Missing Terry
Posted: October 28, 2007 @ 10:39 pm
The numbers don’t lie:
First four games: 37.8 pts. per game. High — 45, low — 34;
Next three games: 25.3 pts. per game. High — 27, low — 24.
The NFL is a game of adjustments and counter-adjustments. For the first month the Cowboys offense was unstoppable. Buffalo tamed the passing game somewhat, playing double zone and keeping the Cowboys’ receivers locked down. Jason Witten scored a TD on a seam route, but that’s been it for Dallas’ deep game the past three matches.
Jason Garrett was able to hide Dallas’ lack of a true deep threat but teams have caught on. Dallas started to adjust against the Vikings, but turnovers spoiled several strong intermediate-throw based drives. Terry Glenn is still a few weeks away, according to the latest reports, but he can’t come back soon enough.
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Even without a proven deep threat we could be effective with the Red Ball version of the west coast offense as long as we stop making so many mental mistakes (penalties and turnovers).
TO must always be doubled and Witten and Crayton can not be ignored, with 4 defenders tied up teams should never have 8 in the box on us, therefore allowing us to get some traction rushing and hitting the backs for short passes.
Patience and execution could turn us into a ball control offense with big play potential when the defense attempts to force “something to happen”.
Question is, will the coaching staff shift their philosphy and can the players keep it together for 4-5 long drives each game?
TG is definitely missed. We currently have no deep threat, so until he returns, expect to see more West Coast Offense.
Henry’s return will be welcome. We’ll finally get to see Henry and TNew starting together for the first time this year.
We should finish on top of the NFC East but we’ll need Terry in the playoffs. I hope he can get back in December, perhaps for the Eagles game on the 16th.
What is going on with the Giants? They only scored thirteen points against the Fish.
The game in London was a mess, Manning laid an egg (around 50 yards passing)and made a game out of it despite his defense wipping Miami’s wet behind the ears QB.
I think we should play Stanback and just use him as a deep threat.
Morning All:
Did anyone notice the Aron Glen interception returned for a touchdown testerday. Obviously he can still play. Wish they would have kept him. Even though we fared well with Henry/Newman injuries he still would of been a nice security blanket. Also with his experience he is a nice nickel player in post season.
Anyway Godfrey of the Skins told Belechick they ran up the score as he walked by. I know many say that there is no running up the score , if you don`t want them to score stop them!
I am not one of them !!! I think that when you are dominating a have a huge lead there is a certain amount of professional respect you should exhibit. Belichek is a POS in my opinion, If you want to be a low class coach go ahead, just admit you are classless ( LT was right on last year) What burns me up is he wants to come across humble in his interviews. You can officially add two faced to his repitior. For those of you who think this is sour grapes it`s not true. I have had great respect the last 5 years for the Colts, who have dominate during the regular season . Now Dungy, There is a coach who is genuinely humble & loaded with class !!!
Someone said I was being negative when saying in the last couple of blogs that our D must play better. I am not negative, just realistic.
With Ellis back & Henty coming soon we will have no reason not to play better defensively. I have been a devout Cowbot fan for 35 years I live & die with this team. With the way our offense has been playing I just feel if our D can step it up we can get to the bowl.
I am also realistic & have seen the wheels come off this team in december the last 2 years so , although the 6-1 record is a great stepping stone into the second half of the season we must play better on Defense.
Jesse,
Duuude I couldn’t have said it better about Belicheat and his classless act of running up the score.
Just wanted to say that I live in the DC area, and that I have never experienced such pleasure listening to sports talk radio as I did this morning. It was glorious!
Keeping Reeves over Glenn was a good idea. Keeping NATE JONES over Glenn was STUPID.
The end-of-season collapse the last couple of years occurred under Parcells. I’m a BP fan, but perhaps his overbearing coaching style contributed to this team wearing down late in the year.
Let’s see if Wade can keep the team focused. The talent is there - let’s see what happens.
Jesse, I couldnt agree more with your post about the Pats. You keep playing but maybe you should send in your backups. I also believe your right about our D needing a ways to go to have a playoff/SB D. My problem with many posters here is we had/ have a long ways to go to get there. And maybe this is subjective but we have come a long ways and I believe we are ahead of schedule in terms of developemental process.
Jesse you said “I am also realistic & have seen the wheels come off this team in December the last 2 years so”
Last year
1 Rivera’s back was hurt and he was getting bull rushed straight back.
2 Henry was playing on one leg and the safety help was Davis or Watkins.
3 Ellis went down to the achelis and we lost our pass rush.
4 The debate last year was should Romo be playing over Bledsoe. ( I was backing Bledsoe, doesn’t seem so smart now) So we changed Qbs in the middle of the season.
5 Owens broken hand (finger) was bad news too.
6 Flo was coming off a serious injury and looked slower than normal at times.
7 The players were drilled real good in training camp, no camp cupcake.
8 And don’t forget Rogers getting cut.
This year
1 Fergeson is out but Ratliff steps in and Tank is on the way.
2 Henry is hurt AGAIN but Reeves has played admirably in his absence, with better safety help.
3 Newman is hurt but healing and Henry will be back this week with Reeves playing respectable. Reeves is a good deep cover corner. Something we need.
4 Crayton broke his finger and not a peep out of the peanut gallery.
5 Ellis missed significant time and Spencer looks faster to me by leaps and bounds, Ellis is a luxury not a necessity.
6 The right side of the offensive line is a strength not a weakness this year.
7 Romo is our QB no questions about it Even after a five interception game.
8 And the most important thing to me is there are leaders emerging. This team had no leadership last year. Singleton seems to be taking a leadership role and Romo is the leader.
We play some good teams still but we are headed in a much different direction than last year this time.
I think keeping Nate Jones was the right move.When youth is playing as well as age you always go with youth. We no longer need his veteran leadership. We have Tnew 5 years in the league, Henry with 5+ years in the league, and Roy with the same. I dont even think Glenn has even played that much. To tell you the truth, I think the decision was really between Courney Brown and Glenn.
Nate Jones stayed because he contributes a lot on ST. Glenn was vastly overpaid for a 4th DB who couldn’t play ST. It just made no sense to keep him, everything considered.
Also note that Jones lost money by getting cut and resigned. He was also overpaid for a 4th DB, even though he played ST, and he was already paid a lot less than Glenn. All things considered, the decision makes sense.
Good post Norm! I would also like to add we were young and youth is in consistent. We were inconsistent. I still believe too many people had unrealistic views of what we were capable of last year. We should have made the playoffs and we did.
MUSICCITYNORM
Are you sure you didn`t miss anything ? LOL
I agree the biggest diff is the coach.
I have always been a huge BP fan but every sqad is different. Hopefully SOB is just what they need to make that late season push.
Local mediots are saying Dallas will have a hard time with Philly Sunday night.
I really don`t care as long as they win.
!!!
Bill Parcells purged this team of VETERANS cuz there wasn’t a lick of talent among any of them.
When you do that….and you are starting first and 2nd year players….they have not adjusted to the pro game.
Ware, Reeves, Newman, James, Spears, Canty, Ratliff, Gurode, McQ, Barber and Jones……..Crayton……..Hurd and Austin….
ain’t rookies anymore. Jurasek has had them in conditioning now for three or more years…….this team won’t wear down…….if anything those old ass linebackers of the PATs will wear down and miss a step…….age doesn’t discriminate it catches us all…….even the PATS…….
took 50 off a redskin fan and gave him 17…….I never give points but I knew they would not be able to keep up with Brady and company……
Dallas is head and shoulders above the Redskins.
I agree that we need Terry Glenn back, but I think we need the 2005 or 2006 model of Terry Glenn back. I don’t know that the version that is going to be returning to the field in a few weeks is going to generate that same deep threat respect that we need, seeing as how he is coming off arthroscopic knee surgery. It’s a little troubling to me.
Also, I know that Miles Austin is not Terry Glenn, but at least he’s fast! Has his development stagnated so completely that he can’t even be a deep threat in a 4 WR set? I understand if you don’t want him as your starting flanker, but it seems like he should be able to stretch defenses in some formations if he’s worth his salt out there.
Rafael,
I’ve always liked the gritty play of Terry Glenn, and especially his speed and ability to get open. I’m definitely looking forward to his return.
My question is about Miles Austin. He’s a 6′3″ 215lb wide receiver, who supposedly is one of the fastest on the squad.
Has he been a disappointment, are they just taking time with his development, or are they not looking to him as a future play maker in the wide receiver corps?
Mikaele, it looks like you and I were thinking along the same lines at the same time.
Tim Wilson:
That’s funny, I hadn’t read your post when I posted mine, but obviously we were thinking the same thing.
I’ve thought a lot about this guy, because I remember when all they could talk about was his speed. Didn’t he run a kickoff or punt back for a touchdown in pre-season?
Is he nursing an injury???
Tim,
Good point about the (4) wide receiver set. If nothing else, why not use him as a deep - threat - decoy. He’d take a corner with him, and pull a deep safety. That’s two less in coverage on T.O., Crayton, or Whitten for that matter.
Austin ran one back in last year’s playoff game, not sure about the preseason. I also remember him making some mistakes that caused some turnovers in the preseason. At least I think it was him, might have been Hurd…..or both. Don’t forget about Stanback. Maybe he won’t play soon, but he’s got some speed.
TG isnt just a deep threat he is/was a number 1 posing as a number 2. He is a package and a match up nightmare. TO and Witten, believe it or not, are deep threats. I think the reason why Austin isnt making the field is because Fasano causes more mismatches and he is getting the call when we send 4 out. TO, JW, PC, and depending on what we try to do Fasano or Hurd. Austin is just caught up in numbers. Having the TEs in the game give us more audible options. We can still audible into a power run formation or spread them 4 wide. I think its just versitilies (misspell)and mismatches.
Can we get over Miles Austin already? Yay, the guy made one great special teams play last year, basically running straight ahead with the help of some good blocking. Tony Curtis had a game-winning special teams play this year against Buffalo, where are the calls for him to be the 2nd TE? Here’s what we know about Austin: he looks like a WR, apparently he runs like a fast WR, and he can’t even beat out Sam Hurd who is smaller and slower. Apparently there’s more to play WR than just looking the part. Austin’s just a special teams guy. Can we move on already?
With the Eagles O it’s all about Westbrook. Spy Burnett on him and have the DL and LBs hit him every snap whether he has the ball or not. Force McCampbells to go else where with the ball.
“How else can you explain some of the bizar calls that Dallas gets year after year, especially recently.”
League cannot afford a conspiracy. That’s why Bellicheats tapes were destroyed - case closed.
“Duuude I couldn’t have said it better about Belicheat and his classless act of running up the score.”
Teams play to win. I have no problem with the Pats running it up. Keep Moss and Stallworth out there and they are more likely to get hurt. I still believe big hits can fix many problems.
As for defenses keying on the Cowboys’ lack of a deep threat, I’m not so sure that’s actually going on. From what I’ve seen in the last three games, Garrett’s just taking what is available. If defenses really were keying on a team that can’t throw the deep ball, those intermediate routes wouldn’t be there. They’d be daring Garrett to send the receivers deep rather than letting them get the short stuff.
The Cowboys actually DO have a deep threat: TO. He’s actually better than a deep threat, because he still gains the underneath yards while forcing defenses to respect his speed regardless of the route. Because he’s always a threat to break a tackle or three after any catch, defenses have to keep a safety behind him. You don’t always have to throw the ball 35-40 yards downfield to stretch the defense. From what I’ve seen against the Vikes and Bills, the defense is stretched already, which is why the intermediate/underneath route are open (the Pats switched up their scheme enough times to make it difficult to make a generalization of what they were trying to take away). If you want to argue about the Cowboys not being aggressive in the second half against the Vikes, go look at the tape again–Romo’s hammy was really limiting what he could do. Be very very grateful we didn’t have an opponent this weekend…
Having said that, of course the offense misses Terry. He was the best WR on the team last year, period.
Norm
#8 Singleton??? Bet you mean James.
Yea thats right.
Wades Presser , Were #1 on both defence and offence in the NFC. Wow
“Brady just take what you give’em”
Don’t give him time.
On Miles Austin:
He’s indeed fast, but is he faster than other teams 3rd or 4th CB?
If he’s on the field, with teams knowing that he isn’t a polished route runner, they’ll know that he’s going deep, so they’re going to give him a cushion and then you’ll have 10-on-10 playing football.
On Terry Glenn:
He’s risking his career by not having the microfracture knee surgery right now (if he has the surgery he could make it back by next season) because if he reinjures his knee (knock-knock) at the very best he’s going to be included on the PUP list next year.
If he isn’t going to be able to play at 100% this season, then it’s a really dumb move from his part. I think that he’s going to be at 100%, as I don’t think that he’s dumb.
Chandus, Glenn is 33 going on 40 with a history of njuries. “Risking his career” isn’t really as big a deal as you make it–he only has a year or two left anyway, and chances are the Cowboys will be signing or drafting his replacement this offseason anyway. I’m thinking he sees this season as a chance to make a final run at a championship with a great team and then ride off into the sunset. What he’s really risking is a future of painful arthritis, as the cartilage that was removed ain’t coming back…
Greatwhitenorth,
I don’t see any reason to completely give up on Miles Austin or remove him from our conversations, nor am I saying that he is single-handedly going to reinvent the Cowboys’ downfield aerial attack. I’m just curious as to whether or not the fastest WR on our team (I am not counting Stanback at this point) is going to be able to contribute this season, since we happen to be at a point where we are pining for a speedy deep-threat receiver.
Even 80%-90% of TG will probably help us quite a bit– he has great hands and is an excellent route-runner, and will still be fast enough to work the deep zones even if he’s not at 100%. However, I don’t know if even 80% is realistic for him this season, at least not until Week 14 and beyond. He’s going to be rusty, he’s coming off invasive knee surgery, and he is 33 years old.
I’d also agree that T.O. certainly counts as a deep threat– just because he is not solely a flanker doesn’t mean he’s not fast. Theoretically, I would think he’d be able to stretch the field for us if we needed it in certain games.
“If he’s on the field, with teams knowing that he isn’t a polished route runner, they’ll know that he’s going deep, so they’re going to give him a cushion”
Seems like the fade-stop would work all day. Get that experienced #4 or #5 CB to creep up and burn him with a double move, while eveybodyelse plays 10 on 10.
“He’s risking his career by not having the microfracture knee surgery right now”
What is his injury?
If he sits for a year at his age, does he really have much of a shot at coming back?
Tim,
Who knows maybe when the coaching staff sat down in the beginning of the year they elected to hold some things back until this stretch of the season- 3 Divisional games in 3 weeks?!?! and 2 of those on the road back to back?!? Perhaps we are now in a postion to unleash the hounds at this important juncture.
Let our NFCE opponents game plan against the film from the previous 7 games while we roll out the new plan and weapons.
It doesn’t hurt to hope so anyway.
“What he’s really risking is a future of painful arthritis, as the cartilage that was removed ain’t coming back…”
Knee replacement.
Birdness, post 37, if it were only that easy. You have to be a good/great route runner to sell it and Austin cant sell it. Knee replacement is not pain free.
I just don’t believe TG will make it back this year. And from what the offense has shown thus far, I don’t think we need him. What we do need immediately, though, is A. Henry back on the field.
I can’t see why he’s not out thier using his speed decoy or not. Either they cover him tight to see if thier #4 CB can handle Austin’s speed, or he gets a cushion to play with and it’s on Romo to place the ball where only Miles can comeback for it.
Mikaele,
It takes more than size and speed to be a quality WR. Otherwise, Randall Williams would be starting on this team.
1. You need to know how to beat jams at the LOS,
2. you need to have speed you can maintain during cuts.
3. You need to know all the routes and be able to run them sharply, without rounding them off or cutting them short, especially in a timing offense like Dallas’ where you need to get to spots on the field;
4. You have to know the playbook; you have to know how to adjust to coverages and adapt your routes on the fly, so you don’t hang your Qb out to dry and get him picked.
5. You need strength to win the hand fighting battles,
6. you need good depth perception to adjust to balls in the air.
7. you need body control to get in position to beat good coverage,
8. You need good timing to catch balls at their highest point. (If Percy Howard had this skill, Dallas would have won Super Bowl 10 at the gun, rather than watching the ball bounce off his head in the end zone.)
9. you need good hands to catch in traffic (and to catch in general) and,
10. you need toughness to take hits and hold on to the football.
They don’t call it a skill position for nothing.
greatwhite,
I agree with most of your points except #5. Ellis is the best pass rusher on this team. Don’t be dazzled by ahtleticism; He’s got nothing on Ware in that department but G.E. still knows the fastest way to the QB. Ware is getting better at using his hands, but he’s still relying too much on his raw athleticism. He can still get much, much better as a rusher.
birdness:
Then do you want Austin as a deep threat or not? Because if he runs the type of route that you just described, he would run one of the types of routes that Owens, Crayton, Witten, Hurd and Fasano can.
Things don’t work that way, you can’t replace someone with a one-trick pony and expect him to make a play, using the example that Raf brought up, Randall Williams wasn’t used in deep balls, why? Because teams knew his trick. That, and dropping one as far as I can remember, didn’t helped him and he was silly fast (someone said 4.2 fast).
They ought to allow that kind of crap.
Dont know what happen there but as far as post 45 I meant to say they ought to outlaw that kinda of crap.
Raph-
What the hell was the advertisement embedded like a post?
“Then do you want Austin as a deep threat or not?”
Yes I do, about 6-8 times a game. I don’t think that replaces anybody. Do we need to draft somebody early first day, sign a free agent or do the Boys have our deep threat for the day TG retires?
We need a burner who can make the D worry about them on EVERY play, not just occasionally. I happen to believe that TG will come back- last word I heard was probably thanksgiving, or maybe the game just before.
Carlos Rodgers is out for the year . Smoot is hurt, Redskins injuries adding up.
I could care less about the time frame Terry Glenn comes back. My biggest concern would how does he look when he comes back. Too many variables with this injury to be concerned so much as to when he comes back as to how healthy he is when he comes back. The offense hasn’t run into many problems without him. A completely healthy Glenn is something is a luxury the Cowboys can wait on and should wait as long as necessary to get that, if his injury doesn’t end his career or significantly hamper his speed. I personally don’t think he plays the rest of the season.
ROMO 6 years for 67.5 MILLION
I believe he will play again this year. Medicine is really good these days.
ROMO IS SIGNED 67 million& FOR 6 YEARS
Heard mid way though my post. TG will be back and we will need him against Indy or NE.
LOL. Just heard the same guys. 6 years for $67.5 mill. Wow!! $31 mill guaranteed. Unbelievable. Jerry managed to move part of it into this years salary cap so it won’t hurt us as much as if he’d waited till the end of the season. Congratulations Tony!!!
Squid,
Where’d you hear that TG will be back?? I was assuming he’d be back but hadn’t heard anything really definitive.
I think our problem here is a lack of communication. A deep threat is not a fast guy. A deep threat is a guy that can go deep and hurt you. There is a world of difference between the two. If Austin could hurt the other team he would be playing.
kameleon:
Glenn was quasi-interviewed by DMN (quasi because Glenn is a quiet guy) and he said that he’s going to play.
Sorry, I havent read any thing definite other than TG said he would be back. He just wants to restrengthen his leg first to prevent further injury. We are talented and for all practicle purposes if you were a player hurt on this team and it looked like you had a strong chance to go too the SB wouldnt you do what ever you couild to get back. He is not trying to return to the Dolphins.
Werder reporting that Tony has a new deal.
6 yrs, $67 Million.
31 million guarnteed……..money in the bank.
I think Im going to have a margarita supersized and some hot wings for a little celebration. I knew it would happen but there is nothing like a good excuse to break my diet.
Congrats Tony !!! I’d say were committed now.
Got absolutely no problems with that deal.
Incentives ???
Raf,
Thanks for the enlightenment; that’s the reason one such as I, from the humble peanut gallery, asked in the first place.
I realize it’s a skilled position. I didn’t know that Alston didn’t posses, or hasn’t developed those qualities needed to be a skilled wide receiver. Of course, I suppose if he had… he’d be playing!
Does he have the potential, or is the jury still out?
Sounds as though you’re not too impressed with this guy.
I think Glenn is underrated at running the intermediate routes. If he can come back and provide that type of presence then doesn’t that free up TO and Witten to go deep more often?
We can’t bank on Glenn coming back, but if he does it is just another bullet in our chamber.