Dallas Cowboys News & Notes: Cowboys Don't Upset Patriots, But Weeden Upsets Fans

Patriots 30 - Cowboys 6: Cowboys Routed By World Champs - Blogging The Boys
Our own Jim Scott gives a recap of the Cowboys tough loss to the Patriots.

National reaction: Call for change at QB for Cowboys; Quincy Carter could have done better than Weeden | Dallas Morning News
BREAKING NEWS: Cowboys fans don't like Brandon Weeden. In a surprise turn of fate, the overwhelming support for Weeden has taken an unfortunate turn for the worse. You know things are real bad when people start asking for Quincy Carter.

I do think the Cowboys have to at least give Cassel a chance in practice these next two weeks. Will be interesting to see.

— David Helman (@HelmanDC) October 11, 2015

Three thoughts: Patriots slam Cowboys; should Weeden still be the starter? | Dallas Morning News
Jon Machota provides his three thoughts and at least two of them are not about Brandon Weeden. It's not so much that he's a bad quarterback, but rather that he's not a good one.

The offense never gave the Cowboys any chance of pulling off an upset. In the first half, Dallas managed only three first downs and 59 total yards. Brandon Weeden was 7 of 13 for only 36 yards during those first two quarters. It wasn't any better in the second half. Many will question if Weeden should still be the starter, he certainly wasn't very good Sunday. Matt Cassel says he knows the offense and feels comfortable. But how much of an impact can he make? Without Dez Bryant and Tony Romo, this offense is extremely limited. Terrance Williams was held to two catches for 30 yards. Joseph Randle rushed for 60 yards on 15 carries. Gavin Escobar wasn't utilized until he was targeted twice on the game's final drive.

Jason Garrett will evaluate quarterback position | ProFootballTalk
Fans may get their wish as Jason Garrett didn't squash the topic with anything close to resembling Terrell Owen's Oscar winning performance pronouncing, "That's my quarterback." Instead he just stared real hard and blinked twice at the reporter hoping that the message would be decoded.

After the game (via Todd Archer of ESPN.com), Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said that the quarterback position will be evaluated before the team’s next game, on October 25 against the Giants. Which hardly sounds like the kind of clear endorsement Weeden would receive if Simms’ supreme confidence were accurate.

Sturm: After horrible game, time to bench Brandon Weeden for Matt Cassel | Dallas Morning News
Bob Sturm has had enough of Weeden as well and is ready to make the switch.

Is it time for a quarterback change from Brandon Weeden?

Absolutely. There's no question it's time, if only because this season is dying on the vine. While it may not be Weeden's fault entirely, the spark needed right now is not going to come from him. In fact you might make the case you would have an annoyed locker room if you didn't do something during the bye week. You take a week off you get Matt Cassel ready and you hope Dez Bryant is ready. They can't put out another offensive effort like they did tonight. Just can't do it.

George: Unlucky Brandon Weeden faces uncertain future as Cowboys plan to evaluate QB position | Dallas Morning News
When Weeden was asked about the possibility of being benched, he didn't have very much to say about the topic.

"I don't want to talk about it," Weeden said. "I'm going to let my play do the talking."

Today, that talking sounded an awful lot like Charlie Brown's teacher.

That's their decisions. That's what their role is. My role is to play football and be ready. I'm going to prepare like I always do."

Eatman: After Offense Sputters Again, Time For Cowboys To Make QB Switch | Dallas Cowboys
Another vote to give Brandon the boot.

I like Brandon Weeden. I think he’s been a solid backup quarterback here with Tony Romo out. But he’s not getting the job done, and the Cowboys should go ahead and use the bye week to get Matt Cassel ready.

Instant Review: Staff Writers Give Quick Analysis On Loss To Patriots | Dallas Cowboys
The DC writers give their quick assessment of the game, including how none of them correctly predicted that the Cowboys wouldn't find the end zone.

Cowboys Season Teetering On The Brink, Have A Bye Week To Figure It Out - Blogging The Boys
With the team at a crossroad, the post-bye action will at least feature a welcoming bright spot with imposing defense.

Greg Hardy makes a difference. If there is one thing to take out of this game is that with him in the game, and with Randy Gregory coming back, Dallas could become much better on defense. We can't forget that Dallas was only down 13-3 at halftime, and that was largely the work of the pass rush.

The boost the defense got is very encouraging, but it will be all for naught if the Cowboys offense cannot score points.

Broaddus: Play of Byron Jones, Darren McFadden Among Thoughts | Dallas Cowboys
In the middle of all the complacent offense was a defense that put Tom Brady on his back five times in the first half. Bryan Broaddus gives us his 12 thoughts, including the good things people should be talking about.

You saw why Jerry Jones went out and made the commitment to defensive end Greg Hardy this offseason. You can say what you want about Hardy the person, but there is no question about his ability as a player. Patriots left tackle Nate Solder left this game with an elbow injury, but there is a side of me that believes he decided he no longer wanted to face Hardy. When Hardy and Randy Gregory get back on the field together after the bye, you will see an even better pass rush from this defense.

And this one...

Rolando McClain is a man when it comes to playing the Mike linebacker. This is not a shot at Anthony Hitchens, but this defense missed McClain at that spot. Coming into this game, I felt like to have any type of success against this Patriots offense, the defense had to attack the front of the pocket, and for the most part they were able to put some pressure on Brady. That was largely due to the play of McClain.

Rolando McClain Gets Plenty Of Work In First Game Since 2014 Playoffs | Dallas Cowboys
If you forgot Rolando was making his return this game, it wouldn't have taken long for him to remind you.

On the first defensive series, the Cowboys were able to disrupt Brady’s timing by sending McClain on a middle blitz for a sack and a nine-yard loss, forcing a punt. Not surprisingly, McClain said he had tired legs at points in the game, but he still managed to tie safety Barry Church for the team lead in tackles (eight), including two for loss, and a quarterback hurry.

Don’t Forget About These Five: Missed Tackles, Offensive & Defensive Drops | Dallas Cowboys
All week people worried about how the Cowboys would defend Rob Gronkowski. With the team's first round pick drawing this tough assignment, this made many people cringe. All-in-all, the rookie did a great job keeping Gronkowski in check, but the time he did get loose killed an opportunity to keep the Patriots behind the chains.

Gronk Gets Loose – The Cowboys’ defense needed a big stop to start the second half and after a holding penalty on the Patriots pushed them back to first-and-20 at their own 10-yard line, Brady found Rob Gronkowski down the sideline for a 33-yard gain to flip the field position. The Patriots continued to move the ball and scored a key touchdown five minutes into the half for a 20-3 lead. Without that big play, the Cowboys might have a shot to get good field position and cut into the lead.

Cowboys' Dez Bryant gets injection, which Jerry Jones says 'will do two things' | Dallas Morning News
The offense sure could use a shot of adrenaline and that could come in the form of Dez Bryant's return. The team is still hoping he'll be able to return for the Giants game after the bye week and he got a therapeutic injection to help the healing process.

"It will do two things," Jones said. "It has the potential to improve the healing time but more important gives him and everyone more confidence that when he comes back, at whatever the time is, it will be sounder and I think that was the overriding reason for doing it. It will be sounder even if he kept the same timeframe. It could easily speed it up, but if not, what you're always going to be worried about [is] if you wait another week maybe you've got less chance of reinjuring it or basically rushing it. That will give us more peace of mind on rushing it."

Moore: Depressing! Jason Garrett faces his biggest challenge as Cowboys coach | Dallas Morning News
Jason Garrett is no stranger to adversity, but with all the Cowboys injuries this season, his biggest challenge could be what lies ahead of him in the next few weeks.

"As far as doing something offensively here, he could be as challenged as he's been in his career,'' Jones said of Garrett. "They've got their hands full. Scott Linehan (offensive coordinator)...We've got our hands full on how to have some offense here.''