This Season has NOT been a success

[rcaldw]

I'm sorry, but I cringe when I see a thread that says this has been a successful season, and we may not even be in the playoffs!! Good night, what has happened to us Cowboys fans?!

Ok, I could see us being encouraged by a winning but non-playoff year during the 89-90 seasons because we were 1-15, then 7-9, even though we almost made the playoffs in 90. Our QB was a kid, our running back was a kid, our top WR was a kid, our overall team age was the youngest in the NFL. We had YEARS ahead of us with top skill position players.

We are where we are today precisely because Jones and Parcells have PATCHED the skill positions with the exception of running back. But we have an older QB who is way overrated by some zoners, he is serviceable to good, he is not a pro bowler. We have old WR's with no good young one on the horizon. I also love our TE Witten, so I would say he is a piece in place. Our OL is nothing to write home about.

In other words, this was a team that didn't rebuild, nor did it construct itself to win this year. This is a team destined to be exactly what it is for the next few years, then we are back to square one.

 

[Sarge]

Success is in the eye of the beholder. It is a matter of opinion. Opinions, by nature, can't be wrong.............especially mine.

 

[TheHustler]

Agree. We've improved, but if we're not playing in January, it hasn't been a success.

 

[MapleLeaf]

I'm sorry, but I cringe when I see a thread that says this has been a successful season, and we may not even be in the playoffs!! Good night, what has happened to us Cowboys fans?!

Ok, I could see us being encouraged by a winning but non-playoff year during the 89-90 seasons because we were 1-15, then 7-9, even though we almost made the playoffs in 90. Our QB was a kid, our running back was a kid, our top WR was a kid, our overall team age was the youngest in the NFL. We had YEARS ahead of us with top skill position players.

We are where we are today precisely because Jones and Parcells have PATCHED the skill positions with the exception of running back. But we have an older QB who is way overrated by some zoners, he is serviceable to good, he is not a pro bowler. We have old WR's with no good young one on the horizon. I also love our TE Witten, so I would say he is a piece in place. Our OL is nothing to write home about.

In other words, this was a team that didn't rebuild, nor did it construct itself to win this year. This is a team destined to be exactly what it is for the next few years, then we are back to square one.

...a few years ago we had the "poodle" leading this team as a coach and Parcells was being courted in a plane.

We could not realistically be called an average NFL team. We were one of the worst - Bengals territory here. All we talked about was the next draft.

Now people from mediots to fans actually talk about the Cowboys in the same sense as us being a competitive team.

We are not the team that shuttled between Carter and Hutch three years ago in camp and had ballet slipper Hambrick running the ball.

 

[Cbz40]

...a few years ago we had the "poodle" leading this team as a coach and Parcells was being courted in a plane.

We could not realistically be called an average NFL team. We were one of the worst - Bengals territory here. All we talked about was the next draft.

Now people from mediots to fans actually talk about the Cowboys in the same sense as us being a competitive team.

We are not the team that shuttled between Carter and Hutch three years ago in camp and had ballet slipper Hambrick running the ball.

Being a charter member of the knee jerk club........I totally agree......Excellent post.

 

[superpunk]

Hmmm.....three consecutive 5-11 seasons, interrupted by an abberation, followed by 6-10. I think that might have something to do with considering a chance at 10-6 a success.

Unlike 2003, you really get the sense that this is just the beginning, not some fluke resulting from a pitifully easy schedule, and a defense playing well above it's actual talent level. This year, you can see the pieces in place for the future, and it looks bright. Noone in their right mind thought this team could possibly best 10-6 this year, with all the new peices, and the new defense, and the really tough schedule. But, it has shown flashes of brilliance, and come through in adversity. They've had some real tough breaks (kickers...) and kept plugging. They know they're just getting started. That is why it is a success. Because it is a sign of future success.

 

[wileedog]

In other words, this was a team that didn't rebuild, nor did it construct itself to win this year. This is a team destined to be exactly what it is for the next few years, then we are back to square one.

Outside of QB and WR we are one of the youngest teams in the league.

At WR Crayton should be able to adequetely replace Keyshawn this year or next. So if we pick up another WR in the draft we are set there.

As for the O-line, we tried to address it with youth but missed on Rogers and maybe Peterman. I'm sure more draft attention will be paid to it this year.

QB I'm not going to get into, there's enough threads on that.

The defense is young and will get much better next year. While we will probably lose guys like Glover and Ellis in the next couple of seasons, we have good talent behind them ready to take over. Our secondary is still young and Reeves is starting to look like he can probably replace the only old guy back there, Glenn. Just need to add a real FS.

I fail to see how you can look at this team and think we will be back to 2002 level anytime soon.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

I'm sorry, but I cringe when I see a thread that says this has been a successful season, and we may not even be in the playoffs!! Good night, what has happened to us Cowboys fans?!

Ok, I could see us being encouraged by a winning but non-playoff year during the 89-90 seasons because we were 1-15, then 7-9, even though we almost made the playoffs in 90. Our QB was a kid, our running back was a kid, our top WR was a kid, our overall team age was the youngest in the NFL. We had YEARS ahead of us with top skill position players.

We are where we are today precisely because Jones and Parcells have PATCHED the skill positions with the exception of running back. But we have an older QB who is way overrated by some zoners, he is serviceable to good, he is not a pro bowler. We have old WR's with no good young one on the horizon. I also love our TE Witten, so I would say he is a piece in place. Our OL is nothing to write home about.

In other words, this was a team that didn't rebuild, nor did it construct itself to win this year. This is a team destined to be exactly what it is for the next few years, then we are back to square one.

All while staying in a very cap friendly situation. Sorry but we are on our way up.

 

[Zman5]

Like Sarge said Success is in the eye of the beer holder. Drink more beer and you'll think this season was a success..

Kidding aside, I think some people would say unless we win the SB the season would be a failed one and you'll also have people who would say going abov .500 would be a sucessful season.

 

[TunaFan33]

This is actually a pretty complicated question.

Yes-unlike the Campo years, we've played competitively all year(sans @Skins). And yes, having a 10 win season this year exceeded alot of our expectations. Didn't think either we would win this many(8-8 was my guess).

However-we DID have a GOLDMINE of opportunities to win alot of these games. A missed FG there, a bad playcall by Payton there, a blown assignment on a good looking drive there. And yes-this STINGS. If only Bill P had gotten 1 decent OL AND settled the kicking issues in the offseason, we would be running away in this conference.

Overall-would have to give this team a B/B- this year. Hopefully, all these issues will be settled next year.

 

[parcellsguys]

This was a successful season because the Cowboys will have 10 wins when it's all said and done.

As for your reference about the early 90's team. That was a different time in football before free agency came into account. Teams aren't built the way they used to be back in the day and players come and go now.

With that said this team does need a QB and some young WR's. The QB situation in the NFL is never ever ever settled for any team. Look at the Jets who seemed to be set for years to come with Pennington. Now they are trapped in his contract and the world for them is upside down. The young WR or WR's will come in next season's draft. The Oline sucks now, but there are some young guys in place who will hopefully improve over time by putting forth a good effort. Witten, Julius and Crayton are three excellent players that are already in place and have shown brilliance at times.

The defense, well in about three years it will be the best in the league, hands down! Newman, Henry, Roy, Ware, Spears, James, Burnett and a few others are all great team oriented guys. They will continue to grow as a unit and each player should get better year after year.

The future is very bright for the Dallas Cowboys!

 

[Big D]

My post from another thread:

- new Dline and LB corps with revamped secondary learning a new system
- new qb for 2nd straight season
- no O-line depth
- unbelievably wack special teams unit

Going into the season with these factors and ending up 10-6 with a chance to go into playoffs and being a team noone will want to face is a success to me.

I'll add that we have a nice corps of new talent that will be here for years to come.

Defense:

Williams, Newman, Ware, Spears, Canty

Offense:

Jones, Barber, Witten, Crayton, and Pettiti ..yes, Pettiti. say what you want about his troubles as a rookie but he's gonna be a good one for many years.

 

[Jay9508]

Agree. We've improved, but if we're not playing in January, it hasn't been a success.

thats true

 

[theogt]

Gosh, if the team only played one side of the ball (OFFENSE) then I'd agree with you. The defense saw vast improvements, however, and the future looks bright for that side of the ball. This team is one or two drafts/FAs from being a superbowl prediction, not just a contender.

 

[NicholasD]

The Cowboys went from 6-10 to 9-7/10-6. They had a great draft [An understatement, really.] and consequently have a great, young core of defensive players. Yeah, what a failure.

"Agree. We've improved, but if we're not playing in January, it hasn't been a success."

That's another thing. I realize Cowboys fans have higher standards, but realize that it's a process. The Cowboys are on their way, and patience is a virtue.

 

[Nors]

Look at our schedule!

Seattle, Denver, Giants 2x, Skins 2X, KC, Carolina, San Diego

and for most part we were in all of them....

 

[dougonthebench]

If you win more games than you lose,then it is considered a winning season.Should we have won more games,Absolutely YES!!!!!Woulda,shoulda,coulda,...... I'll take what we have now,unlike the Houston Texans!

 

[rcaldw]

If you win more games than you lose,then it is considered a winning season.Should we have won more games,Absolutely YES!!!!!Woulda,shoulda,coulda,...... I'll take what we have now,unlike the Houston Texans!

This gets to my point exactly. How many years in a row did the Dallas Cowboys make the playoffs at one point? Now we beg for other teams to win so we can get in. And we count THAT a success?

You get what you expect. Ask the Cardinals.

There was a time when Dallas fans expected to win. Winning was a given. Championships were success. And you know what? THAT IS HOW THE NEW ENGLAND patriots think now!

Did they have injuries this year?

But they not only have won their division, they are a real threat to win another championship.

Parcells had this team at 10 wins 2 years ago.

 

[NicholasD]

"This gets to my point exactly. How many years in a row did the Dallas Cowboys make the playoffs at one point? Now we beg for other teams to win so we can get in. And we count THAT a success?"

This isn't the 70's or 90's. The sooner you realize that and get out of that mindset, the happier you'll be. This season was a success.

 

[superpunk]

This gets to my point exactly. How many years in a row did the Dallas Cowboys make the playoffs at one point? Now we beg for other teams to win so we can get in. And we count THAT a success?

You get what you expect. Ask the Cardinals.

There was a time when Dallas fans expected to win. Winning was a given. Championships were success. And you know what? THAT IS HOW THE NEW ENGLAND patriots think now!

Did they have injuries this year?

But they not only have won their division, they are a real threat to win another championship.

Parcells had this team at 10 wins 2 years ago.

So, if we expect a super bowl, they'll win one this year?

Looks like you're one of the people who bought into the hyp of that 2003 team. Listen, making the playoffs, and getting 10 wins that year was the worst thing that could happen. It made JJ and Bill think we were a piece or two away, and we all saw how that went last year. Now, they recognize - truely - what they have, and are working on building a strong team. If 2003 Cowboys had to play this year's schedule, with similar injuries, you could chalk them up for 5-11.