Our season probably hinges on these areas

[kskboys]

I'd largely agree...This isnt a Dak good or Dak bad argument, it's a bigger point about the position in general. Put a good QB in a good situation and you'll get good results. Put a good QB in a bad situation and you're fighting to break 500 for the year. There are probably more "good" QBs around the league that you can win with than people realize though....there just are not a ton of good situations around the league.

I'd have to double check the numbers, but I think among the top 15 cap hits at QB last year only like 6 of them even made the playoffs. Teams spend so much time & resources developing and paying QBs, but once they get paid it can really handicap the rest of your roster unless your owner is willing to throw money at the problem like the Rams and Eagles have done.

In general, Jerry builds teams that are way too QB dependent.

 

[fivetwos]

I think what we're lacking most on O is a slot WR, a guy who busts the seams and just gets open.

Still don’t know why they never looked to replace Beasley with a similar type. Dak and him worked well together. Moved the chains quite a bit

 

[conner01]

I think health is key to our season. OT has no depth and not great at starters, center is a mystery. Revell and bland have to stay healthy

 

[gtb1943]

Yep, I think I'm of the minority of one that believes that left and right offensive tackle performance will determine the success of this season.

REGARDLESS of how Schott, Adams and Riley try to scheme and/or help them.

I don't think either will be able to pass block effectively for a full season and this will lead to team losses.

jmo

You can scheme and use the tight ends and basically cover for one bat tackle
but not two

 

[Bobhaze]

Good post Bob. I am not as concerned at MLB though. But Overshown does need to stay healthy. But I am not going to figure in health at this point.
Injuries happen and they will need to deal with those if they happen. Maybe for once we get a healthy year from all. As to long term injuries. The small ones all teams go through.

Seeing what Guyton does will be a TC watch. However, all we can go by is what they tell us. And will need to wait until game 1 to really know for sure. I feel he will be the starter though.

Parker, to see his defense will be the main interest for almost everyone. Will they be attacking, or blitzing more. How well can they disguise things. He learned under Fangio, so I am not concerned with him being a 1st time DC. We seen many new young coaches come out and do very well. But having the talent helps.
As you said, they had a very good off season.

And how does Schottenheimer progresses with the offense, and as a HC as well.
Teams have a year of film to dissect now. So can he be innovative and throw in some wrinkles to counter that.

Speaking of a very good off season. What has been the best thing about it.
The FO staying pretty much quiet. Seems they been staying in the background more so than ever.

“Seeing what Guyton does will be a TC watch. However, all we can go by is what they tell us.”

“All we can go by is what they tell us” is something I can’t do. If Stephen Jones told me Tyler Guyton looks like a HOFer in practice I would not take that as gospel.

What the FO, coaches and even local media have said over the years about Cowboys players has too often been too much hype.

I will believe Tyler Guyton is the answer at LT when he proves he consistently is on the field for more than a game or two. I certainly hope he will be. Only his performance over time will prove it out.

 

[gtb1943]

I think health is key to our season. OT has no depth and not great at starters, center is a mystery. Revell and bland have to stay healthy

Cooper is a good center now and should get better. Not sure why anyone should be concerned there.

 

[gtb1943]

“Seeing what Guyton does will be a TC watch. However, all we can go by is what they tell us.”

“All we can go by is what they tell us” is something I can’t do. If Stephen Jones told me Tyler Guyton looks like a HOFer in practice I would not take that as gospel.

What the FO, coaches and even local media have said over the years about Cowboys players has too often been too much hype.

I will believe Tyler Guyton is the answer at LT when he proves he consistently is on the field for more than a game or two. I certainly hope he will be. Only his performance over time will prove it out.

yeah same front office that said Phil Costa would be a good NFL center

 

[conner01]

Cooper is a good center now and should get better. Not sure why anyone should be concerned there.

Depth was the point. Last year we had a solid backup. This year our backup is on IR. That’s why I said health

 

[kskboys]

Still don’t know why they never looked to replace Beasley with a similar type. Dak and him worked well together. Moved the chains quite a bit

Worked too well I guess?

 

[kskboys]

yeah same front office that said Phil Costa would be a good NFL center

At least Guyton has the skillset to play OT. Costa did not have the skills to play in the NFL.

 

[kskboys]

I think health is key to our season. OT has no depth and not great at starters, center is a mystery. Revell and bland have to stay healthy

Huh? Beebe is a topnotch C. Why do you think it's a mystery?

 

[Redline360]

Top 3

1) The front office - self explanatory

2) Coaches - you can have all the talent in the world but without good / respected coaches it doesnt matter in the end

3) LT - well the entire defense in general but LT and LB especially


When and if it comes to the playoffs. All eyes on th

 

[fivetwos]

Worked too well I guess?

Man it seemed as there were a lot of 3 and 4s that were converted between those two. Move chains, keep ball, make up for the fact that Jerry only like corners on defense.

 

[ArtClink]

Bob as always great analysis. I agree with all of it. One question I bring up is QB. If Dak goes down for significant time we are in trouble.

Agree 100%, but who’s gonna be the backup?

 

[rambo2]

I believe the Cowboys have upgraded their roster and coaching staff this off-season in several areas. We’ve added much needed talent on defense, and added an innovative young Defensive Coordinator along with some new blood assistants to support him.

On paper this has been a decent off-season, certainly compared to recent years. The key will be translating what’s on paper to the field and the scoreboard.

IMO, the success of the 2026 season will hinge on four player positions along with the ability of our new DC to build a consistent defensive scheme, and our second year HC to build some team chemistry and culture.

THE FOUR POSITIONS

• LEFT TACKLE - arguably the second most important position on offense is LT. And our Cowboys desperately need 2024 first round pick Tyler Guyton to show us a lot more than he has his first two seasons. His physical talent is there but the commitment to being a consistent pro hasn’t. If Guyton can become more consistent, our offense can be special. If he can’t, he’s on bust watch and we have a big hole at LT.
• LINEBACKER - we’ve added some talent but the depth is paper thin. DeMarvion Overshown is a real talent but he hasn’t been healthy long for any season yet. The addition of Dee Winters is an upgrade, but after those two there are a ton of question marks. Third round pick Jaishawn Barham is talented but raw. And they are all in a new scheme. IMO this position needs some veteran presence.
• EDGE RUSHER - we’ve added a good player in Rashon Gary. He’s a good run stopper and an above average pass rusher. We drafted a talented young pass rusher in Malachi Lawrence. And 2nd year rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku emerged late last year. None of these guys are great pass rushers. We have to hope we can get a pass rush by committee.
• CORNER - some of the biggest question marks are at this position. Veteran Deron Bland has been really good at times but has also had two foot surgeries the last two years. We added a FA good corner in Cobie Durant on a 1 yr cheap deal. And 2nd year Shavon Revel must show he can be healthy enough to play well. This position may also need a late addition veteran.

COACHING

• NEW DC CHRIS PARKER - our new DC appears to be just what the Dr ordered. He’s bringing a much better scheme and has a great rapport with the players. But he’s also 34, and has yet to call a play as a DC. He may need some time to grow and learn.
• HC BRIAN SCHOTTENHEIMER- his second year as HC needs to be a breakout. His first year he showed some offensive chops but he was handed a terrible defensive roster and DC. IMO he needs to lay off the cheesy “Bro Language” he throws out and prove he is a cohesive leader of men.

I’m excited to see what this team will be. The 2024 and 2025 seasons gave us a 14-19-1 record with no playoffs. This team’s talent has certainly been upgraded and hope is real. But as the saying goes, “Hope is not a strategy”.

We are just six weeks away from real football and finding out what this team really is. Can’t wait.

Excellent