Pros and Cons going into TC

[jazzcat22]

On July 28th the team reports to TC. My take on some pros and cons [no, not the Joseph Randle type cons LOL]

Cons:
Suspensions, and these hurt the team in many ways.
Gregory and Lawrence, they return after 4 games, not unlike last year with McClain and Hardy gone the 1st 4 games. We don't know how that truly impacted the games, as once Romo went down, did it matter?
McClain, out for 10 games. Now this is where, even more so these suspensions can hurt the team....progress stoppers.
Do they, or should they get 1st team reps. Therefore holding back players that will and must be relied upon. I say Gregory and Dlaw should get some 1st team reps, but not the majority. McClain not so much. Actually if he shows up out of shape, this could be a "pro" as then they can just cut him and move on. I think they can do that regardless of being suspended. Don't pass the conditioning, he's gone.

Now we have quite a few players returning form injuries and who have injuries already or surgery. Some of these can be listed in the "pro" reasons too, which I will do. Romo, Dez, Lee, Mayowa, Collins, McFadden, Dunbar, Escobar, J. Smith...am I missing anyone?
Anyway, how will they all respond and heal.

Using a 2nd round pick on J. Smith therefore in hindsight, they could have drafted a play now defensive player. I am still on the wasted pick wagon, but sure hope I am wrong.

Malik Collins ankle injury, will they do the day to day thing when he can return, therefore making his rookie TC nothing.

Pros:
Romo and Dez should return at 100% healthy and ready to go. As well as Lee and Mayowa, but he needs to show why they brought him in. Those are types of surgeries that happen to all teams. So I don't thing any of these will be a "con" reason. So it's a plus sign they are returning.

Malik Collins should return, but as I said above will he be day to day. For now I am thinking he can get in a few weeks practice and can contribute.
McFadden, will miss a good part of TC, but he doesn't need all of that. Especially for those who still bring of the injury prone deal about him.

Players in reserve as in Escobar and Dunbar, if on PUP, and if needed, they can be activated.

Zeke....as been stated many times and now more than ever, he helps this team on both sides of the ball. And with tony and Dez back, this offense can be lethal, and it will need to be.

FA Thornton and a healthy T. McClain, which means no Hayden. In which means they do a much better job in the middle, allowing whoever is at MLB to do their job better. So would losing RoMac be that big of a difference at that point?

Any other pros and cons?
Other than the coaching staff making better in game adjustments.

 

[Alexander]

Do they, or should they get 1st team reps. Therefore holding back players that will and must be relied upon. I say Gregory and Dlaw should get some 1st team reps, but not the majority. McClain not so much.

I would not give McClain a single rep. Zero. It would be a waste of time for several reasons. It will be 10 weeks before he could possibly play and him flopping around in the summer when he clearly does not care to practice in the first place is a waste of time.

FA Thornton and a healthy T. McClain, which means no Hayden. In which means they do a much better job in the middle, allowing whoever is at MLB to do their job better. So would losing RoMac be that big of a difference at that point?

I think we will see a big difference with Thornton versus what we had with Hayden. If you go back and watch games from last year, it is amazing how many plays that he was "in position" but could not make a play. He might have been assignment sound but was not talented enough to seal the deal and help the defense get off the field.

Any other pros and cons?

I think having Byron Jones instead of Wilcox on the field will be a big improvement.

 

[jazzcat22]

I would not give McClain a single rep. Zero. It would be a waste of time for several reasons. It will be 10 weeks before he could possibly play and him flopping around in the summer when he clearly does not care to practice in the first place is a waste of time.



I think we will see a big difference with Thornton versus what we had with Hayden. If you go back and watch games from last year, it is amazing how many plays that he was "in position" but could not make a play. He might have been assignment sound but was not talented enough to seal the deal and help the defense get off the field.



I think having Byron Jones instead of Wilcox on the field will be a big improvement.

I was going to add Jones to the pros list for having him at a dedicated position as well as having a true FS allowing a true SS to do their job. As soon as we get a true SS...LOL...but I think Church can be better this season until someone steps up to replace him. But forgot to add it. Good post.

That's what I meant as to McClain being a progress stopper at this point. We need a MLB going into the season knowing he will be the guy for the entire season. None of this filling the 10 week void until McClain returns.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I would not give McClain a single rep. Zero. It would be a waste of time for several reasons. It will be 10 weeks before he could possibly play and him flopping around in the summer when he clearly does not care to practice in the first place is a waste of time.



I think we will see a big difference with Thornton versus what we had with Hayden. If you go back and watch games from last year, it is amazing how many plays that he was "in position" but could not make a play. He might have been assignment sound but was not talented enough to seal the deal and help the defense get off the field.



I think having Byron Jones instead of Wilcox on the field will be a big improvement.

Jones improvement at Safety could be huge to our secondary in more ways then having a better safety IMO. It could give CBs more confidence in the back end and allow them to gamble more, leading to more turnovers

 

[Reality]

I would not give McClain a single rep. Zero. It would be a waste of time for several reasons. It will be 10 weeks before he could possibly play and him flopping around in the summer when he clearly does not care to practice in the first place is a waste of time.

I completely agree!

 

[Alexander]

That's what I meant as to McClain being a progress stopper at this point. We need a MLB going into the season knowing he will be the guy for the entire season. None of this filling the 10 week void until McClain returns.

That is exactly why I make him a non-person right now. Go off to the side with an intern and work on the resistance cords or something. I give every rep to the players who have enough smarts and integrity to not allow themselves to get suspended for the second time in two years.

 

[jobberone]

Not making any comments about Ro until I see what we have when he returns from suspension. People get injured. It's possible we actually need this sorry team player. But if they don't address this position better in the coming offseason then I'll be posting about it. They still have the rest of this offseason to pull a rabbit out of the hat. Not holding my breath though.

 

[Plankton]

Pros

• With all players healthy, the offense has a diversity of threats.
• Ezekiel Elliott provides them with a running back who doesn't tip off tendencies as far as run or pass, and is a complete player at a ridiculously young age.
• Romo and Bryant will be supremely motivated to perform at a high level coming off of the injuries of 2015.
• Offensive line is young, talented and ascending.
• Contract year for Terrance Williams will be motivating, and I expect him to have a very good season.
• Sean Lee is in a great position at WLB, and will be an All-Pro this year.
• Tyrone Crawford will have a terrific season now that he can play with both arms.
• Cedric Thornton is a big addition, and will help tremendously against the inside run.
  
• Byron Jones will take a big step forward at safety this year, which I think is the best position for him.
• Kicking game is amongst the best in the league.

Cons

• Defense lacks difference makers at all three levels.
• Defensive end position is a huge unknown, and for the first four weeks, will be hard pressed to mount a consistent pass rush.
• DL depth will be challenged early in the season with Gregory and Lawrence suspended, and Collins coming off of his foot injury. Terrell McClain needs to stay healthy.
• Linebacker position lacks size and thump against the running game.
  
• Corner position lacks guys who make plays on the ball.
• Barry Church's intelligence is not able to overcome his physical limitations at this point.
• This season's draft is unlikely to provide significant help for the defense this year.
• Coverage units need a leader - too many breakdowns at critical times.

Concerns

• Coaching staff needs to up their game - last season, they didn't coax enough performance from the team or help instill confidence after the injuries to Romo and Bryant. The injuries are not excuse for a subpar job coaching last year, though the coaching staff did an excellent job in 2014.
• Jason Witten seemed to slow down a lot last year, and wasn't as effective of a player. Was it age, or poor QB play?
• Romo's health. Nothing else to say.

 

[ghst187]

I think having Byron Jones instead of Wilcox on the field will be a big improvement.

One of the safest assertions ever

 

[Alexander]

One of the safest assertions ever

So is Thornton > Hayden.

Do not see much else on this team worthy of a "bold" prediction.

 

[CATCH17]

Why has McClain not been cut?

 

[Alexander]

Why has McClain not been cut?

Better question is whether or not we have scheduled a veteran LB Gong Show audition for Tuesday to give us a picture for what we will have for the first ten weeks of the year.

Hopefully we have and do not intend to go into camp with this imbecile chewing up even one rep.

 

[BigStar]

I would not give McClain a single rep. Zero. It would be a waste of time for several reasons. It will be 10 weeks before he could possibly play and him flopping around in the summer when he clearly does not care to practice in the first place is a waste of time.



I think we will see a big difference with Thornton versus what we had with Hayden. If you go back and watch games from last year, it is amazing how many plays that he was "in position" but could not make a play. He might have been assignment sound but was not talented enough to seal the deal and help the defense get off the field.



I think having Byron Jones instead of Wilcox on the field will be a big improvement.

Scandrick back helps a lot too. Agree w/the rest; Ro should've been cut already..

 

[Plankton]

Better question is whether or not we have scheduled a veteran LB Gong Show audition for Tuesday to give us a picture for what we will have for the first ten weeks of the year.

Hopefully we have and do not intend to go into camp with this imbecile chewing up even one rep.

Chances are, if they bring in a vet, it will be toward the end of camp. This is actually a good chance for guys like Damien Wilson to step up. I actually think that he can be pretty good.

 

[BigStar]

Pros

• With all players healthy, the offense has a diversity of threats.
• Ezekiel Elliott provides them with a running back who doesn't tip off tendencies as far as run or pass, and is a complete player at a ridiculously young age.
• Romo and Bryant will be supremely motivated to perform at a high level coming off of the injuries of 2015.
• Offensive line is young, talented and ascending.
• Contract year for Terrance Williams will be motivating, and I expect him to have a very good season.
• Sean Lee is in a great position at WLB, and will be an All-Pro this year.
• Tyrone Crawford will have a terrific season now that he can play with both arms.
• Cedric Thornton is a big addition, and will help tremendously against the inside run.
  
• Byron Jones will take a big step forward at safety this year, which I think is the best position for him.
• Kicking game is amongst the best in the league.

Cons

• Defense lacks difference makers at all three levels.
• Defensive end position is a huge unknown, and for the first four weeks, will be hard pressed to mount a consistent pass rush.
• DL depth will be challenged early in the season with Gregory and Lawrence suspended, and Collins coming off of his foot injury. Terrell McClain needs to stay healthy.
• Linebacker position lacks size and thump against the running game.
  
• Corner position lacks guys who make plays on the ball.
• Barry Church's intelligence is not able to overcome his physical limitations at this point.
• This season's draft is unlikely to provide significant help for the defense this year.
• Coverage units need a leader - too many breakdowns at critical times.

Concerns

• Coaching staff needs to up their game - last season, they didn't coax enough performance from the team or help instill confidence after the injuries to Romo and Bryant. The injuries are not excuse for a subpar job coaching last year, though the coaching staff did an excellent job in 2014.
• Jason Witten seemed to slow down a lot last year, and wasn't as effective of a player. Was it age, or poor QB play?
• Romo's health. Nothing else to say.

Great write up and you have the cons on D pretty on point but hope Hitchens/? will have better protection w/Thornton @ the 1 tech over Hayden but Ro was a big loss in this regard (being soft up the middle). I'm hoping Jones can help in coverage assignments "on the go pre-snap" w/his smarts and Scandrick can be the solid corner who can play both man press/off and zone coverages. Will have to work around Church and have Carr press in cover 3 w/Jones playing the centerfield.

Very correct in Concerns: Romo's health = season hopes.

 

[erod]

Con: Dallas has holes.

Pro: Great teams are a thing of the past. Anything can happen.

 

[Cowboy06]

Jones improvement at Safety could be huge to our secondary in more ways then having a better safety IMO. It could give CBs more confidence in the back end and allow them to gamble more, leading to more turnovers

confidence is something that the entire team needs. I would do anything to see the DL and the Secondary get in sync and help to create turnovers.

 

[pancakeman]

Pros

• With all players healthy, the offense has a diversity of threats.
• Ezekiel Elliott provides them with a running back who doesn't tip off tendencies as far as run or pass, and is a complete player at a ridiculously young age.
• Romo and Bryant will be supremely motivated to perform at a high level coming off of the injuries of 2015.
• Offensive line is young, talented and ascending.
• Contract year for Terrance Williams will be motivating, and I expect him to have a very good season.
• Sean Lee is in a great position at WLB, and will be an All-Pro this year.
• Tyrone Crawford will have a terrific season now that he can play with both arms.
• Cedric Thornton is a big addition, and will help tremendously against the inside run.
  
• Byron Jones will take a big step forward at safety this year, which I think is the best position for him.
• Kicking game is amongst the best in the league.

Cons

• Defense lacks difference makers at all three levels.
• Defensive end position is a huge unknown, and for the first four weeks, will be hard pressed to mount a consistent pass rush.
• DL depth will be challenged early in the season with Gregory and Lawrence suspended, and Collins coming off of his foot injury. Terrell McClain needs to stay healthy.
• Linebacker position lacks size and thump against the running game.
  
• Corner position lacks guys who make plays on the ball.
• Barry Church's intelligence is not able to overcome his physical limitations at this point.
• This season's draft is unlikely to provide significant help for the defense this year.
• Coverage units need a leader - too many breakdowns at critical times.

Concerns

• Coaching staff needs to up their game - last season, they didn't coax enough performance from the team or help instill confidence after the injuries to Romo and Bryant. The injuries are not excuse for a subpar job coaching last year, though the coaching staff did an excellent job in 2014.
• Jason Witten seemed to slow down a lot last year, and wasn't as effective of a player. Was it age, or poor QB play?
• Romo's health. Nothing else to say.

This sums things up well, though I don't see how you can say the Cowboys don't have a difference maker at the LB level if Lee is an All Pro.

 

[jazzcat22]

Why has McClain not been cut?

There is another thread for that discussion.

 

[ghst187]

So is Thornton > Hayden.

Do not see much else on this team worthy of a "bold" prediction.

don't take it the wrong way, i wasn't being snarky towards your post, just saying that the bar Wilcox set at S is pretty low