Optimism headed up or down at this point?

[Verdict]

Has your view on the team become more or less optimistic after watching the preseason games, and why?

 

[boysfanindc]

Has your view on the team become more or less optimistic after watching the preseason games, and why?

I would say the arrow is pointing up:

Looks like Ware & Witten are going to be Ware & Witten!
LB corps is pretty impressive (if they can stay healthy) not only the starters, but the backups can play.
Running game has looked better then I have seen in awhile, meaning we have good RB's and Fredrick improves everyone on the line.
Austin healthy so far, Dez could have a monster year.
The DL attacking has looked pretty good even without all the starters.
Seems like we have a lot more depth around the team.

Safety position still scares me, OL healthy scares me.

 

[DEA_dad]

Up, up, up!

 

[dallasfan4lizife]

Easily pointing up.

This has gotta be the best outlook for any season since 2009.

 

[Idgit]

I was cautiously optimistic going into camp. I'd say that, at camp, almost every concern I had has had at least a somewhat positive answer: the Center position looks strong and deep. Doug Free has potentially improved his play on RT (this was a big concern of mine). The defensive scheme change appears to have been working out ok, and we appear to be getting more turnovers. Safety play has not been appreciably better in the two games I've seen, that's still a concern of mine, but I think we have options and I also think the sample for the starters was really small. The starting OL, in preseason, which doesn't mean much to me, has still looked really good, much better than I expected. Williams seems to be panning out on the outside, letting us move Austin to the slot. The team seems mentally to be exactly where they need to be.

Other than losing Crawford, which was a major loss right off the bat, and some frustration over the multiple OG injuries, things have looked really good. I think the organization is in a really good place. It should show on the field this season, and I'll admit, I'll be shocked and depressed if we see more of what we saw back in 2011 (2012 was, I think, a relative anomaly for us).

 

[pugilist]

Defense: up

Offense: push / slightly down due to uncertainty on o-line

 

[CATCH17]

Up.

If we stink this year we'll never be a Superbowl threat.

 

[Idgit]

Defense: up

Offense: push / slightly down due to uncertainty on o-line

You think the OL is *more* uncertain than it was last season? Or just more uncertain than you thought it would be heading into camp? Probably the later, huh?

 

[pugilist]

You think the OL is *more* uncertain than it was last season? Or just more uncertain than you thought it would be heading into camp? Probably the later, huh?

the latter. I'm not liking the situation at RG, the flakiness of Waters, the injury to Leary and how all of that effects the cohesiveness of the starting line.

Really though I'd like to reserve judgement until after the 4th preseason game when we've had a chance to observe the starters for a full half.

 

[TheCount]

My level of optimism is directly tied to the offensive and defensive line. It was headed up but the recent injuries have leveled things out a bit.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

I was very optimistic until Leary got hurt and then I realized just how precarious the whole OL situation is,,, now I'm "cautiously" optimistic depending on whether some outside vet comes in and Leary recovers soon.

You know, that Cowboys schedule isn't all that easy,,, not like last year.

 

[boysfanindc]

Up.

If we stink this year we'll never be a Superbowl threat.

It is a interesting thought/question, I like you firmly believe we have improved this year. Then comes the next logical question, is it enough to take our division, it kills me to say, but I believe the skins are going to be a formidable competitor this year, they had a ton of injuries last year (as we did) and have a talented team, their main questions I think are in the secondary.

I can not for the life of me figure out what the Eagles are going to be, right know could see them being pretty good to lousy.

The Giants don't scare me.

Think it will come down to us Vs the Skins, will certainly be interesting to see how Kiffins D handles the read option, think this will be a real key as well as how good our running game actually turns out to be.

 

[dstovall5]

How could you not be optimistic? We had a lot of our starters last year banged up and we still had a shot in Week 17 to make the playoffs. This year we have those same starters healthy, but also our o-line/running game looks like it has improved from last year as well. I honestly think we have a chance to run away with the division if we can stay healthy, but if we end up like last year (banged up) it's going to be a tough dog fight

Our team this year will be leaps and bounds better then last year - if they stay healthy.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Ten Reasons To Look Up:

1. Tony Romo - Play-making QB with better weapons and (hopefully) a better line.
2. Jason Witten - Still plays with passion and does not seem to be slowing down.
3. D-Ware - Seems to be fully recovered from his 2012 injuries.
4. Dez - Can only get better.
5. Murray - Has been singled out by observers as the best back. Also being praised for his leadership.
6. Lee - Primed for a great year.
7. Carter - Primed for a big year.
8. Rookies - Most will contribute this year.
9. Bailey - Taken for granted but not unappreciated.
10. Callahan - By calling plays he will allow Garrett to grow as a HC.

 

[Rockport]

Up.

If we stink this year we'll never be a Superbowl threat.

How does "stink this year" equate to never being a Superbowl threat?

 

[Iago33]

Optimism is always headed up!

I'm still optimistic, but I'm mildly concerned about the damage injuries could do, especially to OL and DL.

 

[Rockport]

On a scale of 1 - 10 in optimism compared to the beginning of camp I'm a 7. The defense looks improved. They've caused some turnovers on plays I haven't seen the likes of in years. All the key players are either healthy now or on schedule to be by game 1.

Offensively, the line seems to be at least marginally improved. If we have to start the season with Arkin it's going to hurt. Other than that, it's hard to get a read on the offense because the starters haven't played much and the play calling has been basic.

I'm concerned a bit about the special teams. Hopefully, the play so far of that unit is just an anomaly and will improve with more game time experience.

I'm very optimistic about the coaching. I was a bit skeptical of the switch to the 4-3 only in regards to how long it would take for the team to make the transition. But Kiffin's attack defense is much simplier to learn than Ryan's react defense. What a waste it was to have Ware drop back into coverage so much last year basically negating is strength as a pass rusher.

The team will benefit from Garrett not being the play caller as he'll be able to focus on managing the game and not the offense as well.

 

[gambit187]

Definitely up....I see a huge upgrade in the center position, I think Free will play with a chip on his shoulder, I think we are better off at the guard position then most people think. I also have a lot of faith in Callahan and the running game....BIG UP SWING

 

[JD_KaPow]

Mine's holding steady until I'm confident that Spencer, Ratliff, Leary and Mo are healthy and ready for week 1. This team has so little depth at so many positions (OL,DL,LB,S) that a couple of badly-placed injuries could devastate our chances. So the fear of injury is going to temper my optimism all season long, despite what I see as really strong first-string talent.

 

[KJJ]

Has your view on the team become more or less optimistic after watching the preseason games, and why?

Neither more or less optimistic at this point we're only 2 games into preseason. The Cowboys have gotten some turnovers on defense which has been a positive but we're still seeing issues in the redzone with penalties and negative plays. We're also seeing quite a few injuries again which is a concern. The starters play very little in preseason so I don't put much stock in preseason games. There's teams that have gone 0-4 in preseason and went on to win the SB. We'll find out the first 2-4 games of the regular season if there's reason to be more or less optimistic about the Cowboys.