Outsider opinions on this years team

[JustChip]

I'm going to try to confirm this with my friends.

Jimmy Stewart’s Harvey?

 

[Macnalty]

Two biggest things are:

-the new dominance of the defense
-the return of the Oline play/run game

FO was determined in the offseason to fix the Oline and get back to running the football. This is NOT a case of being committed rather its a case of the run game working again so they can be committed.

Moving on from Collins and drafting Tyler Smith were big parts of fixing the run game and returning to a physical run game oriented offense.

Cant think of ONE thing the FO did in the offseason that wasnt a good call or hasnt worked:

-Dumping Collins for Steele
-Letting Wilson go
-Giving Lamb the #1 opportunity and moving on from Cooper
-Playing hardball with Gregory
-The youth movement
-Tyler Smith and the call to allow him to play LT
-Hankins trade
-Peters signing
-Not resigning Conner Williams


What am I missing?


Gotta give the FO credit this year where as in years past they have largely dropped the ball.

I agree with getting rid of WR Amari Cooper but getting absolutely shafted in the trade is poor form and entirely the Jones boy's fault. His play and contract are considered the best deal of the offseason for the Browns.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I agree with getting rid of WR Amari Cooper but getting absolutely shafted in the trade is poor form and entirely the Jones boy's fault. His play and contract are considered the best deal of the offseason for the Browns.

100%

Jones completely blew the trade like he always does. Got fleeced.

 

[DanA]

At the risk of sounding like a hater I feel like the biggest threat to this team is Dak getting too ambitious and getting picked off. He’s been good overall, and we’ve gotten away with it for the most part, but against the wrong team that runs the ball and dominates Time In Possession it could bite us in the butt.

I do think though that our best is better than any other team in the NFL. Especially if we get a decent lead.

 

[DanA]

100%

Jones completely blew the trade like he always does. Got fleeced.

Always is a bit much.

With the Herschel Walker trade he’s probably still “lifetime ahead” when it comes to trading. Robert Quinn and Hankins were more recent good moves but yeah, I feel like we got a 5th for Cooper and it should have been a 2nd.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Always is a bit much.

With the Herschel Walker trade he’s probably still “lifetime ahead” when it comes to trading. Robert Quinn and Hankins were more recent good moves but yeah, I feel like we got a 5th for Cooper and it should have been a 2nd.

He blew the trade the moment he told the league he was cutting Cooper. THEN he goes out and tries to trade him.

 

[My3Sons]

At the risk of sounding like a hater I feel like the biggest threat to this team is Dak getting too ambitious and getting picked off. He’s been good overall, and we’ve gotten away with it for the most part, but against the wrong team that runs the ball and dominates Time In Possession it could bite us in the butt.

I do think though that our best is better than any other team in the NFL. Especially if we get a decent lead.

The Eagles are good, but 49ers defense will be the biggest obstacle in the playoffs for this Cowboys team. Fait dealt them a blow on the QB front.

Things are lining up nicely for the stretch run. Need to dodge injuries, stick with the run and beat the Eagles badly at home.

This Cowboy's team has served notice by absolutely destroying the Vikings in Minnesota and crushing the resurgent Colts on prime time.

 

[plasticman]

Players must have a different mindset in the postseason and some great players can't make the adjustment. The season is no longer a marathon. Success in the playoffs is based on what players do right now. The mentality must be that there is no tomorrow, don't save anything for the next game or there might not be a next game.

It's true. There are some great regular season players that disappear in the playoffs. Conversely, there have been some players that do little to nothing in the regular season but shine in the playoffs.

No franchise or fan base know if they have a "championship" team until the time comes to prove it. You cannot predict postseason success based on the regular season. in fact, only about 40% of the teams considered the "favorite" just before the playoffs actually win it all.

 

[Whirlwin]

Great post !
And as you said it shines a light on a dysfunctional aspect of our team.
We don't always play the best players.
This is because once Jerry pays a player , he wants that player to start.
That's what is going on with Zeke and Pollard right now.
Pollard is clearly better by any objective measurement you want to use.
I like Zeke and he has been looking better of late, but he is no Pollard with regards to burst and homerun ability.

That’s just pure baloney.

 

[john van brocklin]

That’s just pure baloney.

While I respect your right to your opinion, would you care to back it up with any comments?
I am open to constructive debate.
Otherwise, I will just have dismiss your comment as irrelevant.
Thanks, John

 

[TequilaCowboy]

I have now talked to two of my buddies that think the Cowboys can win it all. Not a big deal, but both of these guys are heavy into sports and despise the Cowboys.

I do not watch much of the talking heads on TV for their opinions. I do like discussing sports with my friends around the country that seem to pay close attention.

The consensus seems to be:

Dallas finally has a championship defense.
Dak can drive the bus.
OL and running game are very good and have depth.


I will take it a step further as a homer fan...

The problem in the last couple decades has been the lack of defense that can win games for you. This year is different. They can win at a high level. Dak going down in week one was a gift(in hindsight). It allowed the coaches to not rely on the QB to win the game. This should have shown our OC that the running game is the key. KM then embarrassed himself in OT at Green Bay by forgetting to use the running game that was averaging 6 yards per carry and asking Dak to win the game. We saw how that worked and so did the national media that roasted KM(and deservedly so).

Now, add in the Zeke injury. Another gift in my opinion. The Zeke injury allowed the staff to watch Pollard dominate the game with a heavy workload. This shined a spotlight on the "why do the Cowboys leave on of their best players on the bench" problem. Our coaching staff literally had Pollard on the bench watching an injured Zeke average under half the yards per carry that he was capable of last season.

It is baffling that our coaches/owner could not figure this puzzle out sooner. I think a good high school coach could have fixed this offense last year.

Back to my original(homer) point, The coaching staff was forced (by injuries) to solve the offensive riddle that had them scratching their head for far too long.

Maybe it is just fate

Do your friends like the "smokie, smokie".... ....although i agree with you the defense is the difference from last year.., the offense, with KM calling the shots, is what scares me and getting an arse kicking once again comes to mind. They seem to get outcoached in the playoffs.

 

[Verdict]

Same kinda talk this time of year in:
2007
2009
2014
2016
2021

Also similar to the talk 92 to 95 as well.

 

[AsthmaField]

Great post !
And as you said it shines a light on a dysfunctional aspect of our team.
We don't always play the best players.
This is because once Jerry pays a player , he wants that player to start.
That's what is going on with Zeke and Pollard right now.
Pollard is clearly better by any objective measurement you want to use.
I like Zeke and he has been looking better of late, but he is no Pollard with regards to burst and homerun ability.

Who else on the team is starting that you think the backup is better?

You’re right about Pollard having superior burst and homerun ability… but Zeke has superior Power and punishes the defense in a way that Pollard can’t.

I will say this: if I was coach and I could only play one of the RB’s, it would be an easy decision for me to sit Elliott and play pollard. I think he’s the more valuable back now.

However, I’d rather play both rather than one or the other. Tackling a guy like Zeke flat out exhausts defenders and it is true that it takes a toll by the 4th quarter. Hitting them with Elliott and then bringing in Pollard with his crazy speed is an ideal RB situation, IMO.

In other words, I’d rather have both Elliott and Pollard than just Pollard, even though he’d be my first choice between them. I think the team is using both RB’s rather judiciously, and it is about how I want them used. So I don’t really see how Elliott’s contract is keeping anything from happening. There is nothing about that situation that speaks to dysfunction to me.

What other backups should be playing over the starters?

 

[CWR]

Same kinda talk this time of year in:
2007
2009
2014
2016
2021

14, 16, 21 was not the same kind of talk at all. I honestly don't remember 07, 09 as well, but this defense is as good as we've had in a long time.

That is the difference this year. Whether or not, it bears fruit is TBD.

 

[john van brocklin]

Who else on the team is starting that you think the backup is better?

You’re right about Pollard having superior burst and homerun ability… but Zeke has superior Power and punishes the defense in a way that Pollard can’t.

I will say this: if I was coach and I could only play one of the RB’s, it would be an easy decision for me to sit Elliott and play pollard. I think he’s the more valuable back now.

However, I’d rather play both rather than one or the other. Tackling a guy like Zeke flat out exhausts defenders and it is true that it takes a toll by the 4th quarter. Hitting them with Elliott and then bringing in Pollard with his crazy speed is an ideal RB situation, IMO.

In other words, I’d rather have both Elliott and Pollard than just Pollard, even though he’d be my first choice between them. I think the team is using both RB’s rather judiciously, and it is about how I want them used. So I don’t really see how Elliott’s contract is keeping anything from happening. There is nothing about that situation that speaks to dysfunction to me.

What other backups should be playing over the starters?

I was really referring to the Pollard/Zeke situation.
I agree with you that the optimal solution would be to keep both and play them.
They have really complementary styles.
My hope is that they can financially find a way to keep them both next year.

 

[AsthmaField]

I was really referring to the Pollard/Zeke situation.
I agree with you that the optimal solution would be to keep both and play them.
They have really complementary styles.
My hope is that they can financially find a way to keep them both next year.

My first instinct would be to:

• Sign Pollard.
• Restructure Elliott to something much more fitting to his current impact and roll with those two again.
• Or Cut Elliott if he won’t restructure and draft a bruiser in the mid rounds.

Is that what the team will do? I’m not sure but I look at it as likely.

 

[john van brocklin]

My first instinct would be to:

• Sign Pollard.
• Restructure Elliott to something much more fitting to his current impact and roll with those two again.
• Or Cut Elliott if he won’t restructure and draft a bruiser in the mid rounds.

Is that what the team will do? I’m not sure but I look at it as likely.

Agree 1000%

 

[Dalmations202]

My first instinct would be to:

• Sign Pollard.
• Restructure Elliott to something much more fitting to his current impact and roll with those two again.
• Or Cut Elliott if he won’t restructure and draft a bruiser in the mid rounds.

Is that what the team will do? I’m not sure but I look at it as likely.

I like this idea, but I don't think Jerry would even consider it.

My expectation is that Pollard signs elsewhere because Jerry can't afford to pay 2Rbs what Elliot is making, and Pollards rep wants Elliot money.

Who would a good speed back be that could be had in the 2nd or 3rd round to replace Pollard?
Jerry keeps saying the Cowboys go as Elliot goes, so I think he keeps paying him, and drafts a RB in the 2nd-4th rounds.

If Dallas has to cut Elliot, who would be a good Bruier in the mid rounds?

 

[AsthmaField]

I like this idea, but I don't think Jerry would even consider it.

My expectation is that Pollard signs elsewhere because Jerry can't afford to pay 2Rbs what Elliot is making, and Pollards rep wants Elliot money.

Who would a good speed back be that could be had in the 2nd or 3rd round to replace Pollard?
Jerry keeps saying the Cowboys go as Elliot goes, so I think he keeps paying him, and drafts a RB in the 2nd-4th rounds.

If Dallas has to cut Elliot, who would be a good Bruier in the mid rounds?

We will see.