Film review: Offense, Cowboys @ Giants
Film Review for the offense.
QB - Heh. Brad Johnson was awful. He threw the INT on the slant pattern right to the defense. T.O. worked his way off press coverage that slowed him up a bit, but he created space and Brad flat-out blew the throw. He tried to go deep to T.O. once and threw it out of bounds, threw another ridiculous INT and held the ball too long for a sack. He did manage a couple of good throws, including the one where Roy Williams made the circus catch, but it was a pitiful performance overall. Brooks Bollinger was a little better, at least his passes had some zip on them, but still wasn't a good performance. He threw the INT on his first pass, even though a blitz did disrupt his ability to step forward. He also threw a near-INT that the Giants dropped, threw a couple of other ducks and threw a terrible pass on a fade route in the endzone. He managed to put one drive together that looked competent, ending with a nice TD throw on a slant. He also converted a fourth down and made a couple of throws against the blitz. But let's face it, neither of these guys are the answer.
RB - Marion Barber was running hard and managed a few good runs. He got outside on a couple of sweeps, showed good patience on another run that end up gaining yards and converted a third down on a draw. He also does a good job picking up the blitz, but he had a few poor choices on some cuts that he probably wishes he had back. His biggest problem was he was too often avoiding defenders before he even got to the line. Tashard Choice showed a nice burst through the middle on a couple of runs late in the game and probably should have gotten more touches over the time that Felix Jones was out. That's another questionable decision by the coaching staff.
FB - Deon Anderson didn't get a lot of opportunities as the Cowboys used Tony Curtis a lot in the backfield or two TE's on the line. He made a good tackle on a kickoff return and got a good downfield block to open up a lane for MB3.
TE - Jason Witten didn't see a lot of action because of the injury. He did totally whiff on a run block that killed a play and didn't appear to be in good form at all. Martellus Bennett mixed in some good seal blocks on the edge with a couple of poor efforts in the run game. He's still learning but shows good potential. He caught a few passes including one where he showed great effort in stretching to convert a third down. He also caught a lucky rebound for a long gain late in the game. Tony Curtis was used in the blocking game and was OK but I didn't note anything special in his play.
WR - Note: All the WR's suffered from poor QB/OL play. Terrell Owens had a couple of catches that were short to intermediate and caught a TD pass. He only got one opportunity downfield and the pass was way off target. He also fumbled the ball in the redzone which is highly unusual for him and he dropped a pass on third down. Patrick Crayton had the best game of the WR's, catching passes for a third down conversion and a fourth down conversion. He also caught a few others along the way and made a nice hustle play to make a tackle after an INT. Roy Williams only got a couple of opportunities but made a spectacular one-handed catch along the sideline for the longest gain of the game. Miles Austin really didn't play as a WR but was very good returning kickoffs.
OL - Flozell Adams is not playing well at all. I got him down for four plays where his pass protection was poor, one leading to a sack and the others causing QB's to throw early or forcing the QB to move into traffic. He also got a false start call and wasn't a force in the run game. Cory Procter is not good. He got beat for a sack, had two other plays with very poor pass protection, got pushed into the backfield to kill a run and missed a block on the linebacker to kill another run that had a lot of potential. Andre Gurode missed a block on a linebacker that killed what would have been a big run, missed on two other run blocks and picked up a false start (how does a center get a false start?)
Leonard Davis was slow to pull on a run block, whiffed on another run block that killed a third and two play, and had one bad protection. He did manage a couple of good run blocks. Marc Colombo was actually pretty clean compared to the rest of the line. He was slow to get out on a pull and had one bad pass protection that allowed the defender to hit the arm of the QB and the pass was a wounded duck. Montrae Holland got a little time at the end and the only thing I noted was one awful run block. One of the disappointing parts of the line play was they never blew the Giants off the line, at best they were battling to a stand-still on their better plays. I'll have more on the play of the offensive line when I discuss the problems and how to fix them for this Dallas Cowboys team.
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Comments
I read somewhere that Flozell
has a broken hand which explains his poor play. OL need to use their arms and hands against strong DEs, hopefully that hand heals quick.
He was held out of practice today, I’m wondering if its because of that injury.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Nov 5, 2008 10:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Flo
I am not sure what affect it might have on Flo, but I know that Grizz mentioned earlier that we were missing Kozier more than expected, is it possible that Flo is playing poorly because he is trying to shoulder some of the load resulting from Proctor’s poor play. Maybe trying to give help to the guard is causing him to get beat wide….not sure, and maybe it is an injury , maybe he is getting old and worn out but he is not the Flozell of last year for sure.
First to six!!!
by sduncan24 on Nov 6, 2008 6:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Definitely both
Injured AND missing Kosier.
I don’t understand why they won’t disclose Flo’s injury and/or sit him till he heals. Unless, it’s a chronic thing.
by accidental innuendo on Nov 6, 2008 7:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
because they have no faith in Free or McQuistan
Thats why Jerry paid Flozell a ton of money this past offseason, betcha the coaches told Jerry that Free and McQuistan are not good enough to start.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Nov 6, 2008 9:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Flo
Terry I also recently read somewhere that Flo had a broken right hand, although, Brady Tinker who hosts the tv show DFW Sports, has been saying for about 3 or 4 weeks that Flo has an injured left arm or shoulder. I have noticed on slo-mo replays that he seems to be favoring his left arm. He looks like he is trying to block everything primarily using his right arm. That is not good for the left tackle, especially with speed rushers.
Before Romo’s injury, there was a lot of talk about his seemingly lackadaisical attitude. Unlike the last 2 years where he always looked like he was fired up & having fun, since after the Green bay game this year he has just looked like he was going through the motions. I personally believe his attitude this year has been directly connected to the poor play of the offensive line.
I think we all believed that with 3 “pro-bowlers” coming back this year & with Houck back as the O-line coach, the Boy’s O-line was going to be absolutely dominating. Nothing could be further from the truth. The O-line play since about game 4 has been horrible. The thing about it is, the play of the defensive front 7 has been just about as bad.
I don’t think there is any way for us fans to truly know whether the poor play is the result of poor coaching, poor play, poor schemes, poor design, or a combination of all the above. Regardless of the “why” the Boy’s better man up or this season is in the tank. It can be done, there is still plenty of talent on this team, the question do the Boy’s really have the desire to reach down & make it happen?
by geth13 on Nov 6, 2008 10:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Love this post
Great discussion points geth13.
by Dave Halprin on Nov 6, 2008 10:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
an OL can’t be an effective blocker without 2 healthy wings, can’t be done.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Nov 6, 2008 10:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
What you said I seldom read
That we don’t really know why things are happening. I am always amazed at the stuff fans and a lot of media say – and obviouysly believe with all their hard little hearts – and yet have no knowledge of. For example, Wade is too soft (not in the doughboy sense), Romo is distracted, TO is a bad team mate (on this team), Jones is coaching from the luxury box. Truth is, we DON’T know. Your post is a refreshingly honest one.
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
by dunkman on Nov 6, 2008 5:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I usually love reading these
But this one was a tough read for obvious reasons. Here’s to better play after the bye.
by sublimezg on Nov 5, 2008 10:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Good call on M. Austin's KRs
Glad you noted Miles’ kick returns – they were a bright spot on a dismal day.
by eliason on Nov 5, 2008 11:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Grizz
I don’t guess I’ve paid too much attention, but are they using Anderson or one of the TE’s to lead the way for Barber? It seems like if the line has been playing so terribly lately that they would have a lead blocker to try and clear some running room for MB3, but I haven’t seen much and when they do, it is usually Curtis or another TE. What’s the point of having a FB if we’re not going to use him?
"So you can’t stiff arm at all? What about the throat?"- Marion "Barbarian" Barber
by DC_fan on Nov 6, 2008 8:37 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
RBs
My biggest issue with the offensive playcalling is the running game, no matter who is in at QB.
MB3 naturally likes to bounce his runs to the outside and looked great on those tosses and sweeps (except when Danny Clark beat out the pulling guard). I understand that you have to come back to the middle to open up the outside run, but keep going with what works. If the LBs start thinking outside, then start running up the middle.
This brings me to my next point: Tashard Choice IS the best up-the-middle RB on this team. He seems to have good vision and hits the hole with a burst that shows little hesitancy. This kid needs to have several series a game, at least on running downs. We all know that Barber is more affective when he shares carries.
Deon Anderson: Maybe Garrett can pretend the FB’s first name is Richie. More passes to this guy can really open up the ENTIRE offense. I’m not talking about 1 per game; I’m talking between 5+. With his experience playing with Moose, I’m surprised JG doesn’t call this guy’s # more.
George Teague did it all.
by Aaron Novinger on Nov 6, 2008 11:18 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
+1
Well said, I hadn’t thought about using Choice up the middle, but he has shown an amazing burst when running it up the gut. I also agree about Anderson. They don’t seem to be using him to lead block for Barber much, and he has shown some soft hands, so let’s get him involved in the passing game a lot more often.
"So you can’t stiff arm at all? What about the throat?"- Marion "Barbarian" Barber
by DC_fan on Nov 6, 2008 4:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Excellent point on Choice
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
by dunkman on Nov 6, 2008 5:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
These reviews are so much more fun
when Dallas wins.
I wasn’t too upset about the TO fumble because the defenders really went after his arms and the ball. Great defensive teancity. The Roy WIlliams catch was phenomenal, but should have been PI – there was a good reason he had only one arm avaiable to make the catch. The line is abysmal and I can only hope that it’s lingering injury, but boy, that would tell you something about Free, McQuistan and Holland.
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
by dunkman on Nov 6, 2008 5:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

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