Cowboys @ Packers: What They're Saying
Time for another edition of What They're Saying. In this episode we'll explore the emergence of a couple of offensive weapons, a defense that showed they can get the job done, a QB who can struggle but still win games and a media that somehow still doesn't believe in the Cowboys.
Let's kick it off with Miles Austin. Through training camp and the early season, Austin had Cowboys fans dreaming of a speed threat opposite Terrell Owens. His performance was tantalizing until he injured his knee and was put on the shelf for a few weeks. No longer an afterthought, Austin emerged as a force in this game. Here he re-creates his TD catch.
"It was an outside double move - a stutter-go," Austin said of his first career touchdown reception. "It was one-on-one cover out there and when I stuttered, he was still on my hip a little bit behind me. That one was a perfect ball, right on the sideline, and I caught it in stride."
It was a beautiful thing too, and it broke the game open. Romo gets credit for delivering a perfect strike.
"That was a perfect ball Tony threw," Austin said. "I had a whole bunch of ideas before the game about what I would do if I scored, but I was so excited, I didn't do any of them."
Keep it that way Miles, TD's are the thing, not celebrations that bring penalties.
Patrick Crayton and Sam Hurd are now on notice; Miles Austin is ready for the big-time. Well, he still has a few things to work out, like taking proper angles once he catches the ball in the open.
"I don't know what I was doing," Austin said. "I'm not really used to running that play, even in college. I usually don't [catch] the ball in the middle of the field that way. I didn't really think anyone was behind me. But I just went straight instead of keeping the angle."
"I can't believe I didn't get in," Austin said. "That was a dumb mistake, I guess."
You're forgiven for this week. Besides, as long as you get it down to the goal line, we know MB3 will punch it in. Austin might get plenty more chances this season because his QB likes what he sees.
"I have a lot of confidence in Miles," Romo said. "He's really coming into his own. You can see that he's a guy who has confidence to go up and make a play. And that's what he did."
When the Cowboys passed on Rashard Mendenhall in the draft and picked Felix Jones, there was a chorus of naysayers who blasted the move. Time for them to reconsider their folly as El Gato has put on a show in the first three games of the season.
"Felix Jones really gives us a boost in the offense," offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said. "We're still finding ways to get him involved. But he keeps showing that he can handle everything we give him."
Keep giving him more Garrett, the kid can play. Like the 60-yard TD run he popped early in the game.
"It was designed to go to the left side and we thought it would be a big play," said Jones. "It was a great feeling to get out there in clear and just go. It was great blocking and I just took off."
It was good blocking, including a certain wide receiver who escorted him down the field while exhorting him to score.
"Come on," [Terrell] Owens said. "Come on."
Who says T.O. isn't a great teammate?
The head coach loves what the rook brings to the table.
"Felix gives us, as Jerry Jones says, that 'wow' factor," coach Wade Phillips said. "He slipped on some of his runs, but once he got out in the open, he was gone. He can do it. He's explosive."
But while we're extolling the virtues of the young running back, let's not forget the veteran.
"Felix had the big run and made some nice space plays," offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said, "but over and over again, we just handed it to Marion. He really controlled the tempo of the game."
The only knock on MB3 in this game was some questionable ball handling, but that can be forgiven when you clock over 140 yards on the ground.
Click the link below to keep reading about Tony Romo's night and the play of our defense.
Tony Romo wasn't in the best form last night. He knows it. On a side-note, talking about Romo's mistakes along the way does not constitute being a "hater." No one should have a man-crush so big that they can't notice mistakes and point them out. Romo is like any other player, he does good things (most of the time) and bad things (every once in awhile) and to notate them is the same as with any other player on the field. Don't let your man-crush turn you into a farce where you have to defend even the worst of his mistakes, like INT's in the redzone.
Romo also took the blame for the pick, acknowledging that he forced a throw to Jason Witten in the end zone. "We call that Cover 4," he cracked. "He was covered by four guys."
Hey, that's pretty funny Tony, just don't do it again. But, as is usually the case with Romo, he battled back and made plays to help win the game. That's his modus operandi.
"Tony never ceases to amaze me," Wade Phillips said. "He has a will to play. If things don't go his way early, he fights through it and plays well. Tony came through for us like he has and like we expect him to."
Romo concurs.
"It's good to know you can win a game when you have to grind it out," Romo said.
After the Philly game, the Cowboys defense took some deserved criticism. It looks like the Cowboys defense is a work in progress and they made some progress against Green Bay.
"I thought it was pretty outstanding. Our defense played pretty well the whole game," Phillips said. "I was proud of our defense. They only had one big play (Rodgers' 50-yard pass to Donald Driver in the third quarter) and we still held them to a field goal on that drive."
The Cowboys did a great job in limiting what QB Aaron Rodgers could do.
"We were in a lot of [pass] situations that worked out for us," defensive end Marcus Spears said. "Guys were getting to the quarterback, and if you're able to stop the run and get those guys in those type of situations, you can win, especially with the guys we have who can rush the passer."
Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers echoes those sentiments.
"You've got to give Dallas credit," Rodgers said. "I didn't have a lot of lanes tonight, didn't throw the ball as well as I wanted to and they did a nice job with their pass rush."
You have to give some credit to Rodgers, he's a slippery guy back there and forced the Cowboys defensive front-seven to get in their cardio work.
"It really stated with the secondary," Ware said. "They really stepped it up this game. A lot of the sacks were coverage sacks. We were running around, he was running around and we were just chasing him."
One guy who was chasing him and sacking him was Anthony Henry. The Cowboys used corner blitzes to change up the scheme and try to confuse the Packers, and it worked.
"We felt coming in it was something we could use against them and try to make him [Rodgers] uncomfortable in the pocket," Henry said.
"I told [DeMarcus] Ware I was tied for the team lead [in sacks] until he got that one at the end."
And to the media that was fawning all over the Packers this week, and picked them to win the game almost across the board; owner Jerry Jones has a proposition for you.
"I'll give anybody a loan here if you bet against the Cowboys," Jerry announced as the media entered the locker room, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
All in all, it was a great performance by the Cowboys and an excellent win. They moved to 3-0 and won on the road against a team that was supposed to challenge them. They did such a good job, that certain players on Green Bay spent their post-game efforts talking out of their orifice where the sun doesn't shine.
"A lot of times, the best person doesn't come out on top," Packers defensive tackle Colin Cole said. "But at the end of the year, we'll find out who's the best team. At this time, I wouldn't say they've done all that much. I don't feel they're the best team in football, so don't be too quick to go crowning them now."
Bitter much?
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38 comments
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Comments
In the Wade Phillips era...
…this is the first time that I actually felt like our “D” fully executed the Phillips 34 consistently throughout an entire game.
Honestly, barring no serious injuries (knock on wood), I feel that this unit will only get better as the season goes on.
"Jerry Jones offers more second chances than a tent revival." -- Kevin Sherrington, The Dallas Morning News
www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]
by silverblue5 on Sep 22, 2008 10:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
DT play
Sure helps to have Tank and Hatcher playing so well on the interior. GB went to max protect on nearly all their 2nd and 3rd and longs and the DB’s were able to get their guys covered.
W: "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."
by hubcityraider on Sep 22, 2008 10:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I find it comical...
…when a backup role player — like Collin Cole — has the nerve to run his mouth and disrespect the team that just kicked his team’s arse.
Most NFL fans would probably say, “who said that?” And then they’d have to look him up on NFL.com only to find out that he backs up starting Packers DT Ryan Pickett.
Irrelevant, insignificant idiot.
"I'll give anybody a loan here if you bet against the Cowboys." - Jerry Jones, with sarcasm dripping from his voice.
www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]
by silverblue5 on Sep 22, 2008 10:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
just for the record Grizz
I’ve never once defended Romo’s INTs in the red zone, as a matter of fact, I’ve always pointed out you have to take the good with the bad regarding Tony. However, commenting on game threads that he sucks, that he’s the most overrated player in the league and that we should have Aaron Rodgers instead is definitely hating, there is no question about that.
What is a farce is the constant bashing he receives on game day after a bad throw or INT, its actually starting to get ridiculous.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Sep 22, 2008 10:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Terry, if we were all sitting at a round table, rather than having the anonymity of the internet,
75% of these acserbic comments wouldn’t happen. Romo is one of the 3 or 4 lite QB’s in the league.
Wharter
by Wharter on Sep 22, 2008 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I concur. Our #9 is most defintely one of the elite QBs in the NFL.
And he’s only gonna get better…
"I'll give anybody a loan here if you bet against the Cowboys." - Jerry Jones, with sarcasm dripping from his voice.
www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]
by silverblue5 on Sep 22, 2008 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dumb Aggies...
The local College Station radio sports guys (who is an admitted Cowboys hater) said this morning that Tony Romo is a celebrity QB, not an elite QB. Sure is easy for him to say it after a bad game by Romo (where he wins and gets 13 fantasy points) as opposed to a game where he torches a secondary.
But then again, I wouldn’t expect an Aggie homer like him would know what a good QB is considering what they’ve been running out there the past few years.
by GhettoBear04 on Sep 22, 2008 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
One could argue...
the same thing about Favre.
by Pete222 on Sep 22, 2008 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know how they separate the men from the boys at A&M?
With a crowbar :-D
Wharter
by Wharter on Sep 22, 2008 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You gotta realize something Terry
Most of the guys who start on those rants are trolls. The only time you see them commenting is to say something negative. Their whole point is to get people all fired up over nothing. This is my first season blogging during the game and I figured that out in week 2. Dont let idiot trolls get your blood pressure up man. Just be confident in knowing that we, in fact, have one of the best QBs in the league, period. Like water off a duck’s back buddy.
by WB3forMB3 on Sep 22, 2008 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Isn't it funny...
Whenever we win, the opponent comes out and says “We didn’t play our best.” Aaron Rodgers said it last night, and just about every Eagle said it last week. Ya’ll think we did???
At least Romeo Crennel admitted to getting it handed to him…
STOP T.O. —→ WIN THE GAME
I just looked to the left of the screen and saw a Packers fan make this headline. That sure as hell proved to be true. oh wait…
by AikmanNailedMySis on Sep 22, 2008 11:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Romo int's
Its just something we are going to have to accept. If we want the big plays from Romo we are going to have to accept the bone head plays. Maybe as he matures he’ll get smarter.
by quincyyyyy on Sep 22, 2008 11:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I completely disagree.
Players, especially young players like Romo, can and should improve. This needs to become an area of focus for him and the coaches. I think that they and we should expect him to improve, not just accept MAJOR mistakes every single game.
by Baked Potato Soup on Sep 22, 2008 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
like Parcells used to say
you are who you are and as long as Garrett and Wade allow Tony to be Tony, which they absolutely should, he’s going to make great plays and stupid plays, just accept it, it is what it is.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Sep 23, 2008 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Everyone makes mistakes
Nobody is disputing that. I think what BPS was getting at is that we all can and should get on Tony when he makes stupid mistakes like that. It is, after all, the greatest threat to this team when healthy. Some like to point out that the only team that can beat the Cowboys is themselves. Well, that’s the #1 way the team beats itself – turnovers that directly cost us net points.
Tony can stop throwing redzone INTs at this rate. He will. I am sure they burn him worse than anyone on the team or in the fanbase. But come on, the guy isn’t above criticism. I wouldn’t take any other QB over Romo right now, but he still makes me crazy sometimes (and I’m sure you feel the same way).
by grapejoos on Sep 23, 2008 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hello, respect?
>> “But at the end of the year, we’ll find out who’s the best team. At this time, I wouldn’t say they’ve done all that much. I don’t feel they’re the best team in football, so don’t be too quick to go crowning them now.” >>
WTF, the Eagles were talking the same crap last week.
by Pete222 on Sep 22, 2008 11:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Don't crown us now
It would ruin the fun of the journey! Seriously, though, that is some ridiculous trash for any Packers player to be talking right now. Dallas dominated in every aspect of the game. When they were successful moving the ball towards the end, it was because we gave it to them. Their coaching staff did a poor job game-planning and adjusting.
The Boys were far from perfect, but this game wasn’t as close as the score indicated. I think this game is how the coaching staff is going to want to win on a regular basis – grind it out with the running game, move the ball, and just outlast the other team.
I really like the improvement of the defense. Pac had another mistake last night (or at least it looked like him when Driver got free on the sideline – maybe Hamlin was supposed to help), but he is getting better and made some plays (and has been a pretty damn good tackler once he makes contact – pursuit needs a little work). Henry is making plays. I am looking forward to seeing every new wrinkle we unleash each week.
by grapejoos on Sep 22, 2008 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not looking for...
other teams to call us Super Bowl favorites or anything, but this is the second week in a row we’re hearing the opposing players give the old, “the better team didn’t win the game” line.
Holy hell, you scored 9 points in 3 1/2 quarters and you think you have a right to talk smack? Have some accountability fercrissakes…
by Pete222 on Sep 22, 2008 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, I agree
I think there are some over-inflated egos in places like Philly and Green Bay. Those two teams in particular hate the Cowboys so much that they may have trouble giving credit where it’s due.
Philly I kind of understand – the game was close, if they had played perfectly the entire game (and they were close to that for 2.5 quarters), they would have won in all likelihood. I don’t think they are a better team, but they came in on the road and gave the Boys all they could handle.
GB on the other hand I don’t understand. They got worked and looked like a team that got exposed a little bit after fattening up on a cupcake (Detroit) and a team with a terrible QB and beatable pass defense in a very emotional game (Minny). I still believe very strongly that they have elite talent in the NFC, but the coaching and playcalling indicated that they are still working Rodgers into the offense. It’s week 3, so just admit that the other team got the better of you and move on.
by grapejoos on Sep 22, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
This GB team is good, but they are not an explosive team yet because their coach is trying to limit Rodgers mistakes. Most of his pass attempts were short routes where their WR’s are supposed to make something more out of it. He had one beauty of a deep pass to Driver.
That was it. The media can quit crowing about Rodgers greatness now. He’s good, not great.
The Packers MVP from last night was Woodson. I didn’t think he could do it, but he basically took TO out of that game. He had S help yes, but basically TO didn’t get many free releases off the line.
T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003
by APerfectStar on Sep 22, 2008 5:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think Philly would have won
if they had played perfectly. They played a pretty good game, I thought, and they lost. If the Cowboys play their best game and Philly plays their best game, the Cowboys win easily. That game seemed tougher due to 2 big Romo mistakes and a bogus PI call.
by Baked Potato Soup on Sep 22, 2008 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A bit worried about red zone Ints
I’m getting worried about the number of red zone INTs Romo has been throwing. That was his 2nd in last 3 weeks, and 3rd in last 5 (Houston in 3rd wk of preseason). If we keep not scoring something in the red zone, we’re gonna get burned sometime soon by it.
by mlibbey on Sep 22, 2008 12:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He needs to fix it
I don’t understand people saying you have to take the bad with the good – you don’t. The QB needs to improve and not make those kind of mistakes. I agree that with Romo, you will get some wild plays from his improvisation (and fumbles, etc), but throwing into quadruple coverage in the endzone is something else. Most of his endzone INTs are the result of impatience, and he has to fix that – there are no excuses for it. Sometimes you have to know when your receivers are covered.
Also, while I found both intentional grounding penalties to be very dubious, especially the second one, that sort of thing should never, ever happen. It’s becoming a pattern. Romo is good and I love him, but he has work to do, as he will his whole career. Great players never stop getting better.
by grapejoos on Sep 22, 2008 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Absolutely. He has to learn to take the freakin’ sack rather than throw into in double, triple, quadruple coverage. Why he refuses and hurts his team with those idiotic passes I will never get. There is no excuses for that kind of play. None. It is so boneheaded.
by Philosopher on Sep 22, 2008 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's got to be hard for him to change
He has an incredible natural ability to bob and weave and make plays happen, but he goes to that well too often. I fully expect him to improve on this, as he has with other aspects of his game. He knows it’s an issue, which is why he was working all offseason on staying tall and calm in the pocket (which he seemed to get away from a little bit in this game). He’ll see the happy feet on film and the bad decisions and make corrections. He’ll improve, but it’s fair to criticize him – harshly – for repeatedly making those kinds of mistakes.
by grapejoos on Sep 22, 2008 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He needs to manage his strengths
This principle applies to all of life, not just to sports. A strength when pushed to an extreme will result in a weakness.
by agapaw on Sep 22, 2008 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am all the way with you on this.
I agree with you that he had happy feet again in this game, and may have had a better game if he had not. I also think he has to and probably will improve. It may be hard for him to change, but he has 60 million reasons to, as they say. I’m not as troubled by the grounding, since Crayton was actually in the vicinity of one but went up instead of out, and the one in the playoffs was admittedly a bad call (NFL apologized).
by Baked Potato Soup on Sep 22, 2008 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+2
These redzone brainfarts are troubling. He needs to work on that. That was a terrible decision last night on the pass to a triple covered Witten. Just throw it away, but don’t get an intentional grounding call, something else he needs to work on.
It’s hard not to see how great he is at QB, and that’s what makes the 2 or 3 stupid plays he seems to make each game so frustrating and hard to explain.
T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003
by APerfectStar on Sep 22, 2008 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No Jason Taylor
next week. He is out of the game due to Shin surgery he just had according to the DMN blog.
The day just keeps getting better.
by Philosopher on Sep 22, 2008 12:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Who Cares?
JT looked horrible against the gints. Every play I saw him gett BLOWD THE EFF UP. I almost wish he was playing
by Impatient on Sep 22, 2008 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
6.4
The Barbarian and The Cat combined for 6.4 ypc last night in 34 touches… 6.4 yards!
by scottmaui on Sep 22, 2008 1:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Four thoughts...
1) Going back to late last season, the “book” on stopping our offense is to bracket TO, take away the big plays, and then hope that a Dallas penalty or Romo error will short circuit a drive. It’s a good strategy when the offense has no other explosive playmakers (Witten and Barber are great, but not explosive). But now, with Jones and Austin, that strategy is in serious doubt. We rolled up 450+ yards last night, and like the Cleveland game, would’ve had more had we not gone ultra conservative in the mid-4th quarter.
2) We have an elite running game for the first time since about 1995. To the degree that we have a fast break team not built to “win in January,” I think we can lay that to rest. We’re very physical on both sides of the ball, and we can win slugfests as well as shootouts.
3) Congrats to the Dolphins. Parcells is probably involved in strategic game planning type decisions, and he has to love getting the best of his protege on the road with inferior talent. Ronnie Brown looked like Richie Anderson out there throwing. Parcells is actually in a really good spot to maximize his strengths (talent acquisition, game strategy, organizational direction) and minimize his weaknesses (joylessness that doesn’t work with today’s NFL players). Good for him.
4) We’re getting some improvements from system continuity. System continuity is important in the NFL, and last year we were running a new offense and defense, and our O-line was new. Having a year in Garrett’s and Phillips’ systems, and a year for the O-line to be together, were bound to lead to better execution even before we upgraded our DB and RB personnel.
by TimSchultz36 on Sep 22, 2008 1:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Stellar Analysis, Tim.
"I'll give anybody a loan here if you bet against the Cowboys." - Jerry Jones, with sarcasm dripping from his voice.
www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]
by silverblue5 on Sep 22, 2008 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good points
I’d add to #4 the contribution of getting Houck back to coach this line. They are dominating defenses right now in both passing and rushing.
Also, Jerry and Stephen should try to extend Colombo’s deal before the end of the season, if possible. The way they run to the right so well reminds me of Seattle running Alexander behind Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson. Teams cannot stop it.
T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003
by APerfectStar on Sep 22, 2008 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Git er done with Colombo
That guy is a very good RT, and lord knows we can’t develop a lineman to save our lives. I don’t know how the cap will work, but I have faith Jerry will keep him around.
by grapejoos on Sep 23, 2008 12:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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