With the team we have right now, how good can we be?

[kskboys]

If I had to guess, I'd say 10-11 wins. 11 if I could only pick one. Mainly because we have a very favorable home/away schedule. But if you remember the offseason after 2016, we did nothing. There was no urgency. We trotted out the same team and won 4 less games. So it wouldn't surprise me if we won less than 10 or 11.

Same thing after the 09 season.

 

[Flamma]

Same thing after the 09 season.

Yeah I guess. But the 2016 season was almost magical. Expectations were through the roof the following year. But the Cowboys did nothing to meet those expectations.

 

[plasticman]

Not w/o a dominating facet to their team.

What was the dominating facet in 1975?

It wasn't one of Staubach's best seasons. They didn't have a dominating RB that season. Their defense was 5th in yardage, 8th in scoring.

They just found ways to win the big games. Some of their rookies, like Randy White, started coming on strong towards the end of the season.

 

[McKDaddy]

- a starting RB and a handful of rooks on the OL. Sure it's the same? Maybe if Beebe can play a quality C and we have an OLT.

List all the players who are no longer here (especially by start of season) and I don't see this as the same team at all.

I think the unknown is the OL. IF they come together as an upgrade, then I could see us having some balance offensively.

I can't find much path for the D to be better unless some folks on the Dline jump multiple skill levels miraculously. So, I see teams controlling the ball against us and keeping the ball away from us. That could make it quite difficult to win games.

 

[kskboys]

What was the dominating facet in 1975?

It wasn't one of Staubach's best seasons. They didn't have a dominating RB that season. Their defense was 5th in yardage, 8th in scoring.

They just found ways to win the big games. Some of their rookies, like Randy White, started coming on strong towards the end of the season.

DLine. They dominated.

 

[kskboys]

List all the players who are no longer here (especially by start of season) and I don't see this as the same team at all.

I think the unknown is the OL. IF they come together as an upgrade, then I could see us having some balance offensively.

I can't find much path for the D to be better unless some folks on the Dline jump multiple skill levels miraculously. So, I see teams controlling the ball against us and keeping the ball away from us. That could make it quite difficult to win games.

Yeah, I was surprised to see someone say it. At present, we're not even sure we have a 3rd WR, or if Cooks can be the #2 we need.

 

[kskboys]

Yeah I guess. But the 2016 season was almost magical. Expectations were through the roof the following year. But the Cowboys did nothing to meet those expectations.

So was the 09 season, especially after walloping Philly in the playoffs and having a top 10 D and the #2 O in the NFL.

 

[RonnieT24]

Same thing after the 09 season.

After the '09 season didn't they draft Dez and Sean Lee? Maybe not the '75 draft with the Dirty Dozen but perhaps a notch or two above "nothing?"

 

[kskboys]

After the '09 season didn't they draft Dez and Sean Lee? Maybe not the '75 draft with the Dirty Dozen but perhaps a notch or two above "nothing?"

Jerry was just sure 10 was the super bowl year. It's like, he didn't even notice the OL falling apart down the stretch and against Minny.

 

[leeblair]

Yes we have some holes that need to be filled, with that said, we have some good players on this team. We have some young players that we'll be counting on as Rookies, and guys that have been here on the team for a few years that we will need major contributions from. With that said, how good can we be, how many games can we actually win with this current team as it is??? Please give your thoughts, let's be positive for once!!

Only as good as their weakest link will allow.
It's the same as it is every year, although on paper this squad doesn't look to be as talented as the last two years.
Regardless, one glaring problem has not been rectified, and that issue will continue to set the limits of how good the team can be.

 

[Flamma]

So was the 09 season, especially after walloping Philly in the playoffs and having a top 10 D and the #2 O in the NFL.

This is probably just a me thing, but I don't put '09 in the same category as '07, '14, and '16. I knew we had 0 chance against Minnesota on '09. Similar to Detroit in '91. You're hopeful, but you know you're not winning.

 

[buybuydandavis]

We are the exact same team we have been for 3 years now. There is no mystery here.

Worse at DT and RB. Which took will to achieve.
Worse on the oline with Tyron and Biadasz gone.
Still meh at WR after Lamb.

Teams are not going to give Bland 6 pick sixes again. That's a big swing.

 

[fivetwos]

This is probably just a me thing, but I don't put '09 in the same category as '07, '14, and '16. I knew we had 0 chance against Minnesota on '09. Similar to Detroit in '91. You're hopeful, but you know you're not winning.

Had the pleasure of being at both of those games. Humiliating.

 

[Flamma]

Had the pleasure of being at both of those games. Humiliating.

Absolutely awful. I've only been to about 7 or 8 Cowboys games. Every time I go, they lose. So I stopped. The only time they won was against the Jets in a replacement player game in 1987. I paid 20 bucks for that seat. At the 50 yard line half way up. Even for 1987 that was like getting in for free.

 

[Floatyworm]

I'd say there is a 10% chance they could get better as the season progresses and get on a hot streak going into the playoffs and maybe go on some weird 2010 Packers wild card run. But more likely, I see them getting better but missing the playoffs. Too many question marks.

This team doesn't dare get into a shootout. We just don't have enough weapons. Unless Tolbert makes a huge leap...this team lacks a true #2 WR. ...And a starting RB.

 

[beware_d-ware]

The offense has really decayed. The OL is getting completely rebuilt, and the skill players are depleted outside of Lamb (Ferguson is good, but you can't channel an offense through him).

The defense looks pretty loaded. Fans will naturally focus on the spots we're think at, and ignore the fact that we have half a dozen studs coming back. Tony Romo would've done unspeakable things to have this 2024 defense supporting him.

The coaching staff is a bunch of dead men walking, and they know it. McCarthy was exposed years ago in GB. Zimmer has always been a phenomenal DC, but 70 years old, already retired once, back on a short term contract... I've got to wonder if his heart really in this.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The offense has really decayed.

Where?

 

[RonnieT24]

Jerry was just sure 10 was the super bowl year. It's like, he didn't even notice the OL falling apart down the stretch and against Minny.

Fair... the line did all get old all at once that year. And the DTs were undersized (and undertalented) even back then. That collapse was hard to watch but not nearly as hard to watch as watching Jerry and his sons really have no clue as to how to rectify it until McClay ascended to his current position in the pecking order. And as good as he has been no one is infallible and he has had his share of misses as well. Just not near as many as Jerry and Co. used to get before he took over.

 

[plymkr]

Yes we have some holes that need to be filled, with that said, we have some good players on this team. We have some young players that we'll be counting on as Rookies, and guys that have been here on the team for a few years that we will need major contributions from. With that said, how good can we be, how many games can we actually win with this current team as it is??? Please give your thoughts, let's be positive for once!!

I feel if the young cats step up then we can have a 10+ win season. These young guys got some shoes to fill, especially on the offensive line. But if Guyton and Beebe come through then I think we can have a good year. We also need Mazi to show something beyond Tristen Hill production.

 

[TheCritic]

This team doesn't dare get into a shootout. We just don't have enough weapons. Unless Tolbert makes a huge leap...this team lacks a true #2 WR. ...And a starting RB.

I've felt all along that this a retooling year. The Cowboys need to clean up the cap and get some draft capital. So I have no real playoff expectations. That's why I would trade Parsons, speed up the draft capital and save the money and get rid of the headache.