My thoughts 5.24

LatinMind

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IM very impressed and suprised on the mobility Jaylon Smith seems to be showing. NO reports of him limiting himself or the coaches other then the rest day. Him coming out and saying he can do what he did before the injury says alot of his work ethic. Reminds me of the way Bruce Smith came back from micro fracture surgery and was a beast. There no contact andno bodies on him yet but it just seems hes put in the time and work to prove alot of people wrong including me and i didnt think he would be showing this much this soon.

I read alot about people wondering where Zeke is. Get used to this, he wont be out there until its neccessary for him to be out there. Emmitt did this all the time. Zeke will touch the ball more than anybody on the team and hes a RB so limiting his miles is what gives RBs longevity.

Been saying Switzer is going to be an impact this yr. And somebody is going to be cut out of the equation in the touches area. Starting to think it might end up being TW.

Its great that Dallas has infused this team with quality young players from the last 3 drafts. And brought in so many young players that have gotten rid of most of them big contract players who were more interested in personal gains instead of team concept.

I hope this Irving situation gets settled quick, so the team knows if he will be available the first 4 weeks or not. So they can start working other DEs on the left side instead of Irving. This team has the numbers to be able to get over his loss. It feels so great to be able to say this team has quality depth. They have Charlton, Lawrence, Tapper, Crawford all who can play the strong side.

Really hope Gathers takes the steps to get on the active roster. He would be so much better being active and learning from Witten in live game situations then learning on the PS. That and creating mismatches for this team. I have no doubts with his ability to block because he was practicing at T last yr. Its just the mental part and knowing what to do. He is a monster of a guy. His body looks like Julius Peppers with the ability of Antonio Gates. All he has to do is know what to do and he should take off.

While i love Marinelli's philosophies i think sometimes its a disservice to the team, because sometimes it doesnt allow the DL to get in a rythem. I understand the reasoning for keeping them fresh but sometimes you just have to let them play.

Trapper transformed his body, im looking forward to seeing that passrush from him.

So great to see Dak out there and showing a command for this team. And its a even greater thing to see that they vets on this team follow him and see him as the leader. There will be no second yr slump but i think this kid has a chance at MVP.

I always scoffed at this RKG that JG always talks about, but this team is the epitome of that. Theres a new culture with the entitle guys out of the picture. This team just seemed like a team that wants to put in the work to be better.

It's a great time to be a Cowboy fan. If you cant get on this wagon might as well look elsewhere because youre missing the show.
 

AsthmaField

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I always scoffed at this RKG that JG always talks about, but this team is the epitome of that. Theres a new culture with the entitle guys out of the picture. This team just seemed like a team that wants to put in the work to be better.

It's a great time to be a Cowboy fan. If you cant get on this wagon might as well look elsewhere because youre missing the show.

Word. :cool:
 

AsthmaField

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The Cowboys drafting has been stellar for a few years. The RKG has been a huge part of that. Not really the good off the field stuff, but taking guys who football is extremely important to. Players who love the game, love to play the game, love to compete and want to be part of a serious team with serious goals.

I'm absolutely thrilled. I've wanted the team to put an emphasis on that for a long, long time now. Finally they have.

I think we might have really found something there in Switzer. The dude has rare quickness and loves to compete/play. He also has no fear. He's a baller, IMO. He'll help this year. At the very least on returns. Possibly on offense outright. He's got something.
 

waving monkey

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Yes great news about JSmith. If he gets all the way back this season it will be one bad defense. Even if it's next
season before his 100% I'll be thrilled.
I'm not doubting on Rico my pet cat is playing this year. The thing I think about are combinations of Rico
Switzer and Dez. Watch out. The combo of Rico cutting swaths through the defense and Switzer buzzing around
Dez going long? Man That seems difficult to defend to me.

We're adding good quality bodies on offense and defense. Some will contribute I few may not but the additions
will make a tough team. I'm geeked.
 

Toruk_Makto

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I hope this Irving situation gets settled quick, so the team knows if he will be available the first 4 weeks or not. So they can start working other DEs on the left side instead of Irving. This team has the numbers to be able to get over his loss. It feels so great to be able to say this team has quality depth. They have Charlton, Lawrence, Tapper, Crawford all who can play the strong side.

To push back here...Charlton and Tapper have never played a down of meaningful minutes....Crawford is better inside an a injury risk....and Lawrence makes Crawford look like an ironman.

Other than that...
 

AsthmaField

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Why would TW get cut?

Dez, TW
Beas, Switz
I don't think he was saying that Williams will be cut... only that he'll be cut out of the equation... meaning he'll get fewer touches because Switzer will get more than Lucky and those touches have to come from somewhere.

At least that's what I think he was saying. But I'm not fluent in Latin, soooo.......
 

StarBoyz83

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Go cowboys! However Imo, twill will not get cut - not this year anyway

Lol he just signed a 4 year deal. Why would they cut him anytime soon? Especially with dez only having maybe 2 years left.
 
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Pants

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I think the defense will have some growing pains early in the season as the new kids on the block get their feet wet (especially in the secondary)...it will be important for the offense to control the tempo of games and potentially out-score teams early in the season...but, once the secondary gets a little experience, and if Jaylon, Tapper, Taco (et al) can make an impact, by mid-season, we could actually see the defense winning some games...

Pants gettin' all giddy
 

Cowboysfan917

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I don't see this season through quite the rose colored glasses.

I feel like the RKG thing has become nothing but talk, if we are being honest. It was true up until we signed Hardy and ever since then, we have been so desperate for a pass rusher that we have had suspensions every year. The RKG is there when the team needs them. I know you said you meant football people but RKGs need to be on the field. Zeke scares me a little in this department too.

I will say, Switzer makes me think they're REALLY trying to play to Dak's strengths. I'm curious to see if Dak is able to go downfield more this season...but with Beasley and Switzer, he will at least be able to get the ball out fast.

I also think Beasley will probably start showing up on the injury report more and more. He's already got some miles on his small frame.

The defensive line is a big question mark, as is the secondary.
 

GhostOfPelluer

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I like your thoughts LM. I think the one thing that stands out is we have an incredible amount of depth. We will be cutting guys that will make other rosters. And outside an injury to Dak, I don't think one injury in any other spot will cripple this team. Which is huge, because injuries are part of the game. If your success hinges on your team staying healthy, you won't be a contender. I think Dallas has about 60 quality players right now that can legitimately play in this league. Not all are playmakers but there are a bunch of solid dudes who can at least hold the fort and not be a liability.
 

Bowdown27

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I can see us carrying 5 wr dez twill Brice beas and Switzer. Lucky is out considering Switzer can return kicks and punts well.

Nice post though. I can't wait to see jaylon. Kid wants this badly.
 

jazzcat22

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I don't see this season through quite the rose colored glasses.

I feel like the RKG thing has become nothing but talk, if we are being honest. It was true up until we signed Hardy and ever since then, we have been so desperate for a pass rusher that we have had suspensions every year. The RKG is there when the team needs them. I know you said you meant football people but RKGs need to be on the field. Zeke scares me a little in this department too.

I will say, Switzer makes me think they're REALLY trying to play to Dak's strengths. I'm curious to see if Dak is able to go downfield more this season...but with Beasley and Switzer, he will at least be able to get the ball out fast.

I also think Beasley will probably start showing up on the injury report more and more. He's already got some miles on his small frame.

The defensive line is a big question mark, as is the secondary.

They don't need to changed Dak going down field, keep the offense basics the same. It works. Now I can see a few more shots down field happening. But because of the dynamics of the weapons on offense will dictate Dez or someone getting open downfield more often. But not because they just want to go deep. The training wheels came off last year. But the shots downfield by gameplan should stay the same. If you start changing the philosophy now, they will get burned.
Well this is my thinking for now. LOL.

Agree, they now will be getting players in to play to Dak's strengths such as Switzer. we just don't need Jerry saying....Dak Friendly....LOL...
I think the D is a question mark, but only to the degree of when will it all come together. Game 4, 5, 8, 10....as long as it does come together in the second half of the season and play like a top 10 or 12 come playoff time. But the first 8 games, they can't be any worse than last year, even with all the changes and new players.
 

Bullflop

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I'm somewhat encouraged to see guys like Switzer and Gathers doing so well in practice, while at the same time, being very hopeful that they'll perform as impressively once the pads come on. It's an encouraging sign for the season that lies ahead.

As far as our suspensions, I think most of our players are RKGs, just as we prefer to think, although this team has had 47 more games not played due to suspension in the last three years than the league's 2nd place offender. Despite all of this, I think this team has enough RGKs to do well, although change is in order.

The suspensions are something that needs to be "nipped in the bud" if our RKG mantra can justifiably be continued. I'm sure our many "straight" players look upon this situation with at least some measure of disgust. It's time for them to rise up and make that fact known to those inviting these suspensions. After all, isn't that what RKGs are supposed to do? It's well into time for this team's leaders to lead. I'm sure players tend to listen more to their peers than they do the FO and the staff. Here's hoping they'll speak up and be heard. ;)
 
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