The best thing about this season

[Chief]

Two critical pieces that any championship team needs were discovered this season.

A shutdown cornerback and a No. 1 receiver.

I had some doubts about Mike Jenkins (not his physical ability), but he emerged as a future star. This isn't the same guy who ran alongside the Giants running back last year. I loved the way Jenkins competed this year. He wants to be great, and that's what guys like Irvin and Emmitt had. Not enough players have this.

What can you say about Miles? Big, fast, strong, quick, and a great character guy.

Combine these two with the already-stars such as Tony Romo, DeMarcus Ware, Jason Witten and Jay Ratliff, and Dallas has a very nice nucleus. Two other players -- Anthony Spencer and Felix Jones -- showed why they were first-round picks.

Except for the offensive line, I really like this roster. This is a team that can do a lot of damage in the playoffs in the next two or three years.

But I have to wonder what would have happened this season if not for injuries to Marion Barber, Marc Colombo and Roy Williams. Would Miles still be a backup if Roy wouldn't have hurt his ribs against Denver? Would Felix still get 5 carries a game if Marion would have been healthy all year? And we would never know that we had a decent tackle prospect in Free if Colombo wouldn't have gone down.

It concerns me that the coaches seem too hesitant to trust the young players. I would have liked to have seen more of Kevin Ogletree on offense and Jason Williams on defense.

Jerry and the fans touted Miles Austin, wanted more of Felix and more of Ogletree. It shouldn't have to take an injury to an average veteran to get some of these guys on the field.

Anyway, enough of that. Wade did just enough to keep his job, so we move forward.

The best part is some stars were born in 2009.

 

[Gaede]

Jenkins, Miles, Spencer, Jones all were bright spots of the season for sure. There is some comfort knowing we've got some young, incredibly talented guys on the team, who haven't even entered their prime

 

[RainMan]

Two critical pieces that any championship team needs were discovered this season.

A shutdown cornerback and a No. 1 receiver.

I had some doubts about Mike Jenkins (not his physical ability), but he emerged as a future star. This isn't the same guy who ran alongside the Giants running back last year. I loved the way Jenkins competed this year. He wants to be great, and that's what guys like Irvin and Emmitt had. Not enough players have this.

What can you say about Miles? Big, fast, strong, quick, and a great character guy.

Combine these two with the already-stars such as Tony Romo, DeMarcus Ware, Jason Witten and Jay Ratliff, and Dallas has a very nice nucleus. Two other players -- Anthony Spencer and Felix Jones -- showed why they were first-round picks.

Except for the offensive line, I really like this roster. This is a team that can do a lot of damage in the playoffs in the next two or three years.

But I have to wonder what would have happened this season if not for injuries to Marion Barber, Marc Colombo and Roy Williams. Would Miles still be a backup if Roy wouldn't have hurt his ribs against Denver? Would Felix still get 5 carries a game if Marion would have been healthy all year? And we would never know that we had a decent tackle prospect in Free if Colombo wouldn't have gone down.

It concerns me that the coaches seem too hesitant to trust the young players. I would have liked to have seen more of Kevin Ogletree on offense and Jason Williams on defense.

Jerry and the fans touted Miles Austin, wanted more of Felix and more of Ogletree. It shouldn't have to take an injury to an average veteran to get some of these guys on the field.

Anyway, enough of that. Wade did just enough to keep his job, so we move forward.

The best part is some stars were born in 2009.

Good stuff, Chief.

I share the same optimism, concerns and criticisms.

If you notice, we didn't seem to 'accidentally' stumble upon our defensive stars quite like we did the offensive up and comers. Veterans were released to pave the way for guys like Jenkins and Spencer to start, while middle-of-the-pack guys like Carpenter, Hatcher and Bowen were given clear-cut, defined roles on the unit.

Offensively, it was just the opposite. As you said, Jerry's been touting these young guys, but they weren't given much of a chance to compete until forced onto the field. Then, holy cow, we discover we have something.

Given the complaints of how we have used Roy and Barber, it worries me what this says about our offensive coaches. I realize sometimes you can't foresee a guy becoming a star, but this is a repeated thing for us on the offensive side.

 

[FanSince61]

Good post.

 

[diehard2294]

dont forget about Roy Williams: sorry couldn't resist

good post BTW

 

[LarryCanadian]

Agreed. That is why I continue to suggest for fans not to get caught up in the Minni game score. The game was much closer than that, and it wasn't every facet of our game that sucked.

At start of year after getting rid of TO (despite his age), PacMan, Henry, Tank, Roy Williams, Burnett, Ellis, etc - SERIOUSLY we had no idea which way this team would go.

THE JURY WAS OUT ON ROMO ALL YEAR TILL RECENTLY.

Old players saw us as a 7-9 team.

The future does look bright with Austin, Spencer, Jenkins, Scandrick, F Jones, Choice, Free, Ogletree all showing ability and growing. We had no idea if they would be what we hoped but they are proving themselves and building confidence/experience/professionalism. Add that to our QB Romo showing he is a winner and maturing and you have a team that with a couple added pieces here and there is a contender.

I think we need to add another WR with quickness, that maybe can also return kicks and punts.

I think we need to grow some stud oline across the board (and NO Flo does not and never has sucked).

A MLB to eventually replace James/Brooking - a playmaker would be a huge help. Brooking probably needs to be even more part time as each year goes by, and James won't last forever either.

A replacement for Newman to complement Jenkins needs to be found.

Safety, I'm not enough of a football person to judge, but seems like a young stud might be a need there.

I don't think this team has a ton of holes. Butler/Williams might emerge as capable backups/depth to Ware-Spencer. It took Spencer a few years and look at him now.

We aren't an ancient team by any means (Oline is older but Oline ofter are quite good older).

1 impact playmaking free-agent, maybe some free-agent depth at a spot or two, and a good draft (for quality, not quantity this year please). This team should be a playoff and SuperBowl contender for next few years. There is a positive window here.

I don't think they make major coaching changes because that could be a step back for a season and the Romo/Flo/Newman window might be too small to make wholesale changes.

We took a step forward this year, lets build on that. The cancers are gone. There is upside.

LarryCanadian

LarryCanadian

 

[Chief]

.

If you notice, we didn't seem to 'accidentally' stumble upon our defensive stars quite like we did the offensive up and comers. Veterans were released to pave the way for guys like Jenkins and Spencer to start, while middle-of-the-pack guys like Carpenter, Hatcher and Bowen were given clear-cut, defined roles on the unit.

Offensively, it was just the opposite. As you said, Jerry's been touting these young guys, but they weren't given much of a chance to compete until forced onto the field. Then, holy cow, we discover we have something.

Given the complaints of how we have used Roy and Barber, it worries me what this says about our offensive coaches. I realize sometimes you can't foresee a guy becoming a star, but this is a repeated thing for us on the offensive side.

I did notice that.

I've been a Garrett backer, but my biggest concern with him is this kind of stuff. I'm beginning to question his ability to get the right guys on the field.

 

[Chief]

Another positive note that I should add:

This team really competed hard this year. I think improved chemistry and a sense of urgency had something to do with that, but it was very refreshing.

This team played hard.

 

[jgboys1]

Good post Chief. I think we are good in alot of positions. We just have to work on the offensive line and regroup and come back next season.

 

[Gaede]

Good stuff, Chief.

Given the complaints of how we have used Roy and Barber, it worries me what this says about our offensive coaches. I realize sometimes you can't foresee a guy becoming a star, but this is a repeated thing for us on the offensive side.

...Interesting points. Didn't think about that. Certainly seems to be a trend though.

 

[wileedog]

Good stuff, Chief.

I share the same optimism, concerns and criticisms.

If you notice, we didn't seem to 'accidentally' stumble upon our defensive stars quite like we did the offensive up and comers. Veterans were released to pave the way for guys like Jenkins and Spencer to start, while middle-of-the-pack guys like Carpenter, Hatcher and Bowen were given clear-cut, defined roles on the unit.

Offensively, it was just the opposite. As you said, Jerry's been touting these young guys, but they weren't given much of a chance to compete until forced onto the field. Then, holy cow, we discover we have something.

Given the complaints of how we have used Roy and Barber, it worries me what this says about our offensive coaches. I realize sometimes you can't foresee a guy becoming a star, but this is a repeated thing for us on the offensive side.

I don't know, the decision to "split start" Jenkins and Scandrick I think was a factor in the Giants torching our secondary in the 1st game, and may have contributed directly to a loss. And Ellis was let go not only to give Spencer a chance IMO - I think he was definitely one of the character guys that needed to be cleaned out.

There's also Butler, who came in a game, got two sacks, and was rarely heard from again. Would a nicked up Ware have been more productive late in games if Butler was used to spell him more? We;ll never know.

Plus, what you're really pointing out is what is a fundamental flaw in the way this staff is set up. We don't have a HC. If we did, he would be able to tell his OC to get certain players on the field

Right now if one or the other coordinator messes up or can't make in game adjustments, there's no one managing them or keeping them accountable.

Right now we lose games like this, or the Giants, or Green Bay because Garrett gets into some weird play calling rut and there is no one to yank him back to reality. And we have a DC making HC decisions like losing a close game with timeouts still in his pocket because it doesn't occur to him to use them and give the offense one more chance to score. Or trying a ridiculous FG with a bad kicker when his offense has 4th and 1 and some momentum going.

That's why I have trouble working up optimism or thinking next year will be a whole lot different with the same cast. We were really, really lucky healthwise this year and managed 1 wild card win, but at the end of the day the season ended the same as last year - completely manhandled by a better and more prepared team, but not necessarily a more talented one.

 

[Monster Heel]

That we don't have to hear we haven't won a playoff game since 1996.

But thanks to our mop headed mascot we'll still be laughed at and ridiculed for being a bunch of whiners. Can't tell you how many jokes I've heard about how it's classless to win by more than 1 point already.

 

[Chief]

I don't know, the decision to "split start" Jenkins and Scandrick I think was a factor in the Giants torching our secondary in the 1st game, and may have contributed directly to a loss. And Ellis was let go not only to give Spencer a chance IMO - I think he was definitely one of the character guys that needed to be cleaned out.

There's also Butler, who came in a game, got two sacks, and was rarely heard from again. Would a nicked up Ware have been more productive late in games if Butler was used to spell him more? We;ll never know.

Plus, what you're really pointing out is what is a fundamental flaw in the way this staff is set up. We don't have a HC. If we did, he would be able to tell his OC to get certain players on the field

Right now if one or the other coordinator messes up or can't make in game adjustments, there's no one managing them or keeping them accountable.

Right now we lose games like this, or the Giants, or Green Bay because Garrett gets into some weird play calling rut and there is no one to yank him back to reality. And we have a DC making HC decisions like losing a close game with timeouts still in his pocket because it doesn't occur to him to use them and give the offense one more chance to score. Or trying a ridiculous FG with a bad kicker when his offense has 4th and 1 and some momentum going.

That's why I have trouble working up optimism or thinking next year will be a whole lot different with the same cast. We were really, really lucky healthwise this year and managed 1 wild card win, but at the end of the day the season ended the same as last year - completely manhandled by a better and more prepared team, but not necessarily a more talented one.

Good post.

I agree that we have two coordinators working independently, and that can lead to problems.

 

[JBS]

outside of player development the 3Sweep was a thing of beauty for me


:suxiggle: :trophy: :eagles:

 

[TellerMorrow34]

outside of player development the 3Sweep was a thing of beauty for me


:suxiggle: :trophy: :eagles:

I agree.


1) Romo getting better
2) Miles emerging as a star
3) Felix showing what he can do with the ball
4) Jenkins growing toward becoming a shut down stud
5) Sweeping the Eagles
6) Sweeping the Skins
7) Winning in December
8) Winning a playoff game


There are several things to be proud of from the season. The way it ended, however, was just terrible and it will continue to cloud what was accomplished.

 

[zrinkill]

Can't tell you how many jokes I've heard about how it's classless to win by more than 1 point already.

Middle school is rough.