The Cowboys "Stock" Market - Who's Up, Who's Down

by CowboysFan_inDC on Sep 19, 2011 9:26 AM CDT

I figured I'd get a jump on ESPN's "stock" report regarding the Cowboys. Keep in mind that this is my opinion purely based on the first two games. I will not go player by player because that's a bit arduous and not everyone has seen significant playing time to be given a fair shot at this stock report. So, without any further delay, here's how I see it:

Stock Up

Tony Romo - I was one of the ones who said that he didn't lose the game last week (Witten should have run Leonard over and special teams crumbled). But after yesterday's game, there should be no doubt about his leadership, his toughness and his will/resolve to win. He's the 4th highest rated QB in NFL history and a QB rating above 100 in the 4th quarter and is the 2nd winningest QB in Cowboys' history. Playoff wins will come, look no further than arguably the smartest QB of all-time, Peyton Manning. Romo put this team on his back, with broken ribs and carried them to victory.
Rob Ryan - Through 2 games (small caveat) the Cowboys have the 4th best overall defense and 2nd best run defense in the league. Now, some will point to the Texans having the best overall defense in the league and that's fine because Wade is a great defensive coordinator, but not a great head coach. Much had been made about the way the defense performed in preseason (we're talking about preseason...in my Allen Iverson voice) and the defense has performed well against one of the best rushing teams and best running backs in the league in back to back weeks. The challenge will only get tougher in the coming weeks with the Skins and Patriots to come, but if we're going to oooh and aaah about Tom Brady & Cam Newton's yards after two games then let's do the same about our defense. He has masked the lack of depth at CB for two weeks and has gotten decent (enough) results with a beat up Mike Jenkins, Alan Ball, Bryan McCann and without Newman and Scandrick.
Defensive Line - They didn't resign Stephen Bowen, they released Igor, brought in Kenyon Coleman, resigned Marcus Spears & Jason Hatcher, didn't draft J.J. Watt, didn't sign Cullen Jenkins, should have moved Jay Ratliff to DE, blah blah blah. Dominated the line of scrimmage for two games and have even been putting pressure on QBs. Scheme or not, these guys are balling right now.
Anthony Spencer - This was tough for me because of the TD pass that he gave up, but he shouldn't have been asked to cover a TE who had a running start. But through two games, he has 2 sacks and has been a great complement to DeMarcus Ware. Let's hope that he can keep this up and drop the moniker "Almost Anthony" for good.
Jesse Holley - Mr4thandLong (his twitter name, yes I tweet..lol), who had never caught a pass in the NFL regular season made a terrific set of plays towards with end of the game, none bigger than the first play for the Cowboys in overtime.
Jason Garrett - This team loses yesterday's game with Wade as the coach. Jason Garrett is poised and has this team competing and they won't lay down for anybody. Lose Dez Bryant, no problem Jesse Holley can make a play...lose Phil Costa, Kowalski get in there and we won't miss a beat...Felix Jones is hurt (again), DeMarco Murray you're up...Terence Newman can't play, Orlando Scandrick is out for another week or two, no worries Alan Ball can get a pick and Bryan McCann can hold his own. This team isn't making excuses, players are accountable and they're hungry. I attribute this to the coaching philosophy change.

There are few players who's stock in my mind haven't changed: Jason Witten (leading all TEs in yards, 2nd in receptions), DeMarcus Ware (leading the league in sacks), Sean Lee (leading the league in tackles), Miles Austin (tied for league lead in TD receptions, 4th in total receiving yards)

Stock Down

Felix Jones - Just like we got carried away with the defense's performance, we did the same with Felix Jones in preseason. He's hurt, again, no burst and apparently no vision. It doesn't look like he wants to be the best in the league. He looks slow and is running into the backs of his offensive line. I will not blame this on the offensive line because running lanes close just as fast as they open in this league. Felix has better get it together and quickly.
Kevin Ogletree - This was his time to shine, especially when Miles Austin re-injured his hamstring. I'm so thankful that Jesse Holley made the play, but Ogletree should clearly doesn't have the trust of Jason Garrett or Tony Romo. As far as I'm concerned, WR depth chart should be Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, Jesse Holley...
Victor Butler - Where has this guy gone? This sucks for me because I jumped on this bandwagon early in preseason and I even questioned whether he should replace Anthony Spencer as the starter opposite DeMarcus Ware. Through 2 games he has one, count it, 1 tackle. He raved about Rob Ryan's defense, but I don't see him supplanting Anthony Spencer as the starter.
Martellus Bennett - I'm tired of waiting for him to show his athleticism and he like Ogletree clearly doesn't have the trust of his coaches or quarterback. Every day, I regret Jerry Jones not pulling the trigger on the reported 1st Round Pick the Bengals offered for him. Trade him now for whatever we can get for him.

That's the way I see it, you guys can dissect it and add and/or subtract from either list.

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

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Well written. Unsure about Felix, but the doubts are there.
Remember that 1st year speed? Where has that gone?

by bloodyhanded on Sep 19, 2011 9:41 AM CDT reply actions

I thought Felix was primed for a breakout season.

Murray with touches will prove why we drafted him though.

Semper Fi Do or Die

Thanks a lot Nnamdi for wasting a whole day of productivity at work and stressing me out. Now we get to destroy you twice a year and I'll call us even.

"LOL. U lost by not reading the link. KA-POW" - football mensa / clarifying to me how to maturely win a debate

by Jeremiah_24 on Sep 19, 2011 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions

OK on the Felix thing

you have to remember we have just faced Two top ten run Defenses(3 and 6th respectfully in 2010) in the league.

I would wait at leat till after the Washington game(who were ranked 26th last year and gave up 6.2 yards to the mighty Az Cardinals) before we pass judgement

I will be bringing this up in my WWGD post this week.

Here’s a theoretical play from 2010: Snap. Tony takes 7 step drop. Tony looks left at Miles, who is doubled, and looks right to where Roy Williams should be…but instead sees Colombo on his back and a Defensive End foaming at the mouth jumping over Marc’s carcass. Tony proceeds to run like hell and look for Witten
-by CotySaxman on Jul 11, 2011 7:50 AM PDT

Am I the most optimistic Cowboys fan in the World? Yes, due to an "unfortunate accident" to the previous holder of the title.

by I am Ironman!!! on Sep 19, 2011 11:16 AM CDT reply actions

Fair Enough

But my biggest concern with him is that he’s hurt, again.

by CowboysFan_inDC on Sep 19, 2011 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions

he still played though

so I am less concerned about it

Am I the most optimistic Cowboys fan in the World? Yes, due to an "unfortunate accident" to the previous holder of the title.

by I am Ironman!!! on Sep 19, 2011 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions

reports indicated that he was "shut down" by the team

by CowboysFan_inDC on Sep 19, 2011 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I read that he was crucial in pass blocking on the later drives.

I can’t remember where, though.

by Baked Potato Soup on Sep 20, 2011 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions

disagree on all stocks down

mostly felix and tellus, o-line hasn’t performed in the running game, martellus has the trust of his coaches, just check out how they call him to block on clutch situations

by ratware on Sep 19, 2011 11:50 AM CDT reply actions

Same Line from Preseason

When everyone was predicting big things from Felix, so based on that and, as I’ve said right above you, he’s hurt, again. Teams don’t draft TEs in the 2nd round to be block.

by CowboysFan_inDC on Sep 19, 2011 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions

anyone who blames a player for being hurt is clueless

by ratware on Sep 19, 2011 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm not blaming him

I’m saying he’s hurt again, there’s a big difference between the two. And where’s your defense for Martellus Bennett?

by CowboysFan_inDC on Sep 19, 2011 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions

i'm done and sorry for the clueless

but this doesn’t mean anything, i have pointed out a lot of arguments in the past in order to make a case for martellus, i don’t want know, but i’m sure he’s a good player

by ratware on Sep 20, 2011 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions

The line is nowhere near as good as made out to be in preseason.

At least not yet.

by Baked Potato Soup on Sep 20, 2011 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions

I completely agree on Bennett

I like the Phillips kid and I think he will be a better #2 option behind Witten.

The key to life isn't doing what you are told not to do, it is knowing what is worth doing when told not to do it.

by SaintsFanInIraq on Sep 19, 2011 11:55 AM CDT reply actions

dismissing top run defenses?

I agree its a frustrating start for our rushing offense but we just played 2 of the best run defenses in the game let’s wait and see…A good sign is we stuck to it which set up the game winning play PLAY ACTION! People know Felix and Murray are threats to break one so they have to honor it. Why do you think the Jets played 8-9 men fronts 80% of the game

by CowboyWay on Sep 19, 2011 1:08 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Sorry, but my stock in Garrett is way down

His keeping Dez in the game against the Jets was idiotic, and that last Romo interception, though it should never have been thrown, should also have never been called. And the wide receiver pitch that got Austin injured on Snday was ridiculous. Had we lost that fumble, BSPN would be talking about his job.

Greetings from the Humungus, the Ruler of the Wasteland, the Ayatollah of Rock and Roll-A. I laugh at your puny plans.

by Lord Humungus on Sep 19, 2011 1:54 PM CDT reply actions

did u notice...

Dez has now been injured on special teams twice , then Austin gets injured on an IDIOTIC play call…I’m loving the culture change but just when JG gets me on his good side with play calling and decisions he does something stupid…Do you see Larry Fitz, Andre Johnson, Roddy, Calvin on punt return in the 1st qt at that smh

by CowboyWay on Sep 19, 2011 2:02 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

You don't

really know when Miles’ hamstring injury occured. It could have been on that play, but it may have happened no matter what play was called. He did have a similar injury during the preseason, and when you have an injury the precentage of re-injuring that area always goes up each time. Just like we don’t really know when the Romo injury happened. People say it was the third play of the game others say it was on the hit from Rogers.

Jason Garrett=2011 NFL Coach of the Year

by aubatron2011 on Sep 19, 2011 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Ogletree defense team reporting in!

I do recall seeing him limp off the field after a catch and never really noticed him back in the game but also havent heard anything about an injury.

I don’t see Holly in the game as a bad sign for ogletree because i thought the tree was hurt. HOWEVER i was fully expecting to see the other dreadlocks out there. Am I in the minority when i say i was suprised that holly was out there instead of harris?

by DavidLaFleur on Sep 19, 2011 2:14 PM CDT reply actions

I thought it WAS Harris

till the announcers said that it was Holley….

Am I the most optimistic Cowboys fan in the World? Yes, due to an "unfortunate accident" to the previous holder of the title.

by I am Ironman!!! on Sep 19, 2011 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions

I tell them apart by their facemasks, Holley uses a robot style, Harris uses a 3 bar with a visor

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

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

by Archie Barberio on Sep 19, 2011 8:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Sean Lee should be #1 on your list

his stock is soaring through the roof. Hes clearly our second best defensive player at this point, and him and Ware are making up for the fact that we don’t really have a secondary at this point.

Rex Ryan and Romo would be next on my list. Outside of the 4th quarter collapse and the period before the pain meds kicked in, Romo has been tremendous.

How about a shoutout for the OL? They got rocked most of the day, but on the last 2 and a half drives kept Romo relatively clean.

I’m not so sure about Garrett. Too many snaps with 1 second left on the clock (that may be Romo waiting till the last second to check the defense, Kitna didn’t do that), and a few interesting playcalls so far. While I’m still high on him as a coach, I wasn’t too fond of him keeping Dez out there in the Jets game, not to mention calling a play his way.

by foyesboys on Sep 19, 2011 2:43 PM CDT reply actions

The last second snaps infuriate me. Think the defense doesn’t realize this and it helps them get a good jump off the snap? I wish we would randomly bust out in the hurry-up offense in games.

I’m still holding off judgement on the online but i can say though 2 weeks i am extremely disappointed at our inability to run the ball.

I think the Defense has looked pretty good.

by DavidLaFleur on Sep 19, 2011 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions

I meant “o-line” not “online” :\

by DavidLaFleur on Sep 19, 2011 3:21 PM CDT reply actions

Ogletree down based on the success of Holley?

Absolutely ridiculous. Holley himself stated that the play was not designed to go to him, so I don’t know how you can make the wild statement that that play shows a lack of confidence in Ogletree.

Moreover, Ogletree had a crucial 3rd and long conversion.

Do you remember the (I think it was first) NFC championship game against the Niners? When Aikman went to Harper on that slant play, was that because the coaches and Aikman lost confidence in Irvin? Come on, its a ridiculous statement.

"Right after the game, say as little as possible." - Coach Landry

by RisingSunCowboy on Sep 20, 2011 12:30 AM CDT reply actions

You're Putting Words in my mouth (so to speak)

Ogletree is down is because he’s down, not because of Holley. I really don’t believe that Ogletree has the trust of Romo or JG and that’s the primary reason why I have him down. I pretty much lumped him in with Victor Butler & Marty B, all preseason/training camp hype and have yet to deliver in 2 seasons.

I remember the play that you’re referring to and Irvin went to the side that Alvin Harper had been going to because he wanted the ball and the 49ers rolled coverage to Irvin’s side. Don’t be mistaken…go back and watch America’s Game and both Aikman and Irvin say the same thing, so you’re mixing up two different things

by CowboysFan_inDC on Sep 20, 2011 7:44 AM CDT up reply actions

I know the history of that play

It does not change the point. Unless you think Aikman is a complete idiot, you have to concede that he still made the decision to throw the ball to Harper (i.e. he realized that he was not throwing to Irvin).

"Right after the game, say as little as possible." - Coach Landry

by RisingSunCowboy on Sep 20, 2011 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Also

Ogletree is down on the depth chart. He has not been asked to put up big numbers. He is making the catches he has been asked to. Its a bit strange to say a 4th or 5th receiver on a team with the best TE in the game and a good pass catching RB should be putting up huge numbers. he is a role player that has to be ready when called upon, and he was on Sunday, as evidenced by his crucial 3rd down conversion.

"Right after the game, say as little as possible." - Coach Landry

by RisingSunCowboy on Sep 20, 2011 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Not exactly your point, but...

on the America’s Game for that year, Irvin said that he switched positions on that play with Harper when they came out of the huddle, because he had been getting doubled all game. So Harper was actually running what Irvin should have been running that play. Actually sort of reinforces your point, but either way, thought it was a funny story.

by Baked Potato Soup on Sep 20, 2011 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions

oops

should have read the other reply first

by Baked Potato Soup on Sep 20, 2011 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree

Obviously Irvin was better than Harper and was the preferred choice, but Aikman had enough confidence to throw to Harper when it became available.

"Right after the game, say as little as possible." - Coach Landry

by RisingSunCowboy on Sep 20, 2011 8:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Marty B stock down?

For not being targeted? Which implies he doesn’t deserve to? That’s a stretch on about 3 levels. On the 2nd Kitna pick, I saw ’Tellus get knocked down twice, then get up and make the tackle – without his helmet. Slacker.

Not his fault Jerry didn’t trade him, not sure why he gets saddled with that failure as well. PS – sometimes JJ has been known to exaggerate. A little.

Dont fret about whats lost, embrace/appreciate what's given

by tdships on Sep 21, 2011 4:12 AM CDT reply actions

The o line as a whole were a dissapointment Sunday.

Free was getting beat far too often. If he is supposed to be the anchor of the line he dissapointed. Kosier was getting blasted. I really don’t want to see him have to play against Suh. The lighter more mobile o line has it drawbacks. I hope we can find a bigger guard in the 2012 draft..

Felix was not even close worth a first round pick. He is a complimentary piece as a second stringer. Dallas needs a hoss at rb. Not a fan of the rb by committee.

Agree that game would have been lost with Wade but as of right now , Garrett hasn’t been all that impressive. That double reverse stuff at that point on the field was stupid. He kind of remids me of Andy Reid. They want to show how smart they are and use some trickery and it backfires.

Bennett as a second rounder is another dissapointment. Gotta believe Jerry wishes he would have aken that second rounder from the Bengals.

Jerry is the end all in Dallas.

by football mensa on Sep 21, 2011 7:16 AM CDT reply actions

The attempt to get Ingram

this year and ultimate drafting of Murray eventually tells me Felix is either not back next year(think his contract is up)or he plays and gets paid as a second string back. I still like him a lot and think he is an explosive x-factor the team, which with an O based on big plays, needs. But he is not the workhorse/bell cow back #22 was. That type is diminishing anyway.

It’s not Bennett’s fault everyone touted him as the next Gates/Finely uber athletic ball-catching freak. His strengths apparently lie elsewhere and also serve a very useful purpose, especially as a complement to an underachieving OLIne(past years)now in transition(this year’s). Playing behind the greatest TE in DAL history, I would say the severity of Marty B as a problem for this team ranks somewhere after getting another Outside LB. Simply not a priorities for a team that had/has so many substantial holes to fill.

Between two evils, try top pick the one you've not tried before

by tdships on Sep 21, 2011 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Doug Free is not healthy

I think that is obvious. He is not the same guy he was last year. Last year he blocked Mario Williams and Julius Peppers , this year he is having trouble with JAGS.

by Jonathan Stern on Oct 7, 2011 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions

If you want to capitalize on Felix's speed then use him on kick off returns.

He showed early in his career he was a dynamic kick returner. The problem I have with it he was a first rounder. The next 4 rb’s taken after him are all better. Substantially better. I think Garrett tries to get to cute with all of his subtituions. No way Felix should be retained at starter money. He’s a little better Julius Jones at this point in his career.

Mendenhall, Ray Rice, Chris Johnson, Matt Forte. Any of those rb’s would be better.

Bennett is what he is. A blocker. He doesn’t offer much else. He will have the occasional catch . However John Phillips has out performed him. It’s where you draft these guys that irk me. Jerry has always treated the draft like ff.

Jerry is the end all in Dallas.

by football mensa on Sep 21, 2011 4:58 PM CDT reply actions