LarryCanadian
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I'm a bit confused (nothing new there).
Other than Owens, this team isn't drastically different from the last 3 years and we had 9-7, 13-3, and 9-7.
So where are the glaring weaknesses RELATIVE to previous years. Is it that, Phili and NYG have gotten significant upgrades while Dallas hasn't?
QB, Romo should be more mature and Kitna is a strong backup that adds a bit of leadership to squad even when not playing.
We might have an "older" oline (not sure that is totally true) ok, but 3 of the guys are consistent pro-bowlers, even though they MIGHT be a bit overrated, I would suggest they aren't bad.
The QB is considered top 5-10 by most "experts". Like it or not, adding RW WR helps offset Owens a little bit, and the rest of bodies are the same and a bit more seasoned in terms of Hurd/Austin.
At TE, we have the best one in league, AND probably the most talented #2 TE in league as well.
At RB we have 3 guys that can play, and each can handle all 3 aspects of game, running, blocking, catching. Barber has been to Pro-bowl and Felix is pretty much thought by even the experts to be a potential super-star playmaker.
So I guess the Owens factor counts for 2 games or so in mass media and public opinion?
On Defense, we have Ware and Raitliff as probowlers. James is close. I think the subtraction of safety RW is a plus/upgrade. Newman, if healthy is up there, top 5-10 CB and Jenkins/Scandrick certainly look like they have big upsides still (talent is there at least).
Depth is a concern, but really only see one glaring difference between this squad and the one that went 13-3 2 seasons ago and that is TO. I do admit this team could really go either way though. Other than oline, it is a pretty darn young team again.
Improved special teams and a fewer turnover/dumb mistake offense would make a major difference in the win columns, but has to be proven first. We saw signs of it in pre-season though (I have faith in DeCamilis) and Romo seems to be doing (2 hands on ball, held close to chest) and saying (less "that is the same as a punt" type attitude) the right thing about the fumbles/picks = true maturity hopefully.
I know we might only reap the depth benefit from this last draft 1-2 seasons from now, but I don't think that other than TO this team is radically different than the last 3 seasons in terms of personnel, or am I missing a couple of "names" that were difference makers. Ellis? Certainly not Tank, PacMan, Henry, etc. They were not playing at anywhere close to an elite level or their talent, and this is why I think we underachieved last year, and I think the philosophy change was the correct course. On paper the talent might be less, but on the field, in theory, we should be more consistent and HOPEFULLY a bit more mentally resilient and tougher with the wingnuts given the boot!
Why the perception change regarding this team? Is it really all TO and the underachieving posse that has been shown the door?
LarryCanadian
Other than Owens, this team isn't drastically different from the last 3 years and we had 9-7, 13-3, and 9-7.
So where are the glaring weaknesses RELATIVE to previous years. Is it that, Phili and NYG have gotten significant upgrades while Dallas hasn't?
QB, Romo should be more mature and Kitna is a strong backup that adds a bit of leadership to squad even when not playing.
We might have an "older" oline (not sure that is totally true) ok, but 3 of the guys are consistent pro-bowlers, even though they MIGHT be a bit overrated, I would suggest they aren't bad.
The QB is considered top 5-10 by most "experts". Like it or not, adding RW WR helps offset Owens a little bit, and the rest of bodies are the same and a bit more seasoned in terms of Hurd/Austin.
At TE, we have the best one in league, AND probably the most talented #2 TE in league as well.
At RB we have 3 guys that can play, and each can handle all 3 aspects of game, running, blocking, catching. Barber has been to Pro-bowl and Felix is pretty much thought by even the experts to be a potential super-star playmaker.
So I guess the Owens factor counts for 2 games or so in mass media and public opinion?
On Defense, we have Ware and Raitliff as probowlers. James is close. I think the subtraction of safety RW is a plus/upgrade. Newman, if healthy is up there, top 5-10 CB and Jenkins/Scandrick certainly look like they have big upsides still (talent is there at least).
Depth is a concern, but really only see one glaring difference between this squad and the one that went 13-3 2 seasons ago and that is TO. I do admit this team could really go either way though. Other than oline, it is a pretty darn young team again.
Improved special teams and a fewer turnover/dumb mistake offense would make a major difference in the win columns, but has to be proven first. We saw signs of it in pre-season though (I have faith in DeCamilis) and Romo seems to be doing (2 hands on ball, held close to chest) and saying (less "that is the same as a punt" type attitude) the right thing about the fumbles/picks = true maturity hopefully.
I know we might only reap the depth benefit from this last draft 1-2 seasons from now, but I don't think that other than TO this team is radically different than the last 3 seasons in terms of personnel, or am I missing a couple of "names" that were difference makers. Ellis? Certainly not Tank, PacMan, Henry, etc. They were not playing at anywhere close to an elite level or their talent, and this is why I think we underachieved last year, and I think the philosophy change was the correct course. On paper the talent might be less, but on the field, in theory, we should be more consistent and HOPEFULLY a bit more mentally resilient and tougher with the wingnuts given the boot!
Why the perception change regarding this team? Is it really all TO and the underachieving posse that has been shown the door?
LarryCanadian
:shush:don't let them know it, yet.
