News: Not Everything Has Gone Wrong For The Cowboys: Players To Build With In 2016

[CCBoy]

Not Everything Has Gone Wrong For The Cowboys: Players To Build With In 2016
By Tom Ryle
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2015...s-lawrence-sean-lee-byron-smith-lael-colllins



Reality bites sometimes, and for fans of the Dallas Cowboys, the reality is that we are pretty much left looking forward to next year after the trainwreck of 2015. It feels like everything that could go wrong did. Barring a completely implausible run through the last three games and a lot of help, that is just how it is.

But hidden among the long, long run of disaster and doom are some bright spots. Not only are some players having some very good individual years, they actually offer evidence that the coaching and personnel staffs do know what they are doing. Here are four names that could be important building blocks in 2016.

Sean Lee. The often injured linebacker missed all of 2014, but he has mostly been healthy this year. And the decision to move him from the Mike to the Will linebacker position is paying off. He is showing the talent and savvy that the team really needs on the field. His performance has him on NFL.com's list of the top ten candidates for comeback player of the year.

After missing the entire 2014 campaign with a torn ACL, the Cowboys decided to shift him from the middle to the weakside, hoping to decrease the risk of further injuries. The transition has been an unqualified success; Lee has been Dallas' best defensive player, regaining his closing speed and excelling in coverage.

Lee is not only a top talent for the defense, he is a true leader for the team. If he can continue to stay on the field because he is taking less punishment playing outside, the team can only benefit.

DeMarcus Lawrence. After a rookie season that was severely hampered by a preseason injury, Lawrence has begun to emerge as a real force. The team paid a lot in the draft to get him in 2014, trading up in the second round to make sure they got a player they felt they had to have. But due to those injury issues, he had no impact until the very end of the season, and really began to contribute in the playoffs.

A rookie pass rusher generally needs a season of work to become effective in the NFL, and due to the way his development was held back in 2014, he is just now getting enough experience under his belt to become the player that the team had hoped for. He has now accumulated enough playing time to make the gamble the team took with the trade pay off.

In a year of so many disappointments, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence has been one of the few bright spots, recording five of his team-high six sacks during the last five games. Lawrence, who has only been called for two penalties, has also climbed to second on the team with 26 quarterback pressures.

Not only is Lawrence beginning to make significant contributions, he also provides hope for 2015's second round pick, Randy Gregory, to pay off. Like Lawrence, Gregory missed significant playing time due to injury. He also is just now starting to show up on the field. As one of the "extra" first-round picks he is characterized as after falling in the draft due to off-field concerns, he is poised to have the same kind of progression as Lawrence, which means he could be coming into his own around midseason next year...​

 

[Yakuza Rich]

As I've said many times before...if Romo and Dez are healthy, we run away with this division. Anybody think 'we are the Browns!' either doesn't understand football or is using extreme hyperbole in order to get attention they never got as a child from their parents.

The bigger issue is 'if Romo and Dez were healthy, would we contend for the Super Bowl?'

I tend to think not. We have glaring holes on defense, particularly in the secondary and the RB situation is not as good as it should be. Plus, Romo isn't getting any younger or less injury prone and neither is Witten.

But, we are in a far better place than we were after 2010 and they went 6-10 in 2010.

Going 4-12 might end up being the best thing to happen to the organization in a long time and the worst thing to happen to the Eagles, Giants and Skins. It could allow the team to draft a QB of the future (possibly Paxton Lynch who has the most unique skill set I've seen in a QB in a long time) and let that QB sit and learn which there is a much better success rate at. And at the meantime, still address the secondary as well as being well under the cap to pick up quality FA's they may need.





YR

 

[CCBoy]

As I've said many times before...if Romo and Dez are healthy, we run away with this division. Anybody think 'we are the Browns!' either doesn't understand football or is using extreme hyperbole in order to get attention they never got as a child from their parents.

The bigger issue is 'if Romo and Dez were healthy, would we contend for the Super Bowl?'

I tend to think not. We have glaring holes on defense, particularly in the secondary and the RB situation is not as good as it should be. Plus, Romo isn't getting any younger or less injury prone and neither is Witten.

But, we are in a far better place than we were after 2010 and they went 6-10 in 2010.

Going 4-12 might end up being the best thing to happen to the organization in a long time and the worst thing to happen to the Eagles, Giants and Skins. It could allow the team to draft a QB of the future (possibly Paxton Lynch who has the most unique skill set I've seen in a QB in a long time) and let that QB sit and learn which there is a much better success rate at. And at the meantime, still address the secondary as well as being well under the cap to pick up quality FA's they may need.





YR

A mean right tackle, and nothing but another year without both Tony Romo and Dez Bryant will derail the Cowboys over the next five years.

What the Cowboys dearly need, is a YOUNG runningback that can take advantage of a crease, and can also pound hard on short yardage.

On the defensive front, Lawrence and Douglas; McClain and Lee; and Scandrick and Jones will mean a whole lot to that group...next season.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

As I've said many times before...if Romo and Dez are healthy, we run away with this division. Anybody think 'we are the Browns!' either doesn't understand football or is using extreme hyperbole in order to get attention they never got as a child from their parents.

The bigger issue is 'if Romo and Dez were healthy, would we contend for the Super Bowl?'

I tend to think not. We have glaring holes on defense, particularly in the secondary and the RB situation is not as good as it should be. Plus, Romo isn't getting any younger or less injury prone and neither is Witten.

But, we are in a far better place than we were after 2010 and they went 6-10 in 2010.

Going 4-12 might end up being the best thing to happen to the organization in a long time and the worst thing to happen to the Eagles, Giants and Skins. It could allow the team to draft a QB of the future (possibly Paxton Lynch who has the most unique skill set I've seen in a QB in a long time) and let that QB sit and learn which there is a much better success rate at. And at the meantime, still address the secondary as well as being well under the cap to pick up quality FA's they may need.





YR

The silver lining.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

A mean right tackle, and nothing but another year without both Tony Romo and Dez Bryant will derail the Cowboys over the next five years.

What the Cowboys dearly need, is a YOUNG runningback that can take advantage of a crease, and can also pound hard on short yardage.

On the defensive front, Lawrence and Douglas; McClain and Lee; and Scandrick and Jones will mean a whole lot to that group...next season.

Right Tackle would be nice to have, especially since Romo plays his best when his RT play is good. And obviously, we need to get better in short yardage. Although that's not all on McFadden. Some of it is on playcalling, some are issues with La'el, some TE blocking issues and Clutts is another culprit on those plays.

I really think you can find a good zone running RB easier that people think. Alfred Morris (although having a bad year) is a good example. Even Murray was a 3rd round pick and Turbin has looked good in the zone scheme. We just happened to get a RB in McFadden that isn't a zone runner.

Either way, we're not competing for a Lombardi until the secondary is fixed. The corners have 0 INT's and I think Church and Wilcox are bigger issues than the corners because they are so bad.

We need to be able to mix up zone and man coverage more. We need to defend pick plays much better. We need to allow the pass rush some time to get to the QB and we need to immediately bring down the receiver when they catch the ball.





YR

 

[Zimmy Lives]

We need to be able to mix up zone and man coverage more. We need to defend pick plays much better. We need to allow the pass rush some time to get to the QB and we need to immediately bring down the receiver when they catch the ball.YR

In bold is what I feel is the defense's greatest weakness.

The offense just needs Romo, Dez, and a workhorse RB.

 

[CCBoy]

Right Tackle would be nice to have, especially since Romo plays his best when his RT play is good. And obviously, we need to get better in short yardage. Although that's not all on McFadden. Some of it is on playcalling, some are issues with La'el, some TE blocking issues and Clutts is another culprit on those plays.

I really think you can find a good zone running RB easier that people think. Alfred Morris (although having a bad year) is a good example. Even Murray was a 3rd round pick and Turbin has looked good in the zone scheme. We just happened to get a RB in McFadden that isn't a zone runner.

Either way, we're not competing for a Lombardi until the secondary is fixed. The corners have 0 INT's and I think Church and Wilcox are bigger issues than the corners because they are so bad.

We need to be able to mix up zone and man coverage more. We need to defend pick plays much better. We need to allow the pass rush some time to get to the QB and we need to immediately bring down the receiver when they catch the ball.





YR

At safety, I would go proven and via free agency for a fill.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

In bold is what I feel is the defense's greatest weakness.

The offense just needs Romo, Dez, and a workhorse RB.

I wouldn't mind seeing a more creative playcaller like Chudzinski out of Indy. Runs pretty much the same offense, but is far more creative. Kinda surprised they didn't try to hire him last year.

Although it depends on Garrett's influence on the playcalling. I never thought of Linehan as a creative playcaller in Minnesota, St. Louis or Detroit. I think he generally gets production out of his offenses, but I haven't seen much creativity at all in this offense.

It's not even as much creativity as it is opening things up and trying to create possible mismatches. The 23 personnel has failed miserably. The LoS gets too congested and we can't make it work. Dez shouldn't be in the same position on the field for the majority of the game. And can we stop using Whitehead to block?

I don't think McFadden is a real problem. I think with a lot of coaches, like Payton, the deficiencies in his game would be worked around instead of trying to make a square peg fit in the round hole. To me, an upgrade at RB right now would be more icing on the cake rather that solving a primary problem.





YR

 

[Yakuza Rich]

At safety, I would go proven and via free agency for a fill.

I think the issue is that good safeties are going to be hard to find. Teams with good safeties are probably smart enough to not let them go in FA because they are so important.

Of course, the Saints let Malcolm Jenkins walk, but I won't hold my breath for a good safety to come in FA.







YR

 

[dfense]

At safety, I would go proven and via free agency for a fill.

At this point, my neighbor Dan would be an upgrade at safety.

 

[craig71]

At this point, my neighbor Lt. Dan would be an upgrade at safety.

Fixed it for ya.

Craig

 

[jazzcat22]

Hey, great, some real football posts and thread...kudos...
Finally someone saying Lynch would be a good pick for QB.

I don't think Linehan is going anywhere, but I agree, the 23 personnel package has not worked. They need to scheme to the players strengths, and not try to fit the players into a scheme that is generic.
Secondary needs fixed. They looked to have fixed it last off season, then Scandrick goes down. That was a big loss, more so than some thought at the time.

There are holes to fill, but if the right players are brought in, those holes may not be as deep as we think they are. A DT, sign Hardy and McClain to longer than one year deals. S / CB situation but we do have options with where to put Jones, so options as who to sign in FA or draft.
Green moves to RT, or I can still see an OL taken in the draft or as a FA.
Speed WR opposite Dez, though I am fine with Williams for another year, as long as Romo is back there, he seems to find him quite often at key times.

To me priority in the draft is still QB & RB, but if Bosa or Ramsey is there, can't go wrong with either of them.

 

[CCBoy]

I think the issue is that good safeties are going to be hard to find. Teams with good safeties are probably smart enough to not let them go in FA because they are so important.

Of course, the Saints let Malcolm Jenkins walk, but I won't hold my breath for a good safety to come in FA.







YR

My point, directively, is that both a long termed need is at both right tackle and running back. That would print a dependable strength to the Cowboys.

Next in order, to this fan, is defensive tackle...and without a handcuff to the secondary. Safety is workable, with pressure. Scandrick, Jones, and Claiborne are pretty significant to me, in my view. An interim safety added, that either starts or gives needed depth...could be acquired via free agency. This, not over loading gaining much more team strength in what I described above. I won't jump the gun on real and long termed team strength, by being disgruntled over not having the very best tandum of safeties. As long as they hustle and STICK, I'm happy.

 

[Junglist]

Question: How long does it really take to learn a new offense? Is OTA's and training camp, mixed with normal practice during the season enought time? I'm really, really tired of Garrett's offense.

 

[Frosty]

I take a different approach, there is always players to build around. They have been building an offense around Romo for years.......My point is ....The Cowboys need someone that can put the pieces of the puzzle together and make this team a contender for the long term....... What is missing.... is... the builder, the choreographer that director that can get 53 players to execute at high level on the field.....

 

[DandyDon1722]

Boy I hope this guy didn't just jinx Sean Lee - there are after all three games left.

I don't want him rehabbing all off season.

 

[Doc50]

Fixed it for ya.

Craig

On prosthetic legs...........that's good.

 

[dogunwo]

At safety, I would go proven and via free agency for a fill.

If he is that proven as a coverage safety, he won't hit free agency. The draft is going to be the fix.

 

[CCBoy]

If he is that proven as a coverage safety, he won't hit free agency. The draft is going to be the fix.

Yea, tell that one to Murray...and start defining what a pass completion is.

Over recent years, many good safeties have gone the free agency route, as well. Wonder why?

Free agency occurs before the draft, because even the Cowboys aren't dumb about team needs.
Plus, really think that another safety is the answer to team needs, over all others? Explain, then...

 

[JoeKing]

Sure there are some good components to this team but the core is rotten and spreading. I think it can't be saved. It's time to start all over. Fire everyone and sell the team Jerry, please. This fan base deserves better all around.