We Doubled Down

[Hawkeye19]

I get all the hand-wringing over the state of our WR/TE corps, our lack of depth at DT and S, and maintaining the status quo with Garrett/Linehan. I get it. We definitely have flaws.

But-- IMO, the formula that worked for us in 2016 is still very much in play for us in 2018. Run the ball. Limit turnovers. Control the clock. Wear teams out by the 4th quarter and salt the game away.

Sure-- it's not a sexy new offensive system that's gonna light up the scoreboard every week. It's a formula as old as dirt. But it works. I blame the FO for not addressing S and DT, but I have to give them credit for doubling down on what they do really, really well: run the ball and punch teams in the mouth with a nasty OL. Signing Fleming and drafting Williams was brilliant and really set us up to get back to our brand of football this year.

I'm not under a delusion that this is a SB contender, but I think we will be closer in performance to 2016 than 2017 this year. Win some games, establish your identity, get some swagger back-- and who knows? This team is set to peak late-- will be fun to see how the young guys develop.

 

[Doomsday101]

I get all the hand-wringing over the state of our WR/TE corps, our lack of depth at DT and S, and maintaining the status quo with Garrett/Linehan. I get it. We definitely have flaws.

But-- IMO, the formula that worked for us in 2016 is still very much in play for us in 2018. Run the ball. Limit turnovers. Control the clock. Wear teams out by the 4th quarter and salt the game away.

Sure-- it's not a sexy new offensive system that's gonna light up the scoreboard every week. It's a formula as old as dirt. But it works. I blame the FO for not addressing S and DT, but I have to give them credit for doubling down on what they do really, really well: run the ball and punch teams in the mouth with a nasty OL. Signing Fleming and drafting Williams was brilliant and really set us up to get back to our brand of football this year.

I'm not under a delusion that this is a SB contender, but I think we will be closer in performance to 2016 than 2017 this year. Win some games, establish your identity, get some swagger back-- and who knows? This team is set to peak late-- will be fun to see how the young guys develop.

I agree but I still think the passing attack has to be good enough to back defense off the line.

 

[glimmerman]

I get all the hand-wringing over the state of our WR/TE corps, our lack of depth at DT and S, and maintaining the status quo with Garrett/Linehan. I get it. We definitely have flaws.

But-- IMO, the formula that worked for us in 2016 is still very much in play for us in 2018. Run the ball. Limit turnovers. Control the clock. Wear teams out by the 4th quarter and salt the game away.

Sure-- it's not a sexy new offensive system that's gonna light up the scoreboard every week. It's a formula as old as dirt. But it works. I blame the FO for not addressing S and DT, but I have to give them credit for doubling down on what they do really, really well: run the ball and punch teams in the mouth with a nasty OL. Signing Fleming and drafting Williams was brilliant and really set us up to get back to our brand of football this year.

I'm not under a delusion that this is a SB contender, but I think we will be closer in performance to 2016 than 2017 this year. Win some games, establish your identity, get some swagger back-- and who knows? This team is set to peak late-- will be fun to see how the young guys develop.

If our Offense is as successful as 2016. And I bet our Defense is better than 2016. As long as Bailey is back in form then it would be a SB contending team.

 

[OmerV]

I agree but I still think the passing attack has to be good enough to back defense off the line.

This is true, and that's really going to be the key. No question the receiving group looks very different than 2016, and I assume the receivers will be used differently. It's going to be interesting to see how it works out.

 

[Doomsday101]

This is true, and that's really going to be the key. No question the receiving group looks very different than 2016, and I assume the receivers will be used differently. It's going to be interesting to see how it works out.

I understand for some different means worse, for me I like Hurns and feel he will be a big help in this passing game the rookies I think will have their share of ups and downs but I think there is talent there that will develop over the course of the season.

 

[Bobhaze]

I’m encouraged with the young talent we have assembled, especially on defense. I hope we have assembled a collective group of receivers that can upgrade our passing game.

So, yeah there are things to be encouraged about. There is a load of potential on this roster. But potential usually means “they ain’t done it yet.” (credit Darrell Royal) I’m withholding predicting a great season until I see how these new kids on the roster play against NFL level talent.

Hope is good. The evidence on the field is better.

 

[CPanther95]

I get all the hand-wringing over the state of our WR/TE corps, our lack of depth at DT and S, and maintaining the status quo with Garrett/Linehan. I get it. We definitely have flaws.

But-- IMO, the formula that worked for us in 2016 is still very much in play for us in 2018. Run the ball. Limit turnovers. Control the clock. Wear teams out by the 4th quarter and salt the game away.

Sure-- it's not a sexy new offensive system that's gonna light up the scoreboard every week. It's a formula as old as dirt. But it works. I blame the FO for not addressing S and DT, but I have to give them credit for doubling down on what they do really, really well: run the ball and punch teams in the mouth with a nasty OL. Signing Fleming and drafting Williams was brilliant and really set us up to get back to our brand of football this year.

I'm not under a delusion that this is a SB contender, but I think we will be closer in performance to 2016 than 2017 this year. Win some games, establish your identity, get some swagger back-- and who knows? This team is set to peak late-- will be fun to see how the young guys develop.

The formula included decent receiving production, so while the primary aim of the formula remains the same, its effectiveness could be dampened by a diminished receiving corps - not to mention that the 31 other teams have had 2 years to counter the formula.

"Spreading the ball around to make up for the lost production" sounds nice, but the bottom line is if you are using 2016 as the template, you lost 3 players that accounted for 1688 receiving yards. Making that up is definitely not a given, especially when you factor in that Beasley would have to first match his 833 receiving yards and TWill his 594 yards in 2016 before contributing to replacing that lost production.

 

[Hawkeye19]

If our Offense is as successful as 2016. And I bet our Defense is better than 2016. As long as Bailey is back in form then it would be a SB contending team.

Other teams improved too... better NFC field in 2018 than 2016

 

[Hawkeye19]

The formula included decent receiving production, so while the primary aim of the formula remains the same, its effectiveness could be dampened by a diminished receiving corps - not to mention that the 31 other teams have had 2 years to counter the formula.

"Spreading the ball around to make up for the lost production" sounds nice, but the bottom line is if you are using 2016 as the template, you lost 3 players that accounted for 1688 receiving yards. Making that up is definitely not a given, especially when you factor in that Beasley would have to first match his 833 receiving yards and TWill his 594 yards in 2016 before contributing to replacing that lost production.

I hear you... the passing game is the X factor this year. They don’t have the consistency of Witten or the physicality of Dez— but they do have more team speed (Thompson/Austin) and better route runners, and a better coach

 

[pansophy]

I get all the hand-wringing over the state of our WR/TE corps, our lack of depth at DT and S, and maintaining the status quo with Garrett/Linehan. I get it. We definitely have flaws.

But-- IMO, the formula that worked for us in 2016 is still very much in play for us in 2018. Run the ball. Limit turnovers. Control the clock. Wear teams out by the 4th quarter and salt the game away.

Sure-- it's not a sexy new offensive system that's gonna light up the scoreboard every week. It's a formula as old as dirt. But it works. I blame the FO for not addressing S and DT, but I have to give them credit for doubling down on what they do really, really well: run the ball and punch teams in the mouth with a nasty OL. Signing Fleming and drafting Williams was brilliant and really set us up to get back to our brand of football this year.

I'm not under a delusion that this is a SB contender, but I think we will be closer in performance to 2016 than 2017 this year. Win some games, establish your identity, get some swagger back-- and who knows? This team is set to peak late-- will be fun to see how the young guys develop.

That game plan didn't really change last year either. If Dak can attack the sidelines 10-20 yards downfield then defenses wont be able to clog the middle of the field anymore like they did last year. We see that in the preseason then we know things are going to open back up and we are going to have a good year on offense.

 

[Hawkeye19]

That game plan didn't really change last year either. If Dak can attack the sidelines 10-20 yards downfield then defenses wont be able to clog the middle of the field anymore like they did last year. We see that in the preseason then we know things are going to open back up and we are going to have a good year on offense.

What changed was no Zeke for 6 games and no Tyron. No Sean Lee didn’t help either lol

 

[big dog cowboy]

Sure-- it's not a sexy new offensive system that's gonna light up the scoreboard every week.

This formula enabled the Cowboys to be the 5th highest scoring team in the league in 2016.

 

[Hawkeye19]

This formula enabled the Cowboys to be the 5th highest scoring team in the league in 2016.

Yah... but it will never be confused as an offense with “the greatest show on turf” lol

 

[Blackrain]

I hear you... the passing game is the X factor this year. They don’t have the consistency of Witten or the physicality of Dez— but they do have more team speed (Thompson/Austin) and better route runners, and a better coach

Im liking the speed because it could very well equate to separation that will make Dak comfortable in letting it rip without the hesitation and worry of INTs . The throw it up and hope method was made for a gunslinger not a ball security oriented QB like Dak.

 

[Hawkeye19]

Im liking the speed because it could very well equate to separation that will make Dak comfortable in letting it rip without the hesitation and worry of INTs . The throw it up and hope method was made for a gunslinger not a ball security oriented QB like Dak.

Well said

 

[pansophy]

What changed was no Zeke for 6 games and no Tyron. No Sean Lee didn’t help either lol

The wheels fell off when Tyron went out, agreed. Jerry puts too much salary cap money into the starters and not enough into the guys who are replacing them, but that's for another thread.

 

[ksadler1]

I'm honestly not concerned about the WR's. We have WR's that can light up the score board. I'm more concerned about the coaches not knowing how to use them. There's no longer a big distraction on this team and that alone should be an improvement. Game plans win games. Half time adjustments win games. We'll see if the coaches can pull their heads out this year and actually take advantage of the speed on this offense. When teams are expecting run-run-run, you have to take advantage of it...

 

[ksadler1]

I hear you... the passing game is the X factor this year. They don’t have the consistency of Witten or the physicality of Dez— but they do have more team speed (Thompson/Austin) and better route runners, and a better coach

The physicality of Dez wasn't much of a factor for the past 2 years. I have a feeling we'll miss Witten much more than Dez...

 

[kskboys]

The formula included decent receiving production, so while the primary aim of the formula remains the same, its effectiveness could be dampened by a diminished receiving corps - not to mention that the 31 other teams have had 2 years to counter the formula.

"Spreading the ball around to make up for the lost production" sounds nice, but the bottom line is if you are using 2016 as the template, you lost 3 players that accounted for 1688 receiving yards. Making that up is definitely not a given, especially when you factor in that Beasley would have to first match his 833 receiving yards and TWill his 594 yards in 2016 before contributing to replacing that lost production.

We're in the middle of a rebuild. Some hiccups are expected.

 

[beware_d-ware]

Our WRs sucked hard for all of 2017, but Dak still tore it up until Zeke's suspension. Now when he lost his all-planet RB and LT, the cracks started to show. But his WRs were never the problem.

Hurns and Gallup just need to replace a hobbled Dez (doable) and one of Thompson or Cedrick Wilson needs to go catch Brice Butler's one deep shot per game. I seriously am not that concerned about our WR corps. We're going to check it down and hammer the ball with the run - just like 2016, just like 2017, and it works as long as the run game has the pieces. When Chaz Green starts at LG or LT, or Zeke can't play, it gets a bit sketchy. But we have loaded up the OL with the depth it didn't have last year, and Zeke should be ready to rock.