Should expectations be higher?

[Verdict]

It seems as though the team has let us down for so long, the general concensus here is very guarded optimism. We have just come off of a 13-3 record, we have a QB that seems to make good decisions with the football, we have added talent on the defensive side of the football and we have two or three more guys from our potentially historically great draft class last year that should come into their own this year, namely Smith, Tapper and Gathers.

If this was 1996-2000ish, and we had this same group, we would be EXPECTING a super bowl win based on recent history. So I ask, are we being too guarded in our optimism? Are we expecting too little from this team as fans? Or we relegated to a never ending cycle of "just wait until next year"

This team reminds me of the 1992 team. Everyone thought they were a year away and they won the super bowl. I really think this team is man for man a better team than the 1992 squad. Why not this year?

 

[erod]

I see a 9-7 or 8-8 team this year. Just too many holes on defense, a tougher schedule, and a still young QB.

I hope to be wrong.

 

[cowboyblue22]

personally I think the expectations are way to high tough schedule really young defense lots of drama from the offseason

 

[Blackspider214]

I see a 9-7 or 8-8 team this year. Just too many holes on defense, a tougher schedule, and a still young QB.

I hope to be wrong.

No one knows how tough the schedule is until the season starts. Everyone last year thought Carolina and Denver would be tough games and they weren't. Ans the games we think should be easy wins might not.

And there is no less holes at all than there was last year for a 13-3 season. I think the defense will actually be better. We got rid of a lot of the stale trash from the secondary.

 

[Alexander]

It seems as though the team has let us down for so long, the general concensus here is very guarded optimism. We have just come off of a 13-3 record, we have a QB that seems to make good decisions with the football, we have added talent on the defensive side of the football and we have two or three more guys from our potentially historically great draft class last year that should come into their own this year, namely Smith, Tapper and Gathers.

It was a pretty magical season in 2016 and that is why it stings we got dumped out of the playoffs in the divisional because it certainly seemed everything was breaking just right to make our deepest run since we last won a Super Bowl.

This will be a different team than last year, especially on defense. Just too much upheaval and reliance on inexperience for me to say "this year".

That could all change once we see where the young players are at. I am not going to get sucked in yet.

 

[TRUTH87]

I think we will struggle on defense. A lot of young/new guys. It'll take some time to gel. Im thinking 10-6.

 

[erod]

No one knows how tough the schedule is until the season starts. Everyone last year thought Carolina and Denver would be tough games and they weren't. Ans the games we think should be easy wins might not.

And there is no less holes at all than there was last year for a 13-3 season. I think the defense will actually be better. We got rid of a lot of the stale trash from the secondary.

And replaced them with completely unproven rookies.

And wait until 1 or 2 defensive starters are lost for the season during training camp.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Expectations should be higher in terms of the areas and skill sets that make up a Super Bowl team. We should progress in our weaknesses from last year. We should have high expectations in terms of blocking and tackling. We should have high expectations in terms of practicing hard, being disciplined and developing talent. The wins will, over time, take care of itself. But too often people try to put the cart before the horse.





YR

 

[Redball Express]

It seems as though the team has let us down for so long, the general concensus here is very guarded optimism. We have just come off of a 13-3 record, we have a QB that seems to make good decisions with the football, we have added talent on the defensive side of the football and we have two or three more guys from our potentially historically great draft class last year that should come into their own this year, namely Smith, Tapper and Gathers.

If this was 1996-2000ish, and we had this same group, we would be EXPECTING a super bowl win based on recent history. So I ask, are we being too guarded in our optimism? Are we expecting too little from this team as fans? Or we relegated to a never ending cycle of "just wait until next year"

This team reminds me of the 1992 team. Everyone thought they were a year away and they won the super bowl. I really think this team is man for man a better team than the 1992 squad. Why not this year?

Good question..

I think not.

They lost 4 starters in the secondary..

and 2 on the OL.

We have no idea what to expect.

Are we going to have to score 35 pts a ha!email?

And is that enough?

 

[SportsGuru80]

10 wins max. Too many questions /concerns, especially on defense.

 

[Verdict]

I guess I am looking at it a bit differently. Too many things have to happen right to go 13 and 3 again to predict that record. But we should not look at ANY game on the schedule and expect to lose that game. We haven't been able to do that in a long time.

I think the minimal expectation for this team is to win the division. We are a better team as long as we don't lose a large number of players, or a player at a critical position for the year.

I expect this team to be in the hunt for a super bowl this year. If we aren't viewed as a serious contender to win the super bowl after the conclusion of the regular season then we have taken a huge step back.

 

[Montanalo]

Using an old cliche, I do think it appropriate to tap the brakes. Notwithstanding a lengthy suspension of Zeke, I believe the offense will execute at a similar or, perhaps, better standard than 2016. The difference, as noted by many, is the tougher schedule and a year's worth of tape to dissect Dak. I expect the defense, on the other hand, to struggle earlier. It will take a while for the secondary to gel. What we lose in experience and leadership, we gain in big play ability -- rookie DB's all had one common trait: the ability to play the ball in the air. All-in-all, I would expect a 10-6 or 11-5 record and division champs.

 

[Screw The Hall]

This team is going to be special.

 

[jazzcat22]

I see a 9-7 or 8-8 team this year. Just too many holes on defense, a tougher schedule, and a still young QB.

I hope to be wrong.

Isn't this is what most people say every year. Same stuff was said last year, and Tony was expected to be the QB.
People need to give the low expectations a rest....stop the doom and gloom predictions....girs many do that so they can say...I told you so....or of something doesn't go right, like injuries, lie in 2015, they are all that disappointed.
But if you shoot high and it don't happen then you can say you are disappointed and whine about that.

The defense has been better each year, though slightly, and there is no reason it should be worse this year. So there is no reason to expect a sub par season. Maybe not 13-3 again, but 11-5 should not be thrown out either.

 

[jazzcat22]

And replaced them with completely unproven rookies.

And wait until 1 or 2 defensive starters are lost for the season during training camp.

Replaced with rookies to be the long term players, but also replaced with some veteran player who can't be any worse either. And will play while the rookies get worked in and get experienced.
Give the entire picture here. And you don't know that vet players will get injured, it doesn't always happen that way.

 

[jazzcat22]

Good question..

I think not.

They lost 4 starters in the secondary..

and 2 on the OL.

We have no idea what to expect.

Are we going to have to score 35 pts a ha!email?

And is that enough?

4 starters? Last I seen, Byron Jones is still there. Anthony Brown needed up being the starter, and he is still here.
Carroll can be just a s good if not better than Carr or even Mo. Blanton can be a good vet presence and Heath has been here too with quite a bit of playing time. So it is not like 4 rookies will be starting.

 

[haleyrules]

Expectations should always be kept under control. There is only one real winner, the SB , every year. No easy task. Will the Cowboys be good..Yes. Will they win when it counts?? Think about it. Tough Task.

 

[haleyrules]

This team is going to be special.

Yes. This offense is special..the Defense needs to catch up. The future belongs to the Cowboys....if the FO stays the course.

 

[haleyrules]

personally I think the expectations are way to high tough schedule really young defense lots of drama from the offseason

This

 

[haleyrules]

I guess I am looking at it a bit differently. Too many things have to happen right to go 13 and 3 again to predict that record. But we should not look at ANY game on the schedule and expect to lose that game. We haven't been able to do that in a long time.

I think the minimal expectation for this team is to win the division. We are a better team as long as we don't lose a large number of players, or a player at a critical position for the year.

I expect this team to be in the hunt for a super bowl this year. If we aren't viewed as a serious contender to win the super bowl after the conclusion of the regular season then we have taken a huge step back.

Basically agree. Its the Defense that troubles me. Plenty of questions...no all bad...lots of potential...still a problem child.