So close last year

[burmafrd]

To 9-7. Vinny's fumble vs Pitt; McFlabb's scramble and throw the second eagirl game; BP calling that timeout when JJ got us to 1st and Goal vs the Giants.
It is clear without the fumble we beat Pitt. Maybe the eagirls still beat us- but it was so close. If BP does not call that timeout the Giants have less then a minute and I bet we win that one. Of course one could argue that we barely beat Seattle, and it took a great play to beat the skins the second time.
But when you think of how many points we were giving up game after game, the big plays, no pass rush, our secondary a federally declared disaster area, a 41 year old burnt out QB, and for most of the season a RB that made some long for Hambone, it is remarkable how close we did come to making the playoffs. Of course that has to be offset by how bad the NFC was last year, but still.
That is why I do not see how so many posters here are claiming that the best we can do is 8-8 this year. The NFC is not that much stronger then it was last year, and our schedule is certainly not much more if any difficult then it was last year. We have improved at many positions compared to last year. realistically we should be better at QB, RB (as it was at the early season), WR with Glenn back and Key not injured; RG. We have Campbell back as solid 2nd TE. The young WR's we had last year have improved. We got rid of bust wiley and have a whole lot of young good guys and a couple of good FA's to make the D a whole lot better- even in they are young and we are moving to a different D. We should be better at DE,NT, LB, CB then we were last year. the only place we might not be better is FS, and I think we will be AT LEAST a little better.

 

[ravidubey]

Just about any record is possible. No one will have a handle on what this or nearly any other team can do until we get into the games.

 

[Mike 1967]

...I F....

 

[Teague31]

didnt dandy don say that "if if's and buts were candy and nuts, we all would have a merry christmas".

 

[Doomsday101]

If we were playing horse shoe we would have been in the championship game. This team made way too many mistakes last season and fell apart defensively. We played like a 6-10 team and that is what we ended up being.

 

[burmafrd]

The point is that we were very close to having a much better record and being in the playoffs. so there is no reason for all this 8-8 paranoia and pessimisim.

 

[Billy Bullocks]

I agree. I mean sure it's always IF and hinsight, but still, this team went 6-10 cuz we had plenty of holes to fill. But I think we've made improvements and we could easily go 9-7 this year. We could also flop, but I have faith

 

[Doomsday101]

The point is that we were very close to having a much better record and being in the playoffs. so there is no reason for all this 8-8 paranoia and pessimisim.

I agree but I also believe there is not much that separates winners from losers many teams can say they were very close to having a winning season if not for a play here or there but they make too many mistake and that went for us last season. As for this year I'm optimistic that we can challenge for a playoff spot if we can stay relatively healthy

 

[burmafrd]

Look at the Pats- a couple of missed FG's and they don't win 3 SB's. RAZOR sharp edge there- the first one they should have lost. Carolina was right there with them the second one. The beagles imploded late in the third one. So there is 9 points dividing a team from being 3-2 in SB's versus being 0-5.

 

[Doomsday101]

Look at the Pats- a couple of missed FG's and they don't win 3 SB's. RAZOR sharp edge there- the first one they should have lost. Carolina was right there with them the second one. The beagles imploded late in the third one. So there is 9 points dividing a team from being 3-2 in SB's versus being 0-5.

That is what I'm talking about and have heard many coaches say that there is not much that separates winning from losing. Good teams though find a way to win and tend not to make mistakes that kill them. Dallas on the other hand shot themselfs in the foot quite a bit last season with dumb penalties that would kill drives we just made way too many mistake

 

[big dog cowboy]

Hard to imagine at least an 8-8 season as close as we were to winning several games last year. With our improved D, Key and Glenn back, Julius starting from game one, VT gone............

 

[Nerm]

We were also "so close" to losing against the Seahawks and Skins (2nd game). Could have been 4-12.

 

[Kevinicus]

Basically, the team improved at like 10 positions, like 6 of those are MAJOR improvements, taking huge weaknesses and making them solid, or even strengths on the team. Depth was added as well at some spots. That is a drastic difference from last year. You can't base this years team off of last year's 6-10 team, they are way different. If 6-10 improvements don't make a significant impact in this league, nothing will. Of all the teams in the last decade who have made huge jumps from one season to the next, I can't remember any that had as much change, and infusion of better talent than was there the previous year, than this years Cowboys. As far as I'm concerned 9-7 would be a major failure, and 10-6 would only be ok if there were some key injuries. 11-5 or better.

 

[blindzebra]

17 of the 33 losses during the Campo years were by 7 points or less.

If's mean zip.

 

[big dog cowboy]

17 of the 33 losses during the Campo years were by 7 points or less.

If's mean zip.

WOW. Impressive stat.