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DAL vs. GB/ What Worked

Considering how well we played, the bads are fairly ticky tacky on this one.  Feel free to say what you thought worked and what didn't again.

Star-divide

What worked:

1.  The thing that had been our Achilles heel last week (no, not Romo) was our biggest strength this week.  The defense came out and played a great game against an fairly potent offense.  The defense was especially good in the red zone, allowing GB to score their only TD of the game in garbage time.  Although the tackling still was somewhat below what you'd like it to be, it was much improved over the PHI game.
2.  The running game continues to show up for the Cowboys.  I thought in a lot of games last year our inability to run on first and second downs left us in a lot of third and longs and made us overly dependent on the passing game.  Hudson Houck has done a phenomenal job at transforming our OL from a pass blocking only unit to a complete mauling machine.  It's good to know our running game is able to do something other than finish games and wind time off the clock at the end of the game.
3.  Jay Ratliff continues to be a force on the defensive line.  He spent a good part of the game on the other side of the line of scrimmage.  He also pitched in a sack on Aaron Rodgers.  It's good to know that we can get pressure without the blitz.  It's also nice to know that someone on this team besides Ware and Ellis can get sacks and pressure.
4.  Our special teams have been spectacular this year.  I'm sure you'd be hard pressed to think of one game last year in which we won the battle of field position.  And the amazing thing is that our coverage and return teams have been equally impressive.  Somehow Bruce Read went from being on the hot seat to sitting pretty.  And what makes this even more impressive is that they've been without key special teamers such as Roy Williams, Deion Anderson, Sam Hurd, Kevin Burnett, and Anthony Spencer.
5.  Who would have thought we'd see the day after the first couple weeks where our penalties wouldn't kill us?  It seemed like most of our penalties were just bad luck penalties, and not lazy penalties.  I am aware we had seven penalties in the game, but they didn't hurt us.

What didn't work:

1.  In spite of the fact that Felix Jones keeps showing how explosive he is with the ball in his hands, they continue to misuse Barber in my opinion.  I have no problem with an abundance of carries going MB3's way, but when the game is out of hand, and he has already touched the ball 30 times, we should have someone else finishing the game off.  I have no problem with Barber closing games, but if that's the plan, Jones needs to get involved earlier in the game.  I think Barber can handle that kind of load early in the year, but I just don't know if he can maintain it for a whole season.
2.  We need to stop rushing people back from injuries.  Every time we try that, the player ends up with a nagging injury that lasts all season.  First Newman, then Spencer, and now Kosier.  Anyone see a pattern?
3.  Fumbleitis.  Is there anyone on this team that currently doesn't have it?
4.  I would have liked to have seen us take a few more chances down the field than we did, especially considering that they were playing bumb and run man coverage all game long.  I know we took some chances in the second half and they paid off.  It just makes you wonder why we didn't try it earlier in the game.
5.  Another game, another red zone turnover.  Make it stop please!

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

2 recs  |  Comment 13 comments

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great point

seems like we are rushing people back from injuries and we are 3-0, we can lose a game…. we need to have people healthy at the end of the year

by 325424 on Sep 23, 2008 8:19 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Special Teams

My only bone to pick with special teams has been the kick offs. After being told in the off season that Folk was working on his KO’s, he is consistently putting the ball around the 5-7 yard line. I don’t think I have seen any go into the endzone this year. Of course, I will take shorter KO’s for guaranteed FG’s any day.

"So you can’t stiff arm at all? What about the throat?"- Marion "Barbarian" Barber

by DC_fan on Sep 23, 2008 9:21 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

+1 on Nicky Folk

But my gripe is Mr. Jones’ punt returns. I think it was said somewhere else that he either needs to return differently or our blockers need new technique. But he’s going 50 yards left and right to get 3 yards forward. Of course, I’ll shut up the second he returns one, but in the mean time, I’d like to get a few more yards…
As far as the running game, I don’t think Marion the Spleen Splitting Barbarian is being misused. Maybe a few less carries at the end, like you said when the game is over, but bring in Choice and Jones and let em end the game for us… Good post overall though.

by AikmanNailedMySis on Sep 24, 2008 7:36 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Was it about getting just over 140 yds?

I kinda wonder, since he was so close, did they go ahead and let him keep running just so he could go over 140 yds to keep JuJo from being the weeks leading rusher? I know its kind of a silly thought, but right after he hit 142 they took him out. Coincedence?

by WB3forMB3 on Sep 24, 2008 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If I remember correctly

They said something on the broadcast about how MB3 didn’t want his last carry to be a fumble, so he asked to come back in. Maybe that was just Madden’s gloss on it, but I could see that.

As a MB3 owner in fantasy, it pains me to say that we should perhaps get Choice in the game some when we have it in hand. I think this game was still pretty close on the scoreboard and we wanted to dominate the physical game for the entire game, and that’s why he stayed in. But when we play the (relative) cupcake parade that follows the Skins, it would be nice to give MB3 a break.

by grapejoos on Sep 24, 2008 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree 100% joos

I was screaming at the TV put Choice in.. Similiar style, he is fresh, and he loves to break long TD runs at the end of games..

We have to keep the Barbarian fresh for the long Haul..

"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 Sep 24, 2008 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think Pac would have had one good gain

had his return not got eliminated by a penalty.

by Mandmeisterx on Sep 24, 2008 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree we can't use MB3 that much

we need to start getting the Cat more touches because his talent is obvious and he is more explosive than MB3, can hit you the HR at any moment.

MB3 should be finishing games and getting the majority of his carries in the 4th qtr.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Sep 24, 2008 10:05 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I personally think

Choice is more suited to shut a game down, then El Gato.. Either way, I agree take the Barbarian out, please..

"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 Sep 24, 2008 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Barber should be shutting the game down

Give him some rest earlier in the game. The 4th quarter is where he’s most effective.

by mhuff13 on Sep 26, 2008 7:05 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think we might see

More Uncle Felix or even Choice early in the game when we get into the softer part of the schedule. This opening 3-game stretch against tough NFC teams needs to set the tone, and the Boys are flexing their muscle.

by grapejoos on Sep 26, 2008 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed close game, yes

GB situation, I say put Choice in. Philly game, you put the Barbarian in..

"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 Sep 26, 2008 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Props to Miles...

Nothing spectacular, but I’m not complaining. His picture is the best part haha

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80b11451&template=with-video&confirm=true

by AikmanNailedMySis on Sep 24, 2008 11:57 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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