Somebody talk me down

[tyke1doe]

I'm not usually the most "glass half full" fan and most of you guys know that (all too well!), but in looking at this team, what they accomplished in 2016, their youth, and the players they're adding in both the draft and free agency, my hopes are SKY HIGH!

I'm just seeing signs for improvement and reasons for optimism each and every place I look.

I need a dose of reality from some fellow fans to tell me what I should be worried about. (Other than backup QB, that one might be legit based on the Romo, no-Romo beliefs)

But the more I look at this team, the more excited for what they can be in 2017 and beyond I get.

Someone talk me out of it!

Seriously though, I with you. I only expect this team to get better. I don't know if it will win 13 games or even the division. But, I think this team will make the playoffs and have at least one playoff victory.

I'm encouraged by Dak, Zeke and this offensive line. I say Dak and Zeke because I perceive a mentality that will push us through to the next level. This is one of those intangible factors you can't put your finger on but you know it when you see it. As an aside, my son is a senior this year. Our football team, track team and now baseball team are playing for state championships. Our baseball team came back three times in the seventh inning (high school play seven innings unless to break a tie) - once having to score five runs to tie the score. We played against our arch rivals. But I knew we were going to win because we beat the same teams to advance to the championship in football. I told those sitting around me that we have a "championship" mentality whereas our rivals have a "runner-up mentality". Watch, they will get tight and fold under pressure. Sure enough, that's what happened.

I think Dak and Zeke bring that mentality to this team. Chalk last year up to youth. This year is going to be different, IMO.

And I think on defense there's enough of that mentality (Lee, Jaylon Smith) to push us over the top as long as we get a pass rush.

So I'm encouraged. I'm hoping for a Jimmy Johnson-level jump from Year One to Year Two. I think we can make it to the NFC Championship (if our pass rush improves) because I expect us to be able to run or pass the ball and dominate with our offensive line.

In the immortal words of Bart Scott, "Can't Wait!"

 

[Idgit]

Seriously though, I with you. I only expect this team to get better. I don't know if it will win 13 games or even the division. But, I think this team will make the playoffs and have at least one playoff victory.

I'm encouraged by Dak, Zeke and this offensive line. I say Dak and Zeke because I perceive a mentality that will push us through to the next level. This is one of those intangible factors you can't put your finger on but you know it when you see it. As an aside, my son is a senior this year. Our football team, track team and now baseball team are playing for state championships. Our baseball team came back three times in the seventh inning (high school play seven innings unless to break a tie) - once having to score five runs to tie the score. We played against our arch rivals. But I knew we were going to win because we beat the same teams to advance to the championship in football. I told those sitting around me that we have a "championship" mentality whereas our rivals have a "runner-up mentality". Watch, they will get tight and fold under pressure. Sure enough, that's what happened.

I think Dak and Zeke bring that mentality to this team. Chalk last year up to youth. This year is going to be different, IMO.

And I think on defense there's enough of that mentality (Lee, Jaylon Smith) to push us over the top as long as we get a pass rush.

So I'm encouraged. I'm hoping for a Jimmy Johnson-level jump from Year One to Year Two. I think we can make it to the NFC Championship (if our pass rush improves) because I expect us to be able to run or pass the ball and dominate with our offensive line.

In the immortal words of Bart Scott, "Can't Wait!"

I'm encouraged, too, but mostly because we're finally fixing the talent deficit on defense. Say what you want about a championship mentality, but we got the same results last year with Dak/Zeke we got with Romo. You can't consistently beat really good teams with only having really good players on one side of the ball. Fix the talent deficit on defense, and plays like Rodgers' last throw don't get made.

 

[HoosierCowboy]

I wish anyone who can't just enjoy the optimism of coming off a thirteen win season and not losing any significant players and adding a bunch of young, eager talent would just quit posting and dragging the rest of us down

 

[JoeKing]

Hey you, get off of my cloud!

 

[tyke1doe]

I'm encouraged, too, but mostly because we're finally fixing the talent deficit on defense. Say what you want about a championship mentality, but we got the same results last year with Dak/Zeke we got with Romo. You can't consistently beat really good teams with only having really good players on one side of the ball. Fix the talent deficit on defense, and plays like Rodgers' last throw don't get made.

I agree. The defense has to be fixed. But I think that even with no changes in the defense this year, Dak and Zeke will steal you a victory somewhere. At least that's my belief.

 

[Idgit]

I agree. The defense has to be fixed. But I think that even with no changes in the defense this year, Dak and Zeke will steal you a victory somewhere. At least that's my belief.

I won't rain on your parade. We've been stealing victories for years as far as I'm concerned. But we agree the defense getting better is pretty important.

 

[Primetime42]

I'm not usually the most "glass half full" fan and most of you guys know that (all too well!), but in looking at this team, what they accomplished in 2016, their youth, and the players they're adding in both the draft and free agency, my hopes are SKY HIGH!

I'm just seeing signs for improvement and reasons for optimism each and every place I look.

I need a dose of reality from some fellow fans to tell me what I should be worried about. (Other than backup QB, that one might be legit based on the Romo, no-Romo beliefs)

But the more I look at this team, the more excited for what they can be in 2017 and beyond I get.

Someone talk me out of it!

You know it's serious if stash is feeling it

 

[Doomsday101]

I agree. The defense has to be fixed. But I think that even with no changes in the defense this year, Dak and Zeke will steal you a victory somewhere. At least that's my belief.

I agree but I think to advance in post season where you know the opposing teams can bring offensive fire power to the game that defense becomes an even bigger element to success.
I think in reg season you can steal some games with Dak/Zeke but post season you face the top teams out there and weakness becomes exploited

 

[dallasdave]

I'm not usually the most "glass half full" fan and most of you guys know that (all too well!), but in looking at this team, what they accomplished in 2016, their youth, and the players they're adding in both the draft and free agency, my hopes are SKY HIGH!

I'm just seeing signs for improvement and reasons for optimism each and every place I look.

I need a dose of reality from some fellow fans to tell me what I should be worried about. (Other than backup QB, that one might be legit based on the Romo, no-Romo beliefs)

But the more I look at this team, the more excited for what they can be in 2017 and beyond I get.

Someone talk me out of it!

Stash the Cowboys win it all this year !!!!!

 

[big dog cowboy]

With all of the youth in the secondary I won't be surprised to see the team take a step backwards this season

Yea because all the JAGS the Cowboys let walk and get overpaid by other teams were making so many plays each week. None of them made game changing plays and won't be missed.

 

[brucekr]

I could just as easily see Dallas going 9-7 as I could them going 13-3. Some games last year were so close, that they really could have easily gone either way. Most cases, we got the W. It doesn't always work that way. Regardless, love this football team and moxy. Reminds me of the early 90's.

 

[tyke1doe]

I won't rain on your parade. We've been stealing victories for years as far as I'm concerned. But we agree the defense getting better is pretty important.

I never shy away from a little rain. Just as long as it's not yellow.

 

[BourbonBalz]

I could just as easily see Dallas going 9-7 as I could them going 13-3. Some games last year were so close, that they really could have easily gone either way. Most cases, we got the W. It doesn't always work that way. Regardless, love this football team and moxy. Reminds me of the early 90's.

You can say the exact same thing about every team that made the playoffs. Most NFL games are close. It's the nature of the beast.

 

[BourbonBalz]

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/average-scoring-margin

Actually we ranked 3rd in the NFL last year in average margin of victory at 6.6 points per game. Only New England and Atlanta had higher averages throughout the entire season.

 

[dallasdave]

I wish anyone who can't just enjoy the optimism of coming off a thirteen win season and not losing any significant players and adding a bunch of young, eager talent would just quit posting and dragging the rest of us down

 

[fishspill]

The defense in the regular season saw the 3rd most passing attempts against them per game and allowed the 7th least number of pass plays over 20 yards. That can say something about the offense forcing teams to pass more and could saying something for the QBs they played, but I think it's safe to say the secondary prioritized containing the big play.

Now if you want more INTs you may have to take more chances and give up more big plays. Will increasing TOs make up for it? That's the key. Most of us remember seasons where the big play crushed this team time and again.

 

[DFWJC]

I never shy away from a little rain. Just as long as it's not yellow.

 

[dallasdave]

Mellow Yellow