Off topic: Micah Parsons traded to GB

[SleepingHero]

This is off-topic, but there's nothing going on in the NBA, really, and this thread kind of opened the door a crack, so...

I was pleasantly surprised by this Cowboys game. They didn't win, obviously, and there were some tangible and disappointing mistakes we can point to that explain why, but Philly is obviously among the best teams they'll face this year, and I don't think it's an exaggeration to say they matched up well with the Eagles, even outplaying them at times.

For all the talk of missing Parsons, I felt they were able to put decent pressure on Hurts. The problem in the first half was that the pressure played into Philly's hands, and they weren't able to keep him contained, once pressured (a blatant missed holding call on the left tackle on Ezeiruaku helped with that). In the second half, Eberflus smartly switched his coverages in the secondary to a more zone-heavy approach, keeping more eyes on Hurtz, and that helped quite a bit.

Similarly, the defense made some great adjustments in the second half to shut down Philly's run game. They looked as dominant as I've seen them look in years. I think I saw that Barkely gained one total yard on his last SEVEN carries, which is obviously a big reason Dallas was able to stay in the game all the way until the end. Kenny Clark is a beast, and I'm glad he's a Cowboy.

Offensively, I couldn't believe how well Dallas was able to run the ball at times. In true Cowboys fashion, it seems like we're seeing the early stages of an offensive line that could grow into the league's best soon. All three of the Tylers were marvelous, imho.

I thought Dak looked pretty good. About three dropped passes, the worst of them being Ferguson's dropped touchdown, kept his night from looking VERY good, actually. I thought the new offense was interesting, less predictable than it has been in recent years, and for one week at least, it seemed like it was designed by someone who understands the weapons the Cowboys have at their disposal. It was nice to see Turpin more involved in the offense. I hope they find ways to get Pickens some more targets moving forward.

All in all, I was impressed, actually. It's easy to get frustrated by losing a game that was winnable, and I know that's a common theme in the life of Cowboys fans these past 30 years (lol), but I would guess most of us expected this game to be lopsided, and not in the Cowboys' favor. I came away feeling like an extra five minutes on the clock would've resulted in a Dallas victory, which is absolutely not what I expected leading up to the game.

I'm cautiously optimistic that we're in for a decent season.

We're 1 Dak injury away from another lost season and the O-line gives me no hopes they can actually protect him. I think there is a good chance we'll be right where we are last year if everything shakes out and the Cowboys are sitting at a solid 9-8 year. 

But at the same, maybe, just maybe, this is the year. They didn't look too shabby against a juggernaut Eagles team like you said.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Dak staying healthy is the key.
Pickens/Lamb has to be one of the best WR duos in the league, if not the best.
The defense is suspect but I thought they looked decent.

Seriously I've been a Chiefs fan since Jerry bought the team.

Amon-Ra-St Brown and Jamison Williams of Detroit are right there, as are Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. There are numerous good WR duos.

[Kidnova]

We're 1 Dak injury away from another lost season and the O-line gives me no hopes they can actually protect him. I think there is a good chance we'll be right where we are last year if everything shakes out and the Cowboys are sitting at a solid 9-8 year. 

But at the same, maybe, just maybe, this is the year. They didn't look too shabby against a juggernaut Eagles team like you said.

Really?  I think the offensive line has been one of the best performing units in this small sample size, especially in week 1 against a depleted Eagles front.  

The glaring problem they have to solve is the defense.  The secondary has been in a man coverage scheme for so long they simply don't know how to play zone.

[KillerLeft]

The secondary has been in a man coverage scheme for so long they simply don't know how to play zone.

Man, you can say that again. This was the takeaway from week 2 for me.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Lifelong Saints fan and Cowboys observer. IMO, this trade is going to go down like the Herschel trade, but the Cowboys are the Vikings this time.

[KillerLeft]

Good grief, this team managed to break training camp without even understanding their own zone coverage packages. Against Dallas, all it takes is presnap motion to change the weight of the formation and you're guaranteed to have at least one receiver running free down field. Disgraceful.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The Bears of all teams badly outplayed them 31-14, even though Cee Dee Lamb was lost to an ankle injury. Ben Johnson will eventually turn them into a respectable team. His offensive concepts are sick.

[Chicagojk]

Good grief, this team managed to break training camp without even understanding their own zone coverage packages. Against Dallas, all it takes is presnap motion to change the weight of the formation and you're guaranteed to have at least one receiver running free down field. Disgraceful.

I have never seen a defense that bad.  Absoultely no pressure on the QB and players are running wide open in their routes.  Not a great combo.   Last night Russ Wilson looks back to his normal place after throwing for 450 against dallas.    He was terrible against the Chiefs.  I suspect Williams comes crashing back to earth too.  He may wind up being good, but outside of wide open players he did nothing really special last night.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

And Micah Parsons comes back next Sunday night with GB coming off an upset loss to the Browns. Jordan Love might have a night.

[michaeltex]

F'in Jerry.

It's been years since I bought in to his pre-season BS. I usually start with some small hope they will surprise me, but, like this year, I'm usually ready to tune out by the 4th or 5th game. TBH, I really don't understand how he hasn't felt this in the teams revenue streams, because that's the only thing that will change the team's direction, IMO.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

The group of Sam Williams, Dexter Fowler, Marshawn Kneeland, and Donovan Ezeiruaku are significantly worse than I thought. I hated losing Micah but I didn't think we'd have the worst pass rush in the league. Dorance Armstrong is also playing really well in Washington.

Our coaching is bad.
Our GM is bad.

Our drafting used to be really good and kept this thing respectable but that's been really bad for 3 years now too.

SIGH

[KillerLeft]

The group of Sam Williams, Dexter Fowler, Marshawn Kneeland, and Donovan Ezeiruaku are significantly worse than I thought.  I hated losing Micah but I didn't think we'd have the worst pass rush in the league.  Dorance Armstrong is also playing really well in Washington.

Our coaching is bad.
Our GM is bad.

Our drafting used to be really good and kept this thing respectable but that's been really bad for 3 years now too.

SIGH

Honestly, I'm not convinced (yet) that the pass rush is a huge problem. The receivers are so open so quickly and predictably that I'm not sure pass rush or lack thereof even plays into things. I know pass rush can help mask poor coverage, but there are levels to that. 

AND, I'm not even sure the secondary players can't cover. I am definitely sure that they don't UNDERSTAND the coverage packages they're being asked to play. 

Eberflus...is not off to a good start.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

The first half of the Cowboys' schedule is somewhat easy. But now they're doing it with major injuries and zero idea of team concepts.

The second half is brutal.

This team will be lucky to be 3-14. And they will most definitely be top 5 in the draft. What blows is that Arch Manning has sucked so far. He was perceived to be a generational talent. Whether the Cowboys would've decided to take him at 1, that's the kind of situation where they could've absolutely reloaded everywhere.

[Kidnova]

The first half of the Cowboys' schedule is somewhat easy. But now they're doing it with major injuries and zero idea of team concepts.

The second half is brutal.

This team will be lucky to be 3-14.  And they will most definitely be top 5 in the draft. What blows is that Arch Manning has sucked so far. He was perceived to be a generational talent. Whether the Cowboys would've decided to take him at 1, that's the kind of situation where they could've absolutely reloaded everywhere.

Unfortunately even if they do get the #1 pick and Arch starts balling out, they're still stuck in the Dak contract for a couple more years at least.  I actually like Dak. I think he's good when healthy and when he's got a strong O-line in front of him, but everybody except Jerry Jones knew that was a terrible contract when it was signed.  Now they're going to pay the price for years to come.