The 2026 NFL (and Cowboys) Reset

[zekecowboy]

Ive been broken recording that 2027 is the 1st foreseeable year to " making a run"

And of course that predicated on marked and tangible improvement during this current season.

If the last few weeks of the season still look like this on defense, the next thing I'll be posting is 2028.

2029, not many draft picks in 2027.

 

[MarcusRock]

The pass interference call against Bland in that game was a terrible call. You seem to be deadset on pointing out only when there is a bad call against one of our opponents. I don't know why you feel that is your duty.

'Cause I'm right when I do.

Where there is whine, I'm there to opine.

Show me the Bland play and I'll do that too.

 

[gimmesix]

'Cause I'm right when I do.

Where there is whine, I'm there to opine.

Show me the Bland play and I'll do that too.

I figured you'd know which play since you know the bad calls in Dallas' favor so well.

Here it is:

 

[gimmesix]

'Cause I'm right when I do.

Where there is whine, I'm there to opine.

Show me the Bland play and I'll do that too.

I also thought the fumble call against Ferguson was questionable. It didn't look like he ever had complete control of the ball on the shovel pass before it got knocked out.

Here's what he had to say about it:

“I had a conversation with the refs — I’m not even going to go into that. The shovel, we were a little late on it, and then, me just getting it, caught it funky, and as I’m trying to put it away, I’m turning upfield at the same time, and I’ve got the big biscuit right in front of me, punching at it as I’m literally trying to put it away,” Ferguson said.


“I don’t think I had possession of it. I never tucked it away. I had it vertical, like a loaf of bread at one point, and I’m trying to tuck it away. Just a big guy in a bad spot, and it was not a good picture for me when I was trying to turn up for that one.”

Gene Steratore said during the game that he was surprised that the call stood. “I just don’t think Jake Ferguson has possession of that football firmly enough… I think it’s incomplete, personally.”

 

[MarcusRock]

I figured you'd know which play since you know the bad calls in Dallas' favor so well.

Here it is:

For sure it was a pushoff on Flowers but where they got Bland was he lifted his leg as he fell to trip Flowers and did. Could have called it on both but only called it on Bland.

 

[MarcusRock]

I also thought the fumble call against Ferguson was questionable. It didn't look like he ever had complete control of the ball on the shovel pass before it got knocked out.

Here's what he had to say about it:

“I had a conversation with the refs — I’m not even going to go into that. The shovel, we were a little late on it, and then, me just getting it, caught it funky, and as I’m trying to put it away, I’m turning upfield at the same time, and I’ve got the big biscuit right in front of me, punching at it as I’m literally trying to put it away,” Ferguson said.


“I don’t think I had possession of it. I never tucked it away. I had it vertical, like a loaf of bread at one point, and I’m trying to tuck it away. Just a big guy in a bad spot, and it was not a good picture for me when I was trying to turn up for that one.”

Gene Steratore said during the game that he was surprised that the call stood. “I just don’t think Jake Ferguson has possession of that football firmly enough… I think it’s incomplete, personally.”

From what I remember on this one I didn't think Ferguson had possession.

There. See?

 

[Kwyn]

The biggest thing to overcome IMO is the Jones FO.

Yeah I know that is a broken record and some are tired of hearing it. BUT - the biggest reason that is our biggest problem is Jerry and Stephen are really bad at rebuilds. They don’t know how to construct a roster that wins playoff games.

When you look at the best teams we’ve had since our last SB run in ‘95…Parcells built the team that got the #1 seed in 2007 and underperformed in the divisional round. Then the 2014-18 teams were pretty good. Those 2021-2023 teams were Big Mac’s influence….i guess.

But none of them got us anywhere in the playoffs outside of an occasional wc win.

JJ and SJ can market better than anyone. But roster builders they ain’t. Will McClay is a decent talent scout. That’s not enough. Until they get some real roster building talent, we will probably keep getting what we’ve been getting.

I typed this “that’s what happens when you don’t have football people running the front office

But Jerry and Stephen have both been at this for 37 years.

That’s more experience than anyone currently active in the league. Second is Andy Reid at 35 years.

So, there’s no denying they are “football people”. They’re just bad at it. And that’s why we’ll not win another Super Bowl with them in place.

 

[Kevinicus]

For sure it was a pushoff on Flowers but where they got Bland was he lifted his leg as he fell to trip Flowers and did. Could have called it on both but only called it on Bland.

Ridiculous.

 

[Coogiguy03]

So many things can happen that's the unpredictable ways of the NFL!

 

[Bobhaze]

I typed this “that’s what happens when you don’t have football people running the front office

But Jerry and Stephen have both been at this for 37 years.

That’s more experience than anyone currently active in the league. Second is Andy Reid at 35 years.

So, there’s no denying they are “football people”. They’re just bad at it. And that’s why we’ll not win another Super Bowl with them in place.

I would make a terrible financial advisor or accountant. I could do it for 37 years and still be bad at it.

Thats the problem with Jones FO. Those guys have been doing this for nearly four decades. If they haven’t been that good by now, they aren’t going to be. They are great at marketing. They are not at hiring HCs or roster building.

They aren’t the worst. But the worst GMs get fired after 4-5 years if they don’t get acceptable results. The lifetime contracts and nepotism is what’s killing is.

 

[Acceptablename]

Each summer, during training camp and pre-season game time, fans and sports pundits look at the draft, FA signings, previous season performance, and upcoming season schedules then confidently predict how the NFL season will play out. It’s a tradition we all usually participate in.

Then the season starts and reality sets in.

After nearly 25% of the season - surprise!! - we have some surprises. Who had the giants leading the NFCE at 3-1? Who had the raiders at 3-1 after 4 games? Who had Cle at 3-1 and leading the AFC North? Who had the Texans and that (supposed) “great” defense starting 0-4? Who had the “mighty” rams fighting to be 2-2? The e-girls looking bad at 2-2? The list goes on….

I know - It’s way too early to say these surprise teams or trends are a lock. Things will change. But it’s not too early to recognize the NFL is always in a state of flux.

Truth is the NFL resets itself every year. And the Cowboys are also certainly also in a reset. Especially on defense.

The Cowboys defense is full of young players who will take some time to develop and learn the scheme that their 34 year old rookie DC is trying to implement. After 4 games it’s obvious this defense is still (to put it kindly) a long way from being good. But it can get better because the talent level is better than last year. But it may take weeks.

Here are the simple truths about what the Cowboys are so far:

• This is a team with a very good offense that needs to score 30 every week to win.
• This is team with a very young defense trying to find itself.
• Right now, this team is exactly what its record says it is - mediocre.

The NFL is in a reset like it does every year. And the Cowboys are certainly in one too. Our 2-2 record says exactly who we are so far. Good on offense, bad on defense. If the defense can improve as we go, we might be a playoff team. If not, the reset continues into 2027.

Good write up