The Hole That Hasn’t Closed
Posted: November 27, 2006 @ 12:01 am
You haven’t seen it in a while, but it’s there.
I’m talking about the void in the deep middle of Dallas’ secondary. The Eagles abused it, to the score of two TDs and a 60 yard bomb that was stopped one yard shy of a third. The Giants hit it too, with Plaxico Burress grabbing a 52 yard TD between the Dallas’ safeties before the smoke from the pregame pyrotechnics show had cleared.
The Cowboys benched rookie Pat Watkins after that game, replacing him first with Marcus Coleman and then with Keith Davis. Davis held up for a while, but Joey Galloway showed enough on Thanksgiving Day to make even the most optimistic Cowboys fans wary this week.
Galloway blew past Davis on a deep post for 53 yards on Tampa Bay’s fifth play of the game. Two series later the Bucs ran the same play. Galloway again blew past a Dallas safety, but Roy Williams was able to pick off an underthrown Bruce Gradkowski pass. A source who’s watched game tape tells me Galloway could have made another big play with a better throw.
Late in the first half, Galloway burned Anthony Henry down the left sideline. Gradkowski’s throw was late and short, allowing Henry to recover and bat it away.
I mentioned in last week’s preview that Gradkowski is inaccurate on his deep throws. Had a QB with a good deep ball, say, an Eli Manning been playing, Galloway might have had a three TD day.
Manning is playing against Dallas this week. He’s desperate, after an awful two interception 4th quarter against the Titans helped them erase a comfortable 21-0 New York lead. Manning’s WRs will be smarting too. They beat Dallas in the deep middle five weeks ago and they know the potential for more deep throws exists.
You haven’t seen it in a while, but that hole is still there. Let’s hope Davis and Williams do a better job of defending it this time.
Comments
194 Responses to “The Hole That Hasn’t Closed”
Got something to say?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
-
"The Sports Doctors"
iTunes/
Winamp
Windows
Media
RealOne -
Cowboy Up
Dedicated to providing the best Cowboys analysis anywhere, our efforts are free of charge but not free of expense. Your kind donation today will keep our drive alive.
Thank you
Or mail payment to:
RV2 Enterprises
P.O. Box 150093
Austin TX 78715-0093
Advertisers
-
Fave it!
-
SiteMeter
Burst Media
first?
Absolutely still a worry, esp. against Giants and Eagles. They are not going to be intimidated by the Boys, their old rivals. We will have to earn those wins, although w/Garcia going for the Eagles we’d better win that.
I’m as confident as anyone and love how it’s gone the last few weeks, but if you learned something from this NFL season, it’s that teams heat up and cool off, and you have to earn EVERY win.
Amazing where we are compared with just 3 weeks ago, but that’s the lesson, isn’t it? We could lose to Giants and Saints, and be one slipup from 9-7 again. Not to mention what a few injuries could do.
So I’m enjoying each week as it comes, and hoping for more! Right now our team is THE story of the NFL. Some of you need to hold off on the plane tickets to Chicago for a few more weeks, though!
Or actually, just until we beat the Giants-THEN I’m talking about a bye.
Raf,
I agree and all, but didn’t the colts game make you a bit more comfortable? We showed that if you get to a QB quick enough, sack him once, and get some pressure, he’s going to be nervous, and make some poor throws. Eli is already shaky, and he should be, he’s been playing terrible. I think there might be an oppurtunity or two, but if we keep up the rush, and get collapse the pocket from the middle, eli will have a terrible day. Also, our run defense has been making me feel VERY safe, as has our 3rd down D.
Good luck Tuna and company. Sunday is the big one.
EMRDOG
Reference to post 14 last tread-Uh, I read a lot of that stuff here after our Giants and Wash. losses!
CNMDallasFan,
No, the Colts game doesn’t. That was a one off against an AFC team you face once every four years.
This is a division rival. You’re not going to surprise them with any crazy blitz schemes. Coughlin knows Parcells better than any other NFL head coach not named Belichick.
I’m not going to be comforable until the clock reads 0:00 in the fourth and Dallas has a lead.
Bad Relig./Cowboyman
On that block Addai made on Ware, I can’t know for sure, but I thought it seemed like Ware wanted to stay with the running back-if he goes past him then he’s an open outlet for Manning. He may have been reading screen.
Or he may have been whipped on that one play! Who knows.
Raf,
True…wow I still have much to learn. Now I don’t feel so comfortable
Larry,
Addai stoned him. It happens. I’d heard from some good sources coming in that Addai was already better at blitz pickup than Edgerrin James ever was. That play confirmed it for me.
I recall Emmitt Smith jacking up lots of LBs in his time. Big backs with want to can do it.
CNM,
This is a huge game. If you want to own a division, you have to muscle your top rival(s) out. When Jimmy came it the Redskins were flying high, but it was the Eagles who were the last team to be overcome.
In the Parcells era, the Eagles have had their run of the place, but the Giants have been the biggest thorn in Dallas’ side. Look at the scores the last three years. One Cowboys overtime win and four lopsides Giants wins.
We can’t talk deep playoff runs or even playoffs IMO unless the Giants are overcome.
ok IMO, the best way for us to win the game is to stop their run. If we hold Tiki to under 100 yards rushing, then we will win the game. Eli has a huge tendancy to force passes when the run game is not working. Also, another key is to shake up Eli early. If we get an early int or sack, or a few 3 and outs, Eli gets nervous/shakey and tends not to recover well.
sure we have our hole, but giants have lots of hole.
it is CONFIRMED by espn that strahan will miss the cowboy’s game.
I heard bob costas say something about “maybe getting to see dallas and new orleans” is that because of the flex schedule? I didn’t know that the flex would move games to sunday night…could this be true?
During Weeks 10-15, league rules call for 12 days of advance notice to move a start time to Sunday night. During Week 17, the decision to move a game-time start can be cut to six days — the league has said the idea is to aim for a night game with playoff implications.
The league has also said CBS and Fox can protect a total of five games in the seven weeks of flex scheduling — but not more than one game in any week.
From nbc’s web site. I’ve not seen much public notice on the game moves not even on the team websites. A buddy had tickets to a vikings game that looked likely to move to monday night due to mlb playoffs. mlb was more fothcoming about moves than the nfl.
mmm…i think if i were a coach i wouldn’t like the flex schedule. I like the idea, especially considering last night’s game (zzzzzzz)
Big, big game for Dallas. If we win this game, we are a lock for the playoffs and should win the division. Three weeks ago when people were crying for a wild card spot, I mentioned that the Giants were going to take a big dive. I didnt think it would be 3 straight but there you go. The NFC is shaking itself out and now Dallas has the 2nd best record. Pollyanna? Well the boys will have their work cut out for them. Teams want to test our safeties and they will. No mistakes, no turnovers and Big D pulls away in the East with a 2 game lead.
Galloway was obviously running free, deep in the secondary, and the rookie QB just couldn’t get him the ball in time. Bullet dodged. It’s about time the breaks go in the Cowboys’ direction.
But I saw that Galloway was open. You saw that Galloway was open. Everyone did - except maybe Keith Davis - so why did Aikman go on and on and on and on about the Cowboys having no holes? There is a gaping wound in the secondary. An obvious hole.
As i watched that game I kept saying, “except for Free Safety, Troy.” I bet i said it 5 times.
Anyway, I just thought that was unusual for a technically expert color commentator to gush so flirtatiously.
I suppose the crazy loss in DC is leavened by the Giants losing to an equally inferior team under similarly near-supernatural circumstances.
Did you see how easily the Eagles ran vs the Colts? They were more successful than the Cowboys. I wonder what that means about the Cowboys’ running attack.
i called the panthers win for the boys 27-13, i called the boys over the colts 33-31, i caled boys over bucaneers 24-7 this week my call boys 27-10 ps boys going to the superbowl and winning thats my call.
emrdog,
The flex schedule brought us that game last night. 2 weeks ago, NBC was choosing between NE - CHI and IND - PHI and they chose IND - PHI. I guess they thought IND would be undefeated and didn’t know that PHI would have lost McNab and their season.
I wonder about our running game as well. Didn’t look so good for 3 q’s in the Indy game. But Barber’s style seems to work better. Though maybe like someone here said Jones is the workhorse. I’ll settle for the 2 back system getting the job done. But, still, Barber..whew thank you.
How many of these big plays are because Williams inches into the box? Alot has been made of his increased contribution when the boys bring him up.
From replays it seems he has had a couple plays that were his responsibility, but its hard to tell where he was standing when the play began.
First, we do have a hole at free safety. To me, its about time for Keith Davis to see those deep route plays and cover it.
I am still hopeful that Watkins is our future star free safety in time. Now some of this blown coverage by our safeties maybe due to called coverage by our defensive coordinator. I dont think so, but I have heard that sometimes Roy Williams is blamed for things and its not his coverage.
NEXT, Parcells said he is aware of what TE Shockey said about no way Dallas wins in NY. That should be put on the bulletin board for all players to see and remember.
Then, the Giants are banged up, ESPN is reporting Strahan is out, along with their other star DE OLI…….., then you add in they lost their best OT in Peguitot, however you spell his name and have an old OT from the Raiders at 38 years old or so, blocking now. Those weaknesses should be attacked.
I think the keys to this game will be, that Coughlin will go back to the running game with Tiki, and Jacobs ramming it in near redzone. Then attacking with deep passes down the middle. That should be attacked and prepared for.
What I am scared of in this game, (if it comes down to a field goal in the game) is the kicking game. With Vandy our kicker, he needs to get his attitude straightened out, and start kicking right, time now for him either to play or shut up.
Finally, what I think you guys are overlooking is one very important thing. For the past 3 years, when we got the 3 day weekend off from Thanksgiving, we were flat the next game. Players were flat at pratice. Not only did the players get the 3 days off, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Parcells also gave them Monday off. So, to me, its now, do the players really want this game, if so, to me, they should come in Monday on their own, be lightly working out, and watching game film, preparing. ITs like our high school football team in Lufkin against Round Rock. Round Rock was more disciplined, and wanted it more, than our Lufkin players. They knew where our players were going to be, wrs routes, etc, and had them covered exceptionally well.
So, to me, like Bradie James said the cowboys players know what is at stake, and the leadership on this team wont let happen like last year this time, when we went against the Giants and lost.
Joey-
Actually for me it was nice to here Troy give the guys some props. It seems he has had a tendency in commentating to make it a point not to be a homer in the past. Also, it was the first game he called that they won. All in all, I am not going to give him a hard time for being a little too optimistic.
I agree, kicking has me more worried, but for the playoffs. The Giants are giving every indication of an imploding team, and the boys are giving every indication of a team about to make a run at a winning playoff games. We all know kicking becomes more important in the playoffs against really good defenses.
Personally, I believe the cowboys blow out giants by 14 plus points.
If we lose a remaining game, it will be because the team doesn’t prepare, and the opponent simply wants it more. (This was the case all year it seems.) The Giants game seems to mean more because of division tiebreakers. Plus there is the revenge factor. I doubt the team forgot the thrashing the giants gave em a few weeks ago. I haven’t…
Every team has holes. I’ll match the gaping one in the middle of our defense against the swiss cheese Giants any day. That’s not to say we don’t need to fix it. The reality is that we won’t do it with current personnel. We’re going to live and die this year with Davis and Watkins.
A local TV sports hack pointed out last night that the Boys had the exact record last year comming out of the Thanksgiving game. Last year they also played the Giants the game after and came away with a loss. The rest of the season is history:(
Lets hope the Romo factor and the depleted Giants defense make it so history is not repeated.
Any news on the Giants DE’s? Will Strahan play? If not, we will have a little more time to throw. I have a very good feeling JJ and MB III will have very good games and the Boys dominate the clock. Put 2 people on Plaxico because he seems to be the only big play guy left out there.
Personally, I was suprised to see the glee yesterday about the giants loss. Although we all hate the giants and we want to see that jump shot erased from the nfl scene, we do have to consider what context this puts sunday’s game in. That “wounded animal” or “backs against the wall” scenario is absolutely going to be in play. The Giants are now the embodyment of a desperate team. If they lose, they are 2 games back and in serious trouble. I HOPE dallas understands that all the joy they’ve felt this last week can go for not if they don’t bring that “winning attitude” into sunday’s game. I ALSO HOPE that things like the pass coverage, special teams, and running game are not ignored this week. This team still needs work.
Yes, but the tendency last year was bad…..this year is good, we’re on a 3 game winning streak and the giants are going in an opposite direction. This game, just like any other division game (see Cowboys Vs Redskins 3 - 4 weeks ag0) is about who wants it more.
I would put all the responsibility on TO, Romo, and Barber.
i may be getting ahead of myself but it looks to me like we can beat the bears,if grossman plays like he did yesterday there done in the playoffs.the deep balls he threw were way short they were lucky to get a couple of pass int’s.
here’s another thing, you’ve got to consider, some people in the giants organization may be playing for their jobs. If the Giants lose Sunday, the heat in going up big time on Caughlin. ALSO, consider what a 4 game losing streak is going to do to that team…the Giants down ward spiral won’t stop. So, Caughlin is desperate BIG TIME. Also, if you are Eli Manning, you’ve got to be thinking that the Giants are getting uncomfortable with the idea of you being the frachise quarterback. If the Giants miss the playoffs…don’t you have to look for a quarterback?
When you talk about who wants it more…you’ve got to believe New York has no choice but to want it more because otherwise some of them could be unemployeed. Dallas is going to have to suck up some serious motivation.
Erm-
I disagree- The team doesn’t like Coughlin, so I am not convinced he can motivate them. Barber has already said he is willing to walk away this year. (not to say Barber isn’t motivated, he just isn’t necessarily playing for his job) And Eli, well yeah of course he has something to prove with Rivers and Merriman playing so well, but that has been the case all year. And for the record, I think they have too much invested in him for the gints to let him go with no return. After all he has played well at times.
Mudd,
on Eli, I agree…I don’t see them “letting him go” but if eli putters out at the end (which he looks like he is doing)I’d think the Giants would at least draft a 3rd or 4th rounder who could relieve him next season if he repeats this mess.
emrdog…it’s going to be tough for them after a loss like that to get motivated and want it more than we do we have a chance to bury them and take the division.we’ve had time to prepare,it’s going to take them a few days to recover from that loss and we’re going to be ready,biggest game of the year in my opinion we take a 2 game lead if we win with 4 to play i don’t see a letdown we win.
Romo will be the difference in this game, something that couldn’t be said for all the other Giants games(thrown in there at the half doesn’t count). Also, the Giants are in total turmoil, a bunch of players don’t like the coach, and they are just going through the motions when I watch them on the field.
After yesterday’s disaster, I can’t see how this coach can motivate this team, especially with all the in-fighting. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but this is a whole different team we are playing this week. Backs against the wall? I don’t think so. More like, how many games left in the season.
Emr-
Maybe a veteran backup… Maybe..
But I can’t see the organization starting a rookie in place of Manning next year. I imagine the coaching staff is more disposable. Those are the guys that should be worried. There are a few players whos jobs might be impacted by a loss, but Eli, I think, is pretty safe in that regard.
I don’t doubt that dallas is going to be ready. I just don’t think we should be suprised if new york steps up a bit for this game. Obviously Sunday’s game was absolutely demoralizing for the giants, however they’ve got more to lose from this game and that concerns me.
Personally, the Saints game is one I am more worried about. And that is more about a first round bye.
(God I hope the players don’t think like I do… *chuckle*)
If we don’t beat the giants the we won’t be worrying about a bye agaimst the saints
Mudd,
you’re right a veteran is more likely. However, if Eli screws up sunday, that’s pretty much going to solidify 2006 as a horrible year for eli. If he goes half way through the season next year playing the way he has been, i don’t see the giants really having a choice, they’ve got to bench him. I understand they’ve got a lot invested in him and that he is a “manning” but I think by next season we will know whether eli has any potential or not…so, i believe the giants have to ready for that either way.
For some reason, I think we’re making a mountain out of a molehill.
Do we need a better FS? Sure.
But we have the 4th ranked Defense in the league. We’ve made significant improvement since Davis replaced Watkins and have gone from middle-of-the-road scoring D to top 10.
Even with the first drive and several big plays, the D gave up only 110 yards for the game. Take away that first drive and it was as complete a shutdown as Chicago or Baltimore has had.
Methinks we doth protest too much.
mudd…i also think eli’s job is safe for a couple of years.i think coughlin goes before eli is replaced and i don’t totally blame coughlin his team has no respect for the man calling him out after every loss he just doesn’t have control at this point.i also respect tiki but him talking about he’s going to retire at the middle of a season was not a bright idea.why not wait ti’ll the end of the season?why distract your teammates?dumb move in my opinion.
If the organization overhalls the coaching staff I can picture them giving him another year to get acclimated to a new system.. But I certainly can see a scenario where he gets benched as well. Either could happen.
*chuckle*
How did we get lassoed into talking about the giants next year when the boys have so much potential this year. Craziness…
Fighter has it…
FS is a worry, but it is nice not to talk about offensive line or quarterback as an issue. Supose we have to worry about something, otherwise we wouldn’t have anything to talk about.
I might include pass rush in there as well. We have been hot and cold on getting to the quarterback until recently.
As far as Tiki. I like the guy. I always thought he had a certain class. I read an article recently that mentioned he was speaking up against Coughlin because other players couldn’t. He is pretty much indespensible, plus he is talking about retiring. Management can’t really do anything to him. Shockey just has a big mouth. *chuckle*
That same article mentioned Coughlin was the kind of “my way or the highway” guy that folks got along with as long as his team was winning. (I am pretty much paraphrasing off memory here, but it sounded viable)
Fighter 15,
People on site are ready to open veins when the team loses. You remember all the folks who wanted to bench half the team and to fire Parcells yesterday and to ditch the 3-4? It wasn’t that long ago.
I’m pointing out that for all the bandwagon jumping — and let me state I’m bullish on this team — there’s still a weakness, one that New York has ALREADY exploited. And I haven’t pointed it out yet, but I will on Friday, that Dallas has been a lot leakier in run defense on Greg Ellis’ side since he went down.
The Giants had a good day running that way when Ellis was healthy.
Just because the team is on a roll doesn’t mean things can’t turn sour in a hurry.
Raf,
Good post, but I’m not sure I agree with you when you say that Eli Manning would have given Galloway a 3 touchdown game. Right this moment, he is one of the worst qb’s in the league. He is their Mike Vanderjagt. Right now, he sucks. Will he figure it out? I think so, but I just hope that is isn’t when he is playing us this week.
He is horrible under pressure. If we can pressure him, our safety play will be moot.
espn has a poll on its nfl page asking what is wrong with the giants..out of 30,000 votes so far 35% say eli, next being team chemistry..but if you scroll over the state break down new york has eli at 36% and injuries next, hmmmm….
Don’t forget who the Gnats are. They have pretty much owned us lately. Time to get one more monkey off of our back.
The Gnats right now remind me of us at the end of the season last year. Injuries killed what we had going for us. We had to get out of our game plan, but kept the games at least close for the most part.
They still have some fight, and talent, and would love to beat us. We have been decent against the run, except for Tiki. Ominyura (sp?) is getting healthy, but without Strahan, we should be able to bring some help if needed.
We should win, but don’t take this one for granted, this year has shown more than any that the best team doesn’t always win.
The Gnats need a hug right now. Let’s hope RWilliams gives it to them, especially Shockey.
i would be more concerned with the overall run defense now. it has slowed down. having said that, it was SO GOOD before that a slow down in its effectiveness is not disastrous, especially if our offense continues to roll.
With a starting left tackle out, the Gints may look to Sinlgeton/Carpenter side more on run plays. This may be a game where we see Ware on the left side more. (Like the Colt’s game)
How has Burnett played against the run? Would it be better to put him in and switch Ware to the right side? (I had the feeling they switched Ware to provide more of a pass rush.)
I definitely think the gints will rely heavily on the run. they have the proven backs to do it, but i dont think it will carry them completely. our defense has dropped off a little against the run but not way off.
The last five games:
TB rushed for 101 but 17 came on QB scrambles.
Colts rushed for 88, 80 of which came off manning scrambles.
Cards rushed for 86 but 18 came off QB scrambles.
DC rushed for 117, 13 came off an end around and QB scrambles.
Car rushed for 76.
We are 4-1 in those games. while those aren’t dominant rushing numbers, we didnt get gashed. i think we can contain barber and force manning to beat us. in the long run that may be their undoing. if we are in the game at halftime, the gints could be in trouble.
Offensive line (blitz pickup mainly), turnovers, safety play, penalties, pass rush: these have been our main problems during the season. We have whittled them down, or at least gotten them under control except for the safety play.
While it is a problem, of all the problems listed, isn’t it the one that would be the farthest down on the list?
Stated earlier concerning our pass rush, we seemed to be rushing in lanes in order to stop the run first. It seems that we have now started to make more of a priority in getting to the qb and the run defense is starting to be sacrificed somewhat.
Part of this is GEllis’ absence, I think the other part is the safety weakness and trying to cover for it. I think a big factor in the change is the fact that we are more confident that we can score if something happens.
How many of you saw the Pat/Bears game? That camera shot of Seau’s forearm gong in the wrong direction hurt me.
Shane:
And the story on ESPN says it was “likely broken”. LIKELY?!?!?! :shock:
Interesting stats Jarhead-
You mean 8 yards scrambling in the Colts game right? Not 80?
I think our back up linebackers are way better than most. (Just look at the Saints.) Maybe we can be allright without Ellis when it comes to the run. I was (and still am) somewhat worried about pressure. He has led this team in pass rush after all.
Seau; Mild (mild… HA!) mannered linebacker by day, (and sometimes sunday and monday nights) super hero RUBBERMAN by night!
Hey anyone read the article this past summer on Seau’s picking up surfing? Awsome read. He was sitting on the beach and some old surfing guru went up to him and started a conversation. Very cool.
mudd,
8 vice 80. 80 would have been the total they rushed against us.
teams have had some success of late, but have either abandoned the run or have watched us get more effective at stopping it as the game went on.
saints game moved to night as someone mentioned before. you’ll have to wait all day for the next two weeks to watch the boys.
Peter King is ranking the Cowboys at #4 overall in his column today.
Ahead of New England and Chicago… I think he’s a little off to put us ahead of those two at this point.
He picked us to win the Superbowl at the start of the season, so I’m guessing he’s staying with his pick.
Here’s a link.
jarhead,
how did you hear about the saints game???
I disagree in part. Chicago has benefitted from a week schedule and does not benefit from a passing attack. That said their D is really good. I think the boys are much better rounded a football team. The Pats however, until someone proves otherwise, are still the cream of the crop in my opinion.
Da Boys favored by 3.5 IN NYC!
Which hand did Tiki hurt? Will it make a difference as to which side of the defense they try to run to? We stripped him once the last game, I think we will try some more.
Shockey has a hurt hand to doesn’t he? If he catches anything, I think we go for the trip on him too.
I mean Strip.
Good discussion in that article about the lack of receivers getting into the Hall of Fame in recent years.
Ooops, I mean AT NYG, or IN NJ. I do realize they don’t play in NYC.
emrdog,
mosely mentioned it in an article. he is essentially a toolbox, but i dont think he would screw that up.
shockey dislocated a finger catching a ball in warmups. his bone came through the skin. he played with it taped up. tiki looked to get banged up a couple of times. he took a cheap shot from hayneworth (sound familiar?) who slid into him and kicked his ankle to trip him on a run, and he came out favoring his knee once in the game, but returned.
both guys are banged up, but both will play and play hard sunday. they know what is on the line, quite possibly their season.
it will be all we can do to go in there and win.
Surprised that TCurtis was let go. We are stocking up on gaurds again, but for the future. Isn’t this the second o-line ‘project’ we have taken?
Curtis has been inactive the last several games, but is familiar with our scheme and playbook. I thought he was good insurance for the tight end position. He did alright when he was active, however limited it was.
Hoyte has made the two-TE offense a second thought, but there isn’t much depth there behind Witten and Fasano unless there is someone else that I have forgotten about.
shane,
i think curtis is still eligible for the practice squad.
they will use johnson and/or fabini as a third TE on occassion i think.
if i was rivera, i’d start reading the writing on the wall.
Rafael,
I understand what you’re trying to say, and I’m not necessarily disagreeing that FS is a problem.
However, it was not FS and big plays that cost the Cowboys.
Jax - 3 INTs and a slew of penalties
Philly - 6 turnovers and a 33 Bledsoe rating
Giants - 4 INTs and a QB change
Redskins - 153 penalty yards and one blown block
See, it’s not our D. Weak FS or no, it has been turnovers and penalties that have cost us every loss.
Sure, there’s a play or two that Watkins/Davis/Williams gave up, but every team does…even Chicago & Baltimore.
Would I like it if we had Polamalu? Sure. I’ll take a better O-line and Jason Taylor while we’re at it.
FS is not something that will hurt us. We can play Cover 2 and never blitz.
Turnovers and penalties? That’s where this young team is showing it’s Achilles heel. Lack of discipline and focus leads to turnovers and stupid penalties.
That being said, they are doing a much better job. As they mature and grow as a team, both sides are doing the right things…and winning.
Fighter 15,
I’ll agree with you on every loss save Philly. Yes, the turnovers were killers, but the FS position gave up what, 180 passing yards and three TDs all by itself. That, more than any single other factor, including Bledsoe, cost that game.
The coaches seem to be doing a good job of hiding Davis’ weaknesses. And for the most part, he is playing better.
That said, FS, and the left edge rush defense make me a tad nervous. Everybody talks about pressuring Eli, but Dallas didn’t exactly run him around in the first game, did they?
I am heartened to see Dallas a favorite. The wise guys, are well, wise guys at setting lines and if they’re putting N.Y. that far down at home, they must have some good info that the team is teetering on the brink.
Jimmy Johnson still likes to stick it to the gints:
Fox analyst Jimmy Johnson on New York Giants running back Tiki Barber criticizing coach Tom Coughlin:
“I think he’s getting ready for his next job on TV. He’s ripping coaches.”
While going over the losses, Philly did stand out as a FS letdown, but they still had a chance to pull it out. Bledsoe, more than anything, cost us that game.
I also agree that our run defense, while statistically stout (you know my disdain for statistics), is an area for concern.
Here’s hoping Carpenter can prove he was worth the 18th pick and Spears can shake his sophomore slump.
Look forward to the analysis.
On this talk of free safety play vs. penalties/turnovers. My dad and I were discussing this over thanksgiving. We both kinda agreed that since dallas has made headway towards limiting turnovers and penalties it seems like the defense has improved quite a bit, including the free safety play. I think that since dallas is able to complete long drives with little mistakes, it seems to keep the defense off the field and maybe gives them a spring in their step. To me, the long pass to galloway was not a big deal. If we give one, even two of those up a game, I still think dallas can win the game. Just my opinion really.
emrdog,
i agree to an extent. there is room for improvement, but our expectations seem far unreasonable given the level of talent in the NFL.
we are simply not going to have a defense that prevents teams from crossing the 50 yard line on every drive, though i think that is the wish by many. i can wish it too, even envision it, but its not going to happen.
having said that, we must strive to limit big plays. teams who are forced to drive the length on us will experience limited success at best.
Jarhead,
I agree as well (weird). I don’t think we should say the secondary or the abscence of greg ellis is not a concern, they completely are. Is it something the coaching staff should panic about? Absolutely, if dallas doesn’t know how to adjust to it’s weaknesses at this point then they are headed for trouble, no doubt. When McNabb when crazy on our secondary I thought of it in context-”yes, dallas has a weak secondary, but donovan McNabb is pretty good.” Same thing when we played the colts. Now, I will give raf props because there is little excuse for allowing Galloway to be that on open on thanksgiving BUT i was really impressed to see the defense clamp down on them for the rest of the game. So this is what i’m saying…I don’t think dallas needs to worry about “giving up a big play”, rather they need to worry about “clamping down” after a big play.
Romosexual vs Romophobic
Romo has not played in that many games but has shown an inate ability to get things done and lead. He has gotten away with several poor throws, but has made several that few could pull off.
Without having a season under his belt to compare with others in his position; do you think that Romo has shown enough to be at least considered for the pro bowl?
I apologize if this has been posted already and I missed it. Gotta love Romo’s quick wit.
Quickest comeback: The NFL Today crew at CBS quizzed Romo on Sunday about coach Bill Parcells’ comment he could have thrown two of the five TDs tossed by the young quarterback on Thanksgiving Day. “Unless he’s going to have a walker going out there to help him, I don’t know,” Romo quipped.
The throws that Romo seems to have had trouble with are those deep passes down the sidelines. The one against the Colts that was intercepted, the throw to TO on Thanksgiving, etc. Parcells was right that he sometimes wants to gun it in there.
The throws seem to be flat, and the recievers don’t seem to be able to make a play on them. He needs to get more “air” under those deep sideline throws. Give the receivers a chance to make a play on the pass. Other than that, I like what I see.
don’t know if its already been posted but Week 14s Saints vs. Cowboys has been moved to Sunday night! (says NFL.com)
how you love that?
bush,
in fairness, he threw one to TG on thursday that was just about perfect. he seems to take about a quarter to get warmed up. ill take that as long as he doesnt give it away in that quarter and as long as he stays red hot in the second half.
Man, Romo’s pass to T.O. in the redskins game that he dropped was enough for me. perfection.
Whenever I hear the mantras of why we may not win i think back to all the tv commentary in the early Johnson days. No coach who had won a ncaa crown ever won a super bowl. No team with the reg season leading rusher ever won a super bowl. Then it was no team that had lost the first two games of a season ever won a Super Bowl.
Sunday when Kiwanuka let Young go it was as if the football gods were smiling down on us once more. Bad tackling or destiny?
Well boys,
if you go to nfl.com and check the pro bowl voting ballot you’ll notice that a new QB has been added.
vote away.
YESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!
IT’s ROMO TIME!!!!
we run the table + one Seattle loss = first round BYE
IN BILL WE TRUST!!!!
Let me explain….as I see Tony Romo on every network yesterday and everybody’s halftime show, and I hear talking Cowboys from dallascowboys.com with such comments as: “…we have not had a 7 game winning streak since….” blah blah….I can only hope Bill Parcells keeps this team on the ground.
Let us not forget:
- The Giants kicked our a$$es in Texas stadium not longer than 2 months ago.
- The Giants game is a division rivarly game…it is very much about who wants it more.
- We loose this game and we’re tied for the division lead with the Giants having the tiebreaker against us. We also have to play the Saints next week who have not been playing bad at all.
I would say we need to win our next 2 games and then start sending Romo to Hawaii and all the networks, in the meantime….focus sons of b&^%$&^%$^…..the road is still pretty long.
RE: post 83
Jar and Ermdog, posts 90 & 91, I guess that answers your opinion
Me, I am going to wait just a bit. I think he has done enough to be considered, but I am hesitant to check his name just yet.
I TRY not to just be a homer (not insinuating that you are) when it comes to the voting and will wait on all of them before I vote.
Sure Romo has shown enough for the Pro Bowl. If the season ends today, he’s the #2 guy.
Brees is playing out of his mind. He’s on pace to set all-time records.
shane,
i pointed out the ballot, i didnt say i voted.
dude, i don’t care if i get called a homer. if it only takes you 5 starts to get to the top in passer rating…i’m going to vote for ya’ simple as that.
jarhead, he does seem to heat up unbelievably in the 2nd half of these games, I have no complaints. Just nitpicking I guess, because he’s thrown more than one “flat” down the sideline. The throw to TO in the Redskin game was down the middle, and was perfect.
CONFIRMED BY ESPN-
CURRENT UPDATES-
NEW YORK — The NFL moved the Dec. 10 game between the Saints and Cowboys to Sunday night as part of the flexible schedule negotiated in the current television contract.
STRAHAN WILL NOT PLAY AGAINST THE COWBOYS.
Any chance the Jints game will get moved later? I have to go to a #@##ing school party at 5:30 eastern.
i think it’ll be worth the money flying to New York City and walking around a newspaper vendor that’s on every block just to take a glance at the Daily News. front cover link….
http://www.nydailynews.com/ips_rich_content/80-BACK_BIG.jpg
i thought garbage was the best way to describe the giants’ performance. but SICKENING is so much better.
OK I know the answer is no. Damn. My wife’s gonna be po’d when I keep checking my phone for the score.
The New York Post headline is BIG BLEW with Eli’s picture
bottom two are quotes from the daily news
“This was a collapse so massive, so gargantuan, that they don’t even have a name for it. This meltdown is so corrosive that it has the ability to eat away at the rest of the season, burn a hole into those remaining five games on the Giants’ schedule and leave New York’s playoff hopes in a smoldering heap on the floor.”
“This is the kind of loss that goes beyond the final score and a weary ride home and an urge to drop-kick the family mutt. This is the kind of loss that can strip a head coach from his job and a certain quarterback from the mystique of his famous last name. This is the kind of loss that can send a franchise on a long journey to hell without a return trip in sight.”
oh god- nyc is gonna go haywire after the cowboys pummell them.
If Keith Davis and Anthony Henry are our biggest concerns on D then we’re Ok in my book. The Giants have far greater problems in their D secondary than the Cowboys. As for the Giants DL I don’t think, though, that Romo will be the beneficiary of a sack-no-sack f*&$ up on the part of the Giants D this week. I think they’ll risk the RTP flag to put Romo out.
I want to send a sympathy card to the Gnats but don’t know how to make sure they get it. Do you think I could send the message through the Boys players come Sunday? I just hate to see a divisional rival go down this way.
MVPP, Wow, and I thought the AZ/Chicago game was the clincher for all time crushing losses. This Giant’s meltdown is worse because the Cards were not in contention for any post season play.
I liked in the post game when tom caughlin paused after saying “this is going to haunt us (or something like that)”…forever. Forever is a long time, ya know? He must be taking it really hard.
The Cowboys’ Dec. 10 home game against the NFC South-leading Saints has been moved to NBC Sunday Night Football from its original noon (CST) time slot on Fox.
Cowboys-Saints at Texas Stadium now will air at 7:15 p.m. (CST). I wonder if TIVO will make the changes on tis’ own. Better check.
The Cowboys’ Dec. 10 home game against the NFC South-leading Saints has been moved to NBC Sunday Night Football from its original noon (CST) time slot on Fox.
Cowboys-Saints at Texas Stadium now will air at 7:15 p.m. (CST). I wonder if TIVO will make the changes on tis’ own. Better check.
Is anybody else looking at giants’ fan blogs today? if not…treat yourself…it’s quite good for a laugh or two!
fellas,
NY media tends to over-react like ours does.
they’ll be ready for us sunday.
I’m sure Coughlin’s life right now sucks. It must seem to him that his team WANTS to lose. They had shut down the NFL’s JV squad for 3.5 quarters, and then his players begin an inexorable parade of self inflicted wounds.
Everyone could see it coming, everyone knew it would happen, nobody could do anything to stop it.
Part of Coughlin must suspect he’s at least partially to blame for not coaching some kind of backbone into his players.
there’s talk of a Tony Homo chant for sunday. Man, that’s really junior high…
I think we can say without a doubt that sunday is going to be the most hostile enviroment tony’s going to see this year. There are going to be a lot of pissed off, drunk Giants fans. They have to take their frustration out on someone.
Just be glad the Gints game got pushed to 3:15 central and not to the night game like the Saints game. Could you imagine their fans at 8:30 p.m. eastern? They’d be all lathered up into a froth like rabid dogs!
Coaching x’s and o’s is actually a strong suit of Coughlin’s. He does know the game and should have them ready. He can build a team.
His big problem is losing his players. It has happened in several places he has been. They do not like him, nor rally behind him. I don’t pretend to know ho he acts in house but, it is obvious he has problems.
One of the things BP does that everyone knows about is being hard on you when things are going good, and being easy on you when things are gong bad. He makes sure he doesn’t lose you, or your drive to succeed.
The whole that we see will be filled with lil mannings INT’s. His confidence is plummeting like a jay feely kick (you know the one returned by Hester). Their defense allowed 24 points in ten minutes to the Titans, whom we allowed only 14 pts the whole game(dont tell me young has mad THAT much progress)
They are without Strange hand(remember the gay rumors about him and a dr.) and for the biggest reason they will be pounded their quasi Jason Witten T.E. Jeremy Suckey cant keep his mouth shut.
By the way, i have been thinking if they hate their coach so much maybe that is the explanation for the tanking of the season, im pretty sure not but if just a thought.
Guys, There is a rumor on NFL.com that the Cowboys have cut Vanderjagt and signed Martin Gramattica. Has anyone else heard this? Am I going crazy? I can’t find any other info but it was on the breaking news ticker on NFL.com
Galloway just reported the same thing
Quoting Ed Werder from ESPN…vandershank is gone so much for touch backs
Whoa!!! can that be right? that’s a pretty bold move from the tuna! eh…i don’t have a problem with it.
WELL AS LONG AS GRAMATICA CAN LEARN SOME CELEBRATIONS FROM TO WITH OUT INJURING HIMSELF HELL BE FINE, BETTER THAN MR.WIDERIGHT, RIGHT?
i’ve read the same about vanderjerk….this is a little bit bigger than a curvin richards move…
LOL, Oh crap!!! it’s that guy!!! oh man, last thing we need is more comic relief!!!
There was a column on ESPN.COM and talked about potential free agents. The possible free agents who can help us are Deion Grant or Ken Hamlin. Just thought to share this with you guys
Has Grammatica been kicking anywhere the last couple years? I guess it’s a lateral move at worst.
I believe we signed the less stupid of the Grammatica boys. It was his brother that ruptured his tendon while dancing.
Foxsports.com is reporting it also.
Wow, I didn’t see that one coming(Vanderklank) this soon. I figured due to his contract that we would wait and see what would happen over the next couple weeks first.
Not saying I have a problem with it, just surprised. This puts people on notice, that we are going to make a run and you either with us or not.
Wouldn’t have minded if we had gotten Cundiff however. Oh well, too late now. Any free safeties out there?
He was 1-1 on FGs this season for the Colts.
Good move BP. The last thing we need is VanderJ trying to get his head together during a playoff run. See ya Vandy. Go see a good shrink and get back kicking for somebody.
Didn’t play last year.
2004 11-19 on FGs 21-22 on XPs
2006 1-1 on FGs 9-9 on XP’s
He filled in 3 games for the Colts when Vinateiri was hurt.
“liquored-up idiot kicker.”
HaHa…liquored-up idiot unemployed kicker now
Thanks Dave. I was worried that this guy had just been sitting around for 3 years. At least his leg still works.
hmmmmmm he’s from argentina. i think we got ourselves some kind of a soccer kicking dude. i like i like.
career numbers
48/51 from 20-29 yards
47/58 from 30-39
wow, BP got balls.
those are good numbers ,what about 40 -49?
i was afraid someone would ask that.
28/47 from 40-49
14/25 from beyond.
Numbers schnumbers. Nobody in the history of the league has better numbers than Vanderjagt.
I think those numbers are about average for kickers. Has he ever kicked under pressure?
basically Adam Vinatieri had a groin injury with the colts, and Gramatica was signed in case he’s out. considering he’s a replacement for Vinatieri, he might be legit.
he was chosen for 2000 pro bowl. yay someone with track record.
joey- keyword is “history”
i dont know about you, but im worried about present time, aka NOW. we are on a romomentum, last thing we need is a kicker trying to work out his kinks. u cant live on the past.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO CHRIS BONIOL
I said it 2 weeks ago that Vanderjagt was a bust, today proved it !!!
thing he has a cannon on kickoffs, the colts did`nt give him too many fg chances prob too busy scoring td`s, i also would have preferred cundiff bot gramatica is still better than vanderjacked
this is not related to the cowboys, but i feel it is my duty to report this. in the midst of all the drama with mike vick and the dirty bird, i couldnt help but recall when his little brother was kicked out of virginia tech hokies for pulling a gun on bunch of kiddies that taunted him on a mickey d’s parkin glot.
now im a huge hokies fan, but this picture is goddamn funny.
http://cache.deadspin.com/sports/moremcdonaldsvick.jpg
im pretty damn sure someone is gonna take vandy before the weekend is even here. ill bet any money on it.
I hope he is better. Vanderklank has in fact become a liability, but I hope Dramatica can help. Someone said above that he boomed his kickoffs, if true, that alone will be a plus.
I don’t remember much in recent years (probably because he hasn’t played much) but there has got to be a reason he isn’t kicking for someone else.
i still think that was a very “cold” move as DC.com worded it. that’s pretty harsh. i mean i liked him. i thought given his history and reputation, they’d give him more time to work out his problem. none of you think this was a little harsh? we’re not talking about a no-namer.
DC.Com reports “Vanderjagt has made 13-of-18 field goals this season for a .722 percentage, which ranks 29th out of 33 NFL kickers this year with at least 10 attempts”
i take it back. it wasn’t a harsh move.
Gramatica lifetime FG % 76.7 XP 98%
i guess bp ain’t fooling around i’m in shock.i thought vanderright still had a few weeks to prove himself.wow!i guess when you really think about it was a matter of time with the way he was kicking just a lot sooner than i thought.
i think all kickers should have 100% on XP. u dont even have to kick. just tap it in there.
It’s harsh, but it’s a harsh business, especially when you’re the kicker. You have only 3.5 things to do (three of them involve kicking a stationary football), and you have to do them perfectly.
Extra Points, Field Goals, Kickoffs, tackling on kickoffs if absolutely necessary.
He had a phat salary so he’ll be fine. While it’s sad that his wiring went wrong and he can’t kick anymore, what is Parcells supposed to do? Lose until this guy might get his head on straight?
Vanderjagt missed 4 (or three?) field goals by clanking the upright. Six inches to the left and he’s a hero. Another kick was blocked.
He must be kicking himself. Ooooh, he missed, wide right.
You can live with poor kickoffs if you can be automatic on field goals. He has improved of late on kickoffs, even got the rare (for him) touch back. I guess BP thought that if you can’t excel in either, you gotta be replaced. Surprised, but not surprised.
If that twerp can make the chip shots and nail the kickoffs, I’m all for the move.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061127.wsptdallas27/BNStory/Technology/?page=rss&id=..wsptdallas27
that article reports parcells with his previous teams in 15 seasons have gone 5-0 three times. 4th time coming up!
Those Boys ain’t messing around anymore. They must be gearing uo to go deep in the postseason. Never thought this would happen. Did he maybe say something he shouldn’t have?
this is from WIKI which should explain his inactivity in recent years
“Gramatica was respected in the NFL as one of the best kickers in the game, but in 2003 Gramatica had a noticeable drop in accuracy with field goals 40 yards or longer, a trend that continued in 2004 until ultimately being released by the Buccaneers. He was shortly signed by the Indianapolis Colts in December of 2004 and was used exclusively for kickoffs. Gramatica later revealed in an interview in September of 2005 with news-press.com that he believed the reason for his struggles was because of torn muscles in his lower abductor and lower abdomen, which he had surgically repaired during the offseason. However, Gramatica was not done with rehabilitation until after the season started, and did not sign with a team for the 2005 season. On April 6, 2006 he signed a contract with the New England Patriots as a replacement for the departing Adam Vinatieri but was released on August 23, 2006 in favor of rookie Stephen Gostkowski. On September 22, 2006 he signed with the Colts to back up Adam Vinatieri and was released on October 4, 2006 but re-signed on October 8, 2006. He was then signed by the Dallas Cowboys on November 27, 2006, when they released Mike Vanderjagt.”
automatic gramatica
***BREAKING NEWS***
Brandy made her weekly pick today, after taking a BYE last week (no need to pick, we all knew who would win). She picked…the blue cookie!
As happy as this makes me, I am saddened by the thought of a blind date on friday…*sigh*
Brandy the Greek?
CNM post 163,
Why, do you have a problem with blind people? Or is it a problem with Fridays?
I like the move. I don’t care how many “near misses” Vandy had, he was clearly struggling. Should we have waited longer? No - this is a season long slump and we’re in week 12!
Personally, I’m surprised Parcells went after this guy in the first place considering he had a reputation for 1) having a bad attitude and 2) giving opponents good field position on kickoffs. Maybe someone else in the organization influenced the initial decision.
Gramatica must have had a helluva tryout.
Shane. Please my friend…please. Tell me you are kidding. And yes, I have a problem with fridays. They stand between me and Sunday.
And wow, I just read above posts, and realized Vandy is gone. I say we don’t keep a kicker, use McBriar as a KOS, and fill the extra roster spot with an extra cheerleader. At least we get the same accuracy with her.
Hey, Vanderjagt made good money considering his lack of success.
CNM,
Of course I was kidding, although the post reference # got mixed up somehow. I twisted that kinda like they twisted Irvins remarks about Romo.
Now we need Pat Summerall back so he can do his old
“Grammatica is Automatica” rhyme
Is Gramatica the same fool who hurt himself after celebrating a kick?
Yes just like Drew Pearson. Relax.
He was good before he got hurt. Plus he’s got a strong work ethic and will do his best. (Local boy)
BILL Gramatica is the one who injured himself while celebrating. Not our new-found friend.
Ah yes foos, I forget there are 2.
Lol, what a loser that bill is…
So honestly, who feels more comfortable at the kicker position now? Not me.
Thanks Foos, it WAS Bill, I got confused because Martin gets pretty fired up as well.
I think this could be a good move.
don’t have stats on Grammatica’s kickoffs, but my guess is he’s pretty good if Indy used him as their specialist. With the way our defense is playing right now, we will win everytime if we force our opponents to go down the length of the field. Even if our new kicker has the same accuracy %, this is a good move. No more Bledsoe interceptions providing short fields; no more Vandy kickoffs providing short fields. Our opponents are going to have to earn every point they get. I like this move.
What’s does the departure do to our salary cap next year? I know Jerry is eating a large sum of bonus $. But I hope this means we can get a solid free agent next year in due to this divorce.
I don’t mean to change the subject, but I was just voting on NFL.com for the pro-bowl. I noticed something pretty interesting. Everyone always criticizes Roy Williams for lacking coverage skills. He must be doing something right because he has more interceptions thank any other Strong/Free safety in the entire league! He also has a considerable amount of pass deflections. It seems he is having a pro-bowl caliber year in the secondary.
For those wondering about Grammatica’s stats, here’s a link.
http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/133297
randy v - I believe they take a hit for his signing bonus this year and then its off the books. They have room this year to cover it so ultimately it should have no impact whatsoever.
I like the move with the kicker. I think Bill is more concerned with field position, and as long as the defense continues to play well, we’ll be ok. If Grammatica makes most inside 40, and booms the kickoffs, I don’t think he can be any worse than our high priced ex.
That’s what I read also. Take the hit with the bonus this year, and next year he’s off the books.
Great move.We are not talking about some rook,we talking about a vet(a highly paid one)who hasn’t gotten it done.Gotta love a coach with the guts to cut guys like Vandy,Rogers,Peterman.
we’ll see how the move works out.
it sounds like a wash, but if they totally have lost confidence in vandy, i guess a wash is better than nothing.
tony curtis was re-signed to the practice squad.
Probably a cash thing also
Stats show Dallas is 28th in NFL in FG 20-29 yds, 23rd at 30-39 yds, and dead last at 40-49. Ends up at 27th (of 32) overall. That is pitiful. Add to that Vanderjagt’s poor/avg. kickoffs and it is really a “no brainer”.
Further there is if the Wikipedia article is accurate, there is a real possibility that Gramatica will be much better than his recent stats if he is fully recovered from his injury. Frankly, he couldn’t be worse. He is already very accurate inside of 40 yds and no more inaccurate at 40+. Add in better kickoff and the decision is obvious. Plus BP likew to know what he had so he can plan. All he has with Vanderjagt is uncertainty. Good move.
Lifetime Gramatica is 48 of 51 (94.1%) at 20-29 yds, 47 of 58(81.0%) at 30-39 yds, 28 of 47 (59.6%) at 40-49 yds, and 15 of 24 (62.5%) at 50+. Plus he actually has 6 tackles
I know I’m posting on a dead thread however, I feel it is too important not to take note that we played our top cover corner (maybe the top cover corner in the whole NFC, hell the whole league) T-New, as a punt returner in an unimportant game (we were winning)and he was nearly decapitated. As I level the sights of my 45 cal. Sig Sauer on the image of Parcels head on the T.V. I ask myself “Is this the action of a coach who is worried about his safety play? Or does Bill think I need a new T.V.” Obviously, I’m more freaked out by the decision than coach Bill. T-New did man-up and go back out a couple series later, lined up opposite Galloway, after he shook off the hit. A true football player there, none of that prima- donna stuff. Anyway, do I need a new coach for the next game or a new T.V.? Because if T-New is out there returning punts and the game isn’t on the line I’m pulling the trigger!
Silverblood do you really need a .45
for that???Sigs are sweet so i guess
i can’t blame you for wanting to shoot
it as often as possible….i got a p-226 but i haven’t tried it on my Tv yet.
Becker2
Nice gun. One of most reliable guns in the world. Used to shoot a lot but don’t so much anymore. But BP’s poor decision making regarding T-New has my blood up. The T.V.s old anyway.