CFZ Thoughts about 2nd half, this week and other notes

[Cowboyny]

I old school and don’t care for the antics OBJ brings with him. That said, he would definitely provide something this offense doesn’t have. But I would not bring him in simply because he’s the WR version of Tyron Smith. You potentially irreparably upset team chemistry with the distinct likelihood that your back where you are now because he can’t stay healthy.

He could be the Tony Pollard version for our wide receiver group. Of coarse, the Cowboys need to see how healthy he is and if they see any issues moving forward.

 

[baltcowboy]

I watched both NY games, Bucs/Patriots, they really struggle throwing the football, especially down field. It's all about stopping their run game and short passes. Their defense has a lot of quality players, but they have played poorly throughout the year, especially against the run.

Yeah, this game will be about our offense. If we can move the ball and control the clock for once we can win the game going away. Rodgers has no trust in his receivers.

 

[Bobhaze]

I'm in the minority, but I don't think we need OBJ. If we're gonna have balance and run a ball control offense, he's overkill. One of the things that keeps Parsons and the D dominant is long sustained drives by the offense that use the clock. That might not be exciting and put up lots of stats and points, but it wins. It doesn't matter how good a defense is, if they're on the field too much they'll get worn out.

I’m with you on OBJ. He’s 30 coming off not one but two major knee injuries in recent years. His most recent knee injury happened last February. It’s only been a little over 8 months since his surgery. Is he ready? I have serious doubts.

We don’t have a great WR unit but I think it’s enough. Gallup is getting better as he continues to recover from his knee injury, James Washington is due back soon, and Noah Brown is a decent third receiver. If Lamb can step it up some too, I don’t think we even need OBJ. I think it’s more fan perception than actual need.

 

[75boyz]

So many different variables to consider in hopes for postseason success.
My desire is that they just be playing their best ball heading into the playoffs.

And at the minimum,
A championship game appearance.

One and done AGAIN should be unacceptable to everyone.

 

[Cowboyny]

- Fields and da Bears 278 rushing yds wasn’t an aberration, what was a strength with them.. was already a weakness with us. as several teams had already rushed for over or near 100 yards rushing .
before the Bears game ... But are we looking for an excuse to dismiss our poor run defense ?

- We cannot continue to be so " rah-rah " Cowboys fans biased that we want to cover up and be " content" with what's been a long time major weakness – and ironically one that
has saw us ousted outta playoffs twice because so.

- While this is a turnover oriented “ downhill “ defense with INT ball hawks, hybrid sub packages – it’s not gonna be resistant vs Eagles, Bears, Vikes, Seattle or Niners vs the run should
we have to face them in playoffs, imo.

- We talk about being more "physical " and bigger 1 techs - but yet we're still getting "out-physical'. Let those non-run stopping teams handle their own problems, while we need to
handle our own problems- and again a long time

- In terms of vs the run .. i still feel it's too Marinelli- like ..." Only focus on stopping the run, on the way to the QB " .....

I am not giving a pass to the Cowboys, just saying the Bears are an excellent rushing team over the last month of the season. Not just the Cowboys, but I have seen some other top teams struggle defending the run. Certainly, Hankins will help with the interior runs, but they need to play more disiplined on the outside. Hopefully, Clark rotating in could also help the linebacker group.

 

[Cowboyny]

Yeah, this game will be about our offense. If we can move the ball and control the clock for once we can win the game going away. Rodgers has no trust in his receivers.

Force them to play keep up and get away from running the football. Sounds crazy with Rodgers, but they really have struggled throwing the football this yr. Think their OL also has issues pass blocking.

 

[Acceptablename]

I don’t agree with this, these next 2 games will tell us nothing. Green Bay is a dumsterfire and the Vikings are overrated and lucky they don’t have more loses. I don’t want to go head to head with powerhouse teams and find out we should have signed OBJ. He will cost us nothing in the end if he is a bust,

Disagree but so what. The Vickie’s are a good team but certainly beatable.

 

[Cowboyny]

Thanks for Sharing …

It is still indeed a “must win “, because we’re still behind the NFC East leading Eagles by two games .. a non-division win it all means a wild card berth, and an unlikely playoff home field advantage.

- If Packers RB Aaron Jones is out per injury, that helps our cause. He’s slaughtered our defense last meeting.
Now it comes down to RB Dillion, but the way we are Not stopping the run, who knows ..?

- 2nd half season, I’m still very concerned with the poor run defense, Hankins hopefully helps, but it’s not boxing and a one man gang sport. It’s a collective team effort. How sad is It that improvement hope for a better defense relies on a rookie only activated last week to help our LB situation ?
LVE is a liability vs run, decent in space but physically vs run ...Barr hasn’t a factor even before his hamstring injury. And team apparently does not like Cox (expect him to be gone next year)
And the team is playing Parson more at rush end than off ball LB. - Highly expect LB to be draft high priority next spring.

Rodgers cannot score points. And his confidence seems lower and down as i've seen him. Has he already " checked out" for the season ?
He has a suspect WR unit that he is still not comfortable with, he doesn't not get protection, and Packers don’t make run game enuff to compensate lack of passing.
They don't geared their run game to that level. But EVERYONE gets fired up and revved up to face " America's Team " ..!!

-Packers were at their best running the football against the Bills.
-I don't see a big off the ball linebacker need next season, Clark is penciled in to take over the MLB role, they will probably need another veteran, but the Cowboys use their backers more like 3-4 linebackers inside, not hard to fill. Let's also not forget about Cox and Harper they drafted this season, either.

 

[quickccc]

-Packers were at their best running the football against the Bills.
-I don't see a big off the ball linebacker need next season, Clark is penciled in to take over the MLB role, they will probably need another veteran, but the Cowboys use their backers more like 3-4 linebackers inside, not hard to fill. Let's also not forget about Cox and Harper they drafted this season, either.

- Cox is forgettable .. The Cowboys themselves have even forgotten about him .. He's been inactive gameday on regular basis, or barely in on special teams ,if that.

- You have rookie Clarke in the making, and how likely are we gonna go with LVE and Barr (again) next year ?

- and rookie Harper who now has to fight back from an achilles heel injury that has him IR, and he was a mere special teams guy.

- And do we think McClay is gonna bypass the better LB prospects in the NFL draft for the sake of Cox, Gifford and Harper ?

 

[quickccc]

I am not giving a pass to the Cowboys, just saying the Bears are an excellent rushing team over the last month of the season.
Not just the Cowboys, but I have seen some other top teams struggle defending the run. Certainly, Hankins will help with the interior runs, but they need to play more disiplined on the outside.
Hopefully, Clark rotating in could also help the linebacker group.

- What if we have to play the Bears again in the playoffs ..?
- What if we have to play the Niners and their Shanahan-McCaffrey- Deebo team ? .... " Well Deebo seem to do that to everybody " ?
what are we gonna do and prove differently vs their run game ?

- It's about what your team, your coaches can scheme around your players to successfully compete against such threats.

- Vic Fangio successfully devised a blueprint zone- heavy shell to offset Dak's quick huddle and hot blitz-dependent game by heavily zoning us to a slow.

" Wild cat, ..RPO's ... Greatest Show on Turf .. Belichek vs Jared Goff .. Fangio vs Dak/Kellen.... Cincy vs Mahomes." .someone, some team is gonna blueprint and devise until someone
proves they can counter-scheme.
It's called competition and it's called chess, .not checkers ..

- How some other NFL failed to deal with that threat- that's on them. We need to devise and act on what gives us the best chance to compete... our own behalf.

 

[Cowboyny]

- Cox is forgettable .. The Cowboys themselves have even forgotten about him .. He's been inactive gameday on regular basis, or barely in on special teams ,if that.

- You have rookie Clarke in the making, and how likely are we gonna go with LVE and Barr (again) next year ?

- and rookie Harper who now has to fight back from an achilles heel injury that has him IR, and he was a mere special teams guy.

- And do we think McClay is gonna bypass the better LB prospects in the NFL draft for the sake of Cox, Gifford and Harper ?

Cox is inactive due to numbers at the position, some feel he could be best in that Kearse role. Harper off major injury, probably has little expectation for next season. I think they certainly will add a veteran and perhaps add another through the draft, but I don't think it's going to be high priority. They have plenty of nickel players, just need that base/run backer. Those type of players can be found after day 1.

 

[TequilaCowboy]

I'm in the minority, but I don't think we need OBJ. If we're gonna have balance and run a ball control offense, he's overkill. One of the things that keeps Parsons and the D dominant is long sustained drives by the offense that use the clock. That might not be exciting and put up lots of stats and points, but it wins. It doesn't matter how good a defense is, if they're on the field too much they'll get worn out.

I don't think you're in the minority....just that those longing for OBJ are so vocal about it. I agree OBJ is not needed and is not gonna make the offense any better. KM using his current receivers smarter and calling plays to get them open as well as utilizing Turpin and Pollard in spots will make it better. Including the TEs he has. I agree that Dallas needs to be a balanced offense too. Dak is not gonna carry the team, the defense is.

 

[Cowboyny]

- What if we have to play the Bears again in the playoffs ..?
- What if we have to play the Niners and their Shanahan-McCaffrey- Deebo team ? .... " Well Deebo seem to do that to everybody " ?
what are we gonna do and prove differently vs their run game ?

- It's about what your team, your coaches can scheme around your players to successfully compete against such threats.

- Vic Fangio successfully devised a blueprint zone- heavy shell to offset Dak's quick huddle and hot blitz-dependent game by heavily zoning us to a slow.

" Wild cat, ..RPO's ... Greatest Show on Turf .. Belichek vs Jared Goff .. Fangio vs Dak/Kellen.... Cincy vs Mahomes." .someone, some team is gonna blueprint and devise until someone
proves they can counter-scheme.
It's called competition and it's called chess, .not checkers ..

- How some other NFL failed to deal with that threat- that's on them. We need to devise and act on what gives us the best chance to compete... our own behalf.

There is no doubt they have to improve their run defense. We saw DLaw have major struggles setting the edge against Fields, but did see Kearse do a real good job. DLaw to his credit mentioned he played poorly and will be worked on that weakness he showed. Defending the RPO is going to be very important as we are going to need to hold up against teams we may face.

As for the straight running plays, the addition of Haskins should greatly help the interior, be able to have the linebackers play more clean, but they must do a better job with their gap assignments. In my opinion, biggest issue this season has been outside runs. We got killed against Tampa, both Washington, Detroit did the same. The Defensive End's must play containment better.

Last yr, teams had tremendous success in the 2nd half of the season playing deep coverage against the Cowboys. They dared them to run the football in light boxes and just couldn't do it have any success or stay away from the big penalties. Now with a good ground attack, we force teams to get out of those deep shells and bring more men down inside the box. If you add a player like Beckman, teams with have to play pick your poison. The key is balance, where Dak can effectively use play action.

 

[jrumann59]

I am not saying we "need" him but i think he is a piece that will help put us over the top (Alone w/ Suh).
1. he helps our passing game
2. he can't hurt us, we won't have to play against him.
3, CD, OBJ, and Gallop - you can't stack the box to defend the run game.

4. Suh - just me wanting another run stuffing DT on the team.

With other teams having leaky run defenses you have to wonder why no one has brought him in, it is almost like he is an after thought.

 

[cnuball21]

- Cox is forgettable .. The Cowboys themselves have even forgotten about him .. He's been inactive gameday on regular basis, or barely in on special teams ,if that.

- You have rookie Clarke in the making, and how likely are we gonna go with LVE and Barr (again) next year ?

- and rookie Harper who now has to fight back from an achilles heel injury that has him IR, and he was a mere special teams guy.

- And do we think McClay is gonna bypass the better LB prospects in the NFL draft for the sake of Cox, Gifford and Harper ?

Yea I see LBr as a big need if we’re not going to let Parsons actually play there in base downs.

Clark is coming off a big injury and we have no idea what we have in him yet.

 

[quickccc]

Cox is inactive due to numbers at the position, some feel he could be best in that Kearse role. Harper off major injury, probably has little expectation for next season. I think they certainly will add a veteran and perhaps add another through the draft, but I don't think it's going to be high priority. They have plenty of nickel players, just need that base/run backer. Those type of players can be found after day 1.

LVE, Barr, Clarke and special teams Gifford is a " numbers game" ?
And remember Cox was phased out before Clarke was made active.

- Cox is inactive, because the team does not think much of him. If he was any kind of player that they envisioned as a 2nd rd grade, that they got in 4th rd, he'd be in there game active and competiting.
If he were any kind of special teams demon, he'd probably would have been made active.

- At the start of the season, they even had rookie Harper game active, while Cox was inactive, until Harper had his bouts with injuries.

- They've asked Bobby Belt why no Jabrail Cox, and Bobby suggested that they may not like his run defense or the way he is handling assignments.

- Once we're one year rental done with Barr, (and LVE) Stephen Moneyball will hunt out another bargain vet LB, ..while McClay tries to go at it again with the LBs, in the NFL draft.

 

[big dog cowboy]

We don’t have a great WR unit but I think it’s enough. Gallup is getting better as he continues to recover from his knee injury, James Washington is due back soon, and Noah Brown is a decent third receiver. If Lamb can step it up some too, I don’t think we even need OBJ. I think it’s more fan perception than actual need.

Don't forget we have 4 legit TE's. So there are plenty of targets for Dak.

 

[charron]

That's a fair take, but he ain't coming cheap. I don't see him taking a one year prove it deal. We've already paid big money on Gallup, and Lamb is coming up for a 2nd contract soon. Plus, how's he going to feel about not being used a lot?

Winning cures most ego issues. If they sign him and lose that's when he might be upset for not being used or if he gets open but doesn't get the ball but that is most skill positions when you believe in yourself.

 

[CowboyRoy]

-This week is not a so called must win, but it really would hurt their chances for the division. GB is a mash unit, on a long losing streak and about to pack it in for the season.

-After the following week at Minnesota, the Cowboys have finished all their NFC games outside the division and get to face the AFC South. Outside of maybe the Titans, they need to win these contests as they will be favored in every one.

-Many here are saying OBJ is a locker room cancer. I got to see his entire career as a Giant, he much more like Dez then he is like TO. Very passionate and allows his emotions to get the best of him at times, but he is a gamer and gives it his best every week. If the Cowboys have the opportunity to sign him, he could potentially take this offense to championship level. This wide receiving group needs that alpha, which they don't currently have and Amari Cooper never was.

-Justin Fields and the Bears rushing attack is legitimate. They did it again, rushed for over 250 yards. Many will complain about the Cowboys inability to stop them on the ground, but they are doing it to everyone they face over the last month.

-Looking around the league, many teams are struggling stopping the run. I watched the Bills defense yesterday and they are suppose to be the best, Jets ran 7 straight run plays and they couldn't stop the bleeding. Fully aware one of their good linebacker was out, but that cannot happen. I believe teams have been built to stop the pass and the good run teams are taking advantage. Why have the Bucs, Rams struggled this year? Cause they cannot run the football with any consistency.

Forget the division, its no important. Eagles schedule is too easy, its probably not going to happen.