More optimistic than ever

[Risen Star]

We're going to win on Sunday.

Picking 7th after this type of season will be extremely disappointing. I want the highest rated cornerback. Not the 2nd highest rated.

 

[visionary]

I really can't understand all negativity toward team. When Romo and Dez went out with injuries my initial thought was they wouldn't win another game until they both returned. I wasn't far off. This team is build around Romo/Dez and their contracts say so. So why am I ecstatic about this off-season and next year. Here is why:

1. This is worst I have ever seen NFC east and I don't see it changing much. Philly will be drafting too late to land a legit franchise QB. Chip Kelley offensive philosophy keeps his defenses on field too much and they wear down at end of each season (they gave up an avg of 36 points game in last 6 weeks). The Giants are dysfunctional team with one impact player. They are due for wholesale changes. The Commanders are probably Dallas only real competition but don't have OL or RB to be formidable in playoffs. Most NFL experts I have read all agreed Dallas would have wrapped this division up early if healthy and probably make push deep into playoffs.

2. Draft slot. Currently slotted at #4 (worst case scenario is them dropping to #7). Either way they are getting potential impact player. Go ahead and look back at last 3-4 drafts and look at names in top 7. There are franchise players in there. One thing we know is Dallas is unusually good at drafting in 1st round. Dallas will be picking early each round. Lets add on supplemental picks (I think Dallas will get three #4s added). That would give Dallas 7 draft picks in top 136 players. That's insane influx of talent for already contending team.

3. Salary cap. Take look at Dallas for 2016: http://overthecap.com/salary-cap/dallas-cowboys/. Hopefully you saw what I saw....there is minimal dead money hits in 2016. Usually we see multiple players with millions of dollars in dead money. Jasper Brinkley heads the list at measly 625k. That tells me Cowboys cap is finally cleaned out and running efficient. Now of course Carr cap hit looks awful but I would bite bullet and just keep him one more year. Dallas can redo Tyron Smith and Dez contracts. 2016 Cap is projected at $154M. Dallas could easily get down to about $130M if pressed. In other words, they will have money to sign CB, LB and 2nd tier DE (if Hardy signs elsewhere).

This year was mulligan and they got a gift of drafting where usually worst teams in football rub elbows.

Go read up on "battered wife syndrome" and you will realize why you are 'more positive than ever'

 

[jazzcat22]

Cousins is legit. My best friend is a Skins fan. When they drafted RG3 and then turned around and drafted Cousins later I did some homework & told my friend he would make incredible trade bait. Then RGMe happened. Cousins is a gamer.

Next year teams will have a complete year to study film on how the Commanders offense ran with Cousins. Just as they did with RG3's very good 1st year. They figured him out.
They will do the same with Cousins.
Now I do agree, I thought Cousins would be the better long term QB. He is good, but he is not Brady.
Teams did not know what to expect from this offense with him, now they do.

 

[30yrheel]

So we're shooting for another 8-8 season then? Yay.

 

[Bleu Star]

I agree in part..

I think 20 years ago..at the time of the cap..

that changed us and we never have mastered it.

Jerrah was allowed to make too many personnel decisions and redo too many contracts which ended up killing our cap.

That has been curbed more or less as others have more influence on decisions.

While I doubt we can get back to the dominence we once had..

that was a different era.

I look at the teams who have continued to succeed like the Packers and the Broncos and Pats..

its about QBs and good talent evaluation and coaching stability.

We still lack in several areas there..take your pick which ones.

But I think we have the best set of coaches since Jimma, Garrett not withstanding..

and becuz of Jerrah..

I'm not sure if ANY HC with any sort of resume would come here.

Sooo..

saying that..

Garett gets the nod.

And we hope he gets better and this year has taught him something.

I appreciate you laying down your thoughts and there's much logic in what you've said. I just can't subscribe to it. Garrett is going to continue to shape .500 ball no matter how you slice & dice it. Jerry is the one person that can hit the flush button without batting an eye.

 

[ksadler1]

I really can't understand all negativity toward team. When Romo and Dez went out with injuries my initial thought was they wouldn't win another game until they both returned. I wasn't far off. This team is build around Romo/Dez and their contracts say so.

It's really hard for me to have confidence in a team that can only go 1-7 without Romo or Dez. There were 2 major problems this year. 1) the coaching was horrendous. 2) the players are way overrated.

How many of you guys watched the Cardinals dismantle the Packers yesterday? That is a well coached, great drafting team that also knows how to use FA's in their system. I was in awe watching that team yesterday. It reminded me so much of the Jimmy Johnson teams. And here we sit with "The Red Clapper" and "the Crypt Keeper" wondering why this team can't get back to glory. Romo's days are numbered folks. Hell, his minutes in a game are numbered. I think it's finally sinking in to Jerry's feeble mind that just maybe he can't play for "4 or 5 more years". Problem is, every time Jerry thinks, it sets this team back another 10 years.

A lot of words come to my mind when thinking about this team. "Optimistic" is not one of them.....

 

[Risen Star]

"I really can't understand all the negativity towards the team."

We share a team with these people.

 

[cowboyblue22]

with the schedule theyhave next year they will win four or five games at best so not a lot to look forward to.

 

[Bullflop]

I really can't understand all negativity toward team. When Romo and Dez went out with injuries my initial thought was they wouldn't win another game until they both returned. I wasn't far off. This team is build around Romo/Dez and their contracts say so. So why am I ecstatic about this off-season and next year. Here is why:

1. This is worst I have ever seen NFC east and I don't see it changing much. Philly will be drafting too late to land a legit franchise QB. Chip Kelley offensive philosophy keeps his defenses on field too much and they wear down at end of each season (they gave up an avg of 36 points game in last 6 weeks). The Giants are dysfunctional team with one impact player. They are due for wholesale changes. The Commanders are probably Dallas only real competition but don't have OL or RB to be formidable in playoffs. Most NFL experts I have read all agreed Dallas would have wrapped this division up early if healthy and probably make push deep into playoffs.

2. Draft slot. Currently slotted at #4 (worst case scenario is them dropping to #7). Either way they are getting potential impact player. Go ahead and look back at last 3-4 drafts and look at names in top 7. There are franchise players in there. One thing we know is Dallas is unusually good at drafting in 1st round. Dallas will be picking early each round. Lets add on supplemental picks (I think Dallas will get three #4s added). That would give Dallas 7 draft picks in top 136 players. That's insane influx of talent for already contending team.

3. Salary cap. Take look at Dallas for 2016: http://overthecap.com/salary-cap/dallas-cowboys/. Hopefully you saw what I saw....there is minimal dead money hits in 2016. Usually we see multiple players with millions of dollars in dead money. Jasper Brinkley heads the list at measly 625k. That tells me Cowboys cap is finally cleaned out and running efficient. Now of course Carr cap hit looks awful but I would bite bullet and just keep him one more year. Dallas can redo Tyron Smith and Dez contracts. 2016 Cap is projected at $154M. Dallas could easily get down to about $130M if pressed. In other words, they will have money to sign CB, LB and 2nd tier DE (if Hardy signs elsewhere).

This year was mulligan and they got a gift of drafting where usually worst teams in football rub elbows.

I think the typical attitude around here routinely falls into the "what've you done for me lately" category.

Granted, there's often scant consideration for the prevailing circumstances.

Nevertheless, this team does have serious issues.

 

[Apollo Creed]

The Panthers lost their #1 receiver and went 14-1.

The Steelers have won games with 3 quarterbacks.

Brandon freakin Weeden has won 2 games now.

The Cardinals went to the playoffs with backup QBs last year.

We've had enough 'mulligans' for the Garrett era - it's time to move on before he wastes yet another year of Romo.

 

[eternaljester81]

Won't the Skins have to pay Cousins after this year? That could make things interesting.

 

[IrishAnto]

I really can't understand all negativity toward team. When Romo and Dez went out with injuries my initial thought was they wouldn't win another game until they both returned. I wasn't far off. This team is build around Romo/Dez and their contracts say so. So why am I ecstatic about this off-season and next year. Here is why:

1. This is worst I have ever seen NFC east and I don't see it changing much. Philly will be drafting too late to land a legit franchise QB. Chip Kelley offensive philosophy keeps his defenses on field too much and they wear down at end of each season (they gave up an avg of 36 points game in last 6 weeks). The Giants are dysfunctional team with one impact player. They are due for wholesale changes. The Commanders are probably Dallas only real competition but don't have OL or RB to be formidable in playoffs. Most NFL experts I have read all agreed Dallas would have wrapped this division up early if healthy and probably make push deep into playoffs.

2. Draft slot. Currently slotted at #4 (worst case scenario is them dropping to #7). Either way they are getting potential impact player. Go ahead and look back at last 3-4 drafts and look at names in top 7. There are franchise players in there. One thing we know is Dallas is unusually good at drafting in 1st round. Dallas will be picking early each round. Lets add on supplemental picks (I think Dallas will get three #4s added). That would give Dallas 7 draft picks in top 136 players. That's insane influx of talent for already contending team.

3. Salary cap. Take look at Dallas for 2016: http://overthecap.com/salary-cap/dallas-cowboys/. Hopefully you saw what I saw....there is minimal dead money hits in 2016. Usually we see multiple players with millions of dollars in dead money. Jasper Brinkley heads the list at measly 625k. That tells me Cowboys cap is finally cleaned out and running efficient. Now of course Carr cap hit looks awful but I would bite bullet and just keep him one more year. Dallas can redo Tyron Smith and Dez contracts. 2016 Cap is projected at $154M. Dallas could easily get down to about $130M if pressed. In other words, they will have money to sign CB, LB and 2nd tier DE (if Hardy signs elsewhere).

This year was mulligan and they got a gift of drafting where usually worst teams in football rub elbows.

Let's see what next year brings before predicting anything.

 

[Doc50]

Romo is another tackle away from yet another separate shoulder. I'm done blindly rallying around that great hope. Lots has to fall into place in order for any of this to work. High draft pick or no high draft pick. Romo or no Romo.

The things that we have continued to witness year in and year out define insanity. Textbook.

While I share your frustration and realize the problems involve strategy, teaching, and tactics, Romo does not have a problem with shoulder separations. His fracture will heal stronger than the bone was originally, and will not spontaneously create any problems. The 500 to 1000 pounds of force involved in a football collision will cause injury. Older players may take longer to recover, or have degenerative joint conditions that will eventually force retirement.

Golden Boy Tom Brady is also one hit away from retirement; but his offense's strategy is to protect against that. I think ours is too, but Tony took an unfortunate hit in the wrong position.

We have to face the facts (and I hope JJ does too) -- Tony is our offense, our on-field OC.
He gives imagination, creativity, and variability to our otherwise simple and predictable scheme. Unfortunately, that leaves us debilitated in his absence, and no one else will be able to duplicate his contribution without great skills and 3 years of indoctrination.

If the offseason does not include some major changes involving the FO and Staff, it will have been a waste of time.

 

[Blackspider214]

Hard to be optimistic when the state of our football team rests on one single player (Romo). When he went down, this team collapsed. Mainly due to coaching and how terrible they are. Romo is now getting older and is more brittle. You can't count on him to play a full season.

Texans and their staff were able to win 2 games with Weeden. We could only muster up one single win without Romo and that was mainly due to Desean Jackson being an idiot on the punt return.

We have no backup plan without Romo. And even with Romo, this coaching staff hinders us. 5 years of .500 football. We are mediocre. Last year was the outlier. We are nothing more than a .500 team with Garrett and company. Get used to it.

 

[phildadon86]

Odell is better now and will be even better in the years to come. Wait and see.

If he hits 56 touchdowns by year 5 I'll agree with you. Won't happen. Oh. And I'd love to see Odell play in this offensive scheme, just out physical your guy OBJ. You'll win eventually. Give me a break man. Dez on any other team in this league is a top 3 receiver and it's not even close. Unfortunately our scheme has him always lined up outside having to beat his man physically. If they moved him around to exploit defensive weaknesses, he would be in the convo for best in the league in my opinion.

 

[perrykemp]

If he hits 56 touchdowns by year 5 I'll agree with you. Won't happen.

Odell Beckup already has 25 TDs in his first 26 games. He is on pace for 65 TDs after 5 years for what it is worth.

Odell's TD receptions / per game % of 0.92 is substantially higher than Dez's TD reception / per game %0.70.

Gronk is the only guy in the neighborhood of Odell with a %0.82.

 

[phildadon86]

Odell Beckup already has 25 TDs in his first 26 games. He is on pace for 65 TDs after 5 years for what it is worth.

Odell's TD receptions / per game % of 0.92 is substantially higher than Dez's TD reception / per game %0.70.

Gronk is the only guy in the neighborhood of Odell with a %0.82.

Ok. So he may get there. Again. He's also in a much better scheme than ours. If we trade OBJ for Dez our offense would get worse, not better. That's what I'm getting at here lol

 

[ksadler1]

If he hits 56 touchdowns by year 5 I'll agree with you. Won't happen. Oh. And I'd love to see Odell play in this offensive scheme, just out physical your guy OBJ. You'll win eventually. Give me a break man. Dez on any other team in this league is a top 3 receiver and it's not even close. Unfortunately our scheme has him always lined up outside having to beat his man physically. If they moved him around to exploit defensive weaknesses, he would be in the convo for best in the league in my opinion.

I agree with you. But who is going to do that on this coaching staff? If Dez was in Green Bay, New England, Pitt or Arizona, he would be moved around to help exploit other teams weaknesses. But here, he's a wasted commodity. And he's not the only one. Don't you guys get tired of the excuses year in and year out? If this was a 3 or 4 year drought I could understand it. But TWENTY YEARS (let that sink in) is inexcusable. I had posted, 2 years ago, that our future QB should already be on the roster. Yet here we sit hoping and praying that it doesn't take another 10 years to find one again.

The good teams in the NFL, the ones with longevity anyway, are proactive. Jerry and the Cowboys are reactive and that's a recipe for failure.....

 

[Bleu Star]

I agree with you. But who is going to do that on this coaching staff? If Dez was in Green Bay, New England, Pitt or Arizona, he would be moved around to help exploit other teams weaknesses. But here, he's a wasted commodity. And he's not the only one. Don't you guys get tired of the excuses year in and year out? If this was a 3 or 4 year drought I could understand it. But TWENTY YEARS (let that sink in) is inexcusable. I had posted, 2 years ago, that our future QB should already be on the roster. Yet here we sit hoping and praying that it doesn't take another 10 years to find one again.

The good teams in the NFL, the ones with longevity anyway, are proactive. Jerry and the Cowboys are reactive and that's a recipe for failure.....

If Dez was on any of those other teams, he would be the unequivocal best WR in the game. The creative way in which he can be used are just astonishing. Unfortunately, for our staff, those ideals don't exist in coloring book or paint by numbers form.

 

[Jarv]

It's wonderful being a fan of both teams.
Although I expected the Dolphins to blow it this year, due to all the holes on the squad.

At least the Phins were smart enough to replace their loser coach.