Perhaps my most pessimistic post ever

[DFWJC]

I don't see it as a fight. It's a difference of opinion on the talent level. Let's talk about it. That's what these boards are for.

I think our OL is improving but it's still marginal. We've run the ball better the last couple of weeks, if that can continue it's better than marginal, however a lot of the reason we ran the ball better was more of an emphasis on delays and draws. Getting movement through scheme. I haven't yet seen this OL really put a hat on a hat and move people. It's a group with an UDFA rookie with a knee issue and a 36 year old vet on his last legs. Not to mention a RT the team feels the need to cover for. Not exactly an overly talented group.

The DL is pretty frightening. You have guys there that wouldn't even be in the league if they didn't play here. Countless JAGs. I credited the coaching for that performance against the Rams but I think overall you'll see little production. It's DeMarcus Ware, Jason Hatcher and not much else. It has to be one of the least talented DL depth charts in the league.

Now if I believe all of the above is true, and I know games are won or lost in the trenches, how can I possibly believe this team is as talented as the last 10 Super Bowl champions?

I had a member here tell me recently, thank God we signed Barry Church when we did. Really? Why? Did I miss something where Barry Church is now some great talented safety? We're overrating him. That's not to pick on Church. Let him develop. It's one example of how we overrate our talent.

I think I'm on the same page as RS as far as our personnel evaluation goes.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Pessimism is natural at this point. We're a month into Garrett's third year, and have yet to see any improvement so far. Still can't defend the pass, still can't score, still .500.

 

[Risen Star]

I think I'm on the same page as RS as far as our personnel evaluation goes.

Not bad team. Just a couple of key issues that prevent it from being a top contender.

The problem is, it's an aging core. It won't be long before we have no QB or elite pass rusher or HOF TE.

 

[SWG9]

Not bad team. Just a couple of key issues that prevent it from being a top contender.

The problem is, it's an aging core. It won't be long before we have no QB or elite pass rusher or HOF TE.

And that the real problem. By the time the complementary pieces are good enough, we'll need to go out and rebuild the essentials.

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

Not bad team. Just a couple of key issues that prevent it from being a top contender.

The problem is, it's an aging core. It won't be long before we have no QB or elite pass rusher or HOF TE.

And in that aging core Romo is playing hurt, Witten currently has his lowest YPA and YPC of his career, Ware finished last season injured and has started this one injured, Spencer and Ratliff are likely already IR'd, and Miles Austin's hammys are already pulled.

Literally everyone in the "aging core" is showing signs of age and we aren't even halfway through a brutal football season.

We are approaching that time where it all falls apart. I can't see how close to empty the hourglass is, but I know it's been emptying for quite a while now.

 

[Risen Star]

And that the real problem. By the time the complementary pieces are good enough, we'll need to go out and rebuild the essentials.

I hope the front office sees that because you're right.

 

[Risen Star]

And in that aging core Romo is playing hurt, Witten currently has his lowest YPA and YPC of his career, Ware finished last season injured and has started this one injured, Spencer and Ratliff are likely already IR'd, and Miles Austin's hammys are already pulled.

Literally everyone in the "aging core" is showing signs of age and we aren't even halfway through a brutal football season.

We are approaching that time where it all falls apart. I can't see how close to empty the hourglass is, but I know it's been emptying for quite a while now.

I can't say you're wrong. I hope you are, but I certainly can't say you are.

We pretty much have to find a quality edge pass rusher in the offseason. I'm sure the Cowboys hope they already have their heir apparent to Witten. I would move on from Austin at the end of the year. Move Williams to 2 and find a guy with deep speed to add to the mix. The real issue is Romo. For whatever reason, it's looked at as a bad thing to have depth at the most important position on the field. The thought process is to play Romo until he drops and then go looking for another. I think the GM would see it as an insult to Romo to add a significant prospect behind him. I'd rather add that guy in the near future and let the chips fall where they may.

 

[cowboys2233]

Me neither - seriously. That's kinda sad. The question is why?

Um, maybe because they have like a 0.1% chance of working? Are you really suggesting that the solution to our passing woes is to simply throw it up for grabs?

 

[john van brocklin]

Um, maybe because they have like a 0.1% chance of working? Are you really suggesting that the solution to our passing woes is to simply throw it up for grabs?

Maybe Romo has a lingering rib injury ?

 

[john van brocklin]

Everyone talks about our injuries.
Do we all think that all the other NFL teams don't have injuries?
This could just expose our lack of talanted back ups and drafting players with injury histories.

 

[cowboys2233]

Maybe Romo has a lingering rib injury ?

I was responding to the suggestion that we should be throwing more Hail Mary's. Yes, maybe he does have a lingering injury but I'm not sure how that ties into my post or the post I was responding to?

 

[Sarge]

Um, maybe because they have like a 0.1% chance of working? Are you really suggesting that the solution to our passing woes is to simply throw it up for grabs?

Uh, no - I am not suggesting that. What I AM suggesting is that we throw it deep on 3rd and long more often than we do. It's the equivalent of a punt if it gets picked off and keeps defenses honest knowing we'll do it on a occasion (not to mention the potential of an occasional PI). There is a big difference between throwing it deep and a Hail Mary too. So...uh........no, I am not suggesting that doing this is "the solution to our passing woes."

 

[sureletsrace]

Uh, no - I am not suggesting that. What I AM suggesting is that we throw it deep on 3rd and long more often than we do. It's the equivalent of a punt if it gets picked off and keeps defenses honest knowing we'll do it on a occasion (not to mention the potential of an occasional PI). There is a big difference between throwing it deep and a Hail Mary too. So...uh........no, I am not suggesting that doing this is "the solution to our passing woes."

Completely agree with your analysis. We do not throw the ball vertically. We create a short field for ourselves. It's like we're allowing the defense to play in their Red Zone defense all game, even between the 20's.

 

[Redball Express]

I doubt you'd get many people to agree to that, even here at cowboys homer central.

FYI, Jason Witten has taken a brutal beating for over 10 years. He isn't going to get faster or stronger.

Agreed.

This team is not going to turn the corner with this group.

The leaders on this team thathave held it together the last 10 years like Witten, Ware are nearing the end.

And I see nothing on either side of the ball that is going to replace their level of play.

It is so sad for Cowboys fans..

..but the days of the NFL taking them seriously is seriously over with no end in sight.

 

[DFWJC]

I can't remember the last time we attempted a hail mary.

I think we should throw deep more too, but I'm not sure what hail mary has to do with it.
That is a situational desperation play and not something that's a part of an offensive gameplan.

But yes, throw a few deep to at least keep them honest or the secondary is going to keep crowding our guys to a point where every throw would have to be perfect to even get 5 yards.
I think they will will challege them deeper this week. Expect a few more turnovers though. Higher risk, higher reward. But the result has always been througout NFL hisotry and regarless of the QB, a few more picks in the process.
I can live with that, as long as it doesn't get out of hand.

 

[Eddie]

This 53 man roster has as good as or better talent than the past 10 teams to win the Super Bowl.

Er ... lo siento. Not even close.

 

[cnhnyy]

You started it out well until you say this roster is good as previous SB. There is a reason that we have not been to playoff in almost four years. We are NOT that talented and our best players are getting older. We still reply on the players from 2007 team (Romo, Ware, Witten etc). We had our chance in 2007 and blew it.

The last time we won more than 12 games was in 2007 and the last time we won more than 10 games was in 2009. You know why? We have not drafted or added any player that is at the level of Romo/Ware/Witten. They are the end of their career now and it will only get worse.

Sorry, we are not talented and our GM/Owner should be the top one on your list.

 

[john van brocklin]

I was responding to the suggestion that we should be throwing more Hail Mary's. Yes, maybe he does have a lingering injury but I'm not sure how that ties into my post or the post I was responding to?

A Rib injury would make throwing the deep ball more difficult, I would think.

 

[L-O-Jete]

Funny thing, it almost seems some fans want to aim for a 9-7 record, because that is what the "SB winners" had as a record...

 

[Brooksey]

It has to be one of the least talented DL depth charts in the league.

.

lmao Really? talk about an agenda