The Cowboys' O: Hamstrung by a Splint

by Rafael Vela on Nov 25, 2008 4:20 PM CST

I'll be thankful for 60 injury-free minutes Thursday for Tony Romo.

Then the splint will come off. Then the offense can resume its ascendancy.

Kyle Kosier's injury is a big set-back, as it holds back the interior running game. But there's a plenty of improvement left in the passing game -- once that splint comes off Romo's little finger.

His timing is still way off, and this offense runs on rhythm. I can think of a half dozen passes off the top of my head where Romo missed open receivers because he was late with his delivery. The reviewed pass to Jason Witten in the 2nd quarter was one Romo could not get out of his hand on time. He missed two slants to T.O. that were again behind him.

The most obvious example of the splint's adverse affect came in the 2nd half. Dallas called a slant to Roy Williams and he was open, but Romo could not get a proper grip to toss the pass on time. He then had to wait for Williams to pass beyond the linebacker and put the ball behind him. Romo missed the early window and had the calm to wait for the late window to open up.

If Romo's hand is 100% these passes are out fast, on time and on the money. Oddly, the splint seems to have harmed the short throws a lot more than the deep balls. All the go routes and seams to T.O. Sunday were on target. It's the slants and smoke routes that are low, behind and quacking. Think of the flares to Marion Barber in the flats that have been high and fluttering, and ultimately incomplete.

Get Romo past Seattle and the passing game regains its 6th and its 1st gears.

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thats why Romo couldn't play right after the injury

The splint he had on then made it even more difficult to grip the ball after the snap.

Fans don’t realize how quick an NFL qb has to be to get a quick grip on the ball on those quick hitting slant patterns and outs.

The fact that he’s throwing as well as he is with this restriction just a tribute to his overall brilliance as one of the elite players in this league.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Nov 25, 2008 4:26 PM CST reply actions

If Kosier is indeed out the rest of the year

and with FJones gone, it seems we will live or die more by the pass than the rush this year, even more than in the past.
If we’re forced to always run to the right, teams will load up that side, and challenge Proctor/Adams to push them back. I don’t see much room for Barber to go anywhere.

It’s not ideal, however, we do have the personnel to do it, like the Patriots last year. Once Romo’s 100% this time off may be a blessing in disguise for him. As you mention, Raf, he’s been inaccurate (for him) these last few weeks, but still comes out w/some decent plays.
We’ve just got to make into the dance, though. It may not take us all the way, but maybe we can at least win one in the playoffs.

by Realist Larry on Nov 25, 2008 4:39 PM CST reply actions

What I do expect out of Holland is

that he won’t be pushed back into the QB like Proctor was. That alone will make him 30% better…

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Nov 25, 2008 6:03 PM CST up reply actions

Begs the question:

Why was Kosier in the game during the 4th quarter of a pre-season meaningless match?

We’re all drooling to see if Holland can bring anything more, I’d take a simple anchor on pass plays and about the same run blocking as proctor. we may find out thursday.

by THEjarhead on Nov 25, 2008 5:25 PM CST reply actions

Ditto

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Nov 25, 2008 6:02 PM CST up reply actions

Great observations

It’s a credit to him that he has adjusted his motion to be able to play and not throw picks, but he’s clearly not as quick or accurate. I suspect the long balls are better because he has longer to set up and prepare the ball in his hand.

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Nov 25, 2008 6:05 PM CST reply actions

OOOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!

That splints fittin to come off for Pittsburgh!!! It’s on then.

by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Nov 25, 2008 6:41 PM CST reply actions

The quick slant was never one of Romo's better throws..

As much as that play would benefit TO and our passing game…I’d shy away from even calling that play, as Romo’s strength is intermediate routes, seam routes, post corners, etc……..more out patterns, drag and curl routes, with Romo moving out of the pocket more is the recipe for success…….I didn’t get to see this last game, but I hope roll outs are being implemented…..7 receptions by Barber shows me Romo is hittin’ the check offs and playing soundly……..I really look forward to Seattle game…..Should be an indicator as to how our offense will play down the stretch…Just keep managing the game Tony…..limit mistakes, and the points will come…we NEED Holland to come on strong and pave some paths for MBIII on trhe left side to keep the defenses off balance…Pittsburgh is banged up, and hopefully will be 12 days from now as well…PLEASE NO MORE INJURIES..

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 25, 2008 10:43 PM CST reply actions

Slants lead to seam routes

I agree with most of your assessment on what routes Romo throughs better, but I disagree with the importance of the slant routes. If the defense is giving you a 7 yard completion then you take(especially when you have big receivers). Once the defense comes up to stop it, them you hit them with a double move up the seam or for a post route if the safeties are playing to shallow. This route also opens up big spaces in the flats for the dump routes to the backs or creating mismatches with linebackers.

I personally look forward to seeing a lot more slants out of DOS and RW.

by I'm a Cowboy Babe on Nov 26, 2008 8:34 AM CST up reply actions

It's Not his Best Throw

but the slant is probably Roy Williams best route, or at least its one of his best routes and T.O. has been open on it a lot.

Romo should make it a better throw, cause it will get his wideouts a lot of yards.

by Rafael Vela on Nov 25, 2008 11:10 PM CST reply actions

I totally agree that the slant pattern is TO and RW best route, and it's exactly what this team needs to be executing...but haven't...

I’m just stating the fact that Tony Romo (prior or post pinkie injury) has not been adepth at throwing that route…He is consistantly off target (doesn’t properly lead the WR, and slow to pull the trigger on that route) Maybe it should be practiced more, more reps with a 2 or 3 step drops, as Tony is more accustom to 5 and 7 yard drops…Blame it on his recent injury, and lack of grip…but this problem was evident long before this season……I am ALL for the quick slant routes….That’s what beats press coverage, and double teams…But if Tony is going to be off the mark (especially behind on the pass) it leads to turnovers…If anything, we continue with the slants, but wait til the receiver gets in the clear (behind the LB’s) and hit it about 15-20 yards up field (which allows for even greater seperation on the CB, and give the Safety a tough angle to pursue…….

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

by BoyzRback on Nov 26, 2008 9:07 AM CST up reply actions

It's hard to say why

I agree that he is less effective, but it’s also the route that demands the best passing lanes or “pocket shape” from the O-line, and that’s been a real problem as well. When the lane isn’t open, the QB has to try to throw early or late instead of when the window was supposed to be open. That happened last game on one to Owens.

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Nov 26, 2008 5:02 PM CST up reply actions

The scandal...

…is that the cowboys don’t have anybody that can play backup guard. That’s just ridiculous. isn’t it supposed to be the easiest position on the line to play? But we don’t have anyone after Kosier.

It’s not happy to lose KK and Felix, but those things happen. Guys are going to get hurt. Their backups have to come through.

by g8tgod on Nov 26, 2008 12:33 AM CST reply actions

That's what I always thought.

Especially if you’ve ever heard Mark Schlereth on BSPN talk about the guard position, he always insists any bum off the street could play guard.

by MadMick on Nov 26, 2008 4:53 AM CST up reply actions

I really find it hard to believe Free, MacQuistan, Marten, and Holland are any worse than Proctor...

Marten is listed on DC.com as the LG back up….yet no word of him even given a shot…..Free is supposedly our most talented OL back up….ever think of him practicing a little Guard to remedy this problem ? ….Can we please draft a damn OLinman worthy of playing in the NFL ?????? Here’s an idea….Trade our 2010 1st rounder, and our ‘09 3rd and 6th rounders for a selection in the top 20 in next years draft, and DRAFT a blue chip OG/OT…..Duke Robinson-Oklahoma ..I truely hope Holland comes in and blows up some linemen….cuz without solid OL play……this team isn’t going anywhere.

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

by BoyzRback on Nov 26, 2008 9:19 AM CST reply actions

I feel your frustation, but not enough to sell the farm

KK is an excellent guard and will be back next year and hopefully for many more to come. We still have our 2 round pick and most decent guard can be found in the second round. Remember we got Andre in the second round. I would rather see us use one of the 3rd rounds to move up in the 2nd round to fill this need.

But also agree Proctor has been a big liability on the line. I really hope to see a lot more or Holland in the game tomorrow. If we can not plug this hole, it will hurt us when we get to the playoffs.

by I'm a Cowboy Babe on Nov 26, 2008 10:45 AM CST up reply actions