Lowered Expectations for the '09 Cowboys?

by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Apr 7, 2009 10:22 PM CDT Comment 18 comments

After finishing 13-3 and claiming the NFC East crown in 2007, the Dallas Cowboys entered 2008 shouldering the weight of enormous expectations. Although the Cowboys had not won a playoff game in more than a decade, most analysts viewed the Cowboys as a lock to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Even the New York Giants, who had disposed of the Cowboys on their way to a world championship, were widely considered an afterthought in the NFC playoff picture.

The Cowboys started strong in 2008. A 3-0 start even invoked the wildly premature whispers of a perfect season. We all know the story too well. Injuries and overall self-destruction would eventually sink the Cowboys’ battleship. The Cowboys finished 9-7, and closed the season on the receiving end of a disgraceful 44-6 beat-down at the hands of division rival Philadelphia.

The Cowboys’ most prolific offensive playmaker Terrell Owens is now a Buffalo Bill. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett has yet to prove that he can match wits with the likes of Jim Johnson, Rex Ryan, or Dick LeBeau when it counts. Tony Romo still has a penchant for putting the football on the turf, and into enemy hands. The team as a whole has turned in sub-par efforts in big spots, and transformed the December slide from a coincidence to an annual occurrence. All things considered, will the media still find a way to ratchet up expectations in Big D?

The Cowboys can not at this point be considered favorites in the NFC East.

After winning the division and claiming the NFC’s top seed, the New York Giants were major players in free agency. The Giants added depth to an already stout defensive line by adding former Cowboy Chris Canty, and former Seahawk Rocky Bernard. They also added a playmaker at linebacker (former Falcon Michael Boley) and a probable starter at safety (former Texan C.C. Brown). Impute the fact that New York will get back it’s best defensive player Osi Umenyiora (missed ‘08 due to injury), and the Giant defense looks better than ever. The Giants still need to find a viable replacement for the recently released Plaxico Burress, but have inquired about the Cardinals’ Anquan Boldin , and the Browns’ Braylon Edwards.

The Eagles are still the Eagles. Every year is supposed to be the year that the Eagles fall into the NFC East basement, but they never do. The primary reason for the Eagles’ sustained success is the magnificent job they have done on draft day. The Eagles have two 1^st round selections this year, and if history tells us anything, we know that they will make them count. Donovan McNabb has a chip on his shoulder, and that is never a good thing if you are a fan of any team other than Philadelphia.

Washington spent a lot of money…as usual. However, unless this team finds an identity (on both sides of the ball) and gets some consistent production from the quarterback position, they will underachieve…as usual.

The Cowboys just have too many question marks to have astronomic expectations, don’t they? Can Tony Romo turn it around? Did Jason Garrett just have a sophomore slump? Can Miles Austin supply the big plays that Terrell Owens made? Can the offensive line find their groove again? Is Roy Williams a #1 receiver? Does Keith Brooking have anything left in the tank? Is Mike Jenkins ready to start? Will the players take Wade Phillips seriously in the last year of his contract?

Playoff teams, let alone championship teams seldom have such a laundry list of “ifs” heading into a new season.

Still, this is America’s team. This is Jerry Jones. This is a billion dollar stadium, with a 60-yard jumbotron, and the quarterback dates celebrities. Of course the media will find a way to cram the Cowboys into that pressure cooker, whether they fit or not.

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Nice article, Carl.

I kind of hope the expectations for the Cowboys will lower going into this year—not for the team, but for the media world.

Draft Nick Reed. Draft Nick Reed. Draft Nick Reed. Say that fast, five times!

by Aaron Novinger on Apr 7, 2009 10:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We got question marks but most super bowl champs did to.

The East is good, but I think we are probably considered to be a top 5 NFC team right now.

Giants, Eagles, Cowboys, Panthers, and whoever is a “hot” team next year.

Falcons, Cardinals gonna slip

Playoff teams, let alone championship teams seldom have such a laundry list of "ifs" heading into a new season.

every team gots question marks recent SB winners with major questions:

Giants two years ago – almost fired coach their coach, Eli sucked and leadership was questioned, Strahan mulling retirement, replacing Tiki

Colts three years ago – Defense was pathetic, Peyton and Dungy- couldn’t win big game, rookie RB, free agent losses on D

Steelers were pretty solid last year, offense wasn’t too great, Patriots of last two titles were very good teams, but before that, Patriots and Rams came out of nowhere, and Baltimore and Tampa were both terrible on offense.

by Chad Hutchinson on Apr 7, 2009 11:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Good writeup

I agree that we no longer can be considered the frontrunners to win the division. The Giants, Eagles and Redskins are all solid teams. New york proved they are no fluke, and the eagles are always tough.

However, the eagles have a gaping hole at safety now and the Giants are yet to actually trade for a legit wr. Washington is at times offensively inept – they rely entirely on clinton portis. We have more weapons offensively than any of these teams, and our defense played as well in the last 10 weeks as any of theirs.

Honestly, I think our success this season will come down to oline play, safety play and depth.

Romo is a legit qb in this league. Witten, Roy, Crayton and Austin give us as good or better weapons than most teams in our division (at the moment). We have 3 capable rbs, and if our oline can improve their run blocking, we will be a force. Likewise, if they cna return to that 07 level in terms of pass blocking, we’ll have similar success.

Defensively, our lb depth worries me, but the big issue is safety. Better safety play last year and theres a good chance we come out of texas stadium with a W instead of that debacle. A safety that can make plays on the ball and create turnovers would do a world of good for this team.

I don’t expect media expecations to be significantly lighter. We will have early success again and that will bring the instant ridiculous astronomical expectations as usual.

by foyesboys on Apr 7, 2009 11:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to point out something about our 13-3 year

We played the afc east and nfc north. The Giants weren’t the defensive/power offense powerhouse they are now. McNabb was coming off of injury (not that hes significantly better now, but at least he resembles an nfl qb at times, unlike in 07). And washington was well…washington. I think we and the media severely overrated this team based on a VERY weak schedule. In all seriousness, I think the only differences between last years team and 07s team were an oline that could not protect Romo as well, but even then we had a defense that looked far better in the last 10 weeks than in 07.

by foyesboys on Apr 7, 2009 11:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I have to disagree there

Comparing our strength of schedule to the two SB teams,
Cowboys- 127-129
Giants- 132-124
Patriots- 120-136

Red and Black!! Red and Black!! Red and Black!! Congrats boys first time in team history over .500

by aussie_cowboy on Apr 8, 2009 2:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

point was

there is a difference between playing average competition week in and week out and the games last year. We had a schedule with 8 top 10 Ds on it plus arizona which apparently only played well when it needed to, and probably should be considered a top 10 D from last season.

In 07, we really could’ve gone anywhere from 15-1 to 11-5. The eagles game and redskins game were very close losses, but we won some games that we probably shouldn’t have if the ball doesn’t bounce our way (Buffalo, Minnesota, Detroit to some extent).

by foyesboys on Apr 8, 2009 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We do fit in the cooker!

The G men do have a great D. I think the boys O is better than last yrs (without droppy mic dropperton).

We have a 3 headed monster at TB and Jay Witt.

I dont care that Mr. Romo turns the ball over if it is aggressive and not boneheaded. Wether Kitna plays or not he makes the team better.

As for the WRs I have faith that Mr. Romo will find the open one behind that line that sould be at full strangth. I like Hurd more then Austin.

We have the best two kickers in McBriar and Folk in the east! And return game when The Cat runs.

The Skins Im over lookin. I know that is prob a bad idea, but they dont scare me.

Eagles are gonna be a team that give the boys a hard time, just like every yr. I just want the boys to show up!!!!!!!!

"I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable."
from Glenn Becks 9 principles to believe in

by cowboysforlife on Apr 8, 2009 4:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Leaders Wanted

We need leadership on the field that will keep the team together so we can finish the season strong and surge into the playoffs. Individual stats are fine for fantasy football, but what is lacking is players who lead by example and who can raise the play of those around them.

You want to be a celebrity? Win a Super Bowl.

Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.

by OskieOskie on Apr 8, 2009 7:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Minor quibble...

…Justin Tuck is the NYG’s best defensive player, not Osi. I’ve always felt Osi is a bit overrated, especially since he got half of his 13 sacks in one game the last time he played a full season.

On the overall topic: I’m sure ESPN will find a way to ratchet up expectations on us, but I agree that we should not be the favorite in the NFC East this year, and I would relish us being able to play as underdogs for a change.

Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.

by Tim Wilson on Apr 8, 2009 8:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't say

that my expectations are lowered, but I can say that my Surprise factor is way down. I will no longer be surprised if they lose to an 0-fer team this year. I will not be surprised if they get smacked down by Philly. I will not be surprised if they come out and lay an egg in a game they have to win. I will not be surprised if they come out and play down to a lesser opponent. I will not be surprised if Flozell leads the league in false starts. I will not be surprised if Romo has 10 fumbles and 15 Int’s. I will not be surprised if they lose the game in the final minutes. I fully expect them to win the East and represent the NFC in the SuperBowl, but it would not surprise me one bit if they go 6-10.

When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.

by GunsUp on Apr 8, 2009 9:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What a bunch of hooey!

WE have questions? No one has more questions than the Gints and Iggles. Each team lost a ton of players and have shown diminishing returns on their superstars.

The Boys have answered every question and have upgraded significantly in every area. You could argue WR, but no T.O. is addition by subtraction.

We won the division in ’07 and were a better team last year but suffered too many injuries. Given a return to health, this team is far better than anyone in the division.

We absolutely should be considered the favorite. The real prognosticators (bookies) have us the favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Res firma mitescere nescit

by Fighter15 on Apr 8, 2009 9:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

They had the same thing

last year. That’s why expect them to be there, but no surprises for me this year.

When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.

by GunsUp on Apr 8, 2009 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Giants had PLAX last year

MAJOR difference. I don’t know about you guys, but I didn’t think the giants won the superbowl by a fluke. Now…I didn’t think they’d dominate the way they did in 2008, but I thought they’d have 10 or 11 wins and be a similar very tough out in the playoffs. If they grab a top wr, I agree they will absolutely contend for the title and a playoff spot, but without plax they looked lost.

Otherwise, I think we are the very slight favorite in what really is a crapshoot as to who will win the division. And whoever wins the wild card will be just as likely to represent the nfc as the division winner.

by foyesboys on Apr 8, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I respectfully disagree

Losing Plax is NOT a major loss to the NYG.

Eli was NOT lost without Plax in those 6 games he didn’t play.

WR – Hixon filled in admirably, and actually posted better numbers than Plax did.

Plax only averaged 3.5 receptions and 45 yards per game in 2008 (only played in 10 games)

He only had 1 GREAT game in 2008 – game 1 versus WAS (10 for 133) after that he was rather pedestrian

In one game that he started, he ended up with zero receptions
And in another game he only had 1 catch for 17 yards.

I don’t think he is the threat he used to be, nor does he DEMAND double teams as before.

THAT’s WHY it is so easy for NYG to let him go – they don’t need him anymore and are FINE without him.

by BishopWest on Apr 8, 2009 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They were winning games without him...

But no one is going to convince me that Hixon is more or an equal threat than Plaxico.

Even if Plax wasn’t the threat he was, teams were still playing him like he was. He might not have demanded double teams, but he was sure as hell receiving them.

There was a reason that alot of the players wanted him to come back.

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by AirforceBat on Apr 8, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not just Plax

- They lost 3 of their starting 5 DBs
- They lost both starting WRs (Plax & Toomer)
- They lost their #2 & #4 RBs (Ward & Droughns)

They still have Eli at QB.

This team may have the best DL in the game, but they will hardly be considered an offensive juggernaut and they still can’t cover anyone.

Res firma mitescere nescit

by Fighter15 on Apr 9, 2009 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dont think it was his stats.

I agree that Eli isnt lost (I dont think it is possible for a Manning to get shaken) nor are the Gmen.

I think they got rid of him for the same reson that Shokey isnt with them. Eli was good without the headaches.

"I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable."
from Glenn Becks 9 principles to believe in

by cowboysforlife on Apr 9, 2009 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If we stay healthy, which is obviously a big if

we have as good of a shot at winning the NFC East as either the Skins, GMen and Eagles.

I have no doubt Romo will turn in another good year, the running game will be better with our three headed rushing attack of MB3, the Cat and Choice and the special teams should be much better with a new coach. The defense will hopefully be more consistent.

10 or 11 wins should be very realistic.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Apr 8, 2009 12:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs