Dion2288
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As a CZ lurker, I spend more time collecting information on this site and analyzing it. That said, I keep believing things are lining up well for this team.
Schedule:
Once the schedule was released, there was typical speculation about the tough parts and the season predictions of wins and losses. The first thing I noticed was the Bye week. It seems the past few years the Bye week was n the first half of the season. Having it in November is allowing us to get healthy and to refocus. As Orlando Scandrick stated on NFL Network this morning, “It’s a six game season.” I would imagine this is Garrett’s message this week to the team. Starting 7-3 is great, but they need to build on it. Regarding the schedule, they have two weeks to prepare for NY. We should beat them but we all know division games are no gimmie. Every extra moment to plan and scheme for this game is important. Then we get Philly in our house on Thanksgiving. It’s a short week, but it’s short for them too. It should be a good matchup. Then we get have a full week to prepare for Chicago who is not playing well to say the least. Following that game we have 10 days to prepare for Philly while they have a normal week following a tough game against Seattle; again, every day to plan and scheme for a divisional game counts (that is now two opportunities to have extra time to prepare for a divisional opponent before heading to their place). While some see a tough stretch, I see a great opportunity for “the best coaching staff Dallas has had during the Jones era” to form a plan and for the team to execute it.
Players:
Since the start of free agency, there has been a shift in the makeup of players on the team. We were left scratching our heads with pickups like Terrell McClain and Jeremy Mincey. We draft an OL and DL with our first two picks and then “reach” for a LB in the 4th round. In OTA’s our star LB gets hurt. Critics look at our roster and declare doom and gloom. In hindsight, the pieces of the puzzle are falling nicely into place.
Zack Martin has been a great pick to protect Romo and run block for Murray. BUT, let’s not forget that Ronald Leary has also been huge for this line and the offense as a whole. He ain’t perfect, but he brings a little something to the line. Intangibles are measured in many ways. I believe having a grunt like Leary on the line brings an intangible that rubs off on the entire OL and brings a mentality to hit the other team, keep hitting them, and wear them out until they can’t do anything about it. We will see the fruit of this over the next 6 games.
The trade for Rolando McClain was a risk that has already paid off. When Lee went down I thought we were in trouble. But, McClain has brought intensity to the position which has rubbed off on the other LB’s and has elevated the play of the front seven. Mix in Durant’s play up until his injury, Carter’s playmaking (although inconsistent), and the progression of Hitchens and Wilber, and I would say our LB play has been solid thus far. With time to heal and develop the youngins, we should see even better play down the stretch.
The development of the DL has truly been a process, to say the least. Injuries and issues slowed the process initially. But, it may be a blessing in disguise. Because of injuries, Tyrone Crawford slid over to the 3 technique. He was consistently collapsing the pocket. Once he returns, he should continue to do the same. Slowly, the pieces have been added in with each slowly progressing, but getting stronger and better over time. First getting Melton back, then adding in Terrell McClain, then getting Spencer back and getting Lawrence back, to potentially adding Brent to the mix here shortly. Each and every addition is a strengthening of a DL that was holding it’s own initially. We can now rotate Spencer, Selvie, Mincey, Lawrence, T. Crawford, Melton, Hayden, T. McClain, Brent into the games. That is nine pressure players who can continuously come in, be fresh, and pursue. Dealing with adversity, as Coach Garrett would say, and succeeding has now put the defense in position to hand out adversity.
Main Point:
This team is now in good position to compete and make some noise in the NFL. The offense is filled with playmakers. The OL is in position to ensure the playmakers can make plays. The run game should be able to run down hill when it is needed most. That ball control allows the defense to be fresh. The defense is getting stronger and better. The schedule is set up for the team to be fresh and prepared for each contest down the stretch.
There has not been an opportunity for the Dallas Cowboys like this in a long time. It is my hope they do it. Carpe Diem.
Enjoy the Bye week. As many on here posted in 2009 on this board: BELIEVE!!!
Schedule:
Once the schedule was released, there was typical speculation about the tough parts and the season predictions of wins and losses. The first thing I noticed was the Bye week. It seems the past few years the Bye week was n the first half of the season. Having it in November is allowing us to get healthy and to refocus. As Orlando Scandrick stated on NFL Network this morning, “It’s a six game season.” I would imagine this is Garrett’s message this week to the team. Starting 7-3 is great, but they need to build on it. Regarding the schedule, they have two weeks to prepare for NY. We should beat them but we all know division games are no gimmie. Every extra moment to plan and scheme for this game is important. Then we get Philly in our house on Thanksgiving. It’s a short week, but it’s short for them too. It should be a good matchup. Then we get have a full week to prepare for Chicago who is not playing well to say the least. Following that game we have 10 days to prepare for Philly while they have a normal week following a tough game against Seattle; again, every day to plan and scheme for a divisional game counts (that is now two opportunities to have extra time to prepare for a divisional opponent before heading to their place). While some see a tough stretch, I see a great opportunity for “the best coaching staff Dallas has had during the Jones era” to form a plan and for the team to execute it.
Players:
Since the start of free agency, there has been a shift in the makeup of players on the team. We were left scratching our heads with pickups like Terrell McClain and Jeremy Mincey. We draft an OL and DL with our first two picks and then “reach” for a LB in the 4th round. In OTA’s our star LB gets hurt. Critics look at our roster and declare doom and gloom. In hindsight, the pieces of the puzzle are falling nicely into place.
Zack Martin has been a great pick to protect Romo and run block for Murray. BUT, let’s not forget that Ronald Leary has also been huge for this line and the offense as a whole. He ain’t perfect, but he brings a little something to the line. Intangibles are measured in many ways. I believe having a grunt like Leary on the line brings an intangible that rubs off on the entire OL and brings a mentality to hit the other team, keep hitting them, and wear them out until they can’t do anything about it. We will see the fruit of this over the next 6 games.
The trade for Rolando McClain was a risk that has already paid off. When Lee went down I thought we were in trouble. But, McClain has brought intensity to the position which has rubbed off on the other LB’s and has elevated the play of the front seven. Mix in Durant’s play up until his injury, Carter’s playmaking (although inconsistent), and the progression of Hitchens and Wilber, and I would say our LB play has been solid thus far. With time to heal and develop the youngins, we should see even better play down the stretch.
The development of the DL has truly been a process, to say the least. Injuries and issues slowed the process initially. But, it may be a blessing in disguise. Because of injuries, Tyrone Crawford slid over to the 3 technique. He was consistently collapsing the pocket. Once he returns, he should continue to do the same. Slowly, the pieces have been added in with each slowly progressing, but getting stronger and better over time. First getting Melton back, then adding in Terrell McClain, then getting Spencer back and getting Lawrence back, to potentially adding Brent to the mix here shortly. Each and every addition is a strengthening of a DL that was holding it’s own initially. We can now rotate Spencer, Selvie, Mincey, Lawrence, T. Crawford, Melton, Hayden, T. McClain, Brent into the games. That is nine pressure players who can continuously come in, be fresh, and pursue. Dealing with adversity, as Coach Garrett would say, and succeeding has now put the defense in position to hand out adversity.
Main Point:
This team is now in good position to compete and make some noise in the NFL. The offense is filled with playmakers. The OL is in position to ensure the playmakers can make plays. The run game should be able to run down hill when it is needed most. That ball control allows the defense to be fresh. The defense is getting stronger and better. The schedule is set up for the team to be fresh and prepared for each contest down the stretch.
There has not been an opportunity for the Dallas Cowboys like this in a long time. It is my hope they do it. Carpe Diem.
Enjoy the Bye week. As many on here posted in 2009 on this board: BELIEVE!!!
I've been waiting for a 'believe' thread. Good post.
