The Cooper Effect

[mcmvp]

Well, here's what I think. I do not see another QB on the team or available now or next year in the draft where the Cowboys will be picking that can do a better job than he can right now and in the immediate future.

Why in the hell waste time beating up on the guy when he's going to be the QB. I would prefer to focus on his strong suit than isolating plays to hammer down on him. It's called making the best if it.

I am not leaning in any direction other than acceptance of what I cannot change and have 0 control over. Railing against Prescott is akin to "Booger needs to step down" or "Garrett needs to be fired", the inevitable should not be ignored.

Maybe you'd be happier if you tried to focus on the positives of the QB instead of the negatives and look at this as a soso marriage but divorce isn't an option. You aren't gonna be really happy but you ain't gonna be totally bummed out because you're focusing on the positives. She's a lousy lay and can't cook but leaves you alone in your mancave.

This made me laugh, but I’d have to say you have a low standard for marriage if a lousy lay and no cooking is a ‘so-so’ marriage. I can be alone in my man cave without that

But good analogy anyway...

 

[CouchCoach]

I’m not saying we can’t win it with Dak. I’m saying it’s more difficult without a more Elite QB especially with our dysfunctional organization.

We have surrounded him with enough talent to take us all the way. All QB’s need supporting cast. It’s what they do with it that separates them. Tick tock..

Lemme see here, "dysfunctional organization" and "surrounded him with enough talent to take us all the way", which is it? Can't be both.

I do believe if you gave the posters here the choice of Prescott or one of those Tier 1 QB's, the majority would take the Tier 1 but that's not the choice. The dysfunctional organization has surrounded the Tier 2 QB with enough talent to take us all the way.

These teams with these Tier 1's, they surrounded those guys with enough talent to take them all the way on a consistent basis? Then why have all but one only won one ring? Think an organization might depend too much on that QB and not enough on the team around him?

Elway was a Tier 1 and I don't think he gets one without that team around him. Same goes for Favre. Holmgren couldn't change or control him so he surrounded him with a better team. And no coach in my time has ever concentrated on that team around his QB more than Belichick and he has the GOAT.

 

[CouchCoach]

This made me laugh, but I’d have to say you have a low standard for marriage if a lousy lay and no cooking is a ‘so-so’ marriage. I can be alone in my man cave without that

But good analogy anyway...

It's a soso marriage because divorce isn't an option, I am making the best of that. I was lucky, I married one that was great at both......at the same time and I didn't need a mancave.

 

[Diehardblues]

Well, here's what I think. I do not see another QB on the team or available now or next year in the draft where the Cowboys will be picking that can do a better job than he can right now and in the immediate future.

Why in the hell waste time beating up on the guy when he's going to be the QB. I would prefer to focus on his strong suit than isolating plays to hammer down on him. It's called making the best if it.

I am not leaning in any direction other than acceptance of what I cannot change and have 0 control over. Railing against Prescott is akin to "Booger needs to step down" or "Garrett needs to be fired", the inevitable should not be ignored.

Maybe you'd be happier if you tried to focus on the positives of the QB instead of the negatives and look at this as a soso marriage but divorce isn't an option. You aren't gonna be really happy but you ain't gonna be totally bummed out because you're focusing on the positives. She's a lousy lay and can't cook but leaves you alone in your mancave.

Im just critiquing the weaknesses as I see them. And calling out issues which I believe are preventing us from more success. I’ll leave the cheerleading to someone else.

 

[Diehardblues]

Lemme see here, "dysfunctional organization" and "surrounded him with enough talent to take us all the way", which is it? Can't be both.

I do believe if you gave the posters here the choice of Prescott or one of those Tier 1 QB's, the majority would take the Tier 1 but that's not the choice. The dysfunctional organization has surrounded the Tier 2 QB with enough talent to take us all the way.

These teams with these Tier 1's, they surrounded those guys with enough talent to take them all the way on a consistent basis? Then why have all but one only won one ring? Think an organization might depend too much on that QB and not enough on the team around him?

Elway was a Tier 1 and I don't think he gets one without that team around him. Same goes for Favre. Holmgren couldn't change or control him so he surrounded him with a better team. And no coach in my time has ever concentrated on that team around his QB more than Belichick and he has the GOAT.

Of course it can be both. We’re a talent dependent franchise . Just because we are dysfunctional doesn’t mean we can’t land some talent. But it’s our leadership distractions and priorities which derail us.

The fact we benched a greater QB was dysfunctional and now the first sign of glitter his Rookie season are ready to over pay. That’s dysfunctional. He and much of the fan base had their mind made up after 2016.

Id give Dak and this offense a much greater chance with greater leadership from above and coaching below.

 

[Diehardblues]

Lemme see here, "dysfunctional organization" and "surrounded him with enough talent to take us all the way", which is it? Can't be both.

I do believe if you gave the posters here the choice of Prescott or one of those Tier 1 QB's, the majority would take the Tier 1 but that's not the choice. The dysfunctional organization has surrounded the Tier 2 QB with enough talent to take us all the way.

These teams with these Tier 1's, they surrounded those guys with enough talent to take them all the way on a consistent basis? Then why have all but one only won one ring? Think an organization might depend too much on that QB and not enough on the team around him?

Elway was a Tier 1 and I don't think he gets one without that team around him. Same goes for Favre. Holmgren couldn't change or control him so he surrounded him with a better team. And no coach in my time has ever concentrated on that team around his QB more than Belichick and he has the GOAT.

They may have only won 1ring but they’ve been to multiple Super Bowls and or Championship appearances.

Bottom line is when they had the surrounding talent they brought it home. That separates them from the pack. Results matter!!

 

[Montanalo]

I do not get why we have to continually have this polarization with the QB position. The only question I ask myself "is this QB good enough to get the team there"? My answer is yes.

This is the Crux of the matter, isn't it? Does Dak have the intelligence, leadership skills, resiliency, and football athleticism to lead this team to a SB? I definitely think so.

Look, I have never viewed you as a single-minded Dak fanboy. More appropriately, I think you're a pragmatist when it comes to the Cowboy's QB position.

 

[Diehardblues]

This made me laugh, but I’d have to say you have a low standard for marriage if a lousy lay and no cooking is a ‘so-so’ marriage. I can be alone in my man cave without that

But good analogy anyway...

Yea, that’s probably directed at me since he knows I have a Mancave . Which my wife actually created for me to lift my spirits from early retirement and overcoming open heart surgery. She choreographed the room with my lifetime of sports memorabilia in which she spends almost as much time in there as I do.

 

[Diehardblues]

This is the Crux of the matter, isn't it? Does Dak have the intelligence, leadership skills, resiliency, and football athleticism to lead this team to a SB? I definitely think so.

Look, I have never viewed you as a single-minded Dak fanboy. More appropriately, I think you're a pragmatist when it comes to the Cowboy's QB position.

Yep

If there’s a more prudent way to critic Daks skill set while still supporting the Cowboys I’m open to.

I like Dak. Has some intangible assets and leadership Skills. He appears to be doing all he can with his skill set. I wear his gear and defend him against outsiders. But if a Cowboy fan forum is the wrong place to discuss our concerns and issues please steer me there. If family can’t call out their own. Who can?

 

[CouchCoach]

Yep

If there’s a more prudent way to critic Daks skill set while still supporting the Cowboys I’m open to.

I like Dak. Has some intangible assets and leadership Skills. He appears to be doing all he can with his skill set. I wear his gear and defend him against outsiders. But if a Cowboy fan forum is the wrong place to discuss our concerns and issues please steer me there. If family can’t call out their own. Who can?

I am not opposed to anyone calling anyone out but some have the tendency to ride that horse into the ground, beat it, bury it, dig it up and start all over again.

And this is going to crest when he gets his new deal because some are holding out hope that they can't come to terms and he will play through this last year and the team will have options but I gave up on that because what are the realistic options? In order to have a shot at a blue chipper, the wheels would have to come off and even when it wasn't good he still had a 9-7 record. And I think asking him to tank so they can get a new QB won't work out.

I've just arrived at that point as I have with so many things in the real world. Do I like this? Not crazy about it. Can I change this? No. OK then, I like it a lot better.

 

[cern]

I do not get why we have to continually have this polarization with the QB position. The only question I ask myself "is this QB good enough to get the team there"? My answer is yes.[/QUOTE]


It is human nature to make everything a polarizing topic. Poor little Pluto, close to 5 billion miles away became a polarizing topic until it quit being a planet. But it's still out there. Is dak worth the money? Or cooper, or zeke, or byron jones? The beat goes on.

 

[buybuydandavis]

More than any player the Cowboys have added through FA or trade, the Cooper effect is the most impactful I can recall in this FA era.

While the legend is that Cooper rode into town and saved the day, lots of things changed during the back half of the season to improve the team. And it's unclear that we improved *that* much.

Alexander out, and Colombo took over. Big fix of a big mistake.
Williams got injured and didn't start games 9-13. SF was doing a pretty good job when he went in. Then Williams did a better job when he came back.
We started the season with an entirely overhauled receiving crew, and a bunch of JV TEs. They ramped up as the season went on. That's what you would have expected without Cooper showing up.
The defense got better as well. They beat New Orleans, not the offense.
Very young teams get better as the season goes on.

But the total impact of all changes was about 2 points per game. We managed victories, but we didn't have a single win during that period for more than 1 score (8 points). The offense was shut out against the Colts. That's just sad.

We won close ones instead of losing them. That's better, but some of that was likely just the flip of the coin. Good teams actually just *win* some games without all the drama. We weren't winning games like that.

 

[CouchCoach]

While the legend is that Cooper rode into town and saved the day, lots of things changed during the back half of the season to improve the team. And it's unclear that we improved *that* much.

Alexander out, and Colombo took over. Big fix of a big mistake.
Williams got injured and didn't start games 9-13. SF was doing a pretty good job when he went in. Then Williams did a better job when he came back.
We started the season with an entirely overhauled receiving crew, and a bunch of JV TEs. They ramped up as the season went on. That's what you would have expected without Cooper showing up.
The defense got better as well. They beat New Orleans, not the offense.
Very young teams get better as the season goes on.

But the total impact of all changes was about 2 points per game. We managed victories, but we didn't have a single win during that period for more than 1 score (8 points). The offense was shut out against the Colts. That's just sad.

We won close ones instead of losing them. That's better, but some of that was likely just the flip of the coin. Good teams actually just *win* some games without all the drama. We weren't winning games like that.

I would argue that this team was barely the 4th in the NFC, I would have taken LA, NO and CHI ahead of this team but I do not take a 3-5 to 7-1 and a playoff win against a team had even with this team lightly.

And I have this team at 4th or 5th this season heading into it.

 

[Bullflop]

Teams will have to adjust to us having Cooper or pay the price.
I think they will. But then again, we will have an offseason to think up stuff too

We will also have more talent at WR to relieve some of the pressure from Cooper. Our offense is sure to benefit from a WR talent level that grows as we speak. Dak will benefit simply from the increase in the number of open options to throw to. Opposing defenses will have their hands full covering our receivers in 2019. Let's just hope Ezekiel Elliott receives leniency, despite his recent miscue, though.

 

[CB61]

More than any player the Cowboys have added through FA or trade, the Cooper effect is the most impactful I can recall in this FA era.

The most notable and impactful one prior to this was the Plan B for Novacek.

What if the Cowboys hadn't been able to do that and had to keep going at 3-5 with that group of WR's and a struggling QB? Would they have ended up top 10 or even higher and within reach of Murray with trades?

Would that first pick in this draft have been a WR or a QB? Would they be discussing a contract now or waiting until after or well into this season with the present QB1 or would he be fighting for the job? Remember, this QB had been called out by two WR's with their "we're getting open" comments and they were getting NFL open.

If that record had been a top 10 drafting one, does Garrett not only not get the extension but lose his job and does Booger bring Riley in with Murray?

Amari Cooper is our "It's a Wonderful Life" player because his impact affected quite a few and it does cause me to consider a lot of "what if's" because of him. I do not recall one player having this type of effect for the Cowboys in since 1990. If not for him, this team might have a new HC and QB.

So, in an in though the out door way, if you don't like Garrett or Prescott, you can blame Cooper.

Don't forget the plan B acquisition of Preston Pearson who at the time along with John Dutton for only two players from other teams

 

[Northern_Cowboy]

Teams will have to adjust to us having Cooper or pay the price.
I think they will. But then again, we will have an offseason to think up stuff too

Teams already did last season, all you have to do is look at his last 5 games (which includes the 2 playoff games) and put then up against the previous 5 games, the difference is there as teams started to adjust

 

[Kevinicus]

While the legend is that Cooper rode into town and saved the day, lots of things changed during the back half of the season to improve the team. And it's unclear that we improved *that* much.

Alexander out, and Colombo took over. Big fix of a big mistake.
Williams got injured and didn't start games 9-13. SF was doing a pretty good job when he went in. Then Williams did a better job when he came back.
We started the season with an entirely overhauled receiving crew, and a bunch of JV TEs. They ramped up as the season went on. That's what you would have expected without Cooper showing up.
The defense got better as well. They beat New Orleans, not the offense.
Very young teams get better as the season goes on.

But the total impact of all changes was about 2 points per game. We managed victories, but we didn't have a single win during that period for more than 1 score (8 points). The offense was shut out against the Colts. That's just sad.

We won close ones instead of losing them. That's better, but some of that was likely just the flip of the coin. Good teams actually just *win* some games without all the drama. We weren't winning games like that.

Yep, Cooper definitely gave the offense a new element, but ultimately, it wasn't really any more effective. Only 1.2 more ppg, and it took the week 17 matchup to get there. Otherwise it was fewer ppg. Hard to call less (or barely more) points some great positive impact.

 

[beware_d-ware]

The only reason I mention him is that unlike most other college HC's, he actually expressed interest in coaching in the NFL and that can't be about money.

No college coach, including Saban or Swinney, who just got a 10 year 93M contract, is going to get carte blanche with the personnel. Belichick got that but I do not think any other HC gets that including Reid or Payton.

Successful college coaches want to paint on a larger canvass like Saban, Spurrier and Petrino tried and I think Riley thinks his offense would work in the NFL. And for men that want challenge, what's the challenge at OU? Recruiting? They had one player on that team from OK. Big 12 is an afterthought conference after OU.

That Kingsbury hire was the oddest one I've seen in many a moon. The guy was a failure in a secondary conference and was lost with FA and had to be helped by his FO in even acquiring his coaching staff.

Thanks for the info. I didn't know Riley has said himself that he wants to go to the pros.

 

[CCBoy]

Don't forget the plan B acquisition of Preston Pearson who at the time along with John Dutton for only two players from other teams

One of the top 20 Cowboys players - alltime.

 

[Diehardblues]

Don't forget the plan B acquisition of Preston Pearson who at the time along with John Dutton for only two players from other teams

Fact check:

We acquired Herb Adderly , Lance Alworth and Mike Ditka from other teams before either Pearson or Dutton.