Realism from both sides of the fence?

skinsscalper

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O.K., so i got to thinking that, for the most part some of the "gloom and doomers" (realists, blah blah, whatever, etc.) aren't so gloom and doom about everything. And, conversely, the "blind homers" (sunshine crew, blah, blah, blah, whatever) don't think that absolutely everything shines silver and blue.

So, in the spirit of objectivity What are the top three things that that have you most encouraged about this season's team, and what are the top three things that still have you concerned?

Encouraged:

1.) The growing process of Romo. I won't deny that he was probably my #1 question mark this off-season. It had nothing to do with the departure of T.O. I wasn't one of the guys who thought T.O. made Romo. I was more concerned about his mental approach to the season and how he would deal with the inevitable adversity. He fully won me over when I watched the way he handled the media when Roy Williams comments were being tossed about like gernades looking for a team to destroy. When he basically proclaimed to the media that it didn't matter what **** they tried to stir up, it wasn't going to divide THIS team. He topped it off in the interview with Costas when Bob had asked him about Roy's comments. The first statement out of Tony's mouth was "He's right." It would have been so easy to take Roy's comments and turn it into a pissing match while Tony held court on national t.v. Intsead, he agreed with his teammate stated that they were working to get it better and they would continue to do so until they get it down. HUGE, HUGE moment for me in fully believing in Romo. The next horrible game from Romo won't quite be loaded with the skepticism, from me, as they have in the past just for the simple reason that I love the way he is approaching his game and his team.

2.) Miles Austin. Wow! I scoffed at the idea that the kid could replace T.O.'s production. I'm not afraid to admit I was wrong (a somewhat foreign concept to some). I was wrong, wrong, wrong. I don't know how much more emphatically I can redirect. Without the emergence of Austin and the struggle between Roy and Tony to get in sync this team, I think, would be in some trouble. Thank goodness we don't have to find out (barring injury).

3.) The defensive secondary. These guys are straight laying people out and actually trying to make plays on the ball (imagine that). It was mentioned in a thread yesterday that Newman seems to be playing more aggressive because he's no longer worried about the guys behind him. I think that's true. The emergence of Jenkins has been off the charts cool! This kidd wants the ball BAD! It shows and I love it. Scandrick is coming along quite well also, though it's pretty obvious the coaching staff made th right decision to go with Jenkins as the starter. Can't say enough about Sensebaugh. The missing link to this whole thing, if you ask me. He's the reason that entire unit (secondary) is playing with brass balls right now. LOVE that kid.


Things that have me concerned:

1.) Though it's not a big concern for me yet, I'm starting to see some tendencies in Garrett that seemed to catch up with this team at the wrong time last year. Though he hasn't abandoned the run game, he's leaned more towards a passing attack. We were dominant running the ball in the beginning of the season. It seems that our attempts and average per attempt have fallen off a bit. It's hard to complain because we are winning, but as the weather gets colder and the games more important a running attack travels much better in the snow and wind than a passing attack does. Can we just "flip the switch" when we need that dominant running game? One can only hope.

2.) Can Wade TRULY have this team ready for a play-off run? I admit I like what he's done so far this season with the team, but winning games in October or November is whole different ballgame than "win or go home". He may have just brewed up the perfect stew for January and beyond by bringing in guys like Brooking, Sensebaugh, and even Olshansky. He may have fostered the perfect environment for post-season football. It all remains to be seen, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I like what I'm seeing so far. But, as the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding.

3.) The lack of depth at the O-line position. When Gurode went down against Philly I had mini nightmares about a season of Proctor at center. The more I got to thinking about it, we can't really afford an injury ANYWHERE along the O-line. I think a loss, here, would be the shortest route to derailing our season. I just have zero faith in the guys behind our starters. Who knows I could be singing a different tune later on. Maybe one of these guys is forced into action and I'm singing his praises. To be safe, I'd prefer not to find out. Atleast not this year.
 

Smith22

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Good points.

I have the same worries about the running game, but hopefully Felix and Barber will be closer to 100% by then.

The OL depth is a major concern, mainly at RT and C. I think we could survive at guard and LT. New OL talent should be priority #1 this offseason.
 

CoCo

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Encouraged
  1. Offensive Line Play
  2. Secondary Play/Gelling of the defense
  3. Emergence of Miles Austin
  4. Team Cohesiveness & Chemistry, response to adversity
Discouraged/Concerned
  1. Vulnerability to (you know what - rhymes with ninjary)
  2. Durability/effectiveness of Barber & Felix
  3. Jerry's insistence on being in the spotlight (himself and/or team)
 

NextGenBoys

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skinsscalper;3071321 said:
O.K., so i got to thinking that, for the most part some of the "gloom and doomers" (realists, blah blah, whatever, etc.) aren't so gloom and doom about everything. And, conversely, the "blind homers" (sunshine crew, blah, blah, blah, whatever) don't think that absolutely everything shines silver and blue.

So, in the spirit of objectivity What are the top three things that that have you most encouraged about this season's team, and what are the top three things that still have you concerned?

Encouraged:

1.) The growing process of Romo. I won't deny that he was probably my #1 question mark this off-season. It had nothing to do with the departure of T.O. I wasn't one of the guys who thought T.O. made Romo. I was more concerned about his mental approach to the season and how he would deal with the inevitable adversity. He fully won me over when I watched the way he handled the media when Roy Williams comments were being tossed about like gernades looking for a team to destroy. When he basically proclaimed to the media that it didn't matter what **** they tried to stir up, it wasn't going to divide THIS team. He topped it off in the interview with Costas when Bob had asked him about Roy's comments. The first statement out of Tony's mouth was "He's right." It would have been so easy to take Roy's comments and turn it into a pissing match while Tony held court on national t.v. Intsead, he agreed with his teammate stated that they were working to get it better and they would continue to do so until they get it down. HUGE, HUGE moment for me in fully believing in Romo. The next horrible game from Romo won't quite be loaded with the skepticism, from me, as they have in the past just for the simple reason that I love the way he is approaching his game and his team.

2.) Miles Austin. Wow! I scoffed at the idea that the kid could replace T.O.'s production. I'm not afraid to admit I was wrong (a somewhat foreign concept to some). I was wrong, wrong, wrong. I don't know how much more emphatically I can redirect. Without the emergence of Austin and the struggle between Roy and Tony to get in sync this team, I think, would be in some trouble. Thank goodness we don't have to find out (barring injury).

3.) The defensive secondary. These guys are straight laying people out and actually trying to make plays on the ball (imagine that). It was mentioned in a thread yesterday that Newman seems to be playing more aggressive because he's no longer worried about the guys behind him. I think that's true. The emergence of Jenkins has been off the charts cool! This kidd wants the ball BAD! It shows and I love it. Scandrick is coming along quite well also, though it's pretty obvious the coaching staff made th right decision to go with Jenkins as the starter. Can't say enough about Sensebaugh. The missing link to this whole thing, if you ask me. He's the reason that entire unit (secondary) is playing with brass balls right now. LOVE that kid.


Things that have me concerned:

1.) Though it's not a big concern for me yet, I'm starting to see some tendencies in Garrett that seemed to catch up with this team at the wrong time last year. Though he hasn't abandoned the run game, he's leaned more towards a passing attack. We were dominant running the ball in the beginning of the season. It seems that our attempts and average per attempt have fallen off a bit. It's hard to complain because we are winning, but as the weather gets colder and the games more important a running attack travels much better in the snow and wind than a passing attack does. Can we just "flip the switch" when we need that dominant running game? One can only hope.

2.) Can Wade TRULY have this team ready for a play-off run? I admit I like what he's done so far this season with the team, but winning games in October or November is whole different ballgame than "win or go home". He may have just brewed up the perfect stew for January and beyond by bringing in guys like Brooking, Sensebaugh, and even Olshansky. He may have fostered the perfect environment for post-season football. It all remains to be seen, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I like what I'm seeing so far. But, as the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding.

3.) The lack of depth at the O-line position. When Gurode went down against Philly I had mini nightmares about a season of Proctor at center. The more I got to thinking about it, we can't really afford an injury ANYWHERE along the O-line. I think a loss, here, would be the shortest route to derailing our season. I just have zero faith in the guys behind our starters. Who knows I could be singing a different tune later on. Maybe one of these guys is forced into action and I'm singing his praises. To be safe, I'd prefer not to find out. Atleast not this year.

Good points... although I think many of us on this board try to label people to the extreme, be it negative or positive. However, I think many on this board DO go to the extreme when something positive/negative happens.

But the main things I'm encouraged on are the spreading of the wealth to our receivers, our defense starting to create turnovers, and the play of Jay Ratliff. He's been our best defensive player so far hands down, and if he can keep this type of play up in the interior, our defense can really take it to the next level with Ware off the edge.

I agree with what you're concerned about, although when we were a running team, we were 2-2. Once Romo found Austin we've been on this tear and are 4-0. I still dont trust this Oline to be a run-oriented line.

Another is that this team has not handled success well in the past. I believe that this team is different though, as everyone had to learn alot after last season and 07.
 

skinsscalper

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NextGenBoys;3071349 said:
Good points... although I think many of us on this board try to label people to the extreme, be it negative or positive. However, I think many on this board DO go to the extreme when something positive/negative happens.

But the main things I'm encouraged on are the spreading of the wealth to our receivers, our defense starting to create turnovers, and the play of Jay Ratliff. He's been our best defensive player so far hands down, and if he can keep this type of play up in the interior, our defense can really take it to the next level with Ware off the edge.

I agree with what you're concerned about, although when we were a running team, we were 2-2. Once Romo found Austin we've been on this tear and are 4-0. I still dont trust this Oline to be a run-oriented line.

Another is that this team has not handled success well in the past. I believe that this team is different though, as everyone had to learn alot after last season and 07.

Good points. How in the hell I left Jay Ratliff off my list, I'll never know.

I too think this team is different, BTW. I just have to see what that exactly translates to.
 

wconn1979

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Encouraged:

1. The way the offense has played overall. Tony has really matured, the recievers are making plays. The whole unit is playing as a team.

2. Defense, we are finaly starting to make key plays. Two interceptions against a QB that doesnt throw many. Key stops on 3rd and fourth down. Taking away the deep ball.

3. Special Teams!!! Field position is key!! Our kicking teams have been phenominal, punt return has been good as well.



Worried

1. Play calling, I am not a JG hater by any means. But I do wish we would develop a little better run game to go with our passing.

2. Kick return: We need some better returns, do we need a new KR or just better blocking I do not know.

3. December: I want to see this team go in with a chip on thier shoulder and put this crap theory to rest.
 

skinsscalper

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wconn1979;3071384 said:
Encouraged:

1. The way the offense has played overall. Tony has really matured, the recievers are making plays. The whole unit is playing as a team.

2. Defense, we are finaly starting to make key plays. Two interceptions against a QB that doesnt throw many. Key stops on 3rd and fourth down. Taking away the deep ball.

3. Special Teams!!! Field position is key!! Our kicking teams have been phenominal, punt return has been good as well.



Worried

1. Play calling, I am not a JG hater by any means. But I do wish we would develop a little better run game to go with our passing.

2. Kick return: We need some better returns, do we need a new KR or just better blocking I do not know.

3. December: I want to see this team go in with a chip on thier shoulder and put this crap theory to rest.

Amen, brother.
 

ZeroClub

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ENCOURAGED:

1. Emergence of a new set of players (Austin, Bennett as the outstanding blocking TE, Brookings, Jenkins, Sensabaugh, and a few others) who compliment the established core (Romo, Witten, the OL, Barber, Ratliff, Ware, T-New, James).

New contributors + Established contributors = much improved team.

2. With the exception of Folk, who seems a bit less reliable now, all facets of the special teams appear much improved.

3. I am starting to think that Jason Garrett is learning from his experiences and improving. He seems to have a better feel for the flow of the game these days.

CAUTIONS:

1. Penalties and turnovers remain a concern. Good thing the Cowboys defense is generating turnovers, because these takeaways have compensated for the Cowboys' errors (penalties and turnovers). Without the defense's takeaways, these Cowboys are vulnerable.

2. & 3. It is a long season and many things can (and often do) go wrong.
 

CowboyMcCoy

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Positives:
(1) Wade Phillips is has coached this team up to play, to believe in themselves and to play the type of football they're capable of. They also seem willing to want to win for him. I view him as a quiet leader.

(2) The offense as a whole. The line is blocking, our receivers and backs are some of the best in the league and Romo is making some smart decisions out there. TEs are playing well too. Roy Williams and Romo is coming along. We won against the Eagles because Roy proved he can step it up.

(3) The young guys on defense are playing lights out... e.g. Jenkins and Butler.

Cautions

(1) Overconfidence
(2) Injuries
(3) Penalties
 

skinsscalper

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CowboyMcCoy;3071473 said:
Positives:
(1) Wade Phillips is has coached this team up to play, to believe in themselves and to play the type of football they're capable of. They also seem willing to want to win for him. I view him as a quiet leader.

(2) The offense as a whole. The line is blocking, our receivers and backs are some of the best in the league and Romo is making some smart decisions out there. TEs are playing well too. Roy Williams and Romo is coming along. We won against the Eagles because Roy proved he can step it up.

(3) The young guys on defense are playing lights out... e.g. Jenkins and Butler.

Cautions

(1) Overconfidence
(2) Injuries
(3) Penalties

Interesting choice for #1 on your cautions. One I haven't seen yet, but certainly may have some merit.
 

AmericasTeam31

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If anything came out of the Philly game, to me, it is that the OL showed that they even when you know we are gonna run the ball, you can't stop it! We ran the same play 3 times in a row i believe, and we were still chewing up some yardage. Although, i thought we should've changed it up a bit... But I think that we've seen in the past that with Barber in the backfield and healthy and somewhat fresh, we can run the ball to put a game away with no problems!
 
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