My thoughts 17 days before the season starts

jazzcat22

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Usually you want to shorten the game when the opposition has the superior offense. It frustrates me to no end that we have an offense that other teams should fear, but our own defense is so bad that it may for us to shorten the game ourselves. In many ways we are doing them a favor.

Ron Jaworski is know for saying "points come out of the passing game". He is correct. If we run the ball only to protect our defense we will be keeping the scores down and thus keeping the games closer than they would be otherwise. This was Parcell's tactic when we had Quincy Carter at QB. We now have an elite QB,TE,OL and WR. We should be lighting up the scoreboard not trying to win games 17-13.

Run the ball, yes shorten's the game. But run to set up the pass, strike when the timing is right, and can still score a lot of points. Keeps the defense off the field, fresher in the 4th quarter, then they can make a stop or two, they will be fine.

I would rather win games even if lower scoring, intead of just trying to win with style [points in this case]. An ugly win is a win none the less.
 

cowboyblue22

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very nice right up but every thing at this point is just hope none of that has been proven. The last three years the offense has tried to carry this team and it has resulted in 8 and 8 seasons the defense will have to make plays in order for them to win. In the nfl your weakness will eventully be exposed.
 

xwalker

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There is no reason in hell that this team shouldnt be a top 5 rushing team in the NFL this yr. If Garrett values his job he will demand that this team shorten games with the running attack. Some games might be ugly but IMO the running game and shortening games gives this team the best chance to win. Not only that but it protects the defense from being on the field so much.

There really is no reason this team shouldnt make the playoffs. Screw everybody talking about the defense, this team has the offensive firepower to be legit.

Quite possibly the best young OL in the NFL.
A franchise QB who looks 200% better then what he did last yr.
A beast franchise WR who is ready to explode.
A nightmare of a RB for defenses to handle.
And a HOF TE.
Not to mention so many other weapons on offense.

Gavin Escobar is going to suprise alot of people. Kid just catches everything thrown to him, and its usually down field. Not the typical flat to Witten. Its going to be fun watching Escobar and Dez on the same side and seeing teams try to double Dez over the top with a Safety and get burned with Gavin on a LBer. So many mismatches.

TW looks like he's taken some lessons on how to catch from Dez because we aint seeing TW with the drops he had last yr so far.

Add in these two quick midgets in Dunbar and Beasley and you ad a dynamic that just hasnt been in Dallas.

But you still have a problem with WR. Byrd, and Boyd IMO will be fighting for that last WR spot if they keep 5. I dont think you can take a chance on losing Boyd and stashing him on the PS.

Now on to the defense.....

Im going to start with Crawford. I really think this team did itself a disservice in having him even prepare for playing DE. He's not going to start over Selvie, and he doesnt provide passrush off the edge. He doesnt use his hands, and he tries to overpower RTs like he's the hulk. IMO Dallas shouldve just had him compete to play opposite Melton. Its still not too late to do that either. McClain is out and If Dallas has to go into week 1 with Hayden as its starter what was the point?

Infusion of young guys in the middle, Coleman, Bishop, Minter. Im affraid one of these guys could be snatched away from Dallas if they go with Hayden. Losing young guys like these 3 is a lose situation, just to keep Hayden who doesnt even fit the scheme needs.

Really hope Okoye works out. Nothing flashy but he is productive in this system.

I dont have concerns with the DT core but there is concern on the weakside DE. That Lawrence loss was a big blow, but Dallas does have a guy in Wilber who is stronger then last yr is wiser. Let him rush stop trying to convert a 4-3 DE into a 4-3 LB. While Wilber does an admirable job, he isnt a starter. He is classic depth.

Hoping Spencer is ready for pads soon.

Theres something to this Boatright kid. He just needs snaps, but i think he could be a player on the DL before this yr is up.

Linebacker spot is a head scratcher. Not so much the players but what this team is trying to force. Most of it is by need. But clearly this team wants McClain to start. Hell the players want him to start and that shows on how Church was swooning over him on a recent interview. So why not get him snaps and trying to force Durant into a spot that he actually too small to play? Its taken this team this long to work Durant at the WILL? He made a career being a WILL. I know people see Carters speed and natural ability and want to see WLL, but he's not a WILL. The guy is a hitter. We saw what he could do up against the LOS. In the offseason we heard about them wanting to blitz Carter more, they arent going to do that from the WILL. So why not slide him over to the SAM and let him bang and get pressure? This has always been Dallas' problem, they try to get too cute.

Only question in the secondary is if Wilcox can react better to what he's seeing. Recognition is his problem and why he couldnt beat out Heath once he got healthy. Dallas will have to buckle down in the first 4 weeks of the yr without Scandrick. Carr and Claiborne will be fine. But after that, they need to get Moore healthy, and have to get more consistency from Mitchell. Webb needs to grow up. The guy just seems to have not made much improvment from last yrs rookie camp. Still the same guy making the same mistakes. Patmon is a guy i think they stash on the PS this yr.

Good writeup.

Wilber is unlikely to be one of the two LBs in the Nickel. The Cowboys defense played Nickel 61% of the snaps last season. That indicates that Wilber is available as a pass rushing DE for approximately 60% of the snaps even if he is the staring SLB.

My understanding is that they moved Durant to 1st team WLB and McClain to 1st team MLB in practice yesterday.

I would disagree on Webb. He did look terrible early in camp, but he had a good game against the Ravens. He was better than Mitchell. Moore will need to get healthy soon. I don't think he is the type that they will carry on the roster waiting for him to get healthy.

The young DTs seem better than the young DEs to me. With Wilber's ability to play DE, I might just go short there and carry more DTs. I haven't seen a big difference between Boatright and Bush. I had high hopes for Martez Wilson with his athleticism, but he just doesn't have the power to go with the speed.

I think Hayden and Okoye would both remain available if they cut them. A spot almost always opens up after the 1st game or 2. I appreciate that Hayden played though injury and I don't want to root against a player, but I see upside with the 3 young DTs Coleman, Bishop and Minter. Bishop reminds me of Josh Brent when he was a rookie.

I'm not really sure why they don't allow veterans on the practice squad. It's a voluntary position in that it's the player option to sign on to it. It would be a good spot for Okoye because he needs more time to practice and workout with the team.

In regards to WR, Newsome seems to be leading the guys trying to gain the 6th WR spot. I think Byrd and Boyd have the ability to be NFL players. IMO Newsome, Byrd, Boyd and possibly Briscoe are as talented as Patrick Crayton who was once the 3rd WR here.
 

conner01

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i don't see us top 5 in rushing. we may run more but with dez and the other weapons we have in the passing game we are'nt going to be running the ball 35 times a game
 

Idgit

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Usually you want to shorten the game when the opposition has the superior offense. It frustrates me to no end that we have an offense that other teams should fear, but our own defense is so bad that it may for us to shorten the game ourselves. In many ways we are doing them a favor.

Ron Jaworski is know for saying "points come out of the passing game". He is correct. If we run the ball only to protect our defense we will be keeping the scores down and thus keeping the games closer than they would be otherwise. This was Parcell's tactic when we had Quincy Carter at QB. We now have an elite QB,TE,OL and WR. We should be lighting up the scoreboard not trying to win games 17-13.

It drives me crazy, too. Makes you wonder what it would look like if this team could ever play with a two score lead. Oh, right. It looks like last year's GB or DET games.

It's really tough when you can't keep the other guys from passing on you at will.
 

Jarv

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Usually you want to shorten the game when the opposition has the superior offense. It frustrates me to no end that we have an offense that other teams should fear, but our own defense is so bad that it may for us to shorten the game ourselves. In many ways we are doing them a favor.

Ron Jaworski is know for saying "points come out of the passing game". He is correct. If we run the ball only to protect our defense we will be keeping the scores down and thus keeping the games closer than they would be otherwise. This was Parcell's tactic when we had Quincy Carter at QB. We now have an elite QB,TE,OL and WR. We should be lighting up the scoreboard not trying to win games 17-13.

If we can run and pass effectively, we should just do what we did in the early 90's. Pass for points in the first half to build up a big lead...Then run it down their throats in the 2nd half to kill the clock and still run up points.
 

theSHOW

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Are you trolling, joking or serious? That's a honest question.

Dez is a liability as much as he is a talent. Ussually I encounter a barrage of clowns that cry to me about anything knocking DB. And I am knocking him. Even Leary, Bernie and Free were rated higher than him during one end of season ranking. I'm serious and I have facts that say trading Bryant would put this team farther ahead. I'm overeas now and not too much on a good connection to stay online for long but soon we can debate the same issue after he blows up at the wrong moment again. If his talent breaks out to a new level and he holds onto the ball this year I will be surprised.
 

Idgit

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Dez is a liability as much as he is a talent. Ussually I encounter a barrage of clowns that cry to me about anything knocking DB. And I am knocking him. Even Leary, Bernie and Free were rated higher than him during one end of season ranking. I'm serious and I have facts that say trading Bryant would put this team farther ahead. I'm overeas now and not too much on a good connection to stay online for long but soon we can debate the same issue after he blows up at the wrong moment again. If his talent breaks out to a new level and he holds onto the ball this year I will be surprised.

So confused by this.
 

dstovall5

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Romo > Dez
Murray > Dez
Witten > Dez
Smith > Dez
Frederick > Dez

I think you got your greater than (>) and less than (<) sign mixed up.

The only player on this team that comes anywhere close to Dez talent wise is Tyron Smith.
 

Idgit

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I think you got your greater than (>) and less than (<) sign mixed up.

The only player on this team that comes anywhere close to Dez talent wise is Tyron Smith.

Exactly. The mouth wants to eat the bigger piece. The point is poking fun at the little piece.
 

theSHOW

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I think you got your greater than (>) and less than (<) sign mixed up.

The only player on this team that comes anywhere close to Dez talent wise is Tyron Smith.

because u have 88 rated higher than the other players listed AND u love him on you're avatar AND you're Sig. LOL sure
 

casmith07

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Lol forgot bout street.See the WR issues im having. Me personally i know what Harris gives you at returner but gives you nothing as a WR.

The defense seems to trust McClain. Alot of people in the media try to over analyze his situation. He was upfront about what his deal was. He was angry and he had family issues. He didnt know how to deal with all that and shut it down.The first step was to admit that and move on. He's done that for the most part as he doesnt even go into Decatur anymore.I personally think he;s going to be really good in this defense.

Ive always said Carter was a perfect fit as a SAM or LEO type LBer. Yes the guy is very athletic but he's aggressive and loves contact, I thought with the reports the Cowboys had over the offseason of him getting stronger wouldve meant he was moving to SAM. But i think when Shazier went off the board those plans went down the toilet.

Wilber, doesnt need to play the run, thats why they brought in Mincey who i think will be fine in that role.

If Dallas truely means they will play the 3 best Lbers then that has to be Carter, McClain, Durant

Been saying for 2 years they need to move Carter to Sam.
 

VACowboy

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I believe this is so premature at this point that no one knows what is coming.

Nobody knows what's coming. That's why they play the games. Three years ago, who saw Pete Carroll leading Seattle to domination? Besides, speculation is what these boards are for. If all we did was sit around here and talk only about what we know beyond a doubt, things would get pretty boring. Everybody has a right to their opinion, and I'm really glad that some people choose to speculate how good the Cowboys could possibly be instead of constantly bashing.

Much less to be top 5 in the rushing attack. Murray still has that injury sword hanging over him. Randall looked like squat last year and pre-season for him has been positive, but who has he run against? Dunbar is as fragile as Murray and doesn't block well in the passing game.

Dallas was 7th in the league in average per rush last year but only ran the ball 336 times. The problem is not injuries or lack of talent in the backfield. The problem is choosing not to run the ball.

They will not keep four running backs even if Jerry had that tattooed on his wife's chest.

Odd proclamation, considering you just described the fragility and inconsistency of the top three.

It remains to be seen whether Garrett and Linehan decide to take advantage of their team's strengths, little things like great run blocking and a set of good RB's, but if they're true to their word and are going to run the ball, it makes complete sense that they will keep at least four running backs.

Too Early

Why? According to PFF, the Cowboys offensive line was the fourth best OL in the league last year. Since then, the team has added another #1 pick to the OL who, by all accounts, has been an absolute stud in camp. Tyron Smith is already one of the best tackles in football and I don't think anyone will deny Fred's incredible impact as a rookie. Free had a great year too, and has shown before that he can play very well at RT.

Let's see what happens when he actually get hit as few times.

Romo got hit a few times against Baltimore, but it's true, nobody knows how his back is going to hold up.


As long as Romo is throwing to him. Anyone else heaving the rock and Dez might as well be Ogletree.

Regardless of who is throwing the ball, Dez Bryant is a Pro Bowler and one of the best wideouts in the game, and Kevin Ogletree is not. I actually like what I've seen from Weeden, and while he isn't Romo, I think he could win some games throwing to Dez, Witten, Williams & Co.

Who is slowing down. Blocking better it seems, but still is an old guy taking a beating. Like Romo. And if the worst case scenario happens, Escobar and Hannah cannot carry the TE position for this team.

Witten slowed down to 73 catches, 851 yards and 6 TD's in 2013. He was fifth in the league in receptions and yards among tight ends.


If Romo is tossing the ball and they can run.

?


Show me. Not against some back-ups, but against first teams for sixteen games.

Yup. He has flashed a lot of ability, though. Needs to get stronger and block better.

Beasley MAY be a nice addition, I'm still skeptical. But let's see it in game. Dunbar better stay healthy.

Beasley had a pretty nice season last year in a limited role: 39 for 368 and two TDs. 20 of his receptions went for first downs.

Pretty sure you are drinking the Kool-aid at this point.

Nothing wrong with Kool-aid, IMHO.

It is still mid way through pre-season. Let's see when they play the 9ers.

Long time til then. I'd rather read posts about how the team can shock the world than a constant stream of moans and groans. We have no choice but to wait and see what happens. Doesn't mean we can't discuss what we think and hope may be.

Lots of hope here in this post with little results to suggest this is fact.

Nobody knows how the season will turn out, but I think you're wrong about some of this. I think there's reason to believe that the team will have a very strong running game, that Dez will have a huge year, that Witten will be Witten and guys like TWill, Beasley, Escobar, and Dunbar will bust out. A lot of this depends on Romo's health, but he will have a strong OL in front of him, and if Garrett/Linehan get their heads outta their ***** and run the ball, there is no reason this team shouldn't hold the ball and score a ton of points. The defense is a different matter, but all we need is marginal improvement to be a playoff team.

What's wrong with hope, anyway?
 

LatinMind

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Good writeup.

Wilber is unlikely to be one of the two LBs in the Nickel. The Cowboys defense played Nickel 61% of the snaps last season. That indicates that Wilber is available as a pass rushing DE for approximately 60% of the snaps even if he is the staring SLB.

My understanding is that they moved Durant to 1st team WLB and McClain to 1st team MLB in practice yesterday.

I would disagree on Webb. He did look terrible early in camp, but he had a good game against the Ravens. He was better than Mitchell. Moore will need to get healthy soon. I don't think he is the type that they will carry on the roster waiting for him to get healthy.

The young DTs seem better than the young DEs to me. With Wilber's ability to play DE, I might just go short there and carry more DTs. I haven't seen a big difference between Boatright and Bush. I had high hopes for Martez Wilson with his athleticism, but he just doesn't have the power to go with the speed.

I think Hayden and Okoye would both remain available if they cut them. A spot almost always opens up after the 1st game or 2. I appreciate that Hayden played though injury and I don't want to root against a player, but I see upside with the 3 young DTs Coleman, Bishop and Minter. Bishop reminds me of Josh Brent when he was a rookie.

I'm not really sure why they don't allow veterans on the practice squad. It's a voluntary position in that it's the player option to sign on to it. It would be a good spot for Okoye because he needs more time to practice and workout with the team.

In regards to WR, Newsome seems to be leading the guys trying to gain the 6th WR spot. I think Byrd and Boyd have the ability to be NFL players. IMO Newsome, Byrd, Boyd and possibly Briscoe are as talented as Patrick Crayton who was once the 3rd WR here.

Agree on the DE's. I thik this team should keep Boatright but i think this team needs to go out and sign somebody when cuts come. Wilson is what he is.

I reguards to the WRs. I dont think Byrd, Boyd, Newsome or Briscoe will get much time in, but Boyd is a young rookie. These other guys have been the league for a couple yrs so what they are is pretty much what they will be. Boyd on the other hand is a talent. I would hate for this team to lose out on him. Guy was going to do some damage at Vandy before he made a bad choice.
 

CCBoy

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Good writeup.

Wilber is unlikely to be one of the two LBs in the Nickel. The Cowboys defense played Nickel 61% of the snaps last season. That indicates that Wilber is available as a pass rushing DE for approximately 60% of the snaps even if he is the staring SLB.

My understanding is that they moved Durant to 1st team WLB and McClain to 1st team MLB in practice yesterday.

I would disagree on Webb. He did look terrible early in camp, but he had a good game against the Ravens. He was better than Mitchell. Moore will need to get healthy soon. I don't think he is the type that they will carry on the roster waiting for him to get healthy.

The young DTs seem better than the young DEs to me. With Wilber's ability to play DE, I might just go short there and carry more DTs. I haven't seen a big difference between Boatright and Bush. I had high hopes for Martez Wilson with his athleticism, but he just doesn't have the power to go with the speed.

I think Hayden and Okoye would both remain available if they cut them. A spot almost always opens up after the 1st game or 2. I appreciate that Hayden played though injury and I don't want to root against a player, but I see upside with the 3 young DTs Coleman, Bishop and Minter. Bishop reminds me of Josh Brent when he was a rookie.

I'm not really sure why they don't allow veterans on the practice squad. It's a voluntary position in that it's the player option to sign on to it. It would be a good spot for Okoye because he needs more time to practice and workout with the team.

In regards to WR, Newsome seems to be leading the guys trying to gain the 6th WR spot. I think Byrd and Boyd have the ability to be NFL players. IMO Newsome, Byrd, Boyd and possibly Briscoe are as talented as Patrick Crayton who was once the 3rd WR here.

I agree upon both yours and Latinminds good discussions.

I like a lot about the assembled group of defensive tackles. Concept trends could be set here somewhat. Lay a foundation of growth directed defensive tackles right here...and the future could well pickup just where strength of a defense should lie. That being right up the middle of that carpet area. Tie up the complete interior line of an opponent, and suddenly the defensive ends get much better.
 

VACowboy

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Agree on the DE's. I thik this team should keep Boatright but i think this team needs to go out and sign somebody when cuts come. Wilson is what he is.

I reguards to the WRs. I dont think Byrd, Boyd, Newsome or Briscoe will get much time in, but Boyd is a young rookie. These other guys have been the league for a couple yrs so what they are is pretty much what they will be. Boyd on the other hand is a talent. I would hate for this team to lose out on him. Guy was going to do some damage at Vandy before he made a bad choice.

Agree on Boyd, but Newsome has looked really good.
 
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