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Ok... I've Waited 24 Hours

After 24 hours, I am still in a funk but I am slowly gaining some perspective and here are my takeaways.

1) Wade may not be a great head coach but he is a great Defensive Coordinator.  I was excited when Jerry hired Wade b/c I envisioned a young hungry defense flying at the QB from all angles.  It didn't happen until Wade pushed Stewart aside, but it's great to watch now.  I have no idea what took him so long (or why he let Stewart do a bad job for 18 months until he took th) but I like what I am seeing - especially since Ware was hurt, TNew looks hurt, Jenkins is out and Pac is not at full speed.  Draft a young LB and a safety and this defense could be special.

2) TNew may be hurt, or may not have the heart to play now that he got a huge contract, but he has not been a special player this year.  I like him a lot, so I make excuses for him, but he has not been good. 

3) Ratliff gets better every game. It really is a pleasure to watch.

4) A first and a third is a lot to pay for a WR you aren't going to use.

5) Calling Ralph Cramden! Someone needs to teach Tony Romo to be a busdriver.  There are times when you throw caution to the wind, and there are times when you use caution before throwing the ball into the wind.  I am not ready to say Tony can't be great, but last night was the first time I really have questioned his big game ability.  He is reminding me of Favre in the bad way.  I think he needs to watch Aikman, Brady and Montana and learn that sometimes you just manage the game.  It would have been nice to have Parcells on the sideline tearing him in half last night.  Maybe John Garrett can take his "high and tight Martellus" intensity and put pressure on Romo.  He has tons of talent, and manages the team (and egos) well, but he need better discipline with the ball.  The real winners don't create unnecessary turnovers.  for all the talk about big games etc, what really matter is will Romo learn to play mistake free when it matters.  It certainly isn't too late for him to do it.  I see no reason why he can't do it.  But at some point he needs to learn to make safe plays instead of big plays.

6) Scandrick really looks like a player.

7) Tashard Choice just reminded us why we should never draft a RB in the first round or sign one to a contract extension again.  I love Felix, but I would have rather had Slaton and kept my first rounder.  I love MB3 but I would have rather kept him for one more year and had the cap space. I also loved TChoice's moxia all game.

8) As frustrated as I am with the season, the team hasn't done that badly given the injuries.  Kosier, Felix, Hurd, some Autin and some Romo and then Roy Williams, Watkins, some Jenkins, some Henry, some Newman and of course McBriar.

9) Boy did I miss McBriar last night.  His leg would have helped mightily in the field position game.

10) Did Jerry really throw MB3 under the bus?  That seems lousy.  By all accounts MB3 is a respectful, hard-working guy who plays hard and shuns attention.  He won't appreciate that at all.

11) Why did they give the ball to Cricket on 4th and short? I like Anderson, but I am not sure I like him running the ball.

12) I can't wait to see 'Tellus next year.  I think an offseason in the conditioning program and increased familiarity with Tony will make him an absolute beast.

13) Can we gag Troy?  Aikman is one of my alltime favorites, but he sure cursed when he said "this is what an offense looks like when they are completely lost." I think the game turned within six seconds of him saying it. Ugh.

14) What's up with left handed passes this year?  Eli has thrown a few this season, now Romo is getting in the mix... I can't recall seeing a pro QB throw it with his non dominant hand in a game before this year (although I am sure Favre lieks to do it the 4th Q  of playoff games).

15) Who woke Marcus Spears up? And can they speak to Canty? Have Canty, Spears and Hatcher ever played well on the same day?  Sometimes it feels like there is a really good defensive end on this team and every week he puts on either a 96, 97 or 99 jersey and on then puts the other 2 jerseys on guys he finds on the side of the road then switches the numbers around the next week.

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

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Great Writeup

I agree with all points on here…

'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 Dec 8, 2008 6:16 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Good points

I agree wholeheartedly on Romo. This team was playing inspired ball last night and did not need him to carry them to victory, just manage the game. He threw the game away and whatever the deal is with him, Witten and TO it still comes down to Romo as the QB.

When the game is tied 13-13 and the steelers just took all the momentum, why not try a couple of short passes to get things flowing? Too many passes were just off last night and IMO, the season probably ended last night.

For me, the bright side is the future, where Felix, Choice, Tellus and Scandrick all like A+ picks and I think Jenkins will be a baller too. We need to shore up the O line and get a NT in the offseason and keep Wade coaching the D.

by Billito on Dec 8, 2008 6:18 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

All great points.

The T-New one I disagree to a certain extent on. I thought he played well yesterday minus the Santonio Holmes play and he played a ridiculous game in Washington.

And I think that Jerry Jones criticism of Barber is just the media doing what they do best.

Where will you be when the Sixers hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy? Hopefully Liberty Ballers.

by jsams on Dec 8, 2008 6:23 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

I agree

You have to give credit to Holmes and Ben.. Great throw and catch..

"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 Dec 8, 2008 6:57 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah

not taking anything away from them, but it was clearly a mistake. Everybody makes ’em.

Where will you be when the Sixers hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy? Hopefully Liberty Ballers.

by jsams on Dec 8, 2008 7:05 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

NO

3rd and 16, and T New was looking for a deep out or comeback…. Holmes can’t run past Newman if T New doesn’t cheat

by BK Arsonist on Dec 9, 2008 9:45 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

T-New has been really good

perfect? No. Really good? yes. Get real.

The Roy Williams trade was for the future not the present.

I like Moose better, but Troy was right.

by quincyyyyy on Dec 8, 2008 6:26 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

I hate Moose and Kenny Albert.

Where will you be when the Sixers hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy? Hopefully Liberty Ballers.

by jsams on Dec 8, 2008 6:41 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

T-New has been injured

So I guess you think that equates to losing his heart to play. Get a grip. Another Chicken Little fan, that’s great.

T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003

by APerfectStar on Dec 8, 2008 6:28 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

TNew has been injured

but he has been injured a lot. i know it’s tough for a CB to play hurt but he has missed 13 of the last 29 games. maybe he is just injury prone. maybe he is getting worn out.

i like the guy, but he has been a shut down corner about once this year.

i don’t think it’s crazy to think a player can lose motivation after he signs a $50mm contract (with $22 guaranteed) although maybe heart was he wrong word.

by 325424 on Dec 8, 2008 11:19 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

It's not crazy to think that

But even though I don’t know the guy or have inside info, I would be willing to bet a lot that T-New is not that kind of player. He seems to put forth 110% effort for his team and wants to be the best CB in the league, regardless of $$$.

Now, I may be naive, but that’s the way I feel

T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003

by APerfectStar on Dec 8, 2008 11:31 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Lets not Forget

T-New started the first 64 games of his career without a scratch.

Channeling my inner Pacman.

by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Dec 9, 2008 8:21 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I agree on this
8) As frustrated as I am with the season, the team hasn’t done that badly given the injuries. Kosier, Felix, Hurd, some Autin and some Romo and then Roy Williams, Watkins, some Jenkins, some Henry, some Newman and of course McBriar.

So true, I think this is the biggest point.. If we are healthy we have a much better record heading in to Pitt and the loss doesn’t sting so bad.

"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 Dec 8, 2008 6:56 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

What's hilarious is

with the Giants, all you hear about is how they deal with all of these distractions and all of this adversity. Blah blah blah. But never do you hear anyone mention all of the injuries and things Dallas has fought through this season to get where they are. This is still a playoff caliber team, one that I guarantee you not even the “almighty” Giants wants to face in the playoffs.

by Mandmeisterx on Dec 8, 2008 7:00 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Bah

Dallas hasn’t fought anything to get here. They’ve simply won most of the games they should have and lost all the games they would have won if they were anything more than just a better than average team.

Over the last 10 years, in important games the Cowboys are 0-for-all, Romo included. There is nothing in this season that gives me a reason to think that this trend is changing.

Given the last 3 minutes of yesterday’s game, it’s time to start talking about chokers rather than winners.

by wasmarcus on Dec 8, 2008 9:13 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

The second Giants game last year

was huge. They needed a late season victory to clinch the division. Giants were playing well and thought they needed the game to just make the playoffs. Dallas went on the road and beat them in a meaningful game.

This years Washington game was big to. Yes, the afterthefactascope will tell you that team we reeling, but the reality at the time was Dallas was the under dog on the road and had to go in and beat a physical team on the road.

by Trey, on Dec 9, 2008 11:15 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

alot of teams could say the same thing

injuries are part of the game thats why u need depth to overcome them….no excuses for injuries…not saying your making any excuses either but we do not know for a fact that our record would be any better

by canty99 on Dec 8, 2008 7:13 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

every team can say

They are missing there franchise QB and still rolling? What about teams missing 3 Pro-Bowlers and still rolling? 8-5 record.

If were in the NFC North or West we would be leading the division..

"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 Dec 9, 2008 3:37 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

IF..

even with romo out and missing 3 pro bowlers there is NO excuse for the rams loss….thats a complete joke…losses like that come back to bite u in the arse

by canty99 on Dec 9, 2008 7:01 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

agree!

See our loss to Chicago and tie to Cincy…

no excuse for that stuff!

Hello Run Game! Boy have we missed you!

by 700 Level on Dec 9, 2008 7:17 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

coaching staff

Brought in Bollinger and didn’t even use him until it was too late..

"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 Dec 10, 2008 2:07 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

nor

is there any excuse for the Giants loss to the Browns. Stupid loses just happen.

by gee-roj on Dec 10, 2008 7:50 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

very nice job with our post

however i agree with everything except for one point…felix jones i believe was a great pick…he is explosive and will be a special player in the nfl….it is tough enough to find playmakers in the draft and he is one in my opinion…Felix will be special there is no doubt in my mind…

by canty99 on Dec 8, 2008 6:59 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Felix Jones is a guy who I'd LOVE to have on my team

I thought that was a great move by the cowboys

Hello Run Game! Boy have we missed you!

by 700 Level on Dec 9, 2008 1:11 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

What's with JG calling on Choice, 3rd and six

Choice had a good game, but calling on him in that situation had me jumping out of my recliner. Go to Witten or Bennett for crying out loud.

by CowboyMan on Dec 8, 2008 11:31 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

So did I...

I was yelling “what the hell are you doing?”

by gee-roj on Dec 9, 2008 7:38 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

i think the debate is

why in the world are you trusting cricket to ‘read’ holes on such an important down, with so many offensive weapons. the playcall was too cute, trying to trick your opponent. It was a smashmouth game, style against style… stick to your style. In theory, running the FB is smashmouth, but not when you’ve only done it 3 times in the last two seasons.

'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 Dec 9, 2008 12:11 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

*stayed to his left

Harrison came across and when Cricket looked for the cut back, Harrison shut it down…

by AikmanNailedMySis on Dec 9, 2008 7:28 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

back up qb

1. If we dont make the playoffs, Jerry should assume some of the responsibility for not going out and signing a legit backup.

2. Wade has done an amazing job with this defense, but if we dont make the playoffs, he should be fired based on 1 game, the rams debacle. they didnt get it up for that game at all.

3. Garrett in my opinion has been the biggest letdown of the year. Questionable play calling, lack of creativity, and most importantly, his lack of talent evaluation. How does he not incorporate Felix in the game plan earlier? When Felix went down, why wasnt choice more apart of the offense? If Wade his fired and he his elevated to HC, do we really think that he can control the personalities on this team.

by juniorb on Dec 9, 2008 7:32 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

I'm not gonna lie

As long as he agrees to remain this hands on with the defense, I’d rather see Wade stay and Garrett go. Especially because it is looking very likely that Norv might be available to coach the offense.

"When it's third and ten, you can take the milk drinkers and I'll take the whiskey drinkers every time." -Max McGee

by BigDinSC on Dec 9, 2008 2:35 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Question, no better place to ask it...

So we all remember T.O. getting flagged for the sprinter’s stance in the endzone early in the season. I was watching the Giants/Eagles game and Brian Westbrook dropped to both knees, certainly NOT praying in any sense of the word. They flagged him, but then waived it off…So my question to you all is, WHAT THE FRIGGIN HELL IS GOING ON? In a time of heightened security all over the world, I have to say this is personality profiling. I’ve seen numerous occasions where players drop to knees in celebration (more importantly, CLEARLY not worship) and no flag. I remember this because T.O’s 15 yarder gave our opponent great field position and I believe resulted in a FG. Does anybody have any explanation of this rule that makes any sense…? It’s the most infuriating thing to see week-in and week-out. Even my Giants and Eagles fan-roommates call it out to me when they see it…wtf???

by AikmanNailedMySis on Dec 9, 2008 9:07 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Aikman

Boy, I’m glad I’m not the only one who has had about enough of Troy Aikman the Broadcaster. He is so consistently negative regarding the Cowboys. At first I thought he was just trying to build up his credibility and shed the homer tag. Now, I actually think he has an ax to grind with Jerry Jones and the Cowboys. He has gone so far off the deep end hating on Dallas that he has lost credibility in my mind the other direction.

For the record, Troy is and always will be one of my all-time favorite Dallas Cowboy players.

(great post 325424)

by Cowboy Louie on Dec 9, 2008 10:09 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Shut up Troy

We say that in unison around my house now. I can’t believe I said, “I hate you Troy” just this last game. He needs to remember he’s not in his own living room, but our living rooms and we already know that he is trying to be “professional” and not have people call into question that he is one who would not let his sentiments and loyalty color his comments. For-crying-out-loud, all the other asswipes on ESPN don’t seem to care about that and Troy goes overboard and really pisses me off. A lot. Anybody know how to e-mail him? Not that he would care about us fans anymore.

by dcfansinceiwasababy on Dec 9, 2008 10:25 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

As an eagles fan...

I have to say that If Andy Reid, or Jeff Lurie ever came out and called Westbrook soft for not playing on his bum knee, i’d be furious!

I already hold an extreme dislike for JJ, but stuff like this makes him look like a national idiot

Hello Run Game! Boy have we missed you!

by 700 Level on Dec 9, 2008 1:10 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

13) Can we gag Troy?

As much as I LOVED Troy and will always think of him as one of (if not the) greatest qb’s of all time- I routinely have to press my “mute” button when he’s doing Dallas games. I know he has to be objective, but he seems to go out of his way to bash the ’boys.

by RPM on Dec 10, 2008 10:16 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

I disagree

I don’t think Troy bashes the Cowboys anymore than most of the bloggers on this site who claim to be “objective”, “realists” and “non homers”

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 10, 2008 10:27 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

You make a good point Terry

"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 Dec 10, 2008 2:08 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

yeah, but..

With Aikman it especially hurts. Maybe cuz I’m old enough to remember Dandy Don’s decidedly partisan days at MNF. I can still hear him after a Dallas win crooning, “turn out the lights, the party’s over!”

by RPM on Dec 10, 2008 10:35 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Your a Hypocrite (Point Number 7)

Raf, So now MB3 is replaceable? Take out your $1.50 and jump on my bus.
You know I’ve been beating that drum for almost a year now. Please give
me my credit. Don’t act like this material is yours now. I feel violated.

by Captain Comeback on Dec 10, 2008 8:26 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

huh?

i am not Raf! and I don’t mean to pirate your stuff.

i just think we have shown we can find good rb’s in the later rounds (see barber) i am nowhere close to ready to annoint choice the next barber after one game but my point is rb’s can be found in the later rounds and wear down quickly. it may be better to keep them for four years then recycle. it sure saves cap space!

as for felix, i love the cat but think that steve slaton is a similar player that went 1 (or 2?) rounds later.

by 325424 on Dec 11, 2008 12:42 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Great stuff, except #2

Can’t say I agree with TNew comment. When completely healthy he is still the most complete CB on the team and one of the best in the league. His total lockdown on Santana Moss was evidence of his skill. Yeah, he’s looked beatable in quite a few games this year but he’s trying to play through injury, especially since we’ve been shorthanded due to the “Knucklehead” saga….

by Keys80 on Dec 10, 2008 11:36 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Well, unfortunately...

TNew has been banged up all year and that “knucklehead” has been our best and most consistent corner…when he’s on the field that is…I love TNew, I just wish he’d be healthy again haha. With all that money he should ask T.O. where to find one of those hyperbarric chambers haha

by AikmanNailedMySis on Dec 11, 2008 10:36 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Disagree with Newman not playing well

I think he is a major erason our D has stepped it up and why we are getting so many sacks

by rioplayer7 on Dec 17, 2008 7:29 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

+1

Really, if anyone doesn’t think Newman is one of the very best players on the team and one of the biggest reasons our defense is now playing great, they’re either blind or dumb…or maybe both!

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 17, 2008 7:37 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

in history

dumb actually meant “mute”

i kinda wish dumb people were mute today. don’t you?

I commented. You're welcome.

another transplant from The Blue & Silver Report

by bulldog jeeper on Dec 17, 2008 9:37 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

absolutely

I guess thats where the deaf and dumb saying came from.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 17, 2008 10:34 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

i stand corrected

Newman played great vs NYG (although to be fair they dont have any real threats at WR) and he played great against Moss.

I agree its a part of the front 7 looking better, but i think it’s a lot of the front 7 playing lights out, some of TNew playing better and some of Wade calling the defense

by 325424 on Dec 17, 2008 4:16 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

T Newman has been tremendous

since he’s been healthy, as I only recall one play he gave up since he’s come back from his sports hernia, the long pass to Holmes, other than that play, he’s been shutdown, lockdown on every receiver he’s faced.

To show you how great he’s been, when healthy, Sunday was the first time he’s been called for PI since 2006 and that call was even bogus.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 17, 2008 4:23 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Way to man up 325424

I can respect that.

T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003

by APerfectStar on Dec 17, 2008 11:08 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

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