FISH on FOOTBALL: A Top-10 X's And O's, Cowboys And Falcons Style

The #1 difference, and the #1 reason that Roy warranted more compensation, is the age of the two players. For a third round draft pick, for instance, I have commonly heard it said that you are supposed to get at least a 3-4 year starter. Gonzalez is a supremely talented pass-catcher, but he’s got another 2-3 years of productivity in him, by my estimate. Roy has much much more career ahead of him. Sure, Roy hasn’t been productive so far, and whether or not he ever justifies that compensation is a separate issue.

I’m not faulting the Falcons, I think they made a good move to help their team now and help their young franchise QB, but I don’t think you can compare his trade and Roy’s trade apples to apples.

I really don’t like him. I just feel like he gets very excited when things do not go well for the Cowboys.

I would just note that I believe we also got a high end 7th round pick from Detroit, which was not too many spots from the low end 6th round we gave up, so those essentially cancel each other out, and in reality it was “just” a 1st and a 3rd.

Is starting to get a little out of hand. For Ryan alone, I’ve heard the Aikman, I’ve heard the Peyton, I’ve heard the Favre, and on and on and on. What is Ryan? A very good young quarterback who does a good job of protecting the football. What is Turner? A guy who had one very good season and hasn’t done much of anything in 2009. What is White? One of the best darn receivers in the NFL over the last three seasons, which were immediately preceded by two very lackluster ones.

And that’s it. If I hear one more national pundit try to draw that kind of comparison, I’m going to want to strangle him/her with his/her own shiny purple tie.

No offense at all to you, Fish, as I found the post interesting. I just hear this stuff everywhere I go.

Ryan, Turner and White are talented players. Whether they even gain elite status only time will tell. They have done well and their ability should not be underestimated. I look forward to seeing how the Cowboy defense deals with them.

to the triplets, put the longer time goes on, that’s not paying Peyton Manning enough respect for his QBing.

Of talking about the Roy trade. I stil think it is to early to determine. Do I wish he came in like Moss for the Pats? Sure, but that isn’t realistic, so I will just wait and see. I like what he adds to this team.

I agree with Fish we need to use Witten more in the red zone. It is weird, but I agree Skip Bayless too, I think we tie game vs. Denver if Roy wasn’t hurt. If Roy is really healthy, I think Miles, Roy, and Witten are about to do some damage.. I would love to see Hurd gets some reps at the 3.

One thing about football: Nobody deserves anything. Your explanation, Patrick, came when you showed up to practice this week and took fewer reps. That’s your explanation.

I disagree slightly about this particular stance. I’m not sure Crayton used the right word in “deserve”, but having a coaching staff tell him upfront that his starting position will cede to Austin or whomever, why is that seen as a bad thing? If anything, a coaching staff that is honest with the player breeds a measure of respect. Crayton doesn’t have to like the coaching decision, and I would hope he doesn’t like being demoted. But as a fairly long-time contributor for the team, it does help with morale and team chemistry when the decision makers leave no ambiguity about their decisions.

There’s no hidden agenda here, so why try to hide it? Instead of tiptoeing around the situation, tell Crayton from the start he’s going to lose some playing time to other players. This isn’t about coddling the player, rather it’s about treating players as adults. You want to get back your playing time? Practice harder. Block better. Make tough catches and not fumble. But don’t make platitudes and dilly dally around the situation by gradually reducing someone’s playing time without an explanation.

A coaching staff is supposed to breed accountability, discipline, and respect. Crayton shouldn’t even had the opportunity to voice his concerns to the media. He should have been told beforehand, understood why that decision was made, and do something about it in practice/game. Situation dealt with and confronted. Treat players like adults, they perform their jobs like adults. Anyone who doesn’t feel like following that model doesn’t have to be a member of the Dallas Cowboys.

The Falcons are a good team because they create turnovers and take care of the ball, so the key to beating them is winning the turnover battle or at least not losing it.

Cowboys I think easily win this game if they do that.

Roy Williams for a first, a third and a sixth.

Or …

Tony Gonzalez for a second.

Good players. Both acquired. But the difference is the "how.’’

Agree with everything there, except… Can we really keep calling Roy Williams “good” until he actually does something in this league?

When he ran his stupid mouth and then was the majority contributor to the Cowboys losing. Ugh seeing him drop that pass AND quitting on his route still sits in my head.

Patrick, you’re a loud-mouth with marginal ability. When you normally sure hands fail, you’re a sub-par receiver. Miles Austin has an infinitely higher ceiling and needs a chance to flourish. Shut up, play the slot, and take the receptions you get.

The Cowboys don’t play rookies. All this talk about Harvin, and I like him a lot, I think he was the 2nd best receiver in the draft, but he just wouldn’t be on the field much for the Pokes. Maybe as a return man, but he wouldn’t get many passes.

I’m not arguing that we paid too much for Roy. I think it’s clear we did unless he begins to blow up soon. But Roy brings many valuable things to this team, and I still like his chances of scoring 7 or more TD’s this year, especially if Austin can sustain his play and the 3 headed monster is healthy.