FanPost

"My Optimism Wears Heavy Boots and is Loud"

The above title references a quote taken from an interview with actor, singer, philosophizer, and just general badass Henry Rollins. I think it speaks volumes. Personally, I would rather focus on the reasons we will succeed rather than the reasons we won't.

Pessimism is kind of like sitting in a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but doesn't really get you anywhere.

But whatever, that's just me.

Combing through the comments on a few of the articles recently, it seems there has been an abundance of speculation as to the state of our defense, and the ramifications of said state on our playoff prospects. As it turns out, neither are receiving much love right at the moment.

Sounds like someone needs a hug.

So, to the naysayers, I say...nay.

It won't be all puppy dogs and rainbows this season, but neither will it be the beat down of biblical proportions that has been foreshadowed by many.

Following are a few random thoughts, notes, notions, and impressions that I felt compelled to add to this cacophony of chaos.

We'll be slipping and sliding from point to point like a greased-up monkey on a bowling ball, so if you want to grab your knees and assume the crash position, now might be a good time.

Point A: The 'Might Want To Slow Your Roll a Bit There Tough Guy' point

With the national media, I get it. Nothing gets clickers clicking like a "Dallas is going to suck because..." type article. No love lost there, on either side. But I must admit, I was mildly surprised at the number of doomsday prophets that have emerged in our presence, especially in such a short amount of time.

While I understand the arguments being made, I'm not sure the conclusions are quite as dire as what is currently being concluded.

It's still way too early for that.

Thus far, we have played but a single preseason game. One which featured more expected starters on the sidelines than on the field. And there is a greater than zero chance that the powers that be will slow-play the aforementioned starters with a limited snap-count.

Not to mention that, throughout the entire preseason, the schemes will be so plain that even vanilla will be like "Seriously guys, what's up with that?"

Keep the faith that Marinelli and his minions know what they're doing. Give these guys a chance to get better.

In Rod we trust.

Point B: The 'Injuries, Absences, and Other Fun Type Stuff' point

It should go without saying that the crux of the entire Cowboys season rests in our sordid love affair with injuries. Like the sirens of legend, she sings her song throughout our ranks, enchanting victim after victim with her bitter-sweet seduction.

The good news is that, with a few notable exceptions, we have been able to resist her woeful song of sorrow. The injuries that we have incurred, to this point, have been mostly to the down-roster guys. Mostly. And most of those have been more of your various tweaks, strains, and sprains type of injuries. Mostly.

And although the loss of Lee was very reminiscent of a steel-toed boot to the nether-regions, mercifully, it has been the worst kick to the groin we've received...so far. Anyone else who was expected to make a significant contribution this season is on track to be back.

Which brings us to the better news. For those who have felt the sting of the sirens song, the recovery process is progressing well and, in some cases, ahead of schedule. For those who question our ability to generate a pass rush based upon what has been on display so far, rest assured, reinforcements are on the way.

I hate to spoil the ending for you guys, but it's going to turn out okay.

Point B and a half: The 'Scandrick-less Secondary' point

Alright, so Scandrick got caught in Mexico with his pants down, fumbling around with his glowstick. It happens to the best of us. If the road to hell is paved with good intentions, then the party-fun-time road to Mexico is paved with poor judgement. The last time I was in Mexico, well let's just say that I should have politely declined the invitation to witness some of the more infamous entertainment.

Some things you just can't unsee.

But unlike my eyesight, Scandrick will return. In week 5 as a matter of fact.

That gives us four games to scramble around and try to hide the deficiencies his absence creates. The silver lining in this Molly-filled muddle of a dark cloud, is that I don't think his departure is going to have a direct effect on the W-L column over the first four weeks.

Admittedly, the level of difficulty for opposing QBs is far more challenging with Scandy on the field. Before his suspension was announced, I had us penciled in at 2-2 after the first four. Once I recalculated, taking into account the volatile and variable nature of various variables, and then recalculating again because I forgot to carry the one, I arrived at the very same number. Two wins and two losses.

The Niners tend to win with a robust running game, potent play-action, and a devastating defense. I'm fairly confident Drew Brees was, and is, going to carve us up like a free turkey dinner regardless of our lineup in the secondary.

Scandy's presence on the field wouldn't make us favorites to win either one of those games.

Likewise, his absence will not preclude us from winning against a fairly average Titans team or the St Louis Sam Bradfords.

In a Gloria Gaynor inspired proclamation reminiscent of The Replacements, we will survive. Scandrick will return with fresh legs, hungry for action, and with plenty to prove.

You'll know for sure when the team busts out into the 'Electric Slide' in week 5.

Point C: The 'Point After the First Two Points' point

When we get down to the nitty of the gritty, this defense will live or die on the performance of the front seven.

That was true in the offseason, it is true now in the preseason, and it will still be true during all 16 games of the regular season.

Many opinions have been opined and many bally's have been hoo'd on the disposition, or lack thereof, of our D-line and LB'er units.

Some foresee disaster. While understandable, what I foresee is really more of a mitigated disaster.

Maybe it's just the crack with my morning coffee talking here, but I tend to think we're in pretty good shape...you know, for the shape we're in.

The thing to remember, and this will be especially important after the dirty, dirty stomp-around I expect us to take from the Saints, is that this defensive group will get better as the season progresses. By the time we turn the corner in weeks nine and ten, I have a feeling our D will have gone from 'Malcolm in the Middle' Bryan Cranston to 'Breaking Bad' Bryan Cranston.

Except without the meth.

Hopefully.

With Scandy's return from exile, our cadre of corners and safeties should be playing at a much higher level. Improvements from Wilcox and Hamilton, consistent effort from Church, along with the resurgence of Mo Claiborne should provide some back-end support.

Well, maybe resurgence isn't the right word, as Mo hasn't really established himself yet. Maybe just the surgence of Mo would be a better choice.

Early indications are that Ro McClain has his head, and more importantly, his heart in the game. I fully expect that by mid-season he is in mid-season form.

Wilburforce will be in full effect.

And in a brazen show of blind loyalty, I expect Bruce Carter...well, to not get burned too badly, too often.

How's that for going out on a limb?

I know, right? No net or anything. Sometimes I even amaze myself.

In the trenches, we should also be able to get stronger as we go. The other McClain, the 300 lb version, should make an impact with Melton in the interior and open things up for the pass rush on the outside. Anthony Spencer should see some action in the first month of the season. The New DeMarcus will be coming back to add a spark off the edge.

This year's Selvie will be this recently acquired Boatright fellow. Last year's Selvie, who I believe is nicknamed George Selvie, should be more effective playing less snaps.

Crawford, I think, may have a little too much hype to live up to initially, but will still end up giving opposing lineman fits by the midway mark of the season.

Both Bishop and Coleman have been impressive for seventh round/UDFA types, and should be much better with some actual game experience. Amobi Okoye has flashed in the past and if the rumors are true, could be on the field sooner rather than later.

Don't discount the possibility of Josh Brent rejoining the team as well.

Sure, there are questions about every single player I've mentioned. And more than likely, all of them probably don't answer those questions in the way we might prefer.

But enough of them will. Enough to make a small difference.

This defense is pretty young. From what I could see, Mincey is the only player on defense that's not on the south side of 30.

We will get better.

That's the closest thing to a guarantee you can get without buying a toaster.

Point D: The 'We Are Men of Action, Lies Do Not Become Us' point

I don't want to get it twisted, I'm not saying that this defense will be 'good'. At least not in the traditional sense of the word.

What I am saying, is that through tons of tenacity, effort, and hustle we can climb Mt. Average and camp out beneath its lofty peaks by season's end.

Which is going to work out fine. If we can end up anywhere between slightly below average and not terrible, then we have a very good chance of winning this division.

General Romo and his lovable band of freedom fighters will see to that.

Now, I don't profess to have all the answers. I don't even profess to knowing what all the questions are.

But I do know three things in life to be certainties beyond the 'death and taxes' axiom:

  • There are two prevailing theories for winning an argument with a woman. Neither one of them work.
  • A pessimist is simply alone. An optimist is just two fine females away from having a threesome.
  • Good or bad, we won't know exactly what we have defensively until September 7th, when the footballs start flying for real.
Until our D actually takes the field, no one can say with any amount of clarity if our guys will play their way through the growing pains, or if we get the football crammed where people typically get these sorts of things crammed.
There are no stats to be cited or precedents to be presented that will say for sure what our position on the suckometer will be in one month, let alone three or four.

So, until that time when could's and should's turn into couldn'ts and shouldn'ts, I will take this basket of cherries I've picked for this exercise and let my heavy boots lead me the rest of the way.

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.