SB Nation Dallas Editor's Pick

Building & Rebuilding Are Not The Same

by CowboysFan_inDC on Aug 30, 2011 7:15 PM CDT

Much as been made of the article today written by ~~wannabe~~ journalist, Jean-Jacques Taylor, stating unequivocally that our Cowboys are in "full fledge rebuilding mode" a la the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills. Follow along with me as we dissect the madness that is this article.

JJT begins the meat of his article by saying that Jason Garrett removed any doubt about the status/direction of this team for this season with the release of Andre Gurode. Hmmm, REALLY?!?!? Let's delve deeper into what the undertones of that statement entail. In essence, what JJT is saying (to me) is that the success of this season is/was completely tied to the a 32 year old center, who reported to camp after having knee surgery (the kind that's usually done immediately following the regular season to allow time for proper recovery), who reported to camp out of shape/over-weight (see knee surgery), and who could no longer bend his knees - an aspect crucial to powerful blocking and leverage. While Gurode has been arguably the best center in the NFC for 3 of the last 5 years, two of his 5 Pro Bowl appearances were completely based on reputation and not his play.

This brings us to what is probably JJT's worst portion of the article:

- No team with championship aspirations enters a season with essentially three rookies in its offensive line.
- The Cowboys, as currently constructed, will win six to eight games.
- And that's OK because instead of chasing fool's gold, Garrett is actually building a foundation for the future.

I couldn't disagree more with this portion of his article and this is my focal point. Let's go sentence by sentence:

First: JJT has no proof of this claim. I for one love the penciled in offensive line. It has everything you'd want in an offensive line. This line has speed and athleticism, aspects that the Cowboys have not had along it's offensive front for close to 5 years. The rise of the screen play is not masking the ineffectiveness of this line, it's quite the opposite; the screen play is another weapon for Jason Garrett to use in what is already an explosive offense.

Likewise, I love this line because of the guys on it. We have a young, freakishly athletic RT who when he gets his hands on a defender eliminates his man from a play. A LG turned RG to bring the RT along, who also makes the calls for the line and is easily one of the most underrated players on this team. A center who is described as being a mauler who's mean as h*ll. A 7th round, LG who is also an also a jack-of-all-trades mauler who coms from a school that is renowned for it's offensive linemen. And a LT who isn't flashy, but goes about his business, doesn't get beat and clears running lanes for guys like Felix Jones and company.

Second: Remember the WR who loved him some him, and everyone said upon his release that this team had taken a step back and wouldn't be able to compete? By saying that the Cowboys are a 6-8 win team suggests that Gurode was one of the 10 best players on the team at the moment of his release. Romo, Miles, Ware, Witten, Bryant, Ratliff, Free, Kosier, Newman, Jenkins, Lee, James and Brooking would beg to differ, and by my count, that's 12 players. Anyone else willing to go out on a limb with JJT and say that Gurode is just as crucial as say the play of this defense? I didn't think so...

Finally, there's one word that I'll pull from JJT's entire third sentence, building. Building and Rebuilding are simply not the same. If we were rebuilding, why not ship the Pro Bowl quarterback out of town, or maybe the Pro Bowl tight end. Why not cut our losses with DeMarcus Ware, a perennial Pro Bowler and the best pass rusher in the game. Rebuilding means you're starting from scratch and that's not what this team is doing. Getting younger, cheaper players isn't the same as writing the season off. Getting hungry players in place of "entitled" players (there's that word again) doesn't mean you're resigned to 6 wins.

6 wins says we're not better than Jon Kitna at quarterback and Jason Garrett is the same this year as he is for half a season last year. I'll finish with my best Jean-Jacques Taylor impersonation and say this to him, "You're wrong..Deal With It" and when this team is 10-6, 11-5 at best and playing at least in the 2nd round of the playoffs, don't write any articles praising them before you apologize. When that happens, don't hop on the bandwagon without begging for mercy from Cowboys' fans.

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Comments

Nice rant.

I think JJT is wrong about how many games Garrett can win with the young line.

But I don’t have a problem with what he’s saying, which is essentially that Garrett is taking the long-view, which is what I want for the Cowboys.

The sad thing is JJT can’t give us the good news without sticking it to cowboys fans.

"Confidence doesn't come out of nowhere. It's a result of something... hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication." --Roger Staubach

by dave33 on Aug 30, 2011 8:01 PM CDT reply actions

But I don’t have a problem with what he’s saying, which is essentially that Garrett is taking the long-view, which is what I want for the Cowboys.

He only threw that in to make it seem like it was a nice article for the Cowboys.

"Be great today" - Jason Garrett

by mhuff13 on Aug 30, 2011 8:41 PM CDT up reply actions

I'll go one further and say that JJT is not only wrong, but he is also an idiot.

He’s provided us with enough proof of that already. His career should be over but he’s uhh… favoring the right people.

by Damnsammit on Aug 30, 2011 11:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Reality Check

As much as I want to blindly throw my heart behind the 2011 version of the Cowboys, I also have a brain that lives in the world of reality, and reminds me of how many times this team has let us down over past 14 years when the Cowboys have a 112-112 record. This is a middle of the pack team that might win 10 games with a little luck, but let’s get real here. This defense is a huge liability. Until Rob Ryan suits up and starts making tackles, the Cowboys front 7 is a below average group that gets blown off the ball on a consistent basis. There is a reason this team gave up 436 points last season, they are just not that good. So let’s keep it real in here and hope for the best, while acknowledging that this team is a work in progress that is probably several defensive pieces away from being an elite team.

by jerry_jones_killed_our_cowboys on Aug 31, 2011 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions

Correction. 15 years. And counting.

Feel better?

Just getting real.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Sep 2, 2011 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions

once again with feeling

the article today written by wannabe journalist, Jean-Jacques Taylor

there is your problem

Here’s a theoretical play from 2010: Snap. Tony takes 7 step drop. Tony looks left at Miles, who is doubled, and looks right to where Roy Williams should be…but instead sees Colombo on his back and a Defensive End foaming at the mouth jumping over Marc’s carcass. Tony proceeds to run like hell and look for Witten
-by CotySaxman on Jul 11, 2011 7:50 AM PDT

Am I the most optimistic Cowboys fan in the World? Yes, due to an "unfortunate accident" to the previous holder of the title.

by I am Ironman!!! on Aug 30, 2011 8:25 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs

Amen

Rec’d

"Be great today" - Jason Garrett

by mhuff13 on Aug 30, 2011 8:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Rec'd

JJT is a moron. I have no idea why he has a job.

by Damnsammit on Aug 30, 2011 11:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Ummm...

Somebody hired him. Somebody hasn’t fired him.
The moron, the imbecile and the idiot.
Your unholy trinity of lame stream media retards.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Sep 2, 2011 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions

JJT back from covering X games?

Welcome back to real sports JJT.

Memo to Jean Jacques…“Andre Gurode is not the future”

Doug Free and Kyle Kosier have been through the battles…Phil Costa has been climbing through the system…Tyron Smith was the first lineman taken in the draft and was dominant at a national powerhouse…and Bill Nagy lost his job through an accident and sat behind a guy who may wind up being drafted higher than Mr. Smith at a school renowned for producing offensive linemen.

They will be blocking for the following…

An All Pro TE
An All Pro WR
A Freakish WR in his second season
A flashy RB with breakout potential
And an All Pro Quarterback

Six to eight wins huh?

Then why am I so excited about the Garrett era?

by Rome One on Aug 30, 2011 8:29 PM CDT reply actions

Couldn't agree more with the basis of this

If we were in “full fledged rebuilding mode” we would have traded Demarcus for a few starters and a few first round picks. We would have shipped Rat for some picks. We would have traded Witten for something.

We did not. We are not rebuilding. We are reloading.

"Be great today" - Jason Garrett

by mhuff13 on Aug 30, 2011 8:45 PM CDT reply actions

Exactly

Since when as the fate of a football team rested only on the shoulders of an aging, out of shape center, you just happens to be a nice guy. JJT would an lambasted this team if we had gone forward with replacing only Colombo on the OLINE and keeping guys like Roy Williams & Marion Barber.

by CowboysFan_inDC on Aug 30, 2011 9:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Who needs a lock down corner

“We have a young, freakishly athletic RT who when he gets his hands on a defender eliminates his man from a play.”

We have a lockdown RT. Reco.

Everythings gonna be alright.

by Glory Daze on Aug 30, 2011 9:37 PM CDT reply actions

That was tongue in cheek, right?

Cuz I’m super excited about Smith, but WE need a lockdown corner. Hopefully we have one again in Jenkins, but if not, we need to find at least one.

by Baked Potato Soup on Aug 31, 2011 2:47 AM CDT up reply actions

the team is rebuilding...

Say what u want they is…look at the high turnover from offense ..5 starters was cut..

Defense is next once next year roll around..

Teams in today NFL just don’t cut everyone in one swipe ( expect the really pathetic teams) they do it in teirs..

With two years this team will be completely guted. Now JJ can be blame for this thinking have these guys can play forever ..

But the truth is the truth. Say what u want but this team is rebuilding..

Retooling is what philly is doing this year, what we did in 2008, what new England did in 2007..

Not cut half your offensive..

by lostar2009 on Aug 30, 2011 10:31 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

You forgot to mention

5 underachieving “stars” were cut. MBIII never lived up to his contract. Roy Williams was lazy and blamed his lack of catches on the offense. Leonard Davis’ first move coming off the snap was straight up and had no lateral movement whatsoever. Colombo was a fighter, but his knees would no longer allow him to be productive. Gurode, well respected but had the same problems as Davis and Colombo. So with that, you think we’re better off? Get real. If the team is gutted in two years, then it’s rebuilding. Everyone talking about we’re doomed because 60% of last year’s offensive line being gone is either not a fan, doesn’t know a thing about football or both. The name of this game is bigger, stronger, faster, athleticism and last year’s OLINE was just bigger.

There’s no way that the Cowboys are rebuilding (aka Starting Over) when guys like Romo, Miles, Dez, Ware, Witten, Ratliff, Felix, Free, Kosier etc are still on this team.

by CowboysFan_inDC on Aug 31, 2011 6:51 AM CDT up reply actions

Philadelphia added like 15-20 free agents/new players

I wouldn’t really call that re-tooling, that is a very significant turnover.

Plus they have an o-line coach as their new def-coordinator, new o-line coach and rookie starters at punter and kicker.

"Look up, get up, and don't ever give up."
— Michael Irvin

by switzbeats on Aug 30, 2011 10:53 PM CDT reply actions

+1

Along with a rookie starting at middle linebacker and two rookies on their offensive line, a WR who is not in football shape, another WR with lingering knee injury from last year who probably won’t play until after week 4, another WR who is disgruntled about his contract situation and a bunch of guys signed to one year contracts.

Philly has no chemistry and no offensive line and a small defensive line that will get mauled in the running game, but they’re the favorites?

by CowboysFan_inDC on Aug 31, 2011 6:54 AM CDT up reply actions

JJT would have been calling this a 6-8 win team if had returned the entire roster

He will always look for the right angle to use as his reasoning of why we will not be good

"Look up, get up, and don't ever give up."
— Michael Irvin

by switzbeats on Aug 30, 2011 10:55 PM CDT reply actions

He has found his true home working for espn where they love trashing the Cowboys

"Look up, get up, and don't ever give up."
— Michael Irvin

by switzbeats on Aug 30, 2011 10:56 PM CDT reply actions

So many bad stories start out with "So I was reading an article by some dude name John-Jack Taylor..."

by Damnsammit on Aug 30, 2011 11:49 PM CDT reply actions

Thank you brother, couldn't have said it any better myself

Didn’t read JJT article, but I read the reaction to it by espn nfc east blogger Dan Graziano, and he pretty much has the same feeling as you have. If you haven’t read it here the linkhttp://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/30017/cant-the-cowboys-just-be-pretty-good

I love the way he started the article

“I love the folks who cover the Dallas Cowboys, because they’re all so grouchy about the team. The Cowboys beat remains one of the last great bastions of skepticism in modern sports journalism. You talk to the people who spend their days around the team and you would think there wasn’t one decent player on the roster except maybe DeMarcus Ware, and he needs to speak up more. "

Billion dollar dream and hundred dollar nightmares

by djthumpl on Aug 31, 2011 12:57 AM CDT reply actions

@ lostar2009 Let's be real

Name one player that was cut that we can’t do without? Matter of fact let me help you.

WR Roy Williams replaced by (younger) Dez Bryant – which one would you take?

RB Marion Barber replaced by (younger) Fleix Jones – which one would you take?

RT Marc Columbo replaced by (younger) Tyron Smith – which one would you take?

RG Leonard Davis replaced by Kyle Kosier – Leonard hasn’t even been picked up by any team yet.

C Andre Gurode replaced by (younger) Phil Costa – Lets be honest here Gurode good years are behind him. I don’t even see whats the big fuss about him being cut.

None of these player that were cut are going to do anything note worthy at their next stop. The Cowboys didn’t only get younger they got better, only thing I can say is this should’ve been done a year ago.

Billion dollar dream and hundred dollar nightmares

by djthumpl on Aug 31, 2011 1:23 AM CDT reply actions

Not exactly disagreeing.

But, let’s be fair, Davis was actually replaced by Nagy. Nagy hasn’t looked great so far in preseason, in my opinion. Would feel much, much better about Gurode being cut if Costa weren’t injured.

Yes, Jones replaces Barber and is superior, and Bryant replaces Williams and is far superior. But, here’s the problem again. Who replaces the vacated spots of Bryant and Jones? That’s not nearly as pretty, and not superior to Williams and Barber, in my opinion.

I think it was right to make most of these moves, except the Gurode one. I’m just saying that the pessimistic viewpoint is not so insane from the outside looking in.

by Baked Potato Soup on Aug 31, 2011 2:53 AM CDT up reply actions

I see where your coming from

but how do you know what the other players behind them can do without giving them a chance. I’m pretty sure the rb’s behind Felix can get more than 2.0ypc on the season. As far as 3rd WR
i don’t know what kind of production were going to get there, but I still think the moves make the team as a whole better.

Billion dollar dream and hundred dollar nightmares

by djthumpl on Aug 31, 2011 5:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Funniest thing about the OL comment is that it's not far from what the Eagles are doing.

They are starting 2 rookies on their OL.

by Baked Potato Soup on Aug 31, 2011 2:56 AM CDT reply actions

+1

And please, correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t their rookies playing next to each other?

by CowboysFan_inDC on Aug 31, 2011 6:54 AM CDT up reply actions

I like it. Rec'd.

Rebuilding involves dumping stars, acquiring other teams’ players and draft picks, which we have done none of. If Gurode would have had surgery sooner and come into camp ready to participate, he would probably still have a job. But he did not, and he does not. I never gave him his props until about six months ago, and I appreciate what he gave to our team. I am not crying in my coffe, though.

I smell something... It smells like... hope. And BBQ.

by BlueNSilverBlood on Aug 31, 2011 4:16 AM CDT reply actions

JJT is the biggest local "Cowboy Hater" I know

The guy does nothing but right pessimistic articles about the status of the boys. Now, to his credit, he did say in an interview before the 2009 season that he set the bar low to prevent dismal disappointment. but still, the man has never written or said anything encouraging about this team to my knowledge…

"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle, victorious." –Vince Lombardi

by ProBowlFactory on Aug 31, 2011 7:12 AM CDT reply actions

I must vehemently disagree with something you have written here.

Much as been made of the article today written by ~~wannabe~~ journalist, Jean-Jacques Taylor

MUST be re-written as

Much as been made of the article today written by wannabe ~~journalist~~, Jean-Jacques Taylor

by rabblerousr on Aug 31, 2011 8:36 AM CDT reply actions

duly noted

I don’t mind someone’s opinion, in this JJT’s, but when he passes it off as the gospel truth, i have a seriously problem and all he’s demonstrated is his severe lack of understanding about football, namely the Cowboys

by CowboysFan_inDC on Aug 31, 2011 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions

I can see why one would be down about starting three young guys on the O-line

but it is pretty ridiculous to assert that you can’t win big with such a new O-line. Might there be growing pains and occasional problems with an O-line like that? Sure. But does that necessarily guarantee that those problems can’t be overcome? Absolutely not. A hard and fast rule like the one that JJT constructs there does not stand on solid ground.

If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.

by Creasy729 on Aug 31, 2011 1:34 PM CDT reply actions

That article is right on the money

You don’t start that many new players on the OL unless your rebuilding your team.JG is building a culture where everything is earned and there are no delusions on how great the team is.It will help them in the future.He seems like a very good HC.He will have to eventually take over personnel decisions more to get some talent in here.JJ is a good owner but in today’s NFL you need top coaching and a GM.It’s the only way to compete with the other teams that do.

by Quest For Six on Aug 31, 2011 3:24 PM CDT reply actions

So to be clear...

having Romo, Miles, Dez, Witten, Felix, Ware, Ratliff, Free, Lee, Jenkins all in their prime or entering their prime is rebuilding?

Would you have preferred keeping, three 32+ year old OLINEMEN — one who has a history of bad knees, one who can’t move laterally who’s first move is straight up instead of forward, and one who is coming off of knee surgery that should have taken place as soon as the season was over which prevents him from bending his knees? Or would you rather have a faster, stronger, more athletic offensive line that allows for screens and a two-handed running game? I rest my case…

by CowboysFan_inDC on Sep 1, 2011 7:10 AM CDT up reply actions