I figured I’d do a mini-film review since I actually watched the game again and made my notes. Plus, it helps me get back into regular blogging mode.
Offense
QB - Tony Romo had a good day that could have been great. He completed 21 of 28 passes and 75% is nice. But of the seven passes that he missed on, three of them could have been TD’s and were throws Romo normally makes. We know now that his pinkie injury was limiting what he could do in the game. No one likes to see points left on the field but it’s hard to quibble with a 34-3 win and a 10-1 record.
RB – Julius Jones and Marion Barber were running hard and had great games. The blocking up front was better and they took advantage. But some of the credit needs to go to Oliver Hoyte who had some very good blocks. Four or five times Hoyte blew open a hole that JJ and MB3 ran right through. If we can get the run blocking we had in this game combined with a return to blocking form by Hoyte, the run game will return for the rest of the year.
WR – Terrell Owens had a quiet day until the TD in garbage time. Darrelle Revis did a very good job of shadowing him. Owens might have had a TD early in the game but Romo underthrew him. Sam Hurd and Miles Austin contributed three catches and I like Austin’s speed with the ball in his hands. Getting him on a WR screen or something might be an interesting play. Hurd also played well on special teams. Isaiah Stanback got a few snaps in garbage time.
TE – Jason Witten got a TD and could have had another but it was a relatively quiet day for him, too. When I say quiet in regards to Witten and T.O., I mean they didn’t go crazy on the day but they both still contributed TD’s. I think it shows how good both are that only one TD each is considered an average day.
OL – A very good day by the offensive line. The big thing was the improved run blocking, guys not missing assignments and getting helmets on the Jets front seven. They had a few shaky moments, Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo had a couple of early bad blocks and Kyle Kosier got beat for a sack, but overall they dominated the game. Especially Leonard Davis and Andre Gurode.
Defense
NT – Jay Ratliff had a couple of good pass pressures and was an anchor in the middle that limited the Jets rushing game. Tank Johnson didn’t do much that stood out but the middle was pretty solid all game so they managed to take the inside run out of the Jets gameplan.
DE – Chris Canty turned in another great game and is finally becoming the player we all thought he could be. He was tough on the run, got a sack and a couple of QB pressures. Marcus Spears batted down a pass and not much else, his time to shine is almost running out as a Cowboy. Jason Hatcher had a couple of good series were he pressured the passer and stuffed a couple of runs. It was the most active he’s been in a while. Stephen Bowen had one pressure on the passer.
OLB – DeMarcus Ware was very active although he didn’t get a sack in the game. He also continues to excel against the run and is an all-around superstar. Greg Ellis had two sacks and is probably playing some of the best ball of his career this year. He also had a couple of nice run tackles. Anthony Spencer didn’t show up on my radar.
ILB – Bradie James got fooled on a pass to the TE but was his usual self in the run game. Akin Ayodele had one good run stuff and was solid. Kevin Burnett is getting more and more playing time and is making the most of it. He saved a 3rd down conversion by making a sure tackle and had a couple of great plays against the run. He also caused a fumble on a kickoff return.
CB – Terence Newman had a pick-six which was sweet. He looks like he’s back to full health and only gave up one significant reception. Anthony Henry gave up a couple of passes but also had a pass breakup and was solid on the day. Jacques Reeves also gave up a couple of catches but had great coverage on an endzone pass and turned in a very solid game.
S – Roy Williams had a good game stuffing the run, especially when he shutdown a cutback run that could have gone for yards. He also helped Ellis get a sack by occupying the right tackle on a blitz. Ken Hamlin had a few good tackles in the run game and covered a guy deep, complete with some intense hand-fighting. Pat Watkins got the tackle at the goal line that prevented the Jets from scoring at the end of the game and he also played very well on special teams. Courtney Brown recovered a fumble on a kickoff return.