I’m not sure I totally agree with everything, but I think most of it is spot on. I like the optimism and hope of better days to come. Rec’d to the new Cowboys stadium.

im all for optimism
but i remember seattle, monday night in buffalo, numerous december flameouts, countless irresponsible fumbles, stupid int.’s, admissions that winning isnt very important, etc, etc.

YA CANT HAVE A MASSIVE UPGRADE AT THE QB POSITION WHEN YA HAVE THE SAME SCHMUCK PLANNED ON TAKING 99% OF THE SNAPS….
SURE, BLASTME HERE AND GET UR HOPES UP IN OCTOBER, THEN COME CRASHING BACK TO REALITY IN DECEMBER…
THIS TEAM NEEDS A TRENT DILFER

almost a great story, I sure was rooting for that kid!

I never thought about the way Roy E. runs routes like Keyshawn did. Hopefully that experience early in his career helped Romo get used to throwing to a big possession-type WR. Slants and jump balls could be their specialty!

I do like the whole Keyshawn/Roy comparison. Never looked at it that way, but it certainly makes a great deal of sense. I remember loving what Keyshawn did in Big D. Made a lot of great catches, and always made it look easy.

The O-line concerns me, and the lack of depth at WR and behind Ratliff concerns me. That’s really about it. I know our receivers can play, and I know Ratliff is a monster, so as long as they stay healthy, we’re in terrific shape across the board, I think.

Nice work as usual, Chandus, but I have some differing opinions. I don’t think you’re fairly portraying these players. For the coming season, you are basing your judgement on potential. For the 2007 season, you are basing your judgement on their actual play. Typically, potential will win every time. So, here I will do a similar analysis based on pre-season potential for each squad. And keep in mind, the 2007 team lived up their potentital move than most teams do. I call this the “Realist’s View” though I’m sure many will want to call it the “Pessimist’s View.”

Quarterbacks – Romo 2009 has to be considered better than Romo entering 2007. Sure, we had high expectations for him then too, but after only 10 NFL starts, we now know he’s a quality starting QB. Now, he has experience. Ok, here is one of the best examples of hind site being 20/20 – Brad Johnson. You say here that Kitna (and even McGee – which that’s ridiculous, but I’ll assume you were going for shock value) is a “massive” upgrade over Brad Johnson. Based on what we saw from Johnson in 2008, that would appear to be a true statement. But prior to the 2007 season, that wasnt a common opinion. Matter of fact, most Cowboys fans felt very good about our back-up situation. He had just come off 11 consecutive seasons as a starter and had been 13-10 as a starter his last two seasons in Minnesota. He threw for 2750 yards in only 14 starts the previous year and two years prior he had the lowest interception rate in the league. This is a Super Bowl winning QB who was a 2 time Pro Bowler and is 16th in NFL history in completion percentage. If you thought he was garbage prior to the 2007 season, you were in a thin minority. Kitna is a guy who looks like he has some ability, but he’s never been able to win. Maybe its bad teams, or maybe its a product of throwing more TDs than interceptions in all but 2 seasons. McGee is a throw away at this point. If he plays, we are in serious trouble. Considering he takes up a roster spot, he’s probably a negative.
Status - Minor Downgrade

Running Backs – Barber had huge expectations going into 2007 and he didnt disappoint. 2008 wasnt too strong, but I’ll call it a wash from 2007 to 2009. Felix is a massive upgrade over Julius and Choice is much better than Thompson.
Status - Massive Upgrade

Wide Receivers - This one isnt even close. Somehow you forgot to mention Terry Glenn in your previous post. He was very good in 2005 and 2006, but we ended up getting nothing out of him in 2007. Still, at the same point prior to the 2007 season, he has to be considered. TO is much better than Roy Williams even taking into account the attitude and chemistry issues. Glenn, coming off consecutive 1000 yard seasons is worlds better than an unproven Austin. Crayton ’07 is Crayton ’09. The rest are pretty bad on both teams.
Status – Massive Downgrade

Tight Ends - Witten has established himself as the best TE in the game, as opposed to one of the best in the NFC. Although it turns out Fasano could play (as Miami found out) he’s never going to have the ability of Bennett. This is an upgrade.
Status – Upgrade

Offensive Line – Starters the same, but older. I will admit I feel more comfortable with Colombo than I did two years ago, but the added age of Flozell scares me. Regarding the reserves, I like Holland, but the rest of the guys dont seen to be NFL linemen. Free and Marten were better prospects than Brewster. I’ll call this a wash.
Status – Push

Defensive Line – I’m going to call this a push as well. Ratliff ‘09 over Ratliff ’07 is the only upgrade as Olshanky and Canty are a wash at best. Where I’ll downgrade this group is in depth. We just acquired Tank and expected him to be a difference maker. Also, Hatcher was entering his 2nd season where he just had 2.5 sacks in limited action as a rookie. He’s never matched that total since.
Status – Push

Linebackers – Ware has progressed just like we hoped he would and has turned himself into the best defensive player in football. He’s an upgrade over himself, no doubt. Bradie James is also a guy that is hitting his stride and is a Pro Bowl caliber player. Those are the only upgrades I see. Anthony Spencer should be better this year, but considering he hasnt done much, that wont be hard to do. He’s certainly not an upgrade over Greg Ellis, the Comeback Player of the year in 2007. Eventhough he missed some of the 2006 season, we still expected him to play well in ‘07 and he did. The other inside starter is an older, slower version of Keith Brooking. I’ll call him a wash against a very average Akin Ayodele. Regarding depth, this goes hands down to the 2007 squad. They featured Spencer, Kevin Burnett and Bobby Carpenter who was coming off his best game as a pro in the Seattle playoff game, which teased Dallas fans that maybe he “got it.” The current back-ups – JWilliams, BWilliams, Butler, and Hodge – are all guys we know nothing about. Except for one guy. Bobby Carpenter. And now we know he sucks.
Status – Slight Downgrade

Cornerbacks – Newman had never missed a game at this point in 2007 and now he can’t stay healthy. I’ll call him a slight downgrade. Henry was coming off two pretty good seasons in Dallas and was good in ‘07 with 6 picks in 13 games. How he compares to the other starter (Jenkins or Scandrick) we dont know yet. Those guys are all potential. And based on what happened to some of the guys I’ve mentioned earlier with a lot of potential and promise (Carpenter, Hatcher, etc.) I’m not sure we can rush to judgement. I do think the other one of those guys will be much better than Reeves and/or Jones from ’07.
Status – Push

Safeties – Hamlin had a Pro Bowl season in 2007, which outperformed our expectations. Last year, he came back to earth. I don’t expect much more from him than we got last year, although I hope its a little more playmaking ability. Sensabaugh should be an upgrade over Thong, but how many of us are really all that familiar with his work? I’ll call it an upgrade anyway. This year’s back-ups DeAngelo Smith and Michael Hamlin hold similar promise to Patrick Watkins (more unfulfilled potential) but two are better than one.
Status – Upgrade

Special Teams – I actually think this will be a rather large upgrade. I feel great about our kicker and punter (McBriar should be able to come back.) Felix Jones and Miles Austin returning kick offs is strong. Punt Returner is a question mark, but someone will emerge. The coverage units I think will be much, much better with all the hungry rookies trying to make an impact. And the KO specialist will help with field position. Kicking/Punting in 2007 were good but the return units and coverage units were poor. I think this one is heavily favored by the current squad.
Status – Strong Upgrade

Coaching - A Wade Phillips coached team in my book is never strongly coached. In 2007 we were coming off Bill Parcells and the team was happy to change generals. There was some excitement that the tyrant was gone. But now, I think the players rule the roost. I think they all like Wade, but I wonder if they respect him. Even if they do respect him, they know they can roll over him if needed. He’s a good person, but doesnt have the make-up of a leader of men. I think the coaching is a significant downgrade.
Status – Downgrade

Final Analysis – So, I had upgrades at Running Back (significant), Safety, Special Teams, and Tight End (minor.) And downgrades at Wide Receiver (Significant), Coaching, Quarterback (minor) and Linebacker(minor.) This was more positive than I thought it would be. I was expecting to find that the 2009 team couldnt compare to the 2007, but its pretty close. The drop in talent at WR is the only one that really bothers me, but that’s offset by some improvements at RB, S and on special teams. Someone pointed out earlier that the competition has gotten better in the NFC East as well. It think that’s why we’re in for another 9-7 season.

If they can stay healthly well, this team will be better. Something tells me they won’t…

Not being the downer, just look at the WR’s injury list right now and last year.

Also, look at the O-line’s age..

Holding my breath all season..