People understand what's coming, right?

[ArtClink]

Go beyond this year, we are about to enter a pretty rough stretch of Cowboys football for the next few years.

This isn't like the last time we fell apart when we went 6-10 a few years ago. That was largely a pretty talented team derailed by Dak breaking his ankle.

This time around, the team isn't nearly as talented. Jerry has allowed talent and depth to run off, he's stacked a couple of suspect drafts together, especially last year's where our top two picks are total duds. Jerry will be searching for a new coach but he's likely going to still try to fill the spot with a guy that fits the most important criteria - be a good soldier, allow Jerry to meddle in all aspects of the team and be fine with Jerry trying to hog all the limelight and credit.

Dak coming back doesn't change the calculus next year. Neither does Parsons, for that matter. Dak needs to be surrounded with top level talent and this offense lacks it. We have one skill player, ONE, that you could say is at the top of barrel in terms of pecking order. Philly, for example, has at least three with Brown and Smith and Barkley. The difference in skill talent between us and Philly is massive and unfortunately Dak needs a roster like Philly to win. And it's not getting fixed in one offseason, especially since the owner and his son have gotten cheaper and cheaper in FA.

We are staring into the abyss with no real hope because the owner/GM is a stubborn, arrogant old fool who despite his fans all having eyes and can see what he did and the product he put on the field still believes he's rolling out a talented team that's just unlucky. He'll blame injuries as well.

You want me to believe otherwise? Then let's see Jerry make an outside the box hire for the next coach, not some retread or guy he's familiar with like Moore or Zimmer who is allowed to build a staff that works for him, not a staff that works for Jerry. Let's see them work their cap to utilize FA to fill clear roster holes with good players, no bargain bin slop. Let's see him approach the draft with a focus on getting tougher and better in the trenches, especially the DL. Eschew the shiny toy that might sell you a few more jerseys because he runs fast, no, instead, start building a "team" not just a collection of players you think you can market the crap out of.

I suspect none of the above will happen. Because Jerry is what Jerry is. He's a failure, and I don't expect that to change.

Preach it brother!

 

[kskboys]

Go beyond this year, we are about to enter a pretty rough stretch of Cowboys football for the next few years.

This isn't like the last time we fell apart when we went 6-10 a few years ago. That was largely a pretty talented team derailed by Dak breaking his ankle.

This time around, the team isn't nearly as talented. Jerry has allowed talent and depth to run off, he's stacked a couple of suspect drafts together, especially last year's where our top two picks are total duds. Jerry will be searching for a new coach but he's likely going to still try to fill the spot with a guy that fits the most important criteria - be a good soldier, allow Jerry to meddle in all aspects of the team and be fine with Jerry trying to hog all the limelight and credit.

Dak coming back doesn't change the calculus next year. Neither does Parsons, for that matter. Dak needs to be surrounded with top level talent and this offense lacks it. We have one skill player, ONE, that you could say is at the top of barrel in terms of pecking order. Philly, for example, has at least three with Brown and Smith and Barkley. The difference in skill talent between us and Philly is massive and unfortunately Dak needs a roster like Philly to win. And it's not getting fixed in one offseason, especially since the owner and his son have gotten cheaper and cheaper in FA.

We are staring into the abyss with no real hope because the owner/GM is a stubborn, arrogant old fool who despite his fans all having eyes and can see what he did and the product he put on the field still believes he's rolling out a talented team that's just unlucky. He'll blame injuries as well.

You want me to believe otherwise? Then let's see Jerry make an outside the box hire for the next coach, not some retread or guy he's familiar with like Moore or Zimmer who is allowed to build a staff that works for him, not a staff that works for Jerry. Let's see them work their cap to utilize FA to fill clear roster holes with good players, no bargain bin slop. Let's see him approach the draft with a focus on getting tougher and better in the trenches, especially the DL. Eschew the shiny toy that might sell you a few more jerseys because he runs fast, no, instead, start building a "team" not just a collection of players you think you can market the crap out of.

I suspect none of the above will happen. Because Jerry is what Jerry is. He's a failure, and I don't expect that to change.

Jerry is a prime example that money doesn't mean one isn't a loser.

 

[kskboys]

It could be worse. Especially if we continue to pretend FA doesn't exist. Jerry keeps creating more and more hole that he can't fill through the draft alone, especially if he puts up another dud like the 2023 draft.

FA? Dak and CD alone are taking up 46% of the salary cap next year.

 

[Rayman70]

In this league we have learned that the quickest path to a rebuild, and success is hiring a great HC with his own staff, then drafting a good QB . If you can achieve both, hitting pay dirt, it could be a fast rebuild. See Houston. See Washington. Two prime examples of teams getting it right. It can be done. It doesn't need to be a long term process . Problem is, Jerry is calling the shots which sets us back.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Go beyond this year, we are about to enter a pretty rough stretch of Cowboys football for the next few years.

This isn't like the last time we fell apart when we went 6-10 a few years ago. That was largely a pretty talented team derailed by Dak breaking his ankle.

This time around, the team isn't nearly as talented. Jerry has allowed talent and depth to run off, he's stacked a couple of suspect drafts together, especially last year's where our top two picks are total duds. Jerry will be searching for a new coach but he's likely going to still try to fill the spot with a guy that fits the most important criteria - be a good soldier, allow Jerry to meddle in all aspects of the team and be fine with Jerry trying to hog all the limelight and credit.

Dak coming back doesn't change the calculus next year. Neither does Parsons, for that matter. Dak needs to be surrounded with top level talent and this offense lacks it. We have one skill player, ONE, that you could say is at the top of barrel in terms of pecking order. Philly, for example, has at least three with Brown and Smith and Barkley. The difference in skill talent between us and Philly is massive and unfortunately Dak needs a roster like Philly to win. And it's not getting fixed in one offseason, especially since the owner and his son have gotten cheaper and cheaper in FA.

We are staring into the abyss with no real hope because the owner/GM is a stubborn, arrogant old fool who despite his fans all having eyes and can see what he did and the product he put on the field still believes he's rolling out a talented team that's just unlucky. He'll blame injuries as well.

You want me to believe otherwise? Then let's see Jerry make an outside the box hire for the next coach, not some retread or guy he's familiar with like Moore or Zimmer who is allowed to build a staff that works for him, not a staff that works for Jerry. Let's see them work their cap to utilize FA to fill clear roster holes with good players, no bargain bin slop. Let's see him approach the draft with a focus on getting tougher and better in the trenches, especially the DL. Eschew the shiny toy that might sell you a few more jerseys because he runs fast, no, instead, start building a "team" not just a collection of players you think you can market the crap out of.

I suspect none of the above will happen. Because Jerry is what Jerry is. He's a failure, and I don't expect that to change.

8-9

 

[Sydla]

FA? Dak and CD alone are taking up 46% of the salary cap next year.

Don't be fooled by Jerry's cap whining.

 

[kskboys]

Don't be fooled by Jerry's cap whining.

Don't be fooled by the cap.

Unless/until they renegotiate, the cap hit is around 46% for those two. Why do you think they didn't spend it all this season? Need massive money to roll over into next.

Not that this matters. They don't have anywhere near the draft capital/cap room next year to build anything resembling a contender.

 

[Creeper]

I hate to say it but I have to agree. This year is going to be a bad year, but maybe there is a silver lining to it. Unfortunately, next year will be equally bad if not worse. Jerry put us in CAP hell and only time will get us out of it. We will see a lot of bad trades, and awful free agent acquisitions while our best players leave for greener pastures. I think 2026 is the year we begin a serious rebuild. But, it has to start with a QB. The next 2 awful seasons may put us in a position to draft a new franchise QB. Hopefully Jerry does not pass the opportunity up because he is so in love with Dak.

 

[Sydla]

Don't be fooled by the cap.

Unless/until they renegotiate, the cap hit is around 46% for those two. Why do you think they didn't spend it all this season? Need massive money to roll over into next.

Not that this matters. They don't have anywhere near the draft capital/cap room next year to build anything resembling a contender.

They have the ability to work the cap like any other team. For example, signing Parsons to a long term deal early would cut another $15MM or so from the cap. They will absolutely restructure Lamb, creating more space. There are some strategic cuts that could be made to save even more. They have the ability to work the cap in a way that would allow them to add a key FA or two.

They choose not to. Again, don't fall for Jerry whining about the cap. He wants you to believe they have cap problems so they can justify sitting out FA.

 

[Preoccupied]

I suggest the admins here create the "Good Old Days Zone", "Classic Cowboys Zone", or "Nostalgia Zone". A lot of members here will be losing interest and tired of the same old discussions and find something better to do. They can get together here though to reminisce.

Its already an exclusive club with the same olds.
Im glad i dont fit the narrative.

 

[jgboys1]

100%! This team is going to be really bad for the foreseeable future. I mean really bad. We are talking Cleveland Browns, NY Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars bad, and the sad thing about that, even if we get some great draft picks, we won't be able to keep them because Dak will be eating most of the cap money!.

PS. I noticed any anti Dak posts don't get too much push back these days! I think even the hardcore Dak fans can see he wasn't worth the first contract never mind this second obscene contract.

 

[kskboys]

They have the ability to work the cap like any other team. For example, signing Parsons to a long term deal early would cut another $15MM or so from the cap. They will absolutely restructure Lamb, creating more space. There are some strategic cuts that could be made to save even more. They have the ability to work the cap in a way that would allow them to add a key FA or two.

They choose not to. Again, don't fall for Jerry whining about the cap. He wants you to believe they have cap problems so they can justify sitting out FA.

Only to a point.

When 2 players are taking up 46% of the alloted cap space, there is only so much you can do. Especially when the entire org is being run by a couple of bumbling fools.

The Dak/Lamb contracts absolutely ascertained that we will not win for the next 3 years.

 

[Sydla]

Only to a point.

When 2 players are taking up 46% of the alloted cap space, there is only so much you can do. Especially when the entire org is being run by a couple of bumbling fools.

The Dak/Lamb contracts absolutely ascertained that we will not win for the next 3 years.

They only take up 46% of the cap because the Cowboys haven't done what other teams do with restructures, etc.

Look, if you want to continue to be duped by Jerry, have at it.

 

[iceberg]

Well said Syd. The only hope I have for the next few years is Jerry at the very least hires a STRONG head coach
and backs off having his face in front of every microphone and hand in every decision. My hope for that is very low.

But as I type this unless things get worse, I’m doubtful he makes those changes.

it won't make any difference. jones is going to jones it up.

he proved this year he has zero concept of ... well much of anything except how to have zero concept of things.

 

[Sydla]

Only to a point.

When 2 players are taking up 46% of the alloted cap space, there is only so much you can do. Especially when the entire org is being run by a couple of bumbling fools.

The Dak/Lamb contracts absolutely ascertained that we will not win for the next 3 years.

Ask yourself this question.

How is it the Cowboys are seemingly always tight to the cap but based on actual data from the NFLPA, the Cowboys have spent less actual cash on their team over the last decade than only a handful of other NFL teams?

The answer is quite simple. The Cowboys don't take advantage of contract loopholes, restructures, dummy years, etc. that other teams use in order to work their cap annually. Philly has spent way more cash on their roster over the last decade than we have and yet they always seem to find a way to work their cap, stay active in FA, etc.

Its because their GM knows what he is doing and understands the cap. Our GM does not.

 

[conner01]

Go beyond this year, we are about to enter a pretty rough stretch of Cowboys football for the next few years.

This isn't like the last time we fell apart when we went 6-10 a few years ago. That was largely a pretty talented team derailed by Dak breaking his ankle.

This time around, the team isn't nearly as talented. Jerry has allowed talent and depth to run off, he's stacked a couple of suspect drafts together, especially last year's where our top two picks are total duds. Jerry will be searching for a new coach but he's likely going to still try to fill the spot with a guy that fits the most important criteria - be a good soldier, allow Jerry to meddle in all aspects of the team and be fine with Jerry trying to hog all the limelight and credit.

Dak coming back doesn't change the calculus next year. Neither does Parsons, for that matter. Dak needs to be surrounded with top level talent and this offense lacks it. We have one skill player, ONE, that you could say is at the top of barrel in terms of pecking order. Philly, for example, has at least three with Brown and Smith and Barkley. The difference in skill talent between us and Philly is massive and unfortunately Dak needs a roster like Philly to win. And it's not getting fixed in one offseason, especially since the owner and his son have gotten cheaper and cheaper in FA.

We are staring into the abyss with no real hope because the owner/GM is a stubborn, arrogant old fool who despite his fans all having eyes and can see what he did and the product he put on the field still believes he's rolling out a talented team that's just unlucky. He'll blame injuries as well.

You want me to believe otherwise? Then let's see Jerry make an outside the box hire for the next coach, not some retread or guy he's familiar with like Moore or Zimmer who is allowed to build a staff that works for him, not a staff that works for Jerry. Let's see them work their cap to utilize FA to fill clear roster holes with good players, no bargain bin slop. Let's see him approach the draft with a focus on getting tougher and better in the trenches, especially the DL. Eschew the shiny toy that might sell you a few more jerseys because he runs fast, no, instead, start building a "team" not just a collection of players you think you can market the crap out of.

I suspect none of the above will happen. Because Jerry is what Jerry is. He's a failure, and I don't expect that to change.

The best thing that can come from this season is lose the rest of the games and get some good picks to add some talent. 3 years of draft in the 20’s and no FA tends to lower your rosters talent. To get better we need to get worse first

 

[sdfidaho]

I hate to say it but I have to agree. This year is going to be a bad year, but maybe there is a silver lining to it. Unfortunately, next year will be equally bad if not worse. Jerry put us in CAP hell and only time will get us out of it. We will see a lot of bad trades, and awful free agent acquisitions while our best players leave for greener pastures. I think 2026 is the year we begin a serious rebuild. But, it has to start with a QB. The next 2 awful seasons may put us in a position to draft a new franchise QB. Hopefully Jerry does not pass the opportunity up because he is so in love with Dak.

The problem I see going forward is Jerry doubling/tripling down on stupid.
In order to free up cap space he will restructure Dak’s already horrible contract and thus extend/lock this team into a mediocre and rapidly declining talent at the most important position on the team for several years.
If there is one thing that Jerry is really good at, it is riding a stupid mistake way longer than anyone else would because his ego desperately wants that mistake to take a positive turn so he can say “see!, I was right all along.” Problem is, that positive turn never happens.

 

[Bobhaze]

Good post!

I subscribe to the “Peter Principle” whereby Jerry appointed himself into a position he was not competent to fill; he only achieved success when other people (namely Johnson and Parcells) were calling the shots; and the narcissist in him was starved for recognition so he assumed more control and squeezed them out; and from that point out hired retreads and lackeys.

Jerry allowed valuable role players who provided depth to walk and counted on rookies to fill the voids; yes, injuries have depleted the ranks, but the rookies on the OL have struggled; failure to sign a prominent RB was a fatal flaw…passing on Henry for Zeke was idiotic; I’m not sold on Dowdle…the Falcons run defense didn’t appear to be that stout.

Don’t really understand the trade for a WR who is maybe a role player, if that, for a 4th round pick when picks are at a premium for a team who builds solely by the draft. The team needs a talent infusion and cannot fill the voids via draft alone, but so much cap space is tied up in Dak and CD, how do they upgrade talent. Signing Dak to an extension without him playing out this year was a major mistake.

We can all throw hate and vitriol in Jerry’s direction; he doesn’t care; he won’t change his ways. All he cares about is that the Cowboys remain relevant in the press and social media because that is all he has left.

How many teams have we seen rise from the cellar to prominence while Dallas stagnates in mediocrity? Where is the GM whose responsibility is to put together a competitive team…oh yeah, Dallas doesn’t have a legitimate GM, we have the narcissistic billionaire masquerading as one.

Expect to maintain the status quo; don’t be surprised if MM and Zimmer are retained…this is what happens when you don’t know how to fix things, you let them be. Besides Jerry will blame the season on injuries and Dak’s absence…so another moral victory for our beloved Cowboys.

This is a very accurate assessment of our predicament.

 

[Ken]

Actually you are a little too optimistic based on the data and facts we have.

To get this team right they need to be aggressive in FA and the trade market and have to hire the right coach.

Jerry has shown zero ability or desire to do any of that.

Agreed.

I think part of the reluctance was it was "working" in their minds with the 3 straight 12 win seasons. Now with this debacle, they *may* (big may) change their tact a bit.

I doubt they are ever going to be big players in Free Agency but they may be more proactive than they were this past season.

 

[Ken]

It's been derailed by their own front office. A front office that refuses to participate in free agency. It's a clown show with one ridiculous decision after the next. This certainly isn't a team that can hang with the best in the NFC never mind the AFC. If we make the right moves could be said every year yet it never happens. This was actually the year after 3 12 win seasons. Now a new coach while they point the blame at McCarthy, it's a comedy of errors here and other teams are light years better.

I don't know that all of the people they passed on were ridiculous. Some were very prudent. Henry was absolutely a head scratcher....though.

Some of it I get, they want to go with a young back in the draft and it just didn't work out. They have to be able to pivot at that point and not go with Zeke and career backups. I believe they were counting on the line to be much better than it has been and that hasn't worked out either.

The fact is, they can't continue to ignore FA, they have to do something to fill holes.