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

[adbutcher]

My god how sensitive are you? Ignoring someone just because they are positive...lol

Goodness this fan base is getting sad.

So true, lol but it is no worse than rooting for a 3-13 season. The thought of it made me dry heave in my mouth.

 

[Hostile]

My god how sensitive are you? Ignoring someone just because they are positive...lol

Goodness this fan base is getting sad.

In his defense, that will not be why he put me on Ignore if he did. I'll leave it at that.

 

[Doomsday101]

The mediots will have you believe that it is filthy's division to lose but those same pundits predicted the texans would be in the super bowl last year. However, the angry pessimistic crowd in the guise of realist only want you to count the optimistic bad predictions. Do as I say do and not as I do.....

I agree. As for the NFC East it is up for grabs and any of the 4 teams in the east has a legit chance including the Cowboys.

 

[Silver N Blue]

Hos man I have been drinking the koolaide year end and year out and will die with the silver n blue running through my veins. We are talking almost 37 yrs now so it goes way back. Last year really bumbed me out like never before. I'm just fed up with the mediocrity this team has portrayed since 96. Now not saying I am not going to root like always and support this team but man I need some proof before I get excited this year. I'm burnt out man on my own personal expectations I have had on this team since Romo became the QB. However I will be right there next to you with the same passion cheering this team on and getting frustrated when it falls short. Just not ready for the cherry koolaide quite yet.

 

[Chuck 54]

I am no fan of the perpetually injured Lee. Yet, how can this defense be improved without Lee. If we had maybe 3 D-line veteran studs around I'd say, yeah, that might be.

But sans Lee, how can we be better? His injury thows the whole linebacking corps into a twilight zone of uncertainty.

But you are dead-on as to Ware. He went from all universe to grea to functional and then function when healthy to injured. All the time hurting us cap wise. Good move on jerra's part. We seem to be getting away from coddling the injuried and aging (hatcher, Ratliff, Ware and maybe Spencer after the preseason).

I did enjoy your post as I ate my baloney samwich with Kool aide.

There's a big difference in being better than last year and being better than if he was there. We are definitely worse than with him, and the LBing corps is worse than with him, but I think the defense (yards, points allowed, etc.) will be improved. They played a quarter or third of the season without him last year. I believe the defensive chemistry and understanding of the system, along with the depth in the rotations to keep guys fresh, make a big difference. We may still be bottom 3rd of the league, but that's better than where we were...I see no way we're at the actual bottom again.

 

[casmith07]

Hos got more likes than Risen Star.

"most liked" my butt.

 

[jday]

Hos man I have been drinking the koolaide year end and year out and will die with the silver n blue running through my veins. We are talking almost 37 yrs now so it goes way back. Last year really bumbed me out like never before. I'm just fed up with the mediocrity this team has portrayed since 96. Now not saying I am not going to root like always and support this team but man I need some proof before I get excited this year. I'm burnt out man on my own personal expectations I have had on this team since Romo became the QB. However I will be right there next to you with the same passion cheering this team on and getting frustrated when it falls short. Just not ready for the cherry koolaide quite yet.

I've learned to cool my expectations out of necessity; I really don't function well the week following a dissappointing season, unless I keep my expectations as realistic as possible.

 

[peplaw06]

Hos man I have been drinking the koolaide year end and year out and will die with the silver n blue running through my veins. We are talking almost 37 yrs now so it goes way back. Last year really bumbed me out like never before. I'm just fed up with the mediocrity this team has portrayed since 96. Now not saying I am not going to root like always and support this team but man I need some proof before I get excited this year. I'm burnt out man on my own personal expectations I have had on this team since Romo became the QB. However I will be right there next to you with the same passion cheering this team on and getting frustrated when it falls short. Just not ready for the cherry koolaide quite yet.

That's probably an apt description of the majority of the fan base... tired of the underachievement and mediocrity that have plagued this franchise for almost two decades.

If this season we win a lot of games and get on a roll, then attitudes will change. Odds are if we do that, we will be doing a lot of things better than we have been doing them since Garrett took over, which will be apparent to fans. If we do those things better week in and week out, then fans can start to feel more confident that we will see them as the season progresses. There will be plenty of time to become optimistic again.

You don't have to look at this team right now and declare that it's a contender to be a "real fan." I'm just not one of those guys that can lie to himself and be confident that this team is going to win 10+ games.

 

[Silver N Blue]

I've learned to cool my expectations out of necessity; I really don't function well the week following a dissappointing season, unless I keep my expectations as realistic as possible.

I couldn't agree more man with both your posts. And like you I would welcome the egg on my face for having low expectations out of the gate if I am wrong.

 

[thechosen1n2]

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.

Absolute Truth spoken in this post. The D LIne was our biggest problem last year, and I think it will be much better.

 

[jday]

I'm with you - if the Cowboys even make it to the playoffs, I might literally throw eggs in the air and try to catch them with my face.

 

[scooper]

The Pollyanna schtick would be cute if you were 12.

Not trying to be cute. I'm being a Cowboys FAN. Try it someday.

 

[Silver N Blue]

That's probably an apt description of the majority of the fan base... tired of the underachievement and mediocrity that have plagued this franchise for almost two decades.

If this season we win a lot of games and get on a roll, then attitudes will change. Odds are if we do that, we will be doing a lot of things better than we have been doing them since Garrett took over, which will be apparent to fans. If we do those things better week in and week out, then fans can start to feel more confident that we will see them as the season progresses. There will be plenty of time to become optimistic again.

You don't have to look at this team right now and declare that it's a contender to be a "real fan." I'm just not one of those guys that can lie to himself and be confident that this team is going to win 10+ games.

I agree man. My concern goes back to the Detroit game and how it was managed at the end last year. I've seen that under this regime to many times and until I see some fruit growing on the trees it makes it hard to take a bite of what is being sold on paper right now.

 

[jday]

Absolute Truth spoken in this post. The D LIne was our biggest problem last year, and I think it will be much better.

It was our biggest problem, possibly, but not our only problem. And second, just out of curiosity, what makes you so confident that the Dl is now fixed?

 

[KJJ]

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.

No team is a M*A*S*H unit this time of year we're only in June. The Cowboys couldn't even get through their first OTA practice without losing their best defensive player with an ACL. Before saying the Cowboys defense is no longer a M*A*S*H unit you might want to wait until after training camp and preseason when the real contact starts. The teams top free agent signing Melton is coming off an ACL and won't see any on the field work until training camp. Any setbacks with him will put the Cowboys defense in a real bind. Claiborne is still recovering from an injury and Spencer is on the pup list still rehabbing.

Even when the defense has been relatively healthy it's struggled. FANS blamed losing Carter and Lee a couple of years ago for a lot of the defensive struggles even though both players were on the field vs Seattle when the defense got pummeled. I doubt Jerry would be changing DC's for a 3rd straight season if he thought most of the defensive struggles were due to injuries. Granted injuries have played a role but every team gets hit with injuries. The 2010 Packers ended the season with 15 players on IR and still went on to win the SB. Even Jerry has pointed to games where the defense got shredded when relatively heathy defending his reasons for the DC changes.

Sure it's possible the Cowboys D could be improved it was the 3rd worst in NFL history last season. Hard not to improve on that. Losing Ware, Hatcher and Lee is going to keep the defense from being a lot better in 2013 which is what you're predicting. With Marinelli taking over the defense and the addition of several new players including some rookies it's going to be very difficult for the D to be a lot better than last years. Lawrence is going to make his share of rookie mistakes. If Spencer even sees the field in 2014 I don't expect much from him after a year off battling an injury. I don't see Mincey making much of an impact he wasn't good enough to stick on Denver's crappy defense.

Melton who's coming off an ACL didn't record a single sack in his only 3 games last season with the Bears when he was healthy. In his last 17 starts he's only recorded 6 sacks. With him coming off an ACL and the Cowboys likely not wanting to risk him much until the season opener I don't see him making a significant impact. He's a downgrade over Hatcher. Selvie was a surprise last season having 7 sacks but opponents will be more aware of him in 2014. We'll see how effective he is without the support of some of the solid players we lost. With all the new players on defense it's going to take time to build some continuity and get everyone on the same page. I don't think we're going to get the great results you're expecting from the defense this upcoming season.

If Marinelli proves to be the answer at DC and some of the young players show potential and progress as the season develops then the 2015 season could see a major improvement defensively. What may prevent the defense from taking a major step in 2015 is having to replace the teams 2 starting corners Carr and Claiborne. Carr is due a lot of money after the 2014 season so I don't see him returning in 2015 and Claiborne will be entering a make of break season in 2014. I hope your predictions for the defense come to fruition but they appear too overly optimistic.

 

[casmith07]

You don't have to look at this team right now and declare that it's a contender to be a "real fan." I'm just not one of those guys that can lie to himself and be confident that this team is going to win 10+ games.

You similarly don't have to look at this team right now and claim 6-10 or worse to be a "real fan" or "realist," but I imagine hell would freeze over before yourself or any of your clique would admit the same.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Stop clinging to that "America's team" crap.

Never. See sig.

 

[jday]

Not trying to be cute. I'm being a Cowboys FAN. Try it someday.

If you spend significant time on this blog, unless your a troll from another team, that's a pretty good indication that you are fan. I'd say most people sitting on this thread as I write are fans...some people just take a different approach than others; but that doesn't make them any less of a fan.

 

[adbutcher]

Never. See sig.

ditto

 

[peplaw06]

You similarly don't have to look at this team right now and claim 6-10 or worse to be a "real fan" or "realist," but I imagine hell would freeze over before yourself or any of your clique would admit the same.

I certainly don't think I've claimed that you have to predict 6 or fewer wins to be a "real fan." Do you think I have?

Ground does feel a little chilly right now.