Lock & Key

[jday]

We shouldn't allow it to define him, but those that were always hoping he would fail, will. Those that understand then learning curve from a pure spread college offense to a pro style unimaginative offense that we run, will agree! He may not develop into a superstar, but I sure as hell don't wish it, either. He's done enough great things to earn my patience. That said, year three will be his defining year.

Right now calling Dak a Superstar would be like calling a bag of flour, a cup of sugar, 2 eggs, (and whatever other postcooked ingredient is necessary) a cake. He's not a Superstar, but all the ingredients you need to make a Superstar are there.

 

[jday]

Stopped reading when it became clear the judgement of Dak (or lack of it) was based on looking at the team's performance and how it was impacted by other factors instead of looking at how Dak himself performed.

Then I suppose it's a good thing this wasn't intended to be an evaluation of Dak's performance.

 

[Ranching]

Right now calling Dak a Superstar would be like calling a bag of flour, a cup of sugar, 2 eggs, (and whatever other postcooked ingredient is necessary) a cake. He's not a Superstar, but all the ingredients you need to make a Superstar are there.

It may be like calling a 12 pack, 8 shots of tequila and a bottle of wine, a hangover!

 

[jday]

Call it what it is, he's not who we thought he was entering the season. He deserves another year before we pass final judgment, but as of right now, we have a potential problem at QB. I would feel a lot better if it was just the six game stretch with no Zeke, but this has been going on most of the season.

I'd call it that if I thought that....but I don't...

I still think Dak is great...he's just not as far along in his maturation process as I initially thought. That is nowhere close to being the same thing as saying the Cowboys have a potential problem at QB. I'll still say Dak is a franchise QB...he just need's a little more time to mature...that is all.

 

[jday]

It may be like calling a 12 pack, 8 shots of tequila and a bottle of wine, a hangover!

Whichever analogy you prefer. Just keep in mind, one analogy eventually leads to a 12 step program.

 

[Setackin]

Just make sure he has Dak has a RB and he’ll win a SB. He is only in his 2nd year, when he was drafted everyone excepted it to take 3-4 years to develop. He’s ahead of schedule as far as I’m concerned.

 

[Kevinicus]

Then I suppose it's a good thing this wasn't intended to be an evaluation of Dak's performance.

That's how it reads at the beginning, talking about the views people formed about Dak during that time and then jumping in to point out how things may have gone differently if Lee was there for example. That just comes across as..."this is going to be an excuse thread for Dak where everything is about other factors on the team."

 

[Ranching]

Whichever analogy you prefer. Just keep in mind, one analogy eventually leads to a 12 step program.

Be nice if Garrett took 12 steps on an 11 step plank.

 

[jday]

That's how it reads at the beginning, talking about the views people formed about Dak during that time and then jumping in to point out how things may have gone differently if Lee was there for example. That just comes across as..."this is going to be an excuse thread for Dak where everything is about other factors on the team."

No, this was not intended to be an excuse thread. This was simply a study of the relationship between Dak & Zeke, which I pointed out was awfully like the relationship between a key and a lock.

 

[jday]

Be nice if Garrett took 12 steps on an 11 step plank.

Well played.

 

[noshame]

Adjustments could have been made on both sides of the ball to produce different outcomes in these games regardless of Zeke and Dak.
Neither coordinator did anything to help this damn team when they should have.

We should be Cruising Into the playoffs right now.
Give me a new set of coordinators and then I'll evaluate your personnel next season

 

[erod]

I just need to see him control the game against top-level defenses, and I'm sold.

So far, he hasn't. I need to see it. Until then, my eyes are wandering as they should be.

 

[jday]

Adjustments could have been made on both sides of the ball to produce different outcomes in these games regardless of Zeke and Dak.
Neither coordinator did anything to help this damn team when they should have.

We should be Cruising Into the playoffs right now.
Give me a new set of coordinators and then I'll evaluate your personnel next season

The problem with that is "new" doesn't necessarily mean "better." I don't love our coordinators...I can admit that...but the devil you know is better than the devil you don't...

 

[jday]

I just need to see him control the game against top-level defenses, and I'm sold.

So far, he hasn't. I need to see it. Until then, my eyes are wandering as they should be.

He's done that. He did that against the Vikings last year. He didn't light them up; but he controlled the game and didn't make the mistakes that get you beat...or do you have a different definition of controlling a game?

 

[erod]

He's done that. He did that against the Vikings last year. He didn't light them up; but he controlled the game and didn't make the mistakes that get you beat...or do you have a different definition of controlling a game?

Completing 12 passes for 139 yards and 17 points isn't exactly what I had in mind.

I need to see him dominant against top defenses.

 

[jday]

Completing 12 passes for 139 yards and 17 points isn't exactly what I had in mind.

I need to see him dominant against top defenses.

To see him do that, you would have to see him on a different team in a different scheme, then.

 

[noshame]

The problem with that is "new" doesn't necessarily mean "better." I don't love our coordinators...I can admit that...but the devil you know is better than the devil you don't...

Rod pre dates Lucifer

 

[Frosty]

Bottom line if people take a reasonable look at Dak, he is the future, not a Dan Marino, John Elway type QB, never will be. Yes, his best traits are his game management skills. Like Troy Aikman, DAK is a game manager, the General on the field. He is smart, Intelligent and has a bright future. Look at Aikman in his second year as QB. The biggest problem with a game manager as a QB (no matter how good) you have to have a supporting caste. Zeke is a part of that. Yet, I dont care what the critics say, DEZ is NOT...... Dez is a lot of hype, avg production and not the future. This team sorely needs a WR that can stretch the field. TWILL is a possesion receiver, Beasley moves the chains then there is a big huge VOID. No WR to make the big play....or push the ball down the field.

Cowboys front office has seriously mismanaged the positions at MLB, WR, Pass Rusher.... Dont Blame DAK this kid has the IT fator that Troy Aikman had. Not prettty, not great stat, just the ability to WIN.

 

[erod]

To see him do that, you would have to see him on a different team in a different scheme, then.

Romo did it.

I need to see him go down the field and hit windows. He's wildly inaccurate at times. He looks uncomfortable in the pocket. His ball has no zip.

That has to change, at least the parts that can.

 

[Bullflop]

The difference in 2017 and 2016 has little to do with coaching, talent or lack thereof, and/or Dak's ability as a QB and everything to do with the circumstances of this season. Too many distractions and too many key players missing due to injury and suspension. I'm not saying that gives everybody a pass for the year; I'm merely pointing out that had the Cowboys not had to do without Zeke and Lee, the results would have been decidedly different.

By no means was it my intention to blame the lack of success as compared to 2016 on the coaches. The circumstances certainly were there to inhibit this team's former success from being repeated. Injuries to Lee and Elliott were surely impactful in the team's swoon this year, along with the schedule being somewhat tougher this year than what we saw in 2016. The suspension distractions took their toll as well, no doubt.

Personally, I'd merely prefer to see our coaches utilize their young talent somewhat more liberally, rather than relying upon a few of our average performers to continue to be average indefinitely. Granted, it's a matter of opinion as to who they are and if they're good enough to continue to languish on before they're replaced.

Of course, being a fan and seeing it from a fan's perspective, I'm surely not nearly as reluctant to favor change as I would be if my job depended on a change being successful. I'd be willing to bet most fans are quite prone to feeling angst for some personnel changes at times. Without a doubt, I'm no exception.