Your thoughts on the team now compared to 6 months ago

[KJJ]

Better about the defense. Worlds better.

With the loss of Scandrick and Jones not ready to start the Cowboys are going to have to go with Claiborne who's been rehabbing an injury all offseason. That corner spot could end up being a real issue if Mo continues to struggle or can't stay healthy. The defense will be without McClain for at least 4 games due to his suspension so we'll have to see where the defense is. In preseason the defense had issues stopping the run so we'll have to see if that becomes a problem during the regular season.

Although Lee is back it's anyone's guess for how long with his injury history. Gregory should help the pass rush but he's a rookie who'll have a lot on his plate and will undoubtedly go through some growing pains. Once Hardy is added to the mix that should add some punch to the defense but I'm in a wait and see mode on the D until I see how they perform on Sunday Night.

 

[KJJ]

To answer the question. I remember after 2009 I was excited about the next few years. I was naive and thought that if we just kept that team it would get better. Well we made no changes and regressed FAST.

This season the team figured out how dumb that is. They improved or changed where they could on defense and switched the offense a little. Plus Romo is healthier than he has been in a while.

Hard not to be excited.

It's the switch at RB that worries me because that's a switch that could disrupt the direction the team was heading in. The future looked bright after last season but when you lose a player who was arguably your MVP from last season who you rode to a 12-4 record and the playoffs that's very concerning. We're going to have to see what affect the change at RB will have on Romo and the team. When you lose a player you depended on so heavily it can have an affect on the entire team. We're going to start finding out on Sunday if the Cowboys made the right decision to let Murray walk.

 

[CCBoy]

There should still be a ton of growth in the box area for the defense, and in the makeup of the offensive line.

 

[VACowboy]

Six months ago I was still bummed about "The Catch" but stoked about the direction of the team. Post-draft I was a little worried about the RB situation, but confident in Garrett and the scouts. Post-camp I was excited about the promise the defense had shown. Following cuts and with the pick up of Michael, I'm feeling really good about this team, all the way around, and am ready to watch them crush division rivals in weeks one and two.

 

[DFWJC]

My thoughts are that team is clearly better, on paper.
However, I predict one less regular season win.

 

[KJJ]

A year ago most thought it would take a miracle for us to finish at 8-8. Now we expect a very deep run into the playoffs. You could probably make a good guess how the general attitude has changed for Cowboy Nation.

The fact that most here are expecting a deep playoff run adds concern because the last time everyone was expecting a deep playoff run it led to a 6-10 season. That's how it seems to go with the Cowboys if you expect a great season they disappoint and if you're expecting the worst they surprise. No one expected a 13-3 season in 2007. No one expected an 11-5 team that would win a playoff game for the first time in 13 years in 09 after the disappointment in 08. Last years 12-4 team came out of complete nowhere. We're all expecting a top 5 pick in April and the Cowboys end up winning the NFC East and a playoff game. Hopefully this pattern changes and the team lives up to expectations for the first time since the 90's. You would have to go back that far to find a Cowboys team that we all had high expectations for that lived up to the expectations.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

The fact that most here are expecting a deep playoff run adds concern because the last time everyone was expecting a deep playoff run it led to a 6-10 season. That's how it seems to go with the Cowboys if you expect a great season they disappoint and if you're expecting the worst they surprise. No one expected a 13-3 season in 2007. No one expected an 11-5 team that would win a playoff game for the first time in 13 years in 09 after the disappointment in 08. Last years 12-4 team came out of complete nowhere. We're all expecting a top 5 pick in April and the Cowboys end up winning the NFC East and a playoff game. Hopefully this pattern changes and the team lives up to expectations for the first time since the 90's. You would have to go back that far to find a Cowboys team that we all had high expectations for that lived up to the expectations.

I still remember Keyshawn proclaiming the Cowboys the worse team in the NFL after week 1 last year. Have to love that. lol

 

[KJJ]

I have not been this excited for a season since 1992.

If we still had Murray or brought in Peterson to replace him I would be right with you. The RB situation and the loss of Scandrick has lowered my enthusiasm some but I'm still hopeful.

 

[KJJ]

I still remember Keyshawn proclaiming the Cowboys the worse team in the NFL after week 1 last year. Have to love that. lol

I was right there with him I wasn't sure the Cowboys would win 3 games after the opener. I've been following the team since the 72 season and no season surprised me like the 2014 season. The Cowboys pretty much stunk in preseason and stunk in the opener at HOME and if someone would have told me they were going to end up 12-4 including a win at Seattle and win a playoff game I would have thought they were NUTS. After last season I'm not sure what to expect this season.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

If we still had Murray or brought in Peterson to replace him I would be right with you. The RB situation and the loss of Scandrick has lowered my enthusiasm some but I'm still hopeful.

Lol at you having enthusiasm.

 

[bayeslife]

I feel very excited about how much better the defense is going to be in the trenches. The running game worries me, but I think after the first game those worries will be put to rest.

 

[BHendri5]

let's get Kam chancellor

 

[big dog cowboy]

It's the switch at RB that worries me because that's a switch that could disrupt the direction the team was heading in.

 

[Bleu Star]

How do you feel about the team and roster now, compared to various times over the past year.
A year ago or so, we had doom and gloom widespread, for mediots to fans. Injury to Lee, Romo back surgery, Ro signing and low expectations of him and the defense. Murray staying healthy, and a pass happy offense was being talked about. We did not know the OL would beast out like they did either.

How did you feel going into the season and how did that change by the end of the year, being cheated out what could have been a possible SB appearance. And needing to retain or replace many FA's and how we could do.

Then how did you feel going into the draft, needing to replace Murray, and after when he didn't. But added some great potential on Defense.

Then throughout TC, wondering how the RB situation was going to turn out.
Then now, getting Michaels added to the RB group. How has your opinion changed going into game one.
Has your opinion of our running game changed a lot that it will be fine now, or do you feel the same, or having a wait and see approach. We all should feel much better about the defense for sure. And Romo being healthy, and the OL playing well again.

Right now, to me is how will the RBs perform, and how will the ST's do.

So what I guess I am asking, how has your opinions changed over the last year, and over the last few days.

My excitement to get started rivals the excitement of the early 90s. That just changed yesterday. Prior to yesterday, I was in blank stare mode.

 

[kazzd58]

Better about the defense. Worlds better.

Very worried about the running game being even close to the identity is was last year.

And wondering if the defense improved enough to offset.

the way the game has changed and the players steady evolving i look at our run game as that, a run game. We dont need a super star rb to have success this season, our RB( whoever that is just need to be efficient, when u get the ball go forward don't fumble pass block......The improvement on defense i think will offset what run game we may lost with losing demarco.. Remember, the offense was designed last year to protect our defense and Romo for his back surgery recovery now room according to reports looks good now we don't have to now we can play just about any style of defense.. personally id rather us attack early that way the other team has to keep up which plays right into our strength on defense now I think anyway which is PassRush.. this team is not last years team so i get Garret and his approach like ever erar is new and cant bank on what happen last year to happen so what is this team gonna develop into this season which i actually cant wait to see grow before our eyes. I thibnk back to in the past how we would hv a lead in 4th but our defense cldnt hold nobody to keep lead and now we deep across the board depth wise....

 

[loublue22]

I'd like to still have Murray. Other than that, great.

 

[DejectedFan1996]

6 months ago I had high hopes for the season. With the start of training camp, my expectations have taken a nose dive.

With that being said, Sunday can't come soon enough.

 

[big dog cowboy]

6 months ago I had high hopes for the season. With the start of training camp, my expectations have taken a nose dive.

Interesting. Just wondering what has caused your expectations to nose dive when we are clearly a much better team.

 

[Longboysfan]

Worries going into Draft.
Get RB / D-Line / CB / LB / Backup QB.
Addressed in draft and free agency.
D-line, CB, LB
After the Draft - RB / Back up QB
Now just back up QB..

 

[Doomsday101]

feel better about defensive side of the ball and still have some concerns at RB.