More positive vibes from Jeff Sullivan

[Boyzmamacita]

This excerpt was in Star Mag before Wednesday night's game.

Been really shocked the last few months at the lack of expectations for the Cowboys in the media and fan base. Must be missing something because for me, the talent is on another level than a season ago, and not to beat the deceased horse, but last year’s squad was a lost pass in the lights from winning the division and four snaps of the football from being 12-4. So why wouldn’t this team be among the league’s elite? Not saying with New England or Green Bay, but definitely in that next tier with four or five others who have a chance at playing for their conference championship.

Think this is the beginning of a highly enjoyable three- or four-year run for the Cowboys. Wouldn’t trade the coaching staff for any in the league right now, this should make for a third straight solid draft class, and the roster has to be among the youngest in the NFL.

Certainly there’s warranted pessimism to my optimism, both this year and beyond. Maybe the defense doesn’t make the leap, maybe Doug Free was a one-year wonder, maybe DeMarco Murray spends more time in the trainer’s room than carrying the ball, maybe Father Time catches up to Jason Witten this year, and maybe Dez Bryant just never reaches his full potential, both on and off the field. Perhaps.

For now, though, the reasons are bountiful that the Cowboys of old have returned. Not so much to the form of the 1977 or 1992 Super Bowl champs; more like the 1966 or 1991 teams who were oh-so-close and oh-so-obviously on the cusp of greatness.

 

[Fletch]

I'm really loving this!

 

[ConstantReboot]

OH I think the diehard fanbase knows that this is a different Cowboys team. If you followed this team through preseason you know that beating the Giants wasn't a fluke. I chuckled when the announcer said that this was Romo's best game. I guess he hasn't seen Romo play before cause if he knew, Romo absolutely shreds Giant defenses.

The big additions to the team has been on defense. Even the coaches are different. No more Dave Campo and his play 10 yards away from you man.

Good post though. But the fanbase knew this team has talent as good or better than the Giants. Pundits were the ones that was caught off guard.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

I'm really loving this!

I love it too because I agree with it. During the offseason, I wanted signs that the Cowboys were moving in the right direction. I am pleasantly surprised at the potential of Ogletree, Claiborne, Carter and Hanna to name a few. I knew they all had upside, but seeing them produce on the field with success against the defending champs with the lights on is encouraging. Sullivan's comment about the coaching staff gives me warm fuzzies too.

 

[5Stars]

I love it too because I agree with it. During the offseason, I wanted signs that the Cowboys were moving in the right direction. I am pleasantly surprised at the potential of Ogletree, Claiborne, Carter and Hanna to name a few. I knew they all had upside, but seeing them produce on the field with success against the defending champs with the lights on is encouraging. Sullivan's comment about the coaching staff gives me warm fuzzies too.

These new coaches are the ones that are making a difference that we are seeing in this team.

You can have the best players money can buy, but if the coach/s does not know how to use them then all is lost.

This Cowboy team is being built the right way.

 

[sonnyboy]

I love it too because I agree with it. During the offseason, I wanted signs that the Cowboys were moving in the right direction. I am pleasantly surprised at the potential of Ogletree, Claiborne, Carter and Hanna to name a few. I knew they all had upside, but seeing them produce on the field with success against the defending champs with the lights on is encouraging. Sullivan's comment about the coaching staff gives me warm fuzzies too.

Same here. Every word.

On more than one occasion I tried to make the argument for the Cowboys as a contender in 2012. And not the moronic "why not us argument".

More like the this team is talented enough, has enough recent contender peformances (07 & 09) and most important an elite QB.....to be a contender once again in 2012.

Anyone with an eye for the game and half a brain should have been able to see last week and even more so this week that the only thing standing between this team and 12 wins is reasonable health.

 

[bigE79]

I'm really loving this!

Same here bro...we should all enjoy these next few years cause its gonna be one heluva ride...Go Cowboys

 

[Tenkamenin]

Same here bro...we should all enjoy these next few years cause its gonna be one heluva ride...Go Cowboys

The Cowboys and the Niners are going to dominate the NFC again. I'm excited about the youth movement in Dallas.

 

[baj1dallas]

the talent is on another level than a season ago.

I don't really agree with that, certainly Claiborne is younger than Newman but I don't know that I think he's all that more "talented", better obviously, being younger and healthy. The offensive line isn't really any more talented, nor the WR core, certainly they've dumped some aging vets, but they got younger, not more talented.

 

[AZ_Cowboys_Fan]

This excerpt was in Star Mag before Wednesday night's game.

this should make for a third straight solid draft class, and the roster has to be among the youngest in the NFL.

Colin Cowherd pointed this out as well. Dallas has basically nailed three straight drafts especially when you look at rounds 1-3. This talk that the window is closing is ridiculous. Are you kidding me? The window is just starting to open. We're loaded with young talent. Granted, Ratliff might be starting to wear down but Romo, Wit, and Ware have several productive seasons left. We're in excellent shape for the foreseeable future.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I hate when we get love in the media. I prefer the negativity. These guys seem to feed better when you count them out.

 

[Eskimo]

this should make for a third straight solid draft class, and the roster has to be among the youngest in the NFL.

Colin Cowherd pointed this out as well. Dallas has basically nailed three straight drafts especially when you look at rounds 1-3. This talk that the window is closing is ridiculous. Are you kidding me? The window is just starting to open. We're loaded with young talent. Granted, Ratliff might be starting to wear down but Romo, Wit, and Ware have several productive seasons left. We're in excellent shape for the foreseeable future.

If we keep drafting well, don't re-sign aging vets to overly expensive contracts (re: Anthony Spencer), smart FA signings for weak spots on the roster and extend young and promising players (re: Sean Lee, Dez Bryant) to reasonable deals. Outside of these things the other big key is keeping Romo healthy which means always ensuring he has a good OL in front of him. Right now the Center position is vexing us most so I hope we can fix this issue next off-season with a decent vet or draft pick. The other possibility which we should consider at some point is if Mack can play it.

I really do think the FO has done a masterful job since about the midpoint of the 2010 season. They have upgraded the coaches. They have shopped smartly in FA for a few key pieces. They have drafted well for players who fit our system well and continue to do well in UDFA. They have also mostly managed off-field issues well outside of Dez and are working hard to fix that. Now I just need to see proof that it we don't fall off the tracks here.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

I hate when we get love in the media. I prefer the negativity. These guys seem to feed better when you count them out.

I don't think that applies to the current team. We'll see.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

I don't really agree with that, certainly Claiborne is younger than Newman but I don't know that I think he's all that more "talented", better obviously, being younger and healthy. The offensive line isn't really any more talented, nor the WR core, certainly they've dumped some aging vets, but they got younger, not more talented.

Claiborne looks better than "old" Newman already. He plays more physical, less scared than Newman and he has way more upside. There will be growing pains, but Claiborne as a rookie is already better than last year's Newman.

Carr is an addition and an upgrade at the same time. The secondary is absolutely more talented than last year.

The wide receivers are healthy again which automatically makes them better. If KO continues to be a weapon with a healthy Miles and Dez, a very good TE corps and an excellent QB who spreads the ball well, the passing game will be improved over last year.

The jury is still out on the offensive line. They have yet to gel. It is literally a brand new line with new players or different players at every position so it's hard to judge them. However, I can't say they're any worse than last year's line. What I can say is they will get better as a unit as the season goes on. That's how Oline's work. Cook seems to be more talented than Arkin so that's more talent right there.

How you cannot see that the Cowboys are more talented is a mystery to me. Will it translate to a better record? I dont know, but that's why they play the games.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

These new coaches are the ones that are making a difference that we are seeing in this team.

You can have the best players money can buy, but if the coach/s does not know how to use them then all is lost.

This Cowboy team is being built the right way.

+1000

I was extremely happy with the hiring of Callahan (in case nobody's noticed, that freaking OL situation sent me over the edge years ago).

And the exit of Campo, ah, what a relief!

Jerry does seem to be on track lately with getting good coaches,,, or is it Jason Garrett doing that?

 

[28 Joker]

The media way under-estimated how difficult of an opening game the Cowboys were for the Giants. I wasn't surprised the Cowboys beat the NYG; however, I was just waiting for the Cowboys to find a new way to lose. It was a great win, but it was just one game. Division games are difficult; it doesn't matter where you play. The Giants will be looking for payback. I can promise you. Beat them twice, and I'll be really impressed. Eli Manning is still unbeaten in Jerry World.

I'd tap the breaks on a big 3 or 4 year run and be cautious. The Cowboys have some really good overall talent, but the NFC is loaded with good talent, especially at QB. The margin for error in games is razor thin, and many teams have good coaches.

How about beating an NFC North team, because that division is Dallas' daddy right now. The Bears game should tell us a whole lot about the 2012 Cowboys. The Bears should offer a legit measuring stick. The last time Chicago came to Dallas, they kicked the Cowboys rear-ends. Green Bay casts a large shadow, and Detroit is a team on the rise.

If the Cowboys go 4-0 in the first 4 games, I think they enhance their chances of getting a bye. I think they need it to get to the Super Bowl. The NFC South has New Orleans, Atlanta, and rising Carolina. Tampa Bay has a young QB and a new coach. S.F. lurks in the West. Jeff Fisher has Sam Bradford. Of course, the Eagles have really good talent, too. Washington has a legit QB now, and they are always a big challenge, every year. The Giants are not going away; they are a mentally tough team.

Tony Romo is 32, and DeMarcus Ware is 30. Jason Witten is a key piece, and he is 30. That is the inner core of the current window. However, every year that passes; the window closes on those three players.

It's time for the Cowboys to get it done, period.

 

[big dog cowboy]

So much for flying under the radar.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

The Giants will be looking for payback. I can promise you. Beat them twice, and I'll be really impressed. Eli Manning is still unbeaten in Jerry World.

And the Super Bowl champs were 8-0 in the Thursday/Wednesday night opener. Until now. It's a new day. Will the Cowboys get where we want them to? Who knows? But I have confidence that they can compete with any team now. I didn't feel that way last year. Something different is in the air.

 

[fgoodwin]

Claiborne looks better than "old" Newman already. He plays more physical, less scared than Newman and he has way more upside. There will be growing pains, but Claiborne as a rookie is already better than last year's Newman.

I was pleasantly surprised at what a great game Claiborne had. He did take a bad angle on that rushing TD the Giants had in the first half, and we were helped by some inexplicable drops by the Giant WRs, but we definitely deserved that win (even with some blown non-calls by the replacement refs). On to the Seahawks!

 

[ghst187]

"So why wouldn’t this team be among the league’s elite? Not saying with New England or Green Bay, but definitely in that next tier with four or five others who have a chance at playing for their conference championship"

newsflash, there really aren't any "elite" teams in the league, there are the good and bad and there's enough parity that the bad get several upsets per year. New England is "elite" because they continually win circa 12 games a year but they haven't won a SB in almost a decade. Packers have more holes than we do. And the NYG, whom we just whipped and should've beaten twice last year, whipped them both in the playoffs/SB multiple times last few years. "Elite" is not what it used to be.