Stash
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I am calling my shot. (for whatever that's worth)
I am invoking the great Jimmy Johnson in making my prediction for Wednesday's season opener against the New York Giants.
While I realize that it is just about the toughest opener a team could have, I have that much faith in what I have seen, and that much of a lack of faith from what I have seen from the Giants, to say that I expect the Cowboys to emerge victorious on Sept 5th.
The Cowboys, from top to bottom, have circled this date on their calendars ever since it was announced.
The team that they failed to eliminate from the playoffs when they had not one, but two chances.
The team they had to watch go on a spectacular run and win the whole thing while they were forced to watch from home.
The team they had to view as 'that could have been us'.
For every one of us fans that has been so frustrated with the way things went last year, imagine how it feels when it's your job.
Imagine the frustration when that's your focus 24-7.
And now picture being given the opportunity to redeem yourself in front of the entire football world in the very first game of the season.
I look at this team - a team that allowed a 12-point comeback to a Giants team that they had beaten - and I see improvements across the board.
I do not see one area where they are not a better team than the one that had that 12-point lead against the Giants.
Offensive line was a weakness, they went out and improved at both guard spots as well as at the coaching position.
They struggled in the secondary, where they went out and signed Carr - who I feel is a huge improvement over 'ten yards' Terrance Newman - feel free to disagree if you'd like. They also aggressively traded up for the draft's top cornerback in Morris Claiborne.
And in my opinion, they also upgraded their secondary coaching with Jerome Henderson. Again, feel free to disagree if you'd like.
To say nothing of the fact that thus far, both Sensabaugh and Church look to be improvements over last year's play at safety.
I am seeing a defense that identified and corrected its' biggest weaknesses. I am seeing a coordinator that can finally run 'his scheme' efficiently and effectively.
Anyone have an issue with how many points this team's first-team defense gave up this preseason? Didn't think so.
People had question marks about replacing Laurent Robinson as the #3 receiver.
After the past several weeks, do you still have that concern?
I think the young receivers have stepped up and then some!
Tony Romo played his last preseason game without his top 3 receiving weapons, how did he do?
I know I'm a fan, I know I'm biased, but I also know what I've seen.
I've seen a Cowboys team continue to overcome injury challenges and look better, and better, and better.
And I've seen a Giants team sustain significant long-term injuries at both cornerback and defensive tackle and flounder in the preseason. Did anyone else find it odd that Manning and the Giants starters played four series in preseason game #4? And look terrible and out of sync in doing it?
The Cowboys are getting most, if not all of their injured starters back just in time for week one. The Giants? Not so much.
My biggest concern has been on the offensive line with the multitude of injuries inside. But here as well, playes have returned to action, others have stepped up, and the unit has played better each week.
And now as the opener approaches, we look to have 'all hands on deck'.
I think the team has been extremely cautious with its' minor injries, giving players their best possible chance to be as healthy as possible for when the games count. And I have likewise seen multiple backups step up and effectively replace those players.
No Austin? No problem. Here's Dwayne Harris. No Bryant? Here's Ogletree, looking like the #3 the team hoped he would be. No Witten? Phillips and Hanna have both played well (despite what the replacement refs may think!)
And while David Arkin is nowhere near a starting center yet, he's done a serviceable job under tough conditions and the ton of reps he's received will only help him to improve. But now the team has its' starter back, a starter who looked very good in his return last night by the way.
This post is not a slam against the Giants, nor it is an expectation of a cake-walk victory. They are the champs, and rightfully deserve their credit and accolades.
But I see a team focused, hungry, and well-prepared.
I see an entire organization that has circled this date on their calendar and prepared for their night of redemption for months.
I see elite players like Ware 'shaking to play the Giants'.
I see free agents like Carr wanting to prove their worth.
I see future free agents like Spencer with something to prove.
I see a team with a 'chip on their shoulder', being disregarded as contenders in their own division.
But most of all, I see a victory on Wednesday.
I am invoking the great Jimmy Johnson in making my prediction for Wednesday's season opener against the New York Giants.
While I realize that it is just about the toughest opener a team could have, I have that much faith in what I have seen, and that much of a lack of faith from what I have seen from the Giants, to say that I expect the Cowboys to emerge victorious on Sept 5th.
The Cowboys, from top to bottom, have circled this date on their calendars ever since it was announced.
The team that they failed to eliminate from the playoffs when they had not one, but two chances.
The team they had to watch go on a spectacular run and win the whole thing while they were forced to watch from home.
The team they had to view as 'that could have been us'.
For every one of us fans that has been so frustrated with the way things went last year, imagine how it feels when it's your job.
Imagine the frustration when that's your focus 24-7.
And now picture being given the opportunity to redeem yourself in front of the entire football world in the very first game of the season.
I look at this team - a team that allowed a 12-point comeback to a Giants team that they had beaten - and I see improvements across the board.
I do not see one area where they are not a better team than the one that had that 12-point lead against the Giants.
Offensive line was a weakness, they went out and improved at both guard spots as well as at the coaching position.
They struggled in the secondary, where they went out and signed Carr - who I feel is a huge improvement over 'ten yards' Terrance Newman - feel free to disagree if you'd like. They also aggressively traded up for the draft's top cornerback in Morris Claiborne.
And in my opinion, they also upgraded their secondary coaching with Jerome Henderson. Again, feel free to disagree if you'd like.
To say nothing of the fact that thus far, both Sensabaugh and Church look to be improvements over last year's play at safety.
I am seeing a defense that identified and corrected its' biggest weaknesses. I am seeing a coordinator that can finally run 'his scheme' efficiently and effectively.
Anyone have an issue with how many points this team's first-team defense gave up this preseason? Didn't think so.
People had question marks about replacing Laurent Robinson as the #3 receiver.
After the past several weeks, do you still have that concern?
I think the young receivers have stepped up and then some!
Tony Romo played his last preseason game without his top 3 receiving weapons, how did he do?
I know I'm a fan, I know I'm biased, but I also know what I've seen.
I've seen a Cowboys team continue to overcome injury challenges and look better, and better, and better.
And I've seen a Giants team sustain significant long-term injuries at both cornerback and defensive tackle and flounder in the preseason. Did anyone else find it odd that Manning and the Giants starters played four series in preseason game #4? And look terrible and out of sync in doing it?
The Cowboys are getting most, if not all of their injured starters back just in time for week one. The Giants? Not so much.
My biggest concern has been on the offensive line with the multitude of injuries inside. But here as well, playes have returned to action, others have stepped up, and the unit has played better each week.
And now as the opener approaches, we look to have 'all hands on deck'.
I think the team has been extremely cautious with its' minor injries, giving players their best possible chance to be as healthy as possible for when the games count. And I have likewise seen multiple backups step up and effectively replace those players.
No Austin? No problem. Here's Dwayne Harris. No Bryant? Here's Ogletree, looking like the #3 the team hoped he would be. No Witten? Phillips and Hanna have both played well (despite what the replacement refs may think!)
And while David Arkin is nowhere near a starting center yet, he's done a serviceable job under tough conditions and the ton of reps he's received will only help him to improve. But now the team has its' starter back, a starter who looked very good in his return last night by the way.
This post is not a slam against the Giants, nor it is an expectation of a cake-walk victory. They are the champs, and rightfully deserve their credit and accolades.
But I see a team focused, hungry, and well-prepared.
I see an entire organization that has circled this date on their calendar and prepared for their night of redemption for months.
I see elite players like Ware 'shaking to play the Giants'.
I see free agents like Carr wanting to prove their worth.
I see future free agents like Spencer with something to prove.
I see a team with a 'chip on their shoulder', being disregarded as contenders in their own division.
But most of all, I see a victory on Wednesday.
