Preseason Reality

[Jumbo075]

This is the reality of the preseason, and is reason to have hope for this year.

• The first team offense played 4 series, scoring 2 TD's and a field goal.
• The first team defense didn't give up a single score, created a turnover, and relentlessly pressured the QB.
• The Punting from Chris Jones was excellent, and Brett Maher surprised all of us be being just as good as Dan Bailey - at a cost of $2.92M less per season.
• Other special teams units were not intact, as the team was trying out multiple players. We really don't know what the special teams will look like at this point. And neither do any of the other teams in the NFL
• The Cowboys first team offense and first team defense did not get fully tested, going against 2 bottom of the league teams, and the Arizona game was a farce. Neverthless, the First Team defense still held the Arizona first team offense scoreless, while the offense and special teams gave up 14 points.
• The final game against Houston was irrelevant due to almost none of the starting players being in the game.

What little we saw of the front-line players during the preseason games should be very encouraging to most Cowboys fans. This is a good team. The defense has one glaring weakness at safety, and the offense has a glaring weakness at tight end. But those are weaknesses that can be compensated for. Relentless pressure by the defense, and good outside coverage will force most plays to happen faster, and put the defense at an advantage.

The Cowboys can compensate for the weakness on offense by increasing 3-4 wide receiver sets, and passing more to players out of the backfield. In addition to Elliott, Olawale is a better receiver than Keith Smith, and the Cowboys are likely to use Tavon Austin as a change of pace running back/receiver out of the backfield.

The Cowboys aren't going to find a solution at TE this year. Witten surprised them by retiring right after signing a 4 year contract extension. But they meticulously planned the change at wide receiver, so expect them to keep teams off balance with a combination of Elliott and a new passing offense that will take time for opposing Defensive Coaches to solve.

I'm expecting at least a 12 win season, with the Cowboys seriously competing with the Eagles for the NFC East title, and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. And I am expecting all that, even though I think they lose the opening game at Carolina.

 

[Praxit]

This is the reality of the preseason, and is reason to have hope for this year.

• The first team offense played 4 series, scoring 2 TD's and a field goal.
• The first team defense didn't give up a single score, created a turnover, and relentlessly pressured the QB.
• The Punting from Chris Jones was excellent, and Brett Maher surprised all of us be being just as good as Dan Bailey - at a cost of $2.92M less per season.
• Other special teams units were not intact, as the team was trying out multiple players. We really don't know what the special teams will look like at this point. And neither do any of the other teams in the NFL
• The Cowboys first team offense and first team defense did not get fully tested, going against 2 bottom of the league teams, and the Arizona game was a farce. Neverthless, the First Team defense still held the Arizona first team offense scoreless, while the offense and special teams gave up 14 points.
• The final game against Houston was irrelevant due to almost none of the starting players being in the game.

What little we saw of the front-line players during the preseason games should be very encouraging to most Cowboys fans. This is a good team. The defense has one glaring weakness at safety, and the offense has a glaring weakness at tight end. But those are weaknesses that can be compensated for. Relentless pressure by the defense, and good outside coverage will force most plays to happen faster, and put the defense at an advantage.

The Cowboys can compensate for the weakness on offense by increasing 3-4 wide receiver sets, and passing more to players out of the backfield. In addition to Elliott, Olawale is a better receiver than Keith Smith, and the Cowboys are likely to use Tavon Austin as a change of pace running back/receiver out of the backfield.

The Cowboys aren't going to find a solution at TE this year. Witten surprised them by retiring right after signing a 4 year contract extension. But they meticulously planned the change at wide receiver, so expect them to keep teams off balance with a combination of Elliott and a new passing offense that will take time for opposing Defensive Coaches to solve.

I'm expecting at least a 12 win season, with the Cowboys seriously competing with the Eagles for the NFC East title, and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. And I am expecting all that, even though I think they lose the opening game at Carolina.

....I like it, basically what I saw as well. Our 1st team defense was the best that I can remember. .....So I got my popcorn ready.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Good write up!

12 wins may be hard to get to. It might just be a 10 win season.

Main thing is to make the playoffs. This club could be pretty dangerous then.

 

[davey999]

Team sucks. Offense will struggle mightily to score. Not only because of personnel, but coaching is terrible.

 

[CF74]

We haven’t even seen The Zeken, just wait till he gets unleashed...

 

[DFWJC]

The sample size of the offense was way too small. But when they played, they seemed ok.
The defense looks ready to take the next step though.

 

[Rockport]

This team is going to be a handful for any team to play. The offense will roll with Dak and Zeke and the unsung WR’s. The defense is downright scary with the pressure they can impose. The only way to beat a good QB is be in his face all game long. Garrett believes in building from the trenches out as I do. Now we have studs all over both offensive and defensive lines. Let the good times roll!!!!

 

[waving monkey]

Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I do have a few concerns;
Offensive line was our weakness last year and we made great strides to fixing the hole at LG.
Then GBS enters its ugly head and uncertainty continues along the offensive line.
Looney does give me some confidence. What a relief he came to camp motivated.
If Fred is out the entire year I see problems. Other then that i think we will grow as the season unfolds.
Thanks for your post Jumbo

 

[Noclaf]

How anyone think this team of really nobodies can win 12 games is mind blowing to me, 8 wins if no big injury happens. If Zeke is out anytime how is this team supposed to score?

 

[Bobhaze]

This is the reality of the preseason, and is reason to have hope for this year.

• The first team offense played 4 series, scoring 2 TD's and a field goal.
• The first team defense didn't give up a single score, created a turnover, and relentlessly pressured the QB.
• The Punting from Chris Jones was excellent, and Brett Maher surprised all of us be being just as good as Dan Bailey - at a cost of $2.92M less per season.
• Other special teams units were not intact, as the team was trying out multiple players. We really don't know what the special teams will look like at this point. And neither do any of the other teams in the NFL
• The Cowboys first team offense and first team defense did not get fully tested, going against 2 bottom of the league teams, and the Arizona game was a farce. Neverthless, the First Team defense still held the Arizona first team offense scoreless, while the offense and special teams gave up 14 points.
• The final game against Houston was irrelevant due to almost none of the starting players being in the game.

What little we saw of the front-line players during the preseason games should be very encouraging to most Cowboys fans. This is a good team. The defense has one glaring weakness at safety, and the offense has a glaring weakness at tight end. But those are weaknesses that can be compensated for. Relentless pressure by the defense, and good outside coverage will force most plays to happen faster, and put the defense at an advantage.

The Cowboys can compensate for the weakness on offense by increasing 3-4 wide receiver sets, and passing more to players out of the backfield. In addition to Elliott, Olawale is a better receiver than Keith Smith, and the Cowboys are likely to use Tavon Austin as a change of pace running back/receiver out of the backfield.

The Cowboys aren't going to find a solution at TE this year. Witten surprised them by retiring right after signing a 4 year contract extension. But they meticulously planned the change at wide receiver, so expect them to keep teams off balance with a combination of Elliott and a new passing offense that will take time for opposing Defensive Coaches to solve.

I'm expecting at least a 12 win season, with the Cowboys seriously competing with the Eagles for the NFC East title, and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. And I am expecting all that, even though I think they lose the opening game at Carolina.

That’s an excellent assessment of the preseason. I don’t share your optimism on the win total but it’s not out of the question. I definitely like the new approach this organization has taken with getting younger, cheaper and more flexible with future cap money. That’s a sign of some learning taking place.

IMO what this team needs to get to those 12 wins will depend on:

1. How well this new coaching staff can mold this new young talent into a mentally and physically tough team. Talent alone isn’t enough, and that where this coaching staff must step up and whip this collection of young talent into being a contender. Coaching matters a lot.
2. How quickly some of these young players can develop into contributors within the team’s blueprint for winning. The early part of the season may be rough as so many new faces learn to play together. I see Michael Gallup becoming a bonafide NFL receiver but it may not happen until after Thanksgiving.
3. How much Jason Garrett is willing to be agressive. This young defense has the most talent we’ve seen on that side of the ball since the 90s, but if they keep playing the “keep everything in front of them” with soft zones and only 4 guys rushing the QB, there will a let down. It’s time for this young defense to start asserting its will on opponents.
4. Back to coaching- how creative will Linehan be with this offense? And how much has Garrett learned about in game management, adjustments and appropriate risk taking? I do expect Garrett to order more risk taking on offense this year. And why not? If your defense is good, your offense should have some room to roll the dice a little more in spots.

I don’t make win predictions, but if this team doesn’t win 10 I will be surprised. Whether they make the playoffs and do anything, I can’t honestly say that I have any certainty either way. One prediction I’m sure of: it’s going to a wild unpredictable ride.

 

[Praxit]

..Just getting rid of Chazzzz....was upgrade to that OL. ..

 

[jwitten82]

This team is going to be a handful for any team to play. The offense will roll with Dak and Zeke and the unsung WR’s. The defense is downright scary with the pressure they can impose. The only way to beat a good QB is be in his face all game long. Garrett believes in building from the trenches out as I do. Now we have studs all over both offensive and defensive lines. Let the good times roll!!!!

Lol wr's are unsung for a reason. Theyre my biggest concern

 

[Captain-Crash]

defense will be a good surprise, offense hopefully it will be a surprise too.. a good surprise.

 

[Praxit]

That’s an excellent assessment of the preseason. I don’t share your optimism on the win total but it’s not out of the question. I definitely like the new approach this organization has taken with getting younger, cheaper and more flexible with future cap money. That’s a sign of some learning taking place.

IMO what this team needs to get to those 12 wins will depend on:

1. How well this new coaching staff can mold this new young talent into a mentally and physically tough team. Talent alone isn’t enough, and that where this coaching staff must step up and whip this collection of young talent into being a contender. Coaching matters a lot.
2. How quickly some of these young players can develop into contributors within the team’s blueprint for winning. The early part of the season may be rough as so many new faces learn to play together. I see Michael Gallup becoming a bonafide NFL receiver but it may not happen until after Thanksgiving.
3. How much Jason Garrett is willing to be agressive. This young defense has the most talent we’ve seen on that side of the ball since the 90s, but if they keep playing the “keep everything in front of them” with soft zones and only 4 guys rushing the QB, there will a let down. It’s time for this young defense to start asserting its will on opponents.
4. Back to coaching- how creative will Linehan be with this offense? And how much has Garrett learned about in game management, adjustments and appropriate risk taking? I do expect Garrett to order more risk taking on offense this year. And why not? If your defense is good, your offense should have some room to roll the dice a little more in spots.

I don’t make win predictions, but if this team doesn’t win 10 I will be surprised. Whether they make the playoffs and do anything, I can’t honestly say that I have any certainty either way. One prediction I’m sure of: it’s going to a wild unpredictable ride.

I actually see Garret going out of his simple Jack cliche and kicking up some things. If its your last year, go out with a bang.

 

[ClappingCarrot]

Agreed with everything except fending off the Eagles for the title. With the way Foles is playing post-Super Bowl, I am not convinced they are anything more than a 9-7 team this year. I think we will likely be neck and neck with the Giants this season, but their schedule is actually pretty tough too.

 

[Praxit]

defense will be a good surprise, offense hopefully it will be a surprise too.. a good surprise.

..this will come down how well they can protect Dak. And how good the receivers will make out to be. The rest is duck soup.

 

[Ranching]

How anyone think this team of really nobodies can win 12 games is mind blowing to me, 8 wins if no big injury happens. If Zeke is out anytime how is this team supposed to score?

So who is your team? How many game will you guys win?

 

[Rockport]

Lol wr's are unsung for a reason. Theyre my biggest concern

So you think our WR’s are laughable. Noted.

 

[Risen Star]

The best thing about the preseason is the defense looked better but I doubt it's strong enough to carry a team like they'll need to this year.

Other than that I got nothing. This was maybe the most pathetic preseason I've seen with this team. It's like we had no interest in preparation. Only protection and safety.

 

[Risen Star]

How anyone think this team of really nobodies can win 12 games is mind blowing to me, 8 wins if no big injury happens. If Zeke is out anytime how is this team supposed to score?

They will struggle to score with Zeke. I don't know what to tell you. Hope that Gallup is a rookie sensation and Tavon Austin finally figures it out. They are the only guys in the passing game with any potential to be weapons.

But then you got the guy throwing them the ball.

You're basically waiting for the lottery results here.