Most of the games this weekend were quite ugly. At least we got a treat last night with Ravens-Bills. That might be the game of the year and it's only week 1!

I think a lot of teams are shaking off preseason rust, but will be interesting to see how things shake out over the next couple of weeks with some of the offenses that looked atrocious (Miami, NYG, Carolina, etc.)

I felt real good watching Dallas the other night, they looked really good and my hopes for the season improved every quarter.... which is why it hurt so much worse when CD tore our hearts out!!!

But yeah, Dallas should win more than they lose and I expect them to be competitive in pretty much every game (maybe they have 1 or 2 stinkers).

I will say, as much as it IRRITATES ME DO TO SO, that the Cowboys looked pretty good Thurs. night. I told myself I wouldn't get too emotionally invested this season but if we come out of the GB game at 3-1 it will be difficult for me not to get invested.

Agree here, especially after this weekend. Is this a SB team? No, likely not, but I think we are a better roster than I previously thought. I think we're an RB, DT and LBer short of being a serious roster.

Watching this weekend and I couldn't help but think what we would look like with a Jeffrey Simmons or Derrick Brown. Just one more real deal DT and I think we're cooking, but obviously we should be in wait and see mode for a bit.

The question then is, if we are truly one LB or DT away from competing do we trade this year for it with the picks we got from GB or do we wait until the draft?

I think it all depends on how the season is playing out at the trade deadline. If we are above 0.500 at that time and the packers are rolling, you may see if you can cash a draft pick or two to bring in another interior defensive playmaker, but if we suck or the packers are teetering then I think you just hold tight and sit on the capital.

Tksymm7 said:

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Agree here, especially after this weekend. Is this a SB team? No, likely not, but I think we are a better roster than I previously thought. I think we're an RB, DT and LBer short of being a serious roster.

Watching this weekend and I couldn't help but think what we would look like with a Jeffrey Simmons or Derrick Brown. Just one more real deal DT and I think we're cooking, but obviously we should be in wait and see mode for a bit.

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I thought we were pretty solid on the interior but our edges let us down. But I also feel like we started the wrong guys on the edge. I think Kneeland played really well (very D-Law like) and Ez was our best pass rusher (even though he got caught losing contain once or twice).

Fowler and Sam Williams both looked like OK for back-ups to me. Didn't see a lot of burst and out of position way too often. Hurts is far from the last mobile QB we are gonna see this year and they gotta clean up their assignments.

I'm so glad Jerry didn't even entertain Philly's offer for Micah. I would have needed an insane amount of capital to be able to stomach that (like 5 1st round picks, which they would never do).

I'm all for flipping one of those picks for a difference maker in-season, especially if they are on an expiring contract and/or we could get an extension worked out long-term. If the Packers are leading the NFC North (which seems like a possibility), better to get a known commodity now rather than taking a chance on a late 1st round pick panning out.

That's the reason I like this trade - gives us tons of flexibility based on how competitive we are and how the Packers are looking. If we are like 3-6 going into the trade deadline, might be better to keep the picks and have more room to maneuver in the draft, for example.

I think the edges will be fine as time goes on. Ez is a rookie, Sam Williams missed all of last year, Kneeland is a second year guy who didn't play much last year either (loved how he looked btw), and Fowler veteran pass rusher. We also have Houston who I think is very solid as well. All to say those guys haven't played a ton of football, especially together.

ETA: they also had Osa playing DE on some downs as well, which is awesome because he's explosive enough to get home from there but also will hold ground etc.

Tksymm7 said:

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Agree here, especially after this weekend. Is this a SB team? No, likely not, but I think we are a better roster than I previously thought. I think we're an RB, DT and LBer short of being a serious roster.

Watching this weekend and I couldn't help but think what we would look like with a Jeffrey Simmons or Derrick Brown. Just one more real deal DT and I think we're cooking, but obviously we should be in wait and see mode for a bit.

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Yeah, agree with you and Nguyen... we don't do anything right now and we just sit and wait. We might all feel very differently about this team and some of the players in 3-4 weeks.


I think the biggest thing to keep in mind is that we don't even have to trade our 1st rounders to get pro-bowl caliber players. Having extra 1st's also means that we can feel OK trading 2nd rounders. Lot's of options.

Tksymm7 said:

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I think the edges will be fine as time goes on. Ez is a rookie, Sam Williams missed all of last year, Kneeland is a second year guy who didn't play much last year either (loved how he looked btw), and Fowler veteran pass rusher. We also have Houston who I think is very solid as well. All to say those guys haven't played a ton of football, especially together.

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Yes, well said and that's what I was thinking as well. I think Flus and the DE's will get it figured out and we'll see more Ez and Kneeland reps and Sam / Fowler will be solid rotation.

Let's not forget, some consider that the best O-line in football. There is reason to believe we will only get better.

EDIT: Yes, I didn't even mention Houston... the guy that just keeps making plays. Keeps it up and his reps will continue to rise as well.

Thanks for posting that.

I was getting a bit peeved listening to Collinsworth during the game as he brought up Micah (at least 5 times) and talking about our defense as if it was complete crap without him.

Because where I was sitting (my living room), it sure felt like pressure and moving the line of scrimmage was not the issue our defense had in the 1st half.

Still can't believe the opening line on Giants @ Cowboys was Cowboys -3.5. It's already moved up to -5.5.

I think most people assume Washington is better than us, and NY was about make it a one point game against them in the 4th until they remembered who they were. But Washington was in real danger until about 7 minutes left. So it won't shock me if it's a close game.

Infection_Ag11 said:

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I think most people assume Washington is better than us, and NY was about make it a one point game against them in the 4th until they remembered who they were. But Washington was in real danger until about 7 minutes left. So it won't shock me if it's a close game.

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Obviously, looking at their playoff run last year, they deserve the hype.

But man, to me, Washington looks like the definition of NFL sophomore slump waiting to happen. Daniels in particular has work to do if he doesn't want to be the next RGIII

Just look at their skill positions... whoa... talk about a who's who of has been (I still got it) type players... Zach Ertz, Austin Ekeler, Deebo, McLaurin.

Same for the defense. Bobby Wagner, Von Miller, Will Harris, Lattimore.

Everybody I just listed are all 29 or older. That's fine for lineman, but not your guys running around the field. And yes, they have some promising young guys on the roster, but they are counting on way too many "old" guys.

You can hang the McCarthy experiment up right now.

Tksymm7 said:

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You can hang the McCarthy experiment up right now.

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Bro got picked off by Nahshon Wright, who the Cowboys found excuses to not play lol.

This UGLY

gigem1223 said:

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Pressure rates for QBs week 1:
53% - Cam Ward vs. DEN
43% - Joe Burrow vs. CLE
42% - Jalen Hurts vs. DAL
41% - C.J. Stroud vs. LAR
41% - Matthew Stafford vs. HOU
41% - Baker Mayfield vs. ATL


I think our DL did just fine against one of the best, if not the best OLs in the league.

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This stat was talked about on the DLLS cowboys podcast. Basically they were saying its fools gold. I'm bullish on alot of things this year but the pass rush has me a little nervous

All I do is Nguyen said:

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I will say, as much as it IRRITATES ME DO TO SO, that the Cowboys looked pretty good Thurs. night. I told myself I wouldn't get too emotionally invested this season but if we come out of the GB game at 3-1 it will be difficult for me not to get invested.

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Don't worry, we can jump to the Stars thread in a week or so when the preseason starts.

After week one the only NFC teams clearly better than the Cowboys are the Eagles and Packers. Rams, Bucs, and Skins maybe. I think the Vikings and Lions have taken a step back.

The NFC looks weak overall.

Infection_Ag11 said:

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For everyone claiming Dak is washed, go compare his film Thursday night to Wilson's against Washington.

Russ is what all the Dak haters think he is

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Wilson was washed when the Hawks traded him. Crazy how fast he fell off

That podcast and those guys are toxic asf. The have no objectivity in their bodies.

Tksymm7 said:

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That podcast and those guys are toxic asf. The have no objectivity in their bodies.

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It's easily the worst of the DLLS shows. And there's a show with John Rhadigan…

Preach. I love the Stars show, and I think the Mavs guys have come around since the Mavs got the No. 1, pick, but my god the cowboys pod is horrible. Just a negative cesspool.

I'm not sure I've ever seen a change in momentum in a game quite like this.

jr15aggie said:

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Thanks for posting that.

I was getting a bit peeved listening to Collinsworth during the game as he brought up Micah (at least 5 times) and talking about our defense as if it was complete crap without him.

Because where I was sitting (my living room), it sure felt like pressure and moving the line of scrimmage was not the issue our defense had in the 1st half.

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he is a giant hater