Baltic and Mediterranean

For lack of a better analogy, an NFL schedule is sort of like a monopoly board. The Browns were just one of those regular, Pennsylvania Avenue type of properties. The Eagles and Packers were like that scary Boardwalk and Park Place section, and the way those two teams were playing heading in, they had hotels and motels and mini malls all over the place. Losing a game at home to the 'Skins was like a bad chance card where you have to pay $200 for doctor fees or something.
The Cowboys have now reached the Baltic and Mediterranean Avenue part of the schedule. When you are looking down the barrel of Boardwalk and Park Place, you just want to come out on the other side alive and not flat broke. Now is time to iron things out. To sharpen the sword and win. To win convincingly.
The Cowboys next 3 opponents have a total of 2 wins between them. Anything less than 3 consecutive convincing wins will be a disappointment. This is an opportunity to get a full head of steam before we hit the meat of our schedule. This is also the time when we must get a few things fixed.
A few things I would like to see:
1. Balance- Okay, we see what happens when Marion Barber gets 8 carries. Enough of that. If other teams stop the run early, we better make em stop it all night.
2. Tackling- Everyone else seen enough whiffs on would-be sacks and tackles in the backfield. I know we dont tackle much in camp but it is Week 5 now. Let's go.
3. Special Special Teams- The coverage units and the Kickoff return unit have been doing well, but Pacman is too special as a returner not to be getting off. He hasn't had any room whatsoever. I know they say it is a scheme thing and he doesn't follow the wall. We'll how bout we just put a hat on a hat and let him create.
4. Less Mistakes at QB- Tony Romo is better than this. I know he will come around, but I hope it is sooner than later. Let's go Antonio.
5. Takeaways- If we are not gonna stop other teams from passing on us, can we at least gamble and pick something off every once in a while? That would be nice.
Im not as negative as this post may imply. I think everything is gonna be fine, and I still think we are gonna win the Super Bowl. It's just time to tighten the screws a little bit.
Anybody else got anything?
Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.
2 recs |
6 comments
Comments
In regards to Cincinnati...
Everyone has chronicled the struggles of the Cowboys’ defense…It hasn’t been bad, but I would classify it as definitely inconsistent. They started off decent against Cleveland, were not good against Philly, played better vs. GB, and looked lost against Washington. Looks like it is time for their defense to step up again. And Cincy should be the perfect game for that to happen.
However, if Dallas plays soft against the Bengals 3 WR sets and doesn’t get great pressure on Palmer, The sky will be falling in Dallas.
They better treat this game like a divisional opponent. No room for losing to one of the worst teams in the NFL.
by LongviewLegend315 on
Sep 30, 2008 11:20 PM CDT
reply
actions
0 recs
that's everything I would like to see
by WestTxHornFan on
Oct 1, 2008 8:52 AM CDT
reply
actions
0 recs
Right on Glory
If the boys play down to the next three opponents, this team will implode. If they come out and play their game, there will be three convincing wins and the world will be right again.
Of course, the MSM will say things like “yeah, they won but…” because they will ride the cowboys all season. This next game will showcase this team’s ability to block out the garbage and play ball.
by Billito on
Oct 1, 2008 9:01 AM CDT
reply
actions
0 recs
exactly
The Washington loss should insure that..
"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
Oct 1, 2008 1:06 PM CDT
reply
actions
0 recs
Great analogy
You’ ve addressed my two biggest concerns, the lack of sound tackling technique and the lack of forced turnovers. I can live with most of Romo’s faux pas, because he’s that type of player and usually his ability to create more than cancels out the boneheaded plays. But for PROFESSIONAL football players to suddenly forget how to tackle with proper technique after playing this sport for most of their lives is unforgiveable in my opinion. I think alot of this problem lies at the feet of the coaches though and they need to get their crap together.
That also dovetails into the lack of turnovers as well, at least forcing fumbles. Proper tackling should help with putting their helmet on the ball and popping it out more often.
The lack of interceptions, to me, again falls at the feet of the coaches. Why are we playing so much damn zone? Why are we playing 8 yards off of receivers? ESPECIALLY against West Coast offenses! We put together, on paper, an excellent secondary in the off season with great man-to-man coverage skills. Lets start taking advantage of that. Let’s press the receivers at the LOS, knock them off their routes, disturb their timing with the QB and either force the QB into making ill-advised throws or holding on to the ball longer for potential sacks or just throw it away, effectively wasting a down. Will we get beat sometimes for big gains? Sure we will. But this dinking and dunking crap all the way down the field is for the birds and WILL NOT put of us the position of making some INTs.
by WB3forMB3 on
Oct 4, 2008 10:58 AM CDT
reply
actions
0 recs













