PREDICTIONS:Cowboys 2012 schedule

[ZeroClub]

In all serious, for me I don't see us as a playoff team again. I have no idea what our record is but I think we are two off seasons from being a real coontender.

Now having romo is the wildcard, if he is healthy the whole year and the defense is above average we will be in the mix for the playoffs.

Right now we have a lousy defense, two injury waiting to happen running backs, no third wr, no backup offensive tackle....center is a huge question mark..

Most imoportantly the secondary doesn't look much better to me today, the center position looks like a real problem and now Spencer is going to miss the offseason possibly.....like he is going to show up in good shape ready to go in July after that...

Then you throw in the Jerry factor and garrett's inexperience and it seems like another .500 type season to me.

But the positive is if we have a good draft and the free agents worked out we should play better, but with the schedule we have I just dont see the playoffs as of today. The giants and eagles are just better and the skins play better defense than we do.

I'm fairly pessimistic too.

My pessimism has nothing to do with the schedule -- IMO, it is way too early to judge how difficult the schedule will or won't be. You simply never know at this time of year who will be great, who will stink, and who will be average.

I think you are absolutely right, Theebs, about the suspect durability of the two RBs. At WR, Austin has a history of injury issues (before his all-world game vs. the Chiefs a few years ago) and Dez is an inconsistent route runner who has had some injuries too. Robinson's departure is a major loss (even though there was little that could be done to keep him). The OL isn't very good. Although MartyB disappointed as a receiver, he was a top-notch blocker .... and given how poor the OL has performed, I think he'll be missed more than many now expect.

I don't know about here, but back at the CZ, several fans like to point out just how effective the Cowboys offense was last year (passing efficiency) ... and then the posters use that information to justify the need to focus on the defense this time around.

I'm simply not that confident in the offense. They were often hit-and-miss last year. It is not at all difficult to imagine them taking a big step backwards next season ... particularly if a few key players are not acquired. I'm referring to a G, a C, a solid blocking TE, a third RB with legitimate NFL skills, and a better than average third WR.

Carr was a key acquisition; it was quite important to upgrade the Newman starting spot. But after Carr, if I'm making tough decisions about acquiring defensive or offensive players, I've gotta favor the offense.

You can win in today's NFL with a great offense and mediocre defense. IMO, the Cowboys are much closer to having an elite offense than they are to having an elite defense. So, all things being equal, I'd have the Cowboys build their elite offense now.

Recent information from the Dallas sports press, however, makes it sound as if Jerry & company are set to focus on defense. I think that's a bad move.

 

[UVAwahoos]

It's kinda weird to have more than 4 posters. New guy is very competent also.

Only a matter of time before Dbair runs him off.

 

[Sheik]

Pretty much nailed it with that post, ZC.

Only thing I'd disagree with is, I think we're better for getting rid of Marty B. Part of that I fully admit is disappointment over the regression he showed as a pass catcher after his rookie year, the other part is purely opinion based, but I don't think he gave a damn about getting better.

I acknowledge his ability as a blocker and that it will be missed, but he's just one of those addition by subtraction cases for me.

 

[Sheik]

It's kinda weird to have more than 4 posters. New guy is very competent also.

Only a matter of time before Dbair runs him off.

4 guys. 1 cup.

 

[Theebs]

Good post zeroclub. Welcome...

Honestly I think our defense needs alot of work. I also think our offense has seriously limiting issues like center, backup tackle, 3rd wr, tight end, injury proned running backs...

I think improving the defense is number 1 though, especially when it appears chris jones is the new punter....if he struggles and we are giving up big time field position that is bad. Our defense is already supported by one of the best Time of possesion offenses in the league and they stink.

so to me we just need to get better and as long as they dont draft stiffs we should be better.

 

[UVAwahoos]

If it gonna be that kinda party, I'd more than welcome a 5th.

Giggity.

 

[Sheik]

Oh yeah, before I forget.

7-9 without seeing how the draft goes.

I still think the defense is probably bottom 5 in the league, the offensive line is going to be worse than last year if another competent starter isn't added through the draft.

Not mad.

 

[Sheik]

Good post zeroclub. Welcome...

Honestly I think our defense needs alot of work. I also think our offense has seriously limiting issues like center, backup tackle, 3rd wr, tight end, injury proned running backs...

I think improving the defense is number 1 though, especially when it appears chris jones is the new punter....if he struggles and we are giving up big time field position that is bad. Our defense is already supported by one of the best Time of possesion offenses in the league and they stink.

so to me we just need to get better and as long as they dont draft stiffs we should be better.

Is McBriar completely out of the question? Haven't read anything about the situation.

 

[ZeroClub]

Pretty much nailed it with that post, ZC.

Only thing I'd disagree with is, I think we're better for getting rid of Marty B. Part of that I fully admit is disappointment over the regression he showed as a pass catcher after his rookie year, the other part is purely opinion based, but I don't think he gave a damn about getting better.

I acknowledge his ability as a blocker and that it will be missed, but he's just one of those addition by subtraction cases for me.

I have mixed feelings about MartyB too.

But I do believe the 2nd TE is an important position for Garrett's offense and now that MartyB is gone (for better or for worse), it is important for the team to acquire a high quality 2nd TE.

 

[Theebs]

Is McBriar completely out of the question? Haven't read anything about the situation.

stephen jones was just on a few hours ago with marc elfenbein and he basically made it sound like they have completely ruled him out in a polite way.

Got the sense he wont even be considered. Unfortunately.

 

[Sheik]

Too bad. He had a nice run, though.

 

[ZeroClub]

Good post zeroclub. Welcome...

Honestly I think our defense needs alot of work. I also think our offense has seriously limiting issues like center, backup tackle, 3rd wr, tight end, injury proned running backs...

I think improving the defense is number 1 though, especially when it appears chris jones is the new punter....if he struggles and we are giving up big time field position that is bad. Our defense is already supported by one of the best Time of possesion offenses in the league and they stink.

so to me we just need to get better and as long as they dont draft stiffs we should be better.

Thanks, I appreciate your welcome and those of others who have offered them in posts and/or pm's.

I think most defenses stink in today's league, mostly because they aren't allowed to play pass defense anymore. For the most part, the best you can hope for is a DB who can catch a poorly thrown ball when the QB makes a mistake. Newman didn't have great hands. I hope Carr's hands are significantly better.

 

[marionbarberthe4th]

Slow it down new guy, you're making us Sarge one-line mgees look bad

 

[NoDak]

I'll add 2-15 (The league awards us an extra loss) if we draft Poe.

lol

The leage is always out to get us.

 

[NoDak]

I'm thinking right now about 8-8 or 9-7. If we get lucky with injuries and catch a few breaks along the way I could see us sneak into the playoffs with 10 wins. But not do much when we get there. Maybe 1 win.

Unless we draft DeCastro. Then its 12-4 at worst, with at minimum a trip to the NFCC. Right Bob?

 

[dbair1967]

We need to be better on the OL and get more pass rush, and making more plays on the ball in the air defensively wouldnt hurt either. We've made some good steps, but the draft is huge. We need two solid contributors (if not starters) who are upgrades over what they replace or split time with.

If they do that this (and keep the key guys healthy for a change) we can be a pretty good team. The schedule is set up pretty good for us.

 

[UVAwahoos]

I'm still perplexed that they didn't sign Grubbs in FA. Usually it's cuz they have a better plan, but our FO is actually retarded a lot.