Enter The Young -- The Kids Lead the Cowboys
by Rafael Vela on Nov 17, 2008 10:51 AM CST
62 comments
And now I come to praise Wade Phillips. On Saturday, I urged him to go with the rookies, especially rookie CBs Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick.
Phillips and his staff went much farther than that. Last night the Cowboys promoted Jenkins, Scandrick, Miles Austin, Kevin Burnett and Martellus Bennett, and all of them made a difference in the 14-10 win over Washington.
Scandrick started the game playing the slot in Dallas' dime sets and got a lot of work, as Jim Zorn used a lot of three and four and five receiver sets, trying to spread the field. He's got some work to do on his tackling technique -- he dives low and leads with his head, something Bill Parcells cautioned Pat Watkins not to do back in '06, because it can lead to head injuries. Still, he provided tight coverage and made a key submarining tackle on Rock Cartwright just after Dallas took the lead.
Jenkins had to wait a bit, but the scenario I predicted came to pass. Anthony Henry limped off the field after Antwaan Randle-El beat him on a deep in for 24 yards, the Redskins longest pass play of the night. Jenkins replaced him on the next play and got a breakup of a pass to Devin Thomas. His game matched KC Joyner's profile -- you can beat him short but nothing intermediate or deep. He's getting much better breaks on the ball now and is breakking up more passes.
Austin is healthy and is showing the skills we saw in preseason, prior to his knee injury in the Denver game. He put Patrick Crayton on the bench last night. Crayton played in some limited sets but is the Cowboys punt returner now. And Austin's not a decoy. He made a sliding 18 yard catch on a deep out for Dallas' initial first down and made a key spin after catching a Romo shot up throw to convert a 3rd-and-7 on Dallas last TD drive. He gives Dallas another deep threat and means the Cowboys now sport three receivers all 6'2" or bigger who can stretch the field.
Dallas used a lot of 3-4 "46" packages last night (more on this later)) which meant a lot more snaps for Burnett. When Dallas went to the old Buddy Ryan look, they needed a middle linebacker who could run and track tight end Chris Cooley. Burnett did this ably. Cooley had seven catches, many of them screens, but averaged less than 7 yards per grab.
Nobody has to feel better tonight, aside from the Cowboys' scouts, than Martellus Bennett. The self-proclaimed Aquaman is taking over for Tony Curtis. Last night he was given one package to work with, a diamond shaped backfield set that Green Bay has made popular, with two WRs set wide and two TEs lined up as fullbacks, one each in the B gaps between the guards and the tackles.
Bennett played the right TE with Jason Witten last night and did an effective job of blocking -- on the five runs from this set, Marion Barber gained 34 yards, a healthy 6.8 average. Bennett consistently found the middle linebacker and cleared him out.
He also caught the game-winning TD from a traditional two TE set when he lined up on the line of scrimmage and got behind Washington S Chris Horton. He didn't get much separation but Romo trusted the former baseketball player enough to throw him a high pass, which Bennett snagged.
I reported back in March that the Cowboys had 21 players on their draft board with 1st round grades. Felix Jones and Mike Jenkins were among them. Bennett was one of their highest rated 2nd rounders. The scouts were ecstatic in April because Dallas left the first day with three guys off their top 30. They're probably even more happy today because all three of those guys are starting to live up to their grades.
Stay with the kiddies, Wade.
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We noticed that as well
It’s about time they stopped playing guys on the seniority basis.
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
by dunkman on Nov 17, 2008 11:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
There's no doubt that the young players this year have really stepped up.
I can’t decide who I am more impressed with: Scandrick or Bennett. Scandrick’s play in the slot allowed the Cowboys to man up Newman on Moss all day long, when normally that slot position belongs to TNew.
Bennett, though….man. He has really stepped up and played well and last night was by far his best game, the touchdown notwithstanding. His blocking was spot on and numerous times his blocks helped get Barber free for a good run.
Love the wishbone with him and Witten too. That was awesome.
by Brandon Worley on Nov 17, 2008 11:11 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I have to say I'm more impressed with Bennett.
Not because Scandrick has disappointed, I think he’s obviously a steal, but because I didn’t expect anything from Bennett. I hated the pick when we made it. I refused to even admit he was on the team for so long. Now he comes up like this. He’s definitely the guy I’m most impressed with.
by kameleon_o on Nov 18, 2008 4:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Raf, do you think with the blocking that they had last night running
to the edges that if felix was called on that he could have taken one to the house?
On a side note, I just finished listening to talking cowboys and the monday session is always a treat for me because that is the one nate newton sit in on. Nate had an interesting take, the whole season he felt that the way the off needed to play was the way they did against the skins. Nate’s point was that romo should not be burdened with the load of carrying the offense soley on his playmaking ability. Romo should be the cream, the team needs to have balance to where he can do his thing without the burden of having to carry the offense. What do you think of that observation, listen to the show, it was a good one, I recommend it to anyone who’s interested.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
by cowboy78 on Nov 17, 2008 11:11 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Remember when Fasano was drafted
And we heard all this talk about some funky 2-TE looks? I think this is what we all were looking for when this was being hyped up. And the best part is, Bennett is more suited to do it than Fasano.
We might be seeing more Bennett in the red zone, if he can go up and get the lob pass like that!
by mhuff13 on Nov 17, 2008 11:20 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
It's about time we see some KB.
I know he has had trouble staying healthy, but when he is on the field, he is a player. Bradie James, is not.
by Mandmeisterx on Nov 17, 2008 11:22 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
i think
the formation is known as full-house – 2 FB’s with one tailback. it’s nice cause there’s potentially 2 lead blockers, esp for runs up the middle
on singleback sets, sometimes barber was way back there – almost 10 yards it seemed. i wonder if it’d be helpful to get him closer to the line, at least if he’s going to be running the ball.
crayton was used as a blocker quite a bit. not sure about all the toss sweep plays, but at least on that last one to get the first down I could tell that play was coming simply for the fact that Crayton was motioned towards the line and i knew he was going to be used to block the DE so that Colombo could pull around to lead.
by Scoobay on Nov 17, 2008 11:26 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Tony Curtis whiffs on blocks
way too often. Glad to see Bennett taking those snaps.
'he nails an open three from the corner....just like you and me, this one was made by penetration' - Truthaboutit - Round 1 Game 5 Recap
by KDP on Nov 17, 2008 11:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
The Yung uns
Jenkins- our new starting left corner, (Henry the handwritings is on the wall) solid, need
to work on tackling, can be done in training camp, but we don’t tackle in
practice
Bennett- a beast,good blocking,great hands, great special teamer
Scandrick- present slot corner,coming into his own
Choice- Just a few choice runs,great burst through the hole
This is one of the greatest draft ever in memory. Fill a few holes next year and we should be dominant for years to come.
by StarsAlign on Nov 17, 2008 11:32 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
With the exception of the 2005 draft, I agree
And this is proof on how far along Bennett has come. He makes a spectacular catch for the go-ahead TD, then makes the tackle on the ensuing kickoff return.
Gotta love him adding hustle to his talent!
by mhuff13 on Nov 17, 2008 11:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
the “full house?”
i like that.
I saw the formation last night and turned to my wife and said, “that is the one that GB runs alot.” it worked, and it took the wind out of the skins fan’s sails.
I have to say that the skins fans were much more cordial last night than last year’s game. Alot more class displayed on their part.
Anyway, a blogger on the previous thread mentioned that cowboy WRs were running wide open last night, and Im here to tell you it was true. Man, were they getting open. I think the boys will pick that up on film study. it was quite windy on the field and i wonder if they decided not to go downfield too much b/c of it. I think it had something to do with WP’s decision to go for it instead of kick a FG late. I was talking to a cowboy fan sitting in front of me last night, and we agreed during the timeout that that was what was being discussed and that the right call was to go for it, which you all know is what they did.
That leads to my last point. Rafael threw some praise out for WP above. Let me add to that. I hope im not going to jinx him, but most if not every one of his gametime decisions have been good. He wins the majority of his challenges, and his decisions to go for it in many occassion almost always turn out right. Give the man a chance.
by THEjarhead on Nov 17, 2008 11:35 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Here here!
Wade was also calling the defense (at least every time NBC found him on the sidelines). Should make Tex happy. The man has been around football enough to know a thing or two.
by Keys80 on Nov 17, 2008 3:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
and man, what happens when felix comes back?
by THEjarhead on Nov 17, 2008 11:38 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
the fullhouse is a version of the T with three RBs across. This is an offset I, but with offsets on both sides and no TE on the LOS. When they run inside they have TWO lead blockers going after the MLB and SS. It’s nasty when it works.
by Rafael Vela on Nov 17, 2008 11:41 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Rafael,
it worked last night, they couldnt stop it. How about the “double trouble?”
by THEjarhead on Nov 17, 2008 11:42 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I like the name "Full House"
because that last drive turned into the straight flush of the Redskins.
You can't teach an old dogma new tricks.
-Dorothy Parker
by CounterEMF on Nov 17, 2008 11:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Peter King on MMQB:
"At long last, Martellus Bennett made a play for the Cowboys."
Umm, peter, the guy is a rookie late 2nd rounder who has been easing onto the field more. He’s not a guy who the boys were suppossed to build the offense around. And he plays behind some guy named witten.
at long last?
by THEjarhead on Nov 17, 2008 12:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
King is a tool
I put zero stock into what he says.
by mhuff13 on Nov 17, 2008 12:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Follow my motto, let king alone to his mindless followers.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
by cowboy78 on Nov 17, 2008 12:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The Burger King
Here’s the deal with King.
He shows up at camp, spends TWO days watching the team, talks to the local press, delivers some snarky line about Bennett’s “body language” being a bad sign, dispenses his decree on Bennett and then goes on to another stop, where he does the same.
And let me say Peter spent as much time one afternoon following the Red Sox on his hand-held as he did watching practice. I was standing next to him. Don’t put much stock into anything he says. He’s a drive-by analyst. And he has absolutely ZERO personnel evaluative skills.
by Rafael Vela on Nov 17, 2008 12:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Todd Archer was the reporter that mentioned the bad body language to Peter King
but anyone watching the HBO series could clearly see his bad body language Bennett was displaying..
by Deke on Nov 17, 2008 12:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
His body language was TERRIBLE during camp
Seriously… how many times did Garrett tell him, “put on your helmet, lets go” and he’d just stand there not listening with his helmet at his side. I’m not going to lie, his actions in camp made me furious, but he’s producing now and I love him for that, you just hate to see the type of attitude he was displaying earlier.
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Nov 17, 2008 12:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, So?
Bennett may have had body language, but is this NFL football or NFL Vogue? They’re not out there to pose, they’re out there to play. And if these guys had paid attention to practice they would have seen that while he made some bone headed plays, Bennett was also making big catches and blocks every single day.
by Rafael Vela on Nov 17, 2008 1:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The main thing I took from Hard Knocks.
As a TV show, they were actively pursuing and showcasing the “Martellus Bennett is an immature unappreciative swine with no respect for his elders” angle and turning it up for maximum effect. That’s what those shows do.
by MadMick on Nov 17, 2008 2:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree.
I think they were shooting for the redemption arc. They made him more popular than he would have been, because he is basically a good kid and they knew it. Just by being himself and making plays, the average fan is going to think: wow, this kid has really turned himself around and become something.
by Baked Potato Soup on Nov 17, 2008 3:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
According to the Texas A&M Stat Guide:
Bennett led the Aggies in pancake blocks for two years. That is a football player, plain and simple. That he can catch a football is also a plus.
by Keys80 on Nov 17, 2008 3:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
+1000 Raf
I cannot stand it when I am unlucky to see him on tv and hear another name-drop talking about who he had just had on the phone, it makes me sick. So I have done my best to avoid whatever dribble he puts out.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
by cowboy78 on Nov 17, 2008 12:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I just got off the phone with a talent evaluator from an NFC team who wished to remain anonymous
And he told me that Peter King is full of …..
by mhuff13 on Nov 17, 2008 12:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
LOL
You can't teach an old dogma new tricks.
-Dorothy Parker
by CounterEMF on Nov 17, 2008 2:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
actually king gave MB and romo some love in the article too. i just dont get where the “at long last” exacerbation comes from.
by THEjarhead on Nov 17, 2008 12:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Any 8th grade middle school writer
Could see what Barber did and give him props. It’s the not-so-obvious statements like that one that makes me think he’s a complete tool.
by mhuff13 on Nov 17, 2008 12:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
probably had not heard of bennett until hard knocks, so that is where it probably came from.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
by cowboy78 on Nov 17, 2008 12:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
choice
didnt get a whole lot of playing time but if jones not 100 percent id be ok with them giving him some more pt
by icouldusesomebaseball on Nov 17, 2008 12:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
He needs to get some more carries
Barber will wear down at this pace. They said on the Ticket last night he’s on pace for almost 400 touches. That’s too many in today’s NFL.
by mhuff13 on Nov 17, 2008 12:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
on pace for 380
but he’ll get less once Felix gets back, hopefully soon.
by scottmaui on Nov 17, 2008 10:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i saw choice make one run (6 yards). i thought they’d mix him in more, but they didnt.
hard to complain with the job MBIII did, but if jones comes back, i dont think we’ll see much of choice.
by THEjarhead on Nov 17, 2008 12:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
A belated hellz-yeah
I liked the way the team used the young guys – and I liked even more how much the young guys stepped up. Bennett had a monster game but every guy identified in this thread chipped in. Choice got blow’d up on one run but held his own overall.
Also, as a general observation, isn’t it great when the team runs the ball and churns out the yards and first downs? I wish they could/would do that before the 4th quarter.
Still, so nice to see the real Boys on the field. Great game by the defense in particular. If they can keep playing like that, we’re in good shape.
by grapejoos on Nov 17, 2008 12:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
That's the problem grape...
The defense plays a game like this, and gets our hopes up…then goes out and throws up a stinker a week later.
If we can get consistent play like that from our defense, the league better take notice. Once our offense gets 100% healthy, mixed with that…we will be dangerous.
by mhuff13 on Nov 17, 2008 12:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Blame the offense
The last few games, the offense hasn’t stayed on the field long enough to let the defense rest and recuperate. They got worn down too fast and looked like crap at the end of the game.
A better offense, plus finally playing some 1-on-1 coverage, means that our defense should be showing what they are capable of going forward.
by rhbgsherb on Nov 17, 2008 12:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Hopefully the defense will play well down the stretch under pressure, since we essentially cannot have a stinker from them. Realistically, the team has to win every game except one of the back-to-back Giants and Steelers games (and really, it would be nice to win both of those). Everyone has to be sharp; hopefully the offense will only get better from here as Romo settles in and Felix comes back.
And, perhaps most importantly, let’s keep running the damn ball.
by grapejoos on Nov 17, 2008 12:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Let’s have balance!
Run and Pass and keep the opponent off balance. With all the weapons this team has they should be able to throw at will, which will set up the running game very nicely as defenses drop back their coverages to prevent the pass.
by gee-roj on Nov 17, 2008 1:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
As happy as I am
With seeing the youngsters come along I’m still anxiously anticipating Roy Williams becoming a bigger part of the offense. It was very apparent to me early on that the Redskins did not have any way to match up w/ him at all. It was also apparent to me that he’s not fully worked into the offense yet and that he and Romo are far cry form where they will be in the future.
I still expect that Williams will be a huge part of the offense by season’s end making this team, (assuming it has everyone back healthy) very hard to defend.
Watch out for the Niners this Sunday. That teams is playing much better and could it could be a trap game for the boys.
by gee-roj on Nov 17, 2008 1:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
jenkins
that ST play still has me irked. stay in your effing lane.
""If they'd have told me you can make the team but you've got to shine the shoes, I'd have been there shining shoes." -Bradley
by ab03 on Nov 17, 2008 1:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Raf. Now This Is The Kind of Analysis That You Won't Get With the MSM!!!
Gotta love the Kiddies!!!
"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson
www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]
by silverblue5 on Nov 17, 2008 1:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Clearly Garrett saw a weakness in the Redskins perimeter run defense.
He was relentless in attacking the edges. I can’t remember seeing the Boys running that many toss plays. The full house backfield was a great addition, the TE’s had a great night blocking. I think it was Rafael that made a great point about how in the last Redskins game we really missed Andersen and Kosier, it really did make a difference in this game.
by houseofprime on Nov 17, 2008 1:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
makes sense
both of their DE’s are undersized..
Felix would have had a huge day.
"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"
by Wmillion on Nov 17, 2008 3:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
How much truth
to the gibberish Madden was spewing about the splint causing the ball to come off Romo’s hand awkwardly?
by MadMick on Nov 17, 2008 2:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I would assign more truth
to romo’s post game press conference where he mentioned that he tried to adjust his shoulders to make some throws and the adjustment was not enough.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
by cowboy78 on Nov 17, 2008 2:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The time
has come to have Burnett and Spencer on the field all the time. The D finally showed different looks last night and had the skins confused. I noticed Hathcer and Bowens got alot more playing time.
I realize we have alot of receivers 6’2" and taller but can we maybe lob the ball up in the air and let them come down with it especially on the 2 yard line.
The d plays like this against the Gmen and we win. No way the Gmen corners stay with our recevers. Protection is the key.
by oneforthethumb on Nov 17, 2008 6:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I know one thing
Bradie James lack of speed is starting really show.. I still miss Roy Williams the Safety
"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"
by Wmillion on Nov 18, 2008 11:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
one of the reasons that the GMen
made a SB run last season was because their all of their rookies stepped up late in the year and hopefully our rooks will provide that kind of contributions for us this year.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Nov 17, 2008 8:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Exploit a Redskin weakness or protect one of our own?
Maybe the toss plays were to protect TR’s hand from the repeat impact of hand offs
by Travlr on Nov 17, 2008 8:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I don't think so
I think it was to expose the Skins smallish DE’s
by mhuff13 on Nov 17, 2008 8:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
a combo of both....look forward to that running style weekly...
Felix Jones would go off on those plays……damn I look forward to his return….I love the fact Garrett was tossing left as well…..that’s going to open some serious holes up the middle in the future…..
A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.
"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones
by BoyzRback on Nov 18, 2008 12:50 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
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