My Final Analysis

[Manster68]

Greetings one last time folks.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Well the New Year did not enter in the way we Cowboy fans wanted. The Cowboys failed to make the playoffs for the second straight year under Parcells.

I can understand the criticism rendered towards Parcells from many posters here. He was brought in here to make this team a winner. Despite going 9-7, it wasn't quite good enough for postseason play. The Cowboys at 9-7 is a three game improvement from 2004 when the Cowboys went 6-10. So to you, is the glass half empty or half full?

Here is how I see it:

I do not think many people realize just how horrendous the Cowboys were in 2000 (after Aikman and Galloway went down), and 2001 (with rookie Quincy Carter behind center). I believe 2002 was slightly improved because of the 2002 draft class of Williams, Gurode, Bryant, and Ross.

I think the talent level in 2001 was worse than 1989. The Cowboys were able to win more game in 2001 because the overall talent level of not only the NFC, but the entire NFL, is atrocious.

So Parcells had a huge mess to clean up. I will give him that much.

Between 2003 and 2005, this Cowboy team has improved greatly despite only one playoff appearance. Most every area of the team has been improved. Special teams and free safety stand out as areas that may have digressed (especially considering the retirement of Darren Woodson).

I understand that Rome cannot be built overnight. However, with the quality of football this low, a playoff appearance in 2005 (especially after a draft like this one) was well within their reach. Having only missed it on the last day of the regular season only proves my point.

It is my opinion that the 2005 Cowboys were held hostage by two things - an offensive line that way underachieved, and a kicker. To a much smaller extent, a real blocking fullback also. Cortez and Cundiff cost Dallas precious ballgames, but the loss of Flozell Adams was the straw that broke the camel's back. I also believe that Marco Rivera never recovered from his back surgery.

Other notables of disappointment:

Al Johnson - He just does not have the size to play center. Hey, even Clay Shiver didn't get mauled like he did.

Julius Jones - He is a disappointment only because he cannot stay healthy. I don't question his capabilities.

Scott Shanle - Played inside linebacker the entire season, yet the talk everywhere is that the Cowboys need an inside linebacker. And that is before Dat went out for the season.

Keith Davis - Love the way he hits and plays special teams, but suffers greatly in coverage.

Torrin Tucker - Needs to move to guard and use his physicalness. He doesn't have the footspeed to play tackle.

Notice how all of these players have multiple years under their belt. The rookies (especially Petitti) get a pass from me.

Final Analysis: Dallas made their bed this season and now they are sleeping in it. I do not think Parcells is leaving after this frustrating season. The tide of this season swung in week 2 when Dallas couldn't hold a 13 point lead against the Commanders on Monday night.

However, I do think that this frustrating season has toughened up this team. After this next offseason, Dallas will be ready to make a full assualt on the Vince Lombardi Trophy next year.

So yes, Dallas made strides. Just not the strides many were hoping for.

 

[Clove]

No speed in the receiving core (Glenn only)
Horrible line play. Flo was average when he was healthy - LA is too slow - Al is too weak - Rivera is still hurt - Petitti can't play period - tucker is not a tackle or can't play.

Bledsoe is barely above average
Polite may have a future
Witten is a great receiver, below average blocker.
Campbell is overrated

Defense
Ware is great
Spears will be
Canty will be
Ferguson is not the answer, underachieved.
Henry is slow, but when healthy he's pretty good.
Newman is a stud/ plus the best punt returner since Deion
Williams needs to lose weight and get faster or gain weight and play LB
Davis is not a FS in this league, maybe a strong safety somewhere.
Bradie James is a future stud
Shanle is a nice back up
Fowler is a nice back up
Fujita will be a nice back up
Singleton is gone
Ellis is gone
Glover should be gone
Suishiam or whatever his name is is gone
Mcbriar is pretty darn good

Overall, we need 8 parts this offseason.

 

[Manster68]

No speed in the receiving core (Glenn only)

Crayton is no turtle. Keyshawn is a posession receiver. You do need a combination of both to be successful. Dallas has that.

Horrible line play. Flo was average when he was healthy - LA is too slow - Al is too weak - Rivera is still hurt - Petitti can't play period - tucker is not a tackle or can't play.)

- An average Flozell was better than what Dallas had. It did hurt Witten most of all because he spent more time helping Tucker or Petitti, thus lowering his reception totals.
- LA had a solid season and deserved to be in the Pro Bowl.
- Agree with Johnson, Rivera, and Tucker.
- I am not going to be too critical on Petitti. The season may have been rough on him, but at least he knows the level where he needs to be. He gained a vast amount of experience this season.

Bledsoe is barely above average

He is a lot better than anything Dallas has had since Aikman. If Dallas can build an offensive line around him, and get the running game going, he will prove to be more effective. Plus, do you see Dallas bringing in another quarterback? I don't.

Polite may have a future

I don't see it. I would rather have a Lorenzo Neal type who can knock guys like Arrington on their butts.

Witten is a great receiver, below average blocker. Campbell is overrated

See Witten's blurb above. Campbell was brought into block - he did that very well. Plus, he is a great locker room presence. Please don't discount that.

Defense
Ware is great
Spears will be
Canty will be
Ferguson is not the answer, underachieved.

Agree with Ware, Spears and Canty. Canty was a blessing for the mere fact that many didn't expect him to see the field this season. Spears, with his MCL injury, got off to a slow start, but ended fairly strong.

Ferguson underachieved?......BULL!!! His main job was to clog the middle and take up blockers. He did that very well. Ask a Jets fan if they missed Fergy. I'll bet you they will take him back in a heartbeat. Sorry pal, Fergy stays!

Henry is slow, but when healthy he's pretty good.

Gee, some people had him in the Pro Bowl over Newman. Henry's best part of his game is his physicality. I'll take that and keep Glenn and Reeves as insurance policies. You cannot pay for four starting corners and in the world of free agency, this is as good as it gets. NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CORNERS FROM ME!!

(and I really don't want to lose Reeves. The 2003 6th rounder is getting better and better. How much better will he get? I do not know. However, I sure do not want to find out with him playing on another team.)

Newman is a stud/ plus the best punt returner since Deion

How did Newman not make the Pro Bowl this season is beyond me. NOBODY BURNED HIM THIS SEASON!! And how are you supposed to get interceptions if the QB does not throw to him?

Williams needs to lose weight and get faster or gain weight and play LB

I'll take Roy just as he is.

Davis is not a FS in this league, maybe a strong safety somewhere.
Bradie James is a future stud
Shanle is a nice back up
Fowler is a nice back up
Fujita will be a nice back up
Singleton is gone

Agree with all of this provided Shanle is a back up.

Ellis is gone, Glover should be gone, Suishiam is gone, Mcbriar is pretty darn good

My heart breaks for Glover and Ellis. We will miss them. Suisham had his chance and he blew it. LaDouceur is gone too.

McBriar frustrates me. With the powerful leg he has, he sure has quite a few clunkers. Not sure if he stays or goes.

Overall, we need 8 parts this offseason.

Well, I'll take an upgrade anywhere Bill can get it. Even in a strong area of the team. However, offensive line, linebackers, kicker and free safety should be the priority.

 

[DragonCowboy]

I think that the missed kick by Cundiff was the turning point of our season. If we win that game, we go 8-3, and we basically make the playoffs. Stupid Cundiff/Cortez