They Died With Their Boots: Giants 36, Cowboys 22
Posted: October 23, 2006 @ 11:54 pm
The caravan of miscues continues.
With the NFL weekend set up before them the Cowboys again tripped over their collective feet in an embarrassing 36-22 loss to New York Giants. Looking for goats? Throw a dart. You’re bound to hit somebody on the team. Practically every Cowboys’ unit shares in the blame. The offensive line was again undone. Marc Colombo is a nice story but tonight Michael Strahan exposed him. Colombo missed assignments and then later missed blocks, letting Strahan tie a Giants team record for career sacks in the first half. Colombo’s teammates fared no better, as Drew Bledsoe was sacked four times in the first half.
The backs were slow and suspect on their blocks, letting the Giants blitz wave proceed.
The receivers made plays for both sides. Jason Witten had his best receiving day but a blocking breakdown let Levar Arrington tip a flea flicker pass to an open Terrell Owens when the score was 9-0 Giants and the Cowboys had made their first significant movement of the night.
Terry Glenn caught his share of passes but dropped some as well.
Terrell Owens had a big statistical night but dropped a key 4th-and-2 pass when Dallas was driving and down 19-7.
The pass rush was again inconsistent. Greg Ellis and Demarcus Ware made some plays but when the chips were down in the third quarter the defense could not get New York off the field, yielding a long, back-breaking drive after Owens’ drop that pushed New York to 26-7 and put the game out of reach.
The secondary again sputtered. Pat Watkins was beaten deep on New York’s first series for a TD by Plaxico Burress. Roy Williams had trouble with Jeremy Shockey in the middle of the field and was beaten for one TD and could have been beaten for another had Eli Manning not missed high.
The vaunted run defense was gashed by the Giants backs. Tiki Barber topped 100 and Brandon Jacobs humilated Dallas on a goalline run where he ran through Abram Elam and Ryan Fowler after the two hit him behind the line of scrimmage. Jacobs did a lewd dance on the end zone star, but what could the defense say? They had him and couldn’t stop him.
The big ink will go to the QB position, where Drew Bledsoe couldn’t help himself from pushing the stupid button one last time. Just over a minute after he had dived into the end zone to pull Dallas to within 12-7, he again tried in vain to spin artificial turf into gold. With Dallas at second-and-goal from the New York five four plays after recovering a Barber fumble, Bledsoe forced an out to a covered Terry Glenn. Sam Madison intercepted with 1:33 left and closed the book on Bledsoe’s season.
And it is over, barring an injury to Tony Romo. The last time Parcells made a high-profile change came in game six of the ‘98 season when Vinnie Testaverde put Glenn Foley on the bench for good. Foley got three bad starts then before playing himself out of the job. Bledsoe lasted 30 minutes longer than Foley did that year, but he hit the three-strike limit all the same.
Romo has the moxie to make plays. He also showed the bad side of that gunslinger mentality that Parcells fears. He threw an interception on his first play from scrimmage, when a waggle to Jason Witten, who appeared to be covered, was tipped by Michael Strahan and gathered in by Antonio Pierce. Romo showed a recklessness on his second INT, holding the ball too long and forcing it into DT Fred Robbins‘ gut.
Most notably and frighteningly, Romo flipped a no-look pass to Marion Barber that was almost intercepted. NFL coaches can tolerate a lot from inexperienced QBs, but playing point guard in the pocket isn’t one of them. Magic Johnson can make this type of pass but even Brett Favre can’t.
The Cowboys will have to sort through the rubble and get ready for Carolina, who’s also coming off an error-prone defeat to Cincinnati. That said, the Cowboys have to wonder where they are? Their season so far shows they’re an inconsistent team that can’t pass protect against good defenses. The rush needs blitz supplements and their secondary gives up too many big plays.
If you’re looking for lightning to strike twice, know that Testaverde went 10-1 after he was handed the reins in ‘98. On the other hand, that Jets team was a solid QB away from taking off. This team doesn’t appear anywhere near that close. Come Sunday, we may see changes at other positions besides QB.
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my heart is broke
but oddly I feel hope, I feel like somthing special is going to happen now.
I think Watkins is out as FS.
Coleman gets into the DE rotation.
Akin? For who carpenter?
Also,
TT looked avg in KR.
Try Sky Green?
I’d say look for a change at OT and perhaps at DE. This is a position, unlike QB, where you can bench a guy for a week or two to send a message. I think we may see Ratliff and Coleman getting more reps for Canty and Spears to let them know they’re jobs are not set in stone.
alan I hope your wrong about Watkins.
Raf- I think you about summed it up, there didnt seem to be a single bright spot the whole night. Boys and girls welcome to rock bottom for this team. hope we bounce back in a big way.
Welcome to the club:
Seattle got waxed in Chicago.
The Giants were humiliated in Seattle.
Dallas has gotten by on closes losses and is thinking, “hey, we’re only one or two mistakes away from being really good.”
A blowout like this has the effect of focusing the mind. Look at the Giants. They’ve been a machine since the Seahawks cleaned their clocks.
And if you’re not focused on your job and on improving your execution after this stinker, you belong on the bench.
Raf - what change at OT, Flo or Colombo?
Change at OT?
Columbo?
flo did ok
This is probably a bad time to be making jokes, but I just can’t get Denny Green’s post-game remarks out of my head…So are the Cowboys who we thought they were?
Raf I think we only scored 22 points. I could be wrong.
our MVP McBriar only had one mediocre kick, the rest allowing him to keep his MVP status.
No way McQ goes in for Flo,
not with Romo starting.
I hope they get focused.
goodnight all, its going to be a sad week.
I think our OL could improve a ton if they blocked with their heads up. It’d probably help them peel off to get blitzing LBs or DBs. I just don’t understand the OL pass-blocking schemes. On Strahan’s first sack, where he came in unblocked, I don’t understand why Coloumbo and Rivera were double-teaming the tackle and allowing Strahan to come in free. How do you NOT account for Strahan? Did they think he was gonna follow Fasano and try to cover him? And on the Arrington sack for a safety, why didn’t Gurode at least get a hand on him? It’s not like he couldn’t have put one hand on the guy over Kosier, kept his head up and spotted Arrington. The OL needs to pull their heads out of their asses. The defense needs to learn how to tackle and Roy Williams needs to learn how to take better angles not just at deep bombs, but tackling as well. Two of Tiki’s long third-down runs that resulted in first downs were a result of Roy missing a tackle.
Ugh!!!!
Flozell wasn’t bad. Colombo had the worst night, though Kosier had some trouble as well.
This is the type of thing that drives a coach nuts. So far, Colombo was steady and Flozell was up and down. Now Colombo has a complete meltdown.
You don’t want to get into whack-a-mole at any unit, much less OL. But hey, if you’re going to roll the dice with Romo, might you make some changes on the line? You can keep saying it’s mental, but tonight wasn’t mental. This wasn’t the Eagles game. Tonight there was one big ass mismatch at RT.
i think our season is barely starting gentlemen ya i know were 3-3 but our offense will not depend on our line as much. we all called for romo so we got him so we need to shut up. Go COWBOYS!
Fabini might get tossed in the mix…I am also jumping off the T.O bandwagon. His sideline antics today were disturbing. I truly think that he brings down the morale of the team with his constant babbling. In a game where there were many turning points, I believe the T.O drop on 4th down was the defining moment in this brutal loss. When Bledsoe threw that interception the boys were still in the game. When Romo threw that last interception for a touchdown the boys were realistically already toast. They were down by two touchdowns and would need an onside kick by Vanderjagt to give them any chance for another drive. Somehow I didn’t see that happening, since he hasn’t kicked fulltime in 3 years, so why would we assume that he practices onside kicks for the fun of it. Which brings us to T.O dropping the pass on a 4th down play where he was wide open and maybe was able to run it in for a TD. Maybe this major faux pas will keep him from opening that big ass controversial mouth of his this week…we can only hope.
Hey, just remember everything happens for a reason. I believe that INT Bledsone threw can be the turning point of the season. Romo will come out next week prepared, and Dallas will be staring at the future with Romo at Qb.
Plus you know Romo is going to be good because of the name ROMO. LOL
Raf, What makes you so sure that Parcells doesn’t go back to Bledsoe after the three second half picks by Romo? I want to see Romo get his chance with a game plan and a week to prepare. I just don’t want to assume anything.
Bold prediction:
1st offseason move: Zimmer fired. Aggressive young 3-4 defensive guru-in-waiting, hired. Can someone design a blitz package? Please?
well Said Jaynova….
my view is simple…..who are our leaders……name em on D? on O?
We dont have a Irvin or Emmit that are making that essential play on Offense…….and we don’t have a difference maker on Defense…..not yet. Sure Ware has show signs of it…….and he and Ellis seem to always be close……but no cigar in the backfield…..
close only counts in horseshoes and nukes……
so……we gotta improve our PASS RUSH………that is what we got Spears, Canty, Ware and oh yeah a 3-4 for…..
i still say the alignment don’t matter as much as the players making plays……….we had how many dropped INTs? a fumble we could have fallen on for at least 3 points……..maybe 7…….
bad decisions at QB after not protecting…….
uh….oh by the way……yeah we got outcoached……..we did not maxprotect DB…..and had we done that……..or if our backs decided to BLOCK…….along with line….yeah sure we might have won the game……
BP is right…….it was a sad performance on so many levels……I think I saw him give up tonight three or four times……..and his momma did not raise a quitter…..he is totally frustrated.
Where do we lack speed? Are you kidding? Start with interior line, put Ellis at outside LB at the head (or back) of the group (an old D End at LB?), BJames, Roy W, ..Besides Newman and Ware, where’s our speed on D? (and maybe Watkins, who now needs to sit for a while-at least Davis delivered a few hits each game)
By the way, I never had the high expectations some of you had, but we’re in it just as much as any other team. Look where the Steelers and Skins were last year.
There are no great teams, we can beat anyone any week.
I agree, I can see parcells going back to bledsoe. it’s hard for me to say we’ve seen the last of sta-drew bledsoe
I believe Vanderjagt was able to successfully execute two consecutive onside kicks in that one Monday Night game when the Colts staged that ridiculous comeback against the Bucs the year after the Bucs won the SB. I think they were down 21 with five minutes left, but I’m not certain.
As for the TO sideline “antics”, he looks really animated, but who the hell knows what he’s actually saying to his teammates. He could be encouraging them. Not once during any of the clips of his sideline rants did they go down to the sideline reporter to find out what he was saying. Instead the guys in the booth were just guessing. Same thing happened in the Philly game, the broadcasters just assumed TO was going nuts. I think Rivera commented after the Philly game that he was just trying to pump them up. I’m not defending TO, just saying that we don’t know exactly what he’s saying during those “animated” episodes on the sideline.
Playmaker:
One of those sacks by Strahan was after Bledsoe held the ball for 8 seconds. That’s why Bledsoe will be rested…I hope.
Assistant GM:
The 4th and 2 drop by Owens looked pivotal to me, too. And Owens knew he’d dropped a big chance, followed by a 7:40 consuming TD drive by NY.
what was the total given up on defense…yards? I really expected Tiki to have a big game. that doesn’t suprise me. as bad as the defense did play…and I think we can all say they were awful tonight…you gotta chalk this up to the offense…missed chances, mistakes.
Ahhh, glad to see some of you taking off the TO Homer Goggles (”TOggles”). Not only did he drop it,I will say he dropped it because he was selfishly thinking “I’m gonna run this in and score on MNF!”
Oops-remember PeeWee league? Catch the ball first. Imagine what a 4th down conversion would have done.
And credit to Parcells for going for it at least
also, looking back on tonight. I think I’m going to shut my mouth about the o line being better this year. this o line is getting schooled at what seems like a faster than last year…holes…holes…holes.
Hi Everybody!
Here are the people you hurt tonight:
http://www.livingprimetime.com/AllCovers/Oct2002/workoct2002/bledsoe_family.htm
An analysis of disaster. This is going to be a long post.
Let’s start with the offense, it’s much easier. Clearly, it was two different halves, due to the dual styles of DB and TR. The DB half followed Wellington’s old adage, “they came at us in the same old way….” Strahan and company made the O-line look like it was standing still. Even when two guys combined on blocking, they still sometimes got through (the failed flee-flicker). And of course, DB held the ball too long on one sack, and after running for a very gutsy TD, he then threw away the second chance just before the half, that probably cost him his job. The only positive, he was more careful with the ball (with the one mind-numbing exception).
The second half offense is a bit more interesting. Romo’s first pass-int can be chalked up to jitters and a blitz that got through the line again. After that he settled down and picked apart a defense that was still designed for Drew. Then the Giants’ D adjusted. If you listened to Strahan after the game, you know what I’m talking about. They started playing containment, and trying to force Romo up into the pocket and into the interior D-line’s arms. It did work some of the time. The big thing though, is that they put more men back in coverage and confused Romo, who started playing like the first times starter he became in this game. Once they adjust, Romo was pretty much shut down by a bend-don’t break defense. Expect to see more of this next week at Carolina.
They will put 8 in the box, stop the run, and force Romo to beat them with his arm, while holding containment. Then when they get a bit of a lead, they will pull the other defender back into coverage, and keep playing containment up front. Romo will have to beat it by making the smart passes that a veteran would make, and then the run will open up again, and the whole playbook will be available again. However, since they have to play containment, they won’t be blitzing nearly as much, so not as many sacks, just pressure.
The defense was a catastrophic failure. Each phase failed, and trying to compensate for each failure, they all fed on each other and only grew worse as the game went on. We started out playing the pass, rushing Eli, and playing coverage. Not a bad plan, except that the rush coudln’t get to Eli, being stonewalled on almost every play, and the coverage failed to keep all the dbs except Henry from looking bad at one point or another, especially the safeties. The Giants also ran right at our 7 men in the box, and Tiki dragged people for an extra 5 yards almost every time. Then when we put a safety in the box, the safety took a bad angle and Tiki still got his yards (89 before the half). The few times we did stop the run, and forced a long 3rd down, our pressure on the QB had to be supplemented by the blitz, which still didn’t get to Eli, which left the WRs and Shockey even more open, and allowed the Gmen to drive methodically down the field. We couldn’t get any phase right, and each failure added to the last until we were thoroughly off balance, and allowed a 7 minute, 40 second drive for touchdown that killed us in the third quarter.
As a plus, the kicks looked good, even Vanderjagt’s kickoffs were decent with good enough coverage to make them stick. Both types of returns, though, completely lacked any spark or inspiration. They were decent, but strictly straight ahead. To be fair though, the blockers didn’t create any lanes.
Overall, I can clearly see why BP seemed so dead at the end in the PC. The team flubbed virtually everything. Stupid stuff that should have been learned back in training camp (or before). The only good news is that if Romo can play like a veteran (sigh), he can let us use our whole playbook on offense again. That’s a lot to ride on the shoulders of a first time starter. We shall see.
And…Oiler Troll does not believe that Romo will start next week.
1994 Oilers. 1-4, Moon was McSucking. Pardee benches him for the “QB of the Future” Cody Carlson. Moon, like all pro-athletes, is deeply hurt and offended. Carlson gets hurt in a game against New England, Moon comes in off the bench.
The Oilers win the next 11 games….and then blow a 4th quarter lead to Joe Montana and the KC Chiefs (this time they were only up by 8 points and not 32 like the previous year against Buffalo).
So, no Romo, no cry.
On another note, I feel really horrible for Bledsoe. He made one mistake too many, but he’s a good guy, that I really wanted to see achieve success once before he left the game, or amicably decided to become the backup for Romo next year. I’m sure no one feels worse than he does, and even worse because his backup didn’t play all that well, either.
Here’s to a guy who’s done his best, but his days are probably done. I just hope he’s strong enough to stay on as backup even through the humiliation.
Turbo,
I am basing my assumptions on what the other player’s faces seem to be telling us. He was ranting and raving and not a single player seemed to be with him or rooting him on. TG’s face was blank while he babbled in his ear and at one point he was standing behind BP and Bill gave this really annoyed “just shut the %$^& up” look. When Irvin or Emmitt were on the sidelines pumping their team up, the other players were physically reacting and seemed to be charged up, not staring blankly as if trying to ignore whatever is being said. I was a T.O homer because I believed that what he is capable of would be worth all the shameless self-promotion… I’m just not sure any more. I don’t blame him for not being much of a factor the first 5 games, but I do blame him for his unprofessionalism. I also believe that BP is too old-fashioned in his play calling and that he might not be the answer for this team. He just seems to be getting outcoached by coaches with decent rosters…maybe it’s time for him to pack it in.
mdlusk,
I agree with you completely. Bledsoe is a class act and I really hoped that he would be the guy to take us back to the promised land…I wanted him to go out with a bang…maybe he did!
I knew before the game Bledsoe had a half to prove that he belonged. But……
My biggest disappointment was the defense. Am I the only one that sees that Watkins hurts us more now than Davis did last year. How can the D blitz if the FS is guaranteed to give up a big one everygame?
The team has talent. A lot of it, but I am beginning to think that the Boys are flat out being outcoached. They don’t look prepared.
I was shocked by Watson. On the 1st TD, he actually was in a good position to make a play on the ball. Burress went up and got it…..Watkins just kind of stood there and watched. At that point, interference would have been better than what he did. He did the same thing in Phila….wasn’t way out of position but froze at the moment of truth.
Watkins really needs to sit. I think the Philthy game got into his head. When he is playing the gomers like Houston he is fine- but put him up against top teams and he freezes. I be we see coleman and davis now.
i still hate them too.
nothing new here:
we need to block em
we need to protect the football.
somewhere on defense, someone needs to make a play, but….
when we finally did (big sack by ware late) romo throws a pick
his next one, we’re done
nothing new
BTW,
I agree that romo is now the man, so we’re going to find out.
no pressure kid, but we have to win 2 of the next 3 to still be alive when we come out of this road stretch.
dont expect much help from the defense or the oline, now get out there and bring us victories.
if it helps, peter king beleives in you.
I guess the T.O. must go crowd is right(e.g. post 27.) After all.
1. No other reciever on the Cowboys (or any other team) has ever dropped a catchable ball in a critical situation.
2. Tony Kornheiser says he is the devil.
Folks let’s be realistic. The Cowboys are finished in 2006. This O line is awful. Can’t run block; can’t pass block.
You asked for Romo and you got it. One play…game over. Now the Cowboys need a backup to Romo because anyone who thinks Bledsoe is sticking around for 10 weeks to hold a clipboard is crazy. He’ll retire before he does that.
Everyone can hide behind the QB problems but this team’s problems run far deeper than the QB.
Parcells panicking down 5 pts at half to take a huge risk was a joke. Romo was worse than Bledsoe with Arrington and Umenyiora not even playing in the second half. Either Parcells pushed the panic button or Jerry Jones forced the move. Either way it was a ridiculously desperate move when only down 5 points.
My God I am so frustrated that this season is over in week 7 it makes me sick.
Ass. GM, you’re the worst kind of idiot. The loudly and proudly idiotic kind. You’re biased, you’re uninformed and you have no shame in spewing your idiocy. You let others do your thinking for you.
Terrell Owens made one bad play. One. And you think that’s why the Cowboys lost. Was it his fault it was fourth and 2? Did he let the Giants march 80yds and score another TD? Did he give up 6 sacks? Did he bench Bledsoe? Did he throw an INT for TD? Did he give up a 70yd bomb?
He’s animated on the sidelines, and you think that’s why the Cowboys lost, and that’s all you want to discuss. That’s all you notice from this game. All you take from it is TO is animated and it’s bad for some reason. Way to let the national media do your thinking for you.
Do you know what he said while on the sidelines? No? Then how do you judge his behavior? How can you have an opinion then? My opinion is that TErry Glenn is a fu**ing pu**y for not having any fire in an embarrassing loss and HE’S the reason the Cowboys lost. Does that make any sense to you? He dropped a pass too.
Did you know that the interception to Terry Glenn in the endzone was a play designed to throw to TO, who was open? No? You didn’t know that was why TO was animated and loudly frustrated on the sidelines… just like… who? Who else was frustrated on the sidelines? Parcells?
Parcells’ sidelines frustration led to the QB being benched, and TO’s frustration led to… what, genius? What?
There were FOUR INTs!!! FOUR! And you think the game swung on TO’s play? Julius Jones did nothing. The offensive line played like they were drunk. The defense is TERRIBLE. But it’s TO’s fault.
I agree johnnycomelately. The o-line is atrocious, and wow did they expose numerous holes on defense. I don’t agree that Jerry forced Bill’s decision. It was just time for Parcells to be the coach and make the obvious decision as frustrating as that may be to fans. It is a clear indication that Bill doesn’t believe that Drew is the best option to win games.
Joey, I agree with you that blaming TO is absolutely ridiculous. He certainly could have caught that 4th down ball but he bailed Romo out earlier with a terrific catch in traffic. Even if he gets that first down, chances are that Romo would have been picked on the next play.
Everyone wants to make excuses for Romo, but he sucked, plain and simple. He did not save the day and could not. Fans who think that switching to Romo was the answer are as stupid as Bill Parcells.
Asst GM. Perhaps the decision was Bill’s alone but it seemed so desperate. If BP believed Romo was the answer, he should have known that all week and started him. That’s why he’s the coach and paid the big bucks….to know these things. He obviously didn’t know and then made a desperate decision that backfired. Now you have lost Bledsoe and Romo doesn’t appear to be a better option. Unless your preparing for 2007 already.
The season is definitely over. There’s no way this godawful team wins two games in a row, let alone make the playoffs.
I do think Bledsoe deserved to be benched. He had made too many mistakes cumulatively to this point.
I’m sure Parcells had in his mind that if Bledsoe throws one more egregious interception, and/or one in the endzone, he gets the hook.
That’s what happened.
Problem is, Romo appears to be just a P.O.S. nothing QB. Hogeboom to Bledsoe’s Danny White.
Bottom line, there is no franchise QB on the roster. Season’s over. No leader, no heart.
What I would give for Richie Anderson to be on this team. They need him desperately.
joey2zs I feel too sorry for you to respond to your comment. This is a blog where true fans share their opinions. You have obviously missed the point. If you read any previous comments from me you would have noticed that I was always in aggreeance that T.O deserved to be frustrated because he was not used properly. Until yesterday, I was a big supporter of his, but that attitude on the sideline doesn’t bring a team together. Watching my beloved team getting ripped on the sidelines in the 1st quarter…thats right…1st quarter when the game was still in hand, from a guy with his track record finally pushed me over the edge. But I will let informed fans like yourself make all the proper analyses for us from now on. Yes the defense stunk it up, and yes the o-line is the reason that Drew cannot be successful in this system. Romo was okay because he showed us glimpses of what he can do. And as for Bledsoe, its time he takes a back seat and lets someone else drive the bus. And yes, I know that the INT play to TG was designed to go the other way. But back to the 4th and 2. That was Owens catch to make. He is getting paid a ton of money to make that simple simple catch and bring us back into the game. If you are going to talk the talk on the sideline, you better….you know the rest. So please take T.O’s ???? out of your mouth for a moment…I think it is distorting your thinking. You should also consider taking Ritalin…it just might help.
You are again right johnny. I was not impressed either with Romo’s performance, and the reality is that Parcells is just not doing a very good job of coaching this team. As fans, I feel like we lost an entire season.
…and johnny, don’t think I doubt T.O’s ability. He made some incredible catches. I just got tired of the T.O. show over the last few weeks. I feel he is segregating his teammates.
Just like I said last night after the game, how can you guys say that Romo is worthless and can’t play? He came in and tried to give the team a spark, and he did. He made some mistakes too. You don’t know what he can do yet.His first play last night was his THIRD PASS IN HIS NFL CAREER. Cripes, give him a frickin chance to do something before you write him off.
Also, like I said, you guys were probably the same ones screaming for Walsh to replace Aikman in ‘89. Give me a break with your knee jerk reactions.
I’m not “for” Romo or Bledsoe but is last night what you Romo-pushers wanted? It was entertaining I’ll give you that. Watching Romo run and squirt around slinging the ball like a young Favre (not saying he has Brett’s skills just style) is entertaining but those gunslinger guts give you ridiculous ints. Oh well.
I better not hear Mr. Owens say anything about not getting enough balls. When he drops 3 or 4 he should see less!
Draft request:
1st round-offensive line
2nd round-offensive line
3rd round-offensive line
4th round-offensive line
Free Agency:
Every decent offensive linemen!
We can sort them out in camp!
Still think Bledsoe is better choice than Romo if we had a decent line but with the seive we play with …IF we can get Romo to calm down a little…I just want to win.
The season ain’t over boys. I have a feeling the NFC East division can be had with 9 or 10 wins.
I believe BP should stay with Romo because of the simple fact the our OL cannot consistently protect.We need a QB with mobility. Romo gives the defense alot more to be concerned about.
I feel like the Parcells era in Dallas has been exposed. This is his forth year and the o-line is no better…they may actually be worse. Playing behind that line is not going to make anyone, Bledsoe or Romo, a star. 6 games into the season and seems pretty clear, this team is more than likely playing for the future.
That was a pretty bad performance last night, but the Cowboys had a lot of big plays and flukey stuff go against them…Roy Williams getting tripped up by the back judge, a tipped ball for an interception, T.O. dropping a gift pass on 4th down, a punt rolls to the one yard line, an untouched Arrington for a safety, a stupid throw by Bledsoe on the 5 yard line, two stupid throws by Romo, a reversed call that not only shouldn’t have been reversed, but a non-holding call which prevented Canty from recovering the football. I realize a lot of these are the faults of the team, but they were BIG mistakes that cost us the game. Having said all that the team got outplayed and changes need to be made. Here are my game comments:
–Bledsoe did deserve to get yanked after making that interception and although Romo did make his share of errors as well, he was put in the position of playing catch up the entire game which always leaves a QB a little more exposed. Romo made some nice throws and showed that he is mobile and can move the ball down the field. I’d be fine with either QB starting next week’s game, but another loss or two then it has got to be Romo time all the time. We have to get him some real game time and we have to know whether we have a QB for the future.
–T.O. has to make that catch on 4-2. He cries and whines when he isn’t given the ball and then he blows it on a critical drive. I love the way he smiles after he makes a mistake…imagine how he would react to the QB smiling after he throws an interception.
–I agree with Raf there needs to be a change on the OL and the most logical place to start would be to sub Columbo for Fabini. Fabini was brought in as security and to bring experience…we need that now. The only other possible place where we could upgrade along the line would be at the center position, but I’m not sure whether that has been a problem.
–I think the team also has to take a long hard look at the way the RB and TE positions were blocking. Could Fasano be at fault on a few plays? I can’t imagine all those break downs were on the OL.
–The front seven also needs to be shook up. There is too much talent and expectation along that front for us to give up that many rushing yards. Who isn’t doing their job? Spears? Canty? maybe one of the LBs? We have plenty in reserve and maybe the coach needs to alternate a bit more. I didn’t see Singleton in the game and Ratliff definitely needs to get on the field a little more.
–Watkins made some good hard hits, but he got burned again on a big play. Next week is Steve Smith, we can’t afford to get torched like that again. We need to take a hard look at putting Coleman in there or maybe even see what Davis can do. Newman also has to make more plays…he got burnt a lot last night.
–No more Crayton on punt returns.
Well guys, I live up in D.C. and i have to say, 85% of you on here sound like a bunch of skins’ fans. Look we made a change that was coming so deal with it. We are 3 and 3, crap happens. We could be worse. The change is better now than later when we are running for the playoffs. I have faith and am not quitting on this team. They can still do great things. We have a hard few games coming up and if most of everyone on here is just going to cry and complain. I’ll see you guys later this year. This page is a great source and i thank the guys that run it, but most of the guys on here, are just too negative on this team. Find some positives and work with those. If all of you are ready to put on your “the season is over” hat, then do it, start talking about the draft, you can beat everyone else to it.
BP has to take some blame in that the whole organization is in a huge hurry to build a superbowl team before he retires. The team has become artificial.
I don’t get it- I tried everything. I put my jersey on. I took my jersey off. I wore my cap forward. I turned it around. Hell, I even turned it inside out for awhile. I know the night was just not meant to be when not even having my Emmitt bobblehead watching ther game next to me on the couch helped.
I am done with Monday night games. First because we apparently don’t win them anymore and secondly because the sound of Theesman and Mister Tony yucking it up and shilling for ABC actually makes my teeth hurt.
This is my team and I refuse to give up hope for a renewal of will and spirit in them to make something happen. If the weak ass Foreskins can go 5-0 last year anything is possible.
SWIRWIN,
I THINK WE ARE TOGETHER BUDDY, I DID ALL THAT LAST NIGHT TOO, I EVEN SWITCHED JERSEYS…
This is a poorly coached football team.
I have three questions.
We had two pressing needs heading into last offseason.
1. Upgrade FS.
2. Upgrade our Offensive Line.
What did we do? We drafted a hack of a LB who can’t see the field. A TE with an All Pro already on the team, and a kick returner who just got back from the practice squad.
BP needs to go. It’s been fun, but it hasn’t been real fun.
This is an embarassment.
Those were only two questions and more like statments rather than questions.
Listen That was another Mistake prone Game that we shoulD’ve won..Was it Just me or did any one else see how much holding was going on by the Giants O LIne?? Besides we just stopped running the ball. 4yds on the goal line and we are passing the ball twice for int’s and one score..Bad Play calling..It was an overall bad game..I think BP will go back to the play calling..Remember he did most of it last yr and the offense was fine..Zimmer is doing a terrible Job this yr game planning for big games..we are so bland on defense ew don’t make QB’s throw under duress..we have fast LB’s why don’t we blitz them?? U dayum well Roy can’t cover shockey but yet we see him one on one with him..
we have to good OLB’s that put pressure on the QB from the outside..so blitz up the middle with a LB and Safety..we have to much talent on this D for us to be so basic..Remember we have 3 new starters on the o line..Gurode, columbo, & Kosier. It takes time for a line to jell..THey have to get to know one another’s habbits and abilities..there were more mental breakdowns than anything..It will take time..the season is far from over.WE have a great coach and he will right the ship. Im not giving up on the Boy’s the Nfc is not that dominate so we still have a chance any given sunday some one can get beat! look at the giants got blown out by Seattle and question there coaches..there pass rush was non existant in the firt 3 games..SO things can be changed we have the talent and we have a great coach..
Cash,
whoa, do you really think parcells needs to go? I’m not really disagreeing but that’s a huge move. I don’t know if you can throw all of the offseason activity off on Parcells. I doubt that parcells had anything to do with getting T.O. and to me, getting Owens was very revealing about how this organization operates. Jerry Jones pushed for T.O. and it was a waste! Jerry Jones threw away millions on getting Owens while huge gaps in talent still remained. Sure, Parcells looks like he’s a dinasour in the coaching world but I think you’ve got to look at the top. Jerry Jones needs to get his nose out of the football business. He sold this team out for high profile, headline makers. we need PLAYMAKERS
What’s wrong with Jason Witten? He is just awful. He killed a single drive himself. He let Arrington push him back about 6 steps into Bledsoe’s flea flicker throw. That play killed the season and sums up everything. He doesn’t have the sack to hold the block and do the ONE GD THING HE IS SUPPOSED TO DO. And the play fails and the drive fails and the Cowboys unbuckle their pants and lay face down.
The next play he fires off the line about 6 seconds before the snap. Excellent work. Is he drunk?
Fasano may be the worst TE in the NFL. Combined, those two bums make just a truly horrible TE tandem. I can’t understand how Fasano gets to suit up for every game.
OK, after feeling like I was punched in the gut last night let us get realistic.
Not what lost the game, but definitely added to it: Did you see the major holds the Gnats got away with. In particular the first long bomb to Plexiglass- Ellis was held up the middle and then the guy grabbed his jersey in front of the ref- still no call. Romo’s second interception- JJones was held, no completely wrapped up which is why he couldn’t get over for the dump off.
We said this was a game for separation, well we got it. The Gnats are the best team in the East right now. We are mediocre right now. All is not lost but until someone(s) step up and take the bull by the horns we wallow around for a while.
When the defense did go for a heavy blitz, did you see how far off the receiver the DB’s (in particular Henry) were playing. Left the hot route wide open. I understand not letting him behind you but that is ridiculous.
Run defense, where did you go? I know Tiki is good and I expected some yards but they simply out manned us. Yes our DB’s got burned a few times but unlike what most of you saw. THey were not out of position most of the time and it took a perfectly placed throw by Eli. Not much you can do in single coverage to prevent a perfect pass.
Romo, Romo, you showed us that gunslinger mentality. You showed enough to let us know you may indeed have it. Problem is can we live with the learning curve you will have to go through. You rifled the ball in some tight spots, but you also got away with a couple as well.
O-line oh O-line, where art though O-line. We need some attitude NOW.
I have lived with some losing seasons, but we have some talent. It is time for a heart to heart, a trip to the woodshed. The season is teetering on the brink of destruction. I don’t think we are there yet, but we are capable of letting it slip away.
BTW, Kornheiser sucks as bad as Theisman. I yelled at them as much as I did our players. They didn’t call the game, they made it about their opinions.
Im a little surprised. There is some understandable and expected consternation following a loss but much less spewing of hate and vitriol that existed following the iggles loss. I think people are still in shock, like BP was last night. Why? he has said it before,
gotta block
gotta protect the football
This game was closer to “disaster” than the iggles game though.
Home division game
Exposed just prior to a 3 game road trip
new QB
at least we avoided major injury, unless DB has a phsych problem now.
and no excuses for romo please. It was made quite clear by many on this site that romo was not a rookie.
it was made quite clear that romo outplayed DB in TC and in pre-season, at least i heard the last two points over and over again.
It was made quite clear that he would outplay DB.
It was pointed out that the last player who replaced DB went on to be a super bowl MVP, as if that alone was reason enough to play romo.
In the end, romo threw as many stupid picks as DB. In the end romo didnt show much more ability to escape pressure than DB.
So, what happens next? The cowboys have got to find a way to win 2 of their next 3. then they will have life, then they will have a fighting chance b/c this season is not over, regardless of how it feels.
I can think of two teams, right off the top of my head, that NO ONE would have picked to go to the playoffs in december of last year. One went and won a playoff game (skins), the other won the SB.
It looks like romo is the starter now. So i will support and pull for him, but i frankly have not one more iota of confidence in him than i do in DB (at this point).
Until we block better and limit TOs, we are not going to win. Until our defense can make more plays, we are not going to win. I dont care who the QB is, thats just the way that it is.
Cash,
Did you already forget? One of our pressing needs last offseason was to get another OLB so Ware wouldn’t get double teamed every single play. Ellis was a DE back then. Burnett had done nothing back then. Singleton was too small.
Granted, it didn’t seem to improve our pass rush much but that was our #1 concern probably: the pass rush.
And I dunno about you guys but I like Romo’s guts. He’s got the arm too and very good speed. If he could just learn to throw the ball away when a screen breaks down, I think he only would’ve had 1 pick.
And our O-line isn’t terrible. It’s maybe just average while the Gints may have the best one in the league.
jarhead said
“In the end, romo threw as many stupid picks as DB. In the end romo didnt show much more ability to escape pressure than DB.”
I don’t think so. The most stupid pick of the day was D “I’m not even going to look at anyone but TG” B. And Romo showed a LOT more ability to escape pressure, what are you talking about? I saw him scramble, buy time, MOVE UP IN THE POCKET…he may have had some dumb plays but our offense was finally moving and fired up. It was probably the longest mostly-pass drive by Dallas this season…usually DB fumbles or throws an INT.
Romo.. what did everybody really expect the next Clint Longely? He didn’t have a good game but what rookie would have in the same situation. His int’s were rookie mistakes, he will get better. With that o-line they need somebody back there that can run for his life and that isn’t Bledsoe.
Romo did give the team a spark though, even though the sparks were interupted with interceptions. I mean, with Romo you have hope that every tough game won’t be a 3 int game because he is young and learning. With Bledsoe in there, you still give up the 3 pics.. but he’s been in the league for 10-11 years.. so he isn’t learning anymore, he is just costing us games.
By putting in Romo, BP may be calling it a season, he may be thinking let this kid get experience this year and try getting to the playoffs in 07.
They are getting outcoached on a weekly basis though and maybe it’s time for BP to call it quits. We can’t beat anybody with a winning record.
Defenses just T-off on the qb, they blitz and get their sacks, then eventually they stop blitzing because they realize if they just rush 4 they still get their sacks. Our defense can’t get to the qb consistently no matter what they do.
T.O. did drop a pass, but the guy brings emotion to the offense, we haven’t had anybody do that since Irvin retired. Other than the 1 drop he had a good game. I’m just an Monday morning idiot, but my advice to the new qb.. anytime you get in trouble throw it in T.O.’s direction.
CALM DOWN EVERYONE. It was a bad game yes at the biggest stage, in the best possible position to make a statement and they buckled. But although we lost, and i lost money cause my friends is a stupid giants fan, I did notice Romos spark to the team. It seemed as though we actuallly had a pro bowl tight end, and a gamebreaking reciever again. This romo thing helps so many areas in almost every facet of the game. from the oline to the recievers to the defense, we need to keep it cool and stay optimistic. I think with a few games under his belt and the teams confidence everything will improve, Romo just needs to learn to throw the ball away, and go to the next play, and we will be in good shape. Every year we play Carolina and we are supposed to lose, we end up with the upset, JJ will get back on track, Romo will have over 300 yards passing with 40 yards rushing, mark my words guys things are about to get real exciting, keep faith GO COWBOYS! REMEMBER 6 IN 06!
blee,
romo was sacked twice in the 2nd half and would have been sacked a third time had he not chosen to throw a pick instead.
so whats the difference b/w 3 sacks and a safety and 2 sacks and an interception? not much.
NO QB will do well unless we block better. do that, and either QB has a chance to win.
BTW cowboys, please ditch the spread formation when we’re inside the opponent’s 10. We have given up 2 pick 6’s in key games on that formation.
Drop balls or not, TO is one of the very best WR in the game.
He is NOT our problem. Our problems are many but WR is not one of them.
Wait a second, I didn’t think Romo was a rookie, and that he wouldn’t make the same mistakes. How can we now give him a pass. Romo did show some ability and may very well be something, but you can’t give him a pass when you didn’t give one to DB.
The qb is NOT our only problem, if we didn’t have so many other problems DB would still be qb. The Gnats are very good, but where did our defense go. We can blame it on the offense for blown chances, but we thought the defense could keep us in any game.
blee,
i forgot to mention his other “sack” where he was in the grasp of the defender and flung the ball skyward in the general direction of barber, that probably should have been pick #4.
my point remains: no QB will play good when he is running for his life, that may be the one thing that DB and romo have in common.
Well I’m more excited than down right now. After the Eagles loss I knew DB would start yet again and that we would continue to see the same result. Let’s see Romo have a chance to start and possibly play with a lead. Hopefully he gets the chance to prepare as the starter all week.
Now if they would have made the switch to Romo before the Houston game maybe they would have come away with a win in this one.
jarhead,
Yes, but my count, two or three times, Romo evaded would-be sacks that DB definitely couldn’t. He also got rid of the ball much faster. The rush was probaly just fiercer in the second half because they knew we were throwing and had a quasi-rookie back there. Romo didn’t have hold-the-ball-for-eight-second sacks and actually moved up in the pocket once. He has poise, confidence, and balls. His bad throw in the screen pass accounted for a pick and the Strahan tip was just bad luck.
Only problem is that Glenn has become a non-factor with Romo in, but Romo has gotten TO and Witten involved.
I dunno if TO smiles after mistakes; they could be grimaces you know.
Oh, don’t forget his hands still hurt.
Did you see the shot on ESPN that had TO in the background and Parcells looking really really frustrated? I bet someone uses that at some point…even though TO wasn’t even talking to him. “TO IS A CANCER”!
Guys guys guys. Too much doomsday. In this NFL there is no dominant team. It’s pretty even from top to bottom. There is no reason to give up on the season yet. I think Romo is a great decision and while he will get us in trouble, he will do some great things, and I think the mistakes will get fewer as the season goes on.
For all of you who are sorry for Bledsoe, don’t be. He’s just as selfish as TO if not more. He’s already pouting about being benched and he has never been a leader of the team. I see leadership abilities in Romo.
That’s what this team desperately needs. A leader. I know some of you are scared by this, but I think TO will step up and be a leader. I think Romo is the guy he wanted at QB all along and I think he’ll step up and help lead this team. I hope there’s someone on the defensive side of the ball that will accept that role. Roy, Ellis, James all have yet to step up and really lead.
I am the first guy to point out the faults of the team. But I really feel like this loss and Bledsoe’s mistakes could help this team gain focus and rally around a young QB and feel some hope and energy to get it done.
NYG and Carolina probably have the best DL’s in the league, so if they make our O-line look like chumps, that means we are probably average, not the worst in the league.
at least we can see some upside with romo. we already knew what to expect with bledsoe every week.
I’d love to write the names of those of you who say we suck and the season’s over. If we win 4/5 you’re prob the same ones saying we’re the best team of the decade.
We are an above avg. team with a shot at the playofs. We were never more. Some of you deluded yourselves into thinking we had this great team, but we don’t.
We just don’t match up with quick, physical Def Lines. Not every team can do what Phil and the Giants can. We can stil go 10-6, then see what happens in the playoffs, and that’s all we were ever gonna do!
The NFL sucks. We can beat the Giants, the Eagles, Colts, Panthers any week, and hopefully we will.
say what you will, the cowboys own the panthers lately…
Larry,
In all due respect, if you think we are an above average team, I suggest you didn’t watch the game last night. Heck I doubt you even saw highlights.
The Giants are an above average team. We flat out suck. When the opposing QB can just chuck it deep and the opposing reciever can come down with the ball, at will. We aren’t good.
9-7 or 8-8, which is what we’ve come acustomed to, is what we’ll have this year.
I wonder why we keep lining the QB under center ??? We have to realize that our o-line isn’t blocking well so how about making an adjustment ???
Also, if we can’t put anymore pressure on their QB then we will lose no matter who’s our QB.
We have no time to pass and allowing them all day, do the math !
I liked what the Giants did on defense, they had so many play the defense was confused. They simplified the defensive plays and let them use their talent.
The bottom line is if their defense can penetrate at will we won’t be able to run nor pass, unless we get Michael Vick soon.
nice regurgitated theisman quotes
Shane, thank you! I thought I was the only one that was getting livid with all the holding the Gints were getting away with. Everyone is complaining about Romo’s picks but c’mon. JJ was wrapped up and held on that second pick. That pick never should have happened or it should have been negated by a penalty. And everyone is talking about how good the Gints O-line is but even the Dallas O-line would look good if they were able to tackle the pass rushers on every play.
Did it decide the game? Probably not, but it sure didn’t help.
We are not out of it, but as BP likes to say- You are what your record says you are. We are average right now. I don’t see Romo as the saviour for our team. It is going to take lots of help and attitude.
Cosby Sweater,
I understand what you are saying about regrouping and coming back focused but that is the same thing we were telling ourselves after the Iggles loss.
We simply have too many areas that need shoring up. We shouldn’t have that many. I am confident in our coaches, but we have too much talent. If you consistently have on problem then maybe you can blame coaches, but up and down is on the players.
The Gnats do have great rushers and D-line, but guess what- The Panthers are no slouches either. Their line is every bit as comparable.
As you know I have not been a Bledsoe basher, and have not been calling for Romo. If he can give a spark to other facits of the game then there is reason for hope.
I don’t mean to sound so down but we on this blog have made a semi-sound allowance to pout for two days after a loss. I am using it.
blee,
if you say so man. at best, romo’s mobility will mitigate the fact that our oline cant match up with better defenses. it will not be some magic cure for our blocking whoes.
all three of romo’s picks were bad decision/impulse throws (two when he was under no pressure) and a third pass should have been picked.
Also, as someone implied. we dont “own” the panthers. we needed help from the refs last year to beat them on xmas eve. this sunday may be more of a fright than early xmas.
im all for romo growing up quick and learning to throw it away. until he does so consistently, ill go with what i saw.
following the panthers are two beatable teams. again, if we can win 2 of the next 3, we’re alive and we have a fighting chance.
check out cnnsi.com to vote on romo vs bledsoe. you can also vote on man laws (only if you’re a man.)
dude, i just can’t take bledsoe anymore. i’ve never seen someone who single handedly loses so many games. oh wait, check that. i forgot about vinny t.
Haven’t posted in a while because I’ve been too ashamed of this joke of a team. Now I’m just furious. I’ll rant one last time and then I’m done. For good! Sorry Cowboys, you’ve just lost a fan.
“F” this team! They suck! JJ needs to start at the top and work his way down to the janitor and fire everybody. Parcells - gone. Zimmer - gone. TO - gone. O-Line - gone… They all need to be replaced. This team isn’t good enough to take the field to scrimmage a high school team. The entire team needs to trade in their jocks for skirts because that’s all they are - a bunch of wannabe’s trying to play a man’s game. That goes for you too Parcells!
Hey, I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you (Parcells) skip reviewing film this week and show them your Back Yard Drills DVD. Break out the popcorn and ice cream and have a good time. The O-Line can curl up on the couch together under a big quilt with the following words stichted in - We Suck! and then they can talk about their feelings and cry together. After the O-Line is done connecting with their feelings under the quilt of shame, the remaining offensive and defensive units can take their turn. Then when the O & D are done, the coaching staff can crawl under and stay under.
To the players and coaches - think about the millions that you’ve stolen from this once great franchise and how you continually squander the opportunities given to you on a weekly basis. Every last one of you need to turn in your resignation and walk out of the Ranch with your heads hung low in shame. Bill Parcells should be first in line.
And for the new stadium being built -Mr. Jones, don’t waste the money. Build a nice park instead. Something that the kids can enjoy. Erect a monument in the middle of the park with a picture of the Parcells-era Cowboys - a reminder to all passers-by of what NOT to become.
If you still insist on creating a new stadium, make it a haunted house and open the doors only during Holloween. You can replay games from the Parcells era. That will really scare the sh** out of everybody - a true fright fest.
And finally Mr. Jones, take a deep look inside yourself and understand that this team, coaches and players, are on life-support and have no chance of making a full recovery. Do the right thing and pull the plug. Put an end to the suffering and this dying thing called the Cowboys.
The End.
SFAGitator,
You haven’t posted for a while, and all you can come up with is this crap? I didn’t know football fans were such little girls…(I hate him! I love him!, etc.)
Hello All,
Well I guess there is nothing to say except that last nights game was disappointing to say the least. But before we all go jump off the biggest cliff we can find there are 10 friggn games left! the season can be salvaged. Let’s wait and see what happens.
Last night I was thinking about the teams of the past. The great teams of the 70’s and 90’s and the struggling teams of the 80’s and our current teams of the 00’s. I was spicifically thinking about the teams that strougled in the 80’s. I was always calling for the #2 QB; looking forward to the next draft; questioning the great Tom Landry; always thinking we were improving but not quite there yet.
But the funny thing was when it changed it changed quickly and it was major. all of a sudden in the 90’s everyone knew we were a good team. We may not have been picked for the SB but we were considered by national media as being in the mix.
When our team is average or struggling we talk about the one missing piece to the puzzle; putting in the backup QB or that we get no respect from the media. We think that we are improving a little at a time and that we are getting close.
Even years when we knew it was a good team and we got off to a bad start; when we started winning it wasn’t a turn-around or a miracle, it was just that they started living up to their potential.
I think this team has a feel of an average team and I think it will take a major change to make them good or great. I don’t think something will just click and we start winning. I think something like a great draft pick or a huge FA, a new coach or coordinator.
All of our players right now are great support players none are great playmakers. I say this with all due respect to many of our players that are hard workers great teammates and well respected around the leage. But we dont’ have anyone that can change a game by themselves. Even the great RW and TO are limited because of the position they play; a FS and a WR can only have a limited impact on the outcome of the game. We need one or two of those great impact players and this has to come from the QB, RB, DE, or LB positions.
We obviously have some problems on both lines, but we better start thinking about packaging some picks together and getting an impact player at a key position or it’s going to be year after year of average play.
my 2 cents, maybe worth less, but 3 reasons why i prefer romo over bledsoe the 3 reasons in no particular order terrell owens jason witten and patrick crayton in 1 half of football romo got more production out of those 3 than bledsoe got whole season to date.i was trying to figure out what was wrong with those 3 they looked great once romo got in.