2023 Cowboys Offseason News & Notes

bluejerseyjinx · Post #261 » by **bluejerseyjinx** » Tue Mar 21, 2023 5:06 pm

I'm only speaking for myself. I was not a fan of Marion Barber either but still loyally rooted for him and sure as hell didn't love him. And for the record, my opinion of Zeke (even though it turned out to be a not so good contract when all was said and done) has absolutely nothing to do with his money and/or contract.

Mr B · Post #262 » by **Mr B** » Tue Mar 21, 2023 10:41 pm

Micah Prescott wrote:I think one facet of this debate is that there is an obvious dislike or even hatred for Zeke by many fans and the root of that should be explored. The bias against him is pretty clear in this thread.

No one hated Marion Barber, all the fans loved him, but why didn't that love exist for Zeke? Marion Barber wasn't a better human as far as I know. He didn't win more. What is it about Zeke that makes some fans hate the guy? Just because he got paid? RBs put their mental health on the line for that paycheck (see Marion Barber). No one should hate Zeke because he got a decent payday.

I think the problem some fans have with Zeke is he never seemed dedicated to the team or winning. He seemed to just be happy being a Cowboy. Kind of the same reason people hate Tony Romo. It’s like they came in here and waisted people’s time. Neither were known as guys that dedicated their off seasons to improving themselves. Both were immensely talented but it was waisted talent. And we could see it happening in real time.

bluejerseyjinx · Post #263 » by **bluejerseyjinx** » Tue Mar 21, 2023 10:54 pm

Mr B wrote:
Micah Prescott wrote:I think one facet of this debate is that there is an obvious dislike or even hatred for Zeke by many fans and the root of that should be explored. The bias against him is pretty clear in this thread.

No one hated Marion Barber, all the fans loved him, but why didn't that love exist for Zeke? Marion Barber wasn't a better human as far as I know. He didn't win more. What is it about Zeke that makes some fans hate the guy? Just because he got paid? RBs put their mental health on the line for that paycheck (see Marion Barber). No one should hate Zeke because he got a decent payday.

I think the problem some fans have with Zeke is he never seemed dedicated to the team or winning. He seemed to just be happy being a Cowboy. Kind of the same reason people hate Tony Romo. It’s like they came in here and waisted people’s time. Neither were known as guys that dedicated their off seasons to improving themselves. Both were immensely talented but it was waisted talent. And we could see it happening in real time.

We knew he was a red flag player even before we drafted him. He was a molly junkie coming out of college. I remember us and the other posters in here at the time arguing over whether to take Elliott or Ramsey.

Micah Prescott · Post #264 » by **Micah Prescott** » Wed Mar 22, 2023 3:16 am

For the most part Zeke gave it his all in the field. I mean red flag for what exactly? It's not like he was in and out of jail while playing. I would bet that Zeke trained harder than Perkins did who played when players drank regularly, some even smoked cigarettes.

Mr B · Post #265 » by **Mr B** » Wed Mar 22, 2023 3:42 am

Micah Prescott wrote:For the most part Zeke gave it his all in the field. I mean red flag for what exactly? It's not like he was in and out of jail while playing. I would bet that Zeke trained harder than Perkins did who played when players drank regularly, some even smoked cigarettes.

Again different eras. Perkins wasn’t making $20M per season either. Perkins likely had a full time job in the off season just to make rent.

Zeke was a known partier coming out of college. He’s had that rep since high school. His teammate Bosa even asked for different housing because he couldn’t take all the parties Zeke threw in their dorm. Then there was the domestic violence issues. I don’t recall Perkins ever getting suspended for kicking the **** out of his girlfriend.

The Cowboys drafted him knowing this because his talent was so much. If he had dedicated his life to football including during the off season he would like still be playing at a very high level. He chose to drink he party. Not taking care of his body is the reason he’s done at 27 years old.

Otis Driftwood · Post #266 » by **Otis Driftwood** » Wed Mar 22, 2023 12:26 pm

Micah Prescott wrote:I think one facet of this debate is that there is an obvious dislike or even hatred for Zeke by many fans and the root of that should be explored. The bias against him is pretty clear in this thread.

No one hated Marion Barber, all the fans loved him, but why didn't that love exist for Zeke? Marion Barber wasn't a better human as far as I know. He didn't win more. What is it about Zeke that makes some fans hate the guy? Just because he got paid? RBs put their mental health on the line for that paycheck (see Marion Barber). No one should hate Zeke because he got a decent payday.

I suspect some of it goes back to 2017 and the St. Patty's Day parade & the incident that ended up costing him games that season (which to this day I'm convinced was a huge overreach by the Ginger God and unwarranted). I have no doubt that a certain segment of "fans" never forgave him for that.

Micah Prescott · Post #267 » by **Micah Prescott** » Wed Mar 22, 2023 1:14 pm

I'll just say "fair enough". Maybe there was enough there early on to give people a reason to dislike him, I will say though I think that Zeke’s personality and need to "party" can probably be found in 75% of the NFL.

You have to look past that bias too though. I hate Tyreek Hill, the guy punched his own toddler in the chest which goes beyond partying, but I'm not going to pretend he isn't an amazing WR.

Mr B · Post #268 » by **Mr B** » Thu Mar 23, 2023 12:16 am

If DHop is going to got for a 5th I say by the hell not? Especially if he’s willing to rework his contract like Cooks did. Lamb/Hopkins/Cooks/Gallup seems like a decent WR corp.

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=3KaI_3QT7XTTm5N8gt4yQg

Mr B · Post #269 » by **Mr B** » Thu Mar 23, 2023 1:17 am

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=3KaI_3QT7XTTm5N8gt4yQg

Micah Prescott · Post #270 » by **Micah Prescott** » Thu Mar 23, 2023 2:32 am

CeeDee/Hopkins/Cooks is loaded. Best core in the NFL.

Please please happen.

We still need a TE regardless though

bluejerseyjinx · Post #271 » by **bluejerseyjinx** » Thu Mar 23, 2023 2:49 pm

Makes the WR position better but not the offense as a whole. The offense to me currently looks extremely average at best. OL is in the bottom 1/3 of the league in pass protection and imho don't believe is good enough to get us to the next level to be considered a Super Bowl contender.
Even though I'm happy Kellen Moore is gone, I have concerns with our new offensive coordinator and not convinced he can get us to the next level either. I also worry about not having a one, two punch at RB in case Pollard goes down or gets hurt again. Rb will be a must in the draft to change my mind on this matter along with another O-linemen. Picking up Jones as a goal line back doesn't do the trick for me. Glad its only a one year deal.
Now on defense, that's a different matter all together. This is the first time in decades we are just a couple more pieces away from being one hell of a nasty, dominate defense. A stud DT, another LB and a bit more depth at CB and I'm all in with this defense.
And then the issue that bugs me the most. See MLB is a general Managers league, the NBA is a players league and the NFL is a Coaches/QB league. In this area we are weak and possibly middle of the road at best. When the Cowboys were elite, at their best, winning multiple Championships and going to the super bowl frequently, we always had very good O-lines with very good running games with a top dog coach and a top dog QB. We haven't had that luxury since the Tom Landry- Roger Staubach and Jimmy Johnson-Troy Aikman days. Something Jerry hasn't figured out in 27 years due to his damn ego. New England did with Bellichek and Brady. Reid and Mahomes have something going. Something we should think about the next two years when we finally have to replace McCarthy and the Dak.

Micah Prescott · Post #272 » by **Micah Prescott** » Thu Mar 23, 2023 3:40 pm

Offensive line was ranked #12 overall to finish the season by PFF. That is getting Tyron at the end. Assuming everyone stays healthy I think the line will be at or around #10.

TE is the biggest weakness. I also think we downgraded at RB going from Zeke to Jones but maybe we will draft a guy. Zeke's intangibles like blocking will be missed I think.

bluejerseyjinx · Post #273 » by **bluejerseyjinx** » Thu Mar 23, 2023 3:57 pm

QB and head coach is the biggest weakness on the offense. And yes, you are correct the defense ranked 12th overall, but were in the bottom third of the league when it came to pass protection which is where your boy struggles. I like our back up TE's but I would not oppose taking one in a later round. Rather put more pieces on defense or use the whole draft on defense tbo. Best chance of winning and going deep into the playoffs next year will be the strenth of the defense. Rebuilding the offense with Dak still here would be wasted draft picks. Use FA on 2 year deals to try and maintain the offense till we can get a better coach and QB. Just getting rid of Zeke was an upgrade. Never liked him even before we drafted him. Improving the culture is always a good thing.

Micah Prescott · Post #274 » by **Micah Prescott** » Thu Mar 23, 2023 3:58 pm

I know some of you might not want to hear this, but with both Brady and Rodgers gone Dak is arguably the best QB in the NFC.

It's between Dak, Hurts, Geno, maybe Kirk

All the elites are in the AFC which helps our playoff odds I think.

bluejerseyjinx · Post #275 » by **bluejerseyjinx** » Thu Mar 23, 2023 4:09 pm

Micah Prescott wrote:I know some of you might not want to hear this, but with both Brady and Rodgers gone Dak is arguably the best QB in the NFC.

It's between Dak, Hurts, Geno, maybe Kirk

All the elites are in the AFC which helps our playoff odds I think.

Wishful thinking Micah.

Mr B · Post #276 » by **Mr B** » Thu Mar 23, 2023 8:07 pm

Micah Prescott wrote:I know some of you might not want to hear this, but with both Brady and Rodgers gone Dak is arguably the best QB in the NFC.

It's between Dak, Hurts, Geno, maybe Kirk

All the elites are in the AFC which helps our playoff odds I think.

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=3KaI_3QT7XTTm5N8gt4yQg

Micah Prescott · Post #277 » by **Micah Prescott** » Thu Mar 23, 2023 8:43 pm

Yeah, I know most fans would rank Hurts over Dak currently but I personally feel like Hurts is overrated playing on a stacked roster. #1 PFF rated OL, elite defense to boot.

I'll say Hurts is really good on his feet, but I do think Dak is a more accurate passer and up until last season he's owned the Eagles.

bluejerseyjinx · Post #278 » by **bluejerseyjinx** » Thu Mar 23, 2023 9:14 pm

Micah Prescott wrote:I know some of you might not want to hear this, but with both Brady and Rodgers gone Dak is arguably the best QB in the NFC.

It's between Dak, Hurts, Geno, maybe Kirk

All the elites are in the AFC which helps our playoff odds I think.

So you are back to just being a playoff team again?

bluejerseyjinx · Post #279 » by **bluejerseyjinx** » Thu Mar 23, 2023 9:22 pm

Micah Prescott wrote:Yeah, I know most fans would rank Hurts over Dak currently but I personally feel like Hurts is overrated playing on a stacked roster. #1 PFF rated OL, elite defense to boot.

I'll say Hurts is really good on his feet, but I do think Dak is a more accurate passer and up until last season he's owned the Eagles.

Yet in the Cowboys last 3 games, Dak couldn't beat or out perform two 3 third string QB's in Sam Howell and Brock Purdy in the 2 losses.

Micah Prescott · Post #280 » by **Micah Prescott** » Fri Mar 24, 2023 12:45 am

bluejerseyjinx wrote:
Micah Prescott wrote:Yeah, I know most fans would rank Hurts over Dak currently but I personally feel like Hurts is overrated playing on a stacked roster. #1 PFF rated OL, elite defense to boot.

I'll say Hurts is really good on his feet, but I do think Dak is a more accurate passer and up until last season he's owned the Eagles.

Yet in the Cowboys last 3 games, Dak couldn't beat or out perform two 3 third string QB's in Sam Howell and Brock Purdy in the 2 losses.

Yes, conveniently leave out where he ended the GOAT Tom Brady's career and had one of the best games any Dallas QB has ever played.

San Fran had the best defense in the NFL, I have no excuse for the Skins loss. Dak wasn't and isn't flawless but he's still better than the majority of the NFC at QB even if you put Hurts, Geno, and others over him. If we load up the team like Philly did with Hurts we can do things. I mean do you really think Hurts in an elite talent? I don't.

Hurts is basically proof that you can go far with a QB like Dak if the rest of the team is loaded. Hell so is Purdy.