The Cowboys are among the NFL’s five worst returning starting lineups

Silver N Blue

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Per this Washington Post Article....While the headline is "bad" it is based on last year's team and results. I just copied the information about the boys but here is the link if you want to read about the other teams...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...e-nfls-five-worst-returning-starting-lineups/

Earlier this week, we looked at the top five starting lineups in the NFL, based on their Pro Football Focus grades from the 2015 season. We then decided to take a peek at the five teams who have the least amount of returning production in the starting lineups (including subpackage starters), entering 2016.
28. Dallas Cowboys

Yes, they rate in the bottom five, but the Cowboys could turn around very quickly on offense. Last season, quarterback Tony Romo earned a poor grade (51.4 on PFF’s 0-100 scale) prior to his season-ending injury, and wide receiver Dez Bryant (70.4) had a season far short of his usual standards while dealing with Romo’s absence and injuries of his own. Those two should be back and heathy, and Dallas used the No. 4 overall pick on running back Ezekiel Elliott, the leader in yards after contact per rush in this year’s draft class. Factor in an offensive line with three players of an elite or near-elite level – LT Tyron Smith (93.3), C Travis Frederick (91.3) and RG Zack Martin (89.4) – and the Cowboys could be one of the NFL’s better offenses this year.

The defense is another story. Sean Lee (92.3) played at an elite level last season, having graded as the third-best coverage linebacker in the NFL, and safety Byron Jones (79.8) flashed promise during his rookie year. But those are the only two Day 1 starters who graded at even an average level in 2015. Most notably, it’s unclear where the Cowboys’ pass rush will come from, with the team’s two best edge defenders – Demarcus Lawrence (83.9) and Randy Gregory (69.1) – missing portions of the season due to suspension.

Trending up or down in 2016? Up. The expected offensive improvement alone should help move this team up the list of best starting lineups, but the defense remains a major concern. If Elliott’s arrival can return the team to the effective ball-control, run-first offense it had in 2014, that could help take some pressure off of a defense largely devoid of high-level players.
 

Silver N Blue

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A lot of people are going to be surprised with our pass rush this year. It won't be great, but it won't completely suck as most are expecting.
Lets hope I still want to see Mayowa in action but I agree I have some optimism there as well. I was like hey i didnt say that but i see where u got it.
 

Sydla

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Well for one it's PFF. They strictly go by numbers without any rational thought behind it.

In other words, I dare anyone to look at say the Eagles starting 22 and then the Cowboys starting 22 and conclude that the Eagles are going to field a better starting lineup than the Cowboys.
 

FaSho

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I'd Mayowa pans out, that will ease the hurt from the Gregory pick.
 

CowboyRoy

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A lot of people are going to be surprised with our pass rush this year. It won't be great, but it won't completely suck as most are expecting.

How is being "it wont completely suck" going to surprise anyone?

If they go for 40 sacks this year, that would surprise. Anything below 30 sucks. Once you start getting above 35 you are at least somewhat respectable.

Higher standards my man. Higher standards.
 

Sydla

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And granted, PFF is apparently just looking at last year as their starting point. Well no duh a Cowboys team without Romo, Bryant, injuries to Scandrick, Crawford and a few others would look like an anemic roster.
 

ActualCowboysFan

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Well for one it's PFF. They strictly go by numbers without any rational thought behind it.

In other words, I dare anyone to look at say the Eagles starting 22 and then the Cowboys starting 22 and conclude that the Eagles are going to field a better starting lineup than the Cowboys.
Didn't they have them like #6 or something this summer?
 

dallasdave

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Per this Washington Post Article....While the headline is "bad" it is based on last year's team and results. I just copied the information about the boys but here is the link if you want to read about the other teams...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...e-nfls-five-worst-returning-starting-lineups/

Earlier this week, we looked at the top five starting lineups in the NFL, based on their Pro Football Focus grades from the 2015 season. We then decided to take a peek at the five teams who have the least amount of returning production in the starting lineups (including subpackage starters), entering 2016.
28. Dallas Cowboys

Yes, they rate in the bottom five, but the Cowboys could turn around very quickly on offense. Last season, quarterback Tony Romo earned a poor grade (51.4 on PFF’s 0-100 scale) prior to his season-ending injury, and wide receiver Dez Bryant (70.4) had a season far short of his usual standards while dealing with Romo’s absence and injuries of his own. Those two should be back and heathy, and Dallas used the No. 4 overall pick on running back Ezekiel Elliott, the leader in yards after contact per rush in this year’s draft class. Factor in an offensive line with three players of an elite or near-elite level – LT Tyron Smith (93.3), C Travis Frederick (91.3) and RG Zack Martin (89.4) – and the Cowboys could be one of the NFL’s better offenses this year.

The defense is another story. Sean Lee (92.3) played at an elite level last season, having graded as the third-best coverage linebacker in the NFL, and safety Byron Jones (79.8) flashed promise during his rookie year. But those are the only two Day 1 starters who graded at even an average level in 2015. Most notably, it’s unclear where the Cowboys’ pass rush will come from, with the team’s two best edge defenders – Demarcus Lawrence (83.9) and Randy Gregory (69.1) – missing portions of the season due to suspension.

Trending up or down in 2016? Up. The expected offensive improvement alone should help move this team up the list of best starting lineups, but the defense remains a major concern. If Elliott’s arrival can return the team to the effective ball-control, run-first offense it had in 2014, that could help take some pressure off of a defense largely devoid of high-level players.
Well nowhere to go but up !!!
 

tyke1doe

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I can understand the skepticism, especially regarding the defense.
I'm really on hold with respect to the season. I expect our offense to be light-years better with a healthy Romo and Dez and newcomer Ezekiel Elliott, plus a deeper backfield featuring backups such as the rookie Jackson, Morris and McFadden.
But the defense really worries me, especially the pass rush. I'm glad many of you are optimistic. I just don't see it yet, and that tempers my enthusiasm.
 

Silver N Blue

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Well for one it's PFF. They strictly go by numbers without any rational thought behind it.

In other words, I dare anyone to look at say the Eagles starting 22 and then the Cowboys starting 22 and conclude that the Eagles are going to field a better starting lineup than the Cowboys.
There was an article yesterday I read I shared with my "iggles homey" an article from Philly...stating..."The Season is Over"....so with that not that we all don't know this already...but the igglets...gonna suck....
 
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