Myth vs. Reality
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 21, 2009 4:57 PM CST
112 comments
Looking back at the season that seems to have flown by, I've thought about some of the things that people claimed beforehand or thought. Some of these "facts" have been vindicated while others seem like a distant memory.
Martellus Bennett will be the X-Factor this season.-
This was actually something I thought heavily before the season. Answer: Not so much. For whatever reason, Bennett never quite had the impact that I thought he was going to have in the vertical game, but I still have high hopes for his future.
Verdict: Myth
Flozell Adams is declining.-
Unfortunatly I think this one is true. He hasn't been horrible, but the truth of the matter is that the offensive line as a whole goes through spells where they look so slow or confused.
Verdict: Reality
Mike Jenkins is a bust.-
This wasn't huge, but some people had the perception based on a few plays last year that this guy was nothing more than a bust. Even at the first of the year, Jenkins did have quite a bit of struggles, but as time has went on there has been one thing I'm sure of, Jenkins is an emerging star.
Jenkins is the first ballhawk Dallas has had in quite some time, making plays all over the field. There was even a couple that want to say that Scandrick would be better. I hope that's true, because if that is the truth than we are set at corner for years.
Verdict: Myth
Defensive Tackle Depth Sucks-
I think everyone thought this, and I'm not sure if we know for sure because Dallas hasn't went a long time without seeing Ratliff in, but I do know that it hasn't been horrible. One could say that Junior has given more than most people would have ever known.
Verdict: Myth(Note: That being said, if Ratliff goes down it will make a huge hit.)
Nick Folk's preseason struggles could be a sign of things to come-
A sick sick truth. Folk has stuggled so bad that even his most firm supporters can't back him. I feel sorry for him, but also wonder how the hell this happened? Only two years ago he was hitting everything in sight.
Verdict: Reality
Coach Joe Decamillis will improve the special teams.
For the most part this has been a huge uprgade from most seasons. While there has been some breakdowns, it has been night and day from last year. Some of that can be credited to Buehler, but as a whole the coverage has been much more sound.
Verdict: Reality
Dallas gave up too much for Roy Williams
As a diehard Longhorns fan, I can say that Roy Williams has definitly been a big bust for a trade. He has had good games, but is his ability worth what you are A) paying him and B) gave up for him? I doubt it. 592 yards, and 6 TDS aren't worth it. Patrick Crayton put up the same kind of numbers in 2007 and everyone wants an excuse to get rid of him.
Verdict: Reality
Second Rounder would have been worth it for Austin
I think this might have been one of the best surprises. Miles Austin was scrutinized by everyone(including me). The thing that I liked about him, is that he wasn't handed anything. He got in because of an injury and never looked back. A fanpost posed a question if he was an elite receiver or not. An Eagles fan said, "Well you can't say whether he's elite on one year." Maybe that's true, but one thing is for sure, his numbers are elite for this season.
Verdict: Myth
That is hand in hand with the next statement...
The Cowboys will struggle to move the ball without Terrell Owens
Total yardage offensively: 3 in the NFL, Total Points: 12
They are better in each category, so that is a huge...
MYTH
Hope you enjoyed.
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Waaaaay to jinx it...
(Note: That being said, if Ratliff goes down it will make a huge hit.)
If he gets hurt, I’m coming for you, Immortal!
I agree with everything. Especially the T.O. garbage… I have to admit I was a little worried about it, but holy hell, Austin has been downright spectacular.
Here’s to hoping the good times keep rolling.
Nice post
Could you effing imagine if we gave Miles away for a 2nd and then he exploded for the Jets? That would have hurt.
Sucks about Folk but jenkins is a beast and he seems to have energized the whole secondary. Even T-new looked better.
Fun read...
I think the REAL struggles they’ve had without T.O. pertain to their inability to go over-the-top and the result is defenses taking away seam routes for Witten.
If you look at Romo’s big plays this season, most of them have come from YAC (especially by Austin). Personally, I think the inability to beat teams by going deep is especially hurtful against teams like Philly, San Diego and the G-Men, who blitz on almost every down.
People beat up on Jenkins a lot for his whiff in the Giants game last year. Seriously, who’d want to tackle Brandon Jacobs (was it him?) with a head of steam at the 3 and going in to score? Pffft. Good for Mike…he’s a cover guy for cryin out loud.
The Ratliff thing is still problematic though AFB (yes, I know we disagree here) because he is getting pushed around by teams with big interior linemen as the season wears on. The Saints gave up on the run early. So, let’s see how he holds up at the point of attack in these last two. Dallas needs him to be stout.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
That is true...
I guess it’s all about perspective. While I still would like more DT depth, I think the interior has played better than we thought.
Perhaps it’s somewhat effected their ability to go over the top, although I’ll argue that it’s been the play of the offensive line more than the ability of Austin to get seperation.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 21, 2009 7:19 PM CST up reply actions
Even on those occasions when they picked up the blitz...
there was much early season consternation on this site about the WR’s perceived inability to get open.
If you block a blitz well, you have a chance to beat it in several ways; a quick-hitting run into the right gap, a slant or quick pass to the flat where a player can make a guy miss and go for big yardage or a pass over the top against single coverage.
In my opinion, you have to prove you can do all three or a team will take the one thing you do well away from you and continue to blitz. Dallas hasn’t run well against the blitz. Dallas hasn’t gone over the top against it. They have, shown the ability to get it out quickly to a receiver for short and medium yardage gains.
As a result, opposing defenses are covering our receivers more tightly, blitzing a lot and daring Dallas to burn them deep.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Well it's not like Dallas hasn't went deep this year..
They don’t have speed like Philly, but Austin has gotten deep passes against Atlanta and New Orleans.
New Orleans at one time had the second highest blitz percentage in the NFL.
The only time when I remember consistent protection all game long was against the Giants the first time, when Romo had one of his worst games of the year.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 22, 2009 3:28 PM CST up reply actions
It's simply a question of frequency
You are right about the two instances you mention.
But my point was that we haven’t proven we can do it consistently enough to make opponents respect it. That, in and of itself, is a key reason Dallas hasn’t scored TD’s early in many games. Teams can keep the play in front of them and limit YAC. Then, our kicker shanks it and we come up empty.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I don't think that is entirely the case.
All I remember defenses doing to Owens after the first Washington game last year was press him at the line and then send a safety over the top, except for San Fran who strangely played off the line from him.
Witten has 82 catches and 832 yards, so he’s got a chance to hit 1000. He’s averaging 10.2 yards per catch as opposed to the 11 last year.
Teams are doing the same things with Austin that they did with Owens, sending a corner on him and than bracketing him with a safety. Austin is just a better player right now.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 22, 2009 4:25 PM CST up reply actions
Watch the Charger replay
Not one deep ball. Not one.
I don’t pin that on the O-line. Do you?
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
you can't throw deep when a defense
is playing their safeties deep like the Chargers were doing and what most defenses do against us.
In Romo we Trust
You said, in the off season, that teams wouldn't play us that way
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I don't know I haven't watched the game tape on how...
San Diego played the pass.
You are making something simple that can have alot of different explanations.
Take Philly for instance, they THRIVE on the deep ball this year and when they played Philly they got off a short pass that went for 58 yards. That was their long play.
The rest of the deep passes were incomplete.
Now I think we all agree that Philly has probably a couple of the fastest receivers in the NFL.
San Diego plays a defense that limits alot of teams from hitting homeruns on them.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 23, 2009 3:15 PM CST up reply actions
Hmmm
Did you see Chad Ocholoco this past weekend?
He didn’t have much trouble beating Cromartie (over the top) like a rented mule.
Attributing our inability to go long purely to pass pro breaking down is not acceptable. I was at the game against the Chargers and they played a lot of single high safety and played Witten tight on his drags.
So let me know what you see when you watch the tape.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
And the entire point of my post wasn't on the deep ball...
but the offensive productivity. Has the productivity been that different with him out?
Nope.
Witten is still getting catches, they are actually running the ball better, right now they are ranked #7, when they finished # 21 last year.
They have a higher YPC.
Now I know some of this can be contributed to Brad Johnson starting at QB for three games last year, but my point still stands, even if it isn’t any better it sure as hell isn’t worse.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 23, 2009 3:21 PM CST up reply actions
I think a couple of things jump out at me
The stats year over year ARE tough to compare because of the 3 games with the backup QB’s.
I think they’ve run the ball better at times, worse at others.
The big thing is points scored on offense. The team has seen long scoring droughts, particularly early in games. You can’t do that against good teams in December and the playoffs unless the defense and specials are playing lights out. Even then, as it was in the Charger game, we’ve demonstrated an uncanny ability to wear down (on the nose against the run, with crossing routes over the middle and against Newman on the deep sideline routes).
Oh by the way, here’s another one:
Dallas should have traded Telly B to Cincy for a #1 pick….REALITY
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Really?
Why would you assume that Cincy would just give up a top ten pick for Martellus Bennett last year?
I agree totally, if you can trade a late second rounder for the #6 pick in the draft I would definitly do it.
And perhaps Dallas could do that.. if they were playing Madden.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 25, 2009 2:20 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Assuming the rumor earlier in the year about Cincy wanting Bennett for their first round pick was true, I think as an armchair GM that I would probably make that trade. It would give Dallas a lot of flexibility in the draft and would either allow them to pick two players with first round talent or perhaps even trade up to grab a player they really value in the top ten (can you say Eric Berry?).
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
by Cowboyfan729 on Dec 26, 2009 12:16 AM CST up reply actions
I find that rumor probably just a rumor.
It never had enough legs to even hit rotoworld(which has everything), that just seems ridiculous.
If Cincy really did offer Dallas that, than it would have been stupid not to trade Bennet.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 26, 2009 11:34 AM CST up reply actions
I apologize
5blings if there was ever serious talk about Cincy wanting Bennett, I had never heard anything of it.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 26, 2009 3:46 PM CST up reply actions
From the DMN article from Oct 22nd this year:
Bennett glad to be in demand: Backup tight end Martellus Bennett said he feels wanted and that he is happy to still be a part of the Cowboys.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Wednesday that he turned down an offer for one of his young players before Tuesday’s trade deadline. On Thursday, an ESPN report said that the deal in question was the Cincinnati Bengals attempting to acquire Bennett, a second-round pick of the Cowboys in 2008.
“Everybody talks about me all the time,” Bennett said. “I get more press than anybody I know who doesn’t catch any balls.”
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 26, 2009 4:02 PM CST up reply actions
They finally went deep against New Orleans.
I think it’s part there hasn’t been enough time to let the routes develop, and also part wanting to protect the ball, and probably even a little bit of finally settling for what the defense will give. Looking forward I expect them to take a shot deep at least once per game, because the shot they took for Austin on the first drive was a play they were going to try if the coverage was right, and it was. Future shots downfield will probably be more read and react. If we can get Ogletree up to speed, we may see a more vertical game in the future.
The tribulations of Winter...
90% of Americans say 'OH SHIT!' before going into the ditch on a slippery road.
The other 10% are from TEXAS and they say, 'HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS!!!'
Maybe
I don’t know the cause.
I just see the outcome. It was nice to see Romo chuck it up there a couple of times against the Saints.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I don't think Rat wears down much
maybe goes from Pro-Bowl level to above average starter, lol… Last year he had more sacks late in the year, I hope Wade is giving Siavvi enough reps so that Rat doesn’t wear down as much…
A package I want to see the Cowboys use is a 3-3-5 to try Siavvi as NT w/ Rat and Bowen flank him, w/ Ware, Spencer and Bobbie be teh LBs, and then normal nickle backs, 2 safeties w/ our 3 corners… I think w/ Rat and Bowen even if we rushed 3 we could get some pressure but you have Ware and Spencer to terrify the Offense if they both blitzed…
"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards
by nicholas.rodriguez on Dec 21, 2009 7:29 PM CST up reply actions
Going deep
Personally, I think that Miles Austin is a deep threat. Not on the same level as Desean Jackson, but he can stretch the field. 49 yarder last week over the top…
Personally, I think the inability to beat teams by going deep is especially hurtful against teams like Philly, San Diego and the G-Men, who blitz on almost every down.
Also, I don’t think a deep ball is how you beat blitzing teams. When the D brings a heavy rush, you can’t throw the ball 30+ yards downfield, you have to throw a quick ball to the hot receiver. Miles has shown the ability to make the catch on quick slants/outs and run through arm tackles for big gains. That quick reception by Miles against the Saints on the left side of the field (I think 2nd quarter) where he ran through Sharper was awesome.
Why all the hating on YAC?
I agree.
I think the inability to protect the QB has more to do with our struggles against Philly, SD, and the Giants.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 22, 2009 10:36 AM CST up reply actions
Miles has had catches so far this season go for
42t
37
34
59t
60t
59t
32
49t
49
34
49t
Not too shabby – and yes, Bye Dawk we have seen DeSean’s long distance numbers so far this season as well…
Where's BishopWest or OCC?
I wonder how many of those involved passes that traveled 20+ yards in the air?
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Disagree
I think he is more liek Hakeem Nicks and that teams fear his physical strength and ability to break tackles to get big YAC.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Yes, but because we aren't going over the top much...it isn't on display
So, his big plays have come from short and medium range routes and then running through tackles.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
it's because defenses fear his speed
and play safeties over the top against us deep. Romo’s only way to move the chains are passes of the short and medium range varieties.
In Romo we Trust
As in a short, controlled passing offense?
Is that what you’re saying?
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Yes on the interior d-line
As good as Rat is, I hold the view Dallas needs to go find a bona fide space eating run defender for the nose. Rat could then play DE or move around to find the weak spot to better rush the passer. My guess is Dallas will go heavy into free agency this year and find a veteran nose. I hope they find a veteran LT while they are at it.
You could add something about Sensabaugh
Most felt he would be a significant upgrade over Roy Williams 31 and I think that is a Reality. He’s got his weaknesses but he covers much better and is good in run support.
You could also add that many thought Igor would be a minor let down from Canty, but I’d say that’s a myth. He has been an equal to Canty’s performance.
And one more. It was expected that Spencer would turn into a strong complimentary DE to Ware. Early on that was in doubt but he has progressively gotten better and is a big part of the defense’s success and a big reason to be optimistic for the remainder of the season.
Spencer Has Arrived
Ain’t no doubt about this anymore. We paid rather expensively in draft picks to jump back into the first round to be able to snag Spencer. I had some doubts this move was wise but right before the Green Bay game, and there were earlier signs of this- the light came on and Spencer has been playing at Pro Bowl level. Spencer was MVP of the Green Bay game and has played very well indeed. Dallas now has bookend OLBs that are the class of the league.
+1000...
And hey Terry… I told you he could tame his wild gun-slinger ways!
The Cowboys’ future looks very bright with him at the helm and with the variety of talent this team has elsewhere but for one area… The offensive line. They’re older and at times this team’s weakest link. I’ve got hope the Cowboys address this soon over the next couple of off seasons. Because we’re about to enter Romo’s peak years and I’d hate to see those years wasted by a decaying line.
The 2009 Dallas Cowboys: Talk to me in December.
The NFC East has won 11 Super Bowls; oddly none of those have come courtesy of the Eagles.
Nice post, dude.
I recommend the Cowboys never, ever trading away or trading for WRs anymore. Just draft them or sign ’em through FA.
Of course, they haven’t done too bad with undrafted guys either.
I saw a dog today. Have you seen a dog? You probably have. How was school? Was it fun? Did you get a lot of homework? Huh? Do you have any friends? Do you have a best friend? Does he have a big coat, too?
You'll have another chance if they do 4th and Long again!
I saw a dog today. Have you seen a dog? You probably have. How was school? Was it fun? Did you get a lot of homework? Huh? Do you have any friends? Do you have a best friend? Does he have a big coat, too?
by Aaron Novinger on Dec 21, 2009 11:08 PM CST up reply actions
That would be '4th and VERY long'
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
More like "3 and Out". Same difference, I suppose.
No, I’m just not a biased, mouthbreathing fucking retard like many (maybe the majority) of Eagles fans. - yomjoseki - The honest Eagles fan!
+1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
I don’t even think we need to draft any receivers, just pick em up off the street
"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards
by nicholas.rodriguez on Dec 23, 2009 1:53 AM CST up reply actions
Well done AFB
Just for clarification. I think the major concern with Austin in the off season was not that he didn’t have the potential to be a good receiver, but that we had never seen him stay healthy enough to be used on a regular basis. This was probably the main reason nobody made an offer for him.
That's true...
but there were ALOT of people that thought that Miles Austin(Me at times) was nothing more then a guy who could flash once in a while.
I remember the entire, how many undrafted receivers become consistent starters in their 4th year debate.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 21, 2009 9:56 PM CST up reply actions
What sucked is that he got hurt covering a kick in the preseason...not even WR stuff.
I saw a dog today. Have you seen a dog? You probably have. How was school? Was it fun? Did you get a lot of homework? Huh? Do you have any friends? Do you have a best friend? Does he have a big coat, too?
by Aaron Novinger on Dec 21, 2009 11:09 PM CST up reply actions
Well there is 0% chance of that happening again
"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards
by nicholas.rodriguez on Dec 23, 2009 1:54 AM CST up reply actions
some people thought spencer was a bust too
thats been proven DEAD wrong.
Spencer, Ware, Ratliff & Jenkins – this team seems to have the young stars in place. We could use a solid, athletic ilb and a safety.
Some though Brooking wasn’t gonna be much of an improvement (me). I was wrong. O so wrong. If we make the playoffs, he and Romo (maybe Joe D) are the biggest reasons imo
Yeah...
If I was going to do a biggest suprises, Brooking would be huge.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 22, 2009 7:35 AM CST up reply actions
Nice Post!
"Coaches who can outline plays on a black board are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside their player and motivate." Vince Lombardi
I'll admit
I was down on Jenkins after last year. Not because of his whiff tackle on Bradshaw, but because he just looked lost out there sometimes. You could see the physical talent was there, but his head game hadn’t caught up to him. It apparently has arrived, because he is a beast. His ball skills are just tremendous.
Who needs the long bombs?
just enough to keep the other teams guessing is fine w/ me.
You can’t make a living throwing long pass after long pass in the NFL.
Notice how Romo’s interceptions are down also. Mostly due to his own growth, but also due to not throwing so many long balls.
(See-that horrible one against NY early in the year)
Good Point for the people who were crying we wouldn’t be able to move the ball w/out TO.
Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, isn't it both? Realist Larry, 2009
One More: Is Scandrick a disappointment?
Myth: I don’t think so, but he hasn’t been as good as most of us thought he’d be as the 3rd CB.
Hopefully he takes a step like Spencer has, soon, or next season. Some plays he’s right there, others he gets beat…
Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, isn't it both? Realist Larry, 2009
He's a 3rd CB drafted in the fifth round what do people expect?
Plus he’s not a wily veteran, he’s a kid, 22 years old. He’ll have growing pains. Just got to use other players to help minimize those.
by DatNguyenNguyenScenario on Dec 22, 2009 6:14 PM CST up reply actions
Bingo...
Right now he’s at least playing at or beyond his draft position so while some people might think it’s dissapointing, it’s just due on too many expectations.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 22, 2009 10:01 PM CST up reply actions
I agree-but he looked so good at times as a rookie
expectations were raised.
I’m fine w/him, as I made clear-and never got on the hate-Jenkins bandwagon either. Sometimes you need to let young talent play, put up w/growing pains, and let them learn.
Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, isn't it both? Realist Larry, 2009
by Realist Larry on Dec 22, 2009 11:46 PM CST up reply actions
I do want to see Scandrick
get back to being a blanket these next 2 weeks, he doesn’t make too many mistakes, alot of the time this year when he is man and a pass is completed on him its just a perfect throw like Deion Branch in Seattle and there was at least 1 in NO
"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards
by nicholas.rodriguez on Dec 23, 2009 2:08 AM CST up reply actions
Hes gotta lead the league in
number of times beaten despite nearly flawless coverage. We see wrs just barely beat scandrick once a week.
He hasn’t been a bust like some people are saying…hes been slightly disapointing. Hes played a large part in our problems against the giants offense.
I've had more of a problem with his tackling this year than his coverage.
The tribulations of Winter...
90% of Americans say 'OH SHIT!' before going into the ditch on a slippery road.
The other 10% are from TEXAS and they say, 'HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS!!!'
Hudson Houck will lead the O-line to greatness: myth
Neftali Feliz says sit your 5 dollar ass down before he makes change...
Hi, Keith. Is this the year Edinson Volquez finally wins RoY?
Give him better, younger players on the O-Line
You can’t make chicken fried steak out of chicken poo. Everyone on that line is over 30. Rafael has talked in detail about Flozell’s decline and Kosier’s issues. Give him a first round pick at LT, Doug Free and Brewster and let’s see what he will be doing next year
by DatNguyenNguyenScenario on Dec 22, 2009 7:11 PM CST up reply actions
yea i think we had unrealistic expecations of him
these guys are who they are at this point in their careers and noone was going to change that.
Perhaps . . . but the run game
Has excelled many times this year; the numbers in total have fairly impressive, considering the nicks to Felix and MBIII. Note the two opening runs against the Saints; one to MBIII for nine, and then Felix hit a hole for a nice gain. These blocking schemes have been there for most of the year, with some notable exception games.
O-line going forward
I think Doug Free has proven himself as a future starter. Gurode and Davis are both just around 30 or 31 which is not that old for o-linemen. Both playing very well and have never had injury problems. We need to start hitting on some linemen we draft even in the later rounds and we should be fine over the next 2-3 seasons. Pat McQuistan, Montrae Holland and Cory Proctor have no business being on our roster
I don't think anyone on this line is playing "very well"
They all seem to make a couple mistakes a game which end up putting us in long yardage situations.
McQ, Holland and Proctor
Are not bad backups; Proctor did OK when he subbed for Gurode. What we need is a veteran LT in free agency (Donald Penn from Tampa?) . . . and we need to find a center to push Gurode. Gurode would make a great backup since he can do double duty at center and guard. I would like to see a rookie LT taken in round one to backup the veteran free agent we are going to steal from someone. Colombo and Free can man the RT spot. So, two LTs and a center and Dallas o-line would be set for the foreseeable future.
Myth: Felix Jones will be the next great dual threat back.
Or more to the point Felix Jones will be any kind of dangerous dual threat back.
While it’s highly possible that Felix Jones could very well have his breakout season in ’10 and even more amazingly stay healthy for a full sixteen-game slate, as far as the ’09 season goes the notion that he would even be a Marshall Faulk-lite type of back turned out to be nothing more than wishful thinking. Fact: In his current role, Felix is merely the Cowboys’ version of Jerious Norwood. Now there’s nothing wrong with a nifty change-of-pace back like Norwood. Except that he was picked at the end of the 2nd round whereas Felix was picked 22nd overall so obviously I was hoping for more; much more.
The disappointment of Felix being nothing more than a niche type of player is made all the more glaring by the fact that besides passing on Chris Johnson who has had the sickest year for a back since Bo Jackson (and Bo only did it for half a season) and DeSean Jackson, Rashard Mendenhall also appears to be capable in the lead back role.
Of course, I guess everyone should’ve listened from the start to the all the fancy talk about Jerry and Garrett having just the right role in mind for Felix. And that brings me to the greatest myth about Felix heading into the season; that Garrett ever intended to make frequent or unique use of him as a receiver. I’m not just referring to people being shushed in the preseason and being assured that Garrett was keeping stuff in his back pocket as far as how he was going to utilize Felix. I admit that made all the sense in the world. No, I’m referring to how this notion had continued to linger well into the middle of the season when it’s now all too apparent that this slew of special pass plays for Felix was never going to be unveiled.
Like I said, as long as Felix can finally stay healthy, you have to expect his role will definitely increase next season. Jerrah the grand poobah demands it after all. Sledgehammerhead just isn’t that dynamic of a back to be given the overwhelming majority of the load at running back. Now while a bang for buck player like Felix can’t really be considered a bust, if his role never does increase from that of a Jerious Norwood-type; that will prove to be a huge misstep for this organization. Point being: who in the hell drafts a nifty little niche back with the 22nd overall pick that they only intend to give 12 offensive touches per game to?
Felix only being a niche player is a huge deal especially when Miles Austin is the only other homerun threat on the offense.
Besides just Felix, the whole of the three-headed monster has underwhelmed. The simple truth is no combination of the three backs is as effective as having one DeAngelo Williams much less a Chris Johnson. Even taking into account games where Garrett abandoned the running game, there were still other instances like the 2nd Giants game where they were stopping the run cold to the extent that calling more runs would’ve been a waste.
I insist that this offense won’t be able to take the next step to being a truly dangerous offense until Felix can at least be as consistently effective as Maurice Jones-Drew since expecting him to be the next Marshall Faulk or Chris Johnson is a bit much to ask. Unless a receiver like DeSean Jackson were to fall into Jerry’s lap but we all know Jerry just doesn’t draft receivers. He much prefers to trade gobs of those same high picks for other team’s malcontents.
Marshal Faulk was an every down guy too
and the STL offense he moved in to in his 5th year focused on him like 92’ Dallas focused on Emmit. Felix will not likely be involved in 50 offensive plays a game in his whole Dallas career
by AustonianAggie on Dec 26, 2009 12:30 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah, but what if Choice and Felix are the only healthy backs?
Since it just seems like Choice is only really used at all when he’s the only healthy back on the roster.
You Don't Build Rome In a Day
Felix has proven he has the skills; injuries happen. Now passing on Chris with his 4.24 speed is another question entirely. I am not dissappointed in the run game. I recall the opening two runs against the Saints that were huge; it set the stage for the play action double move TD to Austin.
Well, for other positions maybe "injuries just happen" but is that really the case with running back?
Sure, Austin is a prime example of a guy who was constantly banged up his first three years and has finally managed to stay healthy and have a breakout season.
With running backs on the other hand I don’t know how many there really are that start out chronically injury-prone then suddenly become durable.
Don’t misunderstand me about Felix, though. I’m not one to outright crap on the pick. In fact, I trusted Felix’s gaudy YPC as a SEC back a lot more than I did one-year wonder Chris Johnson whose blazing 40-time was for impressive than his college resume. Considering what he’s doing now on a weekly basis, I just can’t figure out how Johnson wasn’t putting up Barry Sanders-at-OSU type freakish numbers playing against Conference USA freaks and geeks.
What I’m really curious about though is how much Felix will be used next year if he proves he can be trusted to hold up to the strain of a heavier workload? His amount of carries did seem to finally be even with Barber’s last week.
As for the running game as a whole, the numbers can’t tell a lie. They’re 7th overall and 2nd in YPC. But I’d still argue there’s a whole level separating the Cowboys running game from the Titans or Panthers. Not only that but when you get right down to it philosophically the Saints and Sean Payton aren’t any more likely to abandon the running game than Professor Freckles. However, when they do decide to run it they seem as effective to me as the Cowboys.
As effective as the Cowboys are; essentially a top five running team, I don’t know that their running attack is really that feared. The Giants seemed to pretty easily figure out how to shut them down in the last match-up. Sure, they were huge against the Saints but stopping the run is probably the Saints’ biggest weakness. If this team does get in, let’s see them have a day running the ball like that against the Vikings, Packers or Eagles.
yeah, the Cowboys running game isn't quite as solid or consistent
as the Panthers or Titans…but Dallas’s passing game far surpasses both. It’s not even close.
That's my point exactly, though.
Just think how much better Carolina’s offense would’ve fared this season with that stinky old man Jake Delhomme who was perhaps even more harmful than Bad Brad because Delhomme could still chunk it just far enough……..to be picked off by the other team’s secondary.
I think those numbers do lie
a large number of those yards came in the first two games.
As for ypc, I’d say a lot of that has to do with the fact that we’re a pass first team, and we’ve succeeded this year in quite a few games in “passing to set up the run”
That's a pretty fair assessment, although they didn't have half as many..
…Rushing yards against the Bucs as they did the Giants so it was really just one huge game that stuck out like a sore thumb to skew the season statistics.
Garrett’s fetish-like preference for a dinky controlled passing game over a solid running game probably won’t ever go away.
Felix = Jerrious Norwood
Ouch…can’t object too much, so far though.
Yeah, apt comparison
Though it sickens me to be honest because I’ve been touting him for so long. Unfourtunately, he’s our only gamebreaker on the ground.
Like you say, tough to disagree…
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 26, 2009 5:21 PM CST up reply actions
MadMick, are you saying the GM may not know what he is doing?
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
Who? You mean the old skeletor looking GM guy who is employeed....
By that other eerily similar-looking also melting-faced old dude who stares back at him every time he looks in the mirror?
For some strange reason, the biggest qualification the owner dude seems to desire for the GM is that the GM is his exact doppleganger. I wish he could just clone himself but splice in some Bill Polian football intellect DNA for good measure.
I'd like to go on record saying Miles was going to be a star before the season
though I cooled my jets while he had a quiet preseason.
by AustonianAggie on Dec 26, 2009 12:19 AM CST reply actions
There's one other myth
The Dallas Cowboys hold the winning cards, but will lose when the chips are down.
ie, they have many of the best players but due to essential elements of being a Dallas Cowboy, they will fail. We act like our team is a Royal Flush getting beat by pairs of twos often.
by AustonianAggie on Dec 26, 2009 12:28 AM CST reply actions
This is especially true of all the hype about the cavalcade of explosive pieces on offense.
First off, as great as Witten is at his position, he’s not what you’d consider an explosive playmaker although I’m sure quite a few would take issue with that assertion. Example: were the Giants that disappointed that they gave up 14 for 156 to Witten?
Or were they content with that kind of trade-off seeing as how if Austin gained that much yardage it would’ve been to the tune of 6 for 170 and most likely a couple of long TD’s?
As far as playmakers or more specifically backs and receivers go, I count as many as eight other teams (at least) in the NFC alone with more talented playmakers than the Cowboys. Two of those teams are in the division, of course, as both the Eagles and Giants did what you’re NOT supposed to be able to do (some say it’s IMPOSSIBLE and foolish to even attempt) and stacked their receiving corps in the early rounds of the draft. I guess a guy like Martellus Bennett is a safer pick but why not live dangerously every once in a while? I wonder if Bennett will start producing before whatever playmaker the Giants or Eagles nab in next year’s draft.
Now the lynchpin of the argument heading into the season about how much talent there still was on offense without Terrell "diminishing returns" Owens rested on the shoulders of the three-headed monster. At the end of the day, though, the Cowboys stable of backs isn’t any more talented than what the Saints have. This three-headed monster certainly isn’t the two-headed hellcat they have up in Carolina.
A: Barber simply isn’t a dynamic runner like the truly elite backs. He has no breakaway speed to speak of and if teams really commit to stopping the run he isn’t that special kind of back that can really do anything about it. One other point: if a guy like AP, DeAngelo Williams or especially Chris Johnson has been bottled up for the first 55 minutes of the game, there’s still always that chance they can break that 50, 60, 70 or 80-yard run to save the day. Barber’s longest run since Week 3 of the ’07 season (a 42-game span) has been 37 yards. You add in things like a fumble against the Giants that gets a staggered foe kick-started and you realize maybe Barber’s just an all-too ordinary starting running back.
B: Felix is just too damn fragile until proven otherwise so there’s probably a good reason his touches are monitored so closely that they’re rationed out the way they are.
C: Is the third head really attached to the monster at all if he has carried the ball less than five times in 10 out of 14 games and only toted the ball more than ten times twice?
In a nutshell, we’ve seen this team continually come up short by shooting themselves in the foot when they’ve been forces to finish long sustained drives. Now I’m not suggesting it’s impossible for this team to get into the postseason and win a couple of 20-16 games. But to go all the way or to get to the final Sunday, they’d need a breakout performance by Felix Jones or a couple of pick sixes by Mike Jenkins. They just don’t have as many bullets as teams like the Saints, Packers, Vikings or Eagles do. Of course, when the Cowboys execute their game-plan to perfection they can beat any of these teams but in today’s NFL who’s really capable of doing that for multiple games?
The more firepower you have the easier you make it on yourself. It’s just that simple. Just think back to this passed January’s Cardinals who scored on passing plays of 42, 71,62 and finally 64 yards to find themselves 2 1/2 minutes from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
I know right?
Everyone says “Dallas is the most talented team” based on… what exactly?
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 26, 2009 4:21 PM CST up reply actions
On talent, of course
We have seen how good we can be when everything’s clicking. Can you blame the player if he is not used correctly or injury-prone?
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 26, 2009 5:19 PM CST up reply actions
Not saying that they aren't talented but why are the more talented than some other teams that underachieve?
I know what you’re saying, but being able to execute is part of being talented.
It isn’t like most of these players were on other teams and you’ve seen what they can do and it’s misused I guess.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 26, 2009 5:21 PM CST up reply actions
Achievement is a different story
You asked about talent, and I answered. Achievement does depend on execution, and you will find plenty of players with less talent that execute better. Part of that is on coaching, which is why I am loathe to put it all on the players. That said, if you can’t make the catch when it hits you between the numbers time after time…then you are barking up the wrong tree.
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 26, 2009 5:24 PM CST up reply actions
True enough...
I guess I’m thinking just comparitive talent.
Minnesota is never talked about as under achieving and yet they have tons of talent every year.
Part of it is that Dallas is held to a higher standard but still.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 26, 2009 5:31 PM CST up reply actions
I think you've nailed it
Expectations. Can’t disappoint if noone thought you were any good start with.
Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, the Cowboys are expected to win the Superbowl every year — partly because of history, and partly because it makes news. Just like the Yankees, more people will click links or buy print that has Cowboys news, be it positive or negative. And in the offseason, everything looks good, so the Cowboys are usually put in the running.
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 26, 2009 5:37 PM CST up reply actions
I don't know if i buy that
When Phily is clicking, their offense is ridiculous.
When the (very talented) Giants defense is clicking, they’re a superbowl caliber team.
When Warner and his wrs are clicking, few teams will stop the cards.
I do not think we are more talented than the aformentioned teams.
I dunno man
It’s probably the homer in me, but cumulatively, on offense and defense, I can see us as the most talented team in the NFL. Our defense is littered with first-rounders, and our offense has players that look like first-rounders. That’s some measure of talent.
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 26, 2009 8:50 PM CST up reply actions
I Have To Agree on Talent Issue
That is to say, Dallas is not the most talented. But, with the younger guys coming on strong, these observations are dynamic. Spencer for example, gives Dallas perhaps the best two OLBs in the game. Austin and Felix are just breaking out. Who knows how good Ogletree may become. Jenkins is showing he could be an All Pro. But, when you take just the Vikings, they have All Pros everywhere, on the oline, dline, RB, corner, QB, return guy . . . but it is not a game of individuals; it is a team game and right now, Dallas is coming together as a team and the Vikings are imploding.
The Giants offense is more talented as well.
Equally talented at running back and with three starter quality wide receivers and their receiver with the most upside is just a rookie. Unless you want to make the case that Huckleberry isn’t always capable of getting them the ball but the fact is he’s had a pretty good year.
Injury prone players just need to go; Improperly used players mean that coaches have to walk the plank
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
I have never understood that "Most Talented Team" nonsense
This team is far from that
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
Folk and Golf
Field goal kicking is like hitting a golf ball. The swing is everything. I think Dallas needs a dedicated kicking coach. It worked once upon a time for the Cowboys. Folk just got off stride and then his mental approach deteriorated.
I'm not versed enough in golf....
To tell you how many of those dudes ever get their swing fixed once it’s went sour but kickers are perhaps the most notorious headcases in sports and once they’ve went cuckoo, it takes quite a while if ever for them to find their mojo again.
BTW, Great Post
Gave it a rec; very enjoyable topic.
Myth: Proctor is Worse Than Horrible
At the risk of spoiling everyone’s holiday spirit, I think Proctor is the most maligned player on the team. Proctor filled in admirably for Gurode when called upon. The leaking of the o-line last year when Kozier went down was not entirely Proctor’s fault. The whole team disintegrated across the board last year. Proctor gets blamed for much of this and this is entirely unfair. The brain trust tendered Proctor at a high level for a reason. He blocks well in space, and he snaps the ball very well. Maybe not a Pro Bowl guard, but a decent enough dual purpose backup with some upside.
I guess absence really does breed affection
Trust me, the guy still blows chunks. I bet AFB’s next paycheck that this is his last year on the team barring injury.
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 26, 2009 5:17 PM CST up reply actions
I think that's probably true...
but please don’t bet my checks… bet Carl’s if he hasn’t given it to the Vick foundation already.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 26, 2009 5:22 PM CST up reply actions
I would bet mine
But I’m afraid people would laugh if they saw them.
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 26, 2009 5:25 PM CST up reply actions
Great post, AKA
I thought quite a few of these, both myth and reality. Funny how the season never goes like you think it will.
I was high on Bennett, but I think maybe they tried to get him to eat the whole enchilada and he just wasn’t ready to stomach quite that much. I’ll be interested to see if they limit what they ask of him (like they did Phillips last week) and let him focus on just a few things.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
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