CFZ Preseason is over. Now we wait

[Jumbo075]

Well, preseason is done. There isn’t much else to talk about between now and the first game. Yes, there will some some inconsequential churning at the bottom of the roster - like trading for a 3rd string QB. (How many threads has that already spawned, lol?)

Some fans will get their feelings hurt because players #50 thru #53 didn’t turn out to be the guys they wanted. Then there will be strident arguments over who should be on the Practice Squad - as if it really matters to the success of the 2023 season.

But all of that is like what Shakespeare said, “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” In 12 days, we will finally get to see the starters on the field against the Giants, and a whole new series of topics will arise.

I expect a win on opening night. The Cowboys have owned the NFC east with Dak at QB. Except for the throw-away final game against the Commanders last year, Dak went undefeated against the East, and the team will be good again this season. The Giants haven’t really improved much, if at all. And they are likely to have a worse record this year, even if they improve their talent.

The Eagles had an exceedingly easy schedule a year ago, and this year they will fall back into the pack. Jalen Hurts is good, but not as good as has been made out. The Eagles will still be good, but the Cowboys will be as good or better. Does that mean the Cowboys will win the East? I don’t know, but I expect them to win it.

The Cowboys have had only 3 legitimate coaches since JJ bought the team, Jimmy, Parcells, and Big Mac. Jimmy built a championship team, and then bailed on them before the story was finished. Parcells did the same thing. That 2007 team he built could have won it all with Bill at the helm, but instead he was sitting on a couch somewhere watching Garrett and Wade Phillips screw it up.

I think Big Mac has built a championship caliber team. We will see if they live up to their talent. But this I do know. All the whining, complaining, arguing, and hurt feelings over bottom of the roster decision over the next two weeks is a waste of energy and time. The real business of winning a championship starts on September 10th.

28 years of futility no longer matters. This coaching staff, and this roster of highly talented players has what is necessary to win. The coaching staff has playcallers who’ve won Super Bowls on both sides of the line, and on special teams, too. They know how to win. Key veterans have been brought in who’ve played in and won Super Bowls. Now is the time. Buckle up your seat belts. It’s going to be a great year to be a Cowboys fan.

 

[TexasHillbilly]

Jumbo, don't you know that a positive post is not allowed on this forum.

It's good to see your still around. I have missed your objective intuition.

 

[Flamma]

I expect a win on opening night. The Cowboys have owned the NFC east with Dak at QB. Except for the throw-away final game against the Commanders last year, Dak went undefeated against the East, and the team will be good again this season. The Giants haven’t really improved much, if at all. And they are likely to have a worse record this year, even if they improve their talent.

This is the only part of your post I disagree with, but not entirely. Just the part about the Giants haven't improved much. They've improved enough. Not only is this week 1, where just about anything can happen, but we're going to their place. They are an improved team and I think we'll be lucky to get out of there with a win. If we lose, I'll be miserable all night at work, but I'm just being a realist. This week 1 game will not be easy. Now on our second meeting I think we'll stomp them like the pig truckers that they are.

 

[McKDaddy]

Hmmm, determining your roster isn't important? Those bottom of the roster guys will play roles on ST's and when injuries occur. The easy decisions are easy. It's the difficult ones that go a long way toward determining how far you go.

 

[rags747]

This is the only part of your post I disagree with, but not entirely. Just the part about the Giants haven't improved much. They've improved enough. Not only is this week 1, where just about anything can happen, but we're going to their place. They are an improved team and I think we'll be lucky to get out of there with a win. If we lose, I'll be miserable all night at work, but I'm just being a realist. This week 1 game will not be easy. Now on our second meeting I think we'll stomp them like the pig truckers that they are.

Agreed. I think Danny Dimes will be much improved, defense coming on, ol has two studs, rb is better than ours, their coach is good. Net net it will not be an easy out for us, I will be surprised if it is.

 

[Jumbo075]

Hmmm, determining your roster isn't important? Those bottom of the roster guys will play roles on ST's and when injuries occur. The easy decisions are easy. It's the difficult ones that go a long way toward determining how far you go.

The roster is already determined with the exception of a few players - none of which is expected to play a key role in 2023. Arguing over who will be on the inactive list during the season seems like a petty argument to me.

Now, if you want to talk about how these decisions may impact the development of young players, and future rosters in 2024 and 2025, that might be of some value. But, for example, does it really matter if Sean McKeon or Hunter Leupke makes the 53 man squad, or is signed to the Practice Squad? (Note: I expect both to be cut on Tuesday.) Both will still be with the team, and the Cowboys can promote from the Practice Squad. Getting all emotionally invested in players who get cut, but who are going to be around anyway doesn't interest me.

As for the danger of losing players on the PS, that is a very low danger. The other 31 teams in the NFL are worried about keeping their guys, not poaching the Cowboys players. The amount of movement from team to team on the PS at the beginning of each season is exceedingly small. There is more movement later in the year, when teams start churning their practice squads than there is at the beginning of the season.