Start up the band here we go again - NFL.com: Dallas Cowboys will win NFCE *merge*

[dcstands4]

I love being a Boys fan but sometimes I hate these target the media puts on us...

Dallas Cowboys will win NFC East after productive offseason

"As one of the most polarizing teams in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys can be tough to pin down. Depending on who you ask, they're either hopelessly overhyped or a talent-packed squad perpetually on the cusp of breaking out. But when the bluster and emotion are stripped away, I believe they have what it takes to be better in 2013 -- to the point that they'll make the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

1) Better defensive coaching
Last season, Dallas' defense was hampered by the random and somewhat ineffective coaching of former coordinator Rob Ryan. This season, the unit will benefit greatly from the more experienced guidance of new coordinator Monte Kiffin and line coach Rod Marinelli.


Kiffin has a long history of success, but one of the most important things he'll bring to the table in Dallas is a familiarity with college offenses. The long-time coaching veteran's most recent career stop before this one was at USC, where he certainly got a taste of both the increasingly popular pistol offense and the hurry-up, no-huddle offense that new Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly ran at Oregon.


2) More help for Tony Romo, part I
Last season, the Cowboys did not have enough offensive weapons to scare opposing defensive coordinators, who could focus on stopping receivers Dez Bryant and Miles Austin and tight end Jason Witten. That should change for Tony Romo and Co. in 2013, thanks to two draft picks with a history of producing at a high level.


In Gavin Escobar, the Cowboys have another pass-catching tight end to run out there with Witten, expanding the matchup strategies available to the Dallas offense. Also, with his size (6-foot-6, 254 pounds), Escobar promises to be a threat in the red zone."

Full Article Click Here:
Dallas Cowboys will win NFC East after productive offseason

 

[DBOY3141]

So far Brandt is the only one I've seen who has picked the Cowboys. I think the target in the media is on RGIII and the 'Skins.

But, since there are no juggernaunts in the NFC East and no team has repeated as Division champs since like 2003/04, Cowboys have just as good of chance as the other 3.

OL and injuries are keys to success in 2013.

 

[fatboygixxer]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10...-will-win-nfc-east-after-productive-offseason

Good positive read:

As one of the most polarizing teams in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys can be tough to pin down. Depending on who you ask, they're either hopelessly overhyped or a talent-packed squad perpetually on the cusp of breaking out. But when the bluster and emotion are stripped away, I believe they have what it takes to be better in 2013 -- to the point that they'll make the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

Now that organized team activities have begun across the NFL, staffs have been filled out and draft picks have been made, I feel comfortable making projections about the 2013 season. And after evaluating what the Cowboys have done this offseason, I've come up with 10 reasons to think Dallas will significantly improve on its 8-8 finish last season. In fact, I expect the Cowboys to finish with the best record in the NFC East.

1) Better defensive coaching
Last season, Dallas' defense was hampered by the random and somewhat ineffective coaching of former coordinator Rob Ryan. This season, the unit will benefit greatly from the more experienced guidance of new coordinator Monte Kiffin and line coach Rod Marinelli.


Kiffin has a long history of success, but one of the most important things he'll bring to the table in Dallas is a familiarity with college offenses. The long-time coaching veteran's most recent career stop before this one was at USC, where he certainly got a taste of both the increasingly popular pistol offense and the hurry-up, no-huddle offense that new Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly ran at Oregon.

Marinelli is probably as highly thought of as any position coach in the NFL today. Anybody and everybody who has played for him -- whether it came during his time as a position coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the head coach of the Detroit Lions or as a coordinator for the Chicago Bears -- knows that he is one of the few coaches who can get players to play above and beyond their expectations.

 

[Frozen700]

Oh what a great article to attract those who hate Jerry and Romo.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think Gil makes a lot of good points and hope he is correct in his assesment for this years Cowboys team.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

LOL. When they talk about our flaws, they're haters. When they predict us to win, they're "putting a target on us".

 

[Doomsday101]

LOL. When they talk about our flaws, they're haters. When they predict us to win, they're "putting a target on us".

No doubt we have flaws look at every team out there and you can find their flaws as well. I don't know if Gil is right or wrong on his assessment, he make his points and I hope he is right about them.

I sometimes get the feeling that anytime something is said that favors the Cowboys some of you get upset as if you would rather sit here and bad mouth the team you supposedly support. No one knows how this season will go, heck I'm not blind to the fact the Cowboys could have a bad season but I see very few critics even think it is possible the Cowboys could have a big season.

Maybe I’m wrong but it sure seems the critics around here take more pleasure out of bashing the team than anything else.

 

[DFWJC]

I think the battle for NFCE will be between the Giants and the Cowboys.
But ever really nows in this division.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think the battle for NFCE will be between the Giants and the Cowboys.
But ever really nows in this division.

Could be. The NFC East looks pretty interesting I think Dallas, NY and Skins all have a chance. Then you also have the unknown with Kelly in Philly, no doubt Philly has some weapons and if they buy into Kelly system it could make for a very interesting season within the East.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

No doubt we have flaws look at every team out there and you can find their flaws as well. I don't know if Gil is right or wrong on his assessment, he make his points and I hope he is right about them.

I sometimes get the feeling that anytime something is said that favors the Cowboys some of you get upset as if you would rather sit here and bad mouth the team you supposedly support. No one knows how this season will go, heck I'm not blind to the fact the Cowboys could have a bad season but I see very few critics even think it is possible the Cowboys could have a big season.

Maybe I’m wrong but it sure seems the critics around here take more pleasure out of bashing the team than anything else.

I have no idea why you addressed this to me because I didn't bash the team whatsoever.

 

[visionary]

I think Gil makes a lot of good points and hope he is correct in his assesment for this years Cowboys team.

this

love the positive when it comes from someone knowledgeable
would love it even more when it turns out to be true

what i abhor, is blind homerism

 

[Doomsday101]

this

love the positive when it comes from someone knowledgeable
would love it even more when it turns out to be true

what i abhor, is blind homerism

This is why they play the games. We all get to find out if this team can or can't win it all. I think for anyone to think winning the NFC East and doing something once they get to post season is going to be a given is a bit off their rocker this team has a lot to prove and some issues they must over come. No way to know this until they start playing the games.

 

[Idgit]

I'd like to see how the defense looks, personally, before predicting anything. I was not a fan of Ryan's at all, but I can't shake the idea that Kiffin's scheme is going to be been-there-done-that for this league. That's mostly because of his age, and I know we're not necessarily trotting out a dusted-off version of the Tampa Two, but I still want to see it be effective for us. It's not a given that we'll be better.

That said, we've got as good or better chance in the NFCE as anybody.

Sideline note: anybody like the Bedlam Backfield nickname?

 

[Califan007]

Eh, some of Brandt's points aren't all that convincing, imo.

1) Better defensive coaching

Maybe...I thought Dallas hiring Ryan was a mistake from the get-go but nowhere convinced Kiffin will wield noticeably better results utilizing the 4-3 instead.


2) More help for Tony Romo, part I & II

If Dallas had drafted two OL and an RB with those picks instead of one OL and two pass catchers, I'd agree. The Cowboys didn't really need more pass catchers, it needed a severe upgrade in the running game. That being said, I do think Escobar will help this team's passing game (not sure about Williams yet). But a better passing game won't necessarily lead to more wins, at least not like a better run game would....and Randle might end up seeing a lot of playing time the way Murray seems snake-bitten with injuries. Can't say having Randle on the roster suddenly pole vaults the Cowboys over either the Giants or the Commanders.



6) Extra prep time

Theoretically an extra week or so of training camp should help, but it could also lead to the players getting worn down and tired earlier. No way of knowing if this helps at all, and no reason to place much faith in the amount of help it will provide, if any.



7) Season starts and ends at home

Cowboys don't have much of a homefield advantage. They won't have to travel, though, so that helps some.



8) They have to be healthier

No...they don't. I've said that as a Skins fan before, and was proven wrong lol...injuries are the wild card, no matter what happened the year before. Romo goes on IR in the first game of the season, will it matter how many other injuries occur?



10) Wisconsin bond

Seriously? lol...The center's hometown being an hour's drive away from the QB's hometown is gonna help lead to more wins? Not exactly a convincing argument.

 

[Frozen700]

I have no idea why you addressed this to me because I didn't bash the team whatsoever.

You sound guilty, no need to get overly sensitive.

 

[jnday]

No doubt we have flaws look at every team out there and you can find their flaws as well. I don't know if Gil is right or wrong on his assessment, he make his points and I hope he is right about them.

I sometimes get the feeling that anytime something is said that favors the Cowboys some of you get upset as if you would rather sit here and bad mouth the team you supposedly support. No one knows how this season will go, heck I'm not blind to the fact the Cowboys could have a bad season but I see very few critics even think it is possible the Cowboys could have a big season.

Maybe I’m wrong but it sure seems the critics around here take more pleasure out of bashing the team than anything else.

From a critics standpoint, they deserved to be bashed for certain mistakes that they make every year. When casual fans can see a glaring problem and the GM and Coach are blind to the issue, they deserve every bit of bashing.

 

[Doomsday101]

From a critics standpoint, they deserved to be bashed for certain mistakes that they make every year. When casual fans can see a glaring problem and the GM and Coach are blind to the issue, they deserve every bit of bashing.

I agree. There is something called constructive criticism and there is bashing. For some no matter what the Cowboys do they just bash it.

Being able to talk about negatives and positives makes for an interesting conversation but when the conversation is nothing but this team will never win all moves that are made are just bad then why bother even dealing with the Cowboys?

I think those who holler SB are just as bad but at least you see a fan pulling for the team even if it is some pie in the sky view point.
Hell some the people here sound more like Giant, Commander and Philly fans not fans of the Cowboys.

 

[jrumann59]

Being a midwest team in a indoor stadium besides noise I see no real homefield advantage I mean their travel is pretty short to/from the whole country, they play indoors so no elements issue, the crowd is not loud.

 

[CF74]

8) They have to be healthier

The Cowboys spent large parts of last season without the services of defensive leader Sean Lee and starters Barry Church and Bruce Carter, while DeMarcus Ware played hurt for most of the year. Usually, teams that suffer through a lot of injuries in one year don't have quite as many the next, which leads me to believe the team is bound to be healthier in 2013. I just can't see Dallas having such bad luck for two straight seasons. (And no, the cyst that will keep Romo from participating in OTAs does not bother me.)

(Surprisingly no mention of all the O-line injuries but they should all be healthy by now.)

 

[jobberone]

1-3 Turnovers and plus differential
4-5 Pressure
6-7 score 25+ and give up 17-
8-9 run efficiently and pass better than opposition
10 STs, field position, penalties, FG kicking, punting, coaching all fit in above