Morgan’s Mystery Shoulder Injury a Concern
Posted: June 10, 2005 @ 1:44 pm
Quincy Morgan injured a shoulder last week in a passing drill.
That much is certain. The question that lingers is how badly? Conflicting reports have emerged in the past two days. Morning News writer Jean-Jacques Taylor makes the injury sound severe, claiming that the injury will require surgery at the end of the season, but that Morgan is determined to play through it.
Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram offers a more optimistic assessment today, quoting an a member of Morgan’s agency who termed the injury a “strain.” Morgan is rehabilitating the shoulder and claims he will be fine for the start of the season.
With the beginning of camp still almost two months away, the injury is either the type that can be rehabilitated by August or so bad that Morgan wouldn’t have the time to recover from surgery before camp. I’m skeptical that an injury that serious could be managed week-to-week for seventeen weeks and not compromise Morgan’s play. I’m not a medical doctor, but I know a couple who can provide the proverbial second opinion. I’ll add my two cents after I consult them.
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If it is only a strain, then fine, he will be ready for the start of the season, but that begs the question of why anyone is discussing surgery. I am also skeptical that a serious injury could be managed week to week. If he’s hurt that badly, we could see him out for the season after one good catch.
I hope that Clarence Hill is more accurate with his information than Jean-Jacques Taylor. For now, we’ll have to wait and see. Either way, Quincy’s a Cowboy, and for that reason, I wish him a speedy recovery.
All i have to say about that is that at least Clarence Hill is quoting a credible source. Who mis Taylor quoting???
Rafael,
Do you know the date of the incident? Why would Spags talk about Morgan and not mention an injury. All he talked about was what great shape he was in. Kind of made me think the shoulder think was not that serious if he did not even mention it. I mean I can see keeping an injury quiet in the regular season……..keep your opponent off balance. Or do the Jim Brown get up and limp back to huddle every play then bowl em all over again.
But in the summer doldrums. I figured we would have gotten a clarification. I agree the mystery shoulder injury……..seems a mystery indeed.
Oh well, Crayton, Copper, Smith, Crowder, Merrit, Rector……….MAN UP. Somebody!!!
Hey Jon,
Spags isn’t going to tell us anything that might whiz off the Tuna. You know how big Bill feels about info getting out. especially about injuries.
If Spags spills the beans he can forget any chance of peeking behind the curtain.
mystery injury indeed. Its puzzling there’s any doubt about this and why info is being held back from us hungry fans.
any case, I’ve posted earlier that Morgan is not a great loss for the Cowboys. I don’t mean to belittle someone who has been working hard. And I totally agree with Rob2 that a speedy recovery is the best for Morgan. However, Morgan hasn’t showed much during his career and certainly not much while wearing a Cowboy’s uniform (one good year in Cleveland - 964 yds - 17yds/catch - thanks Chandus).
I see Morgan as a bottom quartile receiver until he proves otherwise. A great offseason and fast running is nice but its just that. He has to do it on the field to prove his value to the team (see Randall Williams). I think he’s replaceable by the FAs out there.
And while the younger guys on the team may prove their mettle this year, I’d be more satisified with at least some proven commodity to back-up our aging core of receivers if Morgan is actually injured and at risk.
The thing is this: Morgan isn’t a great WR in the first place. If this injury has ANY effect on him in any way on opening day, he may as well drop to the bottom of the WR depth chart. If this guy had consistantly great outputs over the past couple of years I think we could say “you know, he can play through this injury and still be effective.” If he wasn’t very effective BEFORE this injury, we’re in trouble if it’s still nagging him in September.
That said, we have no idea how severe this injury is since the Cowboys have declined to release what it is and allow us to determine for ourselves whether Morgan will be able to do good things this year.
Question: HOW DO YOU KISS A FISH ON THE ASS?
Answer: see SPAGS/TUNA
Actually, I really like Spags. Just thought that was funny.
spags mail bag talked about morgan again…..without mention of the injury……..oh well………mystery indeed…….
I would not sweat bullets or lose sleep over losing Morgan. I hope the kid does well this year though. At least he is trying.
just thye facts………hopefully dallas @ last has better qb to throw to w/r. face it , vinny was a joke to all cowboys fans. yes i want to see wide outs prosper, but intil we get some 1 who can throw the ball we are doomed, hurt shoulder or not , it won,t matter
I don’t know whether Morgan’s ‘injury’ is serious or not. I certainly don’t trust anything that comes out of the mouth of a player’s agent. Nor do I expect any news release from the Cowboys on this matter. Parcells is invariably closed-mouthed about injuries — serious or not.
So, I would look to the Cowboys actions to determine the condition of Morgan’s shoulder. If there really is a problem, I expect them to bring in another veteran receiver before camp starts. I seriously doubt that they would maintain the status quo if there were any real problem with Morgan (or Johnson or Glenn, for that matter). Nor can I see them going through a season with Morgan on any kind of a week-to-week basis as to whether he can be productive or not, based on how his shoulder feels. On the other hand, if it is just a ’sprain’ that can (and does) respond to treatment, then no other veteran receiver will be brought in.
I suspect we will just have to wait to find out — perhaps up to the start of training camp.
jon,
dont forget about harrell…..and my personal choice…..tyson thompson (hey he had the fastest 40 out of the rookies didnt he? i know i read it somewhere) and besides, speed cant be taught, while running routes always can
Sean and Big Jim,
Very good point about Spags. He’s a great writer, but will not go against TunaMan. And that WAS funny.
JJ Taylor usually doesn’t write sensational BS without some sort of evidence to back it up. So I can only guess that he needs up his print in the slow time of the year. Even if BP continues to keep a stranglehold on injury news and QM’s injury is severe and he can’t play: SO WHAT! Let the other guys step up. I would rate Crayton above QM anyway. Until QM shows me something I will not be impressed with his “potential”. Remember Randal Williams?
I agree guys potential really doesn’t mean anything. Remember Ryan leaf vs peyton Manning. boy are the Colts lucky they took Peyton….Keyshawn, and Glenn are always getting hurt, we need these young bucks to come through. Crayton played a little decent, and cooper was ok. I was not impressed with morgan at all in Cleveland or in Dallas…..Zuriel smith, tyson thompson, or whomever that won’t cut it we need a stud and I don’t see one out there…Bill is probably going to throw on 3rd downs to keyshawn, try and occasional bomb to TG, and pound it with the trio of jones, A-Train, MB3, and let the defense try and give us a short field and let Bledsoe drive the Bus..
Don’t let the offense put the defense in a bad spot, same goes for the punter. And then hopefully we jell by 2nd half of the season and bill takes the leash off the offense and lets it rip…
I know you guys arent too impressed thus far by my man Q but u gotta give him some time to develop. He was only drafted in the 01 draft class and some injury plagued seasons have slowed his progress. QM was a beast in college. He has huge deep threat potential and can outleap most corners in the NFL. He has good strength and is wicked fast after the catch. Think Eric Moulds if he ever fufills his potential. The fact that he’s been improving his conditioning even more during the offseason has me lickin my chops. Call me optomistic but I see him being an excellent 2nd receiver in our future. The only knock on this guy is he has been known to drop catchable balls in the past due to lapses in concentration. Much like Braylon Edwards which didnt keep him from bein a top pick in this years draft. Lets hope this injury is not too serious. we’ll need his contribution this season.
If Morgan can’t make it, I just hope one of the young pups steps up. Seriously, based on past experience with the injury bug, one of the young pups will HAVE TO step up, because I don’t see Glenn or Keyshawn making it through the season unscathed. WR will have to be addressed in next year’s draft, unless Copper and/or Crayton start to shine.
Hopefully, Morgan’s injury isn’t that serious……. We’ll see.
Onepaniolo is absolutely right on this one. I think one of the pups will have to step in and grow some teeth. I don’t think we’ll see both receivers make it through 16 games, AND THE FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF GAME. Yeah, I know that’s a bold prediction, but it’s one I believe in.
I saw some potential in Copper and Crayton last year, so I’m not ready to panic if Morgan’s injury turns out to be serious. I hope it’s not because I’d like to see how the extra work he put in translates to the field. Having said that, I do think we got the short end of the stick with Morgan as opposed to Bryant, and I know, Bryant was becoming a cancer, but I think there was more upside to him than Morgan. I would like nothing more than to be proven wrong on this one, because that’s an important position. I have no doubt that Bryant would have eventually become a starter. Wouldn’t it have been nice to have him around last year when Glenn went down? He would have stopped bitching because he was in the lineup, and Parcells wouldn’t have had to listen to it.
Okay, I’ll shut up about Bryant. The guy is in Cleveland now, with Braylon, his new nemesis. Looking at our receiver situation now, Bryant must be kicking himself.
Anyway, Parcells is not unhappy with Morgan yet, so I will trust Bill on this one until I have reason not to. I also agree with Chris. We do have to give the guy a chance. He is our #3 guy whether we’re impressed with him or not.
Ryan,
I agree with Tyson Thompson. I have posted threads mentioning him as Herschel Walker…..Marshal Faulk………albeit not as talented as either……who could line up as a WR, TE, H-Back, or Half Back…..his speed it worthy of consideration. Hopefully he can make the team as a special teamer and relief runner and work on route running. He has better height and size for a WR than RB anyway. The best RBs are at or under 6′ and over 200 with an average of like 218 or so. I also totally agree Speed cannot be taught. However, we failed to get Randal Williams and he supposedly ran a 4.2…….the only guy I know of in the NFL that has 4.2 speed is Ron Mexico…….I mean Mike Vick.
Bill seems to like “utility” players that can offer him a lot of different options. Maybe Thompson can find a roster spot, and develop some route skills. If I was Jim Mora I would bring in Matt Schuab at QB every once in a while and let Vick line up as WR……not every play……..but evey once in a while………he has already shown what he can do in the open field.
Bill will find 4 or 5 guys that can fill the WR roles we need. I would not be surprised again next year if he passes on WRs in the first and 2nd rounds……….
We had Jimmy Smith on our team for how long and he could not break the starting line up and then goes on to be a 1000+ WR every year. He would have really filled that Gap that was left on the carpet at the Vet when Irvin was hurt. Galloway? Geez…….we might as well give up 2 first for Koren Robinson too………I think Bill has seen something in Crayton Copper and Smith he likes or he would have addressed WR.
Rob2…….How is there ever more upside to a Cancer. There isn’t. I have said in the past, if I had a jersey thrown in my face as Bill Parcells I would have cut him ON THE SPOT. At least Bill showed patience and got anything for Bryant. Antonio showed us all flashes of brilliance……..but in the end…….he showed us consistent ignorance………..Quitting on Routes is my bigger complaint than the jersey even. GOOD RIDDANCE> Compar his numbers to Morgan…….very simliar with AB having a slight advantage. Now compare Physique, forty times and height……….MORGAN wins out. Bryant had some athleticisim to him that sure made me think after his rookie year he was the future. But he proved he was not. He also came in with baggage from PITT. It was known he was a head case. So in my book that one rests soley on the Shoulders of Jerry and the staff.
Looks like Bill puts a lot of stock in Character……..no thugs and hoodlums. His time as head coach is too short. Look at the turnaround Keith Davis is enjoying with a little size 12 parcells drop kick off the team after the Dallas Sex club incident. Now the kid is potentially a starter at FS, and barring some freakish event a starter on a lot of special teams. If BP thought AB was worth keeping, he would have found a way.
Also, I know Rafael and others have pointed out the salary cap. In the next few years, we are going to have to address QB……if Romo or Henson is the future they aint going to be making peanuts anymore……..and keeping the likes of Roy Williams and others. Perhaps Bill sees the WR as a place he can use later round and FA guys and still get the job done. Every coach has a postion that he feels he can develop. Atlanta and Denver are masters at their Offensive line, late draft picks, but consistently best O lines in the business. Both Playoff teams. Atlanta had boocu yards rushing last year.
I think looking at Parcells history of picks, he prefers to go later on the WR.
Jon
Mickey Spags did say that Ty Thompson looks to him to be built more like a WR than RB. As I’ve said before, I think Ty’s best chance to make the team this year is at RB on the practice squad. And as you have pointed out before, at $4000 a week for guy with some community college and a year at a university, he should very happy with that. He has a lot to learn and will have to work very hard, maybe more than anyone else, to make the active roster.
You know I was wishing Schuab would be called by the Cowboys during last year’s draft! Tuna missed the boat on that one. Matt would be the premier QB in wait (if he waited long) in Dallas, IMO. The folks in Atlanta are doing smart business under Mora, they are contenders
And you took the word out of my mouth on Bryant. It’s not about his upside, but his downside. Brain chemistry malfunction can be treated, but not cured and Bryant had some problems beyond attitude and ego. With Morgan at least the downside is surmountable. If he can just replicate his 2002 season, we will be very happy with the his acquisition. I’ll add to some previous statistical info shared here: Aside from a couple of fumbles, his stats indicated a lot of promise, in addition to 50+ recs for nearly 1000 yards and 7 TDs, he had 17 catches for 20+ yards, which is very good and 6 catches for 40+ which is excellent; 34 first downs is not bad for the role he played. I had QM on a fantasy team that year and monitored his numbers the following year to some dismay. I don’t recall the reason, but his performance dropped off sharply. If we get Quincy of 2002, we could have a quality WR for several years to come, one who also has his head on right.
Another though about our WR issue: how are we going to approach 3rd and long when we don’t have a WR to put fear in the defense? Are we limiting ourselves to only playing conservative ball? What happens if we’re down 14-0 and have 3rd and 10 at our 20 yd line?
Terry can get open long, for sure, but he was injured last season and we have to admit that we’re keeping our fingers crossed that (a) he’s back 100% and (b) he can handle the full season and be at his best when we most need him — the playoffs… That’s not a strategy - that’s hope.
Throw underneath to Keyshawn for 8 yards? Ok… if he gets open. But that’s only going to give us 4th and short.
Depend on mismatches at TE? Maybe. But the O line had better to their job and our 3rd down back had better be above average blocking.
Hope Morgan is suddenly better than he’s ever been and he comes through consistently (assuming he’s ok)? Again, that’s just hope.
Trust either Copper or Crayton are developing? yep… hope.
Hand-off the ball to JJ or Marion, pick up 5 yds (occasionally a 1st) and then punt? And hope of defense does the job? Very conservative, specially if the opponent’s defense is expecting the draw.
What I’m getting at is this: our offense is not set-up to give us a good chance in that situation. We will be limited to conservative ball and defenses will play us that way. That’s not a recipe for consistent success unless we have a dominating defense.
Car,
about the only formation I would worry about is a Hail Mary or a 4 or 5 Wideout set. If we are using that set it is either 2 minutes left in a half, or we are down by 3 touchdowns.
Parcells likes using Backs out of the backfield……..look for JJ to get more touches as a reciever………TEs…..2………and WRs……..if a team has good consistent TEs and a rb that can catch…….why not use a 2TE set, with 2WRs and RB………the back can pick up a blitz than wonder over to the flat or run down the 1st down maker………the 2 WRs can stretch it deep………and the TEs can go for first downs……….in additon to that formation………the defense has to counter……….if they go to a 5 DB backfield………..somebody has to cover Julius Jones……..Dan Campbell and Jason Witten……….
assuming the Corners can cover TG and KJ…….at least one safety is going to stay deep…….that means you got 2 TEs and RB for a first down pick up. The LBs 2 of em……..are probably going to be on the TE and possibly the RB……..a corner or safety could cover a TE……..or they might double up witten with a LB at the line and a Safety deeper……..or zone………either way you 5 guys that are a threat to catch the ball 10 yards or more.
Mark Bavaro and Ben Coates made a living catching 3rd and Long passes down the Middle of the Field for better than 10 yards. Witten is too young to deserve comparison to those two great football players. But just give him time……….just give him time.
Car,
one other thing……..unless there is a penalty……….we ought not ever be in 3rd and Long……not with this offensive line and a backfield with Julius Jones Anthony Thomas………a FB……..and Barber and possibly another kid………
I want to see some 2nd and 2 after an 8 yard dash from Julius. Then you line up in the same formation pull the play action and hit Terry Glenn Witten or KJ for a deep ball for 20+ yards. Of course a lot of that hinges on a Talented TE, and I know we got that. Campbell can also catch the ball…….but you could drop off the 2 TE set and have the 3rd WR out there as well…………Jason Witten has teams worrying about how to cover him as much as anybody in the passing attack. That is not a bad thing. LBs are too slow…….Corners are too little………….Safeties maybe………but still he has shown good hands and the ability to find the seams in zone and get open in man……….
The Draw with JJ worked well, and with Bledsoe running a Play action pass that freezes LBs……….you are going to like the Passing Game of the Dallas Cowboys this year.
Just stay Healthy BOYS.
Jon………sounds like you might have played some ball in your lifetime…..
No, but he did stay at a Holiday Inn last night!
Sorry Jon, I could not resist that.
I agree Car a great defense can definately mask some deficiencies in an offense. Note the Patriots first super bowl victory, the Baltimore Ravens recent super bowl and hell the 10-6 Dallas Cowboys under Quincy Carter. Quincy Carter! I mean come on now… That said I feel you have our offense underrated. I recall an earlier post with comparisons being made to the Kansas City Chiefs offense. Now I’m not inclined to imply our offense will be anywhere near as effient as one of last years best offenses, but our offense should be at the very least servicable enough. The mediots b*tch about the age of our receivers and quarterback but I recall an Oakland Raiders squad making it to the Super Bowl with Jerry Rice, Tim Brown, and Rich Gannon who had at least 5 years a piece on our hometown boys Keyshawn, TG and Drew. I wouldnt worry too much about third and long situations. The Chiefs were able to pass to a 5′8 Dante Hall, a recently cut Jonnie Morton, and Eddie Kennison as their wideouts on third downs. Our wideouts at the very least are comparable. =) (although I’d love to have Hall as a return man…WOW)
All NFL players have their stronge points…..as far as our offense is concerned I think Bledsoe will flourish.He always does well with a good recieving TE(Witten) and a good intermediate passing game(Key) and from what we have heard,BP is getting our bevy of talented backs ready for their role as pass catchers(screens,flat routes,etc.) so I think we can be productive in that respect.Also this sets up the draw play which JJ excels in.With Bledsoe’s adept ability at play action(freezing linebackers and safeties) I think we will be able to sustain more drives and eat up the clock with our running game!In addition to taking the eventual shot downfield as defense’s creep forward to stop our short game.Like BP’s said slyly and with a big grin to Spags after an earlier practice”Hey,How’d you like THOSE running backs?” GO COWBOYS!!!!!
I was just wondering, How many points does everyone expect our offense to score a game? I’m going to say about 21-22 pts a game.
AndyZ……….my best days were on the sandlot……but yeah I played for 5 years in my youth……and fooled around with intramuarl and scrimmage in college……
Star……..if I slept at a Holiday inn……..last night……..make sure you don’t line up across from me……..
Whadda ya think of Schaub at QB and Vick at Wideout for a trick play in the Atlanta playbook……….I was impressed with Rivers and Schaub……..I thought ACC had the two best QBs in the country………but I am biased……..but hey……my family is all VA and NC so hard not to root for those guys.
I do think Schuab in the right system with a good offensive line, will be an NFL player. I thought that of Blundin too, and sort of thought he never found the right opportunity so………who knows.
Lou,
It is never how many you score……..it is how many you allow. I think our offense, like in the last half of last year, can rise to an occassion and put some points on the board. Hopefully though we can stop the other guys, cuz we ain’t exactly the greatest show on Turf or the Colts…….not yet anyway. Also, see San Diego with Dan Fouts and Dan Marino Dolphins for great offenses with a couple of pro bowl QBs and combined super bowl rings of ZERO.
Go DEFENSE.
by the way……..Andyz has best described our offense attack……..draws……..screens…….play actions…….TEs…….and the shot downfield………and by the way Drew can get her there……..as fast as Q, K or TG can run.
The better the run……..the better the pass. This is not anything different from our best days of Emmit, Aikman, Irvin………..and oh yeah……..name our other recievers………how about NOVACEK, Johnston, and then the rest of the names changed. We basically had one WR target, IRVIN, one TE Novacek……..and a great rb……EMMIT………and a HOF QB Aikman……..looks sort of familiar. I do not remember us lining up in ver many 5 WR sets. Those were left for Warren Moon and others.
Haper, Martin, Williams, those are off the top of my head three WRs i remember from those years. All of em were compliments to Irvin. Only Harper was a deep threat, mostly athletically not necessarily pure speed. (which btw he was much better off staying in Dallas…….he was perfect fit with Troy and Irvin……..never fit in elsewhere and came back injured)………
I would dare say Glenn and Key healthy……..are darn near close to that. Witten vs. Novacek………hey Jay is a fav but not much of drop off for Jason as a catching TE. Emmit vs. Julius…….uh he needs to carry more than just the water in practice to get that comparison……..but he could easily be a 1500+ RB. Aikman vs. Bledsoe………..Troy was as accruate a passer as I have ever seen in the NFL. Otherwise similar. Drew has pocket passing status………I would never label Troy a scrambler. Aikman obviously would be my first choice, but let’s say we get the best year Bledsoe has ever had……..uh we would like that……..a lot.
This offense is actually pretty talented……….quickly aging……..and in need of youth at QB, WR and eventually Guard………but hey…….it ain’t a bad place to start.
Star,
I think BP knows about Rivers and Schuab. I thought if he needed a QB he would have swapped a pick probably 20 for one. SD and Atlanta were both in Positions to deal a QB…….Brees or Rivers…….or in Atlanta Schuab………Vick sells too many tickets………even if you cannot order a Ron Mexico Jersey from the NFL…… another possiblity was Chris Simms who seems expendable down in TB a team he got KJ out of……..and he knows history of Chris……he was a ball boy for the Giants…….if he thought that kid was better than Romo or Henson…….he could have dealt for him………
Which honestly, makes me think he sees either Romo or Henson as a servicable backup and future starter. In the same mold as other young QBs he has gone to battle with. Pennington, and Hostetler come to mind. He won a Super Bowl with one of em, and the other kid ain’t bad……he ain’t bad at all. One of those kids has shown BP something. Maybe both of em. WHo knows.
Jon, I believe Marino does have a super bowl ring. The Dolphins played the 49ers about 15 or 16 years ago.
Wait Jon, you can’t have it both ways. Either character is an issue or it isn’t. I one breath you climb all over AB for his faults, and true, he has quite a few, but then you turn around and use Keith Davis as an example of a turnaround. Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Davis had to be cut before he got himself together? If Davis can be cut, and then figure it out, why can’t Bryant? Sometimes a fresh start is all someone needs. I don’t know if Bryant will ever turn it around, but if he does, good for him. If not, it’s not a big deal for us because he’s not with the team anymore.
Anyway, my point was that Bryant, like him or not, had shown flashes of being a great wide receiver. Okay, he quit on routes, clearly a mortal sin n the NFL, I’ll give you that, but he’s not the only one to ever do that. What will you say if Morgan does the same thing? I was simply responding to the statement from a number of people who were saying that they were not impressed with Morgan. I know I’m not the only person who was disappointed to see Bryant get traded, especially with the WR situation ending up the way it did last year. I’m pulling for Morgan now that he is a member of this team, whether I think he’s better or worse than Bryant.
Every NFL player is not going to be a model citizen. That has nothing to do with their upside. T.O. is a great big deep fried @sshole, so is Randy Moss, but if either of them were in a Cowboys uniform, I think you’d find a way to be happy with them. I just believe that Bryant has a better shot at becoming that kind of talent than Morgan. If you disagree, that’s your right.
Morgan’s injury sounds like a rotator cuff strain/tear.
You can play with it, unless your a pitcher or QB (and some QBs have played through it).
Rehab and Cortizone (WD40 for the human body) will allow him to be effective. It’ll just hurt like hell during the week.
Rotator Cuff post-surgery rehab is brutal. I had it. Worse thing ever…can’t lift your arm and 6 months of very painful rehab.
Another point to Jon. I’m going to assume you were kidding when you said “one other thing……..unless there is a penalty……….we ought not ever be in 3rd and Long……not with this offensive line and a backfield with Julius Jones Anthony Thomas………a FB……..and Barber and possibly another kid………”
EVERY TEAM gets into 3rd and long. It doesn’t matter who is in the backfield or on the offensive line. You also must know that there are going to be plenty of penalties, or have you forgotten last year? You’ll be seeing some of the same guys on the offensive line as we saw last year. Penalties are part of the game, and Dallas excelled at that part last year. We all hope that this will be cut down quite a bit, but you need to be prepared for plenty of 3rd and long situations. If not, you should prepare to be disappointed regularly. No game plan for 3rd and long means another 6-10 season, even with all our new improvements.
I’d bet all kinds of money that you will see more than a few 2nd and 8 situations like you hope for. Julius has shown that he can pull that off, and with the improvements on the line, we should see more of it this year. Barber and Thomas should be able to do the same if needed, but we will most definitely see plenty of 3rd and long. Carioca is right, we do need to have someone who can get the job done in that situation. I believe we do, in Jason Witten. I think Julius coming out of the backfield is another great option, as long as we get the yardage we need before the catch. How many times last year did we see the screen or outlet pass thrown for 5 yards when we needed 8? Now, I know the temptation here is to say that we’ve got a better offense, and we do, I know. But even when we had Emmitt coming out of the backfield with a strong line, the same thing happened. If some receiver doesn’t step up and become that guy, we will have issues. If I differ with Carioca at all, it would be that I believe we do have the guys here who can get it done more often than last year. Every time? Don’t even think about it.
No tony no SB rings for mister Marino. The niners won if indeed they played the dolphins. The niners never lost the SB. They have as many Trophies as the boys its just that dallas lost a few.
Correct Geno
Dan Marino never won a Super Bowl and therefore doesn’t own a SB ring. They may issue conference champ rings, that I don’t know, in which case Dan would own one of those. The losers (and winers) get paid, that’s all. I’d bet that Dan would trade any or all record(s) he holds for one ring.
Jon
You’re right, I think the Cowboys not pursuing a QB over two fairly rich drafts would indicate a certain comfort level with Romo & Henson (although I don’t share it). Either that or a they had discomforted feeling about any of those available–which would be bad news for a lot of teams in the league. I think Schaub was never in contention to be a Cowboy unless he had slipped so far in that draft that they couldn’t overlook him. I think he’ll be the first Cavalier since Don Majkowski and Aaron Brooks to become starters in the NFL. If Vick doesn’t settle into the pocket passer role and protect himself, it could be sooner rather than later.
Above should read: winners, not winers or whiners although the latter seems apropos for Dan.
Rob2,
I will only take issue with your comparison of Bryant to Davis. Davis’ only problem was showing up at a topless bar at the wrong time. I hardly equate that to any kind of ‘character’ issue. Certainly not to the character flaws and bad attitudes that Bryant exhibited in training camp, on the sidelines, and on the field.
Bryant had (and still has) a lot of talent. That high level of talent, and his second-round draft status, gave him a lot of leeway. Eventually, though, the coaching staff got tired of dealing with him and his issues and traded him for whatever they could get.
Davis was originally signed as an unheralded, undrafted, rookie free agent. So, when he suffered his off-field incident, he was given no slack, and was dismissed. As far as I know, Davis’ attitude has been exemplary since his return. Nor have I ever heard of any other lapses of ‘character’ since the one that got him released.
Davis = hard-worker, who suffered ONE off-field incident.
Bryant = jerk-off and non-team player, who doesn’t listen to the coaches, and often goes off on his own.
Davis made a mistake.
Bryant has basic character flaws.
Apples and oranges. It is a lot easier for Davis to not repeat his mistake than it is for Bryant to change what he is.
Anyway, other than that relatively minor objection, I have enjoyed reading your posts.
well said Mr. Bill…….
Yes Rob2 I can have it both ways. If it was Lawrence Taylor at that Club…….he would not have been cut. Keith Davis……off the team.
Sorry but there is a doulbe standard. Just ask any father who gives the sex speech to his son and then his daughter. Is it the same speech? Or is it a doulbe standard.
Davis appears to have made his way back into Parcells good graces. AB threw a jersey at him and quit on routes. Davis has never quit on the field to my knowledge……
And yes every team gets into 3rd and long. And every coach in the league tries his best to avoid it. That is my only point………..would you rather have an offense geared toward 3rd and LONG or one that was capable of making some first downs on 1st, 2nd, 3rd and short……..and yeah occasionally 3rd and long. Any good coach is trying to always get his team to avoid 3rd and LOng. And occassionaly every team has to punt.
This is NFL not Madden.
Interesting last statement. I agree completely, which is why I was a little surprised at the statement about 3rd and long. Thanks for the clarification. Also, I am very well aware of the double standard, both in the NFL, and with sons and daughters. Neither of our positions is likely to change on Byrant, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Actually, I’m glad you’re out there, because I enjoy the occasional difference of opinion. It’s good for the blog overall. Tht’s part of what keeps me coming back here.
Now, back to 3rd and long. I would bet if given the opportunity, ALL coaches would choose to have their first and second down plays get them 8 to 10 yards so they would never see 3rd and long. Hell, I know I would, but since that is not always possible, I’d be preparing for the inevitable. I ask again, do you remember last year? We weren’t the best in that situation. I too hope that having Julius & Terry for a full season (knock on wood) will help us be better at it, but if we don’t do a better job than last year in converting 3rd and long, we are in for another season of wondering what went wrong. Can you name any superbowl winners who consistenly failed at converting 3rd and long?
Parcells went out and got us a brand new shiny defense. Great! We needed something, but don’t kid yourself. We didn’t need all of these guys because the defense sucked so bad. We had the NFL’s number one defense the year before. A good part of the reason we needed all of this youth and new blood is because the guys we had were always on the field. They were worn out. Wanna guess why?
A respted fellow blogger recently said to me “This is NFL not Madden.” He was right. I’ll take that to mean he understood the fact that a defense which is on the field constantly, no matter how good it is, is fighting a losing battle.
That should have been A respected fellow blogger recently said to me “This is NFL not Madden.â€Â
You are correct, I have pointed out in previous threads that we had a numero uno ranked defense only one year ago. I was also in the camp arguing for Pass Rush and Cornerback and Safety upgrades. Henry and Glenn and Reese qualifiy as upgrades. Reese can play the FS spot as a cover guy if Keith Davis or others do not step up and take that spot.
Bill said he had concerns about the defense, even in that stastical good year. Primarily the pass rush. It was not his style or physical players. He is the coach, I am all for him putting in what fits for him.
Demarcus Ware vs……..Williamson, Willams and Edwards were all gone by the 11th PICK. 20 was Spears………who or where would you have added a WR that would have been a difference maker this year.
Anthony Thomas, Barber, and Julius Jones should give us a ball control rushing attack that eats the clock. Play action and draw plays will be our bread and butter.
3rd and Long is always a hard down. What do we consider long…….I will assume over 5 yards……if it is more than 10 we have done something STUPID like get sacked, fumble, or a penalty. All of those are to be avoided by a well coached team. Our offensive line had way too many penalties last year as well. Vinny threw way too much, to the point of wearing out his arm by season end and that stops the clock. Especally with all the incomplete passes.
I don’t see too many teams with a much better one two punch at WR than Glenn and Keyshawn. Oakland obviously has the potentially 3 of the best in the league if Curry continues to improve. Porter and Moss are awesome and Porter is still young likely to improve even more. I think Moss’s best years are behind him, he was hurt quite a bit last year. Cardinals also have a really great recieving corp.
How about teams that were in the Super Bowl. Patriots…….hardly call those guys great……….consistent and good……..a little undersized…….but not great………Eagles………..TO and that is about it. They had to add a construtction worker to their TE postition. I would not take any of their recievers. Didn’t they cut Freddie Mitchell. TO is a beast, but he looks like a bigger cancer than Antonio Bryant.
Michael Irvin dressed flamboyant. Had some off the fields struggles…….but on the field that guy was the heart and sould of the team. Diving for catches………blocking………firing up Troy and Emmit. Cheerleading the defense along the sidelines. He was just a Playmaker he was a Teammate. I don’t see too many guys like that in the NFL. Tory Holt maybe.
The age of Key and TG means we do need to address WR. However, I would be surprised if it is in the 1st round next year.
Rob2 also I agree that Antonio Bryant had more potential than Quincy Morgan. But he, not Bill Parcells made the choice to not be a part of the Dallas Cowboys……..by his actions on the FIELD.
Ellis and Glover OUR 2 BEST….are both over 30. It was time to address the front 7. Especially with a coach that has a great record at picking up front 7 players.
No doubt. What you’re saying about the draft is absolutely right. Parcells did exactly the right thing in upgrading the defense this year. Especially since most of the “draft stars” on offense were gone by the time we picked. I get that, and do not disagree one bit with what he did. I also agree that Keyshawn and Terry Glenn can hold their own, if they stay healthy, which I have said before. That’s why I’m expecting to see Parcells look to upgrade the offense more in next year’s draft.
3rd and long for me is also about 5 yeards or more. Let me be clear on something. I already think we will be better than we were last year at 3rd and long. I think we have to be because we were miserable at it. Witten should be a huge go to guy in that situation. Keyshawn is also a chain mover. With Julius back in the backfield, 5 yards is not insurmountable. If we cut down on penalties, we should not see nearly as many 3rd and 11 type situations as we did last year. Penalties also killed us and kept the defense out on the field.
I agree that there was nothing too special about the receiving corps for either superbowl team, with the painful exception of T.O. However, what separated those teams from us was, in large part, their ability to convert the 3rd down. Allow me to expand on our 3rd and long theme for a minute. It doesn’t have to be 3rd and long. How many times did we screw up 3rd and 1 last year? Way too many if you ask me. I probably should have been talking about converting on 3rd down in general the whole time. We were pathetic at it last year.
By the way, I couldn’t agree more about Tory Holt. I love that guy. He’s somebody we could use in Dallas. Somehow, this guy is seemingly always open. Freddie Mitchell was cut by Philadelphia, and was rumored to be coming to Dallas for a visit. I nearly thre up when I heard that, and I’m so glad it’s not true.
I am cautiously optiminstic that we should be able to hold our own pretty well this year on 3rd down, provided we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot with penalties, but I have to admit, it is still something I am concerned about.
I was trying to say that I nearly “threw up” when I heard about Mitchell possibly coming to Dallas. Damn these paws.
Somebody asked Michael Irvin and Troy Aikman who was the best NFL reciever. They both said Tory Holt. Aikman was empahtic about it being Holt. Irvin pointed out that Moss was a touchdown machine, and most of his antics were for the media not in the locker room. He also said TO was wrong for going after McNabb……..you never criticize your QB they are sensitive he said. Then basically said Tory Holt was the guy that was the most consistent, and a big play threat.
It was quite an endorsement from Aikman and Irvin. I had always like Holt. He is pretty quiet off the field, and just lets his play speak for himself. I would love to have him in Dallas but Mike Martz would give up parts of his own anatomy before he would let Holt go. Martz was also classy in handling Faulk, I would assume he will do the same with Holt as he ages……if he is the coach.
first off, morgan didn’t do jack for the boys last year, he filled in, dropped a few passes, and got paid…i really wish we didn’t give up on bryant b/c he is a special player who will be amazing once he gets his head on straight…the least the boys could have done was keep him through their miserable season and trade him in the offseason, where they could have gotten a hell of a lot more than morgan…crayton should and will be the third receiver over his ass