This is the game of the year for this team and not because it is december.
by cowboy78 on Dec 3, 2009 9:49 PM CST
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Dallas is now in the second part of the season, the part of the season where they must want to roll their eyes a the media because they are ramming "december" like a tent stake into every interview they do with each player. We and the team knew this was coming, and the reaction I have had to this is more of an in difference I just feel at peace with the position the cowboys have put themselves in. I am happy they have an 8-3 record, I could not have predicted what their record was going to be after thanksgiving but with at least a one game lead in the NFC East division. Dallas is in a much better position at this point in the season this year as opposed to last year; health wise and on the record. Now comes the 1st big test to this team.
The game this week is very much like the GB game in week 10, a team that was at home had a bad loss to a team they should have put away and needed a win to just stay in the competetive WC race. Dallas was coming off a 4 game win streak and came out and did not play to the best of their ability and for lack of a better word they looked "inconsistent". NY is even more dire straits, they are not just coming off a bad loss but they have lost the last 5 out of 6 games; they have big questions one every area of their team, except maybe ST compared to the others. The giants look like a cornered animal, possibly wounded and is ready to fight to the end to stay alive not just for the WC but for their season. Can anyone expect the giants to reel off 4 straight wins if they cannot win this game at home when they have to have a win; they have to know that they will not do this if they lose. The season hangs in the balance for the giants; the giants season can be directly influenced by the cowboys.
It is an opportunity that the boys cannot let slip through their fingers, a number of them realize how important this game is and what it means if they win. Dallas needs to come out and not give the giants an inch, take the lead and that is the best way to take some of the fight out of them early in the game. Dallas needs to keep one trend going for the giants that they have had for some time: the giants have had a terrible time scoring in the 3rd quarter. Dallas must not let the giants turn that trend around, it will help stem any 2nd half surge they may try to establish to either to add to a lead or to come back from a deficit. Dallas would also benefit from making sure the giants know what they will face should they manage to win 4 games and face them again, but in dallas an let them know it won't be like week 2 it will be like week 13.
GO COWBOYS!!!!!!
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I agree
They need to score on their first drive of the game, something, I believe, they haven’t done all season. That would punch them right in the mouth and give the Cowboys a HUGE edge. If the Giants get up on them, their confidence will soar, giving them an edge.
I agree this game is huge and it would do wonders for the “December Blues” hanging over their heads if they would win this game and win it convincingly.
"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 look at it as the game within its own context, because if they win it will be down played and the december questions will
still be there next week. The reaction will be, ahhh the gints were not really that good anymore dallas has not beaten a quality opponent. So to me the importance of this game is not to slay december because it is a perception that has been fueled by the media. The team needs to win to finish an opponent that is on the ropes, good teams can accomplish this; dallas needs to do this to build confidence that they can be a team that can play good football when it is needed. Not because of december but because of the opportunity that is before this team cannot be missed if they want to be a real competitor in the playoffs.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
Its a double-edge sword
If they win, it was the giants who have not been playing well. If they lose, it is December once again.
Well said:
“dallas needs to do this to build confidence that they can be a team that can play good football when it is needed. Not because of december but because of the opportunity that is before this team cannot be missed if they want to be a real competitor in the playoffs.”
"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
Scoring on an opening drive doesn't happen much for ANYBODY
I took a random sample and it ended up that in that particular week, only 4 out of 13 opening drives were scored upon.
They haven't scored a TD on opening drive
How sweet it would be to break em w/ the first play, Austin down the sideline for a 77 yard Bomb
"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards
by nicholas.rodriguez on Dec 3, 2009 11:35 PM CST reply actions
I'd rather. . .
Have a clock-chewing, pass/run mix-up that burns 9 minutes off the first quarter, goes 80 yards, demoralizes and tires their defense, and scores 7.
Then I want our D to make the Giants go 3 and out.
THAT, to me, would be the perfect start.
ain't happening
the first part, that is. For better or worse, we are a quick-strike offense, not out of choice but out of necessity. When we’re not dropping the balls, penalties and sacks put us in impossible 3rd and long situations that we can’t convert.
Dallas has put together a grand total of 13 drives this season with 10 or more plays. Only 5 teams have less.
Perfect start? 4-play TD drive with no 3rd downs.
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 4, 2009 2:34 AM CST up reply actions
Respectfully disagree
I agree that our offense is what you are discribing OCC. Where I disagree is the Philosiphy on offense is what makes us so. There’s no reason we can’t play a time consuming, well mixed offense. Our running game is capable. But how much faith do I have in Garrett calling a run type offense? I don’t know. I haven’t seen enough running plays to make an evaluation. All I can say is that in alot of games, where it seemed like he should run more rather than pass, he calls pass plays more (Green Bay game 60-40 pass/run ratio). If we ran the ball on Green Bay, maybe it would not have worked right off the bat. But that’s no reason to abandon it. It seems like teams know this about Garrett- stop the run in the beginning, then he’ll give up on it.
I also disagree seeing Barber in the game at the beginning. I would rather see Felix/Tashard, simply because of speed. Barber lacks that speed he seemed to have even last year. Don’t get me wrong, I think Barber is great. But i don’t think he’s being used right. The only reason why some people (like myself) wanted Barber out there alot when Julius was here is because Julius was too hit-or-miss, mostly miss. But Barber’s role was best back then, and I think we need more out of him in that kind of role. Why not save his strength for down near the goal line? Felix and tashard ccan do fine in between the 20’s.
These are nice things to talk about hypothetically, but if the offensive coordinator doesn’t even use the run correctly, what’s the point? If he believes the shotgun, and drop back passing is the way, we can talk about as many hypthoticals as we want. I believe Garrett is turning his back on the STRENGTH of our offense. Hopefully, he turns around and sees it before it’s too late.
He is not mixing the offense good enough. No one is saying to turn into a running team, and dismiss the pass.
"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"
by DallasPalace on Dec 4, 2009 12:32 PM CST up reply actions
the strength of this offense is Romo and the passing game
it certainly isn’t the running game. We can run, but only because our passing game allows it to happen.
In Romo we Trust
-1000, See Giants game 1, see Denver, and G.B.
We are a balanced team who win when we remember that.
KICK ASS every day!!!
I'm not saying we aren't balanced
but we’re balanced because we’re a good passing team that allows us to set up the run.
Saints are the same way, very balanced but definitely a passing team.
In Romo we Trust
With Felix, Barber and Choice it could be argued what is the strength of this team.
We are not in the same league as the Saints passing game. If Romo, Garrett, Witten, Austin stay together 2 more years and RW and Ogletree continue to develope then maybe. Just not now
Austin has certainly turned the corner but RW isnt reliable enough for us to say the passing game drives the O. Witten hasnt been used as much this year in the passing game. I have said its because they can/could/will turn him loose any time they want to but have put extra time(plays) in to let the others in the passing game get established and develope. I think he(Witten) will get more big plays come his way now that we are in the crunch time.
Of course I have also seen him left in to block more to give Romo that extra time. i havent figured out if that because of fear of our pass blocking or getting others up to speed. (I prefer the latter)
Despite all this give and take on run game/passing game, I really think its splitting hairs. My only beef is Garrett seems to fall in love with the pass and abandon the run.
KICK ASS every day!!!
In truth Squidlo
This very topic you are writing about is bigger than alot of people want to admit, and it’s the reason I have had numerous debates on playcalling.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to be a strong pass offense. god bless if it happens. But if your pass offense doesn’t produce, and especially against better defenses, you can’t just go to the run offense and just turn it on like a water faucet. Garrett has mostly stuck with the pass, to the level of forcing it. This is what the defensive coordinators guess about Garrett’s “one-dimensionalism” i believe. When Garrett has gone to the run at the end of games, and the run didn’t work, it seemed like he did so as a last resort. often it did it seem during the course of the game that the correct running back wasn’t even used for the run that was called. That’s why I question the validity of “Pass to set up the run”. It’s not that it doesn’t work, it’s just that you have to have the right players. In the case of Jason Garrett’s playcalling, I do not question his ability to call pass plays. I question his ability to know when not to pass, and run instead, as well as evaluating running backs. I question his commitment to running the ball. These are bigger issues for the offense than people are willing to admit.
Running backs need a rythym, and reps. The conventional way of developing a strong pass offense is to develop a good running game.
Passing to set up the run is, by it’s very nature, a good philosiphy. We just don’t have enough speed/playmaking ability at WR to implement it along the lines of what Garrett wants. If he wanted to run an offense like that, RW was not the reciever to get. He doesn’t have deep speed. Pas plays seem to take to long to develop.Garrett should have insisted on drafting a WR in the 2nd round, or earlier, if he was gonna playcall like he does/wants. A reciever with speed and size, (Louis Murphy or Percy Harvin was what I thought was going to happen) because that is where the reciever corp is weak. But he didn’t. That’s why I believe his playcalling is bad.
Don’t try forcing what you want to do when you don’t have the ability to do it. Who here believes that Roy Williams has been successful as a Dallas Cowboy reciever yet? I thought so- it’s a sore subject with alot of people. I like Roy, and i will give him the benefit of the doubt, even when alot of people will label him as a bust.
If Austin was playing last year the way he is playing now, T.O and him would have made a killer combo to have for Garrett to run his offense the way he wants. That’s the reason why I don’t believe we should be a “pass to set up the run” offense. It’s wrong, and our running game may be better than our passing game. We’ll just never know.
"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"
With the Giants
secondary in the shape it is in and OSI not starting, it would seem wise to test the secondary early and often. You must attack a teams weaknesses and right now that’s the Giants biggest weakness.
The other teams
We play after the Giants won’t be injured or weak in the defensive backfield. One of these games, soon I hope, The 3-headed monster is gonna have to rear it’s ugly head at opponents, and when it does, then we’ll start some real momentum going into the playoffs.
"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"
That very well
may be true but running the ball for the sake of running the ball is also not the answer. In the 2007 playoff game against the Giants, the Cowboys were as close to your theory as any time that I can recall. We ran Barber right down the Giants throat but still lost the game.
Also, you seem to be making the point about the “down the field” passing attack ala Air Coryell and every pass is 25 yards down the field. While most routes may have a deep receiver, Romo surely doesn’t have to throw it to that player. I think I have to go with Raf’s analysis on this one that this team needs big plays because we do get too many penalties etc. 15 play drives would be nice but it doesn’t appear to be a strength of this team.
For what ever reason we couldnt run the ball in the second half of the Giants game.
Our biggest gain the second half was 5 yards 1 time. Unfortunately the passing game didnt step up. I think maybe the play of our line drop or the Giants Dline play increased.
Truth is we had a real shot to win that game and didnt get it done on either side of the ball in the second half.
KICK ASS every day!!!
You're right
but the Phillips pick was the killer.
I was talking about the 07 Giant playoff loss.
Was he the guy that got that pick at the end of the game.
KICK ASS every day!!!
Oh,
sorry wrong game. Was it Gibril Wilson? I know he left the Giants after that season and got the big contract with Oakland I think. Phillips wasn’t there in 07.
Jevans, I believe
We should do less of Barber running straight up the gut, and more screens to Tashard and Felix. The running backs can do more than just take a handoff, and yes, i do believe Tashard and Felix are our big play threats just as much as Austin is on offense. no need to keep them from being in the gameplan more, That’s why I point to playcalling as an issue. If the idea is to spread out the defense you are facing, then all Garrett has done by sparsely using the RB’s in the passing game is make it easier for defenses.
"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"
by DallasPalace on Dec 5, 2009 12:35 PM CST up reply actions
Of course it's not a strength
because it goes against Garrett’s offensive philosiphy/mentality. He wants to throw down the field aggressively, and attack the defense. Nothing wrong with that, and it would be nice if you can do it consistently.
The problem is Garrett’s playcalling this way is not consistent, and add to that a tendency that he has to continue passing, thinking the way I described in another post:
“i’m gonna pass, and if you stop it, I’ll continue to pass, because I don’t think you’ll be able to continue to stop it”.
This is a flawed thinking I believe, because you are showing the defense a one-dimensional tendency, and you are not affecting the defense to think of playing the run with any urgency. If you don’t keep a defense honest, any defense in the NFL has the caliber to stop an offense that plays that way unsuccessfully.
Of course, the recievers make a difference in that kind of an offense. It is where our offense is weak when it comes to running an offense like that. I’m not saying they can’t correct it, or that they aren’t good recievers. Just not good enough as a group, or maybe not the right skill set, and definitely not enough speed. Speed at the reciever position is where we are weak. Speed at recieveris what you need to run a pass offense this way. Garrett fails to acknowledge this and continue with this type of scheme.
He is either stubborn about his pass philosiphy, or uncertain of his own ability to playcall a strong run offense. in either case, the outcome is the same. Our offense is the weaker part of the team. And 2 years ago, when we faced the Giants in the playoffs, we did not have Felix or Tashard as RB. Barber does not have Tashard or Felix’s speed. I will go out on a limb and say that we need to have more formations with Tashard AND Felix AND Miles out there at the same time. This will give our offense the best speed at the skill positions we have.
"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"
I think you may be
exaggerating the point a little. I read somewhere that the Cowboys run/pass ratio was in the area of 45% run to 55% pass. If you have 60 offensive plays that turns into 27 runs and 33 passes. That is six more passes than runs. I think there is some room for flexibility as respects whether the team is ahead or behind that will affect those percentages at any given time.
Having said that, I believe that the Cowboys have enough speed at the WR position. It isn’t so much how fast one runs but whether or not they can create separation. Again, I haven’t seen any plays where there were no underneath routes and everyone just ran for the endzone. The play design has been pretty good. If Romo decides he is always going to throw deep, that’s on Romo not Garrett. I think Garrett did a fine job switching RW and Miles routes which helped a lot in the Oakland game.
I believe that balance is more important than whether it is run or pass first.
I disagree
on two points Jevans:
1.You refer to run/pass ratios doesn’t adress the issue of what running backs are used, for the kind of runs they are used, or answer the issue of some questionable run calls.
2. I don’t believe the WR’s have enough speed to cause good seperation (other than Austin), and just as important, double teaming.
"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"
As far as your
objection to the running game Raf has an excellent analysis on the RBs in another fanpost one here now that I totally agree with respects to all three RBs. It is in the fanpost titled Barber, Choice or Jones.
As respects the WRs I believe you are equating speed with quickness. For example, I hear many on hear talk of using Ogeltree because of his speed as opposed to RW. Yet Ogeltree’s combine time was 4.41 in the forty and RW’s pro day time was 4.37. We are talking 100ths of seconds here. The difference is quickeness in the short areas using Wes Welker for an example. His forty time was slower than RW and Ogeltree’s but he is probably quicker in the first 15 yards. Guys who are running sub 4.3s are subject to the planet theory. There just ain’t that many of them. You can get good separation with good timing on routes, good moves, body positioning etc. Speed is nice but is relative as respects separation.
45-55 ratio doesnt bother me because a certain amount of passes in todays game are long handoffs.
I do agree with DP that we are better equiped for the run than the pass. I like Austin(exceded my expectations and I saw him as a Harper)Witten, and (like DP) I havent given up on RW. Still this is a reliable bunch with some explosiveness but its a long ways from the Cards,Minn, and NO of the world. Our passing game would better served running more. We cant overwhelm people with our pass. We need to suck them in and then hit em deep. Play action to hold LBs and Safetys and make our big strike. Our best big strike play is play action pass, break a tackle or 2 and run 30-40 yards.
KICK ASS every day!!!
But Squidlo, Garrett doesn't..
use play action enough, as well as he doesn’t roll Romo out very much (although it seems like lately, Romo’s been improvising and getting out of the pocket on his own).
One would think that these kind of plays should be used more.
"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"
by DallasPalace on Dec 6, 2009 10:32 AM CST up reply actions
I agree with
your ratio comment and don’t necessarily disagree with the idea we are better equipped for the run. However, as an OC I think Garret hears what all of us have probably heard from every DC on earth in that they concentrate on stopping the run first. Therefore, I think an argument can be made for throwing more on first down when nickel packages are not in and blitzes shouldn’t be called as often.
The biggest problem we have lately is that people are concentrating on taking Witten away from Romo especially in obvious passing situations. I think that is one reason why we see Witten blocking more. I just want balance in the offense and I really don’t care who is carrying the ball as long as they are effective.
I'd like to see the Boys draft Jacoby Ford to address the need for speed
in the WR corps. Then we could give him a few plays as a rookie to run the deep field routes and speed routes. Kind of like our own DeSean Jackson but he doesn’t have to be the centerpiece of the passing game, since we have Austin.
That could help immeasurably in using the pass to set up the run, as speed would pull safeties backwards and keep 8 out of the box.
I wanted us
to draft Eddie Royal last year, not talk about upcoming WR’s. But it hasn’t been a priority (WR), and it’s obvious it should have.
I agree- Jacoby Ford would be a great pick!
"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"
with their defense hurtin the way it is
I’ll be shocked if the Romo and the offense doesn’t put up a lot of points early and often.
Our defense should hold them to under 20 points as well.
In Romo we Trust
I would not be so fooled
into thinking the Giants offense is hurt, and incapable. They will be playing to win, period.
They want to beat us bad. I hope they’re luck against us has run out.
"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"
by DallasPalace on Dec 4, 2009 12:36 PM CST up reply actions
The Giants are on the outside looking in if they lose...
Dallas faced a similar situation against GB a few weeks ago. Beware…
"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
This isn't Dallas' game of the year, however it is Romo's
Think about it for a minute…
We lost the first meeting (opening the new stadium, no less) largely because Romo had a horrible day, threw 2 bad INT’s and one quirky one and generally looked like a chump.
It IS December and he has a history of playing poorly in this month.
He’ll never see a weaker, more depleted Giants defense than the one he will face this week.
Then there’s the Vegas thing.
Romo would do well to have a great game and lead the team to a resounding win. That could start the tables turning on the media pundits who berate him for all of these things I have mentioned.
"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
The giants are struggling on both sides of the ball, yes the defense is having more trouble,
but remember that the defense is what has been steadily improving this year and the offense of the gints cannot run the ball. The defense needs to keep their offense from finding their running game just as much as the offense needs to protect the ball from becoming a TO. So for the team it is on both sides, you could say that it is 60% romo/offense, and 40% defense at best; I would have it about 55% offense, and 45% defense the ST is a wash on both teams. But it is not 80% on romo to have a better game, I state it that way because you make it sound as if the game just comes down to his performance. The team has to play well in this game, romo has his own challenges but he is not alone in this situation.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
Don't misread
The Giants struggling as a sign that they won’t be up to a dogfight in this game.
Our offense has to play smart, with a more ball control, and conservative twist. Too much passing will result in interceptions. Turnovers and 3 and outs by passing too much are our enemy.
"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"
I need to rewrite my post he goes
The giants are struggling on both sides of the ball, yes their defense is having more trouble, but remember that the cowboys defense is what has been steadily improving this year and the offense of the gints cannot run the ball. The defense needs to keep their offense from finding their running game just as much as the offense needs to protect the ball from becoming a TO. So for the team it is on both sides, you could say that it is 60% romo/offense, and 40% defense at best; I would have it about 55% offense, and 45% defense the ST is a wash on both teams. But it is not 80% on romo to have a better game, I state it that way because you make it sound as if the game just comes down to his performance. The team has to play well in this game, romo has his own challenges but he is not alone in this situation.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
That's true of every game for every team, so I'm not sure that what you said is all that notable
I made the point about Romo for reasons that are rooted in empirical information, but also have an emotional and intangible edge.
Newman and Scandrick have been iffy lately. Spencer needs to get sacks and take pressure off of Ware. RW needs a big day to get the monkey off of his back. Felix hasn’t looked like Felix and could really use a big day.
Haing said all of that…
Romo needs to play well more than any other player in this game.
"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
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