Skip, Stephen A: Cowboys to finish last in NFCE

[dallazcowboyz9]

I don't get how this team is worse than last years team? Ware was not himself, he was hurt all year. The Cowboys had more injuries on d than any other team in the league. How do they not improve just by staying healthy? It confuses me how everyone can be so down on them when on paper they look a heck of a lot better on d than last year.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

I don't get how this team is worse than last years team? Ware was not himself, he was hurt all year. The Cowboys had more injuries on d than any other team in the league. How do they not improve just by staying healthy? It confuses me how everyone can be so down on them when on paper they look a heck of a lot better on d than last year.

They always look good on paper. The Cowboys always have a lot of injuries. That's always their excuse. I love Sean Lee and he's a great player but he just can't stay healthy. A lot of the other players can't either.

 

[DFWJC]

I know writers and talking heads have to do it for their jobs, but good luck trying to predict the outcome of this division.

These two legendarily blind squirrels could just as easily be right as wrong in this case.

 

[ShiningStar]

I don't get how this team is worse than last years team? Ware was not himself, he was hurt all year. The Cowboys had more injuries on d than any other team in the league. How do they not improve just by staying healthy? It confuses me how everyone can be so down on them when on paper they look a heck of a lot better on d than last year.

you seem to be taking the opinion every one else has. and thats ok. but, just for fun, lets take a new look at it. Lets start with this, not all the players on the D, were good. And the good ones, didnt show up, for many reasons.

lets not take the opinion, well because last year we were horrible, but because of injuries, again, lets take a fresh approach. Hopefully we are going to mentally bring the D up, commit to things that do work, and churn the roster. We are going to find out most of the players were not that good. We are also going to find out, mentally most were beat up and than a lot of fans are going to say, omg, the division was bad and the Cowboys had a gift, and they blew it. We are not the only team getting better. I dont want to shock you, but the GIants will be doing it, the skins will be doing it and dare i say right now the Eagles are the best team in the NFCE.

I think a few rookies will make the team, based on the fact they are immediatly better than what we had. I am hoping the coaches go back to the basics and I feel Rod will go back to what this team needs and thats getting after the QB the correct way.

Injuries did hurt, but not just because people said so. Injuries hurt us because those players were prepped and ready to go and the people who came in for them were clearly not. Heath tried hard but wasnt ready. Most on the DL, were not game ready, for many reasons. Reality will be hitting a lot of people this year and we are going to really see where Rod belongs in the league.

I also not a lot of posters really stating, well the defense is going to be dictated by what the offense will do with a new play caller, WE have no idea what Linehan will be bringing to the team. We can all speculate, but hes looking at hte tools right now and might do something different or he just might follow his old trends and we look like Detriot 2.0. I believe if our offense is as explosive as people see in teh stats but not what they saw on the field, that could make things easier for the defense. If the defense has to dictate the game for next season, its not going to be ready out of hte gate, so again, its going to be a wasted season.

I personally feel the offense should be shouldering the game because they are going to have less excuses than the defense.

 

[Bullet22]

I don't watch or listen either...also skip the pregame..I can think for myself...

 

[ufcrules1]

They always look good on paper. The Cowboys always have a lot of injuries. That's always their excuse. I love Sean Lee and he's a great player but he just can't stay healthy. A lot of the other players can't either.

lol... yup. It's like some fans never learn. It's not about what is on paper, it's the product we have on the field. The last 4 years we have been 6-10, 8-8, 8-8, 8-8. and every year we think we look better on paper. The end result has been terrible for years now. It's a culture that needs to change.

 

[Idgit]

even if you are negative and right, you are still right. Its not stupid,

That's simply not accurate. If I were to say 'we definitely won't get into the playoffs because 'not-enough-cowbell,' and then we don't get into the playoffs, you're not going to give me credit that it was because we didn't have enough cowbell, are you? Of course not. Most teams don't qualify for playoffs. Most of the ones who do have their seasons end sooner than fans would like. Being negative about the likely outcome of a football season is a really, really easy thing to do. Being negative for the right reasons is a lot more difficult.

But that's not what those two yokels do. Nor most of our resident yokels. It's a rare fan who's right for the right reasons, which is what makes football fun.

Not curing the safety problem is blantant stupid. Blaming other parts around it, stupid. It still doesnt meant the negative factors are wrong. You can blow sunshine all day and still be wrong. You can debate the record all day, you are still a .500 team at the end of the day. Its not negative, its fact.

Not addressing Safety is stupid, I agree. Blaming other parts, not so much, since our problems are more significant on defense than just Safety.

You can blow sunshine all day and still be wrong. Even in a successful season, I agree. That's the reverse of whining all the time about the wrong things, and it definitely happens.

And I've yet to find people debating that our record isn't .500. The debates tend to center around what to do about it, and how dire the future looks as a result.

 

[Bullflop]

Considering how many injury-riddled but otherwise capable players we've taken on this year, I wouldn't be surprised at practically any prediction nor final outcome ranging from 6-10 to 10-6. The possibilities seem just about as unpredictable as they've ever been or likely will ever be.

 

[dallazcowboyz9]

I have to have faith.... I spend 200 bucks a year on the ticket haha Liking the cowboys is like being in an abusive relationship. They always make you think they're going to change so we keep coming back.

 

[jobberone]

Please, be silent while I consult the Karneia!

 

[boysfanindc]

Wish to make some sort of wager that this defense will not be 32nd? 30? You can even choose whether it's total defense or scoring defense.

Let me know and I'm in.

I am in for some of that action, barring more injuries then last year, now way will this D be ranked last in the league again.

 

[ShiningStar]

That's simply not accurate. If I were to say 'we definitely won't get into the playoffs because 'not-enough-cowbell,' and then we don't get into the playoffs, you're not going to give me credit that it was because we didn't have enough cowbell, are you? Of course not. Most teams don't qualify for playoffs. Most of the ones who do have their seasons end sooner than fans would like. Being negative about the likely outcome of a football season is a really, really easy thing to do. Being negative for the right reasons is a lot more difficult.

But that's not what those two yokels do. Nor most of our resident yokels. It's a rare fan who's right for the right reasons, which is what makes football fun.



Not addressing Safety is stupid, I agree. Blaming other parts, not so much, since our problems are more significant on defense than just Safety.

You can blow sunshine all day and still be wrong. Even in a successful season, I agree. That's the reverse of whining all the time about the wrong things, and it definitely happens.

And I've yet to find people debating that our record isn't .500. The debates tend to center around what to do about it, and how dire the future looks as a result.

if you are correct about being negative and correct you are still correct, just means your prediction wasnt as hard as say "I predict the cowboys make the playoffs with a 9-7 record" You are still correct, just not as dynamic as I. Which sadly is always the case, but i digress. (you get the point)


the rest of your post i agree.

 

[TwoDeep3]

I don't think it can be stressed enough that being negative about stupid things is not the same thing as being right about the outcome of a season where the team fails to miss the playoffs. . Being right about what's likely to happen for the right reasons is difficult. These two yahoos couldn't find a deep argument with all four hands and a spotter. They are drooling mouths, as far as I'm concerned, and not entertaining and not to be taken seriously. It's not even honest criticism. It's just sensationalism wearing a Cowboy hat.

Of all the posts you have made, I believe this post may be the least thought out. This post shows your lack of understanding, or even consideration of those who don't side with you about the season outcome. And frankly, I find this - Picking disappointment for an NFL season is really, really easy - that may be one of the most ignorant things you have said. Now understand the use of the word ignorant here. It means you have a lack of knowledge and show same in your comment. And you assume so much by this little sentence.

But here is the point you and so many others IGNORE.

This is not piling on, not picking a poor outcome because it is fashionable or easy.

If you actually read the posts of most of these guys proffering the results of less than stellar, you'll note they include reasons why they think this.

What is missed by the fans here that are hopeful, and call out the hater name so frequently, is guys like me want the team to win. But we see flaws that cause concern.

I think it is easy to come back later and ignore those flaws singled out in posts, and make the claim you did in this post of yours. Because seldom does anyone go back and give credit.

The schedule this season is brutal.

Surely out of the first six games this team is looking at three loses. 9ers, Saints, and Seahawks. But Dallas also shows their propensity to lose to teams they should beat for inexplicable reasons.

So the other three games, Titans, Rams, and Texans could have one and maybe two loses there. I can see losses to the Titans and Rams.

This means heading into the last third of October Dallas could be 2-4 or worse 1-5.

The next four games Giants, Commander, Cardinals, Jags looks like a split. Beat the Giants and Jags and lose to the Commanders and the Cardinals.

Best case scenario the team is now 4-6. But could be 3-7.

There is nothing that suggests the defense is better at this stage other than May hope. No defensive player taken in the draft, and only Melton taken in free agency show any upgrade at this point.

Now maybe the most severe run of this season's schedule is left.

Giants, Eagles, Bears, Eagles, Colts, @Commanders.

Idgit, I do not see two wins in that run.

This could very well be a 5-11 team. Win one, maybe two by happenstance and this is a 7-9 team. A stumble of key injury and we are picking in the top 8 at 4-12.

I see little happenstance in this schedule.

So when you say things like "its easy to predict doom," like this is something tossed out because I'm happy to do so, you completely ignore any thought I put into this team, and this schedule. And more than anything else about your outlook, which is yours, and power to you, is this total dismissal of the consideration made by some of us that don't agree with the positive predictions.

Are there some posters who pick against the team to purposely rile the fans who hold out hope? I suppose so. But the lion share of the posters who see this season as more of the same, but perhaps worse due to the schedule weigh the pros and cons and come away with an assessment devoid of emotion.

Not just pick losing because it, in your mind, is easy.

Because, in the final analysis, we are fans too and it hurts us just as much seeing this team fail year after year.

But to be sure, when this team shows me they have the goods, like so many years from the first game against Pittsburgh on, then I will be there rejoicing along with you.

This isn't a one sided coin for any of us.

 

[ghst187]

if I were looking at this team versus last season's schedule i'd be thinking 9 wins, against next season's schedule…..7-8 wins is looking pretty tough

 

[Idgit]

Of all the posts you have made, I believe this post may be the least thought out. This post shows your lack of understanding, or even consideration of those who don't side with you about the season outcome. And frankly, I find this - Picking disappointment for an NFL season is really, really easy - that may be one of the most ignorant things you have said. Now understand the use of the word ignorant here. It means you have a lack of knowledge and show same in your comment. And you assume so much by this little sentence.

But here is the point you and so many others IGNORE.

This is not piling on, not picking a poor outcome because it is fashionable or easy.

If you actually read the posts of most of these guys proffering the results of less than stellar, you'll note they include reasons why they think this.

What is missed by the fans here that are hopeful, and call out the hater name so frequently, is guys like me want the team to win. But we see flaws that cause concern.

I think it is easy to come back later and ignore those flaws singled out in posts, and make the claim you did in this post of yours. Because seldom does anyone go back and give credit.

The schedule this season is brutal.

Surely out of the first six games this team is looking at three loses. 9ers, Saints, and Seahawks. But Dallas also shows their propensity to lose to teams they should beat for inexplicable reasons.

So the other three games, Titans, Rams, and Texans could have one and maybe two loses there. I can see losses to the Titans and Rams.

This means heading into the last third of October Dallas could be 2-4 or worse 1-5.

The next four games Giants, Commander, Cardinals, Jags looks like a split. Beat the Giants and Jags and lose to the Commanders and the Cardinals.

Best case scenario the team is now 4-6. But could be 3-7.

There is nothing that suggests the defense is better at this stage other than May hope. No defensive player taken in the draft, and only Melton taken in free agency show any upgrade at this point.

Now maybe the most severe run of this season's schedule is left.

Giants, Eagles, Bears, Eagles, Colts, @Commanders.

Idgit, I do not see two wins in that run.

This could very well be a 5-11 team. Win one, maybe two by happenstance and this is a 7-9 team. A stumble of key injury and we are picking in the top 8 at 4-12.

I see little happenstance in this schedule.

So when you say things like "its easy to predict doom," like this is something tossed out because I'm happy to do so, you completely ignore any thought I put into this team, and this schedule. And more than anything else about your outlook, which is yours, and power to you, is this total dismissal of the consideration made by some of us that don't agree with the positive predictions.

Are there some posters who pick against the team to purposely rile the fans who hold out hope? I suppose so. But the lion share of the posters who see this season as more of the same, but perhaps worse due to the schedule weigh the pros and cons and come away with an assessment devoid of emotion.

Not just pick losing because it, in your mind, is easy.

Because, in the final analysis, we are fans too and it hurts us just as much seeing this team fail year after year.

But to be sure, when this team shows me they have the goods, like so many years from the first game against Pittsburgh on, then I will be there rejoicing along with you.

This isn't a one sided coin for any of us.

That's a lot of typing, TwoDeep, and I hate to say it, but I think you simply fundamentally misunderstood my post. I'm not saying in any way that a negative prediction for the season is easy, or that they're all wrong when the season turns out to be a disappointing one. I'm saying it's not enough to be negative and consider yourself right when the outcome is a bad one. I'm saying to be negative and right we should expect people to be accurate about what they thought would hold the team back.

For example, people who thought we would miss the playoffs because 'Romo sucks' last season...I'm sorry, they were not right. That's not the reason why we didn't make the playoffs. So standing on a soapbox and saying 'I knew it' then, does not get you credit for anything. It's like guessing on a math test. Ok, on the surface, I guess you get points, but you don't really understand anything and you're not smarter than the person who didn't just guess and still got the answer wrong for another reason.

And, remember, this is in the context of Stephen A Smith and Skip Bayless. It wasn't a criticism of how you may or may not view a given season. That said, if you were shooting off your hip they way those two idiots are, I'd feel the same way about your prognosis.

But, again, I'm not saying that's what you're doing.

 

[TwoDeep3]

I'm not saying in any way that a negative prediction for the season is easy,

Picking disappointment for an NFL season is really, really easy.

Yes, I can see now how I misconstrued your intent.

 

[Idgit]

if you are correct about being negative and correct you are still correct, just means your prediction wasnt as hard as say "I predict the cowboys make the playoffs with a 9-7 record" You are still correct, just not as dynamic as I. Which sadly is always the case, but i digress. (you get the point)...

Quick question: would you rather be right for completely the wrong reasons, or wrong for mostly the right reasons? Say a true-false question on a test where you have to show your work. You get the 'false' part right, but you're work is a doodle of a wizard fighting a dragon. Or you do the work and get the wrong conclusion because you didn't 'carry the one.' Which outcome is more impressive?

Trick question. You want to be right, and you want to be confident that, when you show your work, your work is right. Next best it to be right (or wrong) but for a good reason. Worst is to just guess. In my book. But since I'm the one handing out grades here, it's my book that matters when I'm posting.

 

[Idgit]

Yes, I can see now how I misconstrued your intent.

If I'm not making the distinction between 'being negative for the wrong reasons' and 'being negative for the right reasons' clear enough, then I'm probably just unable to do so. Excerpts from my previous posts notwithstanding.

 

[ShiningStar]

Quick question: would you rather be right for completely the wrong reasons, or wrong for mostly the right reasons? Say a true-false question on a test where you have to show your work. You get the 'false' part right, but you're work is a doodle of a wizard fighting a dragon. Or you do the work and get the wrong conclusion because you didn't 'carry the one.' Which outcome is more impressive?

Trick question. You want to be right, and you want to be confident that, when you show your work, your work is right. Next guess it to be right (or wrong) but for a good reason. Worst is to just guess. In my book. But since I'm the one handing out grades here, it's my book that matters when I'm posting.

if im right, and i prove it by doing the work, doesnt matter what i think, im right. ITs not a trick question, the correct answer is the correct answer , negative or not. being a 500 team isnt a neutral answer, but saying the season is going to be bad and i point out the reasons and we are a three time loser in one game, pretty much proves my point.

NOw if you specially ask me or anyone and i say this year is going to suck and i prove it and the team proves it and someone asks are you happy about it, of course not, but i cant help i see evidence of something and it proves me right. If im wrong or if another points out the fact i was right but for other reasons, i change my opinion because they are correct and i was looking at the same painting but i saw something different. Im not totally wrong but if the person makes a valid point, ill accept it.

if im correct, im correct, doesnt matter what others think. If im correct but i threw out "dallas wont make ten wins, even i dont care if im right theres no evidence and im throwing anything aginst the wall and sees what sticks. You want to point that out, go ahead, ill probably respect you more for pointing it out.

I dont want to be right for the sake of being right, i want to be correct because i can show the work, and if someone wnats to show me something i dont know, il llearn.

 

[DFWJC]

It'd be nice to have a running tab on everyone's predictions each year.

I do recall several 4-12 and 5-11 predictions last year...as well 12-4 and 11-5 ones. Just curious if the same people are saying this every year.

Of course this early, before even OTAs begin (let alone real practices and preseason games) it seems really early to call the shots.

I will say this, up front the schedule seems daunting. Teams that we may normally want to put a W by are certainly no gimmees.