tskyler
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What a ride... I was a big Cowboy fan growing up. I remember the end of Staubach, the Danny White years, and the incredible early 90's. However, around 96 I stopped following the Cowboys obsessively. I graduated from college, got a job and family, and travelled the world on a weekly basis. However, right after the 2006 draft I began to watch again. What the hell was Parcells up to. Who is this Romo kid everyone is excited about. (Bledsoe sure looked better in the preseason to me) I wasn't obsessive but I got pulled back in. After the Seattle game, I realized I was hooked again. I started getting excited about the offseason, I followed the mock drafts. Watched college game reruns, etc. After the coaching changes and the draft, I was excited about the 2007 season. I loved Spencer as a choice. I thought Stanback was the bees knees. Man was I pumped. The year was incredibly fun (except for the last 5 weeks or so) Well, I think the same thing this year. But, last year ended so poorly, I wanted to try to find some way to quantify why I feel so good this year. So here is my comparison of what I thought I knew last year before training camp to what I think I know this year at each position.
QB -
Romo -Last year I totally believe in Romo. He had showed me enough in 2006.
Johnson - I didn't know anything about Johnson. (well we hadnt signed him at this point.) But prior to training camp, after his signing, I didnt know much. Seemed like a good aquisition. Yes, he was old. But, they wouldnt sign him if he was over the hill.
Moore - I had no idea who he was.
Bartel - I had no idea who he was.
This year, I feel that Romo is just as good as last year. I think Johnson should be pulled off life support. I still have no idea about Bartel. I have no idea about our free agent signings.
Overall Grade - I feel slightly worse than last year at QB.
RB -
Barber - I loved Barber at this time last year.
Julius - I had a mild dislike for Julius at this time last year.
Thompson - I loved Thompson at this time last year.
Now - I am not impressed with the Felix draft. I do not believe in the complimentary back theory. Not that you shouldn't draft a complementary back. I dont believe there is such a thing. I believe that an offense should be built around a single style of runner. Having two types of runners complicates thing for very little advantage. I believe a particular style of blocking will suit different types of backs. Having two opposed styles means a compromise. I think its like me with electronic gadgets. When I was a poor student I could only get one or two new ones a year. Now, I can get as many toys as I want and I tend to do so. However, I got a hell of a lot better use out of my toys when I focused on a few. Yes, I can do more just like Garrett can. But is Garrett getting the best use of the wide variety of offensive weapons he already has? Do a thought experiment with me. Jerry buys cloning technology from a start up. He clones a perfect copy of Barber. He is also able to clone the perfect anti-barber that has all the good running back qualities that Barber doesn't have. Who do you pick? I pick two Barber's and rotate them in different series. Last year, Julius did seem to do better against a couple of teams with his style. However, I think a full dose of Barber (with our clone) in all games would have had a better outcome even if those games that Julius did better in were at risk? So, I would have liked Mendy more but I think Felix is an upgrade over Julius. I also think Choice is a huge upgrade over Thompson. (since he's closer to the Barber clone mold)
Overall Grade ++ I think things are much better this year.
WR -
TO - Last year I was not pumped about TO. His training camp in 2006 was insane. I thought he was loafing. This Year I am the biggest popcorn muncher in the world.
TG - I loved Terry Glenn. I liked him as much as I like TO now. I thought his knee problems were minor. This year I am a huge fan but am betting its 60-40 he doesnt play at 2006 form.
Stanback - I was excited over the prospect but didnt think he would play. This year I am more excited and think he will contribute.
Miles Austin - I was blah not like/not hate last year. I like him a lot more this year. I think he and Tony were getting on the same page at the end of the year.
Hurd - I liked him a lot last year. I am kind of blah this year.
Crayton - I actively dislike Crayton last year. I have mild like this year
Overall Grade = Yes everyone's a year older. Glenn looks much worse. But the youngen''s look promising and Crayton looks decent.
TE & FB-
Witten - I liked him. I love him now.
Fasano - I hated him. Good riddence
Curtis - I liked him. I like him more
Bennett - I think its a very good pick for Garrett
Anderson - Love Cricket. But don't think he's a great player just so-so
Overall Grade ++ Major upgrade
OLine -
Overall Grade - Flozell looked injured. I loved Gurode. I liked McQ. Had no idea about free and Martin.I like Columbo. Now, Flozell looks good to go. I dislike Columbo, I am really excited about Free. I think Gurode is the devil or is being paid by Romo's agent to make crazy pitches to boost Tony's profile.
DLine -
Overall Grade - Last year I loved Fergie. This year he's gone. This year I think Tank is ok at nose. I think less of Spears. I think more of Ratliff. I think much more of Canty. Loss of Fergie is still a blow.
Line Backers -
Last year Ellis was out injured and *****ing. This year he's happy so far. Demarcus is still a god. I had hopes for Spencer. He exceded my hopes early on last year. I loved Akin last year. I hated James. I think he's much improved. Last year, we know little of Carpenter but I was semi-encouraged. Now, we know little more except that time is running out. Zach Thomas is intriguing.
Overall Grade + Ellis and Spencer questions answered
Safety -
Last year I still had a crush on Roy but it was fading. This year he needs to buy me flowers or I'm gone. Last year, I thought Hamlin was a BS move by Jerry. This year it looks like it was a very good move. Don't love him like I did Roy yet.
Overall Grade - Even with Hamlin functioning above my expectations, I still am pessimistic
Corner -
Terrence Newman - I thought he was great. He still is
Aaron Glenn - I though he was great. He's gone
Henry - I thought he was broken down. He's much better than though
Reeves and Nate - I thought they were horrible. However, Reeves surprised me by being average most of the year.
Today - PacMan + the Draft + what HEnry showed me puts me over the moon.
Overall Grade +++
Special Teams -
Last year I loved Keith D. This year he's gone. :-( Last year I thought we had no decent kicker except Grammatica. Now we have Folk who is a rock star. McBriar was superhuman before. McBriar is now just great. Before, I though I would have to return kicks. Now it looks like its going to be a all out war to decide who gets the honors. This year it looks like we get some help on kick blocking too. LaDoucer is still there and I still have no idea how to rate him.
Overall Grade +
Coaching -
Last year we got rid of he who must not be named and I was excited. I totally bought into the Wade is the greatest defensive mind since Chuck Norris. Last year, I thought Jason Garrett was going to have his baloon popped. This year, I see Wade is human but still think he's still better than rotten fish. Garrett on the other hand has made him self look like the greatest offensive expert since Lenny Bruce. Sparano is gone now :-( Campo is Back
Overall Grade +
So, there we have it. 4 things I think have regressed. 6 things that have improved. One thing staying about the same. If I add pluses and minuses my overall grade is ++++++
Oh well, thanks for reading my long note.
Skyler
QB -
Romo -Last year I totally believe in Romo. He had showed me enough in 2006.
Johnson - I didn't know anything about Johnson. (well we hadnt signed him at this point.) But prior to training camp, after his signing, I didnt know much. Seemed like a good aquisition. Yes, he was old. But, they wouldnt sign him if he was over the hill.
Moore - I had no idea who he was.
Bartel - I had no idea who he was.
This year, I feel that Romo is just as good as last year. I think Johnson should be pulled off life support. I still have no idea about Bartel. I have no idea about our free agent signings.
Overall Grade - I feel slightly worse than last year at QB.
RB -
Barber - I loved Barber at this time last year.
Julius - I had a mild dislike for Julius at this time last year.
Thompson - I loved Thompson at this time last year.
Now - I am not impressed with the Felix draft. I do not believe in the complimentary back theory. Not that you shouldn't draft a complementary back. I dont believe there is such a thing. I believe that an offense should be built around a single style of runner. Having two types of runners complicates thing for very little advantage. I believe a particular style of blocking will suit different types of backs. Having two opposed styles means a compromise. I think its like me with electronic gadgets. When I was a poor student I could only get one or two new ones a year. Now, I can get as many toys as I want and I tend to do so. However, I got a hell of a lot better use out of my toys when I focused on a few. Yes, I can do more just like Garrett can. But is Garrett getting the best use of the wide variety of offensive weapons he already has? Do a thought experiment with me. Jerry buys cloning technology from a start up. He clones a perfect copy of Barber. He is also able to clone the perfect anti-barber that has all the good running back qualities that Barber doesn't have. Who do you pick? I pick two Barber's and rotate them in different series. Last year, Julius did seem to do better against a couple of teams with his style. However, I think a full dose of Barber (with our clone) in all games would have had a better outcome even if those games that Julius did better in were at risk? So, I would have liked Mendy more but I think Felix is an upgrade over Julius. I also think Choice is a huge upgrade over Thompson. (since he's closer to the Barber clone mold)
Overall Grade ++ I think things are much better this year.
WR -
TO - Last year I was not pumped about TO. His training camp in 2006 was insane. I thought he was loafing. This Year I am the biggest popcorn muncher in the world.
TG - I loved Terry Glenn. I liked him as much as I like TO now. I thought his knee problems were minor. This year I am a huge fan but am betting its 60-40 he doesnt play at 2006 form.
Stanback - I was excited over the prospect but didnt think he would play. This year I am more excited and think he will contribute.
Miles Austin - I was blah not like/not hate last year. I like him a lot more this year. I think he and Tony were getting on the same page at the end of the year.
Hurd - I liked him a lot last year. I am kind of blah this year.
Crayton - I actively dislike Crayton last year. I have mild like this year
Overall Grade = Yes everyone's a year older. Glenn looks much worse. But the youngen''s look promising and Crayton looks decent.
TE & FB-
Witten - I liked him. I love him now.
Fasano - I hated him. Good riddence
Curtis - I liked him. I like him more
Bennett - I think its a very good pick for Garrett
Anderson - Love Cricket. But don't think he's a great player just so-so
Overall Grade ++ Major upgrade
OLine -
Overall Grade - Flozell looked injured. I loved Gurode. I liked McQ. Had no idea about free and Martin.I like Columbo. Now, Flozell looks good to go. I dislike Columbo, I am really excited about Free. I think Gurode is the devil or is being paid by Romo's agent to make crazy pitches to boost Tony's profile.
DLine -
Overall Grade - Last year I loved Fergie. This year he's gone. This year I think Tank is ok at nose. I think less of Spears. I think more of Ratliff. I think much more of Canty. Loss of Fergie is still a blow.
Line Backers -
Last year Ellis was out injured and *****ing. This year he's happy so far. Demarcus is still a god. I had hopes for Spencer. He exceded my hopes early on last year. I loved Akin last year. I hated James. I think he's much improved. Last year, we know little of Carpenter but I was semi-encouraged. Now, we know little more except that time is running out. Zach Thomas is intriguing.
Overall Grade + Ellis and Spencer questions answered
Safety -
Last year I still had a crush on Roy but it was fading. This year he needs to buy me flowers or I'm gone. Last year, I thought Hamlin was a BS move by Jerry. This year it looks like it was a very good move. Don't love him like I did Roy yet.
Overall Grade - Even with Hamlin functioning above my expectations, I still am pessimistic
Corner -
Terrence Newman - I thought he was great. He still is
Aaron Glenn - I though he was great. He's gone
Henry - I thought he was broken down. He's much better than though
Reeves and Nate - I thought they were horrible. However, Reeves surprised me by being average most of the year.
Today - PacMan + the Draft + what HEnry showed me puts me over the moon.
Overall Grade +++
Special Teams -
Last year I loved Keith D. This year he's gone. :-( Last year I thought we had no decent kicker except Grammatica. Now we have Folk who is a rock star. McBriar was superhuman before. McBriar is now just great. Before, I though I would have to return kicks. Now it looks like its going to be a all out war to decide who gets the honors. This year it looks like we get some help on kick blocking too. LaDoucer is still there and I still have no idea how to rate him.
Overall Grade +
Coaching -
Last year we got rid of he who must not be named and I was excited. I totally bought into the Wade is the greatest defensive mind since Chuck Norris. Last year, I thought Jason Garrett was going to have his baloon popped. This year, I see Wade is human but still think he's still better than rotten fish. Garrett on the other hand has made him self look like the greatest offensive expert since Lenny Bruce. Sparano is gone now :-( Campo is Back
Overall Grade +
So, there we have it. 4 things I think have regressed. 6 things that have improved. One thing staying about the same. If I add pluses and minuses my overall grade is ++++++
Oh well, thanks for reading my long note.
Skyler
