Why the Cowboys are overrated

[Texas Ace]

I agree with this...the team needed some new blood and a different attitude.

I still believe there will always be some dysfunction on any Jerry Jones team- its just inevitable.

But I like what I see so far.

I didn't think this level of cohesiveness and good coaching was possible on a Jerry Jones team of this era.

I'll enjoy the ride as long as it lasts and hope it keeps on rolling.

 

[NoDak]

Yea, but we couldn't pay him that money.

And I know I'll catch shit for it, especially from my good pal [MENTION=14]NoDak[/MENTION], but I'm kinda glad he's not here.

Why would I give you shit for that? I didn't want to pay him that much money, either. I give you shit for finding fault in everything he did here.

And I do believe McClain would have still stepped into the leadership role if Ware was still here. That's the one thing you are right about regarding Ware. He was too soft spoken, and didn't have an interest in taking a leadership role.

 

[Hawkeye19]

Despite not being the most talented unit-- the D is young, hungry, they give great effort, and they are playing fundamentally sound, assignment- solid football right now. They are a work in progress for sure, and they can be exploited-- but I also think they can show some improvement over the course of the season as well. The more they play together, the more success they have, the looser they'll play and the more fun they'll have.

Success breeds success.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I didn't think this level of cohesiveness and good coaching was possible on a Jerry Jones team of this era.

I'll enjoy the ride as long as it lasts and hope it keeps on rolling.

Getting rid of Ware was something we had to do for the cap this year and for the long term cap health of this team.

Outside of that though I think the loss of Ware/Hatcher and the improvement of this defense just highlights how much defense is really a team game. I don't care if you have a couple of all timers on your defense. You need a cohesive unit of all 11 guys on the field. You need both talent and depth on the D-line and it's probably better to sacrifice the top end talent for the sake of depth if you are forced to make the choice. It's why this defensive line with a heavy rotation is getting far more consistent pressure then we got last year.

Our defense is young and hungry this year and part of that was clearing out guys like Ware. It takes nothing away from his career but we are better this year without him.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

and they can be exploited--

This year more then usual I don't think there is a truly dominant NFL defense. Every unit you name I think could be exploited in some sense and has a legitimate weakness.

 

[Texas Ace]

Why would I give you shit for that? I didn't want to pay him that much money, either. I give you shit for finding fault in everything he did here.

And I do believe McClain would have still stepped into the leadership role if Ware was still here. That's the one thing you are right about regarding Ware. He was too soft spoken, and didn't have an interest in taking a leadership role.

I'm just glad we've got so many new players here now, and I'm glad they are building this toughness while Dez and Murray are still young.

I was afraid of the loser mentality infecting them in the way that I think it infected some other young promising guys we had. It's only natural that after so many damn epic and inexcusable losses that the players themselves start to think "Oh no, not again". But guys like Dez, DeMarco and those O-lineman are young enough to break that mold if the Cowboys could create a new culture, and it appears that they have.

The next order of business is finding more new faces, but ones with real talent, to add to the front 7.

 

[Texas Ace]

Getting rid of Ware was something we had to do for the cap this year and for the long term cap health of this team.

Outside of that though I think the loss of Ware/Hatcher and the improvement of this defense just highlights how much defense is really a team game. I don't care if you have a couple of all timers on your defense. You need a cohesive unit of all 11 guys on the field. You need both talent and depth on the D-line and it's probably better to sacrifice the top end talent for the sake of depth if you are forced to make the choice. It's why this defensive line with a heavy rotation is getting far more consistent pressure then we got last year.

Our defense is young and hungry this year and part of that was clearing out guys like Ware. It takes nothing away from his career but we are better this year without him.

I agree all around.

This was a much needed change if we were ever going to break that awful cycle of disappointment that we were in. I'm just thrilled to see it paying off much sooner than just about anyone thought it would.

 

[Angrymesscan]

I wonder if they have a life size picture of teh JJ in the lockerroom, a la "Major League", but cover it up instead of taking pieces off...

 

[Genghis Khan]

Yea, but we couldn't pay him that money.

And I know I'll catch shit for it, especially from my good pal [MENTION=14]NoDak[/MENTION], but I'm kinda glad he's not here.

The new toughness and mentality this team has is a result of so many new faces and guys with no prior history here, IMO. Ware was an amazing talent and probably the best pass rusher in team history, but he was a softie with no leadership ability at all. If he were here, Rolando McClain may not have stepped into the leadership role the way he has and guys may not have gravitated towards him if Ware were here simply out of respect. He'd be looked at as the elder statesman, and rightfully so, and McClain's impact in the locker room would not have been the same.

On both sides of the ball, there are very few holdovers from an era that might be the most humiliating in team history, and I can't say I was sad to see any of our older players leave, no matter how talented they may have been.

Sure we could have paid him.

And yes, I am aware that you're wrong about Ware.

 

[Texas Ace]

Sure we could have paid him.

And yes, I am aware that you're wrong about Ware.

Well, he isn't here and neither is his salary so it's all a moot point now.

 

[Genghis Khan]

Getting rid of Ware was something we had to do for the cap this year and for the long term cap health of this team.

Outside of that though I think the loss of Ware/Hatcher and the improvement of this defense just highlights how much defense is really a team game. I don't care if you have a couple of all timers on your defense. You need a cohesive unit of all 11 guys on the field. You need both talent and depth on the D-line and it's probably better to sacrifice the top end talent for the sake of depth if you are forced to make the choice. It's why this defensive line with a heavy rotation is getting far more consistent pressure then we got last year.

Our defense is young and hungry this year and part of that was clearing out guys like Ware. It takes nothing away from his career but we are better this year without him.

Wow. I can't disagree more.

We are most certainly not better without Ware.

We are all sitting here saying, man if we only had a pass rush we might be on to something defensively. Meanwhile the guy we cast aside for nothing has 7 sacks in Denver.

The defense is holding up well, but we miss Ware or a Ware type pretty badly. It may even be the difference between a super bowl and coming up short.

 

[hstour]

These are the same guys who ranked Bailey as a middle tier kicker because of his kickoffs. The biggest problem with their statistics is that they weight categories inappropriately.

I also love how they knock the schedule we have had by saying Seattle isn't a juggernaut but then rank Seattle ahead of us in their rankings? I don't mind statistical analysis but these guys aren't very good at it. There is stuff that is way too situational in football to just blanket give statistical analysis.

There are a couple of stats that have stuck out at me this year. Offensive 3rd down conversion rate (57.4%, best in the league) and Defensive 3rd down conversion rate (41.7% tied for 17th). Combine those together and you have a defense that can get off the field at a decent rate but the offense helps keep them off the field.

That more than yards per play allowed shows why this team has been as successful as it has.

 

[hstour]

Wow. I can't disagree more.

We are most certainly not better without Ware.

We are all sitting here saying, man if we only had a pass rush we might be on to something defensively. Meanwhile the guy we cast aside for nothing has 7 sacks in Denver.

The defense is holding up well, but we miss Ware or a Ware type pretty badly. It may even be the difference between a super bowl and coming up short.

But you don't buy on price, buy on value.

Read an article today (written after week 5) that specifically talked about Ware:

For multiple years now, I’ve written articles explaining that Dallas’ version of cap management, while vastly different from the status quo, should not be looked at in the light it has always been cast. While it remains to be seen whether this hot start continues into a fruitful season, it can’t be denied that Dallas has constructed a roster more than capable of competing in the 2014 NFL. Moving on from DeMarcus Ware was because the team didn’t think his declining skills were worthy of the hefty price tag he commanded. It wasn’t just about “we can’t afford him” because they could if they wanted to. By the way, after 5 games in the NFL season, Pro Football Focus ranks Ware as the 35th best edge rusher in the league. Worth $16m of cap space to you?

 

[Clay_Allison]

But you don't buy on price, buy on value.

Read an article today (written after week 5) that specifically talked about Ware:

For multiple years now, I’ve written articles explaining that Dallas’ version of cap management, while vastly different from the status quo, should not be looked at in the light it has always been cast. While it remains to be seen whether this hot start continues into a fruitful season, it can’t be denied that Dallas has constructed a roster more than capable of competing in the 2014 NFL. Moving on from DeMarcus Ware was because the team didn’t think his declining skills were worthy of the hefty price tag he commanded. It wasn’t just about “we can’t afford him” because they could if they wanted to. By the way, after 5 games in the NFL season, Pro Football Focus ranks Ware as the 35th best edge rusher in the league. Worth $16m of cap space to you?

I take issue with them quoting PFF. They pretty much pull rankings out of their asses. He's on pace for over 15 sacks and he's still considered a threat when it comes to blocking schemes.

IMO, it made financial sense to move on, but the Ware bashing is over the top like it's always been.

 

[ravidubey]

Its a shame the DL is not up to par with the OL that Dallas has cranking right now.

Its not to say the D is terrible....its not. But man...think what this team would be like with a couple true studs along that DL.

6-1 is great and I feel good about the season, but with teams like Philly, GB, and possibly SF or Seattle waiting in the playoffs I don't like the D's chances if we are on the road.

By the end of the season the DL should be more talented than it is now with the additions of Lawrence and Brent and thanks to the constant rotation should wear down less relative other teams who rely more on their starters (e.g. Suh and Fairley).

I also don't think they will be on the road. Their schedule is too favorable, health of course notwithstanding.

 

[L.T. Fan]

I guess the author failed to appreciate the most important stat. The much coveted W.

 

[Genghis Khan]

But you don't buy on price, buy on value. an article today (written after week 5) that specifically talked about Ware:

For multiple years now, I’ve written articles explaining that Dallas’ version of cap management, while vastly different from the status quo, should not be looked at in the light it has always been cast. While it remains to be seen whether this hot start continues into a fruitful season, it can’t be denied that Dallas has constructed a roster more than capable of competing in the 2014 NFL. Moving on from DeMarcus Ware was because the team didn’t think his declining skills were worthy of the hefty price tag he commanded. It wasn’t just about “we can’t afford him” because they could if they wanted to. By the way, after 5 games in the NFL season, Pro Football Focus ranks Ware as the 35th best edge rusher in the league. Worth $16m of cap space to you?

I don't know that anyone is worth 16 million in cap space. But I do believe that they could have come to an agreementthat would have worked for both sides with in a reduced number. if they wanted to.

as for his "declining skills", I believe he is on pace for 17 or so sacks this year. sounds like he is still in his prime to me.

meanwhile we are all sitting here wondering where are sacks and pressure are going to come from.

 

[ravidubey]

I guess the author failed to appreciate the most important stat. The much coveted W.

Yep. DVOA is BS if the stat is the same one year when the team is 6-1 and another where it is 4-3.

 

[boozeman]

For years we've been pretty clear on this board that problem with this team has been mental. Looks like we've shed the right people on defense and acquired a new attitude. We'll see if the O is able to avoid a meltdown when the games really count later on.

The attitude on D is the real deal.

McClain in particular has added a lot, much to my surprise.

His attitude has spread and ignited others like Scandrick and even Durant, who I thought was just a guy.

It is pretty cool, hope it continues.

 

[1bigfan13]

I don't know that anyone is worth 16 million in cap space. But I do believe that they could have come to an agreementthat would have worked for both sides with in a reduced number. if they wanted to.

as for his "declining skills", I believe he is on pace for 17 or so sacks this year. sounds like he is still in his prime to me.

meanwhile we are all sitting here wondering where are sacks and pressure are going to come from.

I get what you are saying but he's gotten off to fast starts the last 2 years only to fall off drastically around the midway point of the season. Right now one could argue that Dallas made a big mistake but recent history suggest that once the calendar flips to November, Ware's average post-game numbers will frequently look like this: 0 sacks, 2 tackles.

Back in the spring I said that he could still be a 7-10 sack guy. But I'm not paying $14M - $16M for that. Especially since Ware has become a boom or bust player. He's virtually invisible outside of the sacks. He also got real sloppy with his he run defense his last couple of years in Dallas.

Overall I think Dallas made a smart move. It was nice to finally see them get rid of an aging player a year early rather than a year late.