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One Last Look at the Tape
Posted: September 30, 2005 @ 7:11 am
Some final observations from the 49ers game:
Fox replays singled out C Al Johnson for a missed block in the third quarter where Niners’ NT Mike Adams pushed him back into Julius’ Jones running lane. While the replay made it seem that Adams was getting the better of Johnson, in fact the opposite was true. Johnson regularly won the running play battles against Adams, especially on short yardage plays. Adams is a runt of a NT, listed at 300 lbs. Johnson will have a tough chore this week with Ted Washington. Washington is listed at 365 lbs. and may be a small child heavier than that.
On the other side of the ball, Dallas NT LaRoi Glover had trouble against the run. He was regularly turned and pushed back by 49er doubleteams.
Glover did not struggle alone. The entire Dallas linebacking corps had a ragged day against the San Francisco running attack. ILBs Dat Nguyen and Bradie James were late in recognizing and filling the holes. It seems the Cowboys did not expect the 49ers to challenge them on the ground, since the linebackers’ first tendency was to backpedal. Al Singleton, his interception aside, had the most difficulty. He was regularly turned inside on sweeps and tosses to his side. Scott Fujita got some reps Sunday and after Singleton’s performance, will likely get a lot more this week.
49ers safety Mike Rumph is a headhunter. His fumble-producing hit on Julius Jones in the second quarter was aimed at Jones’ jaw. In the fourth quarter, he tried to break up Drew Bledsoe’s long pass to Terry Glenn with a shot to Glenn’s earhole. (Scroll down to photo.) As anyone who’s played can tell you, a direct shot to an earhole or the back of the helmet is an almost certain concussion. Rumph led both times with his helmet and could see a fine from the league office.
There was some concern in the threads about Julius Jones’ second half decline. I think 49ers adjustments are to blame for his drop in rushing yards and Jason Witten’s disappearance from the second half stat sheet. If anything, this shows the flexibility and depth of the offense. Jones and Witten are put on the shelf and Drew Bledsoe goes crazy with the deep ball, throwing for over 200 second half yards. As long as the skill position players stay healthy, it’s going to be a matter of picking your poison for most defenses.
The Cowboys executed a screen pass to perfection in the second quarter. Sean Payton’s call for Julius Jones beat a 49ers blitz for 18 yards. Adding this play to the repertoire would do wonders for the offense’s already impressive production.
The draw is back. The draw was Julius Jones’ most effective play last year. It was not used extensively in the first two games, but last week Dallas ran it three times, for nine, five and eight yards. Look for that play to get called more often.
Written by Rafael Vela · Filed Under News
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the concussion JJ got probably also had something to do with his production. I would be interested to see what it was before and after.
Cannot figure out why they would not run the draw more before the SF game- BP used to say: Keep doing it untill they stop you, then do something else that they opened up stopping you there. Very few draws so far this year. I would run it at least 5 times a game.
AL Johnson did ok against a small NT- but he has trouble with normal sized ones, let along the big ones. Look for Gurode to play some Sunday.
Burmafrd,
I’ve seen the mention of Jones’ concussion and watched the tape looking for where it might have occurred. But I found no mention of it in the press. Do you have a link? I think his slowdown had more to do with the 49ers run blitzing a lot more in the second half. Julius had four carried on the first drive of the 3rd quarter. One for eight. One for four. The one where Johnson tripped him, and then one yard for the TD. He had five carries after that. One was a second TD run of one yard.
The other four were for almost nothing, but considering that Dallas is throwing about five times for every run at that point, and throwing for huge chunks of yards, it’s an exchange I’ll accept. I’d like to think the run game would have been a lot different had the Cowboys gotten a lead. Once the 49ers got to 31 points, Jones was an afterthougth.
On the second point, I don’t think Gurod will play much if at all, simply because I do think they’ll try to bomb the Raiders secondary early, try to get a lead and then turn Jones loose.
If Glover is getting doubled, then he is doing his job. Everytime I see an offense attempting to block him with one guy, he is consistantly pushing the lineman into the back field or moving past him. Canty also had a very nice 3rd and 4th quarters. He penatrated the 9ers back field on a few occasions. Canty and Ware were two prime reasons Rattay had problems in the second half. Maybe they weren’t getting sacks, but the 49er QB definately felt the pressure. On the Ellis sack, Ware pushed his guy back towards Rattay, and the QB had no choice but to try to move to his right … where Ellis gobbled him up. .. The defensive line rotation played a huge roll Dallas’ second half comeback. Our guys were fresh, and winning the battles at the line of scrimmage. … Something long discussed on this blog, our depth is starting to show up late in games. I am suprised others haven’t written too much about it.
Julius played a good second half as well. He ran up the middle for tough yards. The Boys first drive of the second half (their best of the game) was the “message sender” to the 9ers, as in we are not going anywhere. That opening drive Julius ran hard, and straight ahead, with a fullback. The rest of the second half? Well, the Cowboys had more things open up in the passing game, probably because of Julius’ success in the 1st half, just as Rafael suggests.
Mike Rump …. is out for the year.
Onto the Raiders game … two things I thought were interesting:
1.) Back in his Bill Parcells’ “dog house” days, Larry Allen was embaressed by then Tampa Bay DT, now Raider DT, Warren Sapp. I am very intregued how their match up this weekend will turn out. Allen and the Cowboys’ offense was pushed around by the Bucs defense in 2003, shutout in fact. .. Well big boy you want to challenge field goal kickers to make their kicks, then challange yourself to control the line of scrimmage.
2.) Sean Payton coached Kerry Collins, during the QBs best days. They have a lot of respect for one another. Surely Payton know what rattles his former signal caller. … I would expect Dallas to send blitzers up the middle, and get in Collin’s face. Try to push the pocket back into a “pocket passer”.
Oh, also on Julius Jones’ second half performance. He made a few really nice blocks. One block allowed Bledsoe to complete a critical 3rd down, and another on the game winning TD. … He is improving in the areas that will make him a complete back. Last year he made a living on getting the “soft yards” (draws and a lot of runs to the outside), and had problems picking up blitzes. Julius deserves a lot of credit for the hard work he has put into becoming an all around better player this year, and more work needs to be done.
Rafeal……….Here’s the link on the JJ concussion http://cowboys.mostvaluablenetwork.com/ the reference is in the second article named “Rookie Impact”
I just read this what do you think???
By PoetTree
DCC Staff Writer
As you may or may not remember from my previous diatribes on this board, I consider myself a running back connoisseur. I love them, study them, appreciate them and imagine that I have more than a layman’s understanding of how to spot the “good” ones. Last season, well, at least half of last season, I was treated to a spectacular view of a new NFL running back. His name was Julius Jones.
Beyond just the measurables Jones produced last year (outings of 150, 198 and 164 yards), I witnessed the young back do things that are simply unavailable to even great runners in this league. The kid had feet, moves, acceleration and lateral agility that is exceedingly rare. It became a joke of sorts around this particular Cowboys community, and perhaps elsewhere, but the startling likeness to Barry Sanders-esque ability could not be missed. Even various game announcers mentioned it in hushed tones, before then quickly dousing the comparison for fear of handing out premature praise of such epic proportions. No matter. One thing was certain, whatever icon he might best be sidled to, Julius Jones was gonna be a special, special player in the NFL.
Now, while I’m not pulling the plug on this idea as of yet, am I the only one who has noticed a distinct difference between our #21 of this year & that of the last? And yes, yes, I know he faced two very good defenses in the first and second weeks. I know that they and San Francisco were all keying their defenses to stop him, as will likely the rest of the teams on our remaining schedule. But in truth, no different could be said about the squads he torched last season. And yet, torch them nonetheless he did!
No, something is different this year. I noticed it even in pre-season. He looks, somehow… slower. He appears less explosive, sudden, unpredictable. And those knee-snapping cuts that quickly became his hallmark last season, I’ve not seen even one. Dare I say, he has looked even awkward at times when trying to make someone miss. And for the life of me, I cannot figure out why! I mean, sure, our run blocking has not been the best. Julius is often met by a defender in the backfield before the play even gets started. But the thing is, he was subject last season to that very phenomenon, as well.
The Giants game in particular, last year’s final contest, serves as a prime example of this. Watch any video highlight from this most previous season to see precisely what I mean. There were defenders breaking through the line of scrimmage all game long, some of them even getting a hand on Julius. But he would simply break out this ridiculously angled cut and be by them at full speed before they even knew what was going on. I mean, honestly, as a running back fanatic, he was simply breathtaking! I could not wait for this season, as I knew he’d only be better when it arrived. But, strangely, this does not seem to be the case.
I have logically wondered the reason behind this. It’s true that he put on muscle, the added weight of which can sometimes slow a player down. But in a closer analysis it’s revealed that Julius actually lost mass from his playing weight of last season. Remember, he sat out most of the year with an injury and by all reports came back “out-of-shape”. Everything I read of the off-season suggested that he had lost weight while putting on lean muscle. He played last year at 215, and has reported this season at 207 — and much more toned in every way. By all accounts, he should be even swifter and more explosive right now. But inexplicably, to my naked (but rather trained) eye, he seems just the opposite.
One explanation I tried clinging to early on was the idea of coaching. Bill Parcells mentioned during training camp that he was seeing Julius do things that he’d never see him do last year at all. Before watching the production on the field, I presumed these were all good. But now, three games into the season, I have to wonder if Julius has been coached to run in a way that takes away from his natural gifts. Perhaps where Jones would look to cut outside last season and break off one of those jaw-dropping runs, he has now been persuaded by Bill Parcells to instead stick his head into the pile and take the 2 or 3 yards being given at the line. Is it possible that the coaching staff has inadvertently made Julius tentative and hesitant by instructing him to fight his on-field instincts and take what’s given, when in fact he is a brilliant improvisationalist at heart?!
I don’t know. I see signs. Not dead people. That’s our former kicker, Haley Joel. I see “signs”. Such as against the Seahawks in pre-season. There was a run where Julius broke hard off left tackle, impossibly made two closing defenders miss in the most modicum of space, cut left and approached Keyshawn Johnson (a notoriously good blocker) who had his man sealed to the inside. One more outward cut, which was clearly within Jones’ ability to make, and he would’ve left the entire Seattle defense trailing behind as he raced down the sideline for a 70+ yard touchdown. I had the game TiVo’d, and I watched it again & again. It was there, each and every time. No doubt, he could’ve made that run.
But then a strange thing happened. At the last second he cut inside and went upfield. One more outward cut and he would’ve been gone. One little slice to the outside and he makes a brilliant highlight-reel run. But he doesn’t do it. No. He cuts it up into the arms of the cornerback Keyshawn was blocking, picks up about three more yards and is tackled to the turf. It was an impressive run, nonetheless. But after studying it so scrutinously, I lamented that it wasn’t so much more.
Now, I know it’s usually good (and safe) when a runner moves north & south. That’s what made Emmitt great for all those years, after all. He was always moving forward, picking up yardage. But even Mr. Smith knew when to take it back against the grain and tote the rock east to west, or vice versa, and even back again inside the same run. I wouldn’t want a runner who was always looking to take it outside. But damn it, when it’s there and you have a back who can get it there, you have GOT to take the chance from time to time. And watching Julius’ peculiar production this year, I wonder: has Bill Parcells coached him out of the very thing that made him great? Does Julius look slower because he’s fighting his instincts?? Or is there some other bizarre anomaly going on???
I don’t know. Go back, watch last year’s highlights & decide for yourself. In them you’ll find Jones beating run blitzes by himself, defenders widely misjudging pursuit angles due to his speed, stopping/starting & outrunning everyone to the corner, and an ability to cut unlike any other runner I’ve seen in today’s league. Watch it, and speak what you think.
Me? I’ll be over here praying for the return of the back I fell in love with last year. May he rise from the dead with a furious vengeance against those insipidly outlandish Raiders! Otherwise, he may only continue to resemble the ghost of what could be…
I have wondered about BP coaching JJ to ignore his instincts- which for such a process as running the ball really does need great instincts- and try and be a controlled runner. You show me a controlled runner that really the D has to worry about. Actually- show me a controlled runner ANYWHERE. IF this is the case I hope that someone calls BP on it and he backs off. And the part of using both hands on the ball- there is NO WAY you can cut and dodge doing that. It could very well be that BP is ruining JJ by doing this. I hope that it becomes obvious to EVERYONE to the point that BP cannot avoid answering questions on it. Jerry- need to have a conversation there…
Of course the good news is that this is all fixable. BUT it might not get fixed untill next year. BUMMER.
I agree with what Tony Dorsett said on the Hot List yesterday. JJ hasnt gotten started because hes always protecting the ball and running with both arms tightly around the ball. He needs to go back to having the ball in one hand and running fluently. Even if that means more fumbles, we can live with that.
Lou:
On Sunday I saw Julius carrying the ball one armed only once, and yes, that was the time in which the Rumph tackle came and the ball was lost. That looks to casual, but that could be subject of study for some LB’s and Safeties in the league, if you see JJ carrying the ball with one arm alone he can fumble with a well aimed hit.
I don’t know if Lynn, the RB’s coach, knows the mechanics that Tiki Barber began using when Coughlin started coaching over there, he suddenly turned himself into a player that doesn’t fumble when he was known as a player that could fumble a lot.
Great analysis Raph,
I believe I wondered aloud about using Glover as a NT in the preseason. I believe I said that he was undersized and would burn out.
Maybe this is why we saw the second unit so much in the base 3/4 on Sunday.
Just occupying the Centre and Guard is not enough for a NT.
He MUST keep them in their lanes so that the middle doesn’t open up enough space for a RB to Juke a linebacker. Or for the NT to be pushed back into the LB, so he has trouble making a play.
Why can’t Glover play outside in the base 3/4? he is a three gap DL playing NT so what difference would it make? Ellis, Ferguson and Glover? Then Canty, ____, and Spears. Ah….I think I just answered the question. Dallas only has One real NT. Using Glover is just a Band aid to hide the fact that Ratliff and Pep2 aren’t ready.
If you want to talk about how Glover played NT 1 million years ago for about eight seconds then please don’t respond.
I think JJ will break out - I mean like 150 yds break out - against the ridiculously overrated Raiders.
Ya know all the mediots are talking about Randy Moss and that the Raiders will probably get their first win this year.But you know the Raiders coaches have to be worried about this Cowboys offense!Oakland has played a VERY tough schedual so far(New England,KC,Eagles)but they surely realize that one of best offenses in the NFL is coming to town this weekend!Bledsoe is on fire,Our pro-bowl TE Witten is coming on strong,Glenn,Keyshawn and Crayton are eating up opposing defenses and PP is warming up in the bull-pen!I keep saying this “but hear me now and pay me later”Put up 27-34 points and we are gonna be hard to beat!Let our new gi-powered offense roll…….and “Just score baby”
I saw Julius Jones in the preseason too and I don’t buy a word of the analysis. He has not lost speed. He’s played three defenses that run blitzed heavily, two on grass. And the Cowboys have never operated this year with a wide lead so they could begin to toy with defense. This is when you rack up yards, in the 3rd and 4th quarters of games when other teams are gambling and tired.
Let’s not forget that Jones injury also allowed him to start fresh last year at a time when defenses already had eight games of wear and tear on them. That gave him an edge.
The running game I watched last week was getting consistent holes in the first half. Jones was running eight, nine, ten and twelve yards with regularity. Just the way Emmitt Smith used to. Emmitt would then rip off a long one or two later in the game, after the defense was tired. Last week? The 49ers got a lead. They started run blitzing him and the Cowboys had to throw a lot more.
It’s paralysis by overanalysis. It’s three games, a tiny sample size. And he’s played some good front sevens in S.D. and Washington. It’s crazy to start looking for phantom maladies. He’s still on pace for 1,400 yards!
There have only been a couple of RB performances that one would consider extrordinary thus far. Jones has had over 100 total yards in each of the first three games. That’s not bad.
Actually, Chandus, Jones was carrying the ball with both arms that carry too, but it was not secured. The ball was against the top of the forearm in his loser arm, not between the arm and his body. On the replay, you can kinda see the ball jostling a little bit before he gets hit because there’s nothing there to stabilize it.
Jones has done a great job of securing the ball in traffic, but you can tell that on some carries, it’ll just take 1 big hit to knock it lose. He doesn’t always carry it right, though he uses two hands. He tends to carry it in the middle of his body instead of in an arm, with the other one covering it. He’s basically betting that he’s stronger than anyone that might try to take it away. He is a strong guy, but once one of those big DTs or LBs gets to really trying to yank that ball out, he’ll cough it up.
No worries on Julius. Parcells has said that Jones still needs to become a complete running back. I think he is focused on doing just that, even if it means a little less production for the time being.
It’s very encouraging to see his game rounding out.
No worries HERE.
However, I do have worries about our linebackers. Dat is better when he doesn’t have to shed. Glover’s problems holding the gaps will only make it worse. Hopefully Ferguson will see more time at NT this weekend.
AW,
I often get bombarded with Barry is better than Emmitt. Where I kind of tell people, it is very difficult to compare the two. Emmitt ran straight ahead, and if you ever read any of my posts on this Cowboys team, I believe in that type of back. Sanders was awesome!! He had amazing talent. BUT …. when it comes to a choice of Barry or Emmitt? I’ll take #22. Why? Well, Emmitt almost always gained an extra 2-3 yards every carry, and ran downhill. Barry, while his ability to create something out of nothing was extraordinary, led the league in minus runs almost regularly. I often call plays like minus runs “drive killers”, and if you look at WINNING football teams, like the Boys of the 90’s, they avoid 2nd and 3rd and long. Not only does a downhill runner create more 3rd and managable situations, but that type of back gives your team the option to pass or run in those situations. Unlike Detroit with Barry and how they used a “3rd down back”, Emmitt was “THE MAN” on 3rd down and their goalline back too. If you want “tough yards” against tough teams, you get them with Emmitt, and will all due respect to #20, his own team didn’t believe in him. (This point is clear when you look at Barry’s playoffs numbers compared to Smith’s. And remember that Philly D that didn’t allow a 100 yard rusher for a very long time? Emmitt ran for 160+.) When you needed a tough yard or two, there was never a better back than #22.
So onto the Julius Jones’ analyst … I believe that Parcells wants Julius to run straight ahead more. Sure this will take away from his play making ability a bit, but it will also lower the number of minus runs and create more “hidden yardage” (as in yards JJ can gain by falling forward, which you can’t do running side to side). But most of all, it will train Julius to get “tough yards” against tough defenses. Jones has shown a huge improvement in his ability to block (I didn’t even get into that with the Barry/Emmitt comparison), and last week took a big step forward in taking it to a defense with his downhill running. … Running straight at a defense imposes your will upon them, wears them down, and forces the defense to adjust to stopping the run. Winning teams run straight ahead and get the tough yards. … Its an adjustment for Julius, but he is doing well. He is “tougher” than last season, even with his blocking. Dallas is a better team because of it. … Barry Sanders was a RB that racked up yards against non-playoff teams, and was a non-factor against good defenses. Do you want that? Do you want a 2,000 yard RB, that disappears when the yards get tough? .. I don’t. I like what the coaching staff is doing with Julius. Once the O-line comes together and starts getting to the next level, JJ’s open field ability will shine.
On the Barry vs. Emmitt debate,
Barry was a great runner. One of the best, right up there with Jim Brown, OJ Simpson, and Gale Sayers, as pure runners. But for running back, I prefer an Emmitt Smith, or a Walter Payton — someone who, in addition to being a great runner, will block for you and is a threat as a receiver coming out of the backfield.
I also downgrade Sanders, because he was removed from the game in short-yardage and goalline situations. If he was all that great, why was he on the sidelines, watching the likes of Tommy Vardell and Cory Schlesinger, when the game was on the line? I cannot think of any other (supposedly) great running back who was ever removed in such situations. It would be absolutely unthinkable for any of the other backs I mentioned earlier.
For those who might argue that Emmitt was also taken out of the game on third-and-long, that was only later in his career, in an effort to prolong that career. In his prime, Emmitt was quite effective as a third-and-long back.
EricR:
Stop losing your time trying to explain what a player can bring to the table other than stats, those who say that Barry was a better RB than Emmitt are the guys that say that Randy Moss is the best WR in the NFL.
I’d also take Emmitt over Barry and I’d also take Ward over Moss, but I think that was already clear…
AW and Bum……….Just cause Julius has not produced a bevy of ESPN highlights does not mean the kid is being coached to not be an instinctive running back. Not fumbling is a mental and coaching aspect. Some runnners through the hole use two hands………and wait til they are in the open to start the sprint with one arm out………I like what I have seen out of Julius so far and see him as adding two great dimensions……..PASS BLOCKING and CATCHING………..he keeps this up he will be mentioned with the likes of LT or compared to the incredible Marshal Faulk. He is on pace for 1400 yards as Rafael points out. That is more than Emmit rushed for in all but five seasons. From 91-95 he went over 1400 even over 1700 twice…….but remember those years where he had some monster games against Washington, Philly, and the Giants. Two hundred yards in Philly at the Vet. Julius will have those days too……..so far I like what I see, and I think the kid is just getting started. The only thing I would change is to make sure he CARRIES the ROCK 25+ times a game…….and gets 5 opportunities out of the backfield as well………if Payton does that……….you will have the highlight reels you are so craving……….and JJ will have an Emmit like year…….1700+
Think about this he has yet to have a GREAT GAME…….and he is still on pace for 1400……….what happens when he does have that game or two that we all know is coming. Hate to be the opponent cuz this kid has the juice to just burry a defense on one of those days………..same as Emmit and Tony did over the last two decades.
All teams in the NFL mistakenly believe Bill Parcells is a RUN RUN RUN coach. Well he likes to run, but look at the passing yards of Simms, Bledsoe, and Hostetler under BP and you see yeah…….he likes to run………but he also produced 4000+ yard QBs………..even old Vinny surpassed the mark last year. Defensive coordinators so far are saying if we are going to lose we are going to lose to Drew in the pocket beating our secondary with 2nd rate old WRs KJ and TG and a virtual rookie in Cratyon………..we will stop Jones and Witten the two Pro Bowl like numbers from last year……….excluding jones injury. Fine………let Drew keep passing his way to the NFC Title Game! and a probowl to boot! LOL.
Cowboys 48-raiders 7
Julius Jones- 3tds, 202 yards
Demarcus Ware- 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, td
keyshawn johnson- 112yd, 8 receptions, 2 td
Terry Glenn- 185yd, 5 receptions
Drew Bledsoe- 300+ yards, 3 tds
JOSE CORTES- 2 FG, 53 & 40 YARDS!!!!!!!!!
GO FREAKIN COWBOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Adrian,
I think we can classifiy you as a complete HOMER. 48-7, come on man, lets be a little realistic, Oakand isn’t a doormat, their alot better than San Fran and we barely beat them, I’m hoping we win too, but I think it will be a shoot out and alot closer, team with the last possession might win this game.
Wishful thinking but I think Dallas 34 Oakland 21-27 would be a closer estimate…….
Jon,
Bill was a run .. run .. run .. coach. He ran the ball about 66% of the time during some of his good years with the Giants. As things changed in the NFL and his type of personell changed, so did his coaching philosophy, and in New England, New York (his second term), and now here in Dallas Parcells has looked for an equal balance in the run and pass, yet he still calls plays according to what he feels he needs to do according to each opponent and each game’s circumstances. .. I have to believe Parcells would love to get around 55-60% run and 40-45% pass.
Chandus,
The “little things” that win games? Well they are sometimes huge!! … Many bloggers here mentioned Julius’ decline in the second half last week. I don’t see many comments on how he picked up blitzing LBs in critical situations in the 2nd half allowing Bledsoe to set his feet in the pocket (including on the game winning TD). The Cowboys also struggled last season in short yardage situations, last week Julius hammered it home when the team needed it! Some times one yard is harder to get than 5 or 10. Converting those tough 3rd downs can break the will of a defense. On the flip side not being able to convert 3rd and short can derail an offense’s rythym.
eric
parcells produced a 4000 yard passer in bledsoe…….with Curtis Martin on that team. So even though he had a great runner…..he was not afraid to use the play action and pass especially with a QB he trust.
My point is the same as Rafael brings up in his new thread……….Teams committed to stopping Emmit back in our heyday……and it appears they are now committed to stopping Julius. Fine by me………if Bill has a QB he can trust…..and recievers like Glenn, KJ, Crayton and Witten……..my guess is we will continue to win with a 250+ yard games from Drew……..and maybe less than 100 yard games from Jones………no problem here a win is a win…….my point is the Defense is playing the run……..which is one of the reasons why Julius ain’t had a GREAT game yet……..still he ranks pretty high in my book and his stats and his game play look good. I don’t buy that he lost a step or that he is being coached to not be a great running back. I think he has faced defenses committing to stopping him. My many Redskins fans even like Jones better than Portis………they gave me crap about the loss but then said…..but that Back of yall Julius Jones is going to be something special. When Redskins fans are saying that……well then you figure you might just have something! Better than Timmy Smith anyway! LOL.
Jon,
Agreed, teams committed to stopping Julius opens up more things in the passing game.
I do believe that he is being coached to change some of the things he does. It is my opinion that what Parcells is asking from him and trying to teach JJ, will only make him more successful within the TEAM concept. AW’s article by Poet Tree had said that the Julius of last season mirrored Barry Sanders, and I agreed, but while his opinion seem to believe the coaching staff was collaring Jone’s ability, I think the coaching staff is enhancing Julius’ potential to be an all around RB, more like our old #22. Sander’s was a fantasy football owner’s dream, but look at his numbers against tough defenses. He all but disappeared. .. Julius can be that guy always getting “soft yards” like draws on 3rd and long when teams are playing the pass and their run stuffers are on the sidelines. But I want a guy who punches in from 5 yards out, gets the “tough” yards on 3rd and 2, and tests the backbone of your opponent’s defense. My guy takes a LB head on to assure my QB an extra two seconds to find a WR in the corner of the end zone for the game winning score. Look, Barry always got the highlights on Sportcenter … but it was Emmitt who ended his career with 3 rings on his fingers.
Toughness and emotional leadership!! … This is a very young team, but they are getting a little bit better every week. .. What I really like seeing? Each week the offensive and defensive lines are playing “together” more and more, building character and becoming a unit!! Parcells knows what it takes to win in the NFL .. this team is on the verge of something special, they need to keep working hard and keep moving forward .. week by week.
Parcell’s isn’t married to the run as alot of people would have you believe. He goes with what his personell allow him. He’d like to have a team that goes 60% run 40% pass. Hell any coach if they could do it would keep the ball on the ground the whole game if it got them touchdowns. It’s safer to have the ball on the ground than in the air.
What Parcells doesn’t do is force square pegs into round holes. With Bledsoe as his QB in NE, Bledsoe set an NFL record in Passing attempts.
On the LaRoi Glover topic:
You people have to watch the tape again on Glover. While he’s not the perfect run stuffer, he’s on the field because he dominates in the passing game. He is unbelievable rushing the passer. If he doesn’t get double teamed, you can almost guarantee the QB will be pressured. THAT is why he is on the field so much. He is still one of the best pass rushers in the league. You don’t have to believe me, simply watch the tape.
Joel,
my point is that he is a great DLineman. He is not, however, a NT. And is wasted at NT plugging up lanes when he could be attacking the backfield setting up over the tackle,not the Centre/Guard.