The season that should have been

[CCBoy]

I don't think in terms of season that should have been only the season that was. No doubt injuries hurt but it was more than injury, this team took wait till Romo gets back approach just treading water instead of going out and getting the job done. I put that on coaches and players alike. I did not expect offense to be able to put up a lot of points and knew a bigger load would fall to the defense to pick up the slack and while they played well at times they failed to get the turnovers they had shown in 2014 they also managed to blow opportunities late in games. I'm not 1 to point the finger at 1 person I think there is plenty of blame to go around from coaches, players to organization and for all the praise they got in 2014 they deserve all blame for the disaster that was 2015.

Then explain why in 8 games that they lost, the team was either tied or ahead in the fourth quarter. There was more than just simple NFL talent needed for wins.

 

[Doomsday101]

Then explain why in 8 games that they lost, the team was either tied or ahead in the fourth quarter. There was more than just simple NFL talent needed for wins.

Not sure what you are getting after? Dallas defense failed in critical moments of games when their was a chance to win, they blew 2 OT by giving up TD on opening drives of OT. All in all this team found ways to lose every weekend. I put blame on everyone no 1 person or injuries. Clearly injuries played a part no one with an ounce of sense could think for a second the offense was going to be just as good never missing a beat. I knew they would struggle how could they not when franchise QB is down and #1 target in Bryant went down and when he returned was not close to 100% and this team would need to rely more on defense. In the end defense did not get it done and offense did them no favors. I place blame on all from top to bottom

 

[CyberB0b]

And their best WR and best CB and Dunbar, etc, etc. jeez you guys are just stupid ot have an agenda.

So now you are bringing 3rd/4th string Lance Dunbar in the conversation? We had an easy schedule, an easy division, and we blew it. There is no excuse for losing as many games as we did. Period.

Since when does a coach get a free pass for losing the QB for a year? I have already posted numerous examples of playoff teams with similar injuries who managed to win some games.

 

[CCBoy]

Not sure what you are getting after? Dallas defense failed in critical moments of games when their was a chance to win, they blew 2 OT by giving up TD on opening drives of OT. All in all this team found ways to lose every weekend. I put blame on everyone no 1 person or injuries. Clearly injuries played a part no one with an ounce of sense could think for a second the offense was going to be just as good never missing a beat. I knew they would struggle how could they not when franchise QB is down and #1 target in Bryant went down and when he returned was not close to 100% and this team would need to rely more on defense. In the end defense did not get it done and offense did them no favors. I place blame on all from top to bottom

The point focused being that 8 games of being completely in games in the 4th quarters indicates a general level of respectable talent. Special teams let downs and an underscoring offense led to the actual losses, not general talent on the team. Sure, defense needs elevating as a goal...but many things affected their play, such as consistency of many starters due to injury. Not just a lack of coaching or inabilities in general.

 

[CCBoy]

So now you are bringing 3rd/4th string Lance Dunbar in the conversation? We had an easy schedule, an easy division, and we blew it. There is no excuse for losing as many games as we did. Period.

Dunbar was a dominant producer as a change of pace back. His contributions were above what was being shown by our WR Beasley. Since Beasley is not used regularly to block, he was more selectively utilized, but Dunbar and Beasley on the field at the same time was a dynamic and a change of pace as well.

 

[Doomsday101]

The point focused being that 8 games of being completely in games in the 4th quarters indicates a general level of respectable talent. Special teams let downs and an underscoring offense led to the actual losses, not general talent on the team. Sure, defense needs elevating as a goal...but many things affected their play, such as consistency of many starters due to injury. Not just a lack of coaching or inabilities in general.

I think this team has a lot of talent that is why so many picked them to do well this past season and they failed. Defense does not get off the hook, they has 11 turnovers on the season? that is unheard of. I agree many things played a factor but in the end they failed as players and coaches. 4-12 team it is no one thing it is a lot of things going wrong.

 

[CCBoy]

I think this team has a lot of talent that is why so many picked them to do well this past season and they failed. Defense does not get off the hook, they has 11 turnovers on the season? that is unheard of. I agree many things played a factor but in the end they failed as players and coaches. 4-12 team it is no one thing it is a lot of things going wrong.

The turn around from two seasons ago, being a historicly bad defense takes some time. The process has this upcoming season and the following year to reach full personnel changes under Marinelli.

 

[Doomsday101]

The turn around from two seasons ago, being a historicly bad defense takes some time. The process has this upcoming season and the following year to reach full personnel changes under Marinelli.

Going from 31 take aways with less talent in 2014 to 11 with more talent this season? I don't expect them to be at full potential on the other hand I do not expect them to regress.

 

[CCBoy]

Going from 31 take aways with less talent in 2014 to 11 with more talent this season? I don't expect them to be at full potential on the other hand I do not expect them to regress.

I'd say that Lawrence, Gregory, Crawford, and Jones is significant.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'd say that Lawrence, Gregory, Crawford, and Jones is significant.

I think so as well and again I do expect them to improve that does not change the fact a defense goes from one of the tops in the league in creating turnover at 31 to then falling to dead last with 11? I'm not going to make excuses for them, they did a poor job when the team needed them most. Offense as well did not do enough and I'm not excusing them, coaches did not do enough I will not excuse them. This does not mean I'm all for a knee jerk solution but I do think after this past season finding out who is in it for the money and who wants to win should be at the forefront. Irvin saw this before Johnson came to town, guys just happy to get a pay check but those guys got weeded out. I would clearly use this off season to find out who is willing to go the extra mile, who is putting in the time and effort. For those who are content with a paycheck then let them collect it else where.

 

[CCBoy]

I think so as well and again I do expect them to improve that does not change the fact a defense goes from one of the tops in the league in creating turnover at 31 to then falling to dead last with 11? I'm not going to make excuses for them, they did a poor job when the team needed them most. Offense as well did not do enough and I'm not excusing them, coaches did not do enough I will not excuse them. This does not mean I'm all for a knee jerk solution but I do think after this past season finding out who is in it for the money and who wants to win should be at the forefront. Irvin saw this before Johnson came to town, guys just happy to get a pay check but those guys got weeded out. I would clearly use this off season to find out who is willing to go the extra mile, who is putting in the time and effort. For those who are content with a paycheck then let them collect it else where.

Just don't lose faith in what is coming down the chute for this upcoming season. A lot things are already in the process of upgrading. And this was just the second season for Marinelli's charges.

 

[KJJ]

What's a more reasonable expectation - for Tony Romo to miss 12 games with injury, or for him to remain relatively healthy and productive, as he was in 2014?

With Romo aging and having missed games the past 3 seasons it's not likely he plays a full 16 games next season. He may not miss 12 games but I don't think he'll play a full 16 games. The odds are certainly better that he'll remain "relatively healthy" than going down for 12 games but I don't think the odds are very good he'll be as consistent and efficient as he was in 2014 in which he benefitted from having the top rusher in the league and the #2 overall running game. I don't think Romo will ever have as "efficient" a season as he had in 2014.

What's a more reasonable expectation - for Dez Bryant to have one half of football where he was 100%, then miss 7 games and be hobbled in the remaining 8, of for him to remain relatively healthy and productive, as he was in 2014?

Hard to put odds on where Dez will be next season after playing on an injured foot that he should have never been playing on. The foot ended up requiring surgery as did his ankle so his best days could be behind him we'll just have to see. I'm concerned about his foot there's been receivers who had the same injury that never returned to form. Dez wasn't blessed with great speed and his inability to separate from defenders could further be hampered by the damage done to his foot this season.

Even with the loss of Demarco Murray, the running game was efficient, and would have been much more so with a healthy Romo and Dez.

The running game was far from "efficient" don't be misled by McFadden's rushing yards the Cowboys were last in the league on 3rd and one and he played a part in that. Despite almost 1100 rushing yards McFadden only scored 3 rushing TD's. The Cowboys were forced to trade for CMike who didn't pan out and bring in Turbin so there were issues with the running game. We didn't move the chains near as well on the ground as we did in 2014. That coupled with ineffective QB play left the defense on the field far too long this season. We had a healthy Romo in week one vs the Giants and a healthy Dez for most of that game and our backs averaged only 3.5 a carry. That forced Romo to have to put the ball up 45 times which was more attempts than he had in any game in 2014. He carried the offense in week one and it was his last ditch drive that won the game. He was back having to do what he did during those 8-8 seasons. Even a healthy Dez didn't play that well prior to his injury. The Cowboys looked like an 8-8 to 9-7 team with a healthy Romo and Dez.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Don't be so childish.

But to answer your question, I thought this was a team game and not just an individual game. If it's just an individual game and Tony Romo is the ANSWER that's even more damning to your argument because the Cowboys haven't sniffed a NFC Championship Game with him healthy.

Second, you're ignoring the responsibilities of a coach and a GM. A coach and GM aren't supposed to build a team that is reliant JUST on a quarterback. A coach and GM are supposed to build a complete team.

You focus on the injury to Tony Romo. We focus on the fact that we had a very winnable division and could only muster a 1-11 record without Tony Romo.

Does that not register with you?

This team that is supposed to a Super Bowl contender couldn't beat the Saints or the Eagles or the Buccaneers - very winnable games.

We're not talking about beating the Steelers or the Cardinals or the Packers without Romo.

We're talking about the weaker teams of the league. And we're supposed to have confidence in the coach and GM???

But we'll see. If we get to the NFC Championship Game next year with JJ and JG at the helm, I'll gladly eat my words.

But I'll also be waiting for you to accept the reality that despite all the changes we're following the same pattern established 20 years ago.

You know, seeing the forest despite the blowing leaves of the tree.

This should probably be an 8-8 team without Romo and a 12-4 team with a healthy Romo for 16 games and a stout run game. We saw that in 2014. Relying on a great QB is not a bad thing, but you should have a backup and a system that is capable of at least going 500 in his absence. 1-11 says a lot about the abilities of the coaching staff and the rest of the roster. Which ultimately says it all about the GM.

But, at least we dont have to hear the Romo haters act like Romo is the problem in Dallas anymore. LOL

 

[Doomsday101]

Just don't lose faith in what is coming down the chute for this upcoming season. A lot things are already in the process of upgrading. And this was just the second season for Marinelli's charges.

I expect much from this team that is why this past season was a major disappointment. if I did not feel they were capable then this past year could easily be blown off as just one of those things but this entire team needs to look themselves in the mirror and ask did they do enough? Did they spend extra time getting themselves ready, they did they put the time in, in the film room based on seeing guys not knowing who had the this WR or RB I would say no. I watch a guy like Lee who I know by all accounts spends a lot of time working out putting the time in film room that is why he knows his assignments and can quickly break down plays I should not expect any less of others on this team. Especially when you are on a 2 or 3 game losing streak let alone a 7 game losing streak.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I think this team has a lot of talent that is why so many picked them to do well this past season and they failed. Defense does not get off the hook, they has 11 turnovers on the season? that is unheard of. I agree many things played a factor but in the end they failed as players and coaches. 4-12 team it is no one thing it is a lot of things going wrong.

Absolutely. There is many many things wrong with this team from top to bottom, which ultimately goes back to Jerry Jones. He is a wanna be GM that doesnt have the time or skills to be a real GM. What he really needs to do is hire a GM and call him something other than a GM so he can still get all the credit. But there needs to be a guy 100% devoted to doing all the work required to be a GM.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I think so as well and again I do expect them to improve that does not change the fact a defense goes from one of the tops in the league in creating turnover at 31 to then falling to dead last with 11? I'm not going to make excuses for them, they did a poor job when the team needed them most. Offense as well did not do enough and I'm not excusing them, coaches did not do enough I will not excuse them. This does not mean I'm all for a knee jerk solution but I do think after this past season finding out who is in it for the money and who wants to win should be at the forefront. Irvin saw this before Johnson came to town, guys just happy to get a pay check but those guys got weeded out. I would clearly use this off season to find out who is willing to go the extra mile, who is putting in the time and effort. For those who are content with a paycheck then let them collect it else where.

This all goes back to the run game. The potent run game allowed this team to do so much more on both sides of the ball. Now granted Romo was there also, but it allowed the him to take less risks. The offense hummed every Sunday and we had big leads. The defense got to rest and was able to zero in on the pass and take more risks and create turnovers. Those that say running doesnt do much severely underestimate the affect a great run game can have on an entire team. If Jones and Garrett have any sense at all, they will do whatever they can to bring some stud RB's in here. If they rely on Mcchicken to be the lead back, it will be another short cut decision for prides sake.

 

[CCBoy]

Absolutely. There is many many things wrong with this team from top to bottom, which ultimately goes back to Jerry Jones. He is a wanna be GM that doesnt have the time or skills to be a real GM. What he really needs to do is hire a GM and call him something other than a GM so he can still get all the credit. But there needs to be a guy 100% devoted to doing all the work required to be a GM.

Keep these comments in the right zone...

 

[CowboyRoy]

I expect much from this team that is why this past season was a major disappointment. if I did not feel they were capable then this past year could easily be blown off as just one of those things but this entire team needs to look themselves in the mirror and ask did they do enough? Did they spend extra time getting themselves ready, they did they put the time in, in the film room based on seeing guys not knowing who had the this WR or RB I would say no. I watch a guy like Lee who I know by all accounts spends a lot of time working out putting the time in film room that is why he knows his assignments and can quickly break down plays I should not expect any less of others on this team. Especially when you are on a 2 or 3 game losing streak let alone a 7 game losing streak.

I remember many many fans commenting that if Romo went down that all bets were off. It has been like that for years on predictions. Was there really anyone that thought Weeden could hold up? I dont recall anyone hailing him as anything great. Then when Murray was let go and replaced with on one of any similar skill, it left the door wide open for disaster. NO romo, no potent run game, that is where this offense went down the tubes. Dez was a factor, but he appears useless without a quality QB or quality system behind him.

 

[tyke1doe]

This should probably be an 8-8 team without Romo and a 12-4 team with a healthy Romo for 16 games and a stout run game. We saw that in 2014. Relying on a great QB is not a bad thing, but you should have a backup and a system that is capable of at least going 500 in his absence. 1-11 says a lot about the abilities of the coaching staff and the rest of the roster. Which ultimately says it all about the GM.

But, at least we dont have to hear the Romo haters act like Romo is the problem in Dallas anymore. LOL

.

I never thought he was the problem, for what it's worth. At the same time, I don't excuse bad plays he's made either.

It's not an either/or with me. I guess a lot of people don't understand this. You either have to be for Romo and praise EVERYTHING he does or against Romo and bash EVERYTHING he does. Sigh.

 

[Rockport]

So now you are bringing 3rd/4th string Lance Dunbar in the conversation? We had an easy schedule, an easy division, and we blew it. There is no excuse for losing as many games as we did. Period.

Since when does a coach get a free pass for losing the QB for a year? I have already posted numerous examples of playoff teams with similar injuries who managed to win some games.

Can deal with ignorance.