It's the offseason for the Dallas Cowboys, that time when a young fan's fancy turns to thoughts of draft picks and free agent signings. We all are hoping the team can find some vital pieces to correct the glaring issues and get the Star back into the playoffs where it belongs.
But most of the team that takes the field in 2012 will be veteran players. The success of the Cowboys will depend more on them, just as a factor of numbers, than it will on a handful of draft choices and free agents. That is why I have been giving a good bit of thought to who should be kept with the team, as well as who should go.
And this year, there is no lockout. This is the first offseason for Head Coach Jason Garrett, Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan, and Strength and Conditioning Coach Mike Woicik. Will this make a big difference?
Well, I sure hope so. There are an awful lot of things that need to be improved, and many people (like me) have stated that the team was hurt by the lockout. Some (like me) went so far as to state that the situation sucked. So, in the absense of the Great Suckitude, what do we hope will change?
Three things I am looking for after the jump.
One of the questions that was left in a sort of limbo was just how capable backup quarterback Stephen McGee is. I even wrote one of my early fanposts last summer about the problems the lockout caused for him and Jason Garrett. There is often a lot of angst about his total inadequacy as a quarterback after three seasons. But he has only had one full off season of work in those three seasons, and during the regular season, the backup quarterback (especially the 3rd stringer, which he has been most of his career) does not get a lot of snaps.
With Jon Kitna having done everything but tell people what he wants for the entree at his retirement party, JG needs to figure out what he is going to do for another backup quarterback, and also get an idea on just how much growth Stephen McGee is capable of. All indications are that JG5000 is taking a long view of things. That likely means that he is trying to figure out whether he needs to bring in another veteran quarterback who would offer experience but not a long term answer, or to look to acquire a young player. Does he need to look at investing a draft pick, or can he try to find the next Tony Romo in the UDFA ranks?
One way or another, the long term approach on this question is going to be heavily influenced by what Jason thinks he has in McGee. From the outside looking in, it appears that McGee has the physical talent, but there is still an obvious question as to whether he can handle the mental part of the game, having come from an option background in college. For 2011, the team more or less had to roll with him, because he at least knew the system and the team. I think the off season will be the key in determining whether McGee has a future with the Cowboys, and what his role will be. More importantly, it will help shape the path the team needs to take in the future for the inevitable day when Tony Romo is no longer the starter. And if McGee is not the person JG5000 wants handling the reins if Tony has to miss playing time, then the staff has at least a chance to find another solution by the start of the season.
Defensively, one of the things I saw over and over during the season was the confusion of the players. Rob Ryan uses multiple player packages, alignments, and movement to try and confuse the opponent. But too often, it was his own players who were befuddled and unprepared. There were certainly issues with the talent on the team, but the best players in the world are not much use if they are in the wrong place all the time.
After watching the same errors all season long, some of the readers here were calling for Rob to be shown the door after his first season. I thought that was rather silly, myself, since RR did come in and have to install his defense on the fly. And he had to roll mostly with players he inherited, since last year's draft was mostly oriented towards the offense.
That is all different this year, at least the part about installing his system. He has the offseason to teach his players what they are supposed to do, and it is assumed that he will also get some personnel upgrades to make things work better. The expectation is of course that the defense will make strides. If it doesn't, then discussions of whether Rob needs to stay in Dallas become pertinent.
If there is one optimistic hope that has surfaced again and again in looking at how to improve the team, it is what Mike Woicik should be able to do with the team after a full off season in his program. For those of you who are fairly new, or who missed this last summer, you might want to read over rabblerousr's pithy article about Mike's career in the NFL. The key thing: He is the only coach in the NFL to have earned six Super Bowl rings. Six. Three with the New England Patriots from 2000-2010. And the first three with the Dallas Cowboys during the glory days of the nineties. All as Strength and Conditioning Coach.
That, as they say, is one hell of a resume. And, as rabble observed, Mike just may be the most important factor in the future success of the Cowboys. How many times did we see offensive linemen getting pushed back into Tony's face? How often were the pass rushers not getting enough pressure on quarterbacks? How often did the players seem to be gassed more than the other guys late in the game?
If there is one prediction that I feel safe making, it is that the players are going to be stronger and have more endurance after Mike has a few months to work with them.
And think of what that opens up. We have heard that players like David Arkin have talent, but just need to learn the system - and get stronger. We saw Montrae Holland get cut for being out of shape - and come back to be a valuable part of the line after he dropped some weight and got himself into better condition. Sean Lissemore and Josh Brent looked pretty good, but could certainly look better with a little more muscle.
Then there is the thought of a stronger, more durable Tyron Smith. Or a more capable Sean Lee.
A lot of hope has been pinned on Mike around here. Now, we are going to see just what he can do. And remember, his contributions are not limited to OTAs and minicamps, but will affect the players' entire off season conditioning regimen.
This is why I think that the solutions to some of the Cowboys' problems are not in who they find in the draft or FA. I think some of the answers are already on the team. They are just not developed enough. Either they have not had the coaching they need to learn the position, they have not had the reps they need to allow them to react instead of think, or they have just not gotten the physical training they need to fully develop their skills. With a full off season to work with the team, I think quite a few of the players will come into 2012 and give us a better performance.
Which certainly will be better than all that suckage that was going on last year.
3 recs | 89 comments
Once we replace Newman
That side of the field will look a lot better with whoever we add plus a real defensive backs coach with knowledge and balls, something old Campo lacked
Cuban Cowboy - January 11, 2012 via mobile
I'm glad the need for a QB has been pointed out
McGee doesn’t seem to be the answer but I hope I’m wrong.He should have this last year of his contract to step up and show that he is capable of leading a team.
Do we then have to sign an ageing vet to be the backup or roll with McGee.
My hope is we can find a young QB to develop as mostpeople think we have about three good years left in Romo.
When I look at the needs of the team it seems that the only difference from last year is that OT isn’t listed as our prime need.
TCB Orange Dino - January 11, 2012
A vet QB is a good idea
This team has too many other holes in it to spend a draft pick on a QB this year. I would be ok with bringing in say Jake Delhome for a season or two. Houston wont keep him after this year. The most important needs are a guard, CB and pass rushers. Maybe another inside linebacker. If there is a beast of a nosetackle out there, go that way and move Ratliff to DE. Here is my wish list:
OG
DE
CB
ILB
NT
nospinzonefactor - January 11, 2012
The offseason came too early
but this team is not ready for a post season dance…yet.
Antonio S - January 11, 2012
I agree and, have myself, thought that not having an offseason
hurt us very much and also sucked. But then again, every team was in the same boat. A lot of the team leaders got their teams together and had some sort of offseason program. I believe that Romo did that with our offense but I’m not sure if anything happened with the defense. Definitely optimistic about next year after having a full season with coaches, coordinators, OTA’s, draft, and training camp.
Mikellie - January 11, 2012
there is a difference though
when you have a new head coach or coordinator, we had both, and while you’d hope they’d do better by the end of the season, reality is you just don’t get the time back, and will always be behind where you would have been and where teams with more continuity are.
Tom says “last year’s draft was mostly oriented towards the offense” but in fact the only player Ryan got in the draft was Carter who of course wasn’t even active until halfway through the season and was just barely starting to play defense by the end of the season. CB Thomas was the only other D player drafted and he didn’t even make the team. Focus this year’s draft on the D like 2011 was on the O, add Carter to the mix from the start, and then we’ll see what Ryan can do with an offseason.
scottmaui - January 11, 2012
It all hinges on the offensive line
this offense is just fine at all the skill positions but it all hinges on the offensive line to be successful. While I wouldn’t be opposed to drafting an interior olineman in the 2nd or 3rd round and get a really solid player, the best case scenario is that some combo of Costa/Kowalski/Nagy/Arkin can step up and capably fill 2 or 3 of those interior spots. Seems like basic strength is what’s missing for several or all them (along with experience of course, but they’re getting some of that other than Arkin, have to have the basics to get a chance to get the experience). And even the veterans from Free to Smith and Holland/Dockery, can benefit from a superior offseason program. If Woicik is anything like what we think he is—the best in the biz—along with Callahan added to the mix now, then it is exciting to hope that in the next year or two the oline transition will be complete and we’ll have a very young, athletic and capable oline to make our offense hum. Hopefully it arrives in time before Mr. Romo’s expiration date.
And as far as the QB position, with Kitna gone, I think McGee is a reasonably capable backup, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they used a later round pick like they did on McGee to find a #3. They’re not going to go higher than that with Romo still several good years, but if McGee is ready enough to be the #2, rather than bringing in another veteran, get another young QB in the pipeline to develop. Find a prospect in the 5th round with upside, and bring in some UDFAs to compete. And give McGee a year to see what he really is – a potential starter, a career backup, or not even that.
Meanwhile, give Ryan the rest of the draft. CB, OLB, ILB, S, DE, CB and an offseason to work with them, and then we’ll see what we think of him this time next year.
scottmaui - January 11, 2012
Best case scenario for the o-line
is drafting DeCastro (his projected take is right before we draft unfortunately), Free gets healthy, Tyron Smith continues to be a bada$% (maybe at LT) and the offseason with Woicik develops Arkin, Costa, Killer K, and Nagy with other options like Holland. Kosier’s been great with us, as a signal caller, and mentor to Free and Tryon Smith but he’s aging. This may be pie in the sky but if we can pull it off, we’ll be set on o-line for awhile. I don’t know enough about Callahan to know if he’ll improve the line; hopefully JG made that call.
Whatever we do in the draft, go BPA. We can fill the rest through free agency.
ScottB1985 - January 11, 2012
Free agency
Is before the draft this year.
CotySaxman - January 11, 2012 via mobile
An offseason with the coaching staff will make a world of difference
Especially Woicik
Terry - January 11, 2012
The Callahan and Henderson hires have me a little excited.
The news broke right after I put this in the stack for publication. Callahan, based on what the Jets players have said, is a very good coach, and with him teaching technique and Woicik working on strength, we may be better off on the OL than we thought. I still think the team will be looking for a good interior lineman during the draft, but there is at least hope now that some of the current players may be able to handle more of the load.
Tom Ryle - January 11, 2012
I was so excited when we hired Woicik.
Good article about an underestimated part of what the team needs. Nothing more to add really. Hopefully an offseason with JG, RR (and his schemes), and Woicek will lead to a better year.
ScottB1985 - January 11, 2012
All the talk about DeCastro in the1st,
I’ll bet Jerry doesn’t take an O-lineman in the 1st round, any takers?
DIRE WOLF - January 11, 2012
But you never know how the 1st round will play out
What if DeCastro is the BPA when the Cowboys are up? I would snag him up in a heart beat.
Antonio S - January 11, 2012
Man, you're preaching to the choir.
From what I’ve heard about DeCastro I’d love to have him, but the draft suppose to be deep in OGs. I think Jerry goes a different direction at one and picks o-lineman later. JMO
DIRE WOLF - January 11, 2012
Yeah, Maybe I am.
We’ll just have to see who’s available once the Cowboys are up.
Antonio S - January 11, 2012
I think the odds are that it won't be OL in the 1st.
That’s just because DeCastro seems to be the only OG that is worth the pick, and he may well be gone. But if he is there, I expect JG and Callahan to be fighting to get him. Then it will be interesting to see what RR and the defensive coaches are saying at that point.
Tom Ryle - January 11, 2012
Good point Tom
There most assuradly be a lot of haggling and opinions flying around the war room when we get on the clock, and there will be at least a few very good picks to choose from. Like I have said before, I am all in for DeCastro. But I think that he will probably not be there for us, and even if he is, I do not think that we will pick him, which will disapoint me some, but as long as they go with whomever they have on their board, and he makes sense, I can and will live with it. But I do stand by my mantra of, we started to fix the O-Line last year, lets finish it this year with DeCastro if possible, and then use the rest of the picks and FA to start fixing the D
And honestly I do not think JJ or anyone in the drast room is the least bit concerned with the whole “Big Splash” idea at this point. If this was ever the case, I seriously doubt that it even enters anyones’ mind at all at this point. I believe the whole thought process will revolve around “who can we get that will give us an impact on the field to get us into the playoffs”
Willy H - January 11, 2012
See OCC's post from a few days ago about drafting myths. One of them is the "shiny toy" myth.
And it has been shown that the Boys follow their board unless someone objects when the pick comes up. The person who objects has to “sell” the other 2 to change the pick. If they can’t sell their guy then the board is followed.
Rena - January 12, 2012
If DeCastro is there at #14 and we pass on him, we can assume that JG no longer has complete control over all personnel decisions.
JJ would be regressing to his old interventionist ways.
pfloyd1 - January 11, 2012
I don't agree.
I’ve come around to the DeCastro pick, and want them to select him, because if #9 doesn’t stay upright, this team goes down the drain. If there is a player that they rate on their board higher then DeCastro, and that person is there, they should take him. I’m fully an advocate of the BPA mentality.
There are too many holes on the team not to.
Nickthegrip - January 12, 2012
+1
i would say its pretty safe Jerry wants to make a bigger splash in this years 1st round pick. i can see DL/OLB/CB in any order depending the player & strength of the position in the draft..
this defense needs serious upgrades all around & Garrett/RR/Jerry cant afford to miss on any picks.
DCNation73 - January 11, 2012
Why Jerry?
Drafting is a group activity. Maybe the Cowboys won’t take a lineman, but every reference to Jerry being a one-man draft room is just silly. Why not purpose a 50 50 wager? Offense or Defense? OLine is one of many potential targets. You’d likely win. No different than betting someone they don’t roll a 6 on a single die.
CotySaxman - January 11, 2012 via mobile
JG probably has more sway than ever
but don’t doubt that Jerry makes the final decision. He may trust his coaches and scouts, but it is still his draft.
scottmaui - January 11, 2012
Jerry has the last word on who get's drafted, so it is Jerry making the final call.
Do you really think the bet thing was for real?
DIRE WOLF - January 11, 2012
Don't kid yourself, if Garrett wants him, Jerry will draft him
Terry - January 11, 2012
If you think Jerry has given the draft hammer to JG, you're kidding yourself..
Jerry didn’t give it to Tuna and he aint giving it to JG, he’ll have in put, but not the final call.
DIRE WOLF - January 11, 2012
Guess you really can't teach an old dog new tricks.
Uncle Angus - January 11, 2012
With the old dog being Jerry, of course.
Uncle Angus - January 11, 2012
What does Terry all ways say, delusional?
DIRE WOLF - January 11, 2012
you have no clue what goes on in the Dallas Draft Day War Room and don't pretend like you do
Seanrude - January 14, 2012
It's always used in a derogatory way, though.
When people praise an organization for its talent acquisition, they speak of them as an organization. Only Jerry Jones and Al Davis (rip) are referred to directly with regards to draft selections on a consistent basis. He brought the Cowboys success and is working to bring it once more.
As for the bet, I know you weren’t looking for money. I was just pointing out that the odds are in your favor. I was worried you might be stockpiling for those post-draft, block quote-filled, i told you so posts that some people do.
CotySaxman - January 11, 2012 via mobile
hard to say
if after so long, that he’d never do it twice in a row, or maybe now he won’t mind doing it again. If DeCastro is there and is clearly BPA it would be great to get him. Have another potential blue-chip player alongside Smith, and then fill in the rest of the interior with 2 of these guys we’ve got. It’s just that we need so much on the defense, I’d love to have a CB who could come in and play right away.
scottmaui - January 11, 2012
Good corners are a rarity, even top 5 picks.
I don’t think Peterson was much better than Newman through the first half of this year, if at all. Corner takes as long as, if not longer than, receiver to become acclimated.
CotySaxman - January 11, 2012 via mobile
Jets became stronger with OL picks
Mangold, Ferguson to name 2
Pack also went for Buluga
oldtimer - January 11, 2012
Garrett is now in charge of the draft really
So all of Jerry’s pre-Garrett as HC tendencies should be thrown out the window
Terry - January 11, 2012
This!
Look no further than last year for proof. We could of traded down and still go a tackle, we could of took Watt etc. Jason knows to win you need a QB standing on his feet.
thebigham - January 11, 2012
I seem to recall that JJ said that no one will be on this team unless JG approves of him. Am I
assuming too much if I interpret this as JG having control of the draft choices or does JJ still maintain that he will override him if he does not agree with JG regardinfg his choice for a given pick.
pfloyd1 - January 11, 2012
Draft picks are a consensus of JJ, JG, and Stephan.
The board is laid out and players are taken where they are on the board unless someone wants another guy. That person has to then “sell” the room on the switch. If they convince someone to change their mind then their guy is drafted. If not, they don’t get that guy.
Rena - January 12, 2012
you have no clue who is in charge of the draft and don't pretend like you do
Seanrude - January 14, 2012
No way we go OL in the first
we have the best strength coach in the game and the young interior linemen will finally be able to go through OTAs. It takes a season or mored for an OL to adapt and really impact the game in a positive way. Look for Nagy and Arkin at guard and Killer in the middle with Costa backing all three and Dockery backing the guards as well. Red has the line of the future that he wants. Now he has the coaching to devedlop his guys.
sexililkitti - January 11, 2012 via mobile
Not to knock HH
but the OL game passed him by. Todays linemen are more specialists and he was a generalist coach. Callahan will have them ready.
sexililkitti - January 11, 2012 via mobile
An offseason couldn't hurt, thats for sure. I've read more than once that the lack
of an off season in the weight room really hurt Doug Free.
Coakey - January 11, 2012
Oline
I personally don’t think they take an OL in the first. This draft is supposed to be a deep guard draft so I could see one in maybe the 2nd or 3rd. I’m all for shoring up this offensive line and would love to see DeCastro in a Cowboys uniform next year. I do think the first pick is going be a pass rusher or DB, hell I could see them trading down and taking that safety Barron from Bama.
It's Our Deztiny88 - January 11, 2012
I like the way you think
With Nagy, Costa, Kowalski, and Arkin being young and able to improve both physically and with technique, not to mention Holland under Woicik’s watchful eye…this interior o-line could take big strides even without a new big name addition. DeCastro does seem amazing though. Need to take a closer look at Bama safety. i would give anything for a playmaking safety to finally grace the Dallas Def.
Kegbearer - January 11, 2012
I'd be happy with either as we need both
Terry - January 11, 2012
Wes Bunting thinks very high of Mark Barron as a special teams player
Rohpuri - January 11, 2012
Well said
Woicik could do wonders for this team even before the players meet again. More time with Ryan to not only teach his designs and schemes but tinker them to fit his players better…that alone should help considerably.
McGee question is a big question rarely discussed.
Kegbearer - January 11, 2012
It's true McGee is big question...
But he hasn’t thrown an INT in his first 80 attempts. I don’t think that has ever been done before.
TheCowboyFan - January 11, 2012
I wasn't a fan
he seemed to check down every chance he got when he played in the Eagles game this year. Being careful is good, but he seemed mega-cautious.
I also thought he looked weak-armed.
I_miss_Switzer - January 11, 2012
that I think was more of a function of the O-line
Getting Man handled, plus the fact that Philly does have a pretty good set of CB’s….
I am Ironman!!! - January 11, 2012
no, McGee checks down way too often regardless of the situation and team
Some guys can throw downfield and some can’t, thats whey there’s great qbs and mediocre ones.
Terry - January 11, 2012
and some guys throw INT's regardless which is why it's a remarkable stat to say the least.
TheCowboyFan - January 11, 2012
not if you're always checking down it's not
Terry - January 11, 2012
That is one of the things that may be lack of reps
Again, I think the off season will answer the questions about his future (possible starter, career backup, or need to find someone to replace him).
Tom Ryle - January 11, 2012
That is a factor
but my gut instinct is that he won’t push the ball down the field. For a third year pro, I thought he looked shaky.
I_miss_Switzer - January 11, 2012
1 thing Mcgee isn't is weak armed.
Rena - January 11, 2012
maybe not
but he sure looked like it when the action was live. His passes seemed to lack conviction.
I_miss_Switzer - January 11, 2012
Not to mention Ryan being able to get some new players
Uncle Angus - January 11, 2012
Not having an off-season is a valid point
explaining in part the inadequate performance of the defense particularly and the team in general. Unfortunately the same is true for the 31 other teams in the League. So while Ryan will have a full off-season to fully implement his schemes and philosophy , so will ALL other DC’s. As a result, the playing field stays even. Even veteran DC’s will get to fine tune their Shemes, make adjustments, etc. I see NO advantage in having a full off season that is EXCLUSIVE to the Cowboys. The advantages will come from changes in personnel, both players and coaches.
stubabe - January 11, 2012
having a full offseason this year isn't an exclusive disadvantage
the point is that not having a full offseason last year was a disadvantage exclusive to teams with new coaches/schemes. This year we don’t be at an advantage, but we also won’t be at the same disadvantage we were last year.
scottmaui - January 11, 2012
I think the fact that they were trying to go with so many new faces on the OL is part of it.
That is where the lack of strength training really could hurt the Cowboys worse than some other teams.
And, hey, I’m looking for things to be hopeful about here.
Tom Ryle - January 11, 2012
Tom:
Not only the lack of training during the lockout was a problem, but improper training as well. A friend who is in the field said during the lock out, that improper and over training would likely be more of a problem than no training. At the time he mentioned the greater chances of hamstring problems for recievers and DB’s especially, if not working with the proper training and resting schedule. So Woicik may help in that area as well.
oldboysfan - January 11, 2012
Oldboysfan, I have heard this same thing from a freind
that is the strength and D-Line coach for an elite high school team in Maryland. He has said the exact same thing to me about the mechanics of training, and resting his players. In fact he indicated that this was one of his constant headaches with players trying to overtrain on their own time and coming up with nagging injuries.
Willy H - January 11, 2012
Lordy. I love this site for it's intelligent analysis. But can we please put a moritorium on the "NO OFFSEASON" excuse crap!
Give me a break.
Newsflash: Every other team had the same problem!
Newsflash: Other teams had new coordinators/systems too! The 49ers had a brand new staff straight from college!
Newsflash: “Our” team worked more during the offseason than any other NFL team!
Yes, go back to the posts during the lockout and read how proud everyone here was that this team got together and worked more than just about any other NFL team.
It’s a sorry-ass excuse and doesn’t deserve to be used here.
Realist Larry - January 11, 2012
It's not an excuse...just an observation and reality
It goes beyond comparing what other teams had time to do versus specific benefits your own team missed out on. Also understanding a new def coord. and o-line with three new starters had more to gain from a full offseason than some other units.
Kegbearer - January 12, 2012
BS
as regards the D. Same mistakes made in week 17 vs Week 1 is NOT because of no offseason; and the offseason was only impacted for March to Early june. They had a full camp and all the time from then until week 17.
burmafrd1944 - January 12, 2012
+10000
don’t get why people want to make excuses.
Realist Larry - January 12, 2012
disagree heartily. how'd other teams get it done? Why'd the 49ers get the #2 seed?
Answer: Better coaching.
Realist Larry - January 12, 2012
Thanks for knowing everything there Larry and telling us poor rubes how it is
StrosSouth - January 12, 2012
no problem. glad to help
and when RRyan bombs again next year and everyone’s calling for his head, I’ll be there.
By the way, I’m not the omly one who thinks JG should have some help (an OC), let’s hope he packs away his ego and admits it.
And by the way, that was a real cogent argument you had against my point about the 49ers. Oh, wait…..
Realist Larry - January 12, 2012
He has a OC, they just hired one.
Rena - January 12, 2012
Yeah, I just saw that as a matter of fact.
Recognize the name but need to read more.
BUT, is it an OC in name only or will he take some duties and even help with playcalling???? We don’t know.
Also, was he hired w/JG on board or did JJ just go get him?
Realist Larry - January 12, 2012
Check the ITAR Fanpost.
49ers have relatively the same offensive capabilities as last year, which are atrocious. The primary difference is Alex Smith’s incredibly low interception rate, which history has shown is a fluke. Interceptions are determined by luck. Teams that rely on luck don’t last long in the playoffs. 49ers also had among the softest schedules in the NFL this year.
Of course, all of these arguments are in the article and comment thread.
By the way, didn’t we beat that legendary 49ers team you speak of, with half a quarterback and plenty of defensive letdowns in week 2? Yea. They’re way more successful than us.
CotySaxman - January 13, 2012
Sure....
But they’re 13-3 and in the 2nd round.
we’re sittin’ at home and not even in the dance. Fans want excuses. They’re lame.
Suck it up, admit the coaching and players were bad, and try to get better.
The “No Offseason” excuse is horrible and a sissy copout.
Our D sucked. Our coaching sucked. How’s that?
Truth hurts.
Realist Larry - January 13, 2012
Now where in that statement did I make a no offseason excuse?
“Fans want excuses”.
Aren’t you looking for excuses?
You found yours, it seems. Everyone sucks. Everything sucks. What wonderful excuses. I guess they explain everything.
Or does the truth really hurt? Is that your excuse?
CotySaxman - January 13, 2012
Here's the real problem: Our 2 main coaches are married to schemes.
Garrett is married to his offensive scheme no matter what. Bad OLine? No problem, Keep those WR’s running those long routes! Forget about timing routes, quick passes, etc. Ooops, until the 2nd half of the final game, when suddenly he discovers that you can do quick drops and timing passes and lo and behold, the offense moves.
And Ryan thinks he’s going to win in the NFL by constantly blitzing and putting his CB’s in impossible situations. Not the right personnel? No problem, I just keep doing what I want! Fail after fail but I don’t adjust.
We have two coaches, (nouns).
But “coaching” is a verb, an action, exemplified by
1) Improvement in your players/units as the season progresses. On the Cowboys each unit got worse as the season went on! A sure sign of being outcoached and ineffective.
2) Adjusting one’s scheme and desires to the personnel you actually have. These 2 showed no ability, especially Ryan, to adjust their philosophies to the talent in place.
I have hope that Garrett will learn and grow, but Ryan will never succeed with this scheme against good offenses. Sure it can stop weak teams, one-dimesional teams, and teams with bad QB’s. But any good team with a decent QB and OC is going to take his blitzes, chew them up, and spit them out with glee. All they do is present offenses with holes and gaps to exploit.
Realist Larry - January 11, 2012
see I disagree here
Both Garrett and Ryan tried to make adjustments….Here was the Issue:
When Garrett went to the “short passing game” Defenses started to “pack” in, because they knew that Our O-line couldn’t hold up long enough to go over top …..result: Offensive stalling
ON Defense, Ryan tried many times to drop more people in coverage, the issue was that Dallas couldn’t get pressure with 3 or 4 players, so thus our Coverage still got burned…..
I am Ironman!!! - January 12, 2012
Do you remember Family Guy's Batman reference?
“Like how Commissioner Gordon tells Batman he just pooped”
We need that signal. You’ll know when to use it.
CotySaxman - January 13, 2012
I like how you took coaching, added a part of speach
(Which, by the way, isn’t correct. “To coach” is a verb. “Coaching” is a present participle.)
And then you throw together a ridiculous definition with no evidence to back it up, yet which suits your purposes.
How does a coordinator improve his team as the year goes on? It’s a long season. If anything, conditioning causes the team to decline throughout the year, even if their schemes are equally effective. You tout decline as a sure sign of bad coaching. Perhaps during an offseason, but not mideseason.
As for point 2, if you could solve the problem, you could be making millions as a DC in the NFL. Therefore, it’s apparent that you can’t. How do you run a defense with no one who can cover? You just can’t. He’s rushed 3 and dropped 8 to help the secondary. Then there’s no pressure. He’s rushed 6 and played cover 0 to help the pass rush. Then there’s no coverage. He’s played every sort of scheme in between the two extremes, and it generally doesn’t work. Yet here you go, complaining that he didn’t make adjustments when every play he ran was an adjustment.
This is simply a case of someone who lives to complain feeding nonsense to the masses in order to find like-minded (or lack-minded) company.
CotySaxman - January 13, 2012
So it's all on the players and the coaching was fine?
Our players are that horrible?
Explain it to me, I’m curious how you’d explain it.
Realist Larry - January 13, 2012
Let me try out your logic.
The (p)layers were bad. The ©oaches were bad. (J)erry Jones is bad.
The Cowboys were average.
The Cowboys are the combination of players, coaches, and Jerry Jones.
Cowboys = p + c + J
Average = bad + bad + bad.
Average = 3bad?
Brilliant.
CotySaxman - January 13, 2012
hmmmm. I'm looking up at my original post.
No mention of Jerry.
No mention of the players (altho we all agree they’re average overall).
{Where did I ever say our players are bad? Would you get that for me and copy/paste}
JJ is JJ. I’m certainly not alone in my criticisms of his terrible choices through the years. That makes me too negative for you
The players are the players-2 good drafts in a row away from being better than average.
I pretty specifically ripped the coaches up above. That was my point.
If you want to respond, go ahead.
How do you rate JJ, the players, and coaches?? All average?? I’m curious.
Realist Larry - January 14, 2012
In the other post in this thread that I replied to
You called the players and coaches bad. You opinion of JJ is well-known.
If you were intending to argue a point apart from other discussions, and not your perspective as a whole, I apologize for misrepresenting your opinion.
JJ took over the year I was born. He’s all I know. That said, I believe he’s doing his best. He loves this team and its legacy even more than he loves money. I wonder if most owners are like that, and I doubt that they are. He has advisors in every facet of football operations, and is open to suggestions. He’s average, at worst.
The players are hard to rate collectively. If none of our players pan out, we are left with a core of very good players, some dead end youth and some senior citizens. If we have any sort of success developing last year’s picks, we’ll have slightly above average talent. Our present outlook is average, and will change with free agency and the draft. A failed draft in the next 3 years may ruin the rest of the next decade.
Finally, I like our coaches. Not many teams can say this, but I feel our head coach has upside. He already has a level of organization that is unrivaled and a mighty intellect, while he is still acquiring the standard head coach experience pool. I won’t worry until he convinces Houck to come out of retirement and replace Rob Ryan.
So I say average, average, slightly above average.
CotySaxman - January 14, 2012 via mobile
Nah, I never said our players are horrible. The second half of last season when a different scheme was put in
they were middle of the pack (talking about the D). And look what they did at the end of ’09, they were great for that stretch.
Even with the terrible job RRyan did this year they are still not the worst D in the league by any means.
In my mind the talent on D is average, same as you think.
But we disagree on the coaching. I think Ryan’s scheme is simplistic and will not work in today’s NFL. It leaves too many holes/gaps to exploit. It puts the CB’s in an impossible situation.
And you can’t really argue with 2 of my points:
1) Even at the end of the year the D looked confused and did not look ready when the ball was snapped. I blame the coaching for that. You could argue that’s on the players….
2) The D did not improve as the year went on. That’s a real key for me. As a matter of fact, they got worse. Is that debatable?
If you read my posts consistently I’m never consistently negative, I’m no Mensa.
Jerry has done a number of stupid things, but at least the team’s been in the hunt the last few years. Mostly that’s due with getting super lucky and finding an undrafted Top 10 QB, though.
I’m on board with Garrett as head coach, but he’s made some dumb mistakes this year. Some people want to forgive him as a ‘first-year’ coach. Well, he was OC and basically assistant HC the last few years.
JG should be better. Or if he can’t handle both, then get a real OC and just be a HC for a few years (which might be what they just did). But even you have to admit he’s graded at a “C” right now.
I agree JG has upside. I argued for a younger coach years ago, and never liked Parcells’ hire. So growing pains are OK. But let’s hope we see the “growing” part! But I don’t agree with the “genius” tag, that’s for sure. His offense has been very inconsistent the last few years, and he shows an inability to adapt.
So except on RRyan, I think actually we think almost the same, altho you’ll always be more optimistic than me. But when you say “A failed draft in the next 3 years may ruin the rest of the next decade” we sure agree on that.
Doesn’t sound like you’re any higher on our talent than I am.
Right now you like these coaches more than me, that’s for sure, esp. Ryan. I don’t like what he’s bringing at all.
And you ar eprobably more forgiving of JJ as a GM. I think he should have learned more after all these years. The RW trade was historicaly stupid. What can you say?
Realist Larry - January 14, 2012
i hope you're right
At first I thought we should shore up the d. Lord knows there’s room for improvement. Maybe drafting a center who can at least hike & a Qb. You can always trade good back up qbs.
jdg4660 - January 11, 2012 via mobile
Woicik is not a miracle worker
If he was SO much better then anyone else, why were the Boys the only team that wanted him. Why was there no bidding war?
He is probably not all that much better then JJ was.
So anyone thinking that he is going to take hamburger and make it into Steak are nuts
burmafrd1944 - January 12, 2012
Why do you assume there were no other teams that wanted him?
And btw, the Pats weren’t happy he left. They wanted to keep him.
Rena - January 12, 2012
My 1st comment... I'm not sure why people continue to talk about McGee as an option QB
He’s spent 7 years in a Pro-style offense and has proven he’s actually more accurate in that span. Romo threw 3 INTs in his 1st start and McGee hasn’t thrown one yet.
scraig - January 16, 2012
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