The Cowboys Are Extremely Young

[Blackspider214]

Without a good QB in this league, you will go nowhere. This team hinges on Romo. So the youth at the other positions means nothing if we don't have a solid QB under center.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Surprised to see Hitchens is the youngest guy on such a young team. Makes his surprise rookie season that much more encouraging.

 

[Idgit]

Yeah, we've got a lot of young talent, and have shown some ability to bring in and develop more. That's good, because we need more talent on the defense.

Not going to get too worked up about the backup positions in a league where many teams don't have a legit starter--much less one with the best measured performance in the league at his position right now. Though it's true that that's the hardest position to fill and we're getting to a point where we're going to have to fill it again. It's a lower priority right now than improving the DL in the offseason.

And the good thing about having Brandon Weeden as your backup is that you only have to upgrade over Brandon Weeden to make your QB corps stronger. with this young line and skill players and an improved defense, and an older QB, Dallas will be a prime spot for any FA talent that comes available.

Finally, Tony really hasn't had three major back surgeries. He's had one. The cyst removal was not major an not structural, and the broken transverses is a six-week deal. That said, one major back surgery is one too many. He's showing no signs of slowing down, but when he does, it'll probably happen pretty fast. We're not going to want a rookie behind him when it does.

 

[CCBoy]

This old linebacker is really liking the depth and quality that is accumulation at the linebacker positional group. Bring everyone back, and healthy for this next season, and both basic sets and packages will be a matter of strength.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Sure, Romo could play at this level another 2 or 3 years. But he also could never do it again. He could break down next year. We don't know. That's my point. That uncertainty and eventual reality makes it hard to get too excited about the future.

But that could be said for any football player that steps on the field. Is not just QBs that play

 

[FiveTime]

I would have guessed Barry Church to be older and Sean Lee to be younger. I hope Lee can get a couple good full seasons in. How long is Bailey's contract? At only 26 he might get another one. I love to see the 3 OL at 23, 24, and 24. McClain at 25 should get a 5 or 6 year deal.

 

[Vinnie2u]

When your QB is 34 with back bones like pretzels and your only other viable option is Brandon Weeden, it really tempers the enthusiasm for the foreseeable future.

When you don't have a QB, you don't have anything. You're just one of the have nots of the league.

If dallas don't draft one in the next few years... It shows that Dustin Vaughn is being groomed... Lets hope jerrys lucky streak continues..

 

[fifaguy]

Without a good QB in this league, you will go nowhere. This team hinges on Romo. So the youth at the other positions means nothing if we don't have a solid QB under center.

I view the situation as a race against time. Will the young team improve rapidly enough (especially on defense) to get to the big dance while Romo is still top drawer?

 

[Chuck 54]

I've been a Cowboys fan since 1967, and yes, I am excited about the future of the team, even if this were Tony's last season in the NFL.

Finally, the Cowboys are building this team correctly with youth and in the trenches. Yes, it's a huge drop-off when a QB like Romo retires, but a team built in the trenches with a running game and a defense (hopefully) can continue to win without a franchise QB. There are always experienced QBs who are solid, if not stars, available until your next young hopeful is ready. And when the team is built the right way, you can avoid some of the huge disappointments we had to suffer under Romo because he had no support.

Side note, I'm surprised by the youth of Church and Scandrick--it already feels like they've been around a long time, and I didn't realize that Lee was older than both of those guys. That's my old age showing.

 

[xwalker]

You always throwing water on things, you must be miserable. Smh!

He is as happy as a pig in poop because he is getting attention.

 

[tyke1doe]

You always throwing water on things, you must be miserable. Smh!

But what is the purpose of saying we're a young team?
Just to note that we're a young team?
To say because of our youth, we should be in contention for years to come?

Ultimately, when we post information lauding the Cowboys, it's because there's a glimmer of hope that we could be good enough to content for a Super Bowl. That's the reason we improve our offensive line, improve our defense line, point to stats, etc. We do so with the mindset that our becoming good, younger, stronger will translate into winning and winning translates into Super Bowls.

Well, the key component to any team winning is the quarterback. Unless our defense is the 85 Bears or the 00 Ravens, the quarterback is the driver.

So I understand Risen Star's point. It doesn't really matter how young we are, if we don't have a great quarterback, it's meaningless. That's like pointing to a fancy car and saying, "Look at this shiny-looking Corvette." But the Corvette doesn't have an engine so it can't go anywhere. And your friends aren't just going to want to stare at the car. They want to drive it or go for a ride.

Just saying.

 

[xwalker]

But what is the purpose of saying we're a young team?
Just to note that we're a young team?
To say because of our youth, we should be in contention for years to come?

Ultimately, when we post information lauding the Cowboys, it's because there's a glimmer of hope that we could be good enough to content for a Super Bowl. That's the reason we improve our offensive line, improve our defense line, point to stats, etc. We do so with the mindset that our becoming good, younger, stronger will translate into winning and winning translates into Super Bowls.

Well, the key component to any team winning is the quarterback. Unless our defense is the 85 Bears or the 00 Ravens, the quarterback is the driver.

So I understand Risen Star's point. It doesn't really matter how young we are, if we don't have a great quarterback, it's meaningless. That's like pointing to a fancy car and saying, "Look at this shiny-looking Corvette." But the Corvette doesn't have an engine so it can't go anywhere. And your friends aren't just going to want to stare at the car. They want to drive it or go for a ride.

Just saying.

Yes, but the Corvette just needs an engine. A team like Tampa Bay has an offense that looks like on of those cars that has already been flattened in the wrecking yard. Putting a new engine in that wouldn't get you anywhere.

 

[tyke1doe]

Yes, but the Corvette just needs an engine. A team like Tampa Bay has an offense that looks like on of those cars that has already been flattened in the wrecking yard. Putting a new engine in that wouldn't get you anywhere.

Dallas Cowboys = Lamborghini (engine, no engine)
Tampa = Yugo (engine, no engine)

 

[DogFace]

It's a pretty obvious reality. We are on borrowed time with Romo. The homers like to present it as at least another 2-3 years. They are guessing. Actually, more like hoping. They have no idea how long he will hold up. Could be years. Could be months. That uncertainty would cause any rational Cowboys fan to question how bright our future is.

Sometimes it seems like you are a little bit negative.

 

[xwalker]

Surprised to see Hitchens is the youngest guy on such a young team. Makes his surprise rookie season that much more encouraging.

Average age 25.98 years.

Hitchens, Anthony 22
Randle, Joseph 22
Hawkins, Donald 22
Smith, Keith 22
Lawrence, DeMarcus 22
Patmon, Tyler 23
Heath, Jeff 23
Street, Devin 23
Vaughan, Dustin 23
Lawrence, Cameron 23
Wilcox, J.J. 23
Escobar, Gavin 23
Frederick, Travis 23
Smith, Tyron 24
Boatright, Kenneth 24
Dunbar, Lance 24
Moore, Sterling 24
Martin, Zack 24
Hamilton, Jakar 25
Hanna, James 25
Beasley, Cole 25
McClain, Rolando 25
Jones, Chris 25
Leary, Ronald 25
Wilber, Kyle 25
Crawford, Tyrone 25
Williams, Terrance 25
Bailey, Dan 26
Bryant, Dez 26
Carter, Bruce 26
Brent, Josh 26
Church, Barry 26
Watson, Dekoda 26
McClain, Terrell 26
Murray, DeMarco 26
Harris, Dwayne 27
Scandrick, Orlando 27
Selvie, George 27
Parnell, Jermey 28
Bernadeau, Mackenzy 28
Hayden, Nick 28
Spillman, C.J. 28
Carr, Brandon 28
Melton, Henry 28
Free, Doug 30
Hills, Tony 30
Spencer, Anthony 30
Clutts, Tyler 30
Weeden, Brandon 31
Mincey, Jeremy 31
Witten, Jason 32
LaDouceur, L.P. 33
Romo, Tony 34

 

[ConstantReboot]

It seems like Dallas is the only team in the playoffs that can't win the superbowl because they DON'T have a dominant defense? Why isn't this being applied to other teams in the past or even this year where Green Bay, New England and even Denver doesn't seem to have that dominating defense that everyone is talking about.

 

[Bluefin]

I always make a list of the oldest players on the roster following training camp, just to get an idea of where the age is, their role on the team and their contract status.

The following is a look at every player on the roster from age 26 and up.

1. QB Tony Romo - 34 (35 in April) - under contract through 2019, franchise QB, roster lock

2. LS L.P LaDouceur - 33 (34 in March) - under contract through 2017, franchise LS, roster lock

3. TE Jason Witten - 32 (33 in May) - under contract through 2017, franchise TE, Romo's BFF, roster lock

4. QB Brandon Weeden - 31 (32 in October) - under contract through 2015, #2 QB, on the bubble

5. DE Jeremy Mincey - 31 (32 in December) - under contract through 2015, starting RDE, best fits as a reserve role player, roster lock

6. DE Anthony Spencer - 30 (31 in January) - free agent, might re-sign if better option isn't found, questionable to re-sign

7. OT Doug Free - 30 (31 in January) - free agent (team option declined) - starting RT, choice between him and Jermey Parnell, questionable re-sign

8. FB Tyler Clutts - 30 (31 in November) - free agent, starting FB,could get minimum 1 year contract offer, questionable re-sign

9. OT Tony Hills - 30 (31 in November) - free agent, provides OT depth, could get minimum 1 year contract offer, doubtful re-sign

10. OG Mackenzy Bernadeau - 28 (29 in January) - under contract through 2015, game day reserve G, roster lock

11. DT Nick Hayden - 28 (29 in February) - free agent, starting NT, could get minimum 1 year contract offer, questionable re-sign

12. FS C.J. Spillman - 28 (29 in May) - free agent, core special teams player, could get minimum 1 year contract offer, doubtful re-sign

13. CB Brandon Carr - 28 (29 in May) under contract through 2017, starting LCB, likely June cut or definite pay cut, probable release

14. OT Jermey Parnell - 28 (29 in July) - free agent - game day swing tackle, choice between him or Doug Free, questionable re-sign

15. DT Henry Melton - 28 (29 in October) - free agent (team option declined) - reserve under tackle, questionable re-sign

16. DE George Selvie - 27 (28 in March) - free agent - starting LDE best suited to reserve role, doubtful re-sign

17. CB Orlando Scandrick - 27 (28 in February) - under contract through 2018, starting RCB, plays slot in Nickel, roster lock

18. RS/WR Dwayne Harris - 27 (28 in September) - free agent, return specialist, might not fit in 2015 budget, questionable re-sign

19. DT Josh Brent - 26 (27 in January) - under contract through 2015, reserve NT will be mix to take over starting role next year, virtual roster lock

20. K Dan Bailey - 26 (27 in January) - under contract through 2020, he's the kicker, roster lock

21. RB DeMarco Murray - 26 (27 in February) - free agent, starting running back, doubtful re-sign

22. LB Bruce Carter - 26 (27 in February) - free agent, reserve LB, doubtful re-sign

23. SS Barry Church - 26 (27 in February) - under contract through 2016, starting SS even if depth charts say FS, roster lock

24. LB Dekoda Watson - 26 (27 in March) - under contract through 2015, possible core special team next year, bubble player

25. DT Terrell McClain 26 - (27 in July) - under contract though 2016, reserve NT/UT, bubble player

26. WR Dez Bryant - 26 (27 in November) - free agent - #1 WR, will get new deal or franchise tag, lock to return

Even if some of the veteran free agents re-sign on the cheap and we keep one of the DEs and one of the RTs, we will probably churn around half of the players on this list once training camp and pre-season are finished.

So we're looking at 10-12 open spots.

The 2015 draft class will probably take about 7 spots and veteran free agent signings will get the rest.

This is how the team can keep the age of the roster from becoming a problem.

 

[Alexander]

And I think that's the way to win in the NFL right now. Build a great team around a QB on his rookie contract. SEA, BAL and SF to a degree have had a lot of success doing this.

And this can be done if Dallas does not wait thinking that Romo has five years left. Take a shot if the opportunity presents itself. Not a must have but it needs to be considered and stronger than ever with each passing year.

 

[TrailBlazer]

We're not set up for great things in the future with an old QB with back issues. No matter how much some fans want you to believe that.

Some people just hate to hear the truth

 

[EMMITTnROY]

Ah, I remember my 25.42nd birthday like it was just yesterday.