Are we counting on too many players to step up this year?
by accidental innuendo on Jun 6, 2009 6:06 AM CDT
23 comments
I still haven't settled on what I think the Cowboys record might be in 2009. Of course, I realize it's a futile exercise, but it passes the time in the offseason. Going through the various possibilities, it occurred to me that to actually meet our expectations, the Cowboys will have a number of players with a question mark overcome whatever's been holding them back uptil this point and reach their potential.
And I'm not even talking about the rookies. I'm looking at those that have been on the team since last year and are being counted on to make the leap. I think this factors in immensely when we think about how good we can actually be this season. But it also worries me because it's hard to imagine that every player will make the jump.
So let's go ahead and take a look at them.
Miles Austin -- So much has been made of his injury history AND his ability to stretch the field. Austin always had the physical gift and showed flashes of putting it all together last year, which is the reason why we're really hoping he's for real.
Isaiah Stanback -- Another WR that's had a severely injury-plagued career. The athletic ability is unquestionable, so is the fact that he hasn't been able to harness it due to injury or the handicap of transitioning from QB. Nonetheless, it's been two years, roster spots are valuable, and the Cowboys just drafted 12 rookies.
Roy Williams -- You'd think he was a proven commodity. But the perfect storm accompanied Williams' arrival in Dallas resulting in an atrocious second half of the season. Now, with the loss of T.O., Williams is being asked to step up in the offense.
Felix Jones -- We know what he can do. But can he do it for a full season? He's only on this list because his ceiling is ridiculous.
Anthony Spencer --In light of Ellis' release, Spencer now becomes the bookend to Ware. With two years under his belt and an almost guaranteed starting job come Game 1, the pressure is on for the former first-round pick.
Junior Siavii -- As backup NT, Siavii is going to have to do enough to make sure Ratliff does not tire by season's end. Consider that the Cowboys completely ignored the NT question in the draft; they must have great faith in Siavii's ability to man the position.
Gerald Sensabaugh -- To be fair, I don't know much about his play to judge him. But this has been a sore issue so long that Sensabaugh is going to have to make a difference. In comparison to his predecessor, he already looks to be an improvement.
Bobby Carpenter -- Obligatory name on every "Is This His Year?" list.
The Cowboys are counting all these players to be significant contributors next season. Most of them don't have the track record to predict whether they will take positive steps forward. A lot of how our season unfolds depends on how and when these Cowboys become more confident in their play.
Will they all make it? Or is it even that important of a factor in our success?
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About your list.
I doubt we are counting on Stanback so I would put either Mike Jenkins or Orlando Scandrick on there
"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards
by nicholas.rodriguez on Jun 6, 2009 8:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
...forgot something
I really don’t have any ?s about Scandrick, I think he can play every down, I just haven’t seen it yet, and about Jenkins, if he can tap in to some of his potential he will play very well.
"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards
by nicholas.rodriguez on Jun 6, 2009 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually
I thought both lived up to, if not exceeded, what we expected of them. That’s why I didn’t put them on. They earned the benefit of doubt.
Everything's looking up, Milhouse!
by accidental innuendo on Jun 6, 2009 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Very good Point(s).
We are looking for alot of guys to step up. Spencer, Jenkins, Austin, Hurd, Redball, Romo,(yes Terry the greastest QB alive has another level to achieve) and possibly Free, and McQ. We need for Scandrick, Bennett and Felix to avoid sophmore jinxes. We need Flo, RW, Hamlin, Kosier, McBriar and MBIII to return to previous form. It would be nice for Spears to have his best year and Ratliff, Brady and Ware to maintain form.
The rookies need to come in hungry. They need to come in flying around and push and piss off the Vets. They need to be fully on board that the special teams are theirs and its a 3rd of the game and they have a major responsibility on this team. They can be just a responsible for wins as the RBs.
The offense has to find a rythmn and identity. The Defense needs to start dominating for much longer stretches
It may be alot to expect but winning teams do this and more.
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the goverment from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
by squidlo97 on Jun 6, 2009 10:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
no team can go into every season with all known commodities
Every team has to rely on some young inexperienced players to step up, it’s just how things are in the era of free agency and the salary cap.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jun 6, 2009 10:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Your right, and thats one of the reasons this season is exciting.
One of the best things about the teams of the 90s, besides the SB wins, was watching all of those young guys develope in to premier players. The ride was a blast.
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the goverment from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
by squidlo97 on Jun 6, 2009 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Obviously Players We Were Counting On Last Year
Didn’t come through for us.Roy Williams at safety really let us down and became a liability instead of a plus for us.Tank,well he didn’t fill the middle and just seemed to be going through the motions.He really didn’t meet expectations.
I liked Henry when he arrived but he too didn’t seem to play with any fire and he certainly din’t meet expectations as a shutdown CB.
Pacman at least expected to bolster our return game not only didn’t live up to expectations but became a total distraction.Good riddance.
Austin, Hurd and Roy Williams were all injured last year our expectations are that they will stay healthy this year and at least equal orsurpass thier best season as a pro.
Greg Ellis was ok for what he was but his whiney attitude was a distraction.I hope he is happy where ever he lands but it was obvious his kills were deminishing.
Man when we signed Zach Thomas I thought we had that position filled for several good years.The man tried but his motor had slowed down.He certainly didn’t meet expectations but at least he wasn’t a distraction and didn’t knock the team for letting him go.
It has seemed that each year we are depending on someone to step up and meet expections.It is rewarding when they do and ruinous when they don’t.Lots of deadwood was dropped from this team now we hope those who filled those roster position will step up.
I still see 10 – 6 and a good chance to advance in the playoffs if we can avoid the major injury bug.
by TCB Orange Dino on Jun 6, 2009 11:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Good article, and the answer is YES
I think we are counting on too many unknowns this season. I felt like last season we were set. We pretty much knew every starter on the team. Even some of the new guys like Felix and MartyB played in bigtime college programs that are on TV a lot. We all knew Pacman and expected to have the same shutdown corner we saw in Tennessee in 2006. I heard nothing but good things coming out of camp about how SS Roy Williams and Tank Johnson were going to perform at their previously high levels. Of course, not a lot went as planned.
This year there are so many unknowns. My list is actually a little diffrent than AI’s:
Tony Romo – I’m a big Romo fan, I wont lie. But he need to do two things better to make himself a better QB. He needs to have better decision making, which basically means he needs to turn the ball over less. Grip it better when bracing for contact and throw it away instead of into a crowd. Become more of a manager like Eli and Big Ben. I honestly think Romo has more ability than either of those guys, but tries to hard to make plays and gets careless. (BTW, ability does not mean he’s better, just that he could be.) The other piece is leadership. TO is gone. Witten is his best bud. Roy seems to like/respect Romo. MB3 and Felix are quiet guys. Colombo might be the only one on the line who would speak out of turn. The point is, its time to take over this offense. There is nothing to stand in your way. (I would like him to take over the whole team, but baby steps.)
Marion Barber – Here’s another guy we thought we knew what we had last year and that didnt materialize. The closer couldnt start. He was pretty bad most of the season. True, he was injured, but we didnt see too much when healthy. He needs to return to form and carry some of the load. If he is not healthy or effective, Felix and Choice wont be as successful either.
Roy Williams/Miles Austin – For the reasons you mentioned above.
Anthony Spencer – As mentioned above
Keith Brooking – Hasnt been all that effective in Atlanta the last few years, and honestly, I dont expect him to be effective here either. A one and done wouldnt surprise me, so I’m rooting for Jason Williams to learn fast. He needs to prove he can still play. Hopefully a new team, town, and return to Phillips system will turn his play around.
Jenkins/Scandrick – I feel better about Scandrick than I do Jenkins, but I get the feeling the team would like Jenk to be the starter opposite Roy. He’s the higher pick with the bigger contract and he was considered by many to be the best CB in the draft last year. He certainly didnt live up to those expectations. That “ole” against the Giants will unfortunately stay with him for a long time.
Jason Garrett – Playcalling was terrible late last year. Other teams saw it coming. Heck, we saw it coming. I would like to see him run the ball more, but I get the feeling thats against his nature as a former QB. He could be the next head coach with some success. He could also be bought out of his contract with another performance like last year.
by TCBinNYC on Jun 8, 2009 1:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That whole post, which was good, said nothing about one of the most important thing...
the offensive line.
Which would’ve helped Marion Barber and Romo out alot too.
it was weird, I... I mean you probably didn't hear about it because I went under the name of Mike Honcho. But I just wanted you to know that. If you can hear me, if it got into your brain somehow. That I spread my buttcheeks as Mike Honcho.
by AirforceBat on Jun 9, 2009 8:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+2
The OL for whatever reasons wasn’t a Hudson Houck coached line. May be JG had a role in that. If it becomes one of power anchoring running line , there will be less pressure on Romo and in the 4th quarter a worn down DL will be easy meat for our Big OL and MB III.
by Nan_L on Jun 12, 2009 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think it's worse than any other season
Maybe I’m on the side of conservative estimate, but the only guys I see that need to step up from truly unproven are Spencer, Austin, and Jenkins. I feel pretty good about the other guys you mention.
Spencer is the one I’m most concerned about. He has shown the talent when healthy, but I hope his work ethic is as high as it needs to be.
Also, would add Flo to the list. He’s certainly proven how good he can be, but can he stay healthy this season, and is his backup (Free) ready to step in if they need him to. I had pretty high expectations for Free, but so far he’s been a no show.
Training Camp '09 = Mega Thunder Dome....80 men enter, 53 men leave.
by APerfectStar on Jun 8, 2009 8:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, I fell asleep on this fanpost
To be honest, I was only looking at those to step up who have not really been there before. And it’s even scarier if you consider that we’re counting on a number of vets to level up also — like Romo, Flo and Brooking (among others).
I didn’t count them because they’ve proven themselves. However, for a successful season, we’re asking them to take it up a notch also. Note that I haven’t even touched on the coaching.
Finally, I just wanted to highlight that we may have lost the media circus, courtesy of T.O. and Pacman, but expectations are still sky high from Cowboy nation.
Everything's looking up, Milhouse!
by accidental innuendo on Jun 8, 2009 9:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I understand you were only referring to young, unproven guys
but I think some of the guys who have ‘done it’ didnt do it last year (Barber, Roy Wi11liams, Brooking, Garrett) or need to do it better (Romo.) The first four guys I mention have shown they can be great, but were not last season. We nee to see a return to form for this team to make noise in the playoffs.
But you are correct, there are some unproven guys (Austin, Spencer, to a lesser extent Jenkins) that need to be at that same level as well. As far as Stanback, Free, and Carpenter … I think its time to let go of these guys and move on. Maybe one more season on the roster, but if they havent established themselves by the end of the year, we cannot keep holding roster spots for them. As for Siavii, he’s just a camp body in my mind. Surely they sign someone cut from another team before the season starts.
by TCBinNYC on Jun 9, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
spencer and carpenter will show why they were number one picks this year
They should rotate them in greg ellis’s spot so they both are on the field alot.
by bleedinbluensilver on Jun 12, 2009 11:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
No, not compared to most other teams
On offense, there is only one new starter…the WR opposite Roy Williams. There are 4 candidates all with 3 or 4 years of experience. The coaches are so confident that they didn’t bother to draft or pick up a FA replacement.
On defense, they’re looking at vets with proven experience (in our system and with our coaching staff). Igor, Sensabaugh, Brookings, and the two second-year CBs all are known quantities.
It’s not like we’re depending on 2 rookie starting WRs (like the Giants), 3 rookies on defense + a rookie RB + new DC (Philthy), or dealing with uncertainties at nearly every position (Wash).
All this gnashing of teeth is much ado about nothing.
Res firma mitescere nescit
by Fighter15 on Jun 12, 2009 11:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Consider this a mild grinding of the teeth
These teams you mention have systems in place that these players can fit into. This is helped by strong leadership from the coaches and within the players. Except Washington — I have no idea what’s going on with that organization.
The Cowboys, on offense, have to find out what their identity is after T.O.‘s release. That’s hard to do when Patrick Crayton is your most established receiver and certain vets had down years that they need to bounce back from. It feels like a bumpy transition to me.
The defense, I’m happy to say, was coming into it’s own last year. But we still have questions at the same positions that have been plaguing us for years.
If anything, maybe I’m expecting a reversal of years gone by. I think we’re going to struggle a little bit in the early stages of the season, and hopefully pull through by the end.
Everything's looking up, Milhouse!
by accidental innuendo on Jun 13, 2009 4:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think I can handle the idea of Dallas getting off to a slow start
I’ll have leaped off a tall building after an 0-2 start. I tend to panic too quickly.
But seriously, this team hasn’t shown the kind of resiliency to dig themselves out of a hole. I understand how every year is different, but I honestly don’t think this team has the personalities on board to go down early in the season and rebound. I could be wrong, but with all the doubt already hanging over their heads this season, I think a bad start could absolutely crush them.
Epic Fail since 1985
by the red scare on Jun 13, 2009 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why is it that every other team has a system...
that can handle/succeed with FA’s & rookies, but the Cowboys don’t?
That is such a b.s. argument! I’m not attacking you personally, but the argument is complete and utter crap.
How did Philthy do with t.o.? How did the ’90’s Boys do with Haley? How ’bout the Pats (homegrown early, FA players of late)? The Giants with Plaxico? Hell, the ’Boys with t.o. (as a direct comparison to Philthy)?
As an organization, the Cowboys under Jerry Jones has had great drafts and poor ones, great FA pickups and not-so-good ones. The point is that as an organization, Dallas is considered an elite franchise, even if the past couple of years have been disappointing after a post-Aikman salary cap rebuilding.
On the t.o. debate, this team is hardly “finding their identity”. They know exactly what they have (no new faces at all). They could have kept t.o. for free (salary cap-wise). The coaches have another plan.
You may not like Wade, but he has 30+ years of success, though never with great talent. Same for Redball. The genius of ‘07, who set every single-season record in franchise history (think about that, THE greatest statistical season…another reason I despise statistics) is suddenly an inept, unimaginative neophite that’s not ready for primetime.
The Cowboys have an outstanding team, great coaches, and the most powerful owner in the NFL. Our players get paid, FAs want to come here, and few bad mouth the org. You certainly can’t say that about the Iggles (just look at the McScabb situation, Dawkins, etc.), Jints (Strahan, Plax, Barber, Coughlin), or Skiz (too many examples to even start…though Snyder kind of summarizes it).
The point of my rant is that the “system” argument is crap that is not supported by history nor the current situation. It is selective memory and “greener field” logic that is fundamentally flawed.
Res firma mitescere nescit
by Fighter15 on Jun 14, 2009 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you're making mountains out of molehills
Your rant really has very little to do with the essence of my post. The Cowboys are putting a system into place. It’s not perfect yet. But I feel like they’re taking positive steps.
The other teams you mention have a model that worked for them. They just have been at it longer. Eagles management has fielded a winning team for a decade now, which shows they’re doing something right. Giants got better after losing Tiki and Strahan and have a recent Superbowl win.
We don’t have to just be the most attractive destination for players. We also have to be the best run organization we can be because that’s what produces winning teams in the long run. The Cowboys are headed in that direction.
Everything's looking up, Milhouse!
by accidental innuendo on Jun 14, 2009 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe...
Your response kinda hit a nerve like ice cream on a bad tooth.
If you had said scheme and coaching staff instead of organizational system, then I partially agree with you. But as BP used to say, he was in the talent acquistion business. Didn’t matter if it came in the draft, UDFA, or FA he wanted to get talent.
That has been the philosophy of the Cowboys since Jerry Jones bought the team. However, you could argue that the method has changed since BP showed GM Jerry his way. Nevertheless, the Cowboys almost always have and always will be an organization that is better than most.
Res firma mitescere nescit
by Fighter15 on Jun 14, 2009 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's the thing
The talent acquisition business, like every other business, needs balance. Becoming a great destination for FAs means less in the salary cap era, and even less when the high-price FA busts. This happens far too often when free agency is your sole means of acquiring talent. This is why drafting well is so important, as you already know.
Yes, the Cowboys are better than most. Great, can they remain consistently better? Can they continue to produce winning teams when stars leave, injuries strike and the cap number is low? This is what I’m looking forward to because they’re not there yet.
Otherwise, I think we’re in agreement.
Everything's looking up, Milhouse!
by accidental innuendo on Jun 15, 2009 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think we are expecting that
we are not expecting those players to step up other than miles austin. Stepping up would be for a player who has never produced and now needs to produce. RW has produced in this league, we are just asking him and romo to get on the same page and that happens in trainign camp. new players join teams all the time and it takes some acclemation.
the rest of the players on the list are back ups and complementary players. savaii is a back up NT expected to get a few reps in a gem to give Rat some relief. he is not expected to hold down the fort or make big plays. that’s Rat’s job. Sensebaugh is expected to fill RW’s departed shoes. I doubt if that’s that hard to do. he is expected to do what he did in Jax. not be spactacular but just solid in pass coverage, which is what he does well.
I also don’t think we are expecting carpenter to step up, other than for himself. that’s why we brought in brookings and drafted to players to take over the nickle LB position.
I don’t think Stanback as the 5th WR is expected to produce much. our success won’t depend on him.
the fact is we are set at 20 of the 22 starting positions. the players we expect to step up are Jenkins/Scandrick to replace henry. and Spencer to replace Ellis.
by CowboysFanatic on Jun 16, 2009 9:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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