THE OFFICIAL 2024 - 2025 DALLAS COWBOYS SEASON THREAD || MEH

[T0INE]

Sigh.

Romo continues to come up short in big games like this,

 

[kid fiasco]

Bye Romo.

 

[Maximus Meridius]

Don't blame Romo. According to the numbers he's better than Eli and Big Ben.

 

[lil stevie728]

8-8 once again. 4-4 at home, 4-4 on the road, 3-3 in the division. Doesn't get more mediocre than that but then again, that's pretty much been the theme for the last 16 years

 

[shatterkneesinc]

Yikes.

 

[gmsboy1]

oline top priority. Looking forward to lee and carter tandem next year. They'll be great.

 

[do work son]

Don't blame Romo. According to the numbers he's better than Eli and Big Ben.

 

[T0INE]

Dez's emergence has been the lone bright spot of this mediocre season.

Hopefully he gets that finger fixed, heals up and builds off his great season.

 

[essential1]

Alright I'll go with this as the Offseason Thread.

Here's what I posted in the faux one.

Bright Spots:
RB - Murray is legit. He played very well, and probably will do better if we had good line in front of him. I think Tanner and Dunbar are ok, and I can see them back. Depending on if Felix comes cheap is if I want him back.
WR - Dez was the primary reason we were in it in Week 16. Miles is solid (just needs to stay healthy, but as a #2 is very good). Ogletree needs to work on his route running but will be fine if he can develop consistency, he showed flashes of being good. Dewayne Harris is a monster at return, and is a solid #3 or 4. Beasley is alright, I think he has the ability to be a nice slot guy a la a replica of a replica of Wes Welker.
TE- Witten is a rock, dude will always be consistent. I think Hanna replaced Philips as the #2 TE, and Philips will be gone.
LB- Sucks that injuries took this apart. We need to give Spencer what he wants to keep him. Spencer - Lee - Carter - Ware. And at least 2 of Butler, Sims, Albright as backups, possibly all 3.
CB - Carr and Clairborne were not great, but they were much better than our Secondary has been in years. I expect both of them to pick it up and be better next year. Especially Clairborne
K- Bailey is my guy.

I won't talk about Romo. It's a broken record. But we can only replace this **** record with an even more **** record

Safeties - I don't care about any of them. But I don't have a problem giving them another chance
.
Changes that need to be made:
O-Line: With the exception of Tyron, they all need to go. But I understand that is unrealistic. Tyron, ???, Cook, ??? , Free/Parnell. Look for 2 Guards. Cook is good enough. I think Guards will open up our run game. I think we have to look for a Guard 1st Round. The line was too much of a mess to go anywhere else (With the exception of a huge drop on Draft Day like Dez a couple years back) Maybe Chance Warmack who some have going as high as 7th, some as low as mid-20s.

D-Line: Ratliff is old, but when healthy he is a nice piece to have. Although a healthy Ratliff is rare. We need to put a pass rusher next to Ratliff. Or like someone suggested in the season thread move Ratliff to End and go after a NT.

CB: We need a Ball Hawk 3rd DB. Jenkins is garbage, and I may punt a dog if we bring him back. Scandrick isn't good enough for #3, but #4 may be ok.




Summation of what needs to be done:
LG
RG
RE
LE
NT depending on what we do with Ratliff.
CB (a #3)

 

[change the name Snyder]

Resident ******* fan reporting in.

 

[tengoeljugode]

I've been saying it for years but I must say it again; we are going nowhere with Tony Romo and Jason Garrett. That was an absolute affirmation that the end should be near for this regime.

 

[jordan23dotcom]

Sigh.

Romo continues to ALWAYS AND FOREVER WILL come up short in big games like this,

 

[airjordan jb23]

Tough loss... We got ourselves back in the game with some good plays & stops down the stretch & had a good amount of time for that last drive, but that INT

What else can you say, just a tough way to end the season.

 

[bigmike23]

that hurt

 

[va757va]

Don't blame Romo. According to the numbers he's better than Eli and Big Ben.

give him bens or elis defense and the ******** score around 14 points, not 28...lol...  but u got it...

toine/essential , i saw a few bright spots this season...

-dez bryants emergence of course...

-dwayne harris made a name for himself as a returner, then a reciever...bye bye ogletree...

-bruce carter and barry church were both pleasant surprises...if they can stay healthy, should be two solid pieces for the future...

-ANTHONY SPENCER IS THIS SEASONS MVP IMO...always hated dude...he put that D on his back amongst all those injuries...

of course alot of stuff needs changing..i like what rob ryan did...im too hot and cold with jason garrett, i dont think i can give a non biased assessment of him right now...so i wont even try,,,

but obviously something needs to change offensively...the in game adjustments arent there...to let the skins blitz crazy and have no counter isnt acceptable...

ehh...long season..bright spots along the way....alot needs to change of course...mediocre team tho.....but the east just got tougher and this same squad aint gone cut it honestly...

au revoir to another season...modern day cowboys = cant get right....

'im the pappy of that there baby boss'

 

[bigmike23]

if there every was a time to fire jason and get another HC its now. way to many names out there that would help us

we need to fix both the OL and DL.

smith is fine at LT, i can live with cook at C. they need to fix the guards and RT spot. maybe move free inside and go draft a tackle. Andre smith is a FA also with cincy.

the DL needs to be worked on Also, get a real NT that can hold up for a full season and move jay to DE. he cant hold up playing NT for a full season in a 3-4 defense. hatcher is fine. i dont think i hear sprears named called once for a impact play. he doesnt make plays or plug holes.

i would like another pass rusher also to keep dware fresh, he is out there sucking air at times and then goes MIA.

u see the defense got worse when we lost all the players up the middle like lee,carter and jay.

 

[essential1]

Cowboys won't fire Garrett. Instead they are looking for an OC to help with play calling.


Maybe we go back to the early 90s and suggest Norv Turner.. Norv is a terrible HC. But a great OC.

 

[ackdaquick]

Cowboys won't fire Garrett. Instead they are looking for an OC to help with play calling.
Maybe we go back to the early 90s and suggest Norv Turner.. Norv is a terrible HC. But a great OC.

THIS Im hot and cold on Garrett as well but being both HC and OC/playcaller is probably why we have seen some of those questionable time/situation management issues over the past 2 seasons.

DL and OL are the biggest issues moving forward. Free probably wont be around and we will need some gaurds that can get a push. I have to say that the last 3 to 4 games they did much better as far as pass blocking and lack of penalties. Spears and Ratliff probably wont be back either. Some definite holes to fill on that DL. Still on the look out for that soda machine to not be moved around at NT.

Lee and Carter are the future but we need more depth there. Dan Connor doesnt look like a ball player for us. Alex Albright is very flexible at all LB positions, so he looks promising. Spencer might get franchized again.

I like what I saw out of church before the injury so id like him to be back. Sterling Moore looks good enough to bring back to camp next year. Flexible at S, CB, and is good on special teams. Another camp should do Mo some good as well.

The bomb for me this offseason is to release Miles Austin. Injury prone or lack of effort/will to play pushes me to want to go another direction and find another receiver especially if you can find some cheaper talent.

 

[peteweezy]

Cowboys won't fire Garrett. Instead they are looking for an OC to help with play calling.


Maybe we go back to the early 90s and suggest Norv Turner.. Norv is a terrible HC. But a great OC.

I thought Garrett said he wanted to keep things the same and not bring in an OC. I hope we bring in somebody honestly.

 

[essential1]

Garrett isn't doing it. Management supposedly is.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10...boys-eye-playcalling-oc-to-help-jason-garrett


Ack it isn't the time to get rid of Miles.. Not this year. He still pulled in great numbers for a #2 WR.


This is what I see in depth so far

Offense

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

QB - Romo, Orton
HB - Murray, Dunbar, Tanner
FB - Vickers
WR1 - Dez
WR2- Miles
WR3- ????
WR4- Harris
WR5 - Beasley or Coale
TE1- Witten
TE2- Hanna
TE3- ???
LT - Tyron
LG - ???
C - Cook, Costa
RG - ????
RT - Free, Parnell
K - Bailey
P - Jones
LS- Ladouceur

Ogletree may or may not be gone. I'm not sure, but I'd gladly have him back as the 3rd Receiver. Cribbs or Amendola are best available.

Free wasn't great. But I think they bring him back and try to develop as much as they can, and guard would be the best choice. And 2014 go after a new
RT. Unless we can find someone good for cheap in Free Agency.

I want Warmack at one of the Guard Spots. Would be great. Even Jonathan Cooper would be solid.

If Felix salary is less than what it is, I'd take him back. And cut Tanner

Defense

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

DE - Hatcher, ????, ???, ???
NT - ???, ????
LOLB - Spencer, Butler or Sims
ROLB - Ware, Albright
MLB - Lee, Carter, Connor
RCB - Carr
LCB - Clairborne
3CB - ???
4CB - Scandrick
5CB - Moore
FS - Sensabaugh, McCray
SS- Church, Frampton

I don't think they will let any of the LBs go. Spencer will be franchised. (Maybe Butler goes somewhere for more money, if he goes Sims will definitely be back. I'd like Both for the depth, but it's iffy)
Ratliff I go back and forth on.

Draft:
1st : Guard
2nd: DE
3rd: Guard
4th: DT
5th: DE
6th: QB/WR/CB (QB trying to strike gold)
7th: Diamond in the Rough pick

But I'd trade the 3rd and 4th for another 2nd and pick another guard. DE & Guard are deep this draft so you want to get as many picks as you can in early rounds.

 

[ackdaquick]

I just dont see the situation with Miles getting better from here or even back to what it was a couple seasons back. Im up in the air on Ogletree but Harris in my mind solitified the 3rd WR spot pending Ogletree's situation.
I still got love for uncle felix and that homerun ability. A little space and a missed tackle and anytime he could be going to the house. Just about every year you need to draft a new RB and we know this running game needs something.

Kenyon Colemans injury really hurt this line on the low. Maybe one of the bigger Defensive injuries short of Lee or Church/Carter. Right now im thinking using that 1st round pick on the DL but its still alot to hash out.

 

[essential1]

I just dont see the situation with Miles getting better from here or even back to what it was a couple seasons back. Im up in the air on Ogletree but Harris in my mind solitified the 3rd WR spot pending Ogletree's situation.
I still got love for uncle felix and that homerun ability. A little space and a missed tackle and anytime he could be going to the house. Just about every year you need to draft a new RB and we know this running game needs something.

Kenyon Colemans injury really hurt this line on the low. Maybe one of the bigger Defensive injuries short of Lee or Church/Carter. Right now im thinking using that 1st round pick on the DL but its still alot to hash out.

He had 66 catches 943 yards 6TDs. That's extremely solid especially now that he's a #2. And with Dez finally emerging, I think Miles would still produce good numbers. Not the 1300 receiving yards, but he could easily get 800. And that we can definitely live with it for another year. He's no longer a #1, but 800 at the #2 is great. Especially if Dez is getting 1000+ and Witten will get 900 or better like clockwork.

I think Og is a better receiver than Harris. Harris has a chance to blow open games returning. I think keeping both with Dez, Miles, Witten & Hanna would be for teams if we can develop this line.

I agree with Felix. If he wants what he got this past year, NO. But I think he will have a limited market and end up with less. So I'd have him back and keep Dunbar who I like.

I don't trust Coleman if we bring back Ratliff. We'll be putting too much stock in Old, Injury-Prone guys. Maybe if Coleman was not an every down guy, I'd be with it.

The worst part is people said our LB depth was weak. But damn near every LB we had had some injury and still had 3 passable replacements. We weren't weak, but you can't prepare a team for that many injuries in one area.

And I think we have to go OL because Murray is a legit back. And our line can't pass block or run block. We need to get a better line so it gives Romo more time on passes. And can open holes for Murray. Then we can run a more balance and dangerous offense. I think Murray has top 10 RB ability. But he won't get it if he has to be Barry Sanders.

Also I think it'd be easier to go out and get cheap DL guys that can have an impact as opposed to having a line that is worthy of our offense.

 

[ackdaquick]

He had 66 catches 943 yards 6TDs. That's extremely solid especially now that he's a #2. And with Dez finally emerging, I think Miles would still produce good numbers. Not the 1300 receiving yards, but he could easily get 800. And that we can definitely live with it for another year. He's no longer a #1, but 800 at the #2 is great. Especially if Dez is getting 1000+ and Witten will get 900 or better like clockwork.
I think Og is a better receiver than Harris. Harris has a chance to blow open games returning. I think keeping both with Dez, Miles, Witten & Hanna would be for teams if we can develop this line.
I agree with Felix. If he wants what he got this past year, NO. But I think he will have a limited market and end up with less. So I'd have him back and keep Dunbar who I like.
I don't trust Coleman if we bring back Ratliff. We'll be putting too much stock in Old, Injury-Prone guys. Maybe if Coleman was not an every down guy, I'd be with it.
The worst part is people said our LB depth was weak. But damn near every LB we had had some injury and still had 3 passable replacements. We weren't weak, but you can't prepare a team for that many injuries in one area.
And I think we have to go OL because Murray is a legit back. And our line can't pass block or run block. We need to get a better line so it gives Romo more time on passes. And can open holes for Murray. Then we can run a more balance and dangerous offense. I think Murray has top 10 RB ability. But he won't get it if he has to be Barry Sanders.
Also I think it'd be easier to go out and get cheap DL guys that can have an impact as opposed to having a line that is worthy of our offense.

I agree his numbers are cool for him now being a number 2, but with his constantly being banged up WR needs some padding.

Ratliff had an issue with jerry jones in the locker room and he hasnt been around the team in weeks so the odds are he might be hitting the door.

Injuries is always a teetering point for any teams success but dat was obviously a majority reason why da D looked so weak into the second half of the season. A relatively healthy D with a retooled line next year will beast if not be solid.

The most frustrating part is the offense and the running game. IDK if its Xs and Os or personnel but romo has never had a 1000 yard rusher for a full season. They cant forget about everything that goes into getting the running game going and put some real stock this offseason into the ground game. I liked the Vickers pick up but he could be utilized slightly better.

 

[mpire]

Got back this weekend. Who'd a thought Brazil, a country that normally doesn't give two ***** about American Football, loved the Cowboys so much. Game was nationally televised there, didn't even have to go to the only sports bar in the country that televises NFL every weekend. It's amazing how relevant the Cowboys are despite our constant shortcomings.

With that being said, relevancy doesn't equal wins. Garrett made zero adjustments to the blitz. Not one screen called. Then again, the Cowboys aren't disciplined enough to run screens successfully.

I'm not going to sit here and blame Romo. The entire country is already doing that. If Romo makes a comeback and wins the game, its not considered a "big game." We lose to the Seahawks today, its 'Romo is a choker." He'll always be a choker unless he wins a ring. He's had just as many game winning drives as most of the greats. The problem with Romo is the pressure is too much in Dallas. Expectations are severely high and he has big shoes to fill. Romo would be fine in KC, Cleveland, or even Arizona, where he doesn't have to deal with the polarity that comes with being the QB of Americas Team. I won't be surprised if we offer him the extension and he doesn't accept it.

We overachieved this season. Started off 3-5. Only reason we had a semblance of playoff hopes was Romo/Dez. What Garrett was able to do in galvanizing this team despite the Jerry Brown incident is enough for me. Garrett is a young HC, only his second full season. Imagine if we got rid of Tom Landry after his first 7 seasons of less than 6 wins. Gotta be realistic. We had injuries at the same position like no other this season. We even took that bum Michael Coe, who got burned by Ogletree in week 1, and made him an active starter. We weren't going to beat Seattle with Ogletree/Harris starting at WR and the defense was literally running on fumes.

Garrett's problem is the playcalling. He's had this offense for 6 years and the only year we had a prolific offense was when Spoarano was assiting him in 2007 and we were ranked #2. He refuses to give up the play calling duties but its not for him to decide. I expect Garrett to be a "walk around" HC next year.

Miles Austin can go depending on the cap implications. Dwayne and Dez compliment each other well and Miles has too many hammy problems limiting him to the slot position. If we shore up the o-line, we don't need a "dominant #2" because we already have an up and coming elite WR in Dez.

Going to be a long off season in Valley Ranch and Jerry states its going to be "uncomfortable." But the problem starts right there: Jerry. Jimmy said it best a couple months ago: "The culture in Valley Ranch is the problem. There's no fear. Its a country club, where everyones buddies." Barry Church will most likely get extended if he hasn;t already, despite having a torn achillies and not having any idea how he'll perform next year. Dez probably won't get extended until he has an even better season next season, driving his price through the roof and Jerry making him one of the highest paying WR's, causing more future cap implications; Doug Free returns as a starter; Jerry declares the oline is 'fine'; Jerry makes CowboyNation believe we are once again "1 player away from SB contention."

 

[Baby Face Nelson]

I'm tired of everyone deflecting blame on Tony Romo because that's what Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless said on the early edition of First Take. Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers aren't going to magically appear in a Cowboys uniform, but I'll sure as hell take Romo over QB's like Flacco, Shaub, Ryan and Dalton. We don't have a line to hold up so we can have a 1300 yard back and alleviate the pressure off of work. With a receiver like Dez Bryant, the Cowboys are virtually never out of scoring position because of his game breaking ability, but we don't have the ability to take time off the clock because we cant sustain a running game and the Defense gives up so many big plays that Romo always finds himself in a shootout. That ******** game exposed our offense game planning and I'm surprised it took that long to be figured out. Jason Garrett and his play calling should be receiving most of the blame for the performance this season. To the average eye our sets look basic and causes no confusion to the defense. Why can't Felix Jones be used a Bush, Sporles, McCluster, and Cobb? Why can't we run more 2 TE, or 3 TE sets with Witten, Phillips, and Hanna? Jason Garrett was christened to be this offensive genius while Wade Phillips was coaching, but in my eyes his playing is still as horrible now as it was back then.  Then don't get me started on Rob Ryan, who gets a screenshot of him cursing into his play sheet everytime a 3 down is converted against us. RG3 likes to run to the left Rob, which way do you think you should bring the blitz? It's a trick question guys, he'll rather just sit in a zone all game!!! Finally, Dallas just has to draft better. We can't go around have have the Bobby Carpenter's of the world be our #1 pick. Dallas is very top heavy in terms of talent and when injury occurs we cant sub in personal who can give us decent production like the Pats, Giants, Niners, Seahawks ETC. We need to retool like NOW because we are losing the Arms Race in the NFC East.