saints game

I am never done after any game...well, I may think I'm done, or say I'm done at the moment. Disappointed, heck yeah, know the season is over even though we are mathematically in it [though I still have hope] but the next day. I'm still in, not done. Because then I start looking at, ok, what players can step up, not give up, and how they, any rookies, 2nd years players show how they can help in the future. Let's see what they have.