Preview: Cowboys @ Panthers
Posted: October 27, 2006 @ 12:48 pm
The Tony Romo era begins as Dallas travels to Carolina for a critical game against the also-struggling Panthers, who are smarting from a 17-14 loss to Cincinnati. In an ending similar to the Cowboys’ loss at Philly, Jake Delhomme forced a pass into the end zone with Carolina at the Cincy ten, trailing by three. The throw was intercepted and the Bengals melted down the clock. It’s time to see which team shows more resilience.
When Carolina Has the Ball
Have I mentioned about 100 times that Panthers OC Dan Henning and Bill Parcells are good friends? They are, and you’ll understand why Parcells trusts Henning when you watch Carolina’s offense work. It’s a near mirror image of the schemes Dallas runs. Lots of power running with lots of “wham” traps? Check. Lots of rollout passes to the sidelines, as Dallas does? Check. Lots of down the field throws to Steve Smith and lots of short and intermediate crossing routes for Keyshawn Johnson, in the way Dallas uses Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens. Absolutely.
The Panthers have battled injury problems in each of the past few years and this year is no different. In ‘05 their running backs corps was decimated and Carolina relied on nowhere man Nick Goings to carry them into the playoffs. This year their offensive line took some head shots early, as LT Travelle Wharton was lost for the season in week one. The Panthers offense sputtered but has slowly come to life after some adjustments and a heavy dose of Steve Smith.
Carolina moved RT Jordan Gross to left tackle, where he pairs with standout LG Mike Wahle. Most of Carolina’s action works off Wahle. They Panthers will run traps right with him. In fact, Carolina will trap you up and down the line. The wham play I described earlier this year was cribbed from Henning’s playbook.
When the Cowboys beat the Panthers in ‘03, Stephen Davis ripped the interior Dallas line with it. It’s a staple of the Carolina running attack and you should expect to see it several times during the game. Carolina will motion a tight end into the backfield with FB Brad Hoover. Both will lead Deshaun Foster into the hole. Foster is back from a serious injury and is having a respectable year. The Panthers will use Goings as a third down back, moving him around the line. He caught a TD pass last week lined up wide in an empty backfield, something Dallas did with Julius Jones in week one versus Jacksonville. (I did say the two teams ran similar offenses, didn’t I?)
The engine driving Carolina’s attack is Smith. He had a big game versus Cincinnati and almost beat the Bengals by himself. He’s fast, as everybody knows, but he’s also deceptively strong. When Delhomme sees Smith in single coverage he will throw the ball in Smith’s direction, trusting Smith to outjump and outfight the defender for the ball. And most of the time, Smith will. Carolina was 0-2 when he was out with a hamstring injury and averaged only 9.5 points a game. Since he’s returned, the Panthers have scored 20.8 points a game and are 4-1. Smith has three 100 yard games in that span, including a 189 yard blowout versus Baltimore.
Bill Parcells mentioned earlier this week that Smith concerns him. Expect Dallas to repeat their ‘05 game plan, when Terence Newman shadowed Smith all over the field. Dallas also gave Newman regular safety help over the top. Newman frustrated Smith, holding him to one catch before the WR shoved an official protesting a call and was ejected in the third quarter. Slowing him down will go a long way towards stopping the Panthers attack. Newman will have to be on his toes. Carolina loves throwing flanker screens to Smith, as the Redskins do with Santana Moss, so the CB will have to be ready to sort through some interference and make some tackles.
When Dallas Has the Ball
It’s just a hunch, but I don’t think we will see very much pruning of the playbook this week. Dallas didn’t adjust much for Romo when he entered the game last week and they shouldn’t have; he’s a four year vet and Parcells mentioned this week that he knows the playbook completely. Dallas did call more plays from the shotgun, more bootlegs and more rolling pockets.
What Dallas didn’t do much for Romo was call running plays. His first intercepton put Dallas down by 12 and let the Giants rush loose. The Panthers have a big, physical line, but smallish linebackers. They lost standout Will Witherspoon to free agency and Dan Morgan is injured, so Chris Draft, all 5′11″, 232 lbs. of him, plays MLB. Cincinnati got some big plays for Rudy Johnson running traps and sweeps and getting good angles on the Panthers backers. Dallas got some encouraging early results from playing converted LB Oliver Hoyte at FB and I expect them to try hammering inside the Panthers front. (And let’s not forget the Bengals were playing with a dinged up offensive line in that game.)
When Dallas goes inside, it will need C Andre Gurode to neutralize DT Kris Jenkins. Parcells mentioned back in ‘03 that Jenkins was the best interior lineman in the game, but he lost most of the ‘04 and ‘05 seasons to injury and does not appear to have the stamina and power he displayed before. He’s still a force, but he’s the type of lineman Gurode has played well.
When Dallas throws the ball, look for RT Marc Colombo to get some help with LE Julius Peppers. Colombo’s reputation took a pounding Monday night, as he struggled versus Michael Strahan. He had played well up to then, so I’m optimistic that he’ll put up a good fight. That said, Peppers is probably the most gifted player he’ll face this season.
Carolina runs a lot of base 4-3, with the linebackers stacked five yards back and inside the linemen. It’s a look reminiscent of the Cowboys fronts under Jimmy Johnson and Dave Campo. Peppers, RE Mike Rucker and Jenkins are strong rushers, so the Panthers don’t blitz very much. On the other hand, every team Dallas has played of late has blitzed them, so look for Carolina to play some games to test Romo’s mettle. The Panthers had a lot of early success versus Carson Palmer running twists and stunts. Jacksonville, Philadelphia and New York have all run twists at one side of the line, were the end and tackle on one side of the ball exchange lanes. Carolina will almost certainly try this tactic out as well.
When Romo does go downfield, look for him to test the left side of the Panthers’ secondary, where Chris Gamble plays. He’s the weaker of the two corners, with Carolina sporting Pro Bowler Ken Lucas on the right side. Jason Witten should also get more work this week. He finally broke out versus the Giants last week and would have had a bigger receiving day had Drew Bledsoe looked for him more. He has a favorable mismatch against Panthers linebacker Na’il Diggs and safety Mike Minter.
Overall:
Two very similar teams, following similar trajectories. The Panthers have been more consistent this year, once Smith joined their lineup. They lost a very Dallas-like game last week, however. Their offense disappeared in the second half, their defense seemed to wear down late and their QB threw a dumb INT inside the opponent’s red zone late.
Dallas can win this game. It matches up very well against this team and beat them last year coming off a horrible loss to Washington, when everybody expected the Cowboys to fold. Can they do it again? Maybe, but right now they’ve got a dubious streak going. Their 0-3 against winning teams and until Romo and friends show me otherwise, I’m going with the streak.
Carolina 24, Dallas 17.
Comments
115 Responses to “Preview: Cowboys @ Panthers”
Raf,
Nice job as usual. How’s our special teams compare?
First!?!
dammit!
I think if we can contain Smith like we did last year, we will win. This team one sided as i see it.
Roy Williams just announced that Coleman will start at safety this week.
Hey Raf,
What’s your football background? I can’t believe some of these guys get paid more than you to color commentate. You school like Burres on Watkins.
Raf,
the streak doesnt lie. we’ll see.
Good point on steve smith and his physical nature. Witness in cinnci last week where he caught a tough one on one catch on the sideline and threw a nasty stiff arm at the CB to boot. didnt get any extra yards, but it served notice that he is a scrapper.
People underestimate his physical nature b/c of his size. this is why some DBs fail to bring him down, they think the big hit will do it, but he stays on his feet and goes for big yards after the catch b/c they dont wrap him up.
Not a good assumption that we’ll shut him down again and thats OK. What we need to do is CONTAIN him. wrap him up and hold until more show up to gang tackle. Limit him in that sense and we’ll be Ok, even if he puts up some numbers. if we shadow him, they get someone else matched up on a safety and take their shots, gotta limit those gains too. Bend dont break this week and take your shots with big pressure plays on occassion.
One thing i noticed in the stats is that peppers has 8 of their 15 sacks. in 7 games, their other players have had a sack a game.
I think if we give columbo some help, we can limit their rush unless they blitz early and often. if they do, the key is to NOT TURN IT OVER, even if we have to punt a couple of times.
I also think we can run on them, and limit their runs on us. they may come in a little cocky with us starting a new QB.
This is another team who has been a disappointment, and we’re both hungry for a win, particularly if the NFCE and NFCS teams do well on sunday. Sunday night and everyone will be watching, again.
Is that a fact? Coleman will start?
Ok I’ll come out and say it. I don’t really know what a trap is. Nor a stunt. Can someone explain these two terms for me please?
Agree, the odds of us limiting SSmith to one catch again are ver slim. Containing him alone will be tough if we can’t rely on our safeties.
I also think we can keep it close with a chance to win. I see Romo and the line being able to beat a few blitzes. Unfortunately, I also see this giving Romo too much confidence and he gives them some of those ‘floaters’ we saw last game resulting in turnovers.
I also can’t disagree with your pick. Do agree that we will have a shot at it. Romo, you gotta show us. We will be watching and hoping you can be what we think you can. If you aren’t, we got some lean years ahead of us, with a waste of a lot of talent.
So Mosley is reporting. Apparently roy Williams announced it on his radio show
Marcus Coleman will start at free safety for the Cowboys on Sunday at Carolina.
Strong safety Roy Williams made the announcement on his weekly radio show on K104 this morning with host Chris Arnold.
Coleman replaces Patrick Watkins, who gets benched after numerous mistakes in the deep passing game.
Coach Bill Parcells wouldn’t say who would start at his news conference this morning, so we’ll find Coleman and possibly Watkins to find out the deal when the locker room opens up in a few moments.
Parcells also said he doesn’t anticipate activating Watkins, Coleman and Keith Davis, who started 15 games last season at free safety.
So, I would think, Coleman and Davis are playing and Watkins is inactive.
We’ll find out on Sunday.
http://cowboys.beloblog.com/archives/2006/10/marcus_coleman_to_start_at_free_safety.html#more
Slide910:
A trap is a play where, instead of a lineman being blocked at the point of attack by the offensive lineman, he’s allowed to cross the line of scrimmage but is then blocked off in the backfield, making a lane to run.
A stunt is where a pair of players of the defensive team exchange roles, the better to slip past blockers of the offensive team at the beginning of a play from scrimmage.
Two kinds - (1) a DL will drop back in coverage while a LB rushes, or (2) where 2 DLs cross so that the interior DL rushes from the outside and the outer DL rushes on the inside (called a twist).
If you want to see a stunt worked to perfection, and not blocked- see almost any play against the Iggles. There line used that a bunch, especially after we showed them it would work.
slide,
strahan got a sack of something that looked like a stunt, though i think he freelanced that one as opposed to running a designed stunt.
slide,
A trap is a play that uses a d-lineman’s aggressiveness against him. Normally, you see linemen block the guy in front of him. But if you have a guy who’s quick and likes to penetrate, you can beat him with traps.
Say, for example DT Kris Benson is going to be trapped. And say he’s lined up over RG Marco Rivera.
At the snap, Rivera lets him go and runs upfield to block the MLB. C Andre Gurode, instead of running at the MLB, angles left and blocks the DT on the offside of the play.
Benson looks into the backfield and sees nothing but green grass between him and Julius Jones. He comes rushing forward like a bull seeing red.
That’s what you want him to do. You’ve given him the impression that he has a free shot at the back and have lured him into a “trap.”
Because LG Kyle Kosier is pulling across from the left side and gets a free blindside block on Benson, if he in fact runs forward. If Kosier kicks him out, you have a nice running seam inside for Jones.
You can trap anybody on the line from any angle. Smart lineman who can recognize traps and “stay home” can cause a giant clog up in the middle of the field. Traps work best against aggressive teams that like to attack.
Well what you got tony romo????
Hey slide,
not only do we have a gym two flights down the stairs, we have a bar too. and i visited it today instead of the gym (dont worry, i wont let myself go).
Boy, you dont have to dazzle me. Just DONT THROW THE PICK. thats all Im asking.
Go cowboys.
Blog later.
Bill Simmons (ESPN page 2) talks about the ‘Boys and Parcells impending doom. Then at the bottom of the column he picks the Cowboys over Panthers (taking the points +5.5, not straight up) because the Panthers are too inconsistent at home.
Shane,
I wouldn’t sell the farm yet, even if Romo doesn’t do well… Remember Eli’s start… If I remember correctly, he stunk up the place and lost seven in a row before beating the lowly cowboys at the end of the play (Tiki ran it in)… Not to mention Troy’s first, second year. I believe Tony is more mature than both of them QB’s at this stage compared to when Troy and Eli started… At least as far as maturity and knowing the system goes (with four years in the system under his belt).
Toast,
Not disagreeing, I should have been more clear with the post. I posted the note because of the irony of his column, not because I think that will happen. If anything his picks are usually worse than the ’swammy’.
Look very much forward to game day and to see about the what if’s it could represent. Unfortunately I will be away from a computer until Tuesday morning, so I guess I’ll check in with yall then. Try to get along while I’m gone and play nice.
Shane,
I guess I wouldn’t be too hopeful if the new QB was in fact NEW (1st or even 2nd year guy). But I more inclined to be hopeful because Tony is 26 years old, and has been in the Ranch for four years and has the size, strength and running ability which makes it a viable reason to expect good things as oppose to starting to build for the future and forget about this season. Just IMHO.
Also I get the sense that pretty much all the players are behind him and will do what ever it takes to make him successful.
Toast
Also don’t forget he beat out Drew Henson who I think was JJ’s chosen heir apparent QB. And BP likes him.Those are things in addition to what you pointed out that make me more hopeful about Romo.
Keystonetom,
Good point bro.. I admit, I was also one of the guys who was on Henson’s band wagon… So,,, there I said it. But I am happy with Romo.
Yeah I think most of us hoped Henson would be the next Aikman.As well as Leaf, Hutchinson, Carter, Stoerner, Did I forget anybody?
I think an interesting aside to all of this QB controversy is that Jerry is the one who was really behind Bledsoe, probably more so than Big Bill.
I remember all offseason hearing about how BP and JJ were probably at odds because while Jones wanted a QB of the future BP wasn’t about to hand over the reins to an unproven player.
Funny how time after time the media is so wrong on most things.
I think Colombo will be OK with Peppers and won’t need help.
The quarterback problem has been fixed, the Panthers defence will wear down again, and Cowboys win.
The panthers defense wore down against the Bengals and thats a hard thing to fix in 1 week.
Mccourt,
I’m optimistic that we can win too but I don’t share your optimism on Columbo. People were saying this last week that Columbo could handle Strahan, how did that work? Strahan absolutely toyed with Columbo, although it wasn’t all Columbo’s fault as Bledsoe helped his troubles in the first half. But even in the second when Strahan was statistically kept in check it wasn’t always because of Columbo, it was because Romo was scrambling away from him. Peppers is bigger, faster, and stronger than Strahan, Columbo’s got a huge job ahead of him. There were quite a few times were Strahan blew right past Columbo, and I don’t mean the unblocked ones, I mean when Columbo went back zeroed on Strahan in pass protection and Strahan put on a little stutter move before running right by a frozen Columbo. I like Columbo’s attitude he seems to give it his all and not quit but he is going to need help and lots of it to keep a great player like Peppers in check.
Nice analysis Raf and I learned some football stuff…I didn’t know that DL’s dropping back into coverage and LB’s blitzing in their place was called a stunt…I thought only twists were.
Only one thing Raf…don’t you mean Kris Jenkins?
I don’t know if we win, but Romo has made watching Dallas fun again! Hope Watkins takes the benching well…and learn from it.
Some thoughts to next year drafts. We’re stacked with LB’s. But I’d draft another one with a high pick next year…a Manny Lawson/Robert Mathis type for 3rd downs and passing situations. We can afford to release a Fowler/Singleton to make room. Then I want a NT, a speedy WR, and some OL. But I think pass rush might be the #1 problem on this team right now. I don’t know; it seems that Ware and Ellis are either unlucky or just don’t have killer instinct, because they must’ve let 6 sacks get away between the two of em…
Game comes down to Steve Smith vs.
T- New… if T. New shuts him down or
contains him we win.It’s the perfect stage for T-New with Madden calling
the game, a big game from Terrence
on Sun. sends T.N. to Hawaii….
Luke,
Peppers may be more gifted, but on the other hand, Strahan tries harder and more consistently IMO. Peppers has had 10.5, 11, and 7 sacks the last 3 years. How many would Peppers have if he had Strahan’s work ethic in-game? Probably a bunch more…
Raf…..thanks for your article…unfortunately I still be;ieve I wrote it better in the last therad…when they have the ball 2 -3 yard gain and boom…..Steve Smith or Keyshawn well covered but still (and it should be a surprise) catches de ball…Touchdooooown…..
When Dallas has the ball….strugle, strugle, keep the game close…go for it on 4th down…..and then boom…4th qtr….Interception, penalties, stupid ugly plays…..we looosee………oh just f^%$ em all….tghis a depressing football team with absolutely no balls whatsoever…it takes heart and balls and smartt players to ecdecute….we’re just not there yet.
Luke, Peppers is great, but Stinchcomb did OK against him 3 weeks ago, and Stinchcomb may be about the same as Colombo. Brees did OK, and Romo looks quicker than Brees, and potentially more frustrating to those big guys chasing him. After Colston’s 78 yard TD catch, Saints were kicking onside with a chance to win.
Of course, we can’t expect the Cowboys to be as good as America’s Team, right?
I think..
The ones most disappointed about Bledso’s demotion are guys like Pepper, Strahan, ect…
Toast:
Those guys are depressed, alright. I hope no one attempts suicide.
Strahan was grabbing the back of his right leg at times in the 2nd half, but no further mention was made of any injury, and he looked really mad, and yelling at someone as the game ended.
b lee & Mccourt,
I hope you guys are right, we’ll see I suppose. Peppers has 38 tackles, 8 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles in his first 7 games, that’s tells me he’s in excellent form so far this year. For me this is the key matchup in the game, if Peppers is constantly in the backfield blowing things up and smacking Julius & Romo the offense will sputter, if they get frustrated or desperate Romo might force a pass or two…
On the positive side that hasn’t really been mentioned Flozall Adams seemed to play pretty darn well against a very good player in Osi (until he went out) and whoever replaced him. If he can keep that up next week it will help a lot.
Kiwanuka replaced Umenyiora.
blee,
when a lineman drops into coverage and the LB rushes, they love to call that a “zone blitz,” as rejuvinated by Dom Capers. stunt is usually a reference to the “twist” (not the dance).
enjoy your weekend boys. sunday night. dont write them off yet.
Hey Cash,
I said the same thing on Tuesday - “Cash:
I think an interesting aside to all of this QB controversy is that Jerry is the one who was really behind Bledsoe, probably more so than Big Bill.
I remember all offseason hearing about how BP and JJ were probably at odds because while Jones wanted a QB of the future BP wasn’t about to hand over the reins to an unproven player.
Funny how time after time the media is so wrong on most things.”
I said I had heard Parcells wanted Romo to start the season but Jones wanted Bledsoe. And folks went NUTS. “Where’d you hear that? Prove it!” Well, I heard it from… drumroll… the media!!! ta dummm!
so which is it? Did they tell us the real story or the wrong one? How are you condemning the source of your information that you believe is true, by saying they get everything wrong?
“Peppers has 38 tackles, 8 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles in his first 7 games” Canty and Spears combined have 32 tackles, 2 sacks, and 6 You-gotta-whole-lotta-splainin-to-dos.
I also said Watkins will not be active, and i was called crazy (key here: if you throw bucketfulls of garbage at the wall, something is sure to stick.)
I just typed this long thing on “sophomore slump”, and if anyone on here had mentioned it yet for Canty or Spears, but I accidentally hit F5 on my keyboard and apparently that is not a good button to push while you’re typing stuff.
As Raf mentioned, Canty is starting to come around, and I’d expect Spears to be behind him with how much time he’s missed in both training camps. Ware isn’t even playing at the peak of his potential yet, so I’d be patient with the pass rush.
A lot of guys, including myself, wanted to lable this defense as “great” in the preseason without stopping to think about the fact that several of our impact players in the trenches were going into just their second year, not to mention Ellis starting at a new position. I say give ‘em time.
Just a little incite on how Romo could do…
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=8BF76988-0A16-832D-4283C94BEE599AC0
Also, at the bottom it says something about Jerry Jones being eligible for the Hall Of Fame. I didn’t know owners could be voted in. Is Tex in there?
I hate to say I told you so…
but, I posted this back in March and was slammed pretty badly. Dallas doesn’t have the talent on its O-line and passrush to get to the Superbowl. These were our biggest weaknesses last year and we either failed to address them or took steps backwards (such as releasing our best pass-rushing D-lineman).
“While T.O. is an upgrade at receiver, I am concerned that we still haven’t addressed what I considered our top 2 needs coming into FA: O-Line and pass rush. Fabini is a positive, but if we cut LA, we get a net loss on the O-Line rather than an upgrade. Since O-Line was our biggest weakness last year, that is a negative. Then, after a season w/ a poor pass rush, we cut a great pass-rushing lineman and sign 2 LB’s who have never gotten more than 3 sacks in a season - once again, a net loss for an already poor pass rush. “
Slide
Tex Schramm is in the hall ,I think but he wasn’t an owner.Clint Murchison was the owner during most of his days at Dallas.
This NYT article by Michael Lewis is long but the best I have read on BP and this team. A must read. I’m not goog at links but I’ll try. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/29/sports/playmagazine/1029play_parcells.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ei=5094&en=00292a0d8a8a5745&hp&ex=1162008000&adxnnl=0&partner=homepage&adxnnlx=1161998261-1aLID92iTFxEV00bt3LdPA
If that doesn’t work, it’s from the Play Magazine section of the Oct. 29 edition of the NY Times.
Some money quotes:
On Drew Bledsoe:
“Against the Jaguars, Drew Bledsoe missed throws he once made in his sleep. He was indecisive and slow to see open receivers. As a result, he held the ball far too long. Last season Bledsoe was sacked 49 times and smacked in the act of throwing 82 times, a league high. He has been showing the symptoms of a quarterback who is looking at the rush instead of his receivers  which is to say a quarterback who should no longer be playing in the N.F.L.”
Looks like we now know the answer.
On this team’s character:
“The Redskins video is still frozen on the screen behind Parcells. He is no longer sitting but is now on his feet. “This is the interesting part,†he says, then reads:
“When the fighters went back to their makeshift locker rooms, only a thin curtain was between them. Hart’s room was quiet, but on the other side he could hear Antuofermo’s cornermen talking about who would take the fighter to the hospital. Finally he heard Antuofermo say, ‘Every time he hit me with that left hook to the body, I was sure I was going to quit. After the second round, I thought if he hit me there again, I’d quit. I thought the same thing after the fourth round. Then he didn’t hit me no more.’
Parcells didn’t see the Hart-Antuofermo fight in person but was told about it, years ago, by a friend and boxing trainer, Teddy Atlas. It stuck in his mind and now strikes him as relevant. Seated, at first, he begins to read aloud from the pages: how in this fight 29 years ago Hart was a well-known big puncher heavily favored against the unknown Vito Antuofermo, how Hart knocked Antuofermo all over the ring, how Antuofermo had no apparent physical gifts except “he bled well.†“But,†Parcells reads, “he had other attributes you couldn’t see.†Antuofermo absorbed the punishment dealt out by his natural superior, and he did it so well that Hart became discouraged. In the fifth round, Hart began to tire, not physically but mentally. Seizing on the moment, Antuofermo attacked and delivered a series of quick blows that knocked Hart down, ending the fight.
At that moment, Hart began to weep. It was really soft at first. Then harder. He was crying because for the first time he understood that Antuofermo had felt the same way he had and worse. The only thing that separated the guy talking from the guy crying was what they had done. The coward and the hero feel the same emotions. They’re both human.â€Â
When Parcells finishes, he says: “This is the story of our last game. We were Cyclone Hart.â€Â
On why BP won’t quit:
“Guys can’t take it,†he says, “that’s why they get out.†Some of the best coaches the game ever saw  Bill Walsh, John Madden  quit simply because the strain was too great. Parcells won’t quit. He now knows that about himself: he needs it more than it needs him. He just turned 65. His marriage is over, and his daughters are grown. “My whole life I’ve always had some guys,†he says. “You gotta have some guys. That’s probably one of the fears I have when I get older: that I won’t have any guys.â€Â
“As you get older,†he says, pointing to a screen, where the play is frozen, “your needs diminish. They don’t increase. They diminish. I need less money. I need less sex. But this  this doesn’t change.â€Â
The part about the possible lack of will to win is the most disturbing.
Slide,
I checked the HOF list and there are lots of owners there. So Jerry might one day make it there.
The quote on the Hart-Antuofermo fight is a little out of order. It should read:
Parcells didn’t see the Hart-Antuofermo fight in person but was told about it, years ago, by a friend and boxing trainer, Teddy Atlas. It stuck in his mind and now strikes him as relevant. Seated, at first, he begins to read aloud from the pages: how in this fight 29 years ago Hart was a well-known big puncher heavily favored against the unknown Vito Antuofermo, how Hart knocked Antuofermo all over the ring, how Antuofermo had no apparent physical gifts except “he bled well.†“But,†Parcells reads, “he had other attributes you couldn’t see.†Antuofermo absorbed the punishment dealt out by his natural superior, and he did it so well that Hart became discouraged. In the fifth round, Hart began to tire, not physically but mentally. Seizing on the moment, Antuofermo attacked and delivered a series of quick blows that knocked Hart down, ending the fight.
“The Redskins video is still frozen on the screen behind Parcells. He is no longer sitting but is now on his feet. “This is the interesting part,†he says, then reads:
“When the fighters went back to their makeshift locker rooms, only a thin curtain was between them. Hart’s room was quiet, but on the other side he could hear Antuofermo’s cornermen talking about who would take the fighter to the hospital. Finally he heard Antuofermo say, ‘Every time he hit me with that left hook to the body, I was sure I was going to quit. After the second round, I thought if he hit me there again, I’d quit. I thought the same thing after the fourth round. Then he didn’t hit me no more.’
swidge,
ive read that article. best one ive seen all year, probably even since BP has been in dallas.
Swidge
Great article. I find it hard to believe BP will retire after this year.Earlier Raf talked about the effect a conversation BP had with Mike Wallace of 60 minutes.Wallace has remained vital into his late 80’s and that intrigued BP.Somehow I’ll bet he even enjoys all of this nonesense going on around him.
Very nice article. It seems like Lewis, at least for that article, got more in to BP’s inner circle than even Mort could hope for, didn’t it?
If BP retires and stops working, he’ll be dead in two years.
Lewis has a new book out called, “The Blind Side,” that has two narratives running through it. The bigger and more personal one is the story of Michael Oher, an abandoned black kid from Memphis who somehow winds up the ward of a wealthy white family and comes out of nowhere to become the best LT prospect in a decade.
The more abstract story puts Oher in the development of the left tackle as a marquee position in the game.
Lewis traces this as a reaction to the Lawrence-Taylor-type OLBs who starting to dominate in the early ’80s.
Parcells was interviewed extensively for this part of the book. He and Bill Walsh are foils, Parcells the olod school guy who used Taylor to destroy offenses and Walsh as the counter puncher who was the first to find a way to counter it.
In the acknowledgements, Lewis thanks Parcells for being very giving with his time. The quotes you list sound like follow up chapters from the book.
I know Parcells only talks to guys he trusts. It’s why Chris Mortensen gets so much dirt. He and Parcells worked together at NBC after Parcells left the Giants and he trusts Mort in a way he doesn’t trust any of the local beat writers.
Lewis has apparently gained his trust as well.
I dont’t think he wants to quit. I think he’s trying to find a way to get “his guys” to step up. Because right now it’s his primo choices, Spears, Canty, Burnett, Watkins, Romo who have to take a step forward if the team is.
If just a couple of these guys have the conversion that Bradie James had at exactly this point last year, the Cowboys will start playing a lot better. If they don’t, well, get ready for 8-8.
Good morning all
I would like to make an observation or two.
All I ever needed to know I learned in kindergarten.
The same could be said about Carolina Tomorrow.
Romo will be what he is starting with tomorrow. You will get what you see. Good or bad.
The defence will be the rest of the year what you see tomorrow.
Newman will be a pro- bowler or goat tomorrow.
The offensive line is what it is I dont need tomorrow to see anything else about them. They are average at best. By the way kosier IS an upgrade to Allen we would be just awful with Allen.
We win tomorrow barring injuries we will make the playoffs, lose and this team will be average and miss the playoffs. You will get what you see tomorrow.
This team has been living on tomorrow and tomorrow tomorrow will finally be here. We have had big games and we have failed badly, resulting in the calling for the head of the one named Bledsoe.
The one thing I dont understand is how Bledsoe was elected the team captain and now his own team is turning on him. Greg Ellis is the defensive captain and it is time to step up. He needs to be the captain of the team now.
I look at it like we have been in a cocoon and tomorrow we will see our new team. Romo will be the biggest change but who else will morph? I might be dreaming but this team has got nowhere to go but up. We are not even playing close to our potential. Injuries are not there and we still are average. That is not the real Cowboys and I cant wait until tomorrow.
Article from Charlie Water’s on Parcell’s decision to bench Bledsoe
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?editorialAuthor=14&id=8C3F5667-FDAB-EA8E-D046AF592E090D43
Nice article.
I think Norm is right to a degree. We will kow quite a bit more about this team tomorrow. The team has some weakness’s. The Oline and pass rush seeming to be the most important, BUT Romo may be able to make the Oline look better. The defense simply has to step up.
DB has truly been missing receivers, making bad throws, etc. If he had hit a couple more pass’s in Jax, we would have won. It is entirely possible that Romo may make those couple throws allowing us to win those games. We will know a lot more tomorrow.
Donny,
Man that’s a great article. I always respected Charlie Waters when he played and I respect his opinion now.
He’s right and you could see it in the Giants game. Their defense had to worry about a lot more things when Romo was in there. With Bledsoe it was simple: get to the statue and we’ll have a party.
Norm says:
“The defence will be the rest of the year what you see tomorrow.”
Absolutely, positively wrong. With so many young players on that scheme there’s no way of telling when or if they will develop and it’s not reasonable to expect some of them won’t get better.
You may want them all to get better or stay the same *in one week* but that never happens.
Raf, I agree. Still way too early to put that on our defense.They could have a bad game and still improve for the rest of the season. Especially if they are “parcells guys” who don’t quit, even when things get tough.
Another factor in why Bledsoe got benched-I’ve been reading this week, too busy to post-But did any of you notice the play where Whitten was open for a TD down the middle and Bledsoe led him about ten yards with a bullet, no soft touch?? that was another sure TD we should have had. And the play where Glenn was one-one and he threw it to the wrong shoulder? I missed most of the game, but saw both of those! (I saw only the bad parts of the game) It’s poss. Glenn did something wrong on that route, but as a QB you have to see what’s happening…….
I was neutral all year until Monday-I’m all in for Romo now, cause Bledsoe has obv. lost his confidence-can you say Alex Rodriguez? Even if Romo does poorly, that’s fine, because we need to see what we have so we can sign or draft someone if needed. If we were 5-1, diff. story.
Also, HALL OF FAME-the issue here is M. IRVIN. If he doesn’t get in this year it’s a joke!! I saw the list of nominees this morning-Bruce Matthews and Terrel (I was great for 3 years) Davis as the marquee names??? What a weak group. Irvin has to get in-and maybe Art Monk, Ken Stabler, Too Tall or Drew P (yeah, right), too-some older guys who’ve been put off. I bet they put Thurman Thomas in.
Is the footbal HOF the one that has to hhave 5 guys each year??
And how about Charles Haley? How this guy is ignored is beyond me. As is why he isn’t a coach for our DLine. So dominant at his position.
Haley has 5 SB rings. How many can say that.
In the article mentioned above on Parcells in Play Magazine, Parcells was saying as far back as right after the Jax game that certain plays could not be called because Bledsoe held the ball too long and that the Cowboys could run those plays with Romo.
It is entirely possible the offense will open up a little. The pocket will move more. There will be more quick striking plays.
It seems more of you have come around to what I have been saying for weeks. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that it is a gaurantee that Romo succeeds but for a long while now, Ive been saying that Romo gives us a better chance to succeed.
Yes, Donny Posner!!! Just as all will soon come to see the truth about Terrel Owens! Then you and I will rule the world. Hahahahah!!
Sorry-just finished a movie called Team America and I’m in a weird mood. Those who saw it will know what I mean
Donny,
You seem to know more about Romo than the average fan. Are you from his hometown?
Hello all,
I think the defense is above average right now (though maybe not compared to our expectations, they are when compared to the NFL). They need some young guys to step up to be better but that can happen.
I continue to harp on the thing that will make the difference b/t long term success this season: turnovers.
12 in three losses. WHOEVER you have on defense, we wont overcome those types of turnover numbers.
Get those under control, we will be in good shape (barring alot of injuries).
DONT GIVE UP THE EASY TO KID.
We may lose tomorrow, but if we come out of this road stretch with 2 wins, and if romo is keeping his impulses under control, we will be in good shape for the rest of the season.
when 50+ yard passing plays can be had on a defense, which has been the case for two years now, the defense is not above average.
Our defense is underachieving.
cash,
underachieving is not the same thing as being above average in the NFL. The defense has room for improvement, but dont expect it to shut down the best passing attacks in the NFL.
keystonetom
Donny only restated what we’ve all been told about Romo. Quicker release, more mobility, and we’ll now run plays with Romo that we couldn’t with Bledsoe.
Parcells even stated that last part in a recent press conference.
The only thing underachieving about our defense is Spears and Canty. The deep balls have always been a problem, and anyone who thought this would be completely solved by a 6th round rookie were being too hopeful, or just being huge homers.
Therefore, the deep balls will quicker be solved by a better and more consistent pass rush. If you haven’t noticed, the good teams we’ve played have limited our big plays in the same way by hurrying Bledsoe, sacking Bledsoe, or hitting his arm. Maybe these things will change with Romo, maybe not.
Back to my point on the defense, I mentioned on post 40 the dreaded “sophomore slump”, and how it could be applied to 2 of our 3 down lineman. If they get better, it will in turn help Ware and Ellis, which should in turn help our secondary.
keystone
I am NOT from his hometown.
I did however watch him intently during training camp and thought he outplayed Bledsoe. Bledsoe came on late in camp but Romo always showed a quicker release, accuracy, mobility, and an energetic leadership quality.
I think he can succeed having had 4 years in the system. Look at Philip Rivers. It his rookie year starting but he has had time in the system.
He wasn’t in a big college program but he did win the Walter Payton award.
Here is a difficult question????
If you could replace 1 offensive lineman who would it be? Who would be second?
I bet there is a difference of opinion.
ABout the draft, if I had a chance to get Brady Quinn, I would NOT take him. I think there are more impactful players tan Quinn.
I agree that Canty and Spears have been disappoitments rushing the QB this year but I wonder how much of that is simply the defensive play calling. DE in the 3-4 are more like DT and we shouldnt expect 10+ sacks like you would expect from 4-3 ends but I would like to expect the equivalet of a good DT 5-8 sacks.
In the next 4 games
NYG has Bears and Jaguars
We have Panthers and Colts
If we go 3-1, we have a very decent chance to be tied for first.
A win Sunday will go a very very long way, giving the entire team confidence considering the QB change.
The question is? Will the team respond and play better now. The Oline must improve. The TE blocking must improve. Hoyte must help.
Limit turnovers.
The defense must stop the big play ad get more pressure on the QB and cause more turnovers.
A few posts back someone mentioned that Bledsoe is our offensive captain. It got me thinking…who else on our offense is even capable of being the captain…not TO, right? Not Glenn. I don’t see JJ or Witten in that role. Doesn’t seem like any of the linemen. Back in the 90’s you could pick any number of leaders - Troy, Irvin, Emmitt. Even some of the linemen - Step, Newton, Tuinei. Am I wrong in this thinking or is there a void of leadership there?
Here’s hoping Romo can be that leader. I feel pretty good about this guy.
If I could replace one offensive lineman, I think it would be Flo right now. They all seem to be up-and-down, but that’s the most critical spot.
As many of you have mentioned, you build a powerful physical team on the lines.
If I were running the offseason, I’d bring in the best FA Olineman and I’d draft a NT like Al Branch of Michigan who commands triple teams and two more Olineman. The 3 new lineman can battle the existing for starting positions while a dominating NT should help the ends.
Who said Ebenezor Ekuban was a bust?
Denver has a dominating defense and
two of their starters are former Cowboys
RDE- Ebenzor Ekuban
LDT- Micheal Myers
They did take a long time to mature however.
Regarding Canty or Spears having a sophmore slump, you’d have to assume they were great as “freshmen”. I think Canty exceeded expectations but neither created any pressure last year either. I don’t know how you slump from slightly above average.
Boston Fan,
You’re right, very few leaders on offense. You could probably say the same about the defense except Roy seems to have leadership qualities. Normally, I would want the “leader” to play better than he has this year though.
For a first round pick Ekuban was a bust.
If I could switch one O Lineman it wouldn’t be Flo.
he is just getting fit, he missed a ton of TC.
I would lose Rivera. Gurode is doing great, Flo and Columbo are holding steady as is Kosier. Rivera is getting Bulled.
I wish Ekuban was still a Cowboy, when he was with us we were doing really good remember? I agree AlanTDot, Rivera to me is a dissapointment!! That is why they should of made some trades to beefen up the O’line, we are kinda hurtin!! That is a wonder who can be the next leader to this team if Romo plans on playing the way he is describing, and if he succeeds we will find out! we will see where he take us on this 3 day trip and then we can debate who will be the next leader, but I kinda think a QB will be the leader of any team, QB’s are the ones that keep the temple of a game…… scoring, making the right decisions, accuracy, and of couse mobility!
Since it is still early in the season are there any veteran free agents that we can still pick up??? Does any one know? If they made the decision to replace Bledsoe, will they replace anyone on the O’line!!
Found interesting one comment from Parcells that I don’t think anyone has touched, Parcells’ said:
Ratliff contributions as a 4 man DT is really important, but he won’t bench Spears, for whatever reason.
And on 2nd hand, let’s remember the Carpenter’s a bust thread, I remember hearing something close to this:
Let’s see, this were the picks that followed pick 18th:
19 - San Diego, Cromartie, Antonio, CB: Wouldn’t start over Newman and Henry and he would have a hard time sitting Glenn for the Nickel corner role. That surely would label him a BUST.
20 - Kansas City, Hali, Tamba DE: 4-3 DE that doesn’t has the measurables to be a LB, Ellis was quicker coming out of College.
21 - New England Maroney, Laurence RB: Not sure this team needed another RB, as a matter of fact, I’m quite sure the team didn’t needed another RB.
22 - San Francisco Lawson, Manny OLB: Right now, stat wise and talent wise, Ware and Ellis are overplaying him, so he wouldn’t be starting on this team. That would have made him a BUST.
23 - Tampa Bay Joseph, Davin G: He didn’t played in the first 3 games because he couldn’t outperform Sean Mahan and the running game paid for it. Right now, he’s starting and the running game is still bad. He wouldn’t be over Rivera, Kosier and Gurode in this team depth chart.
24 - Cincinnati Joseph, Johnathan CB: Go to explanation no. 19.
25 - Pittsburgh Holmes, Santonio WR: There’s no need for me to elaborate, right?
26 - Buffalo McCargo, John DT: Doesn’t looks like a NT and doesn’t looks like a 3-4 DE, he does looks like a Ratliff and he isn’t starting. B - U - S - T.
27 - Carolina Williams, DeAngelo RB: Go to explanation no. 21.
28 - Jacksonville Lewis, Marcedes TE: The team knew that they would find use for another TE, yeah, but this guy is more of a receiving TE than Witten. I’m happy with how Fasano blocks (or how he tries to).
29 - N.Y. Jets Mangold, Nick C: Not starting over Gurode, there are many things going against the team OLine, Gurode isn’t one. Maybe ahead of Johnson on the depth chart, but not starting means BUST.
30 - Indianapolis Addai, Joseph RB: See nos. 27 and 21.
31 - Seattle Jennings, Kelly CB: See nos. 24 and 19.
32 - N.Y. Giants Kiwanuka, Mathias DE: This guy looks like the young Ellis, Ellis’ transition to LB was hard and Kiwanuka wouldn’t be starting over him. BUST.
33 - Houston Ryans, DeMeco OLB: Probably another 3-4 ILB in a team that has too many of those.
34 - Cleveland Jackson, D’Qwell ILB: Same as 33.
35 - Washington McIntosh, Rocky OLB: Same as 34 and 33.
36 - New England Jackson, Chad WR: Same as 25.
37 - Atlanta Williams, Jimmy CB: He isn’t starting for the Falcons. BUST.
38 - Oakland Howard, Thomas OLB: Looks a lot like Burnett and he’s probably a better fit as an ILB in a 3-4, just like Burnett.
39 - Philadelphia Justice, Winston OT: After Jacob Rogers, I learned the lesson, both fell off the 1st Round for many reasons. And right now he wouldn’t be starting over Flo.
40 - Detroit Bullocks, Daniel SS: Roy Williams. Parcells recently called Williams one of his playmakers, he’s right.
Arizona Lutui, Taitusi G: He isn’t starting with the Cardinals and they need help inside, their running game stinks.
And from there, there’s no guy that looks the part of a 1st Rounder. Gradkowski? He was picked in the 6th Round for a reason, maybe teams find out the reason with the NFL film that they now have.
Carpenter was the right call at the moment, in April of 2006 this is were the Cowboys stood at LB:
- Ware and James as starters.
- Ellis was a DE.
- Burnett and Singleton were recovering from their surgeries.
- Ayodele was an OLB on the move inside.
- And they had Fowler, Shanle and Glymph as depth.
That’s 2 sure things out of 4 positions. Yeah, I don’t know from where the Carpenter pick came…
Carpenter…. why is he considered a bust, I need an understanding from someone on that one! I thought he was suppose to be this productive player that everyone was talking about?????
Chandus had good points
I remember that being a big complaint about this draft. The top 10 or 12 picks were of huge value, but it dropped off after that, and then got very deep in the middle.
Stillhate
Your comments on a sophomore slump are true, but I think the term can also be used to describe players who were thought to have breakout years following their 1st, but didn’t. Most of us, and probably the coaches too, were very excited to see Spears and Canty coming out of offseason workouts. Maybe it went to our heads a little, but most expected these guys to be firing on all cylinders week one. They didn’t, so perhaps they’ve been slumping a little. Maybe victims of their own “potential”? Is that possible?
Something that’s also been troubling me. Say Romo finishes the year somewhere around just below average. Do the Dallas fans run him out of town if we finish 8-8 or worse. Does the media? Dallas fandom has a habit of doing things like this.
I certainly hope not. If Romo does poorly I want us to stick with him, not stick him back on the bench. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t draft some insurance, or pick someone up in FA, but we’ve invested a lot of time in this guy.
I hate Dale Hanson, but he had an interesting point during his hour rant the other day. The Dallas organization we have now does not allow a Troy Aikman (or any stud QB for that matter) to develope for 3 painful years. I know you might say that the team was bad then too, thus not helping Troy look too good, but say we have a Troy Aikman starting this year for this team, and he looks bad 14 out of 16 games. What if he looks just a little better the next year, but still bad, and we can’t predict that he’ll really come on strong during the next 2? My thoughts are that the media and fans run him out of town, and you hear chants for his backup during every home game.
I do care what Romo looks like this year, but I care more about how he looks this year and the next. With the time he’s had in the system that should be enough time to see what he’s got….but certainly no less than that.
My prediction for tomorrow is that the whole project will take off and fly. Romo will chop them into little pieces.
Something I just happened to notice while looking at rush defenses. We’re the only team in the league who hasn’t allowed a run over 20 yards (knock on wood). Also, 4th in total rushing yards against, and 4th in average yards against per game. Minus the big plays we’ve given up, I’d say we’re doing exactly what BP would like. Maybe Canty and Spears are just fine where they’re at. Don’t want them to start thinking pass rush too often and give up big runs.
Carolina is in the bottom half of the league in all those stats, especially in runs of 20 yards or more.
Our 06 draft looked a LOT better a few weeks ago when Watkins looked solid. Still, he’s a steal for a 6th (? or was it 5th?) round draft pick, as was McQ for a 7th, even though McQ hasn’t done anything yet. He could be our LT of the future.
Carpenter hasn’t done anything, but both our OLB’s are playing very well. I hope either him or Burnett replace Ayodele at some point. Fasano has been invisible in the passing and has too many blocking lapses. Skyler Green…bust for now, but maybe he’ll be good as a Westbrook-type RB. Stanley was a bust obviously, but he was a 5th. Our other 7th got injured, and Hatcher was a steal for a 3rd.
It’s frustrating that we have Hatcher and Ratliff, who are the two best pass-rushers on this team besides Ellis and Ware, but don’t fit well in the 3-4. Who’s our line for the nickel/dime? Ware, Hatcher, Ratliff, and Ellis? If not, it should be.
Besides the Giants game, Spears and Canty did a great job against the run. That is the DE’s main duty in the 3-4. Sure sacks are nice from them, but it’s primarily an OLB thing. I’m disappointed in them too, but they are still playing above average.
Next year, I hope we get:
-a dominating NT in the draft
-an O-lineman (probably RG seems the weak link now as well as LT but hopefully McQ can fill that void)
-a speedster WR to eventually replace Glenn
-a situational speed-rusher
Can anyone with tape tell us how Ferguson is playing so far this season?
Chandus
Always appreciate your input, great post.I remember when the Carpenter pick went down, most everyone was satisfied. Let’s all relax and see how he develops. BP knows how to bring players along.
Why does Zimmerman seem to always get a pass by the pundits? Anyone who says that our defence is above average is in a state of denial. It seems that Zimm’s philosophy has always been bend but don’t break. Unfortunately, against solid teams for the most part it usually breaks.
He has an uncanny ability of making his players tentative and reactionary. With all the talent on that defense you would think that they would be a lot more aggressive. I wonder what Jim Johnson would do this defense.
Until, they get a new defense coord. we are going to be subjected to an unimaginative defense that keeps getting burned because of a lack pressure on the qb.
Why does Zimmerman seem to always get a pass by the pundits? Anyone who says that our defence is above average is in a state of denial. It seems that Zimm’s philosophy has always been bend but don’t break. Unfortunately, against solid teams for the most part it usually breaks.
He has an uncanny ability of making his players tentative and reactionary. With all the talent on that defense you would think that they would be a lot more aggressive. I wonder what Jim Johnson would do this defense.
Until, they get a new defense coord. we are going to be subjected to an unimaginative defense that keeps getting burned because of a lack pressure on the qb.
Chandus
Post 80
The analysis misses the point on both the meaning of “starting” and making the team better.
Quit using the “bust” word because it doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone.
Your thesis is that unless the first rounder is listed on the first team roster, he would be the same as Carpenter. Not true.
Redo your analysis to consider who, of those listed first rounders, would be active on game day. And further consider how much playing time each could get today playing at Carolina. The result is that there would be several of those players that would be better for the team than Carpenter today.
For example, your Maroney and Addai analysis: compare straight up to TT’s contribution. We would be a better team with either playing Carolina today.
Marcedes at TE. Could he break the active game day? You bet. we need another TE. Could he share time with Fasano? You bet. Team would be better with Mercedes that Carpenter right now today playing Carolina.
The Zimmer defense has always done well when the CBs are left on an island one on one. This requires a pass rush from one of the DL. We dont have the DL pass rush — CBs are getting torched and Zimmer’s scheme collapses.
Zimmer has never been a blitzing freak and this team, contrary to pre-season hype about the flexibility come-from-any-position-any-direction blitz, blitzes from a mile away with leaving the CBs panties exposed. WE don’t do it very well.
For anyone interested, here are the dallas cowboys fight songs we’ve had over the years. I’m working on getting the Audio
Dallas cowboys I
Go! Go! Dallas! Cowboys!
Dallas Cowboys stampede down the field,
See the defense reel and watch ‘em fall.
Blockers out in front to clear the way,
Show ‘em how to win ‘em all.
Loyal Cowboy fans stand up and cheer,
Let the whole world hear our bugles blow.
Stand Up! Stampede!
Go you Dallas Cowboys, Go!
Go!
Go! Go!
Go Go Go - Cowboys!
It’s the gold team of the senior pros,
Let the whole world hear our bugles blow.
Stand Up! Stampede!
Go you Dallas Cowboys, Go!
DALLAS COWBOYS (II)
“Go Dallas Cowboys”
Go Dallas Cowboys
Go Cowboy Team
We’re here to cheer you on your way
With a great big Yippee-Ai-Ay
Show ‘em Dallas Cowboys
You’re really booming on the beam
The eyes of Texas are upon you
Dallas Cowboy team
Ride ‘em Cowboys hit that line
Keep that ball control
Run the ends and throw that pass
‘Til you cross that goal line
Go Dallas Cowboys
Go Cowboy Team
We’re here to cheer you on your way
With a great big Yippee-Ai-Ay
Show ‘em Dallas Cowboys
You’re really booming on the beam
The eyes of Texas are upon you
Dallas Cowboy team
- - - by Irving Bibo & John T. Boudreau, 1960
DALLAS COWBOYS (III)
“Roll Dallas Cowboys”
Roll Dallas Cowboys, Down the field
Bowl ‘em over, Rock and sock don’t yield
We’re ever loyal, Unto the Blue and the White
Roll Dallas Cowboys, Win the game - Fight - Fight
- - - by John J. Boudreau, 1960
http://www.angelfire.com/fl/TheCard/fightne.html
This site has the audio
Michael Irvin NFL Sunday Countdown: “I won’t comment on the personal attacks on me from Tiki and his agent this week”
Beautiful!
Not to nitpick Raf/Raul, but I think the clock on the blog’s server forgot to “fall back”?
So it’s ok for Irvin to attack anyone he wants personally, but they are not allowed to attack him. I thought Tiki was justified in defending his decision.
Linus,
Zim has never coached a 3-4 before he is learning on the job. Maybe someone has followed BP better can let me know if his former teams blitz much? Does Bp and Zim just not trust the Db’s to be able to cover one on one?
As for the Soph slump sure glad Ware has never heard of it.
Brad
If every player on Defense played with the same intensity as Ware, we wold have one hell of a defense!
freetam,
what denial?
this defense is currently playing at an above average level in the NFL. while they may not be performing to expectations, they are performing well.
they have many times been put in difficult situations by offensive turnovers (i say again, average 4 TOs in our 3 losses).
while we can discuss how the defense may be “fixed,” be careful that we dont call for them to fix something that is not really broken.
they are young, and not dominant. the offense has to do a better job of not putting them in difficult situations and of limiting their time on the field. if this happens, and if 2-3 players on the defense pick it up, even just a little bit, i think they’ll get alot closer to meeting expectations.
Jarhead
I would agree with you to a point. I would like to see the Defense play well against a good team. I think the D’s stats have been somewhat padded from the Tn, Hou, and WA games
Brad
Raf Post 52-
Give me 1 thing that shows any sign that this defence will improve? You are what you are and I believe that. This defence is the poor fighter who gave up. Today is their last chance in my eyes to change the season. The Carolina line is not that good so lets see what we have got. I think this defence has that high ceiling but they arent even close yet. I dont think there is going to be a miraculous change and everything just start working, I dont think it works like that in this short a time.