2016 Offseason

[UK Cowboy]

Looking at the DL we didn't do as much this offseason as a lot of us hoped. But, I think we do have a chance to be better there. I admit I didn't know much about either draft pick, but I really like what I've heard about them and we did address beefing up the 3 tech and DE if they work out. Add to that we brought in 2 FAs (even if more rotation guys) and I think once the dopes come back we could be good. We will move on from guys like Hayden that basically ensure mediocrity which is addition by subtraction. And the guy I've been waiting for, T McClain, will be gone too if he can't stay healthy. But we could easily have an 8 man rotation on the DL this year. Then Irving should still improve and even Gregory is kind of like adding a guy because he didn't really play much.

Secondary of course is a big worry and hopefully Jones progresses a lot in year 2 and Scandrick is healthy. If so when compared to week 1 last year it basically moves everyone back one spot. So obviously Carr and Claiborne are a horrible #1 and #2, but if you drop them back to #2 and #3 and give them better safety help behind them it's much better than last year. Same at safety. Instead of Church and Wilcox, you have Church or Wilcox.

IMO all the LBs need is health. Lee will be fantastic if he plays the whole year and McClain I think will be more the guy from 2014 than 2015. Then while we wait for Smith we have probably Hitchens starting and a bunch of other guys to fight for PT. So again, if you have that health you are only playing Wilson, Wilbur, Gachkar, etc if they earn the PT...not because everyone is hurt.

So we didn't add Ramsey and then a pass Rusher in round 2, but we should be better and like it or not Garrett teams are going to prioritize Offense over Defense. So we don't need to be the '85 Bears, just the 2014 Cowboys...

No, we don't need to be the 85 Bears(like we could haha), but I could see us being the 1982 Redskins or the 1993 Cowboys. Just line up with the best OLine in football, a stud RB(and backups), commit to pounding the rock down the other teams throats until they have to go with an 8 man front, then run play action to your Superstar WR or HOF TE, one or both of which will be man covered, and take advantage of mismatches like run stiffing LB's trying to check Beasley or Elliott out of the backfield, or a safety getting stuck on TWill...

 

[tomodach10]

Looking at the DL we didn't do as much this offseason as a lot of us hoped. But, I think we do have a chance to be better there. I admit I didn't know much about either draft pick, but I really like what I've heard about them and we did address beefing up the 3 tech and DE if they work out. Add to that we brought in 2 FAs (even if more rotation guys) and I think once the dopes come back we could be good. We will move on from guys like Hayden that basically ensure mediocrity which is addition by subtraction. And the guy I've been waiting for, T McClain, will be gone too if he can't stay healthy. But we could easily have an 8 man rotation on the DL this year. Then Irving should still improve and even Gregory is kind of like adding a guy because he didn't really play much.

Secondary of course is a big worry and hopefully Jones progresses a lot in year 2 and Scandrick is healthy. If so when compared to week 1 last year it basically moves everyone back one spot. So obviously Carr and Claiborne are a horrible #1 and #2, but if you drop them back to #2 and #3 and give them better safety help behind them it's much better than last year. Same at safety. Instead of Church and Wilcox, you have Church or Wilcox.

IMO all the LBs need is health. Lee will be fantastic if he plays the whole year and McClain I think will be more the guy from 2014 than 2015. Then while we wait for Smith we have probably Hitchens starting and a bunch of other guys to fight for PT. So again, if you have that health you are only playing Wilson, Wilbur, Gachkar, etc if they earn the PT...not because everyone is hurt.

So we didn't add Ramsey and then a pass Rusher in round 2, but we should be better and like it or not Garrett teams are going to prioritize Offense over Defense. So we don't need to be the '85 Bears, just the 2014 Cowboys...

I hope this offense performs better in the red zone. If we have to settle for 3s with this defense, it will be a long season.

 

[Manster7588]

I hope this offense performs better in the red zone. If we have to settle for 3s with this defense, it will be a long season.

The RedZone will be where Elliott becomes an asset over 2015, not only will he be more productive there he will also make the other options more viable.

 

[tylerTX88]

I hope this offense performs better in the red zone. If we have to settle for 3s with this defense, it will be a long season.

That's one reason I hope Dunbar makes it back. Nice change of pace out of the backfield. Though it remains to be seen if he ends up sticking in a crowded RB group.

 

[jarntt]

That's one reason I hope Dunbar makes it back. Nice change of pace out of the backfield. Though it remains to be seen if he ends up sticking in a crowded RB group.

With Elliott probably not paying a bell cow role this year due to DMC and Morris taking some carries I think he will be our FT 3rd down back. So unless Dunbar is close to 100% I think about putting him on IR if I don't unload someone. Then see what happens going forward. If we hit on EE there is a very low chance DMC is here in 2017. So then you would have EE, a power back in Morris and a scat back in Dunbar that also plays STs.

 

[jarntt]

The RedZone will be where Elliott becomes an asset over 2015, not only will he be more productive there he will also make the other options more viable.

Yes, but also Morris. EE will be great when the field is shortened, but when we get even closer, like 1st or 2nd and goal from inside the 3 I think you see a lot of Morris behind this big line too. We should be able to tell the defense what is coming and still have some success with him behind this line in short yardage.

 

[Manster7588]

Yes, but also Morris. EE will be great when the field is shortened, but when we get even closer, like 1st or 2nd and goal from inside the 3 I think you see a lot of Morris behind this big line too. We should be able to tell the defense what is coming and still have some success with him behind this line in short yardage.

I won't argue D should've been picked over EE, but between he and Ramsey I think EE is less of a bust factor. Besides that ship has sailed it's time to get on board with Elliott.

 

[es4m11]

I won't argue D should've been picked over EE, but between he and Ramsey I think EE is less of a bust factor. Besides that ship has sailed it's time to get on board with Elliott.

I agree with all of this. Elliot seems like a much surer thing. As impressive as Ramsey's tools may be, he didn't do a whole lot with them in college. Elliot may be the safest pick in the top 10.

 

[jarntt]

I won't argue D should've been picked over EE, but between he and Ramsey I think EE is less of a bust factor. Besides that ship has sailed it's time to get on board with Elliott.

I'm not sure how to comment on that because I'm not really sure how you would quantify it. I think both are talented enough that even if they are "busts" they will be average at worst and contribute in some way. I'm not sure I'd say EE is more likely to be great. I think they are about even from a talent point of view and very similar prospects.

 

[Manster7588]

I'm not sure how to comment on that because I'm not really sure how you would quantify it. I think both are talented enough that even if they are "busts" they will be average at worst and contribute in some way. I'm not sure I'd say EE is more likely to be great. I think they are about even from a talent point of view and very similar prospects.

Maybe I've misread you, but my comprehension is if someone says something good about EE being a Cowboy you come back with a post at least hinting Dallas shouldn't have drafted him.

 

[PDay8810]

thankfully it's not auto pilot as to what these guys will be. Just like HS to college, lots of factors yet to play out.
22/23/24 year olds? Not a whole lot you can take to the bank.

as a fan...you come to terms and get behind your team. Not many wanted the draft we ended up with and fewer know how this will play out.

 

[jarntt]

Maybe I've misread you, but my comprehension is if someone says something good about EE being a Cowboy you come back with a post at least hinting Dallas shouldn't have drafted him.

I'm not sure what you are saying or what you are basing it on, but generally on message boards when a topic is at hand you give your views on it. If you want my view, my opinion is I like EE and am happy he is on the team and think he will be very good and make our team better. But, I would not have taken him personally and I don't think he was as good a pick as Ramsey would have been. I just like Ramsey better for this team. However, I don't cling to what I said previously and worry about being right or wrong and I don't let my opinions on what I would have done differently in the past sway what I would do from that point forward. So the idea that I preferred Ramsey doesn't influence my comments from this point on and I won't compare the two. What is done is done. So again...I'm not sure how you quantify one guy being more a sure thing than the other. They don't even play the same position. I get the idea when comparing two QBs, but this whole idea that Elliott is the safer pick or more likely to be good just seems like people trying to justify it to me.

 

[jarntt]

thankfully it's not auto pilot as to what these guys will be. Just like HS to college, lots of factors yet to play out.
22/23/24 year olds? Not a whole lot you can take to the bank.

as a fan...you come to terms and get behind your team. Not many wanted the draft we ended up with and fewer know how this will play out.

Exactly. IMO Part of being a fan is letting go and accepting what the team does and rooting just as hard. People say here all the time (maybe just being in the moment): If they do this or don't do that I'm not watching any more. I never understood that. It's like the people that say they are leaving the Country if "person X" is elected President. Sometimes we need to accept our thoughts aren't the same for whatever reason as the teams thoughts. We don't have to agree with the team or even each other, but we should all be rooting for the same goal

 

[Godstree]

No, we don't need to be the 85 Bears(like we could haha), but I could see us being the 1982 Redskins or the 1993 Cowboys. Just line up with the best OLine in football, a stud RB(and backups), commit to pounding the rock down the other teams throats until they have to go with an 8 man front, then run play action to your Superstar WR or HOF TE, one or both of which will be man covered, and take advantage of mismatches like run stiffing LB's trying to check Beasley or Elliott out of the backfield, or a safety getting stuck on TWill...

I was thinking play action with zeke and then having Mcfadd running a wheel route as a safety valve. One on one DM would kill it.

 

[jarntt]

This kind of cracked me up. He may have some explaining to do to his DL teammates. Sounds like he's saying he came here because we don't have any talent...

“I played behind great players. When I was out there, it was Chris Clemons, Cliff Avril, Bruce Irvin – big-name guys,” Mayowa said. “When I went to Oakland, I was behind Justin Tuck, Lamarr Woodley for a little bit, Khalil Mack. So I always had to scratch my way in places. That’s why I came here. It’s a great opportunity.”

Mayowa Hoping To Turn Heads, Given Opportunity On Cowboys' D-Line

 

[es4m11]

This kind of cracked me up. He may have some explaining to do to his DL teammates. Sounds like he's saying he came here because we don't have any talent...

“I played behind great players. When I was out there, it was Chris Clemons, Cliff Avril, Bruce Irvin – big-name guys,” Mayowa said. “When I went to Oakland, I was behind Justin Tuck, Lamarr Woodley for a little bit, Khalil Mack. So I always had to scratch my way in places. That’s why I came here. It’s a great opportunity.”

Mayowa Hoping To Turn Heads, Given Opportunity On Cowboys' D-Line

It's a true statement, despite how it may be interpreted.

 

[Bmurph]

This kind of cracked me up. He may have some explaining to do to his DL teammates. Sounds like he's saying he came here because we don't have any talent...

“I played behind great players. When I was out there, it was Chris Clemons, Cliff Avril, Bruce Irvin – big-name guys,” Mayowa said. “When I went to Oakland, I was behind Justin Tuck, Lamarr Woodley for a little bit, Khalil Mack. So I always had to scratch my way in places. That’s why I came here. It’s a great opportunity.”

Mayowa Hoping To Turn Heads, Given Opportunity On Cowboys' D-Line

I hope it motivates everyone to try and beat out the next guy, and the best players win the starting jobs. Hope the guys that may have been in front of him are pissed. HAHA!

 

[tylerTX88]

With Elliott probably not paying a bell cow role this year due to DMC and Morris taking some carries I think he will be our FT 3rd down back. So unless Dunbar is close to 100% I think about putting him on IR if I don't unload someone. Then see what happens going forward. If we hit on EE there is a very low chance DMC is here in 2017. So then you would have EE, a power back in Morris and a scat back in Dunbar that also plays STs.

Exactly what I was thinking. I hope Dunbar comes back but if he is ir it actually thins the RB crowd.

 

[tomodach10]

I'm not sure what you are saying or what you are basing it on, but generally on message boards when a topic is at hand you give your views on it. If you want my view, my opinion is I like EE and am happy he is on the team and think he will be very good and make our team better. But, I would not have taken him personally and I don't think he was as good a pick as Ramsey would have been. I just like Ramsey better for this team. However, I don't cling to what I said previously and worry about being right or wrong and I don't let my opinions on what I would have done differently in the past sway what I would do from that point forward. So the idea that I preferred Ramsey doesn't influence my comments from this point on and I won't compare the two. What is done is done. So again...I'm not sure how you quantify one guy being more a sure thing than the other. They don't even play the same position. I get the idea when comparing two QBs, but this whole idea that Elliott is the safer pick or more likely to be good just seems like people trying to justify it to me.

I agree I don't not think a running back is necessarily less of a bust factor. I hope EE is everything he is portrayed to be. I want the Cowboys draft to be successful. My concern is this defense, the same concern i had since last season. I don't see too much effort into fixing your major problem. I hope ball control does cover up the warts on defense. However, this offense has always had trouble in the red zone more so due to stupid play calling I MO.

 

[jarntt]

I'm not saying they are All Pros or anything, but don't you get the feeling our entire DL will be out for the "team" and not themselves and will be willing to do whatever they are asked? When you have a DC that wants to rotate and move guys around, that has to be a good thing. Looks like all egos checked at the door. I really like this group. I hope they step up and produce. The old saying may just apply here: the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Tyrone Crawford Discusses Injury Rehab, Possibility Of Playing DE