The reality of high-level competition

by ScarletO on Oct 31, 2011 1:35 PM CDT

When I was young, I never understood why elite athletes could not perform at a high level all the time. I expected my favorite athletes to have great days every time they competed.

Then I started competing…

I eventually made an Olympic team representing the United States, but my progress from beginner to expert was hardly linear. Reflecting fondly upon my successes, I frequently overlook the days that I floundered and failed to meet my expectations.

They were many…

Yesterday, the Cowboys had a day like that.

After every competition, I reflected upon what worked, what did not, and what might work in the future. I had a choice after every bad day: quit, or work harder so I would not have to deal with the frustration and disappointment that accompanies underperforming.

I doubt the Cowboys will quit.

They shouldn’t. Look at the following list of games:

Year	Date	Score
2008	Dec 21st	PIT	14	TEN	31
2007	Sep 16th	GB	35	NYG	13
2007	Nove 25th	MIN	41	NYG	17
2006	Dec 10th	IND	17	JAC	44
2005	Nov 28th	PIT	7	IND	26
2004	Oct 31st	NE	20	PIT	34
2003	Sep 7th	NE	0	BUF	31
2001	Oct 7th	NE	10	MIA	30
1997	Dec 15th	DEN	17	SF	34
1996	Nov 18th	GB	6	DAL	21
1995	Nov 12th	SF	38	DAL	20
1994	Oct 2nd	PHI	40	SF	8

Every losing team on that list came up short by at least 15 points. The losing teams also went on to win the Super Bowl at the end of that regular season.

By no means am I implying that the Cowboys will be a Super Bowl championship team in February, but as the results above show, one bad day does not rule out a championship run. The 2007 Giants lost two games by more than 21 points and still got hot (and lucky) at the right time to win the Super Bowl.

Even the great Tom Brady was beaten 31-0 by Buffalo before winning his second of three Super Bowls. Add Peyton Manning to that list: his Colts were blitzed by 27 points in 2006, but managed to pull things together and win a Super Bowl.

It’s just one game. One REALLY bad game, but still just one game, nonetheless. It happens.

Watching the Cowboys last night, I realized that there were five things that could have been happening:

The Philadelphia Eagles were the better team.
The Philadelphia Eagles played their greatest game.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ coaches figured out the Dallas Cowboys’ schemes.
The Dallas Cowboys played horribly.
Situations outside of the control of both teams led to the result (e.g., injuries, officiating, weather, and so forth).

As with most things, it was probably a combination of those possibilities. Notice how effort was not one of the variables. Also take note that the first three options give credit to the hated Eagles for doing something right.

From personal experience, I always found that when I got waxed, it had to do more with what my opponent was doing right rather than what I was doing wrong. I hold this simple fact to be one of the underlying truths in sports. Athletes that think it is all about their performance inevitably hit ceilings that prevent them from excelling.

If I were to rate the options listed above, I would give the third option (Eagles figured out the Cowboys) as the biggest reason that Dallas lost big. Of all of the reasons listed, this is the easiest to correct. Rob Ryan even admitted as much by stating that he did not reconfigure his defense enough to offset what Philadelphia was attacking.

A superior Philadelphia game plan made Dallas look slow to the ball. Having the speediest linebacker go out with an injury just exacerbated the problem. Losing a Pro Bowl punter, a starting cornerback, and a Pro Bowl nose tackle just made the loss look worse.

Last night the Eagles were the better team. Congratulations to their organization on their decisive victory. The onus for improvement is now on the Cowboys. By focusing on the proper issues that led to a loss last night, the Cowboys coaches could have Dallas better prepared for success down the road.

Playing well in the playoffs, after all, is really all that matters. Just take another look at that first list above, and remember that the Cowboys lost 24-0 to Philadelphia on Sept 15th, 1991 in Dallas and gave up 11 sacks. The Cowboys went on to beat the Bears in the playoffs that season, as well as the Eagles in Philadelphia (25-13).

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Comments

I don't think last night's loss...

…would feel nearly as bad if the team were 5-2 right now instead of 3-4.

The NFC East has won 11 Super Bowls; oddly none of those have come courtesy of the Eagles.

by gee-roj on Oct 31, 2011 1:50 PM CDT reply actions

basically

Bruce Carter+Sean Lee=BRUCE LEE!!!!

Follow me at my blog
http://chiacrackscowboysblog.wordpress.com/

by Archie Barberio on Oct 31, 2011 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions

and had not dallas lost in the fashion they did in the other three losses

with the game in their control and very much winnable

The realist keepin it real amongst the surrealists

R.I.P. Big Homey Nate Dogg: "Cuz Iiiiiiiiii have ne-evv-ver met a giiiiiiiiiirrrrrrllllllllllllllllllll tha-at I loved in the whole wide wooorrrlllllddddddd"

by starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 on Oct 31, 2011 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions

I said it then

you cannot give away games in this league. Its too hard.

"Confidence doesn't come out of nowhere. It's a result of something... hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication." --Roger Staubach

by dave33 on Oct 31, 2011 8:04 PM CDT up reply actions

I like what Marcus Spears said after the game.

“You’ve got to take this one on the chin, realize that you got knocked down – but not out – and move on to next week.”

And now I’m intrigued by that Olympic reference. Water polo, rugby, fencing? I’ll figure it out sooner or later.

by One.Cool.Customer on Oct 31, 2011 2:18 PM CDT reply actions

Spears always stays positive

he is a solid player and a great guy, i wish we had more of him on this team

Bruce Carter+Sean Lee=BRUCE LEE!!!!

Follow me at my blog
http://chiacrackscowboysblog.wordpress.com/

by Archie Barberio on Oct 31, 2011 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Perfect. Fencing.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Oct 31, 2011 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for fixing the table (I assume it was you).

How come nobody guesses something cool like swimming, diving, track and field, weight lifting, soccer, figure skating…

OK, maybe not figure skating.

by ScarletO on Oct 31, 2011 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Rhythmic Gymnastics?

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Oct 31, 2011 7:58 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm assuming you're not Jessie Owens...

by rabblerousr on Oct 31, 2011 11:06 PM CDT up reply actions

“sport” in the common vernacular. In my comment I’d typed “athleticism”, but didn’t want to confuse the query. Or incite the debate. But now that you’ve opened the door… – Curling? Bridge?

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Nov 1, 2011 12:23 AM CDT up reply actions

Hey, I love figure skating.

by Fernie67 on Oct 31, 2011 11:48 PM CDT up reply actions

It's them hot fit gals in them scanty outfits, ain't it.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Nov 1, 2011 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Er, no.

by Fernie67 on Nov 1, 2011 12:29 AM CDT up reply actions

I do believe I may have learned something.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Nov 1, 2011 12:45 AM CDT up reply actions

Ask Kevin L. He'll 'splain it. :)

by Fernie67 on Nov 1, 2011 7:09 AM CDT up reply actions

So you believe your sport wasn't cool?

But you’re clearly indicating that it was something athletic and demanding, so we can rule out Badminton, Archery, Golf, Table Tennis, Equestrian, & Shooting. I’m gonna guess it’s not the Luge, Bobsledding, Basketball, Hockey, Skiing, Triathlon, Biathlon, Boxing, Volleyball, Handball, Cycling, or Fencing, because those are all cool. You’ve already ruled out swimming, diving, track and field, weight lifting, soccer, & figure skating. Hmmm. Gymnastics?

Who are you? And how did you get in here?
I'm a locksmith..and..I'm a locksmith. -- Frank Drebin.

by White Wolf on Nov 1, 2011 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Impossible...

As with most things, it was probably a combination of those possibilities.

… to argue against and be correct.

From personal experience, I always found that when I got waxed, it had to do more with what my opponent was doing right rather than what I was doing wrong. I hold this simple fact to be one of the underlying truths ~~in sports~~.

You’re welcome. And, once again, correct.

Last night the Eagles were the better team. Congratulations to their organization on their decisive victory. The onus for improvement is now on the Cowboys. By focusing on the proper issues that led to a loss last night, the Cowboys coaches could have Dallas better prepared for success down the road.

Correct, yet again.

Olympic gold. All pesky 3.

btw, SO, purely out of curiosity, what sport?

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Oct 31, 2011 2:48 PM CDT reply actions

good post, you're spot on

Last night was simply a case of the Eagles playing as well as they can play and the Cowboys playing about as bad as they can play and that is a recipe for a blowout any way you look at it.

Hopefully on the night when Santa begins his annual journey handing out presents to all the little girl and boys throughout the world, we can turn the tables that night on Philly and return the favor by placing a big fat lump of coal in their stocking by giving them an ass whipping of their own.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Oct 31, 2011 3:11 PM CDT reply actions

ROB RYAN????

by ProfileEnt on Oct 31, 2011 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Did we play as bad as we can play?

We were outschemed for sure. Rob Ryan did nothing to put us in a position to win. It reminded me of Wade Phillips.

But were the players that awful? How many times did we even get a decent grasp of McCoy or Vick?

If their OL beats our DL, that result will happen every time. The Eagles can take advantage of literally every area of the field. As such, you need to get to Vick quickly, or lose.

by foyesboys on Oct 31, 2011 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I was hesitant to quantify the blame because of this reason.

Let me use an Olympic sport that has not been mentioned, but most people have witnessed: boxing.

So you notice that everytime I jab with my left, I like to take a small step back and open up the distance between you and me. The next time I jab with my left, you step in to deliver a left to my jaw.

Instead of stepping back this time, however, I close the distance and catch you in your preparation, and deliver a strong right cross.

Why did I hit you?

Did you make a mistake in execution?

I would argue that you formulated a strategy that placed you at an inherent disadvantage against my counter. Your execution could have been flawless, but it was the wrong moment to attempt that move, and therefore I delivered the blow.

If Rob Ryan had a poor game plan, he placed his defensive personnel in the wrong place at the wrong time. I saw a lot of arm tackling, signifying that defenders were out of place. I saw gaping holes in the defense, meaning that defenders were out of place. I saw open receivers in the defense, signalling that defenders were out of place.

These are mistakes that were not present earlier in the season. I doubt the players forgot how to play this defense, so I think that Ryan’s plan really did put the defensive players in a position to fail.

The biggest difference between Ryan and Wade in 2010 was that Wade did it over the course of 8 games.

by ScarletO on Oct 31, 2011 11:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Uhhh, yeah...

… as appropriate and well-presented as the illustration is, I’m sticking with Rhythmic Gymnastics till there’s an unequivocal answer to that “which sport” query for 2 reasons:
1. The taking it to near the most outlandish possibility (pure taking a jab value)
2. The pretty logo picture

Could’ve said Bridge.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Nov 1, 2011 12:16 AM CDT up reply actions

Great post

you’ve also got me curious about the sport you were in too. I’m gonna guess wrestling

by somebodyquiet on Oct 31, 2011 3:27 PM CDT reply actions

Tons of area for improvement

Hopefully we can learn from this and move on. One thing I can’t seem to shake is how timid the play calling has seemed in order to protect Romo’s confidence. If we have any chance we have to incorporate more plays down field…

Fulton Greenwall: Perhaps we should slow down just a teensy-weensy bit?
Ace Ventura: Nonsense poopy-pants!!

by I am a Romosexual on Oct 31, 2011 3:35 PM CDT reply actions

I don't think it's about his confidence (at least not in a major way). I think his ribs are still effed up, and hence his

accuracy isn’t all it should be, and the line isn’t protecting him very well, and he has very little time to get the ball down field consistently.

by Fernie67 on Oct 31, 2011 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Good call

I keep forgetting he’s been playing w broken ribs… That’s a HUGE factor. I Think we were way too flat for this game. Seems like every time we dominate a game the previous week it goes to our heads, no?

Fulton Greenwall: Perhaps we should slow down just a teensy-weensy bit?
Ace Ventura: Nonsense poopy-pants!!

by I am a Romosexual on Oct 31, 2011 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions

And perfectly appropriate post

Rec’d

Fulton Greenwall: Perhaps we should slow down just a teensy-weensy bit?
Ace Ventura: Nonsense poopy-pants!!

by I am a Romosexual on Oct 31, 2011 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Yup, he took a pain shot in the rib cage again this week. It's obviously going to be a problem

until he heals up.

On being flat, I just don’t know. Honestly, I think it was a matter of the Eagles taking the air out of the team in the blink of an eye. When you’re down three easy scores that fast and getting outplayed in every facet of the game, it’s probably hard not to look flat.

by Fernie67 on Oct 31, 2011 11:31 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

they sure did score easy. also they owned the clock took their sweet time scoring makig sure to get our D nice and wore out. all the while our O had to sit on the bench and watch it happen. Then when they finally do take the field they look ready a nice run by Murray and a quick throw to Robinson and we’ve got a 1st down in 2 plays using hurry up offense. Then came the stalls the holding and the sacks always seem to follow each other for us. So we punt it and they score again, now we come out and a sweet pass by Romo is tipped and turned over that was the deal breaker I think for our O IMO.

Roger: Hey, with this mortar launcher, we can get back at the kid who went all Tom Sizemore on your eye!
Steve: Oh, I wish I could get back at him. I'm gonna dress up as a girl and get him to have sex with me and then say "Ha! I'm not a girl! You just had sex with a boy that hates you!"
Roger: Yes, let's leave that plan between you, me, and the string of therapists who won't be able to help you.
American Dad

by Cowboys_Attack on Oct 31, 2011 11:56 PM CDT up reply actions

That about says it all.

by Fernie67 on Nov 1, 2011 12:31 AM CDT up reply actions

That's where the "sac-stunned'...

… I’d used in another post came from. And one reason I’ll remain ever-proud of that ’94 NFCC team.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Nov 1, 2011 12:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Could you link the "sac-stunned" post

I’ve missed it some how and would greatly liek to read about it.

by Cowboys_Attack on Nov 1, 2011 1:27 AM CDT up reply actions

As requested. Should’ve said comment perhaps, if “post” led you to believe it was one of my droning FOS fanposts. In context of the thread, it may make sense. I hope.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Nov 1, 2011 8:33 AM CDT up reply actions

thank ya sir

itd be funny if it didnt hurt so bad

by Cowboys_Attack on Nov 1, 2011 10:33 PM CDT up reply actions

That, in and of itself, should...

…keep forgetting he’s been playing w broken ribs

… speak volumes to many.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Nov 1, 2011 12:00 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Yup.

by Fernie67 on Nov 1, 2011 12:31 AM CDT up reply actions

Thank you for this post. There are certain posters I just don't read anymore

after losses. I can’t take the negativity and Chicken Little fluttering around. Was it a bad loss? Hell yes. Will the sun rise tomorrow and are the Cowboys likely to play better next weekend? Hell yes.

by Fernie67 on Oct 31, 2011 4:05 PM CDT reply actions

OK, I didnt come on here to bash you guys after...

..We beat you buy 30 or after you beat MIAMI by 3!
I come on here to say NO TEAM can beat the Eagles IF!!!!!! The line blocks like that and Shady looks like the second coming of B. Sanders.
Like the birds or hate em, L. McCoy IS the best back in football, and in his third year is looking VERY scary for the rest of the league.
P.S. I love DEZ, but damn!!! Namdi locked his ass up!

by ProfileEnt on Oct 31, 2011 4:31 PM CDT reply actions

Ya, its a picture of an Eagle walking on water.

by ProfileEnt on Oct 31, 2011 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, I second NYHorn...

… about your comment being exemplary fan-wise, regardless of team. And to say that av pic’s suitable, a good chuckle while illustrating your belief and fandom. And to say anyone that couldn’t see, last night and this season aside, just early on, that McCoy was going to be a more than suitable and dangerous replacement for Westbrook watches a different game than I do. Figure most do see it, some may just not want to admit it outright. And some will. Nature of fandom sometimes when a guy’s not on your team. Best in football, well that requires defining “best”, but he’s up there or getting there considering he’s only 3 in.

Good choice on the av pic. Still chuckling.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Oct 31, 2011 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for your wonderful and classy post. I wish all Eagles fans were like you

Sigh

I like pasta because my house is made of bricks

My latest take on the Dallas Cowboys

by NYHorn on Oct 31, 2011 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions

But ScarletO In a Satirizing Voice

How Dare you say we can make the Superbowl after Last Night.

Great Post BTW

I like pasta because my house is made of bricks

My latest take on the Dallas Cowboys

by NYHorn on Oct 31, 2011 4:48 PM CDT reply actions

I disagree

I AGREE with all of your points. But I think you are missing one. While both teams have 3-4 records now, this was the case of a .500 ballclub (Cowboys) playing a better team. Philly was 10-6 last year. Dallas was 6-10. Dallas is .500, or a little better, since Garrett took over.

Philly didn’t just “figure us out”, or play significantly better. The also ARE better and their record backs it up. I think us fans have our heads in the sand a bit about the level of talent on this team. So far this year I keep hearing about the easy schedule coming up. It’s coming, it’s coming.

This teams needs a talent infusion, specifically in the interior of the line, the linebackers (maybe Davis will help but Spencer is average at best), and the d-backfield. I also think our d-line is average at best. Keep in mind that average won’t win you championships.

by edubz on Oct 31, 2011 4:50 PM CDT reply actions

i'm not tripping really, dallas has talent and showed they can play better. they just came out uninspired last night

SEA, BUF, @WAS, MIA, @AZ, NYG, @TB, PHI, @NYG

i dont want to overlook but if they are for real they will beat buffalo at home and face off against the Giants 8-4. A loss to Buffalo or anyone else before the Giants game pretty much wraps up the season unless they take 3 of the final 4 which is doable but unless they start that stretch 8-4 or 7-5 will seem highly unlikely

SF, @MIA, DAL, @SEA, NYJ, NE, @NYG, MIN, @PHI
Skins will be lucky to get more than 3 wins from here on out

CHI, AZ, @NYG, NE, @SEA, @MIA, NYJ, @DAL, WSH
8-8 hoping they knock off the Giants. But they are completely inconsistent as well and 4 losses seem the minimum

and finally why Dallas still has a chance:
@NE, @SF, PHI, @NO, GB, @DAL, WSH, @NYJ, DAL

i mean if they manage 5 or more wins out of this then they are legit title contenders. but they havent played anyone yet and the two games where they couldnt rely on the run game they lost and the cardinal game they couldnt run but the refs saved them. Eli is going to have to corral them when they are playing from behind in at least 6 of these games and I doubt he has learned his lesson. they have been babying him and with jacobs and bradshaw starting to hurt the collapse is inevitable

The realist keepin it real amongst the surrealists

R.I.P. Big Homey Nate Dogg: "Cuz Iiiiiiiiii have ne-evv-ver met a giiiiiiiiiirrrrrrllllllllllllllllllll tha-at I loved in the whole wide wooorrrlllllddddddd"

by starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 on Oct 31, 2011 5:36 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

8-8 from the eagles???

Did you watch the game last night?

Stats won't get you in the playoffs. Winning will get you in the playoffs
-Michael Vick-

by the-vet on Oct 31, 2011 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions

i also watched them against the bills, niners, giants, and falcons

did you see the rams yesterday? yet we arent going to suggest they finish 9-7 are we?

The realist keepin it real amongst the surrealists

R.I.P. Big Homey Nate Dogg: "Cuz Iiiiiiiiii have ne-evv-ver met a giiiiiiiiiirrrrrrllllllllllllllllllll tha-at I loved in the whole wide wooorrrlllllddddddd"

by starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 on Oct 31, 2011 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I wanted to make some observations about the game, but not take away from my point.

I think it is obvious that this defense needs speed in the middle of the field. If Bruce Carter can learn the system by Christmas, he may make a huge difference in the rematch between these two teams.

Brooking and James just cannot get depth on their drops and are liabilities in coverage. The Eagles completely exploited these two in coverage most of the game.

Someone other than DeMarcus Ware needs to get pressure. I thought Ratliff was in the backfield quite a bit, but despite a tipped pass, Spencer was invisible. Hatcher was outplayed by Lissemore, who was average, at best.

The safeties were held back in deep coverages to avoid big plays. Interestingly, the corners also played off, despite having over the top help. I would like to see more press from the corners if the safeties will be over the top.

On the bright side, despite limited carries, DeMarco Murray, looks like a solid starting running back. Laurent Robinson also looks like a solid third receiver.

by ScarletO on Oct 31, 2011 5:46 PM CDT reply actions

this defense needs speed in the middle of the field … Brooking and James just cannot get depth on their drops and are liabilities in coverage … Someone other than DeMarcus Ware needs to get pressure.

you know what’s really nice. I no longer have to argue with people about this stuff. People are seeing the same things I saw last year.

For God and country - Geronimo

by Fan in Thick and Thin on Oct 31, 2011 7:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Well I've been wanting to have Bradie James replaced since 06!!

The guy is slow, mentally, physically, the whole kit and kaboodle. James has 2 picks in 9 seasons. Sean Lee has 5 picks in less than 1 season, haha.

by Luke. on Oct 31, 2011 7:16 PM CDT up reply actions

i never like the spencer pick

and besides the little burst he had at the beginning of the season he has done next to nothing in almost 4 years

Ware is out there going solo. at least Harrison has polamalu, timmons, woodley, keisel, and hampton to back him up. Ratliff at his new weight needs to be a 5 technique with a true plugger in the middle

Hopefully Carter and Lee can play the rest of the season together and maybe give Orie Lemon a shot

The realist keepin it real amongst the surrealists

R.I.P. Big Homey Nate Dogg: "Cuz Iiiiiiiiii have ne-evv-ver met a giiiiiiiiiirrrrrrllllllllllllllllllll tha-at I loved in the whole wide wooorrrlllllddddddd"

by starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 on Oct 31, 2011 7:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Not exactly rocket science

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Oct 31, 2011 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, didn't quite understand the...

… safeties-deep/corners-off scheme myself. Never have much. Though it depends on the matchup, player vs player, way it fits into the overall scheme and such, but jezz. Especially given guys like Maclin/Jackson, specifically Jackson. Jam, play tight, use it to disrupt right off the bat, don’t wait for the burn. They didn’t factor much other than as a change-up to keep us honest and open the inside stuff to eat us alive. Which is factoring, I just meant yardage and scoring by them weren’t killers, it was their utilization within a team gameplan. Another game, it could go the other way, depending on gameplan given those kinds of weapons. You play your opponent, which kind of factors into the whole lack of adjustment on both our O and D sides of the ball last night.If you’re unable to force him off his game and into playing yours, the W’s one helluva lot tougher to come by. Seems like we started out playing to his,and once seeing what it was didn’t make the necessary adjustments to force him out of it, to play ours so to speak. That. to me, is one of the telling signs of a “good” team. Part’s personnel, part’s coaching, part’s the other team’s coaching/personnel, but we can beat these guys. Not saying they’re not good or anything of the like, just that we can do it with what we have available, though that ILB issue’s not one only we see, as I’m convinced Reid and Co banked on it, Lee or not.

Wow, that turned into a catharthic generalized rant, my apologies, but your points are all valid and agreed with in my eyes, SO. And yeah, Murray and Robinson acquitted themselves quite nicely once again. We just might have found some answers.

End result’s getting schooled. Hope the lesson takes. And not one preparing to retake the same test, ‘cuz it doesn’t work that way.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Oct 31, 2011 9:25 PM CDT up reply actions

I think I understood part of your, "catharthic generalized rant".

Disrupting an opoonent comes down to two basic strategies:

1. Do not permit the opponent to initiate their scheme.
2. Permit the opponent to initiate their scheme, but change the outcome to your favor.

The Eagles did both to the Cowboys. The second option was utilized by the Eagles when they ran several draws against DeMarcus Ware, utilizing his aggresiveness against him. Philadelphia permitted Ware to rush upfield. DeMarcus expected to disrupt the play with penetration, but the gaping hole he left behind was urilized by the Eagles with McCoy running behind an out of position, lunging Ware.

Philadelphia also took away Dallas’ options in the passing game by playing press coverage: something the Eagles have not been doing. The Cowboys could run against the Eagles front, but once the score got out of hand, the Eagles took away the outside threats and forced Dallas to throw more underneath.

The strategy and situation worked against the Cowboys. The Eagles executed their plan perfectly and disrupted the Cowboys. Rob Ryan, who has been doing a great job until last night, just did not make the proper adjustments in a timely manner.

In my experience, bad strategy never can be overcome by talent. On the other hand, excellent strategy can boost limited talent to overcome its limitations. Now Rob Ryan needs to determine how to formulate a better strategy to minimize the limitations exposed by the Eagles’ defense.

by ScarletO on Oct 31, 2011 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

The most lucid analysis of what happened on Sunday night that I have seen thus far...

…and not solely because it accords to what I noted in my “Quick Take” post!

Definite FPOTW candidate, Scarlet. We need to reward the voice of reason at times like this.

by rabblerousr on Oct 31, 2011 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions

+1. Always a fan of ScarletO's helpful analysis.

by Fernie67 on Oct 31, 2011 11:35 PM CDT up reply actions

I have a little Auto-rec button that always pops up when one of his posts comes up :-)

by One.Cool.Customer on Nov 1, 2011 3:43 AM CDT up reply actions

I want one of those!

by Fernie67 on Nov 1, 2011 7:32 AM CDT up reply actions

Agree 100%

I love that I can come here and get my head straight with this kind of positive influence!!! I have to take a lot of beat downs for being a Cowboys fan and I truely believe it has a lot to do with my over reactions!!!!!

May the force be with the Star.......... always!!!
Dallas Cowboys football isn't just a game in my house, it is a festive holiday every Sunday!!!!!!!!

by Darth Dallas on Oct 31, 2011 11:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Correct. And we neither.

Strategically nor executionally.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Nov 1, 2011 12:03 AM CDT up reply actions

And we did neither.
Sheesh.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Nov 1, 2011 12:08 AM CDT up reply actions

I wrote up a fanpost, think will post it tommorrow

I think the two deep defense really puts a stress on those linebackers. Playing against anyone but Philly, our lbers pass coverage concerns can be mitigated by safety play. But the decision to go 2 deep forces everyone including Lee (who also got beat) to cover more of the field.

by foyesboys on Oct 31, 2011 10:41 PM CDT up reply actions

we are definitely weak in that area though

by foyesboys on Oct 31, 2011 10:42 PM CDT up reply actions

I look forward to it.

by Fernie67 on Oct 31, 2011 11:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Awesome post!!!

I need to read things like this to get me off the ledge because I am the king of over reaction. Posts like this are what makes this site so great. I need to read stuff like this to heal because that game hurt a lot!!!!!!!

May the force be with the Star.......... always!!!
Dallas Cowboys football isn't just a game in my house, it is a festive holiday every Sunday!!!!!!!!

by Darth Dallas on Oct 31, 2011 6:04 PM CDT reply actions

Nice post Scarleto.

Thanks.

And I’ll join the chorus; what sport?

by Luke. on Oct 31, 2011 6:24 PM CDT reply actions

unfortunantly, that game told me things my mind was hopin i was not seeing....

lack of ability of both our coaches not to be able to adjust fast enough…..

looked like there was players on the def that wasnt on the same page last night……

we got down so fast that they took our run game out early and didnt see some of the screens that would have slowed that rush some.

our ILB were exposed….our dline rarely made a run stop.

middle of our o-line was very weak….Bennett has no business going out for a pass..ever loil.

Ryan needs not to talk….

woman !, don't try to understand em, don't try to make them understand you, for they are a breed apart ! lol
(redskins)= A Tale of 2 owners, bought by Snyder, OWNED by the COWBOYS
Id say RIP Al Davis, but i know your up there drunker than a monkey and clocking angels in the 40 yd dash.

by demonbane on Oct 31, 2011 11:51 PM CDT reply actions

34-7

#/fail

Stats won't get you in the playoffs. Winning will get you in the playoffs
-Michael Vick-

by the-vet on Nov 1, 2011 11:31 AM CDT reply actions

it want get better,trust me, i see the same blinded homerism every freakin year,for the last 15 yrs,man yall are really clueless about yall team.

by louluvball on Nov 1, 2011 7:34 PM CDT reply actions

The Eagles did this last year

They lambasted the Redskins. I mean, literally, drubbed them. However, after that incredible one-night performance, they never duplicated it again for the rest of the season, and in several cases played quite poorly.

The Eagles had everything going for them. Coming off a bye, superior gameplan, bulletin board material, payback, it was their annual Super Bowl (the Cowboys in Philly) and boy were they prepared well. To top all that off, they are one fast collection of athletes.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys had an inferior gameplan, they were going in the wrong direction most of the night, they seemed to be poorly prepared, they didn’t make the correct adjustments, it was probably the first time they’ve felt the cold in 7 or 8 months, and it got away from them so quickly, they had to scrap their offensive strategy, and look for something else. That’s tough when you’ve basically removed the downfield passing game from your arsenal of weapons.

Sometimes this happens, as you indicated, Scarlet. It was a perfect storm. It’s been a year since the Cowhands were beaten like that. It will get better. I don’t know how much better, it’s up to the team and coaches, but I doubt we see anything worse than that for the rest of the season.

When we meet again, we have to hit them in the mouth, we have to disrupt their timing, we have to knock them on their butts, we have to be physical with them, and we have to win the war in the trenches. We have to do all of these things, and execute our offensive gameplan. This is how you have to approach smaller, faster, teams. You have to slow them down, and get the QB worrying about what he can’t see.

Oh, and rec’d.

Who are you? And how did you get in here?
I'm a locksmith..and..I'm a locksmith. -- Frank Drebin.

by White Wolf on Nov 1, 2011 10:41 PM CDT reply actions