Not So Bad, Maybe...

[LittleD]

I will admit that I was not the biggest fan of our draft this past weekend. I think we probably made some strategic mistakes but that is water way under the bridge.

Let me offer a premise that we "bombed" last December because of Defensive and Special Teams failures. If the Defense and Special Teams had performed, we might have had a 12-4 record. I know that it appeared the offensive line started to wear down towards the end but the big runs, kickoffs and punting were also major contributors.

Now.... I think the Cowboys made an attempt to fix the major problems that led to the December Debacle. They seem to be trying to identify the weak defensive links and special teams failures that cost us the season. I don't know if any of these guys will make an impact, but the scouts seem to think there's a good chance we might be better in most of those areas.

I think the new punter will help us hold teams to under the 25 yard line on kickoffs and the return of our punter should also help with field position. I think some of these new LB's and Secondary guys just might kick some of the subpar players off the roster too. You can see from the sheer numbers of new defensive players drafted that Wade wants to create a top 5 defensive team.

If they are right.... Big IF... then we might win 2 to 3 games more than last year. That should at least give us a good shot to get to the tournament. I am at least willing to be shown that their strategy is sound and obviously training camp is paramount this year.

I know many on the board (including me) haven't been impressed with Team Cowboys for awhile but just maybe there is a flicker of light at the end of the football tunnel.

Be patient for a few months and give the new season a chance to ferment.

Okay, nows your time to pontificate and pounce on my logic. Talk it Up...

 

[NeonDeion21]

We have a new kicker...not a new punter.

 

[jday]

No bold predictions here; I did that last year and I doubt I will ever allow myself to be completely sold on a teams talent prior to said talent performing. That having been said, like you, I am slowly coming around to appreciating this draft. When looking at this draft you have to consider the floor and ceiling of football players. Loving the game adds a few inches to a players preverbial ceiling and that is one thing each of these picks have in common. That is the one thing in particular that has made me a little more optimistic about our prospects going forward. However, it is what it is; likely none of these guys will actually start, unless it is on Special Teams. So when trying to predict how they will perform, you have to consider what we had on the team prior to draft day. I still believe we have a top tier offense capable of making the stingiest of defenses leak like a strainer. I still believe we have a defense that could rank in the top 5 of the league. So with that, my expectations are tempered, but I'm not bitter - I know what this team is capable of doing when rolling on all cylinders.

 

[LittleD]

We have a new kicker...not a new punter.

we have a new kicker for kickoffs and the return of our great missing punter.

But essentially you are correct.

Now if we can just kick b__t at game time....:bang2:

 

[Woods]

IMO, if we're going to make the playoffs and win in the playoffs, our best shot is to have a dominant defense and solid STs.

As long as the Offense is adequate/decent, doesn't turn the ball over, and can control the clock, with a dominant Defense and solid STs, we'll win a lot of games. And we should also be in all of our games until the end.