Rambling about the Cowboys
Since I have no coherent thoughts to put together on the Cowboys and I’ve already posted the film review this week, and given that all the articles in the media are just re-hashes along the themes of: the defense had trouble but we’re still good, Romo is Tony Freaking Romo, Jason Witten just might be something at TE, I thought I would just ramble about things and let you guys comment, just like this whole introduction is a rambling mess. Editors!? I don't need no stinkin' editors!
Tony Freakin’ Romo – He’s been simply amazing for the Cowboys. Watching the NFL season, well, as many games as I can of the other teams besides the Cowboys, there are a few QB’s who are simply playing on a different level from the rest of the field. Tom Brady is having the best year statistically that I’ve ever seen, and they aren’t hollow statistics, they’re winning stats and they’re winning big. Behind him comes proven talent, Super Bowl-talent, like Brett Favre and Peyton Manning. Now, you have to include Tony Romo in that group. He doesn’t have the track record yet and hasn’t snagged a Lombardi, but he’s playing as well as anyone not named Tom Brady.
Pick your poison – This offense is one fine machine. The skill positions make any defense’s job a tortuous task. There’s the three-headed monster, and no, I’m not talking about the running backs and that they mysteriously grew a third head. I’m talking about the Threatening Threesome – Terrell Owens, Jason Witten and Marion Barber. Between those guys a defense must decide what to take away. Sometimes, even when they try to take them away, they still get ‘er done. It also helps when you have complimentary players like Julius Jones and Patrick Crayton. Crayton scores TD’s at a nice clip and Julius provides the yin to Barber’s yang, giving the Cowboys fresh and diverse options in the backfield. The cherry on top? Jason Garret. He knows how to use all his weapons.
The big uglies – This offensive line has developed into one of the better in the league and in pass protection are among the elite. The addition of Leonard Davis might be the biggest free agent signing in the league last year that no one talks about. Not only did he solidify a position that was hurting us last year, but the guy is mobile and we can use him to pull just like we use Kosier. Andre Gurode hasn’t fallen off after getting paid, Marc Colombo is developing into an elite right tackle and Flozell is having one of his best years ever. We love the skill positions and with good reason, but this wouldn’t be happening this year without the big uglies.
The defense – Before the Lions game, that group was on the way up. I think they’ll rebound this week and have a good game. They do have problems – you can throw on them and move the ball, but all year they have been making big plays likes sacks and turnovers. Wade’s Phillips 34 operates under the principles of stopping the run and making the big plays on defense that win games. It’s a defense that makes the opponent throw enough passes on a drive so that somewhere along the line they’ll make a mistake and the drive will be terminated. My biggest concern on defense is the health of the starting corners. We have to get Henry and Newman up to some semblance of health come playoff time. Maybe we’ll win on Sunday, the Packers will lose and we can start resting players over the last few weeks. It’s possible we could give a few guys three full weeks of rest if everything falls into place.
Terry Glenn – Who knows what he’ll bring to the table, if and when he gets back on the field. I need to hear how he’s practicing before I can start forming any real conclusions. But just hearing that he’s ready to try is a good thing. His comeback has to start somewhere, so let’s get it going and see what happens. If I was forced to guess about what might happen, I would say the most logical conclusion is that Glenn becomes our third receiver and runs a meaningful but limited number of plays in the playoffs. Wade has shown that he’ll put recovering veterans into sub-packages and with the offense working like it is with Patrick Crayton starting, they probably won’t tinker with it that much. Bringing Glenn into the mix as the #3 keeps the pounding on his knee to a limited role and saves him from having to block in the running game on a regular basis. Of course, a lot will depend on Crayton’s health; we need his ankle to heal fully.
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yeah
at this point, the key to whatever postseason success we have will come down to keeping guys healthy. We've had great fortune so far. I hope it continues.
by Nelson on Dec 11, 2007 11:25 AM CST 0 recs
pass coverage
Im still not sold on our pass coverage. When we can get tremendous pressure we are fine. But like with the lions we didnt get that pressure and they completed a lot of passes. With that said I still like our chances in the NFC playoffs. Only Minnesota looks scary right now, and I dont want to see the Giants for a third time. I want to see Seattle again so we can get some payback, and then put Favre on his ass again.
by gmadd313 on Dec 11, 2007 11:30 AM CST 0 recs
thats because our corners aren't healthy
our secondary is our weakness because Newman and Henry are playing at less than full strength.
by Terry on
Dec 11, 2007 12:39 PM CST
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secondary
I like Newman, but the other side isnt very good no matter who is in there. We should be fine in the playoffs as long as we dont see Shockey (beating Roy), and we get pressure on Favre like we did the first time.
by gmadd313 on
Dec 11, 2007 12:48 PM CST
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Actually Henry was playing at a pro-bowl level
before he got injured
by Burt D on
Dec 11, 2007 1:56 PM CST
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pro bowl?
if newman is better and he cant ever get in to the pro bowl, how does henry play at a pro bowl level? come on. henry obviously isnt as good as newman. thats why teams throw on him a majority of the time, or whoever is in for him. our coverage is the weakness. lets just hope we make enough plays and get enough pressure on the QB like we have been getting and we will be fine.
by gmadd313 on
Dec 11, 2007 2:11 PM CST
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before his injury he had 5 ints
and that was in early october. He was playing at a pro-bowl level.
by Burt D on
Dec 11, 2007 2:21 PM CST
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i know
i know when he had the picks. didnt parcells once say " i dont want pro bowl players, i want super bowl players" get me to the superbowl and ill be fine with him.
by gmadd313 on
Dec 11, 2007 2:35 PM CST
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I really could give a rat's behind what Parcells
said. Henry was playing at a high level before his injury. And you said neither person was playing very good on the other side. If you don't think Henry is a good player... well in the words of Galloway "Watch the damn game!"
by Burt D on
Dec 11, 2007 4:14 PM CST
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Agreed
If you are leading the NFL in interceptions, you are a good player by default. Now, Henry didn't do that over the course of the season, but the way he was playing, he could have. He's a very good corner when healthy, and still better than anyone else we have below him on the depth chart when he's hurt.
by grapejoos on
Dec 11, 2007 4:18 PM CST
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We would not see Seattle and GB in the playoffs
If Seattle wins, they would go to GB.
We could only see Seattle in the Championship game and that's because they beat GB.
That's all assuming we stay #1, GB #2 and Seattle #3.
by huslinone on Dec 11, 2007 11:44 AM CST 0 recs
seattle
yeah I know. thats why i wanted TB to keep winning. I just want some payback on that overrated Seahawk team that plays 6 games a year in the worst division in football.
by gmadd313 on
Dec 11, 2007 11:53 AM CST
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Minnesota
Seattle will probably first have to get past a streaking Vikings team, and that ain't gonna be an easy task!
by render on
Dec 11, 2007 1:13 PM CST
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It would be a crying friggin' shame...
...for this season to be defined in the playoffs by injuries to our cornerbacks.
Boy oh boy, I hope we clinch the homefield with some time to spare so that Henry and Newman can heal.
If we take out Philly this weekend and the Pack get upset, then, clearly, it is our destiny to represent the NFC in the 'Bowl!!!
by render on Dec 11, 2007 1:10 PM CST 0 recs
As much as I'd like to agree with you...
There's no way in Hades that Green Bay loses to St. Louis this weekend.
The Packers have a heck of a defense and the Rams are down to their 3rd string QB and a patchwork O-line. They'll have to depend on RB-Steven Jackson, so GB will probably devote more attention to the running back. The final score will probably be something like 45-17 in favor of the Pack.
Therefore, we just need to take care of business, play better in this upcoming game against Philly, beat the Eagles again, and stay injury-free througout.
Don't get me wrong, render... I'll still be rootin' for Green Bay to get upset, though.
by kcbrett5 on
Dec 11, 2007 1:55 PM CST
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green bay
it wont matter. we have the tiebreaker and seattle wont catch GB. They are locked in at 2.
by gmadd313 on
Dec 11, 2007 2:12 PM CST
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I know and that's why...
I'd just like for us to take care of business and win every game from here on out -- without sustaining any serious, lingering injuries (knock on wood).
by kcbrett5 on
Dec 11, 2007 3:10 PM CST
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newman
newman isnt that injured. he just looked bad last game. he will be fine. its the other side that im worried about and Roy vs TE's.
by gmadd313 on
Dec 11, 2007 1:55 PM CST
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So it's OFFICIAL?
Julius Jones just got tagged a "complimetary player" and should now be considered 2nd string. The debate over MB3 vs. Jones is finally over. i like it!!
by Doomsday on Dec 11, 2007 3:00 PM CST 0 recs
JJ time
in Dallas is short, real short. Thank goodness. RB will be a top priority in the off season. We need more from the second RB position.
by Cowboys81 on
Dec 11, 2007 4:13 PM CST
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Don't mean to pour salt into the wound
but he isn't even a good complimentary player.
by Burt D on
Dec 11, 2007 4:16 PM CST
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Is there anyone on this team
You do realize that you cannot have an all-pro at every position right?
It amazes me that everyone wants to dog on JJ and go get another RB in the draft. What exactly do you think you can get in the draft? Really? How many of those rb's are going to pan out? Give me the guy that has in game experience. You keep the rookie low round draft pick.
by huslinone on Dec 11, 2007 5:05 PM CST 0 recs
Thats alright
I would rather have a back that doesn't run into his own lineman's yin yang. I'll take my chances on a rookie.
by Burt D on
Dec 11, 2007 5:37 PM CST
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Usually I agree with this logic, but not here
JJ is a serviceable RB, but there are a few problems with bringing him back. One is that his contract is up. Two is that he would probably cost more than a draft pick to re-sign, and we are going to start needing our cap dollars. Three is that he probably wants a starting opportunity here and MB3 will be the starter next year, at least in terms of carries. I think he will take on more of a full-time role. Four, which is related, is that I'm not sure he wants to come back to this team. His offseason behavior was not encouraging as far as that goes.
On top of that, there is the fact that we have 3 picks in the first 2 rounds (making this a good time to take a RB if we are going to do so) and that JJ has some serious problems in his game. For a guy that has his speed, he should be busting longer runs. This has been a constant issue for him, and he hasn't shown any ability to break tackles, pick the right hole/improvise, or break through on a regular basis.
JJ was a second round pick. He can be replaced. But you know what? We are 12-1. That sort of stuff isn't a priority for me right now. But I feel like this will be a mutual decision to part ways after the season.
by grapejoos on
Dec 11, 2007 5:45 PM CST
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And that's fine
but to say that the guy this season is not even a good complimentary back is just an idiotic statement.....really? Not even good huh? That is incorrect. Here are your rookie RB's this year - who here would you feel comfortable backing up Barber over Jones, besides the obvious:
Adrian Peterson
Marshawn Lynch
Kenny Irons
Chris Henry
Brian Leonard
Brandon Jackson
Lorenzo Booker
Tony Hunt
Garrett Wolfe
Michael Bush
Antonio Pittman
Dwayne Wright
Kolby Smith
Thomas Clayton
Justise Hairston
DeShawn Wynn
Jason Snelling
Kenneth Darby
Ahmad Bradshaw
Exactly. 2? Maybe 3?
The guy obviously works his tail off, runs hard, has had some nice plays and games for us, blocks, doesn't complain and does not turn the ball over. He is a piece to this puzzle and one of the many reasons this team is 12-1.
Yeah, his numbers are not incredible and I wouldn't say that he's a #1 back anywhere, but he has played his butt off this year. It would be one thing to say the guy was lazy and not good, but you're wrong, this guy is a good complimentary player.
Burt - it must suck to be you watching these games and seeing the Cowboys win. I know you are just itching for guys like JJ and Roy to make mistakes.
by huslinone on
Dec 11, 2007 6:22 PM CST
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Probably about a third of that list
not only that but last year was a really bad year for backs, besides lynch and peterson the rest of those picks would be 4th rounders at best in this upcoming draft.
by Burt D on
Dec 11, 2007 6:53 PM CST
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Drafting
I'm good with us looking for a running back, but not until the 3rd or 4th round. The value in that part of the draft is good for productive running backs, especially if there are other pieces of the offense already.
And we obviously have those pieces. We should have a good OL next year, decent to great WRs depending upon several factors, good TEs, and Romo. All a young RB has to do is come in and fit the offense.
What I'm more worried about is CB. There's no doubt that when healthy, Anthony Henry is a very good CB. There's also no doubt that both he and Newman are getting up in age. I also have concerns on the DL. You can never have too many linemen, witness our DL from 92-95.
What I'm really hoping we can do is trade down, not for picks in this draft but for future drafts. In fact, if Cleveland had been horrible and we ended up with a top 2 or 3 pick I would have wanted us to trade down, not for extra picks this year so much as having a second 1 and maybe a second 2 or 3 next year. You can't have too many draft picks, and I would like to see us get ahead of the curve as opposed to after the Joey Galloway trade. Yes, I realize that means I would be passing on McFadden, who's a great player but not as valuable long term as other options. Besides, he's not a sure thing, no running back is, look at all of the high first round "sure things" that flopped in times past.
Basically, we aren't going to get much out of this next draft for next year unless we get lucky on a player turning out more productive than expected, such as Jay Ratliff. At the bottom half of the first round are good, but not great players. This means that most of them need time to develop. We don't have many holes where a player who is developing can step in. We're a deep team, we don't have to focus on immediate worth, so we should focus on long-term value. Hence, we should be gathering up future draft picks so when we start losing people for age, we're set.
by rhodri2112 on Dec 12, 2007 12:42 AM CST 0 recs










