My 2008 Schedule Analysis

[Manster68]

It is always fun when the schedule comes out. Everybody generally thinks they got screwed one way or another. That really is not the case here though.

At 3:15 PM CDT - There are 3456 hours until kickoff in Cleveland! That is 144 Days! Let the countdown begin!

Sept. 7 - @CLE

Sept. 15 - PHI (Monday night)

Sept. 21 - @GB (Sunday night)

Sept. 28 - WASH

Oct. 5 - CIN

Oct. 12 - @ARI

Oct. 19 - @STL

Oct. 26 - TB

Nov. 2 - @NYG

Nov. 9 - Bye

Nov. 16 - @WASH (Sunday night)

Nov. 23 - SF

Nov. 27 - SEA

Dec. 7 - @PIT

Dec. 14 - NYG (Sunday night)

Dec. 20 - BAL (Saturday night)

Dec. 28 - @PHI


I REALLY like this schedule for the Cowboys.

1. The two significantly cold games will be played in Pennsylvania.
- I can accept that in the fact that those are the only two road games after Thanksgiving.
- Dallas will have ten and eight days to prepare for those games respectively.

2. Three of the first five games are at home.
- The best part about that is the two September road games are in Cleveland and Green Bay. No arguement here.

3. Seattle on Thanksgiving promises to be an interesting game.
- The Seahawks finally come to Dallas (the first time since Emmitt Smith broke Payton's record).
- The Cowboys/Seahawks Thanksgiving Record is 1-1. 1980 - Dallas won 51-7, 1986 - Seattle won 34-17.

4. Dallas has a week 10 BYE.
- The Cowboys will have two weeks to prepare for the Commanders in the Nation's Capital.

So there really is no reason to gripe about this schedule.

 

[tyke1doe]

I'm sure I could get it elsewhere, but don't you think it would have been nice to include a schedule a post entitled "My 2008 Schedule Analysis"?

 

[Rampage]

my thoughts are in december we play 4 tough defenses and 2 on the road in cold weather. A solid running game could get us off of the december slide this year.

 

[LucaBrasi]

Unfortunatley, the Commanders will also have 2 weeks to prepare for the Cowboys since their bye week is the same week.

 

[Apollo Creed]

my thoughts are in december we play 4 tough defenses and 2 on the road in cold weather. A solid running game could get us off of the december slide this year.

That December schedule looks tough, it would be nice to have some fresh legs down the stretch instead of a battered Barber and an offense that can't stretch the field.

I'm a major McFadden advocate in the interest of being able to keep Marion Barber for this season. I don't think it's going to be financially plausible to keep Newman, Ware, Owens, and Barber under contract past next season. With that in mind, and with the 2009 class of Running Backs not looking very hot - drafting McFadden would give you the luxury of easing him into the system and not asking him to carry the rock 20+ times.

 

[Rampage]

That December schedule looks tough, it would be nice to have some fresh legs down the stretch instead of a battered Barber and an offense that can't stretch the field.

I'm a major McFadden advocate in the interest of being able to keep Marion Barber for this season. I don't think it's going to be financially plausible to keep Newman, Ware, Owens, and Barber under contract past next season. With that in mind, and with the 2009 class of Running Backs not looking very hot - drafting McFadden would give you the luxury of easing him into the system and not asking him to carry the rock 20+ times.

ya know I like the way your thinking

 

[viman96]

Dec schedule is tough but the Boys play more games at home then away.
We close the season with 4 of 6 games at home.

 

[links18]

Home field advantage hasn't meant much lately, been more like a handicap than anything else.

 

[Hoofbite]

That December schedule looks tough, it would be nice to have some fresh legs down the stretch instead of a battered Barber and an offense that can't stretch the field.

I'm a major McFadden advocate in the interest of being able to keep Marion Barber for this season. I don't think it's going to be financially plausible to keep Newman, Ware, Owens, and Barber under contract past next season. With that in mind, and with the 2009 class of Running Backs not looking very hot - drafting McFadden would give you the luxury of easing him into the system and not asking him to carry the rock 20+ times.

So how exactly does drafting McFadden help any part of that problem?

 

[Deep_Freeze]

So how exactly does drafting McFadden help any part of that problem?

Sounds like he is thinking about letting Barber walk.

 

[Hoofbite]

Sounds like he is thinking about letting Barber walk.

Sounds like hes crazy if he thinks McFadden would be cheaper.

 

[Rampage]

Sounds like hes crazy if he thinks McFadden would be cheaper.

not cheaper but better

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Sounds like hes crazy if he thinks McFadden would be cheaper.

Well, the line of thinking is this, with Barber, we are thinking of signing another 1st round RB. If he was a feature back, we wouldn't be even thinking about another RB in the first round. Barber (and his agent) seems to want feature back money.

It isn't ideal to pay Barber all that money then have to turn around and pay a first round back with him. Moneywise, it would be nice if you had that guy that carried the load, and had a cheap guy backing him up. This is what led to this talk of McFadden.

When you combine the salary of what Barber would want with a first round back, you could end up spending too much on the position. Especially when it comes time to resign that first round back you draft.

 

[Apollo Creed]

not cheaper but better

Wouldn't go that far.

McFadden is going to be a great back in this league for a very good time, I haven't seen a guy with his ability to hit top speed so quickly in quite some time.

I just think our offense would be more dynamic and have a home run threat outside of Owens with a versatile guy like McFadden.I distinctly remember an offense whom seemed to get boxed in, with no real ability to make the big play when we needed to.

If Barber is going to want LT money, (don't forget who is agent is) - let him walk and take the guy who can carry the ball 20+ times. Especially with a FB like Schmitt available in the 3rd/4th. Garrett, Houck, and Campo - seems like Jerry is getting nostalgic and wants to go back to that 90s offense.