You don't have to replace T.O. if he leaves
by cow_fanatic on Jan 9, 2009 9:16 AM CST
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You can't replace him although he seems to be on the decline. But where he is now is better than 95% of all receivers out there.
The issue with T.O. is the lack of team in his vocabulary and that would be why you let him go, just to quiet the locker room down a little.
The main reason you can let him go should be Romo's inability to protect the ball. With our O-line built for run blocking more than pass protection and three good backs, we should be running the ball more next year. The decreases the amount of dropbacks for Romo and, consequently, the number of interceptions and fumbles(I believe he had a hand in 23 of the 33 turnovers we had this year).
See what the Giants are doing with their three backs and no Plaxico? I hate comparing what we should do next year to what the Giants are doing this year but I hate losing more.
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agree
but doesn’t that simply speak to Jason Garret’s inability to game plan(or is he being handcuffed)? Hey Red, go up to to Jerry’s office and tell him that MB3 is a closer. He is not built for 16 games and the world saw that last year against the Giants.
by pdw1731 on Jan 9, 2009 9:32 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
totally
agree. JG is a young coach and learned a lesson this year. He never trusted his rookie RBs until they were a necessity. MB3 needs 15-20 touches a game and most of those should be in the 4th qtr. Further mismanagement by the head coach, or Hillbilly Clown I like to call him. He has the authority to make changes but does not until he is knocked out of the playoffs by 38 points
by cow_fanatic on Jan 9, 2009 9:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If Romo keeps throwing picks
We’re definitely going to need T.O. to chase down whomever has the ball haha…Cue Terry’s rebuttal…
by AikmanNailedMySis on Jan 9, 2009 9:49 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I know you meant that as a joke, but TO actually does a prety good at that.
Practice makes perfect
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
by Seanrude on Jan 9, 2009 10:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
As bad as they were at pass blocking this year,
they’re still worse at run blocking. I would love us to be a power running game, especially with the great backs we have, but until our line learns to get some push and create running lanes, we’ll continue to be a finess passing team.
by Mandmeisterx on Jan 9, 2009 10:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
They averaged 4.3 yards per carry.
Tashard Choice averaged over 5 yards per carry, and the bulk of his work was against 4 of the 5 best defenses in the league. I think Dallas’ running problems had more to do with play calling and Marion Barber than the line. When I say play calling, I mean the fact that they called less runs as the season went on. In addition to his average declining, Barber’s fumbles were up. To me, that shows that he declined rather than the entire running game declined. Particularly when the other 2 backs on the team had very high yards per carry behind the same line.
by Baked Potato Soup on Jan 9, 2009 11:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It's easy to be effective running the ball in small doses,
but when we try to run consistently, we fail until we hit the fourth quarter and we have the defense worn down. Not to mention that at the end of the season, teams were pinning their ears back and just coming after Romo because they didn’t fear our running attack. I fail to see how the inside draw out of the shotgun being your best running play makes you a good power running team. As far as Choice goes, though I think he was very effective, he didn’t do much after the Steelers made their half time adjustments. His numbers are very similar to Barber’s before this year. Right around 5 ypc, and a much higher ypc in the second half. His ypc inside our 20 and theirs, 2.3. I honestly can’t remember the last time I saw this team come out and impose their will on a team running the ball at them for four quarters.
by Mandmeisterx on Jan 9, 2009 12:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That's the gameplan, not the inability run effectively
How many time did you see them just abandon the run, even when they were successful. Hell, even before the Eagles game got out of hand, our 2nd possession was power-running, 12-play drive. Then it just disappeared. Must have an identity
by cow_fanatic on Jan 9, 2009 12:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think it's more than a gameplan.
The only time we can run the ball with any effectiveness is when we slip in a draw. When we just try to line up and beat teams, save the Skins game, we can’t do it. That’s why so often we resorted to gimmick plays on 3rd and shorts, because we couldn’t own the LOS. If you’re truly a great running team, you can be successful at it when other teams know you’re going to do it, not just when you catch them off guard. When your starting HB averages less than 4 yards a carry, you’re not that good of a power running team. Only 4 starting RB’s in the league had a worse ypc than Barber.
by Mandmeisterx on Jan 9, 2009 1:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
I’m not understanding why everyone thinks we have the potential to be a power running team, I just don’t see it.
As bad as our OL was at pass protection this year, it was even worse at run blocking.
Garrett was a qb and likes to throw, however, I think he abandoned the running game a lot this season because he realized we just couldn’t line up and run on teams consistently enough to move the ball. I think the second Skins game was clearly an aberration.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jan 9, 2009 1:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
thats easy
We’re a passing team that attacks defenses down field and will continue to do so so long as Garrett is OC.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jan 9, 2009 4:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually Terry...
With Proctor out there, we won’t be a power running team, we will be a team once again trying to save our QB from a defensive onslaught. When we really could run the ball was when Montrea Holland was out there. He was opening holes beautifully for Tashard in that Pittsburgh Game. Then he got injured, we struggled or Garrett just decided to go away from the run and just pass, and after Holland went out, we went downhill (for the rest of the season by the way). We did not do well running the ball against the Ravens, and we obviously Choked against the Eagles. But is it any coincidence that once Holland went down with that injury, our “power running game” went down the poop shoot with him? I think Holland will replace Kosier in camp next year, but we need more than that. We need quality Offensive line depth. Youth that will jump at the chance to replace a injured veteran and there be little to no drop-off in production and play. We need to start grooming the OT’s replacements by drafting young studs- as well as give them some valuable playing time against opponents during the regular season.
Everyone knows I was Heated when Garrett made the decision to not play Felix Jones at all during the first Redskins game. He ticked me off again by making the dumber decision of not playing Tashard AT ALL after Felix got injured in AZ, only playing him when he had “NO CHOICE” (ha, imagine that). I don’t know why, but I guess what should I expect from him?Maybe possibly to try and understand the importance of running the ball- is that too much to ask?
"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"
by DallasPalace on Jan 9, 2009 9:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Why
because we have Maulers. You would think that running right would be a piece of cake. Huge Center, RG, and RT.. We should chalking up 6 yds a clip with those guys.. 2 are pro-bowlers and other is an above average player..
Houck this your off-season to figure out and teach it.
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
by Wmillion on Jan 9, 2009 2:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
you would think
but it isn’t happening so that tells me they aren’t really capable of doing it on a consistent basis which is why Garrett throws a lot.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jan 9, 2009 4:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You can't make that
assumption that we cannot do it consistently because we have not been consistent in that offensive realm. When’s the last ime you rmember a loss due to the Cowboys being too stubborn running the ball? It’s been a while and not once this year did we lose because we we unable to run. We lost 7 times this year because we did not define what we do well consistently.
by cow_fanatic on Jan 9, 2009 4:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Houck should be fired.....period...his luster is long gone...
A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.
President - Garrett MUST GO campaign -
by BoyzRback on Jan 10, 2009 1:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I thought they were good at run blocking?
see: team’s 4.3 average
by DavidH22 on Jan 9, 2009 11:56 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
4.3 average is with limted carries...
Increase the number of times that they run in a game and that average will go down. I’m not sold on this lines ability to run block consistently.
0 = The number of Super Bowls the Eagles have won.
by gee-roj on Jan 9, 2009 12:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
You also fail to mention in this post…
How it is that Dallas will be able to run the ball against 9-man fronts. Take TO off of this team and everyone they play will stack the line of scrimmage against the run because they will no longer be threatened by the passing game.
0 = The number of Super Bowls the Eagles have won.
by gee-roj on Jan 9, 2009 12:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sold on RW's speed either.
I know he brakes tackles, but is he a vertical threat? Honestly, I haven’t seen much of him before this season.
George Teague did it all.
by Aaron Novinger on Jan 9, 2009 12:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
vertical Threat is Austin..
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
by Wmillion on Jan 9, 2009 12:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Austin is still unproven though
You cant expect him to come in and do what TO does
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 9, 2009 10:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
nope
don’t need him to make up for everything TO does..
Just like NYG losing Tiki and Shockey..
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
by Wmillion on Jan 10, 2009 1:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
In the case of Tiki the giants had a stable of RBs to fill in and match his production
And again with the loss of Shockey the had Boss to step up. And losing a good TE is not as bigger blow as losing a great WR. Just look at how NY has done since losing Plax
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 10, 2009 2:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Unproven guys
Jacobs showed glimpses(like Austin has shown glimpses), I think Boss was a rookie.. Loss Plaxico and secured the #1 seed. B. Jacobs injury down the stretch was the killer.
We have a stable of players ready to pick up the slack..
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
by Wmillion on Jan 10, 2009 10:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Secured the number 1 seed
but they only went 1-3
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 10, 2009 5:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
okay...
If you can guarantee me 9 man fronts every game and the tradeoff is taking T.O. off the team, I’ll take it yesterday. Who is the vertical threat on the Giants, Hixon? Had 2 TDs this year. Your vertical threat here is Austin assuming he can stay healthy. And you know, at some point, you have to form your identity which we do not have. Even with the conservative, boring style of Parcells, his teams knew what they would have to do in the game to be successful. If you can stop our run you have a chance to win, if you don;t you lose. We don’t know what makes our offensive successful from one week to the next as we allow the perceived weaknesses of the defense we’re facing dictate our game plan
by cow_fanatic on Jan 9, 2009 12:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Austin?
You mean that same wide out that seems to be hurt every year? The same wide out that has had only one really good game so far and is one of the biggest benefactors of having TO on field? Sorry but I’m nowhere near ready to believe that Austin is going to start lighting teams on a regular basis, (though I do have some hope).
The Giants have got the best offensive line in football; the Cowboys don’t. The Giants have also got a top 5 defense. Dallas does not. Furthermore the Giants do not possess the only recipe there is for winning in this league.
Being predictable on offense will never win a championship for anyone. Ever. The biggest problem this team has is not TO, and don’t’ let ESPN convince otherwise. This team’s biggest issue is that it has one of the worst coaching staff’s in all of football.
0 = The number of Super Bowls the Eagles have won.
by gee-roj on Jan 9, 2009 12:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
wholeheartedly about the coaching staff and joined this site soley to voice my opinion that the Hillbilly Clown should be fired.
I am asking for an offensive identity, what are you asking them to do other than fire the coaching staff which I agree with?
by cow_fanatic on Jan 9, 2009 1:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m asking them…
To play smart football. And that starts with the game plan for me. Rather than pigeon-hole themselves into a singular identity I’d like to see a staff that exploits an opposing team’s weakness.
I remember a game the Patriots played against the Vikings a couple of years ago and at the time Minnesota had the number rush defense in the NFL. To combat that New England lined up in a 5 wide formation, ran the no huddle and spread the Vikings D out. They were up 31-0 by halftime. A couple of weeks later they beat a blitz happy Packer’s team with timely screen passes and a solid running game.
Why can’t Dallas be this smart? Mix it up. Become the kind of team that opponents aren’t sure what to expect from.
I just don’t think that getting rid of one the hardest working players on the team is the answer. I’d like to see this team change it’s identity by getting smarter players that recognize a blitz when they see one and are aware of what their own blocking assignments are in that situation. And it wouldn’t hurt if they didn’t have to have an untimely false start every game.
0 = The number of Super Bowls the Eagles have won.
by gee-roj on Jan 9, 2009 2:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yep that Austin
I have faith in him..
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
by Wmillion on Jan 9, 2009 1:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Garrett SUCKS....nuff said
A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.
President - Garrett MUST GO campaign -
by BoyzRback on Jan 10, 2009 1:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
TO does not stretch the field
It is a myth that teams feel threatened by TO downfield; TO is not that fast anymore. He is timid in his running after the catch; that is, when he does catch the ball in between his regular drops.
by Iowacowboy on Jan 10, 2009 1:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't we see what the Giants have done without Plax?
Yeah we saw, they have struggled mightily on offense.
Cris Carter....you're dead to me.
by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Jan 9, 2009 7:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Giants have struggled mightily on offense?
- rushing offense. If you consider that struggling as well as a 1 seed in the NFC so be it.
by cow_fanatic on Jan 9, 2009 7:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
They are 1 and 3 over December
when they started to miss him, so yes they have struggled
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 9, 2009 11:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
they benched the starter vs Minnestoa with a lead..
they were missing jacobs vs us..
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
by Wmillion on Jan 10, 2009 1:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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