Thoughts on the Cowboys/Giants game
by Brandon Worley on Nov 3, 2008 1:24 PM CST
in Dallas Cowboys News
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PrintAs a fan of any sports team you have to learn to deal with defeat. Your team is going to lose sooner or later and it's accepted as just one of those facts of life. People even come up with cute sayings to make losing not feel as bad, like "It's not how you fall but how you pick yourself up that matters." Unfortunately, there isn't any mantras or quips that can quite sum up just how it feels to be a Cowboys fan these days. What hurts the most is how everyone else is so ecstatic the Cowboys are in disarray right now. Just ignore all of the amazing storylines in the NFL right now, how the Titans are undefeated with Kerry Collins at quarterback or how the Atlanta Falcons might be the real deal behind Matt Ryan. No, let's all pile on the Cowboys and see just how far we can bury them under the mess of a media onslaught and let's see if they have any dignity left after that. It always seems to be a better storyline if a team headed for greatness falls mightily to earth, and it plays right into the public's fascination with doom and gloom.
Right now it just feels like a big bully kicking a kid once he's on the ground and curled up in the fetal position.
Not to say the Cowboys didn't bring this on themselves to a certain extent. Jerry Jones was on the warpath this offseason doing all he could to make sure the Cowboys were in the spotlight and it culminated in the HBO miniseries Hard Knocks. If you thrust yourself into the public view saying how great the team can be and setting your eyes on the Super Bowl as a reachable destination, of course folks will revel when you falter along the way. It just hurts that this is happening to my beloved Dallas Cowboys. The good news is that all is not lost, but it is certainly an uphill climb from here.
Here are some of my thoughts from the travesty embarrassment game last night.
- Losing I can take, in fact I had resigned myself to a loss before the game even started. The Giants were just too confident, too healthy and had too much momentum too fall to an undermanned team missing it's key player on offense. What I wanted to see was a team that still put forth a respectable effort even in the face of inevitable defeat. That certainly didn't happen. I can't stand losing but even more I can't stand seeing my team just lay down and give up.
- Here's what is frustrating about the loss last night: the defense actually made some great plays and forced some turnovers. While the Cowboys did have 14 points come from two of those turnovers, Terrell Owens fumbled away their chance to really grab momentum for the offense to grab some momentum in the first half. That's just indicative of how it went last night; we get a turnover, Owens fumbles for the first time in four years.
- I don't care who you have in at quarterback, no team can overcome this: the Giants had 21 points on touchdown drives of 27, 48 and 17 yards. While you would like your defense to dig down and hold them, you can only ask them to do it so much before they crack. The past month has seen the opposing team with numerous drives starting in the Cowboys territory and that is something that has to stop immediately to even have a chance at turning this thing around.
- Of course, the Cowboys had a slight chance of getting back into the game, and all they needed was a defensive stop. Bollinger had gotten some confidence and who knows, maybe the Cowboys score again if the Giants punt right after giving up a touchdown. Instead, they slam the ball down the defense's throat and put the game completely out of reach. Another disturbing trend.
- Can't put it all on the quarterback, but Brad Johnson didn't help things much. After giving up an opening drive touchdown, it seemed like the Cowboys' defense got their aggressiveness back and showed signs of being able to keep the team in the game. Those interceptions just hurt and it put the defense in a really bad spot.
- Who knows what would have happened if Brooks Bollinger had started, but I'm not convinced things would have been much better. However, once he got his feet under him a bit he did show some ability and willingness to get the ball downfield and a few times made some nice throws. I would have been a bit more confident with him in instead of BJ for a full game, watching both play. Anyone else think he looked like a high school quarterback thrown into a pro game? That guy is small.
- Officiating has reached a near comical level of incompetence. Blown calls and poor penalties for each side, but nothing was worse than the phantom "roughing the passer" penalty on Justin Tuck. Apparently defenders aren't allowed to actually tackle quarterbacks anymore, because doing so with your entire body is a penalty. Absolutely rediculous.
- Apparently the only player in our defensive secondary capable of tackling is Orlando Scandrick. Stew on that for a while.
- Anthony Spencer made some really good plays and the faster he gets on the field more than Greg Ellis the better. We need to have Ellis rested and healthy because I believe he can still be a force rushing the passer, but not having someone who could spell him throughout the game has hurt us.
- Finally: If one more random person comes up to me to give me their "condolences" about the Cowboys, I'm going to just flip out and possible have a Jerry Maguire moment. Don't gloat to me about a win unless you can more than three starting players for the Giants.
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sorry Brandon
I’m putting the loss all on Johnson, if we would have had just average play from the qb position, we have a great shot at winning the game.
If Johnson hits T.O. after the nice completion to RW2, its a different ball game. We at least get 3 out of that drive and its 7-3. Instead he throws a pick, Giants return it our 20 and score. 14-0. See the difference?
Eli fumbles, we have a chance to score, what does Johnson do? throw a horrible ball to T.O., who fumbles as a result.
There were many other examples but you get the picture.
The Cowboys had many chances to stay in the game and make it very competitive, but Johnson completely took the team out of any chance the Giants gave them. The defense might have gave up a lot of yards on the ground, but they were on the field practically the entire game for crying out loud! Of course they’re going to tire out. I’ll tell you what, if I’m on the field and my qb is playing that horrific, I’m not sure I’m going to have the desire to suck it up and give it 100% either. Can’t blame the defense. Your qb has to keep you in the game at the very least, Johnson failed at that miserably.
Its rare when you can actually pin a loss on one player, but this is one of rare occasions.
In Romo we Trust
not so rare when you are talking about the QB position
you can make up in other areas of the game for horrendous play at other positions, but not at the QB position
I agree with you...to some extent.
Its difficult to ask the defense to continue to bail out the offense, but what killed me the most was that long drive they gave up right after the Cowboys scored. That is when the offense needed them the MOST, and they were unable to stop them.
Now that can certainly be attributed to the fact the defense was just plain worn down after three quarters of going up agianst that big o-line, but what I didn’t like to see was Wade setting that defense back into soft mode. They should have brought the heat again, instead the laid back and we got gashed. It’s not like they were hitting us to the outside, we were getting put on our butts right up the middle.
by Brandon Worley on Nov 3, 2008 2:59 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah
Bollinger had confidence at that point. Guess the defensive coaches thought Eli and Plax would cut our throats through the air. Instead, they cleverly kept to the run game. Coughlin’s still got his genius streak going obviously. Had he tried to air it out and risk a sack/fumble or INT, the Cowboys would’ve had some hope at 28-14. Woulda been tough, but it coulda put some onside kick hopes in the back of our minds.
Where's Felix?
by Aaron Novinger on Nov 3, 2008 3:23 PM CST up reply actions
agree on offense being the #1 problem
but did anybody else feel that Wade called off the dogd on defense? That drive after we score a TD when they run it down our throat, we are sitting there with our safties deep and our CB’s 10 yards off the ball, I don’t get it.
Positves...
Brooks does look like a punter out there, but he does zip a nice tight spiral. That first throw was a stupid playcall by Garrett throwing on 1st—you don’t put your brand new QB in that situation. Reminded me of when Romo made his 1st appearance against the Giants.
How bout that catch/rebound by Martellus? He sure seems to show signs of being a playmaker. Too bad they don’t get him more involved.
How bout that Tashard Choice. He sure seems to add a fresh approach from the backfield. Too bad they don’t get him more involved.
How bout Spencer’s energy on defense? He sure seems to cause havoc. Too bad they don’t get him more involved.
Where's Felix?
the team does have an awful lot of young talent
its a shame we don’t have the coaches who can mold them into champions.
In Romo we Trust
They would love to get Spencer more involved
but he has been injured most of the year. This is the first game I can think of when he was back healthy.
I think his second play in was the pass
MB3 ran it on his first play in the game.
"So you can’t stiff arm at all? What about the throat?"- Marion "Barbarian" Barber
you gotta love this line by Mosley
NFL officials were meeting late Sunday night to consider a mercy rule for games in which Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger receive significant playing time.
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfceast/0-5-8/Giants-dominate-struggling-Cowboys.html
Now thats funny
In Romo we Trust
Brad Johnson
How embrassing, Jerry, and the coaches dropped the ball big time.. They knew they had a problem, yet they ignored it.. Ugh..
"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"
Wow
I thought our defense played hard most of the game, until it got out of reach. It was especially apparent in the Jacobs td in the end. Our turnovers giving them prime field position, and our penalties in the secondary really killed us. It just shows the lack of experience in the secondary. Take away some of those bone head throws and some of those penalties and we have a completely different game. Not to say we would have won but it sure would have been a lot more competitive.
I didn't see any pass interference calls though.
That’s a good thing.
Where's Felix?
by Aaron Novinger on Nov 3, 2008 3:25 PM CST up reply actions
I think
Everybody needs to calm down.
We weren’t expected to win against the giants on the road with BJ or BB at QB.
Our defense was put in a bad position by an inept offense which you must put the blame on the QB there….The offense runs through the QB…Literally!
Our defense made some good plays early but were simply hung out to dry…entirely too much time on the field. Of course they tired out by the 4th quarter.
On the bright side….we had entirely too many chances to get back into this game and…of course totally screwed it up…….That is why I do not fear the giants,
Thats right I said it! even as badly as we played….we could have been right back in this game …..And with TONY FREAKIN’ROMO we win this one going away…..NO KIDDIN’….Hell with Matt Cassell,Matt Moore,Vinnie testeverde, Duante culpepper……Hell give me Colt mccoy or Colt Brennan….or the Colt’s backup….any reasonably serviceable QB and its competitive…….A good QB and we win.
For now…..Thank God its the bye week….we have a lot of work to do….because we have a BIG GAME against the Skins at their place in 2 weeks.
And for all the crying about the season being over from several of our BTB members(You know who you are!)…..Well all I can say is…it is only Game #9……we’re playing through the end of the year….Enjoy the season….good or bad….I’ll be here every sunday….looking for miracles and expecting the best…..and If we come up short this year……we’re only one of 31 other teams,doomed to the same fate.
Enjoy it guys….before you know it it’ll be March and we’ll be fussin’ bout not having a #1 draft pick. We’re playing the games now….I, For one love the feeling every Sunday I get to watch my beloved cowboys play and I cheer them on….hoping and praying that MY TEAM…will pull out the victory!
Enjoy!
You'll never get in a traffic jam,while going the extra mile. -Roger staubach
well said TrueBlue
The Giants are the most balanced team in the league, but we can definitely beat them at full strength, no question about it.
I agree, any type of competent play by our qbs yesterday, and we could have won that game, no question.
In Romo we Trust
at least with Romo at qb
the games will be very entertaining, win or lose and very fun to watch.
With Johnson under center, it was very a very miserable and painful experience to watch my beloved team play, very painful.
In Romo we Trust
Cowher will never surrender that much power to Jerry.
And Jerry will never surrender that much power to Cowher. He tried it once with Bill and we see what happened.
I’d love it too, but let’s just get ito out of our heads.
by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Nov 3, 2008 6:15 PM CST up reply actions
In other NFL News
just got a text from my Browns fan of a friend that the Brady Quinn era has begun!
Where's Felix?
Aren't they so happy they gave him a new contract...
And to think people thought he was better than Romo…ie., one Pat Kirwin of Sirius Radio and NFL.com. Yeah ok Pat…
Look up... get up...Don't ever, ever give up!!
The roughing call on Tuck was a definitely a make-up for the 10-1 ratio of penalties
against Dallas.
Wharter
The worst thing about this game is
that we actually could have won if we had ANY help from the QB position. Eli gave us the ball 3 times just like we were all praying for, but we gave it right back twice.
AGGGH. I just keep thinking of all those wide open Cowboy receivers running all over the place. If only Tony had been there this could have been a statement win.
And I refuse to lay this one at the feet of the defense. The offense can only ask the D to work with it’s ass hanging over the goal line so many times. And I dont know what the time of possession was, but the D was sure on the field a lot.
Judging defense by total yardage is unfair, because it is indicative of the offense too. If your offense is playing well, you wont be defending as many snaps.
D played well. But the O threw this one away.
by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Nov 3, 2008 6:20 PM CST reply actions
OL and DL were playing bad long before yesterday and long before Romo was injured
It’s now worse with a immobile QB. We were lucky to win the Bucs game, came a fumble away from losing the Eagles game and nearly lost the Cinci game. We had problems going back to the 2nd game of the season. We were barely able to cover up some of the mistake by the OL and DL and even the turnovers by Romo for most of the season. We should be lucky we are 5-4 and not 3-6.
Look up... get up...Don't ever, ever give up!!
Eli sucks and other thoughts
Look all anyone has to do to rattle his cage is put pressure on him. We got allot of pressure on him and he made allot of mistakes. He is fortunate to have a good team around him to bail him out. As I watched the game, he continually just got the ball snapped with 1 second left, he was confused. He most of the time took the credit on bad plays (pounding on his chest saying my bad). Super Bowl MVP will always precede his name, but he is far from that! I’ll take Romo any day! Call me a homer if you want, but Eli just plain sucks!
D-Ware is a beast! I just wish he would be more of an emotional and vocal LEADER on the field. Hamlin was the only player on defense that looked disgusted at some of the players efforts. I thought Bradie James would have taken that role, but he hasn’t. Look
Ware is going to be the highest paid D player in the league when he signs his new contract, I know actions speak louder than words. But some times you need someone in your face telling you that you are playing like Shit!
Was it me or was anyone else feeling bad for MBIII, I mean he looked like the only guy out there giving 100%! I was terrified that he was going to get hurt. He just doesn’t let up! But again he is a quite leader.
Another flag was just thrown on the Cowboys!
I agree about Barber
He was trying his hardest to gain yardage, but with the crappy line play and the Giants stacking the box, he was fitting a losing battle. I felt pretty bad for him, trying so hard when no one else on the offensive side of the ball was showing the same heart.
"So you can’t stiff arm at all? What about the throat?"- Marion "Barbarian" Barber
hmm
Wasn’t H Houck supposed to be an upgrade?
Sparano has the dolphins as .500 team, using a bunch of creativity..
"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"
Creativity?
What’s that?
George Teague did it all.
by Aaron Novinger on Nov 4, 2008 11:35 AM CST up reply actions
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