Ok Positive/Logical Guys, What do you do?

[goshan]

Adam, Hostile...the intelligent, positive guys.
And all you other logical guys, what specifically do you do in the offseason knowing salary caps, percentages, Jerry, etc.?

Here are my predictions right now:

OFFENSE
---
RB - all set. Choice/Barber share position. Felix - kick returner and 10-12 snaps as RB and wildcat.
Oline - My prediction is we will do nothing but sign a couple of backups.
QB - sign a strong backup. You can't give up on Romo. Have to hope he learns and comes back strong next year.
TE - nothing. All set.
WR - Have to sign a really quick #2 WR who can get quick separation in intermediate routes. TO and Williams are long striders and can't get open on quick routes. We need a Terry Glenn type receiver. I don't have a prediction on TO--although I wouldn't be surprised if he is gone.


DEFENSE
---
Seconday-Get another starting safety
LB-Get a starting Inside LB
CB-Nothing
DL-Nothing substantial, Canty will be resigned. Tank not signed. Couple of backups brought in.


COACHING
---
Stewart and Reede fired
A New QB coach/offensive assistant brought in to help Garrett. Someone creative who can also work more with Romo.
I think that is all that happens

 

[Future]

It all looks good to me. There really aren't many holes on this team.

I, like most, would like to sign a nice, beefy DT though.

 

[Woods]

Adam, Hostile...the intelligent, positive guys.
And all you other logical guys, what specifically do you do in the offseason knowing salary caps, percentages, Jerry, etc.?

Here are my predictions right now:

OFFENSE
---
RB - all set. Choice/Barber share position. Felix - kick returner and 10-12 snaps as RB and wildcat.
Oline - My prediction is we will do nothing but sign a couple of backups.
QB - sign a strong backup. You can't give up on Romo. Have to hope he learns and comes back strong next year.
TE - nothing. All set.
WR - Have to sign a really quick #2 WR who can get quick separation in intermediate routes. TO and Williams are long striders and can't get open on quick routes. We need a Terry Glenn type receiver. I don't have a prediction on TO--although I wouldn't be surprised if he is gone.


DEFENSE
---
Seconday-Get another starting safety
LB-Get a starting Inside LB
CB-Nothing
DL-Nothing substantial, Canty will be resigned. Tank not signed. Couple of backups brought in.


COACHING
---
Stewart and Reede fired
A New QB coach/offensive assistant brought in to help Garrett. Someone creative who can also work more with Romo.
I think that is all that happens

As for WR, I think Austin can be that guy who stretches the field. But I wouldn't mind one other "quick" WR.

As for DL, I think we look for a beefy NT.

Agreed on ILBs.

Agreed on Safety.

As for coaches, Reid MUST go.

I'd upgrade Stewart as well.

 

[EastDallasCowboy]

The problem right now is that we have to identify that the problems are. And I'm not sure how, with the inconsistent body of work that was this season, you do that.

On paper the defense is solid, and we've got about 5 out of 16 games suggesting that it is an amazing unit-what what of those other games? We know Demarcus Ware is a stud, we know that Bradie James is a good player, and we've seen flashes from Orlando Scandrick-but what about the other eight starters? What about their backups? There's obviously a problem with this defense, but what is it? It can't just be coaching, because it was the same coaching that gave us those stout defensive performances. Inconsistency makes it near impossible to peg what the problem is, or how to fix it-and it leaves you making decisions based on suppositions that could easily be incorrect.

Likewise the offense should be unstoppable, again on paper. You've got one of the best OL's in the NFL, you've got the triple-threat of Owens, Roy Williams, and Witten paired with a ferocious back in Barber and contributing backups in Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. Or do you have an underperforming OL, a "star" quarterback that is mistake prone and has been figured out by NFL defenses (duck and roll right under pressure anyone?), a prima-donna WR, and injuries waiting to happen at RB? Well, which is it-what do you have? Because if you're convinced you know, you're probably delusional. The body of work that has been the 2008 Dallas Cowboys season gives you ample evidence for both arguments, and again, that's the problem. What do you change?

Based on the staggering inconsistency this season, how can you logically figure out what the strengths and the weakness of this team actually are?
And if you can't figure out the problem, how can you figure out a cure?

 

[visionary]

call scott pioli (rumor is he is available) tonight and make him GM.
then let him do the hiring and firing.

WP and JG definitely need to go.
Romo will be fine but needs a coach that will not accept mediocrity and the "aw shucks" attitude.

 

[TwentyOne]

Adam, Hostile...the intelligent, positive guys.
And all you other logical guys, what specifically do you do in the offseason knowing salary caps, percentages, Jerry, etc.?

Here are my predictions right now:

OFFENSE
---
RB - all set. Choice/Barber share position. Felix - kick returner and 10-12 snaps as RB and wildcat.
Oline - My prediction is we will do nothing but sign a couple of backups.
QB - sign a strong backup. You can't give up on Romo. Have to hope he learns and comes back strong next year.
TE - nothing. All set.
WR - Have to sign a really quick #2 WR who can get quick separation in intermediate routes. TO and Williams are long striders and can't get open on quick routes. We need a Terry Glenn type receiver. I don't have a prediction on TO--although I wouldn't be surprised if he is gone.


DEFENSE
---
Seconday-Get another starting safety
LB-Get a starting Inside LB
CB-Nothing
DL-Nothing substantial, Canty will be resigned. Tank not signed. Couple of backups brought in.


COACHING
---
Stewart and Reede fired
A New QB coach/offensive assistant brought in to help Garrett. Someone creative who can also work more with Romo.
I think that is all that happens

Sleep over it, let the emotions settle down and think about those questions in about 1-2 weeks or how long it will take for you to find enough distance to be able to make rational decissions again.

 

[goshan]

I don't think it is that hard to figure.

On offense, we lack quickness and separability at RCVR. Williams and TO are long striders and not great route runners. Crayton is slow. We need a couple of really quick RCVRs who can get open over the middle who run precise routers. We are too much 'all or nothing' with our WR.

On offense we need to change our philosophy--we need to run quicker routes.

Our oline also suffers from picking up blitzing and blocking quick pass rushers. We probably need to get more athletic on the oline.

On defense, we are strong, accept the safety position, where we need a leader like Brian Dawkins who causes turnovers. RW used to be that but he isn't any more.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

The Cowboys have sunk beneath (what I call) the Campo line, which is named in honor of former Cowboy HC Dave Campo.

The Campo line is a demarcation that a team reaches once its preparation and execution become so poor that it's nigh impossible to differentiate team strengths from team weaknesses because every aspect of the team plays very poorly at different times. Generally speaking, preparation and execution are functions of accountability, and the Cowboys organization does not foster and perpetuate an environment that reinforces accountability.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to determine what this team lacks until it becomes accountable for its bad play.

 

[EastDallasCowboy]

Our oline also suffers from picking up blitzing and blocking quick pass rushers. We probably need to get more athletic on the oline.

How can you tell that for sure though? Last year the OL was superb for the most part, this year it's been a mess more often than not, but they've been without Kosier for most of the bad games.

Being that you're posting on a footbal messageboard I'm assuming you're a football man, and you've seen what a couple injuries on the OL did to Jacksonville this season-it completely destroyed that offense.

Do we really need to get more athletic on the OL? Or did we just need a healthy Kosier?

It's an honest question, I'm not coming after you-I just think discounting the Kosier injury in light of seeing what OL injuries-even a single one-do to NFL teams year after year is a bit foolhardy.

 

[ologan]

Sleep over it, let the emotions settle down and think about those questions in about 1-2 weeks or how long it will take for you to find enough distance to be able to make rational decissions again.

Post of the evening!
(And thanks to Brain for his sticky on Trolls visiting......I wouldn't be worried about them getting banned,just some of us!)

 

[EastDallasCowboy]

The Cowboys have sunk beneath (what I call) the Campo line, which is named in honor of former Cowboy HC Dave Campo.

The Campo line is a demarcation that a team reaches once its preparation and execution become so poor that it's nigh impossible to differentiate team strengths from team weaknesses because every aspect of the team plays very poorly at different times. Generally speaking, preparation and execution are functions of accountability, and the Cowboys organization does not foster and perpetuate an environment that reinforces accountability.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to determine what this team lacks until it becomes accountable for its bad play.

Thank you! This is the point I'm trying to make, though I'm not as quick as you to blame in on coaching exclusively.

 

[Future]

How can you tell that for sure though? Last year the OL was superb for the most part, this year it's been a mess more often than not, but they've been without Kosier for most of the bad games.

Being that you're posting on a footbal messageboard I'm assuming you're a football man, and you've seen what a couple injuries on the OL did to Jacksonville this season-it completely destroyed that offense.

Do we really need to get more athletic on the OL? Or did we just need a healthy Kosier?

It's an honest question, I'm not coming after you-I just think discounting the Kosier injury in light of seeing what OL injuries-even a single one-do to NFL teams year after year is a bit foolhardy.

The OL collapsed at the end of last year, who knows why.

But I still think bringing Kosier back and giving this OLine a 3rd year of being together will make all the difference assuming nobody's play (particularly Flo's) falls off.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

The problem right now is that we have to identify that the problems are. And I'm not sure how, with the inconsistent body of work that was this season, you do that.

On paper the defense is solid, and we've got about 5 out of 16 games suggesting that it is an amazing unit-what what of those other games? We know Demarcus Ware is a stud, we know that Bradie James is a good player, and we've seen flashes from Orlando Scandrick-but what about the other eight starters? What about their backups? There's obviously a problem with this defense, but what is it? It can't just be coaching, because it was the same coaching that gave us those stout defensive performances. Inconsistency makes it near impossible to peg what the problem is, or how to fix it-and it leaves you making decisions based on suppositions that could easily be incorrect.

Likewise the offense should be unstoppable, again on paper. You've got one of the best OL's in the NFL, you've got the triple-threat of Owens, Roy Williams, and Witten paired with a ferocious back in Barber and contributing backups in Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. Or do you have an underperforming OL, a "star" quarterback that is mistake prone and has been figured out by NFL defenses (duck and roll right under pressure anyone?), a prima-donna WR, and injuries waiting to happen at RB? Well, which is it-what do you have? Because if you're convinced you know, you're probably delusional. The body of work that has been the 2008 Dallas Cowboys season gives you ample evidence for both arguments, and again, that's the problem. What do you change?

Based on the staggering inconsistency this season, how can you logically figure out what the strengths and the weakness of this team actually are?
And if you can't figure out the problem, how can you figure out a cure?

Best post of the night.

 

[locked&loaded]

we get backups for our line? we have a big dumb animal who cant hear at LT, we have a center who takes the same amount of time to get the ball to tony as it does a long snapper to the punter. Bigg has played worse this year and colombo seemed... solid. This line could be twenty times better.

also on the dline we need a big space eater at DT like a true 3/4. ratliff is a bit to small no matter how good he played. maybe dend would be better position for him

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Thank you! This is the point I'm trying to make, though I'm not as quick as you to blame in on coaching exclusively.

Don't misunderstand me here. I'm well beyond the point of blaming coaching. Our problems with accountability are systemic and they start at the top with the GM.

 

[BourbonBalz]

The primary offensive problem is obvious. Our scheme is far too predictable. We make it easy for opposing defenses to game plan for us. We don't mix it up enough and we don't use our weapons in a manner that allows them to maximize their talents. Why don't we every throw a slant to T.O. or Roy Williams? Why do we sometimes completely abandon the run (see first Washington game, among others)? Our offensive game plan is far too simplistic. We simply make it easy for opposing defenses.

 

[LUVDABOYS]

Coaching
-A young hot head 3-4 DC to learn under Wade (give him disciplinary power)
-Keep Red as assistant coach and bring in a good OC (I have no idea who but he needs to be a motivator and hopefully thinks run first)
-Oh and Houck needs to go, although the line was bad last year IMO, it got worse this year.
Defense
-The new safety needs to be "rookie" Roy Williams mean
-The ILB needs to be Ray Lewis mean.
Offense
-Find Flozel's future replacement
-replace Proctor now

 

[cowboyz]

i think you guys hit it on offense

a quick wr and backup OL and qb

defense i still believe the problem is on the dline. dallas can't get pressure without a blitz

they need someone that demands a double team on the dline. meaning if you single the guy, you will get abused.

DE/NT

need an ilb of course, let burnett/carpenter compete

and lastly safety

most importantly, all the guys they bring in need to be football players first, athletes 2nd. need guys like jason witten. not necessarily super athletes, but willing to do whatever it takes and have high football IQs.

no more courtney browns, more hortons.

 

[AbeBeta]

Honestly, I think we need a more dramatic change.

Not showing up for a big game like this should get your HC fired.

I haven't been on the fire Wade bandwagon until today. However, today was pitful. We need a change at the top.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Maybe you didn't notice, but our OL was very good last year, especially in pass protection. Not so much this year.