Do not open until 2013... (feel free to open and read sooner than that)
by ScarletO on Jan 2, 2012 8:56 PM CST
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I find it fascinating how adults frequently learn from children. Last holiday season, my father in law's health was failing rapidly. My wife flew out at last minute to be with him during his last few hours on earth.
He served in the army and fought at the Battle of the Bulge. Heartfelt thanks to him and all of those who have so selflessly served our great country.
So Mommy was not going to be home for Christmas morning, but she would be back on the 26th. The kids were presented with the following choice:
1. Would you like to open presents without Mommy on Christmas morning, or
2. Would you mind waiting an extra day to open your presents so Mommy could be here too?
Now I imagine those that do not have children, can still remember the ardent fever that overcomes children on Christmas morning when presents are sitting under the tree. For that reason, I was amazed when my kids picked choice 2...
They were willing to sacrifice one day of playing with toys that had been enticing them for days to share the experience with their Mommy. The kids knew Mommy would like to be around, and they would like to have her at home too. Children that were younger than 6 years old showed great patience and foresight.
They made me very proud. If only adults could see things this clearly: if only I could more frequently...
These days, a diluted, diminished fever overcomes me when I know a big Cowboys game is on the horizon. It is not quite like opening a present under the tree as a kid, but it is similar.
About a week ago I posted this on BTB:
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2011/12/28/2666443/where-for-art-thou-romo
The post described how the Cowboys had twelve quality players on the roster. Today I read a well-penned piece by one of my favorite sports personalities, Bob Sturm.
http://sturminator.blogspot.com/
Both stories touch on the same subject: the Dallas Cowboys lack the talent necessary to win a Super Bowl. Jason Garrett reiterated the point that he made last night today in his press conference this afternoon: "We need to get better". Garrett alluded to adhering to a long-term plan that included purging overpaid-underperforming veterans, making coaching changes, and infusing more talent through the draft with the right kind of guys.
Garrett mentioned correcting the financial inequities present on the team and weathering the growing pains these changes would bring about. He spoke about staying the course or maintaining the current direction. Jason wants this team to be more talented, creating more competition within the team, leading to more consistent execution throughout the entire season, with improvement noted as the season progresses. Garrett intimated that he wants a younger, more talented team, and that Jerry Jones was completely on board navigating this course.
"But where is this team right now? How long will this reconstruction take?" These were the questions volleyed to Jason from the Dallas media.
Here is where the team currently stands:
Against teams that had losing records, the Cowboys were 7-0 (Washington 5-11 [twice], St. Louis 2-14, Seattle 7-9, Buffalo 6-10, Miami 6-10, and Tampa Bay 4-12). Dallas defeated one team with a winning record (San Francisco 13-3) and lost to every other team that had a non-losing record (New York 9-7 [twice], Philadelphia 8-8 [twice], New York Jets 8-8, New England 13-3, Detroit 10-6, and Arizona 8-8).
Not one team that is worse than the Cowboys beat Dallas this season. The Cowboys are not a bad team, merely a slightly below average one: that is why Dallas sports the 14th overall selection in the 2012 NFL draft. A fair representation of the team's standing within the NFL.
In contrast to the scattershot approach to talent acquisition utilized by former Cowboys coaching greats (tongue in cheek) Dave Campo and Wade Phillips, this coaching regime has a plan. Listening to Bryan Broaddus last night for the season's final post game wrap-up offered some insight.
Broaddus is a former Cowboys scout with contacts still littering the Dallas scouting staff. Bryan bellowed that his scouting associates were all impressed and pleased with how Garrett understands the scouting process and facilitates talent acquisition through the resources available in the scouting department.
According to the scouts at Valley Ranch, Jason Garrett has an eye for talent akin to that of Jimmy Johnson. And Jimmy also has had a major influence on Garrett's philosophical approach of talent acquisition, improvement through youthful competition, and the elimination of relatively non-productive players.
This is what Cowboys fans have been longing for since Jerry and Jimmy split up. This is an exciting transitional time in the history of this storied franchise.
But it will take time...
Take into account the Cowboys' inability to beat most average and above average teams this season when looking at the Cowboys' schedule for 2012. Remember that Dallas went 1-4 against playoff teams this season (losses to New York [twice], Detroit, and New England).
In 2012 the Dallas Cowboys play 7 games (New York [twice], Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Atlanta) against teams that have made the 2011 NFL playoffs. The Cowboys also have three more games against teams that finished with 8-8 records in 2011 (Philadelphia [twice], and Chicago).
In the second season of this restoration project, the Cowboys may be slightly improved, but based on this last season's results, the Cowboys projected finish is around 7-9. In essence, 8-8 in 2012 may be an improvement in performance despite no difference in the record.
Last season, the starting offense underwent a facelift with about a 45% turnover rate. Expect similar results in 2012 given the similar strategy that will be employed to improve the defense.
Look at how the abbreviated 2011 offseason took shape. Garrett released Marion Barber III, Roy Williams, Leonard Davis, Marc Colombo, and Andre Gurode. Expect to see Terence Newman, Abram Elam, Bradie James, Keith Brooking, and Anthony Spencer to be dismissed next season. That is about 36% of the starting defensive lineup.
This voyage has had a promising start on some fronts, with some unexpected setbacks at others. Garrett acknowledged this in his press conference today. The highly amoebic draft will dictate the arrival time from this trip. That the captain of the Cowboys has a singular focus on the right kind of guy, and has already shown a propensity to select quality players (e.g., Tyron Smith, DeMarco Murray, and Dan Bailey) should suggest that better days are just beyond the horizon.
But patience will be necessary. This present may not be opened until 2013.
Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.
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Excellent points, Rec'd
We finally have a coach with a plan and someone that Jerry will listen to. Garret is also smart enough to know how to work Jerry to get the right things done. Jerry will still be Jerry, but Jason can work him to the right decision on the important points. Garret represents the best hope fans have had in quite some time, anybody calling for Garret to lose his job is horribly misguided.
Very good and well thought out points.
by JakBandit on Jan 2, 2012 11:31 PM CST via Android app reply actions
In the future,
please email your posts to me directly. I will publish them under my name.
That will make me look much better.
by One.Cool.Customer on Jan 3, 2012 2:51 AM CST reply actions 4 recs
HAHAHAHAHAHA
Way to go OCC taking credit for all that is good I can dig it.
Optimissum Prime sees nothing but the best for America's Team!!!
by Cowboys_Attack on Jan 3, 2012 6:42 AM CST up reply actions
Rec'd
Yet again another outstanding post! This is truly on point and very much needed for a lot of us here after a difficult to watch season. I think the toughest part will be every Sunday not knowing if they are gonna win or loose it seemingly being a flip of the coin for our ‘Boys with which winnning team they’ll beat next year I vote Gnats personally. Its truth but it still hurts to know that we are in for another average season and knowing that half the Sundays give or take I will be crushed. It’s a tough time for us but if we can catch a decent defensive draft that can stay healthy it will really help.
What are your thoughts on what you think they will do this off season on defense do you think they will seek out some of the more talented guys and in doing so spending some real money?
Optimissum Prime sees nothing but the best for America's Team!!!
Thank you. My understanding is that this team has about $25 million in dead money in 2012.
That being said, and given the recent history of this team not spending big money on free agents, I see this rebuilding process coming almost exclusively from the upcoming drafts (note the use of the plural). Garrett was as clear as he gets during his last press conference in outlining his plan to make this team younger.
The media really did a poor job of listening to Garrett all season. Correspondingly, their questions were often lacking during the press conferences. Jason wants this team to get young, be hungry, work hard every day, compete very hard, and improve throughout the course of the season. His hope is to bring in much more talent to provide incentive for players to work harder: for fear of losing playing time and their jobs.
The benefits of this approach lead to maximizing talent, vastly improving depth, and even addresses mental toughness. I remember Michael Irvin saying many times that practice was so difficult, that the games were easy in comparison. With the new CBA, practices can no longer be that hard, so other motivating factors to get the best out of players needs to exist.
Dallas has way too many needs to completely address all of them in one off season. My preference is that they draft an elite pass rushing OLB in the first round to pair with DeMarcus Ware. Then it would be nice if some secondary help were to be available in rounds two and three.
There is such a dearth of talent on the defensive side of the ball, that drafting a great player at almost any defensive position would lead to a substantial improvement. Taking a lesson from the Giants, however, it seems that pass rushers can make the secondary better: not the other way around.
I believe that DeMarcus Ware is Tony Romo on the defensive side of the ball. Dallas needs to give him more help because he cannot do it by himself. I think his frustration was evident in the final game of the 2011 season. I also believe that his offsides penalties are a result of trying to do too much to overcome the deficiencies of others on this defensive unit. He knows that he is the only player that can make a play on the quarterback, and therefore, he is pressing.
Imagine how great DeMarcus could be if he had a player opposite him garnering 12+ sacks a season (like Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU: if he declares). I do not think it was a coincidence that the only time this defense appeared special occurred simultaneously with the improved play (albeit temporarily) of Anthony Spencer towards the end of the 2009 regular season.
Regardless, this team desperately requires about a dozen more players at specific positions of need to become a true Super Bowl contender. Two more great drafts could get the Cowboys there.
It is likely, however, that two great drafts only yield 8 or 9 needed players. In that case, I could still see this team making a playoff run, but falling short. Progress would be noticed, however, in 2013.
Get Quinton Coples
one of the CBs
and Chandler Jones.
The Cowboys would be Superbowl ready
by Jonathan Stern on Jan 3, 2012 10:59 AM CST up reply actions
With all due respect, I highly doubt the Cowboys draft any DE in the first round.
The Cowboys last drafted a first round defensive lineman when they selected Marcus Spears in 2005. Dallas has not placed a high priority on defensive linemen since switching from the 4-3 to the 3-4 defensive alignment.
On the other hand, Dallas has drafted a cornerback (Jenkins) and several OLB’s in the first round many times in the recent past. Despite linebacker being statistically the safest first round position that can be chosen, the Cowboys have bombed on two of their last three selections: Ware (the only success), Carpenter, and Spencer.
Even if Dallas hits a grand slam in the draft, this team is more than a year away from contending for a playoff spot, let alone a Super Bowl. Patience…
I can definatly see the comparisons between Ware and Romo
We addressed helping Romo last year in teh first round I agree with you and hope we help Ware in the first round of this draft. You say the 8 or 9 players through the draft but what about FA that should get us around the 13 mark I think. I also think that with this years FULL offseason that will vastly help the Cowboys prepare this team the way they want to. Last year due to the thing I will not say we missed a lot of chances to learn this complex and difficult defense. I’m not saying that things wouldnt have still turned out the way they did because even though Scandrick was there he couldn’t make the play. He had his arm between Cruz’s body and his arms and he couldn’t get the ball outta there. Just sad.
I honestly feel very sorry for Ware and Romo both and the gracious part of me wishes that they would get traded to a better team so they might be able to get a ring or two. But at the same time the selfish part of me refuses to let them go and sees that one day at the backend of their careers they could still bring one to Big D and that we wouldn’t be getting one anytime soon without either one of them.
Optimissum Prime sees nothing but the best for America's Team!!!
by Cowboys_Attack on Jan 3, 2012 11:23 AM CST up reply actions
Garrett's plan is to not spend big money on free agents.
Jason is trying to get rid of the bloated contracts players that do not produce currently have. He does not seem to want to introduce new over-inflated contracts, and prefers to restock the team with young, hungry players with something to prove.
Look at last offseason. Also remember that this team has $25 million in dead money on the 2012 salary cap.
Signing big name free agents has not worked for anybody recently. Remember the dream team?
It is better to see if Romo, Witten, Ware, and Austin have something in the tank in 2013, than to let them go prematurely. How has that strategy worked for the Eagles?
By the way, with Chicago (one Super Bowl appearance), and Indianapolis (one Super Bowl win and one loss) purging the front office, when will we hear from Philadelphia (one Super Bowl appearance). Obviously, Jerry will not fire himself, but he at least has won three Super Bowls as GM…albeit over 15 years ago.
Yes but as of Sept. they had $20 mil in cap space which I believe rolls over into
next season plus they will cut Newman and save several more million which adds to the cap space. So in this case I can see JG and the Jones boys going after one or two top FAs who have a history of producing such as C. Campbell or C. Finnegan or any of the second tier FAs who are not only still young but productive players as well. They have a fair amount of room to play with plus SJ and his cohorts is rather creative with the salary cap and Im sure will not sign any deals that ridiculous as in the past.
http://nfltraderumors.co/2012-nfl-free-agents/
"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"
Really great points and much needed perspective and REC
The thought process of rebuilding that you outline JG going through would be highly welcome but all the more reason I personally wish for an OC so he can focus on other things.
Knowing that we lost some VERY winnable games due to some mgmt issues makes me temper my enthusiasm that Garrett is thinking as deeply as you surmise but I certainly hope you’re spot on.
BTW, a “dozen more players at specific position” is tremendously high. Assuming 3 on offensive ( 3 interior line positions and moving Free back to RT), are you assuming only Ware, Rat, and Jenkins?? as the 3 defensive starters you keep. Just curious about your dirty dozen..
Together, we WILL make it happen!
by nikeorlipstick on Jan 3, 2012 6:45 PM CST up reply actions
I remember Michael Irvin saying many times that practice was so difficult, that the games were easy in comparison.
this this this.. I think the moose also said something similar to that degree that the biggest reason they hated losing in the regular season was cause practice would be hell the following wk.. There are many problems on this team but imo Garrett or Rob are not on that list. Nice article Scarlet.
"Some people wear Superman pajamas, Superman wears Chuck Norris pajamas. But Chuck Norris wears Sean Lee pajamas. That is all." --sirjason22
"I'm gonna punch you in the ovary, that's what I'm gonna do. A straight shot. Right to the babymaker." --Ron Burgundy
by DarkKnight88 on Jan 3, 2012 10:08 PM CST up reply actions
Romo's career will be wasted by the time Dallas is good.
If Jerry doesn’t draft a real qb to learn from Romo this will never end. Romo only has 2-3 really good years remaining. How many 34-35 year old scrambling qb’s do you see still running effectively.
Figuring in the bust rate of the Dallas gm , he has had 2 decent drafts , history says he will bust out in this draft.
I saw a two game improvement because of an anemic schedule. I saw a discombobulated defense who confused themselves more than the opponent. I heard a gm who was surprised they were out of the playoffs. I saw a coach make highschool coaching gaffes.. Romo , Witten , Ware and Rat should ask for a trade. They will never play in a superbowl on this team. Maybe we get enough in return to expedite the rebuilding process.
Jerry is the end all in Dallas.
You actually touch on two controversial topics I may bring up later.
Should we trade Jay Ratliff?
Was Dallas really better this season?
Taking the latter first. I believe that had the Cowboys played with Dan Bailey last season, that team would have won at least two more games. If adding a kicker that is fairly consistent constitutes being a better team, then this team was better. Otherwise, this team was on par with the team from last season.
Now I do believe that the effort this season was much better. It has been a long time since the Cowboys did not lose to an inferior team throughout the course of a season. It happened this season, and I take it as an indicator that the level of effort was fairly consistent from game to game.
As far as trading Jay Ratliff, I doubt the organization does it, but it may be worth it. Ratliff is currently somewhat of a square peg for the round hole 3-4 defense. I cannot help but think that some 4-3 defensive unit that badly needs a pass rushing defensive tackle would trade at least a first round pick to acquire the rights to Jay Ratliff.
While I think that he had yet another tremendous season and earned his Pro Bowl berth, I wonder if trading him to draft one or two defensive players may not be a prudent move. It is somewhat McDaniels-esque thinking, which is what causes me the greatest hesitation.
I also wonder if Jay is one of the few players on defense that sets the tone with his level of intensity. Trading him may set the team back more than helping it move forward. Jay is a commodity, though, for this team that is in such dire need of playmakers in the secondary and at OLB.
You would be lucky to get a 3rd for him. I would do it though.
If we did get a 3rd I would use it to trade up. This team needs impact players. There are about 3-4 on this team. The rest are almost mediocre to mediocre.
Jerry is the end all in Dallas.
by football mensa on Jan 3, 2012 9:10 AM CST up reply actions
Sadly. Another bad thank you contract by Jerry.
Jerry is the end all in Dallas.
by football mensa on Jan 3, 2012 1:25 PM CST up reply actions
And sometimes the apples of your eye don't fall far from the trees.
They made me very proud.
Musta got something in my eye…
btw, this’s about your children, not the Cowboys, though they sound like cowboys to me.
Cry "Havoc!"
REC'd
Great perspective. I’m not sure my fandom is anything more mature than a 4 year old (I still throw tantrums when things don’t go my way) but I’ll heed your advice and swallow a little patience pill with my half-full glass of Kool-Aid. Despite some opinions that the view is from the bow of the Titanic, I like the course the captain has charted.
Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack.
~Sun Tzu
Huzzah SIO
A voice of reason – very much appreciated. Lacking ay other measurement I’d say this team was exactly 2 wins better than last years or 33% if you choose to measure that way. I don’t get the ‘effort’ comments – anyone who witnessed the 2nd half of NY @ DAL, JAX and GB massacres last season wasn’t paying attention if you say those are comparable.
Uneven talent distribution is absolutely the key. Across the team it’s about 7-6-5 players in the Superior, Above Average, Average groups. That means JAG’s and Downright Awful contingents comprise 2/3 of the team and 23% of the Starters!
I am hopeful as well, that the beginnings of a foundation with a long-term plan are taking shape.
BTW – no way my kids at that age are waiting for anyone to open presents
I don't make mistakes...just understandable bad choices
You have done a great job raising your kids
Amazing that they showed that patience and understanding.
f it - rivvid.com
My wife does all the work...
…I just watch football ;)
Excellent read
So why can’t we put this post on the front page?
Hey Washington... D.C. stands for Dallas Cowboys
Jerry the GM…if we could only find a way to get rid of that guy…
Twitter: @silva918
Antonio stole my thunder....
Kudos to your writing style and content ScarletO, not just for this piece, but several others you have posted.
The FP guys should be looking here for the next writer.
Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.
"Meanwhile, like a bitter wine, Philadelphia’s jealousy fermented in the dark cellars of pride and resentment. With no playoff hopes of their own, Eagles fans turned towards hating the Cowboys." Steve Sabol, NFL films
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