No Cowboys 8-1 Thread ?

[Deadrody]

Certainly enjoying Dak and Zeke setting the table for years of goodness to come!

 

[HuskyHawk]

Hate them. But as with the Yankees, the sport is more entertaining when they are good.

I see lots of people whining about Romo possibly playing elsewhere next year. Seriously? Montana...ok I get that. Manning, yeah, I get that. Maybe even Brett Favre. But Tony Romo? He's not that high on the list of great Cowboys QBs and hasn't even made a trip to the Superbowl.

If he's got enough in the tank, I am sure Cleveland or SF would be glad to have him.

 

[Rico444]

I'm sad that Tony is going to be somewhere else next year. He wore his heart on his sleeve and played through some serious injuries during his time here. Hope we can win a ring this year and he can contribute at some point.

 

[mauconnfan]

Think Zeke is nasty and Dak is good too, although they do have by far the best line in front of them in football and that helps. They're really good now.

 

[Deadrody]

Hate them. But as with the Yankees, the sport is more entertaining when they are good.

I see lots of people whining about Romo possibly playing elsewhere next year. Seriously? Montana...ok I get that. Manning, yeah, I get that. Maybe even Brett Favre. But Tony Romo? He's not that high on the list of great Cowboys QBs and hasn't even made a trip to the Superbowl.

If he's got enough in the tank, I am sure Cleveland or SF would be glad to have him.

People outside Dallas typically don't give Romo anywhere near the credit he deserves. It may be his "ceiling", but he had a spectacular year in 2014. He could certainly do that for Denver, for instance.

Not sure who is making the lists, but pretty sure Romo owns virtually every passing record in the book for the Cowboys - Yards, TD, Adjusted Yards per attempt, lowest INT%, QB rating, etc. I'm not going to argue that Romo is better than Aikman or Staubach, but he's far better than he gets credit for.

 

[Rico444]

People outside Dallas typically don't give Romo anywhere near the credit he deserves. It may be his "ceiling", but he had a spectacular year in 2014. He could certainly do that for Denver, for instance.

Not sure who is making the lists, but pretty sure Romo owns virtually every passing record in the book for the Cowboys - Yards, TD, Adjusted Yards per attempt, lowest INT%, QB rating, etc. I'm not going to argue that Romo is better than Aikman or Staubach, but he's far better than he gets credit for.

Yeah, if Denver had Romo they'd be the #1 seed and favorites in the AFC right now.

 

[Scoe]

Cowboys got away with a blow to the head of course the Vikes screwed themselves with the fumble on the kickoff, Vikings are fading.

 

[Deadrody]

Cowboys got away with a blow to the head of course the Vikes screwed themselves with the fumble on the kickoff, Vikings are fading.

Eh. They were on the receiving end of some questionable calls themselves. The thing I hate is when people get stuck on a play like that. Sure, technically it was a violation of the rule and should have been a penalty. But the fact is, it had no impact on the play at all. The vikings and Bradford would simply have been bailed out and given another attempt from the 3.5 yard line. Still not close to a guarantee that they get the 2 points and the tie.

Furthermore, I hate those kind of "non-intent" penalties. The whole idea is to penalize the defense and disincentive them from dirty hits on the QB. But you can't disincentivize inadvertent plays. You just can't. The Cowboys got called for another one earlier in this game and I think one on Thanksgiving. A flimsy hit to the upper body / head area because the QB and defender were both moving and there was no way to prevent it. But, because of the random outcome of the play, penalty. Just stupid.

 

[StoweD210]

Con: Dallas lost last night and were swept by the Giants.

Pro: Since the Giants won, they probably won't accuse the Cowboys of cheating. You've got to look for the silver lining.

 

[mauconnfan]

Con: Dallas lost last night and were swept by the Giants.

Pro: Since the Giants won, they probably won't accuse the Cowboys of cheating. You've got to look for the silver lining.

I guess you have to look for a silver lining if you get swept, wouldn't know?

Any murderers or rapists available for Jerry to pick up on waivers?

 

[Mots010]

Yeah, if Denver had Romo they'd be the #1 seed and favorites in the AFC right now.

Romo couldn't stay healthy behind the best offensive line in football. He'd be dead behind Denvers offensive line, which is one of the worst.

 

[Deadrody]

I guess you have to look for a silver lining if you get swept, wouldn't know?

Any murderers or rapists available for Jerry to pick up on waivers?

I wouldn't get overly confident. If there is a rematch it will be in Dallas and it won't be Elliot and Prescott's first game in the NFL. Not to mention a great deal of defensive talent will be available in that game that was unavailable in at least one, if not both of the previous games.

And recall, the Giants won that game by 1 point.

 

[mauconnfan]

I wouldn't get overly confident. If there is a rematch it will be in Dallas and it won't be Elliot and Prescott's first game in the NFL. Not to mention a great deal of defensive talent will be available in that game that was unavailable in at least one, if not both of the previous games.

And recall, the Giants won that game by 1 point.

How did they do in The Meadowlands? It wasn't their first game then either? Just saying'....no one is overly confident as a Giants fan I promise but you guys do not want to see them either.

 

[Deadrody]

How did they do in The Meadowlands? It wasn't their first game then either? Just saying'....no one is overly confident as a Giants fan I promise but you guys do not want to see them either.

Yeah, home field makes a big difference. And they still only lost by 3. You never want to see a division rival in the playoffs. That's a given.

 

[mauconnfan]

Yeah, home field makes a big difference. And they still only lost by 3. You never want to see a division rival in the playoffs. That's a given.

And you don't want to have to beat a team 3X in a year either. But the GMen have a long way to go! Hope we get a chance that will be fun in itself.

 

[Deadrody]

And you don't want to have to beat a team 3X in a year either. But the GMen have a long way to go! Hope we get a chance that will be fun in itself.

Indeed. Beating a red hot Green Bay team on the road is no small feat.

 

[The Viking]

And you don't want to have to beat a team 3X in a year either. But the GMen have a long way to go! Hope we get a chance that will be fun in itself.

Not so fast my friend
13 of the last 20 times teams have met for the third time, the team that won twice previously won again

 

[Deadrody]

Not so fast my friend
13 of the last 20 times teams have met for the third time, the team that won twice previously won again

I'd be curious about the location of those games. I doubt it happens very often that the team having lost twice before would be hosting the third game.

 

[mauconnfan]

Not so fast my friend
13 of the last 20 times teams have met for the third time, the team that won twice previously won again

Shhhhhhhh...I was trying to, oh well forget it now!

 

[Jerry1714]

20 years without an NFC title game appearance, only Washington and Detroit have longer droughts.

Cowboy fans can now focus on the Warriors and Duke and get ready for Yankees spring training.

 

[Scoe]

Skip Bayless is getting excuses on Monday all lined up.

 

[Fishy]

Cowboys lost, but that was a great year.

They lose a franchise quarterback and find another one. They have a great OL, the best young back in football and a decent defense.

They need some pass rush help and they have to sort out the Romo deal, but they're about as well positioned as any team in football right now.

 

[Jerry1714]

Cowboys lost, but that was a great year.

They lose a franchise quarterback and find another one. They have a great OL, the best young back in football and a decent defense.

They need some pass rush help and they have to sort out the Romo deal, but they're about as well positioned as any team in football right now.

They also has the 26th ranked pass defense and their #1 corner and starting SS are FAs. 3 of their starting OL are becoming FAs over the next two years. Oh and they are 5 million over the cap for 2017 already.

There is not a team in the NFL in a worse position with the cap over the next two years.

 

[Deadrody]

20 years without an NFC title game appearance, only Washington and Detroit have longer droughts.

Cowboy fans can now focus on the Warriors and Duke and get ready for Yankees spring training.

So witty. Lots of frontrunners were watching on satellite when the 1989 team won it's lone game against Washington. But, hey, if it makes you feel super duper smart to think all Cowboy fans are frontrunners, run with it Dr. Einstein.

 

[Deadrody]

They also has the 26th ranked pass defense and their #1 corner and starting SS are FAs. 3 of their starting OL are becoming FAs over the next two years. Oh and they are 5 million over the cap for 2017 already.

There is not a team in the NFL in a worse position with the cap over the next two years.

LOL!!! A cowboys hater that is also an expert on the Cowboys. Oh, now that is precious.

I can only assume that when you talk about the Cowboys #1 safety and #1 CB, you're talking about Mo Claiborne and Barry Church. I further have to assume that you think it's some kind of conundrum they face here. Byron Jones is actually their #1 safety, and JJ Wilcox actually was more of a force at safety than Church. Claiborne still can't stay healthy for more than 10 minutes, so it's entirely unlikely he either leaves via FA, or if he does, that he can't be replaced with Anthony Brown, who did about as well as Claiborne as a rookie 6th rounder.

Further, their pass defense was stinky for a variety of reasons, including the lack of much of a pass rush, and the fact that they played with the lead most of the time which forced opposing teams to throw the ball a lot.

The OL ? Tyron Smith is locked up long term with a very cap friendly, yet restructurable contract. As is Travis Frederick. It's virtually guaranteed they'll extend Zack Martin this offseason. In case you missed it, those 3 are All Pro and the oldest of which just turned 26.

The biggest cap issue they face is Tony Romo, who is also a major asset when he is inevitably traded this year. So with him traded - presumably designated post 6/1 - they add picks / players and reduce / eliminate their cap issue.

Yeah, Cowboy fans are definitely going to lose sleep over all that.

And Jaylon Smith will be a major force at LB next year as well. They may have to replace their #2 (really #3) WR, but other than that, they can focus the entire draft on the defense. And keep in mind they had the best draft in the NFL in 2016, picking up 4 starters, one each in rounds 1, 3, 4, and 6.

 

[mauconnfan]

All good, Dak proved to be the real deal it would seem. But Jaylon Smith and major force in the same sentence is a reach for now. I love the kids game but his injury was ridiculous, I'm guessing no one really knows how this transitions to the field at this point.

They will be very good as will the rest of the NFC east again I do believe. Strong conference.

 

[Jerry1714]

LOL!!! A cowboys hater that is also an expert on the Cowboys. Oh, now that is precious.

I can only assume that when you talk about the Cowboys #1 safety and #1 CB, you're talking about Mo Claiborne and Barry Church. I further have to assume that you think it's some kind of conundrum they face here. Byron Jones is actually their #1 safety, and JJ Wilcox actually was more of a force at safety than Church. Claiborne still can't stay healthy for more than 10 minutes, so it's entirely unlikely he either leaves via FA, or if he does, that he can't be replaced with Anthony Brown, who did about as well as Claiborne as a rookie 6th rounder.

Further, their pass defense was stinky for a variety of reasons, including the lack of much of a pass rush, and the fact that they played with the lead most of the time which forced opposing teams to throw the ball a lot.

The OL ? Tyron Smith is locked up long term with a very cap friendly, yet restructurable contract. As is Travis Frederick. It's virtually guaranteed they'll extend Zack Martin this offseason. In case you missed it, those 3 are All Pro and the oldest of which just turned 26.

The biggest cap issue they face is Tony Romo, who is also a major asset when he is inevitably traded this year. So with him traded - presumably designated post 6/1 - they add picks / players and reduce / eliminate their cap issue.

Yeah, Cowboy fans are definitely going to lose sleep over all that.

And Jaylon Smith will be a major force at LB next year as well. They may have to replace their #2 (really #3) WR, but other than that, they can focus the entire draft on the defense. And keep in mind they had the best draft in the NFL in 2016, picking up 4 starters, one each in rounds 1, 3, 4, and 6.

Jaylon Smith ha, ok, try getting on the field first before claiming him to be a "major force". Never said #1 safety, said starting SS, which Church is.

Trading Romo is nice, but it saves 5 mill on the cap next year, that almost gets you to the black. It will help the cap in two years.

Leary is going to be gone this season, Martin, Free and Collins contracts all come up next year. Financially not possible to pay all of them with what is being allocated to Smith and Fredrick.

Am I Cowboys hater? Yes, I am a Giants fan. Do I think you are a front runner like every other Cowboys fan born and raised 1,500 miles from the Texas border? Yes. And save me the I rooted for them when they stunk, you choose them because they were good and the Pats/Giants/Jets sucked.

 

[Rico444]

If you're worried about a team being $5 million over the cap, you don't really understand how the salary cap works. The Cowboys are not in salary cap trouble. If anything, the Giants have more to be concerned about; teams that go on spending sprees in free agency like they did tend to end up in cap hell a few years later. Look at the Jets; they signed a bunch of talent in free agency two years ago and reaped the rewards in 2015, but then everything fell apart this past year.

 

[Jerry1714]

If you're worried about a team being $5 million over the cap, you don't really understand how the salary cap works. The Cowboys are not in salary cap trouble. If anything, the Giants have more to be concerned about; teams that go on spending sprees in free agency like they did tend to end up in cap hell a few years later. Look at the Jets; they signed a bunch of talent in free agency two years ago and reaped the rewards in 2015, but then everything fell apart this past year.

Tell me why going into FA being over the cap is a good thing, and that being -5 mill is better than being 25 mill (pre cuts numbers for both teams)? Love to hear this explanation. Or that having 44 mill in 2018 is better than 66 mill?

The Cowboys are in cap trouble next year no matter what happens with Romo, this is a fact. I know they can restructure some deals, ie., Dez and Smith to free up some, but not much money. They get some big relief in the next two years if/when they can get rid of Romo which will be needed for Dak and Elliot.

The Giants spent big and it worked, they went from the 31st ranked defense to the 2nd ranked defense.

Comparing the Jets and the Giants is an uninformed statement of the actual contracts and the roster make up of both teams. Jets, 2 years after spending have no money this year, Giants in two years from the spending have 65 mill (obviously will decrease after this year) but the Giant's contract setups did not hamstring them in the future which is evidenced by the Giants cap 2017 cap number compared with the fact the 2016 Jets cap number. This is not even to mention who the Jets actually spent their money on.

I am glad you are not concerned with having no money to fix the defense but others are.

NFL: 7 Teams Facing Serious Salary Cap Issues in 2017

NFL Salary Cap Space | Over The Cap

 

[Rico444]

Tell me why going into FA being over the cap is a good thing, and that being -5 mill is better than being 25 mill (pre cuts numbers for both teams)? Love to hear this explanation. Or that having 44 mill in 2018 is better than 66 mill?

The Cowboys are in cap trouble next year no matter what happens with Romo, this is a fact. I know they can restructure some deals, ie., Dez and Smith to free up some, but not much money. They get some big relief in the next two years if/when they can get rid of Romo which will be needed for Dak and Elliot.

The Giants spent big and it worked, they went from the 31st ranked defense to the 2nd ranked defense.

Comparing the Jets and the Giants is an uninformed statement of the actual contracts and the roster make up of both teams. Jets, 2 years after spending have no money this year, Giants in two years from the spending have 65 mill (obviously will decrease after this year) but the Giant's contract setups did not hamstring them in the future which is evidenced by the Giants cap 2017 cap number compared with the fact the 2016 Jets cap number. This is not even to mention who the Jets actually spent their money on.

I am glad you are not concerned with having no money to fix the defense but others are.

NFL: 7 Teams Facing Serious Salary Cap Issues in 2017

NFL Salary Cap Space | Over The Cap

Agent's Take: Moving Romo, upgrading pass rush top Cowboys' to-do list

Here's an article about the Cowboys' cap situation. It's not a concern; they'll restructure some deals which they've done regularly since 2011. That means they can spread out the money from those players' years over the next five seasons. It's kicking the can down the road to a degree, but the salary cap goes up every year. They've been doing this for years now, and it's never stopped them from keeping their guys. The Cowboys don't really go crazy in FA; it's not their prerogative to spend big bucks on older players. So, yeah, I wouldn't expect them to go sign JPP or Melvin Ingram, but if they did stuff like that every year, then they couldn't re-sign their stud offensive line. I guarantee you they're going to re-sign Zack Martin to a big deal, and most likely it'll be this summer.

As for the article you posted, it bases the Cowboys being in trouble based on the current cap number, which is projected to go up by at least $10 million, and it makes the comment "There is also a chance that they could completely part ways with Romo — which would free up a huge chunk of change — if rookie quarterback Dak Prescott continues to play at a high level." It's a foregone conclusion that they're going to either trade or cut Romo.

People have been crying that the Cowboys are in "cap hell" for years now, and it's never stopped them from re-signing their young talent, and even from bringing in good players in free agency. They've made the decision that instead of throwing $30 million guaranteed at stars in free agency, they're going to keep their young stars instead. I'd rather do that than try to bring in pieces that may not be a scheme fit and are likely going to be overpaid and underperform by the end of the deal.