Thoughts/Opinions from last night's win against the Raiders!

[KJJ]

One concern I have in general is the pass rush, even before preseason showings.

We know Micah will get his, and tons of pressure, but D-Law is entering his mid 30's.
Then you got Kneeland who looks good, but hard to say a round 2 rookie can step in and be a pass rushing threat year 1.
Lawson I'm optimistic on, but he couldn't recrack the Jets rotation last year.

Armstrong and Fowler weren't great players, but they did provide good depth and in Armstrongs case he blossomed well for a day 3 pick and getting to the QB.

The loss of Sam Williams isn’t going to help the pass rush. He was going to be utilized a lot this season.

 

[RonnieT24]

And last year TylerB and Steele and others really just weren't up to par in the run game IMHO and somehow somebody on Facebook and I don't know how true, this is says our offensive line was ranked 4th in rushing..hmm

I don't see how that's possible because my eyes saw dudes being pushed in the back feels a lot there was no real push forward and that needed to be fixed and at least for the time being it looks a lot better as far as being physical and guys with a little attitude trying to get pushed and get into the second level it's gonna help the run game there's no way possible that somebody use analytics enough to twist our offensive line into being #4 last year in the league in rushing that's insane..

I don't know how anybody could watch our games and come away with the conclusion that our offensive line was top 5 in anything aside from plays in which the center was pushed into the QB's lap. Pollard and the crew were constantly having to fight off tacklers in the backfield too. But something I should have mentioned above is I really like what Freeman and Vaughan did. My gut tells me the Cowboys figure out a way to keep them both because they both have we can use in the right situation. I am more than a little disappointed in Malik Davis. I watched his entire career at Florida and there was a time when I thought he was a Marshall Faulk clone with his quickness and ability to line up at receiver and catch the ball down the field. His problem was just never being able to stay healthy. I can't tell if the injuries have just caught up with him or he's lost confidence or what because he doesn't look remotely like the same guy now.

 

[blueblood70]

I don't know how anybody could watch our games and come away with the conclusion that our offensive line was top 5 in anything aside from plays in which the center was pushed into the QB's lap. Pollard and the crew were constantly having to fight off tacklers in the backfield too. But something I should have mentioned above is I really like what Freeman and Vaughan did. My gut tells me the Cowboys figure out a way to keep them both because they both have we can use in the right situation. I am more than a little disappointed in Malik Davis. I watched his entire career at Florida and there was a time when I thought he was a Marshall Faulk clone with his quickness and ability to line up at receiver and catch the ball down the field. His problem was just never being able to stay healthy. I can't tell if the injuries have just caught up with him or he's lost confidence or what because he doesn't look remotely like the same guy now.

Well apparently, you can manipulate analytics nowadays to make some crazy rankings... I mean it wasn't a horrible offensive line but it definitely to me was well outside the top five I mean it may have been ranked around 10 or 11 to me...

 

[blueblood70]

I don't know how anybody could watch our games and come away with the conclusion that our offensive line was top 5 in anything aside from plays in which the center was pushed into the QB's lap. Pollard and the crew were constantly having to fight off tacklers in the backfield too. But something I should have mentioned above is I really like what Freeman and Vaughan did. My gut tells me the Cowboys figure out a way to keep them both because they both have we can use in the right situation. I am more than a little disappointed in Malik Davis. I watched his entire career at Florida and there was a time when I thought he was a Marshall Faulk clone with his quickness and ability to line up at receiver and catch the ball down the field. His problem was just never being able to stay healthy. I can't tell if the injuries have just caught up with him or he's lost confidence or what because he doesn't look remotely like the same guy now.

He seems slower and dare I say fatter or is that only safe when people are making up false news on Ezekiel Elliott.. He and Snoop Connor or whatever that kid's name is probably the odd man out right now for sure I'm not even sure I keep loop luebke the fullback because I think you can use zeke as a nontraditional fullback but that's basically what he's gonna be turned into...

 

[RonnieT24]

He seems slower and dare I say fatter or is that only safe when people are making up false news on Ezekiel Elliott.. He and Snoop Connor or whatever that kid's name is probably the odd man out right now for sure I'm not even sure I keep loop luebke the fullback because I think you can use zeke as a nontraditional fullback but that's basically what he's gonna be turned into...

He's definitely slower. When he came up his quickness and explosiveness was almost indistinguishable from Pollard. So much so that it was hard to tell who was totin the rock between the two if you didn't see the number. I never saw him having the same top end that Pollard has but his short area burst was every bit as good and I thought he ran with more power than TP did. Somewhere along the way he has lost both. He's not as quick nor is he as powerful as he was before. That kinda dropoff gets you a plane ticket home in September. I don't know what happened to him but under 2 ypc in the preseason aint gonna win you no roster spot. Especially not when other guys are out there throwin up 6 and 7 ypc games.

As for Zeke.. Moore kinda turned him into a glorified fullback anyway. This might just be a continuation of that "conversion." I see him in the Jerome Bettis with the Steelers kinda role. The power back who gets first downs, finishes off red zone trips and closes out the game. If he gets rollin against a defense then by all means.. hand it to him 20 times... Then give him the following week off to recover! lol!

 

[blueblood70]

He's definitely slower. When he came up his quickness and explosiveness was almost indistinguishable from Pollard. So much so that it was hard to tell who was totin the rock between the two if you didn't see the number. I never saw him having the same top end that Pollard has but his short area burst was every bit as good and I thought he ran with more power than TP did. Somewhere along the way he has lost both. He's not as quick nor is he as powerful as he was before. That kinda dropoff gets you a plane ticket home in September. I don't know what happened to him but under 2 ypc in the preseason aint gonna win you no roster spot. Especially not when other guys are out there throwin up 6 and 7 ypc games.

As for Zeke.. Moore kinda turned him into a glorified fullback anyway. This might just be a continuation of that "conversion." I see him in the Jerome Bettis with the Steelers kinda role. The power back who gets first downs, finishes off red zone trips and closes out the game. If he gets rollin against a defense then by all means.. hand it to him 20 times... Then give him the following week off to recover! lol!

on point

 

[baltcowboy]

Rush isn't a starting QB, but he is a very capable backup. Every backup will eventually get exposed if they have to play an extended period of time. Rush has proven he has the ability to win games in spot duty, which is exactly what you want with your backup.

Rush is the classic coaches backup. He makes the right reads and makes no mistakes. I would resign Dak and offer Lance a two year extension to develop in our system. I wouldn’t offer too much money but it would be an opportunity for him to learn and develop. The kid would be 27 years old when the contract is up and then he can decide what to do. It’s a shame that the NFL has limited these quarterbacks development. I get it, Lance could not turn down the money but for his development, he should transferred to a better school.

 

[Cowboyny]

You said it already they played their starters almost 3 QTRS where we're playing their starting offensive line against our third string defensive line and you're worried about the pass rush..

I agree with most of that that you said,

but you're worried about too much, Lawson hasn't even got here yet, we're not playing any type of game planning and scheming at all, this is all vanilla and we have a rookie on one side and I don't even know who's on the other side you said Mohammed but they have quite a few holding penalties and mood minus you off his spot quite a few times but yes they're starting offensive line was playing decently against our third string and lot of our fourth string defense..

So, I'm not that worried about it because I know that our starters and our backups we'll be fine and especially with schemes and then they will create pressure off the edges with safeties and linebackers and corner blitzes it's what Mike Zimmer does best is if they need to create they disguise a lot of stuff and bring pressure from everywhere...

Vaughn has more than value he was underutilized last year because he's a lot like Turpin but right now I see a bunch of hammers that they can choose from for the running back by committee they all seem the same to me except for deuce Vaughn so why not have a couple of guys like Rico and obviously Elliott makes this team but then the change of pace guy you can use deuce Vaughn a whole lot like you used Tony Pollard I'm not saying they're the same player but this guy coming off the edge motion even sometimes inside when you bring out Thunder and put in lightning and I know he's not as fast as Turpin but this kid has moves he has wiggle he's different this is what you want you want some disparity in your running backs at times and we have way too many big hammers right now on this team and only one that I see that should get time over keeping another bigger slower guy as one of your running back by committees deuce Vaughn needs to make this team it needs to be part of enough game plans and get enough snaps that he can be effective.

No one's going to convince me just because he's small that he can't make it in the NFL because I watched him play in college his college tape does not lie the man played full time regular running back and special teams at a high level those are not tricks he was not a gimmick player and I'm not saying he should be a starter or get significant snaps but the man should have got a lot more time last year than he got that's my opinion we needed to create something in the run game and he just sat there they used him and cleaned up and dumb areas of the periods of the game and situational football they didn't use him right they didn't use Turpin right they didn't use a lot of players right last year in my opinion and that's squarely on Mike McCarthy since he's the head coach and the offensive coordinator.

Hey maybe I see more in him than others but I think the guy has some thing to offer this team...

Question with Vaughn is his inability to pass protect, must find creative ways to use him.

 

[Cowboyny]

Rush is the classic coaches backup. He makes the right reads and makes no mistakes. I would resign Dak and offer Lance a two year extension to develop in our system. I wouldn’t offer too much money but it would be an opportunity for him to learn and develop. The kid would be 27 years old when the contract is up and then he can decide what to do. It’s a shame that the NFL has limited these quarterbacks development. I get it, Lance could not turn down the money but for his development, he should transferred to a better school.

He needs on field development, opportunity to play. Problem is, he isn't going to get that here, unless injuries happen or the team decides to let Dak walk, which is looking unlikely. A young, rebuilding team would be more ideal for Lance.

 

[Bullflop]

This Dallas Cowboys' Defense will surprise lots of fans who felt they would suffer. I'm greatly excited about their newfound talent.

 

[Bullflop]

He needs on field development, opportunity to play. Problem is, he isn't going to get that here, unless injuries happen or the team decides to let Dak walk, which is looking unlikely. A young, rebuilding team would be more ideal for Lance.

That seems true enough, although, if things keep developing the way some think they might, we might just get to see that happening here.

 

[baltcowboy]

He needs on field development, opportunity to play. Problem is, he isn't going to get that here, unless injuries happen or the team decides to let Dak walk, which is looking unlikely. A young, rebuilding team would be more ideal for Lance.

The problem with Lance going to a rebuilding team is he will need a sponsor like Sam Dornald has had over the years. Maybe Minnesota would have been the best spot for Lance or the Raiders. I wonder if the Raiders are a lock to get one of are quarterbacks the next offseason.

 

[Cowboyny]

That seems true enough, although, if things keep developing the way some think they might, we might just get to see that happening here.

Still a very long way to even consider him a starter on a playoff team

 

[Bullflop]

Still a very long way to even consider him a starter on a playoff team

Yeah, I've been preaching that all along, although, things are beginning to look up with him. He might be retained if he continues to improve. It'll be interesting to see what our FO decides to do with him (or without him.) He's surprised quite a few folks lately.

 

[quickccc]

I agree about Fehoko. I don’t know what Dan Quinn ever saw in him. I sure don’t.

probably the same thought process that Quinn saw of CB Nashon Wright ..a bigger costly bust than even Feheko as it cost us a
3rd rd pick for a guy that many projected as 7th rd to undrafted prospect .

 

[Stash]

probably the same thought process that Quinn saw of CB Nashon Wright ..a bigger costly bust than even Feheko as it cost us a
3rd rd pick for a guy that many projected as 7th rd to undrafted prospect .

True.

But the team was able to trade him for a former 2nd rounder with more years in his rookie contract.

Maybe they ultimately come out ahead on that one?

 

[KMY_Amber]

This Dallas Cowboys' Defense will surprise lots of fans who felt they would suffer. I'm greatly excited about their newfound talent.

That's counting wayyy too many chickens before they hatch. At times, this defense is going to flat-out struggle. The schedule is tough.

a Raiders pre-season game is not a good indicator

 

[quickccc]

True.

But the team was able to trade him for a former 2nd rounder with more years in his rookie contract.

Maybe they ultimately come out ahead on that one?

Much like Kelvin Joseph for Noah Igbinoghene trade swap ..??

i just think about the draft picks package we could've compiled for a far more impact players instead of JAGs (Wright, Chauncey) tha we
spent in 3rd and 4th rounds. e just didn't take advantage of FA compensation departures in Byron Jones ...

 

[blueblood70]

Question with Vaughn is his inability to pass protect, must find creative ways to use him.

Like I said they have too many of the same players I mean I would have to be more clear about that look at all the other running backs they look the same they can't all make the roster because they do the same thing you can't have that many hammers and no nail deuce Vaughn must make this team and along with him and Turpin they need to make this offense more creative because Mike McCarthy failed at that last year big time he had players on this team to make the offense more dynamic and he didn't use them because apparently he'd have time or maybe he didn't have the creativity to get it done.

Other teams know how to disguise a pass play from a run play and keep it from being obvious that deuce is gonna run to a specific spot and he can run up the middle I just wouldn't do it on a regular basis just like Tony wasn't very good up the middle either but occasionally when you hit it right you gotta run them there sometimes and they can get a few yards but you gotta keep the defense honest..

By the way if you're constantly asking and depending on the running backs to block all the time it means your offensive line is skewed and your play calling is suspect.. I get they need to block some but our offensive line can't be so porous like it was the last couple of years that if you're running back can't block all of a sudden the whole offense fails lmao..

I'm just saying I think Vaughn can play the running back position in the NFL if given the chance they drop enough plays for him he's not a gimmick runner I realize he's not a every down NFL back because of his size but what he did in college watching his video it's not smoking mirrors the man was a full time running back with big time production as well as handling the special teams duty and he seemed to come out of it just fine..

So they need to pick the best four and he needs to be one of them because they don't have another option as a change of pace back you cannot again have 4 backs that all do the exact same thing they're not very fast they're not very explosive they're big more short yardage or short distance runners you need a guy like Vaughn and also try to utilize more Turpin and less lamb from your motion and your slot to do things behind the line of scrimmage you need to be more creative you can't do that with four big backs all doing pretty much the same thing.. Like I said I'm not saying he's gonna be a superstar but I'm tired of hearing now he's too small he's not gonna make the team no every time I see him run and then go compare him to college I'm saying this is falling at the feet of a non creative offensive coordinator because if he was on another team they would find a way to make him effective make him a weapon.

 

[Cowboyny]

Like I said they have too many of the same players I mean I would have to be more clear about that look at all the other running backs they look the same they can't all make the roster because they do the same thing you can't have that many hammers and no nail deuce Vaughn must make this team and along with him and Turpin they need to make this offense more creative because Mike McCarthy failed at that last year big time he had players on this team to make the offense more dynamic and he didn't use them because apparently he'd have time or maybe he didn't have the creativity to get it done.

Other teams know how to disguise a pass play from a run play and keep it from being obvious that deuce is gonna run to a specific spot and he can run up the middle I just wouldn't do it on a regular basis just like Tony wasn't very good up the middle either but occasionally when you hit it right you gotta run them there sometimes and they can get a few yards but you gotta keep the defense honest..

By the way if you're constantly asking and depending on the running backs to block all the time it means your offensive line is skewed and your play calling is suspect.. I get they need to block some but our offensive line can't be so porous like it was the last couple of years that if you're running back can't block all of a sudden the whole offense fails lmao..

I'm just saying I think Vaughn can play the running back position in the NFL if given the chance they drop enough plays for him he's not a gimmick runner I realize he's not a every down NFL back because of his size but what he did in college watching his video it's not smoking mirrors the man was a full time running back with big time production as well as handling the special teams duty and he seemed to come out of it just fine..

So they need to pick the best four and he needs to be one of them because they don't have another option as a change of pace back you cannot again have 4 backs that all do the exact same thing they're not very fast they're not very explosive they're big more short yardage or short distance runners you need a guy like Vaughn and also try to utilize more Turpin and less lamb from your motion and your slot to do things behind the line of scrimmage you need to be more creative you can't do that with four big backs all doing pretty much the same thing.. Like I said I'm not saying he's gonna be a superstar but I'm tired of hearing now he's too small he's not gonna make the team no every time I see him run and then go compare him to college I'm saying this is falling at the feet of a non creative offensive coordinator because if he was on another team they would find a way to make him effective make him a weapon.

-I agree he offers something the rest of the group lacks.
-Keep in mind, one big hit away from losing your starting QB, protecting him he the highest priority.
-They cannot tip off their play calling when he is in the game. Must find creative ways to see him.