What We Need to See Against the Texans

by 5Blings on Aug 22, 2008 12:01 PM CDT

Here's some things I would like to see from Dallas tonight to put my mind at ease;

A push up front - this is a wakeup call for Canty, Ratliff, Spears, Tank, Hatcher, Bowen and others to become a force not just against the run, but the pass as well. If teams are going to double ware and chip Ellis, then these guys have to win some one-on-one battles.

Disciplined play in the secondary - no stupid bites on double moves, keep zone integrity and punish the guy across the line from you when you're in man press coverage. Look, well run timing plays will always have some measure of success, but this team can't afford mental mistakes. One more thing...if Schaub or one of their scrub QB's throws a bad ball, feel free to catch it and run the other way with it.

Bigs get nasty - the best thing that this offense can do for it's defense is to dictate the tempo of the game through physical, mean and nasty o-line play. We're big, strong and have the talent to move the pile on every play and going up against Mario Williams, Amobi Okoye and other young defensive studs from Houston is a good measure of where this o-line's transition from Sparano to Houck is.

Get to the edge - whether it's Felix running sweeps and catching swings out in the flat or one of our unheralded 'so-called' speed WR's (Stanback, Lowber, etc.) lining up outside and getting behind the defense, Dallas needs to show that it has big play ability beyond just T.O.

Be special - everyone knows Bruce Read's unit has been a dumpster fire so far this preseason. Now would be a good time to show disciplined lane integrity and good tackling technique since next week won't have our regulars on the field much.

Penalties - just stop it. Please?

That's it. That's all I want to see tonight. What do you think? Will I get my wish?

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one word

DOMINATION in every aspect of the game….thats what we need to see tonight.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Aug 22, 2008 12:52 PM CDT reply actions

One word

Healthy

That’s all I’m worried about.

by mhuff13 on Aug 22, 2008 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions

You hit the nail on the head.

Knicks and bruises are all good, just no knee and concussion stuff tonight, PLEASE!

That #38 sure should wrap up!

by Aaron Novinger on Aug 22, 2008 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree

No more injuries.
I think we’ll see a much more consistent offense tonight. It’ll actually be fun to watch Garrett incorporate El gato into the offense….Romo will get 3 quarters to play with so I think we’ll light it up and score at least 30 points!
I’m also looking forward to seeing adam jones starting on the left side….I’m expecting continued improvement from him. I’m also anxious to see him return a few punts as well! Special teams looked much better against denver and should be improved tonight as we’ll have a solid core of players that will be expected to contribute on ST this season…..and not such a collection of fringe players….

I think We’ll look good tonight

My prediction
Dallas 35
Houston 14

You'll never get in a traffic jam,while going the extra mile. -Roger staubach

by TrueBlue24 on Aug 22, 2008 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions

One of the announcers (Babe) made a great observation in last week's game

that Romo and TO have only had a year and a half together to really work on their timing, compared to back in the day when Aikman and Irvin had 6,7,8 years together.

Judging by the progress made so far, I’d say they’re ahead of schedule, but I look forward to them getting some more work in this game.

I just saw that the game will be on CBS here in Northern CA. I’m stoked not to have to watch it online. Guess I won’t have a cabillion comments on the open thread this week!

That #38 sure should wrap up!

by Aaron Novinger on Aug 22, 2008 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions