State of the team one day before TC (3 days before first practice)

[CowboyRoy]

My take on the team one day before TC.

Very disappointed, as to whenever we think something good is about to happen, we get bad news.
As I look back over the off season, was it good or bad, or just uneventful.
Other than drafting Zeke, what were the real positives. And now that has been dampened with the allegations of a crazed ex-girlfriend.
FA, uneventful mostly, except Thornton was a very good signing. The draft, other than Zeke, all is a wait and see. Collins was good, but now has a broken ankle. But should get in a few weeks of TC.
Suspended players, 3, and 2 of them now at 10 games, one in rehab. Players returning from injures, will they be the same?
Nothing just seems too exciting about all of that. But it's more just me feeling flat with all the bad crap that happens. We just can't have a quiet off season after FA and the draft.

However, if all healthy, the offense is the bright spot and should be top 5. They will need to carry the team.
Defense, is all wait and see. Was any one really counting on Gregory to make that big of a difference. seems to be a mixed bag of thoughts on him. McClain yet again, let us down on his availability. So who steps up, and can they step up to surprise us on defense.

The hope there is Jones as a true FS, and a snowball effect of all other allowed to do their jobs better. But it's not all on him either if not goes as we hope.

Normally I would be more excited as the 1st practice starts Saturday. Now it's wait and see how they do. I am sure once they start, my mood will change.

Romo is back, but still big question on the back up abilities.
RB's, no issues, as with the WR's. Te's, depends on Escobar and his rehab, or can Hanna and Swaim step up.
OL, no issues, except, swing tackle, yet again. This seems to be an continuous problem.

On D is the issues.
DE, who steps up, if Gregory was available, would he be that big of a difference, we haven't seen enough of him anyway.
DT, I think we have some good depth here, and can be a strength. We will need them to be very good.
I just hope they don't get too cute on moving the players around too much, citing versatility. It doesn't seem to work.
DB's, with Jones at FS, and Church at SS, this should be a big improvement, and therefore with Scandrick back, we can have 3 solid CB's doing their jobs better. And they must do this, to allow the DE's to step up and get a pass rush.

The offense will be great, the defense is wait and see [hope] they are at least a little improved over last year.

Welcome to reality Jazzy. Im feeling your pain.

Considering that we had the 4th pick, personally, I give this off season a big D. It could have been sooo much better. FA was a dud, although we got Zeke, it was with the 4th pick, and the suspensions are horrendous. Sadly it is only going to get worse as they drop with injuries.

But.......Offense will be all world no question. If Romo cant stay healthy this year then we really need to move on ASAP. At least we will have another top 5 pick to do it with.

 

[Stash]

Gotta have players to coach, 3 starters out for drug issues, resigning the always injured MO Claiborne, No Pass rushers and the Jones not bringing in any FA's to help. If I was coach M, I would be glad it's my last year under contract. This team is a MESS from the leadership on down.

He gladly signed up for several more years of it, so it doesn't look like he's as helpless or out of the decisions as you'd like to think.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I'm excited for the season, though I usually am. And as much as the suspensions suck, McClain and Gregory were both guys I considered undependable anyway. In a way, I prefer us just not having them around at all to provide deflating suspensions when we're counting on them once the season starts.

We'll suck in terms of the talent we put out on defense, again. But at least everybody who is out there wants to be there and will be in position to play from the start of camp. I'm so sick of depending on these guys who can't be depended on. Whatever the drop off from Gregory to Mayowa is, I'll live with it. Same for McClain v. Hitchens/Durant.

Let's just let the young guys play defense in advantageous situations and see how they come together. And let's hope our own fans go into the season looking to enjoy it instead of acting like the beaten dogs they like to pretend to be. Nobody else in the East is unbeatable, and the NFC itself is full of teams with significant holes. We fit right in.

The depressing part is the fact that we have such an incredible offense. And its going to be wasted because a fool GM couldnt do his job properly and has more or less wasted Romo's career.

The rest I completely agree with.

 

[CowboyRoy]

It's been awhile, but I am excited about the middle of our DLine. Of course, it's all contingent on health which is always iffy with this team. With that said, I really liked the Thornton signing. I know alot of people don't expect much from T. McClain but he is strong and makes a difference when he's in there. Hopefully this is the year Crawford shines and I really like Malik Collins, granted he can get his ankle right. It finally seems like we have some options at that position.

As far as the team overall. I really don't expect much from the defense despite my enthusiasm for the DT's. I keep telling myself that we'll create more turnovers because last year was almost historically bad in that category, but who knows.

The offense should be awesome and I hope we get back to our bully style of 2014. I can't wait for it to start!

Lets be honest here. There really is NOTHING to be excited about in the middle of our Dline. If you are taking about in comparison to the DE position then fine. Crawford has been a injury case and has never blossomed into what we thought he might and the FA DT we signed is solid, but that is all he is. He is NOT some stud coming here that will blow up the line. He simply is not that type of player. A solid run stuffer has been his mantra.

The honest truth is that to make this line great, we will need two pass rushing demons on the outside. Our two interior guys are solid and neither I would call a play maker. I dont see either ever making a pro bowl.

 

[Idgit]

The depressing part is the fact that we have such an incredible offense. And its going to be wasted because a fool GM couldnt do his job properly and has more or less wasted Romo's career.

The rest I completely agree with.

You and I are rarely on the same page, but I think we pretty much have been re: the neglect of the defensive personnel.

 

[DandyDon52]

I wonder what the other players think of the 3 suspended players, and elliot??
It is a distraction, and you know their friends are asking them about it, so instead of thinking all football there is all these other
issues being a distraction.

 

[Zordon]

Interesting situation he has created. He consistently campaigns for sub par players, and when his group doesn't produce, he gets a pass because his players suck.

him not wanting hardy and signing off on drafting zeke doesn't mean he wants sub par players. are you referring to his attachment to nick hayden?

 

[CATCH17]

I don't have a good feeling about this season at all. Hopefully I am wrong and we get 10+ wins.

 

[CyberB0b]

him not wanting hardy and signing off on drafting zeke doesn't mean he wants sub par players. are you referring to his attachment to nick hayden?

Nick Hayden, told them not to draft Floyd, not to spend a premium pick on defense, etc.

 

[CrownCowboy]

Lets be honest here. There really is NOTHING to be excited about in the middle of our Dline. If you are taking about in comparison to the DE position then fine. Crawford has been a injury case and has never blossomed into what we thought he might and the FA DT we signed is solid, but that is all he is. He is NOT some stud coming here that will blow up the line. He simply is not that type of player. A solid run stuffer has been his mantra.

The honest truth is that to make this line great, we will need two pass rushing demons on the outside. Our two interior guys are solid and neither I would call a play maker. I dont see either ever making a pro bowl.

Never said any of these guys were pro bowlers and notice I did say that health would be key. Having solid football players and consistency at the position would be a welcome change and is what I am excited about potentially happening.

It's obvious that this team needs edge rushers but considering the circumstances, I just hope someone emerges.

The interior of the dline is where I hope things will finally start to stabilize. I think we have the players for that to happen and am excited to see how this year turns out with the group. Nick haydenless and all.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

This is the year Coach M shows he is can still run a defense or he no longer has it. I expect him to show he can still coach.

It's hard to blame him when we have nothing on defense.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

It's hard to blame him when we have nothing on defense.

If the success of a defense relies solely on talent, then what purpose does a so-called defensive guru serve?

My point was, talent or no talent, Coach M has to use every resource to turn this defense into a cohesive, productive unit. No excuses, just results. IMO, I think he will show us why he is/was considered one of the best.

 

[Risen Star]

The state of the team is nothing's changed and this season will be much like all the others the last 20 years.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Lets be honest here. There really is NOTHING to be excited about in the middle of our Dline.

You forgot to add to your post.

 

[CCBoy]

You forgot to add to your post.

Someone forgot to inform that the burn barrel convention was in full swing now...

 

[Jstopper]

If the success of a defense relies solely on talent, then what purpose does a so-called defensive guru serve?

My point was, talent or no talent, Coach M has to use every resource to turn this defense into a cohesive, productive unit. No excuses, just results. IMO, I think he will show us why he is/was considered one of the best.

Come on now you do have to have talent to do anything in this league. Vince Lombardi himself wouldn't win with a line comprised of all Nick Haydens.

 

[Zordon]

Nick Hayden, told them not to draft Floyd, not to spend a premium pick on defense, etc.

yeah you're right. it's weird. but sometimes i feel like he's pressured to feel these things since the franchise is so geared towards offense and the owner wants his offensively-challenged head coach to succeed so badly that he steers all the resources to that side of the ball.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Come on now you do have to have talent to do anything in this league. Vince Lombardi himself wouldn't win with a line comprised of all Nick Haydens.

Once again, the point is there is talent on this defense, just not the talent you and me with it was. We can cry all we want and lament the fact this defense has no blue chippers. No helping it now. It's up to Marinelli and his staff to get the most of the talent, bad or not.

 

[CowboyRoy]

You and I are rarely on the same page, but I think we pretty much have been re: the neglect of the defensive personnel.

We seem to differ on Garrett and the running games importance thing. Other than that, I dont see much of a difference overall.

For me, a strong defense is #1. That will keep you in nearly every game you play. And we have seen many teams win with a crazy D and not much of an offense. You combine a top 3 or 5 D with a strong run game and that is when you have something great. Sprinkle in a good QB and you have the makings of a dynasty type team. The way that Seattle pulled off that 3 year run they have had the last few years is exactly how I would make up a team. I certainly love the passing game and I would take Tom Brady all day long. But those type of QB's are far and few between.

Strong D and a great passing game or Strong D and a great run game. I will take either one.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Never said any of these guys were pro bowlers and notice I did say that health would be key. Having solid football players and consistency at the position would be a welcome change and is what I am excited about potentially happening.

It's obvious that this team needs edge rushers but considering the circumstances, I just hope someone emerges.

The interior of the dline is where I hope things will finally start to stabilize. I think we have the players for that to happen and am excited to see how this year turns out with the group. Nick haydenless and all.

Stability and solid play I definitely think we got now. But the fact that these guys arent play makers makes in more important to have two studs outside. I think Lawrence can be a very good DE on the right side. But I dont see him as some pass rushing nightmare. I am not sure where we are going to get that type of player on the other side.