I've Never Been Afraid To Predict Good Things For The Cowboys

[DoctorChicken]

i wonder about the long term viability of this scheme. i really hope you're wrong. that would be yet another setback.

It's such an extreme scheme. I bet, unless of course we turn into Seattle within the next two years, that it'll be gone gone. It's not the easiest scheme to run, and relies heavily on certain positions.

 

[CATCH17]

We lost a dominant player in Ware who teams had to scheme for. People will talk about his down year last year, show me another one like it. That wasn't his norm and I doubt you'll see it again this year in Denver.

Hatcher had a career year. Better than anything Henry Melton has ever done.

Now if you "Rod Marinelli" me you'll win this debate but I can't see how you can improve your defensive line this year losing those two players. You might have put some pieces in place to improve it down the road but not in 2014.

If you look at it objectively, the defensive talent on this team is woefully lacking. On all three levels of the defense. You combine that with a 34 year old QB with back issues and you have to admit this season has the possibility to be a real train wreck.

I'm fine with a train wreck..

I'd rather bomb on the season than be mediocre and miss the playoffs again.

This team needs an infusion of talent. We also need to quit giving away picks in the draft.

You can't give away a 3rd rounder like we did and turn around and draft a special teams guy in the 4th round. That stuff right there is why our depth is terrible on defense.

 

[Little Jr]

I see 7 wins for now. Ill wait until after the 3rd preseason game to make a prediction. I have to see something from the d. Just too many ifs for me right now.

 

[Hostile]

You have my respect Hostile. I enjoy what you contribute more than most people on here. But I can't buy in, like you have. And I won't feel a bit ashamed for feeling the way I do if the Cowboys do in fact prove me wrong. I honestly don't see the defense has been approved for several reasons: 1. The loss of Hatcher and Ware. Granted, they were part of the walking-wounder last year, but their contribution cannot be ignored. I will also go ahead and state that I was onboard with their dismissal...it will go along way to improving this team for the future, but I do not have high hopes for this next season. And I'm okay with that; I don't simply watch the Cowboys on the condition that they be contenders. I get that it's process and sometimes that process takes longer than a few seasons. 2. The cap prevented the Cowboys from truly addressing the Defensive needs. 3. Once again, in the draft, the Cowboys were forced to reach for need, which I honestly believe Lawrence was...though I truly do hope he proves me wrong. 4. We have the same secondary - and while I get that having a Mash unit up front contributed to their woes, that excuse only get's the corners so far. I honestly don't think we have a corner on this roster capable of covering true #1 receivers. Carr, in my mind, is not a long-term answer as the #1 corner. 5. We have some serious question marks at Safety, and while I like Church, even he to an extent is limited as a player. 6. Speaking of injuries, for the exception of Selvie and the rookies, every player on the Dl to the linebacking crew has a history of injuries. So prepare yourself - at least a few of those guys won't make it through the season.

Now, on the other hand, I do have high hopes for the offense. Aside from Romo's back issues and Murray's injury history, there are not too many negatives to point to for the exception of the lack of experience behind Dez and the lack of good depth on the Ol. Having said all that, if Romo, Murray, and the Ol can remain healthy, that offense seemed poised for greatness.

I've never minded disagreement. The respect is mutual for a civil response.

 

[iceberg]

I hear everyone saying we're 8-8 again, or 6-10, even worse. I think that's a load of crap and I'll tell you why. The Defense is going to be a lot better in 2014, and we now have the makings of a really great OL.

How can I say the Defense will be better? It's real simple, it is no longer a M*A*S*H unit. When this team does improve a lot of people are going to have to explain why they were wrong about the injuries hurting us in 2013. They did hurt us. Way more than people realize.

We lost the best 2 pieces of our Defensive Line and I still say we're going to be better than last year. The reason is we finally have some decent depth. Nothing against Nick Hayden, but when he's a starter, you're in some trouble.

Let's look at DE from last year and this year.

2013...DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer (1 game), George Selvie, Landon Cohen, Edgar Jones, Caesar Rayford, Jason Vega, and Jarius Wynn.

2014...DeMarcus Lawrence, Anthony Spencer, Tyrone Crawford, Ben Gardner, Jeremy Mincey, George Selvie, and Martez Wilson.

I figure 6 of that group will make the team with Crawford getting work inside and out. Martez Wilson is probably the odd man out.

Now let's look at DT from last year and this year.

2013...Jason Hatcher, Nick Hayden, Jerome Long, Marvin Austin, Everette Brown, Everett Dawkins, Corvey Irvin, David Carter, Drake Nevis, and Frank Kearse.

2014...Henry Melton, Terrell McClain, Amobi Okoye, Josh Brent?, Ben Bishop, Ben Bass, and Davon Coleman.

I think people are really going to like Davon Coleman. Put him or Bishop with that first 4, or both of them and drop Brent.

With the Offense clearly looking to control the clock more with the ground game setting up the passing game, and the Defense actually having better depth for a fresh legs rotation I am saying the Defense is going to be better than people give it credit for. I just can't understand why people think last year's Defense wasn't the easy biggest issue with what was wrong with this team.

Enjoy the season, it's going to be a lot better than people think right now. I look forward to some excitement. Get excited now for your Cowboys. You won't regret it.

i could put the cowboys in a blender.
i could change every name we know with "potential".
i could spend a lifetime admiring or hating your enthusiasm.

but the common denominator every time is we're gonna be better than last year.

cheerleaders avoided me in life, or i avoided them. you can argue the whys till you die but the same point of relevance is...

avoid.

i'm not going to "believe" just cause. i *do* want them to prove it. i *do* want them to grow. i *do* want them to win.

i don't need you telling me how to appreciate a season.

ignore.

 

[Hostile]

i could put the cowboys in a blender.
i could change every name we know with "potential".
i could spend a lifetime admiring or hating your enthusiasm.

but the common denominator every time is we're gonna be better than last year.

cheerleaders avoided me in life, or i avoided them. you can argue the whys till you die but the same point of relevance is...

avoid.

i'm not going to "believe" just cause. i *do* want them to prove it. i *do* want them to grow. i *do* want them to win.

i don't need you telling me how to appreciate a season.

ignore.

I don't think I did that. I don't mind you putting me on Ignore. Best of luck.

 

[DFWJC]

USA Today predicted NFC East as

NFC East

Eagles 11-5 (4): Class of weak division. But can Nick Foles reproduce 2013 magic? DeSean Jackson's speed will be missed.
Commanders 7-9: If the line and RG3's knee hold up, this offense will be hard to slow, but defense may be year away.
Giants 6-10: Eli Manning's supporting cast is getting younger, even if he isn't. Team speed doesn't impress.
Cowboys 3-13: Tony Romo's back, defense are looking awfully frail. Dallas fans might end up pining for .500 teams.

Dream bet right there

Romo and Dez could go down in week1 and the'd still top 3 wins--though it might be interesting

 

[DFWJC]

We will be better how that translates to wins I dont know.
"........

This

 

[Coy]

I really hope you are right Hos, I just don't see it.
We can maybe have a better defense but then again injuries can come on offense (unlike last year), adding to that it seems that we have a tough schedule, at least on paper, saying that I do believe Romo will be good and his play alone is good for 4 or 5 wins a year, so my prediction is once again an 8-8 season and frankly that's my positive thinking.

 

[Coy]

We will be better how that translates to wins I dont know.
Garretts team is beginning to take hold but we need one more year.
Then we are a contender.

I don't know about you but I agree with Parcells statement when he said "you are what your record says you are", so if we win 8 games or less we won't be a better team and there would be a good chance Garrett won't be able to coach the "contender" in 2015.
Let's hope we win 10 or more, then we'll all know we got a lot better.

 

[waving monkey]

I don't know about you but I agree with Parcells statement when he said "you are what your record says you are", so if we win 8 games or less we won't be a better team and there would be a good chance Garrett won't be able to coach the "contender" in 2015.
Let's hope we win 10 or more, then we'll all know we got a lot better.

you kinda have to agree with the statement [Parcell]
with the acknowledgement [my view]
this team is so rapidly changing personal
and systems that the players can be growing
into the system and new players adapting to the
the higher competition ect. ect.
with that we can be improving.
but yes we are what our record says we are

 

[Gameover]

Ware has been declining since 2009.

Henry Melton's pro bowl year was better than anything Hatcher could ever produce. And I don't care about a sack total. There is more to it than sacks.

 

[EST_1986]

If Ben Bass had not got hurt last year, he would have started for us. This year he will be lucky to even make this team.

Larry King could have been a situational pass rusher for us last year.

 

[Gameover]

I totally disagree with Parcells on the record thing.

2007 Cowboys weren't 13-3 good.

Easy schedule, fluke victories, every lucky bounce of the ball, teams not having enough tape on Romo and Garrett's offense. Even Andy Reid's son got arrested the week we played them on a big Sunday night game. That team was so lucky.

I remember the 2006 Packers had a horrible start. They finished that year 8-8. I thought they were better than we were by seasons end. The next year they went 13-3. Sometimes records can be misleading in both ways.

 

[rwalters31]

I hear everyone saying we're 8-8 again, or 6-10, even worse. I think that's a load of crap and I'll tell you why. The Defense is going to be a lot better in 2014, and we now have the makings of a really great OL.

How can I say the Defense will be better? It's real simple, it is no longer a M*A*S*H unit. When this team does improve a lot of people are going to have to explain why they were wrong about the injuries hurting us in 2013. They did hurt us. Way more than people realize.

We lost the best 2 pieces of our Defensive Line and I still say we're going to be better than last year. The reason is we finally have some decent depth. Nothing against Nick Hayden, but when he's a starter, you're in some trouble.

Let's look at DE from last year and this year.

2013...DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer (1 game), George Selvie, Landon Cohen, Edgar Jones, Caesar Rayford, Jason Vega, and Jarius Wynn.

2014...DeMarcus Lawrence, Anthony Spencer, Tyrone Crawford, Ben Gardner, Jeremy Mincey, George Selvie, and Martez Wilson.

I figure 6 of that group will make the team with Crawford getting work inside and out. Martez Wilson is probably the odd man out.

Now let's look at DT from last year and this year.

2013...Jason Hatcher, Nick Hayden, Jerome Long, Marvin Austin, Everette Brown, Everett Dawkins, Corvey Irvin, David Carter, Drake Nevis, and Frank Kearse.

2014...Henry Melton, Terrell McClain, Amobi Okoye, Josh Brent?, Ben Bishop, Ben Bass, and Davon Coleman.

I think people are really going to like Davon Coleman. Put him or Bishop with that first 4, or both of them and drop Brent.

With the Offense clearly looking to control the clock more with the ground game setting up the passing game, and the Defense actually having better depth for a fresh legs rotation I am saying the Defense is going to be better than people give it credit for. I just can't understand why people think last year's Defense wasn't the easy biggest issue with what was wrong with this team.

Enjoy the season, it's going to be a lot better than people think right now. I look forward to some excitement. Get excited now for your Cowboys. You won't regret it.

Hey Ole Buddy

I am one of those that says the Cowboys are an 8-8 team until proven otherwise. We are going to struggle to get to 8-8 with the schedule we have, but I do see us having a chance to be division champ in our weak Division with that 8-8 record. That is as optimistic as I can be for now.

 

[50cent]

With the Offense clearly looking to control the clock more with the ground game setting up the passing game.

I sure hope you are right about this Cowboy!

 

[Hoofbite]

Ware has been declining since 2009.

Henry Melton's pro bowl year was better than anything Hatcher could ever produce. And I don't care about a sack total. There is more to it than sacks.

Don't you feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable when you lie to yourself like this?

 

[visionary]

Hos, can you show us how accurate your preseason win/loss predictions were last 3 years?

That will give us a better idea if this is a seriously thought out post or just a rah day "look at me I am a great fan" post

Personally right now I cannot believe anyone objective can predict any more than 8-8 for this club based on the numerous question marks about talent and coaching on this team

 

[Sarge]

WATCH THE PERSONAL ATTACKS PLEASE.

 

[TwoDeep3]

I'm not afraid either. When it's warranted, I'll predict it. I won't just do it every year to show everyone how much of a fan I am.

I think we're a 6 win team conservatively. If we can get Romo back to form for a full season we can be back in the 8-8 mix. What the Cowboys won't be is a real contender.

You can't just look at the talent on this team, though I think that is lacking. It's also the environment that talent is coached in. With no authority in the head coach.

This is the way I feel. Although I have predicted 5-11. When they warrant praise, I will be on eo f the first. But not yetr because it is still the same team as last year with a tougher schedule.