Things we learned about the Cowboys in 2024

[Mikexike]

I've learned that the problem with this team is ROOTED in the front office.

 

[Bobhaze]

Red Zone

For the season, the Cowboys have scored touchdowns on 47.5% of their redzone trips, good for 28th in the league. Over the last three games however, that number is up to 58.3%, which is 14th in the NFL amongst the rest of the field in that time span. I think the biggest reason for that is that the Cowboys have finally established a run game that defenses have to focus attention to.

Rico Dowdle has only scored one rushing touchdown this season, but the threat of him being able to break open an explosive play has lead defenses to leave one or two extra defenders in the box, opening things up for Dallas' receivers to get their touchdowns as showcased against the Panthers. Aside from the obvious of scoring at a higher clip, the Cowboys can do better by continuing to lean on that run game and get Dowdle into the endzone a few more times too.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/mailbag-has-red-zone-offense-improved

Starting Sunday night we all will see just how improved the whole team, including staff, just really have progressed into the present.

It also helps that our last two wins are against arguably the two worst teams in the NFL. That always helps execution.

 

[CCBoy]

It also helps that our last two wins are against arguably the two worst teams in the NFL. That always helps execution.

They scored and with unit improvements. Hardened by fire.

 

[CCBoy]

DEFENSIVE LINE​

Besides to Rico Dowdle breaking out, the next big thing on this Cowboys roster that has really impressed as the season has progressed is the Cowboys defensive line. Osa Odighizuwa has played so well recently he may have priced himself out of Dallas’ price range to return next season. His 51 total pressures ranks third-most among defensive tackles this year and his pass rush win rate of 15.1% ranks ninth.

Micah Parsons, even though missing four games this year, ranks fifth in total pressures among defenders and fourth in sacks. It’s an outstanding performance and it’s been overlooked thanks to talk about him being traded. Chauncey Golston has looked strong these past few weeks and also Marshawn Kneeland picking up the loose ball last week was good to see. The Cowboys in the last three weeks have generated the most sacks and allowed the fifth-fewest rushing yards against them, all showing the arrow is firmly pointed up for this defensive line.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...se-micah-parsons-osa-odighizuwa-lavonte-david

Osa and Lawrence are both must resign.

 

[CCBoy]

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line has allowed the 11th-fewest rush yards against them this year but in the last three weeks they allowed only 67 rush yards per game, that’s insane efficiency. In terms of pass rush, Tampa ranks 11th in total sacks this year and have totaled 133 pressures, which is less than Dallas but still ranks the sixth-most. But this defensive line in the last three games has generated the sixth-fewest sacks showing it’s slowing down slightly. Defensive tackles Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey both lead the team with six sacks, that ranks 39th among defenders. Logan Hall is the team’s best edge defender with four sacks.

With more sacks and pressures this Cowboys defensive line wins against the pass. But they falter in terms of defending run (although it’s looking improved lately). These lines are split.
Win: Push
https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...se-micah-parsons-osa-odighizuwa-lavonte-david

 

[CCBoy]

The Cowboys are lucky to have Jourdan Lewis as he’s been the steady ship on what was a rocky ocean for the Cowboys defense early in the season. The front office, for all its faults when it comes to contract negotiations, actually made a smart move with Lewis and managed to keep him on the cheap.

Trevon Diggs’ news before the game stated he would be out for around eight months, that makes him ready to return as training camp looms on the horizon. Last week, DaRon Bland allowed zero catches and had a 39.6 passer rating allowed when targeted.

Game sight set:

The Cowboys secondary has managed to keep going and step up with injuries recently. Many players on this Cowboys roster have been lost this season and the secondary is one position that got the injury bug badly. For the Bucs, the same can be said but their statistics speak for themselves. Cowboys have allowed less passing yards and touchdowns.
Win: Cowboys

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...se-micah-parsons-osa-odighizuwa-lavonte-david

Now Red zone Dallas...

 

[MoistMayonnaise]

I learned that Jerrah and his mom loved eating squirrel brains. Now his brain is operating like one. I am going to get him some nuts for Christmas.

Deez nutz?

 

[CCBoy]

This will be the key for Parsons and Dallas D.

3. MAYFIELD ON THE MOVE​

You might be surprised that Baker Mayfield is one of this year’s top-performing quarterbacks. He is fourth in passing yards with 3,617, third in touchdown passes with 32, and third with a 70.8 completion percentage. He is one of the reasons that the Bucs offense ranks fourth in the league in points scored this season.

While Mayfield’s arm does most of the damage, he can perform improv at times. Mayfield does a great job of keeping the play alive as he quickly bails out of the pocket when it starts to collapse. He is not afraid to run as this 29-year-old QB channels his Oklahoma days and takes off. The Cowboys have been really good at “almost” sacking the quarterback this year, and if they don’t get him down on first contact, it could result in a big play for Tampa Bay.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...irving-rico-dowdle-baker-mayfield-cooper-rush

Tampa Bay spent a third-round pick on wide receiver Jalen McMillan despite already having one of the best 1-2 WR punches in the game in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Of course, those guys have been around a while so trying to go younger isn’t a bad idea. For most of the year, McMillian has been an afterthought with the veterans consuming all the targets. Unfortunately for the Bucs, both their star receivers went down with injuries midway through the season, and suddenly the rookie was thrown into the lead role where he was pretty much a non-factor.

Evans has returned these last few weeks and picked up right where he left off, but it has also put McMillan in the WR2 role, where he’s starting to heat up. He is coming off back-to-back career-best games, scoring three touchdowns in his last two games. The Cowboys cornerback group has been hit hard with injuries so while all eyes will be on stopping Evans, they’ll want to make sure the rookie McMillan doesn’t get loose in the secondary.

 

[Brax]

Every year at the end of December, it can be a good practice to reflect on what you learned this past 365 days. It’s even more fun when reflecting on what we learned about the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. (Although some of it we’ve probably known for years!)

So here’s my list of the things we learned about the Cowboys in 2024, in no particular order of importance:

• In January, 2024, we learned courtesy of the packers that the 2023 version of the Cowboys were not as good as we thought.
• We learned that Jerry and Stephen Jones think Cowboys fans are stupid. Their absolutely false explanation (over and over) of “why we can’t afford any free agents” was so full of lies, it was almost comedic.
• We learned that DeMarvion Overshown is the real deal. If he can ever get healthy and stay healthy, we have a defensive star.
• We learned that Brandon Aubrey is clearly the best and most consistent player we have.
• We learned Rico Dowdle is way better than Zeke Elliott, although our GM apparently hasn‘t seen that yet. (Almost any RB in the NFL at this point is significantly better than Zeke)
• We learned that second year TE Luke Schoonmaker does indeed have a pulse.
• We have been reminded again in 2024 that the Cowboys can beat bad teams but not so much the good ones.
• We were reminded again after another bad sunlight moment that cost us a TD that Jerry Jones cares way more stadium aesthetics than he does about giving his team the best chance to win.

There are more for sure. So what did you learn about the Cowboys in 2024?

We learned that they aren’t floating around the rim, somebody flushed them down the toilet

 

[DasTex]

We learned that Dak is a broken player (no mobility or fluidness in his game) and they just signed him to a ridiculous contract.
We learned that Diggs got paid and has pretty much cashed it in - no heart when he plays and didn't do what he needed to during rehab.
We learned that we still hate 4th round picks and love to waste them on players no one else wants.

 

[CCBoy]

We learned that they aren’t floating around the rim, somebody flushed them down the toilet

Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass appear to be starting quality offensive lineman capable of taking over key roles in 2025. If Dallas loses Zack Martin over the offseason and wants to move Tyler Smith outside to left tackle, the two UDFAs give them that flexibility.

Brevyn Spann-Ford has been an impressive blocking tight end for the Cowboys in Year 1. He’s someone who can easily be plugged into a TE rotation for 2025 and beyond. Rico Dowdle has exploded onto the scene this season and currently leads all NFL running backs in success rate. As a pending free agent, he may not be the starting running back in Dallas next year, but he’ll probably be a starter somewhere.

Hunter Luepke, Jalen Brooks, and KaVontae Tupin are all UDFAs who have performed above and beyond for the Cowboys this season. They are worthy of expanded roles and are capable of being everyday contributors on a healthy roster.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2024/12/18/cowboys-offense-undrafted-free-agent-treasures/

 

[CCBoy]

We learned that Dak is a broken player (no mobility or fluidness in his game) and they just signed him to a ridiculous contract.
We learned that Diggs got paid and has pretty much cashed it in - no heart when he plays and didn't do what he needed to during rehab.
We learned that we still hate 4th round picks and love to waste them on players no one else wants.

See a qualified Optomist or learn developmental analysis.

 

[CCBoy]

We learned that they aren’t floating around the rim, somebody flushed them down the toilet

By chance, have any crap to unload?

 

[Brax]

Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass appear to be starting quality offensive lineman capable of taking over key roles in 2025. If Dallas loses Zack Martin over the offseason and wants to move Tyler Smith outside to left tackle, the two UDFAs give them that flexibility.

Brevyn Spann-Ford has been an impressive blocking tight end for the Cowboys in Year 1. He’s someone who can easily be plugged into a TE rotation for 2025 and beyond. Rico Dowdle has exploded onto the scene this season and currently leads all NFL running backs in success rate. As a pending free agent, he may not be the starting running back in Dallas next year, but he’ll probably be a starter somewhere.

Hunter Luepke, Jalen Brooks, and KaVontae Tupin are all UDFAs who have performed above and beyond for the Cowboys this season. They are worthy of expanded roles and are capable of being everyday contributors on a healthy roster.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2024/12/18/cowboys-offense-undrafted-free-agent-treasures/

That sound you hear when the good teams come in is the turds going down the drain

 

[CCBoy]

Before suffering a season ending injury, journeyman cornerback Josh Butler shined as bright as anyone in a surprise starting role. He looks more than capable of being a top four CB for the Cowboys in the future. Safeties Marquese Bell and Juanyeh Thomas also look like decent options to lean on should Dallas opt to go a different direction at the safety position next season.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2024/12/18/cowboys-offense-undrafted-free-agent-treasures/

 

[pancakeman]

We learned that when your O-line isn't producing, sometimes it's the stellar old guy instead of (or in addition to) the inexperienced youngins.

 

[CCBoy]

In the next draft, just give me this player:

Round 1 Pick 14 Ashton Jeanty RB (Boise State)​

Ashton Jeanty fell out of the top 10 in this mock draft, but the value at 14 was too good to pass up.

Pairing Jeanty with Rico Dowdle would create one of the best running-back duos in the NFL and give Dak Prescott and the offense an element they haven’t had in several years.

Jeanty’s film study reveals a generational talent with a skill set that redefines traditional running back archetypes.

https://insidethestar.com/a-win-and-a-dallas-cowboys-7-round-mock-draft

 

[gimmesix]

In January, 2024, we learned courtesy of the packers that the 2023 version of the Cowboys were not as good as we thought.

That's because Cowboys fans buy in every year where we do well in the regular season that it's going to be our year, when it hasn't been our year since 1995. And the main reason for that owns the team.

 

[gimmesix]

In the next draft, just give me this player:

Round 1 Pick 14 Ashton Jeanty RB (Boise State)​

Ashton Jeanty fell out of the top 10 in this mock draft, but the value at 14 was too good to pass up.

Pairing Jeanty with Rico Dowdle would create one of the best running-back duos in the NFL and give Dak Prescott and the offense an element they haven’t had in several years.

Jeanty’s film study reveals a generational talent with a skill set that redefines traditional running back archetypes.

https://insidethestar.com/a-win-and-a-dallas-cowboys-7-round-mock-draft

Although I badly want a game-changing DT, there might not be one there when we pick, so I wouldn't have a problem with Jeanty or the top WR available.

 

[rambo2]

Parsons is a great talent for sure. But unlike Brandon Aubrey, Parsons doesn’t always show up in the biggest games.

Parsons is one of the best players in the league.