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[jday]

I think we should envoke the 24 hour rule on the Lee injury..it's happened...it's behind us..time to move on to the next thread!

While I have been rather redundant about my belief in this team for this next season, I will state once more (no promises on it being the last time) I honestly do not believe this team is a potential contender for this next year. Rather or not the front office is willing to admit it, I think it is clear this team is in rebuild mode. Actually, I should be more specific - the offense is ready, the defense is not. Another round of Free Agency and a good draft, and they could be there, but there are way too many guys coming back from injuries and other guys we are still wondering if the lights will come on...and you shouldn't expect to get a positive answer on all of them, so this year is more about watching the team grow and seeing who it is time to finally say goodbye to...again.

With that being said, I really like the potential of this offense. Like the defense, there are a lot of "if's" out there, Romo's health being the biggest, but the offensive line looks the strongest it has in a long time. Demarco Murray, I believe, will have more running room than he has ever had while with the Cowboys. Dez Bryant is now the clear greybeard on the team and will be playing for his next contract...which should only add to his passion for the game. Escobar has been picked by many to blow up this year. Terrance Williams, while not electric like Dez, should be a decent option as 2nd receiver.

The question is, who else will emerge? Any ideas? Here's your chance to make a case for the likes of Beasley, Harris, Dunbar, and other recent acquisitions? Who is your pet cat for the upcoming season?

 

[Vintage]

I'm actually pretty excited to see Escobar. I know that isn't popular to say around here.

 

[AbeBeta]

I'm actually pretty excited to see Escobar. I know that isn't popular to say around here.

I think we finally went out and got a proper TE coach because of the lack of development we'd seen across the years

 

[JBS]

I'm interested in watching Lawrence. I have no idea if he will be good or not, but I'll be watching him.

 

[Vintage]

I'm interested in watching Lawrence. I have no idea if he will be good or not, but I'll be watching him.

Same. I'm not overly high on him from what little I've seen of him.

But I fully recognize that I'm not a scout. And that I haven't seen hours and hours of tape on him. Oh, and I don't think for one minute that I'm an expert in analyzing game tape and projecting careers.

I am excited to see him play. And hopefully, he is a fixture on this defense for a long time.

 

[jday]

I'm actually pretty excited to see Escobar. I know that isn't popular to say around here.

About three years ago, I was an advocate of trading Witten while he still had some value; he might not have warranted a 1st round pick, but we could have probably have gooten mutliple picks from the 2nd round down. Needless to say, that wasn't a popular idea either. I just felt he was too much of a security blanket for Romo...I honestly wanted to see him with the training wheels off. I was pretty alone in the want.

Until Witten is gone, though, I'm afraid we will never see what Escobar is truly capable of as a pass catcher / playmaker.

 

[jday]

I'm interested in watching Lawrence. I have no idea if he will be good or not, but I'll be watching him.

This is the one offseason move, I'm the most worried about. I have said before, I thought we reached, but for the time being I will defer to the scouts. Having said that, nothing I have read in scouting reports as me feeling good about losing a 2nd and 3rd pick to get him. He may take time to develop and I'm fairly certain he will never be anything close to Ware.

 

[jday]

Same. I'm not overly high on him from what little I've seen of him.

But I fully recognize that I'm not a scout. And that I haven't seen hours and hours of tape on him. Oh, and I don't think for one minute that I'm an expert in analyzing game tape and projecting careers.

I am excited to see him play. And hopefully, he is a fixture on this defense for a long time.

Here's my question to you: In the days leading up to the draft, did you do any research on potential Ware replacements? I did and this guy was nowhere close to the top of my list. But like you, I am not an expert either, so I certainly could be wrong..I truly hope I am.

 

[JBS]

This is the one offseason move, I'm the most worried about. I have said before, I thought we reached, but for the time being I will defer to the scouts. Having said that, nothing I have read in scouting reports as me feeling good about losing a 2nd and 3rd pick to get him. He may take time to develop and I'm fairly certain he will never be anything close to Ware.

Expecting him to be ware is setting him up for failure in your view. If hes a double digit sack guy annually, its worth it. Still a tall order.. if hes a 5 sack guy, it wasnt worth it.

 

[JBS]

Not too many guys on this roster to get excited about.

Thats what I've realized after this thread.

 

[BigStar]

I think Wilcox will turn it on this season from a simple DB awareness standpoint. Was really only his (2nd/3rd?) season playing Safety after converting and declaring as a junior. Mo also looks like someone whose light bulb has turned on (adding strength and showing a maturing attitude towards preparation this off season). I'm interested in Lawrence of course and hoping he can contribute on passing downs initially before bulking up to take on NFL snaps. Want to see Melton as the 3 tech. Would be totally out of left field if Matt Johnson digested all the various coaching he received in the film room while in the tub the last two seasons, and contributed in the coverage gaffes that are common @ S. Carter can do it if he wants to...

 

[jday]

Expecting him to be ware is setting him up for failure in your view. If hes a double digit sack guy annually, its worth it. Still a tall order.. if hes a 5 sack guy, it wasnt worth it.

Just so I am clear, I'm not expecting him to be Ware; that was my point. Also, I look more at tackles for loss/minimal gain more than I look for sacks. Sacks are great, don't get me wrong, but I want to see this guy penetrate the backfield and make plays regardless of who is holding the ball. And I need to see alot of that on a regular consistent basis to believe he was worth what we gave up for him.

 

[Vintage]

Here's my question to you: In the days leading up to the draft, did you do any research on potential Ware replacements? I did and this guy was nowhere close to the top of my list. But like you, I am not an expert either, so I certainly could be wrong..I truly hope I am.

To be honest, know. Between a young kid, work related stuff, I just didn't have much time.

But even if I had hours a day to devote to it, I'm not sure what difference that would lead too. I'm not a trained scout. It's not like I can break tape down to the level scouts do anyway.

Mostly, it would have been nice to at least form my own opinions based on what I saw. Just wasn't an option this time around.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I think we should envoke the 24 hour rule on the Lee injury..it's happened...it's behind us..time to move on to the next thread!

While I have been rather redundant about my belief in this team for this next season, I will state once more (no promises on it being the last time) I honestly do not believe this team is a potential contender for this next year. Rather or not the front office is willing to admit it, I think it is clear this team is in rebuild mode. Actually, I should be more specific - the offense is ready, the defense is not. Another round of Free Agency and a good draft, and they could be there, but there are way too many guys coming back from injuries and other guys we are still wondering if the lights will come on...and you shouldn't expect to get a positive answer on all of them, so this year is more about watching the team grow and seeing who it is time to finally say goodbye to...again.

With that being said, I really like the potential of this offense. Like the defense, there are a lot of "if's" out there, Romo's health being the biggest, but the offensive line looks the strongest it has in a long time. Demarco Murray, I believe, will have more running room than he has ever had while with the Cowboys. Dez Bryant is now the clear greybeard on the team and will be playing for his next contract...which should only add to his passion for the game. Escobar has been picked by many to blow up this year. Terrance Williams, while not electric like Dez, should be a decent option as 2nd receiver.

The question is, who else will emerge? Any ideas? Here's your chance to make a case for the likes of Beasley, Harris, Dunbar, and other recent acquisitions? Who is your pet cat for the upcoming season?

I'm with you on this being a rebuilding year. But rebuilding as to the defense.
I half no expectations this year except to watch mein Cowboys play hard and make respectable showings this year.
However, the thing that keeps me excited (besides Ms. Busty) is that our offense is intoxicatingly good. When you half De/Romo/Witten and a revamped O line that could potentially open huge holes for Murray, that makes is special.

but do I honesly axpect playoffs? Only when figs ply.

So this year instead of whooping it up I will be more analyst and look hard for the holes the O line opens up and the routes by Dez and Witten. I will be more expert and less fanatic (I hope.)

There is this strange calmness on my part. In other seasons I'd be talking playoffs. This one I will be looking more critically and as a football guy. A football guy that Jerra will never be, bless his heart.

 

[jday]

With how improved I beleive the offensive line is with the addition of Z. Martin and the progression of the rest of those guys, I'm really interested to see what all of the running backs are able to do with a little extra space to run - namely Lance Dunbar. I know alot of people have already given up on him, but if you look at it, he hasn't had alot of opportunites yet. This may be that year for him. There are also a few offseason acquisitions that may be great additions. But the running game will probably help the defense more than any 1 player currently still healthy on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[JBS]

Just so I am clear, I'm not expecting him to be Ware; that was my point. Also, I look more at tackles for loss/minimal gain more than I look for sacks. Sacks are great, don't get me wrong, but I want to see this guy penetrate the backfield and make plays regardless of who is holding the ball. And I need to see alot of that on a regular consistent basis to believe he was worth what we gave up for him.

Yeah, but my point is he doesnt have to be ware to be worth the deal. Ware was worth waaaaaaay more than 2 and 3.

Lawrence still has to be really good to worth the deal, just not ware good.

 

[jday]

I'm with you on this being a rebuilding year. But rebuilding as to the defense.
I half no expectations this year except to watch mein Cowboys play hard and make respectable showings this year.
However, the thing that keeps me excited (besides Ms. Busty) is that our offense is intoxicatingly good. When you half De/Romo/Witten and a revamped O line that could potentially open huge holes for Murray, that makes is special.

but do I honesly axpect playoffs? Only when figs ply.

So this year instead of whooping it up I will be more analyst and look hard for the holes the O line opens up and the routes by Dez and Witten. I will be more expert and less fanatic (I hope.)

There is this strange calmness on my part. In other seasons I'd be talking playoffs. This one I will be looking more critically and as a football guy. A football guy that Jerra will never be, bless his heart.

This pretty much sums up exactly how I feel. Like you in seasons past I was talking playoffs...that guy was done after last year...and I don't expect him back anytime soon because I am aware of the rollercoast ride. For instance, I would not be the least bit surprised if the Cowboys win against the 49ers on the 1st game. That's the kinda thing our Cowboys do right? On Monday everyone would be talking Super Bowl and then against the TItans the Cowboys that played against the 49ers would be a distant memory and we would be talking team-tank on the next Monday. It's back and forth all season so I'm predicting mediocre again.

 

[jday]

Yeah, but my point is he doesnt have to be ware to be worth the deal. Ware was worth waaaaaaay more than 2 and 3.

Lawrence still has to be really good to worth the deal, just not ware good.

I can agree with you there...I'm not saying he has to be Ware to be worth a 2nd and 3rd, but is it asking too much for 75% Ware?

 

[jday]

To be honest, know. Between a young kid, work related stuff, I just didn't have much time.

But even if I had hours a day to devote to it, I'm not sure what difference that would lead too. I'm not a trained scout. It's not like I can break tape down to the level scouts do anyway.

Mostly, it would have been nice to at least form my own opinions based on what I saw. Just wasn't an option this time around.

I can certainly understand that...just curious on your take.