After watching today's loss at the hands of our bitter rivals, the Washington Redskins, I think all of us in the Cowboy world are starting to wonder what's going on. Speaking from a purely Dallas Cowboys' fan perspective, I'll give you my take on what's happening in Big D.
1) It took a while, but the rest of the league, specifically the NFC, have begun to figure out the Cowboys' offense. Tony Romo has had some shaky moments behind center this year. Even with his many miscues, he remains with the top passers in the NFL. That should give some indication of just how talented Romo is. With that being said, the Cowboys are spending way too much time throwing here lately. That leads me to the next point.
2) Run the football. The Cowboys have two incredibly gifted running backs, each possessing their own unique abilities to move the football. The dilemma, and it's a good one, is the Boys have TWO equally talented backs. At some point, in my opinion, Dallas will have to make the difficult decision to make either Julius Jones or Marion Barber the featured back. As Dallas O is becoming predictable and the rest of the NFC are catching up, Dallas is going to have to make the move to give one of these guys the nod. I choose Barber because of his uncanny ability to finish a run straight ahead. It's like having two QB's, which Dallas had back when Landry ran Morton and Staubach in and out on successive plays. Eventually you have to choose your guy and I think it's time for Marion the Barbarian to get his chance.
3) Uncreative play-calling. I love Jason Garrett. He was an outstanding back-up behind Troy Aikman and who could forget his memorable performance against the Packers years ago? He's proven himself as a very capable offensive coordinator and he'll only get better with time. Someday he will be the head coach of the Cowboys. For some reason, he's starting to look more like Ernie Zampese. He's in love with Romo's arm. I'd like to see him move the pocket more and start the game on the ground by pounding Barber until someone stops him. I think the Cowboys are too quick to camp on the pass and abandon the run. As John Madden says..."To win a championship, you have to run the football."
4) We're all right. Yeah we lost to Philadelphia and Washington in the last three games of the year, but we've still got home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and a bye in the first round. The Cowboys simply need to get everyone well, put together a solid game-plan and get out there and execute it. Cut the stupid penalties, control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball the way they have when they dominated Green Bay earlier, and take care of business. Don't listen to the media when they say you're great or when they think you're sliding. Keep Jessica out of the stadium, although the whole team must've been infatuated with her that day. Play Cowboys football the way you know how and get us back into the Super Bowl.
We love our football here in Texas and for us Cowboys fans, we live and die with them. I've always said there's no more fair-weather fan that a Cowboys fan. We're like Yankees followers, without the pinstripes. People love to hate us and that's just fine.
My hope is in late January we'll all be saying nothing's wrong with the Cowboys as they head for another Super Bowl.
Next, we'll discuss what's wrong with the NFL. There's plenty to talk about there.
Enjoy the postseason everyone!
TFR
6 comments:
Yeah I agree with you 100%. I just hope its not a repeat of last year. They really did look bad Sunday. They look unmotivated. This is where Phillips has got to become a head coach, and not their best friend.If they play the way they did Sunday,Nobody wants to see a team like that in the Superboel. I love the Cowboys.
The problem in the NFL today is head coaches are a bunch of figureheads that don't get in their players' faces. I wonder if Lombardi could coach in today's NFL. There are too many mediocre players flexing their muscles after hits and diving into the end zone when no one's around to hit them.
Endorsements have taken a lot of the motivation out of pro football.
I agree with you. Phillips and the veterans on the team need to step up and lead.
If the Boys don't get it together, we are one and done.
TFR
The Cowboys need a lot of help to avoid one and done, they are playing like a typical team that starts "thinking" they should win, instead of playing to win!
Too bad you didn't show Sunday night at my place, we had a great time watching them lose!!!!
I guess the embarassment kept you at home? ;)
Wait a minute, Jason, isn't that your Bears that went all the way to the big dance last year and can't even find a date this time around?
They waited until the end of the season to start playing better just as the Boys decided to start sucking out loud here at the end.
My money is still on Dallas, in Dallas, in January.
We'll see if they can get it done, or not.
By the time group had started I switched the channel. I knew they were done in the first quarter.
G
I also think that T.O. being out hurt Dallas a lot. Romo is able to go to him anytime, and TO makes amazing catches or bats it down. Romo will be hurting if Dallas doesn't have that kind of a go-to guy in the future. At least they have another week off for T.O. to recover before the next game.
You are spot on, Steven. We need T.O. back and healthy. Romo needs him to take away the heat from Whitten.
I think the Boys will be all right as they get well. At least they have another week to prepare.
Gregg
Post a Comment