It’s Adjustment Time
Posted: September 30, 2008 @ 11:09 am
Pro football is a game of adjustment and adaptation. You create an edge for your team and opponents respond. If you’re a winner, you acknowledge their changes and make your own.
We’re one quarter of the way through the season and it’s time for the Cowboys to adapt. On offense, they had strategies that worked very effectively against the Browns and Eagles but not as well against the Packers and Redskins.
Let’s go back to the Green Bay game. The Cowboys had one pick in the red zone when Tony Romo tried a pass to a very well covered Jason Witten. Later, just before halftime, the Cowboys were in second and goal when they lined up in a shotgun formation, with Marion Barber to Romo’s right. Dallas faked a draw to Barber and attempted a pass to T.O. running a post. This play had worked twice for touchdowns last year, most notably against New England, when the play fake sent Rodney Harrison into a conniption fit.
One problem. One big problem. Green Bay knew it was coming, and had both of Romo’s receiving targets double covered. The play went for a huge loss.
The Eagles, in the second half of their game, went double on T.O. putting a corner tight on him and a safety behind him. Green Bay did this with Charles Woodson. Washington did this with Shawn Springs. It hasn’t completely slowed Owens down, but it has slowed his production down from his first outstanding six quarters of the year.
This isn’t a call to panic. Michael Irvin faced this type of attention regularly the last few years of his career. But it’s clear that the better defenses have caught up to some of Dallas’ tendencies. And it’s time to see how Jason Garrett adjusts.
On defense, better strong safety play is needed. It’s funny, two years ago Dallas had no free safety. Then Ken Hamlin was signed and closed the deep middle. Now, however, Pat Watkins is looking confused. Courtney Brown is playing some at the strong but has yet to distinguish himself.
It’s almost enough to make you miss Roy Williams. Almost.
We haven’t talked ‘09 draft, and we always talk draft here. Mark it down — Day one next April will target two offensive linemen and a strong safety.
It’s Hard to be Humble
This has been a trend going back the the old site in the mid ’90s, but I don’t know if I’ve ever shared it with you.
Traffic goes way down on the days after a Cowboys loss. Yesterday’s traffic was only two thirds of what we normally get on a Monday. But most Mondays, our biggest days, people are looking for affirmation of how great their team is.
Yesterday? Not so many people looking for confirmation that their team played poorly.
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I’m not so sure it’s about needing confirmation vs. not needing it. It is just too hard to get into a reasonable discussion with (or fight off) all of the Chicken Littles whenever Dallas loses a game.
Dallas got their ass kicked Sunday in all phases. They will either learn from it and grow, or they will fold their tents. Not much more to say about it than that.
Wasn’t TO doubled just as often in San Fran and Philly? Witten must strike more fear into the hearts of defenders than…JJ Stokes or Greg Lewis…
Yeah I just saw Realist Larry say that Newman has been overrated the past few years…
Raf, do you think Newman is overrated? I know your answer, but I’d like to see some stats to back it up so I don’t start calling people names.
“Mark it down”
Just how many first day picks does Jerry have?
“Wasn’t TO doubled”
Boys need to pound the ball, and Tony needs to spread it. Get that safety to peak inside and TO will his.
Forcing the ball into coverage lead to too many 3 and outs. Our D plays great with a lead, they are not so special out on the field for 40 minutes.
The first order of business will be finding a capable Defensive Coordinator, one with a track record of success. Stewart on the sidelines looks like the proverbial deer in the headlights.
Dom Capers was ready to come to Dallas this summer, but BStew reportedly felt uncomfortable with a respected and proven NFL Coordinator looking over his shoulder. Jerry should have fired Brian on the spot, as Capers was Garrett’s choice too.
If Stewart want to get his feet wet as an NFL coach, he should be working with Wes and Dat at the quality control level… the Super Bowl window is open, and this is no time for on-the-job training.
I agree birdness.
I understand that Washington stacked the ball sometimes, but great offenses(which I think Dallas is) should dictate to the defense not the otherway around.
Brian Stewart… the Most Unqualified Coordinator in the National Football League
…..I never heard that about Dom Capers Tex. And I’m pretty positive that Jerry would hire whoever Jerry wants to hire. Now your just pulling things out of thin air.
And I doubt that you’ve read the credentials of every coordinator in the league.
Raf - I agree on a safety in next year draft. Keep your eye on Myron Rolle from FSU. He could be a late first round pick.
http://floridastate.rivals.com/content.asp?cid=854643
I believe the Cowboys have a #1, a #2 and two #3s and two #4s thanks to all of Jerry’s deal downs last April.
Promoting the beleaguered Brian Stewart from assistant secondary coach of the league’s 26th-ranked pass defense to Defensive Coordinator of America’s Team just because he know “the scheme” will end up costing Wade Phillips his job.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/stories/013108dnspocowlede.3a93023.html
Newman has been one of the best corners in the game. He had a terrible stretch run in ‘06 when the entire secondary melted down but otherwise, he’s been very good.
He had an awful game Sunday. I’m wondering how far from 100% he is.
But let’s keep things in perspective. There is no such thing as a shut down corner. There simply has not been a year-in, year-out top tier corner the last four years. The guy who has come closest is Shawn Springs.
The problem is that announcers and press push the idea of “shutdown corner” when it’s a myth.
The best corners give up roughly 50% of the passes thrown their way. Even the best corners have one or two great years and a so-so one. There are many factors, a weak pass rush, injuries, whatever. But the game as structured now favors receivers.
BTW, I took a lot of crap from some people on this site who said that the four year chart showing Springs was the top CB the last four years was proof that the stat was worthless.
You wanna say that now? T.O. didn’t exactly walk over Springs, did he? And Newman didn’t exactly stop Santana Moss, did he?
Well at least you didn’t make it up…
Are you going to talk about this every week that Dallas’s defense plays badly?
Huh?
Thanks Raf,
BTW I was not one of the people who gave you crap about Springs.
Post 16 was a response to Tex
I know you’re not.
And Tex’s “facts” are stupid. The defense is Phillips’. Stewart may hold the defensive card, but Phillips stands next to him. You can bet this is Wade’s baby through and through.
I’ve had very good sources, who know how the team works, tell me that. I’ve seen it in camp. Appointing Capers would have meant Phillips gives over the defense — HIS defense — to somebody else.
Not gonna happen. If the defense succeeds or fails, it’s all on Wade. It’s what Parcells said, if you’re gonna get fired, you get fired doing it your way. If he needs to, Wade will hold the card. He’s only got what, 20+ years of experience doing this?
Tex is a fun sideshow, but he doesn’t know anything.
Unfortunatly my cable box is fried and I had to get a new one sooooo I lost the recording of the game. I will record it on replay on NFL Network tonight but,
I have some questions about the game to anyone who has rewatched it.
On a few plays it appeared Proctor was getting pushed into the backfield again, did anyone else see this?
Ratliff and tank semed to be playing with our linebackers. Really, were they getting blown off the ball that bad?
Romo is just missing some of his passes, but it also seems some of the receivers are not running full speed or runnig full routs. Owens on a couple seemed to just slap at the ball.
Why are we playing such soft coverage. I blamed it on Reeves last year but it looks no different this year. Could it be there is no trust in our safteys?
Raf,
I have been lurking for a while. Always enjoy your analysis. Now my question… I got the impression that the players were just not into the game Sunday. They seemed much more excited and fired up in the first three games. How do you explain not getting pumped up for your biggest rival on your home field? I know that the nationaly televised Monday and Sunday night games took something out of them, but they looked awfully flat to me. In the first half they almost looked defeated before the half. Almost like they already knew they were going to lose. Anyway, did you get the same feeling?
Uh oh…a young QB yells to lead his team:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nflnation/0-1-1205/Big-Ben-yells–then-wills-his-team-to-victory.html?lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos1
I don’t believe that yelling is necessarily a sign of good leadership, although as many times as Roethlisberger has been sacked the past few years, he probably needed to blow off some steam.
Anyhoo, interesting to see a young QB (albeit a proven winner) get battered by a world class defense in the first half of last night’s game, with his two starting running backs out, and still figure out a way to lead and to win. Just found it interesting…
MUSICCITYNORM -
Any chance you can post a clip of the “successful” field goal for us to review and debate? Raf, I’ve noticed you seemingly haven’t bought into our paranoid remarks about Suisham’s kick that made it 20-17. I know nothing can be done about it now, but I need a better excuse other than “we were thoroughly outplayed by a team owned by Dan Snyder and coached by a rookie.” Please advise, thanks.
Anyone been paying attention to stupid media like ESPN? They are really blowing up the T.O. conversation to Romo saying that it looks like the begging of the end, just like in SF and Philly. They just like to flap their lips don’t they? Hot air. I wonder if that’s all there is in between their ears too?
T.O. should keep things behind closed doors but this is obsurd!
This sounds simplistic, I know, but when a team dominates in the running game, the rest of your offense looks so much sexier. Look at the Skins Sunday. They were getting 4-8 yards a rush, and because we couldn’t stop it they’re passing game flourished.
Last week, we rammed the ball down the Packs throats, and though TO didn’t get much done, our other threats opened up.
Seems like the major adjustment really is a minor one…committ to running.
Raf,
You’re right about next year’s draft. We have 2 third and 2 fourth rounders. IIRC the extra 3rd is from Detroit and the 4th is from the Raiders.
I should say that technically only the 1st and 2nd rounds are now on the “First Day”. But that terms has become synonymous with the first 3 rounds.
Some said it here earlier. I don’t think the Cowboys take the skins that seriously. I think all the animosity is saved for the Eagles and Giants. Those are the teams that Dallas has been beaten continously by in recent years. Maybe the Redskins look at us like we looked at Philly for all those years.
I didn’t see Brian Stewart shanking punts, overthrowing receivers and getting punked by Santana Moss, but maybe I was in the bathroom or something.
David,
I have not watched very much of the tape yet, so I can’t really comment on anything.
… testing …
Torchin -
Change the channel or turn it off. I finally gave up on BSPN when all 8 “experts” picked Green Bay to beat Dallas. I’m done, and I sure don’t want to hear about any impending blow up. I was upset Sunday, but its one loss, and if the players weren’t upset, then I would be worried.
Now if they were to lose this week, that’s different. My friend here who’s a Bengal fan wants 21 points this weekend. Ouch. (And, no thanks.)
On a different topic, I was a little disappointed to see Stanback deactivated for the game. I don’t know who I would sit instead; I just hope he has chances during the season to keep progressing.
And, if we have to talk about the draft already, I’m with Raf to start. OL & SS early. I want a center. No more scrap heap guards who try to learn to play center. Draft a center that can play guard. I think we’ll see some LB, too. I think Burnett and Carpenter will be gone, and as great as ZT has been, he aint 29.
AFBAT2
To be clear-I didn’t say TerenceN wasn’t very good-and I was talking in the context of Dallas Fans, who overrate their own team’s players.
I would say Newman is in the top 10% of CB’s(barely), but he’s never really come up with big plays at the key moments.
Some fans act like he shopuld be an automatic Pro Bowler every year, and considered one of thetop 3 in the league or soomething.
He’s not. He’s really good, not that there’s anythiing wrong with that.
wasn’t that Newman who intercepted the ball in buffalo last year?
Here is a quick adjustment:
Put felix jones in the game more. With him on the field, the defense will make adjustments. That alone will open other things up.
Larry:
We have a problem in there, you’re saying that because Newman isn’t known as a ballhawk that he isn’t all that good, right?
Oh, come on, talk to me about Deltha O’Neal and his great year in 2005. 10 Ints and the guy has always sucked in coverage… New England fans already hate him.
Watcher,
I think poor execution (Romo missing a number of open WRs, Terence and a couple other guys not wrapping up and finishing sacks of Campbell, etc.) was to blame for the loss, not a lack of passion. Being “fired up” always seems overrated as a way to measure a football team, and if you watched Ware after his first half sack or Jay Rat after either of his tackles for a loss, they were clearly very excited, just as Newman was extremely upset after his mistakes, on the field and on the sideline.
I’d still take Newman over any other corner in the NFC for the rest of this season. I hope he’s actually healthy (might still be a bit less than 100%), but his track record in YPA speaks for itself, he’s the hardest worker on the team, and I am sure no one will be more motivated than he will for the rest of the year.
Larry,
Your entire post was about this “supposed” talent that Dallas had. Newman isn’t perfect, but he should have been in the probowl over dante hall those two seasons. A corner that gives up 3 tds in two years is pretty damn good.
And your key moments
Washington last year he picked off Campbell so that he couldn’t force it into OT.
And he picked off Buffalo.
He’s not a ballhawk, but those were two big plays right there.
OH and guys, torchin, just don’t pay attention to ESPN.
Ditka rode Buddy Ryan’s defense to a Super Bowl, Keyshawn’s got a ring from a defense and will never be considered anything more then a good possession receiver, and Tom Jackson is still carrying resentment from Dallas whipping his ass.
Carter is good, but his best year was when he was nothing more then a #2 receiver.
AFB2,
I believe you meant DeAngelo “got spit on his face absolute disgrace” Hall. As any kind of “cover corner”, he’s an absolute joke which is why Eddie Royal absolutely dismantled him in his debut. “Cover corner” is an obsolete term nowadays anyways. Even Champ Bailey has been burnt enough times to probably have a ten-minute lowlight reel floating around somewhere on YouTube.
Terrence Newman gave up some big plays to Steve Smith last year as well, but how many elite corners would Smith and Moss (when he’s on) make look bad in man coverage?
I don’t know how big a test the sorry Bengals passing attack will be especially considering Palmer might be out with a sore elbow again but this secondary will be tested again soon enough when they visit Arizona.
Tim
I agree, the boys had penalties and mistakes come at the worst times and they were out of sync on the run D.
In most of the games we have had with carolina Tnew has eaten Smiths lunch. As he pretty m uch has with every top wR he has played. Only the Detoit gamne in 06 and this one has he really beenn off. Still better then springs
Beyond the lack of a running game and the other things already mentioned . . . like field position . . .
The difference in the game was 3rd downs.
I thought our 3rd down defense was the difference in this game. We held the Skins on 1st and 2nd downs, but could never seem to stop them on 3rd down, even if it wasn’t like 3rd and 1. The Redskins seemed to take 3 downs for every first down, so we had lots of opportunities to make that proverbial 3rd down play, but instead of getting off the field, our D ended up playing most of the game while Washington kept the ball.
On the other side of the ball, our offense couldn’t convert often enough on 3rd down. How many 3 and outs did we have? Even when we would get a couple of first downs, the drive would bog down. I don’t know enough to explain why this occurred, but usually we make those first downs and go on to score.
That’s why I agree with those who say let’s get Felix in the game a little more, or let’s look for Austin or Crayton if the opponent is going to take away TO and Witten. If Witten is doubled, (our most frequent passing 3rd down option), you’ve got to look elsewhere.
Actually the skins were only like 4 out of 10 3rd downs- but the ones that they did get hurt.
Was one of those the 12th man thing?
Burma,
Wow, that means our D stopped them 6 of 10 times on 3rd down — that definitely wasn’t how it seemed as I watched the game. Guess I’d just get so hyped up for the team to stop them on a 3rd down play and then be disappointed, it seemed like more. Frustrated expectations, I guess.
Music, YES, the 12 man thing was a 3rd down stop.
I think the other thing we haven’t talked a lot about is field position. Our kickoff and punt returns were nothing to get excited about, and several times we started out inside our own 20. In prior games we’ve experienced much better starting field position and McBriar has been able to punt us out of bad situations. That was unusual this past weekend, I thought.
So does anyone know how many 3rd downs our offense didn’t convert?
I did madmick, good catch.
You’d think with two coaches getting fired this week and al davis breaking his silence to completely trash lane kiffen espn would find someting else to talk about besides TO.
TO sells and drives up ratings gents.
Consider yourselves sucked (by ESPN).
Dallas was 6 for 12 on 3rd downs against Redskins (Washington was 6 for 15). Dallas is a stellar 27 of 47 on 3rd downs for season. They have sacked opposing QBs 12 times while Romo has been sacked just thrice. But they also are -4 in turnover differential, and barely have a higher time of possession than their opponents (30:09 vs. 29:51). So they can improve in some areas…
I watched the field goal over and over again. It was good. (exhale).
One bad game. Bring on Chatanooga State. I mean the Bengals.
Yes we might actually legitimately lose a game on occassion.
haha jarhead
Yeah like the refs mistook that fieldgoal…. that was never a question in my mind.
Elharpo,
dont take the bengals lightly, i’ll tell you why:
its real hard to go 0-5 in the NFL (though it can be done).
taking a team lightly bit us in the ass last week.
the bengals took the gints to OT in their house recently.
so, here’s hoping the boys have learned their lesson.
On Monday Imus asked one his guests whether Phillips or Romo had ever “won the big game.”
I was only kidding about the Bengals. I don’t take any team for granted. I know they bring their “A” game against the Cowboys. Sometimes I wish the Cowboys would always bring their “A” game.
Let Tex know that B Stewart is interviewing for the head coaching job for the Raiders. Its not true but I just feel like throwing Tex a bone.
Bone-er, boner.
elharpo, how dare you assume the Cowboys should play with a standard of excellence week after week? They are SUPPOSED to lose, they NEED to lose, it’s GOOD they lost. Aren’t you listening to the level heads in the posts above?
Also, how DARE anyone question the great Terence Newman!!!??? HE WALKS ON WATER!!!
Know what? He’s a f’ing bum. He’s done nothing this season, and is a f’ing bum until he is no longer a f’ing bum. What’ve you done for me lately, Terence Newman? If you’re hurt, sit your weak, ballerina ass on the bench and let someone who is healthy get beat instead.
If his strength as a football player is not, ahem, “making plays” but instead is playing “strong in coverage,” and he is not playing well in coverage this year, well… (you guys finish the thought)
No interceptions and 20th in passing yards given up, yet the Cowboys are top 6 in sacks. Could Henry and Newman be overrated, and Williams, Watkins, Brown, Davis suck? Or is that a ridiculous question to ask, because now is not the time for questions? Those only come at the appropriate time, when the level heads decree. To question what your eyes see is being chicken little, after all.
Completely changing the subject, but I think this is interesting. I was listening to 950 ESPN radio in Philly on my way home from work and heard Sal Paolantonio say that Roy Williams (WR from Detroit) is on the trade block. This, in itself, isn’t big news. But he then said that the Eagles brass better get in on the Williams trade fast because it looked like Dallas was going to get him. He was very adamant about this saying, “consider this a shot over the bow of the Nova Care complex…” meaning that they, the Eagles brass, better move quickly. BTW, the Nova Care complex is the Eagles version of Valley Ranch.
Raf - have you heard anything on this lately? I don’t watch TV or pay too much attention to other sites other than this blog and dc.com, so this may be nothing new.
Dallas played poorly against the Skins and the Skins played good. Nobody will beat Dallas this year if they bring their A-game - they’re that good. But there is a reason the NFL has only 1 undefeated Super Bowl champion and that’s because it’s so difficult to bring your A-game every week, it’s pure luck to have the ball bounce your way during crucial moments or to not have your players make crucial mistakes during those moments.
The bobbled Campbell handoff that bounced right back to Campbell. The late pass that slipped thru TO’s fingers in the end zone. The onside kick that slipped thru Hurd’s fingers. The 12-men on the field penalty. Any of those plays turn out different and the game might have ended differently.
If Hurd get’s that onside kick, does anyone doubt Romo gets Dallas in FG range and Folk makes that kick? Folk is money…what a great, great pick he has been.
Let’s face it - we are what we thought we were - and NOBODY has let us off the hook. We’re 4-1 against some of the NFL’s best teams. We’re still a playoff & Super Bowl contender - we’re just not going to be undefeated when the playoffs begin.
UH OH, BUSTER YOU STARTED IT AGAIN!
One thing that is bewildering for me, I know this is going to sound like some uneducated fan who points out the obvious, BUT, why in the world cant our team play a scheme like green bays. Aside from the obvious 34 43 scheme, they play alot of man because of the quality of corners they have allowing many other players to be freed up. Now, with that employed yes they will get burned sometimes but the idea is to force the issue with pressure and force quick and errant throws or get sacks. I can remember when Dallas D was ranked number 1 under Zimmer employing a similar type of scheme. Hey we will give up big plays, but you force the issue and with an aggressive defense like that, I would be confident with our Offense to “OUT BIG PLAY” the opponent.
I realize this comes on one of the worst games called by Garrett, but I dont think that will continue to be a problem. I think we have to many playmakers to sit back and play this passive defense. I am sick of this 9 yard cusion bull shit man, grow some balls, we have just as much talent as the ravens, or any of the top defenses the only difference is scheme and I think we can improve tremendously in that regard.
6 reasons the cowboys lost in no particular order but all things together explain the downfall
1. 10 rushes the whole game
2. time of possesion
3. Romos eratic throws
4. 4th quarter run defense( the defense was gassed but is a reason)
5.TURNOVERS
6. SANTANA MOSS+ CLINTON PORTIS WERE CLUTCH
Remember Shawn Spring’s YPA Raf had posted a while back? We found that it was awefully true last Sunday.
I know it’s only been a month and there’s plenty of time left but when are we going to see some more production out of our D??
Here’s were we are defensively after the first month;
Points
18th in Points Allowed (per game).
Total Yards
11th in Yards Allowed (per game).
14th in Yards Allowed (per play).
Passing
18th in Passing Yards Allowed (per game).
16th in Average Yards Pass Allowed (per play).
12th in Passing TD’s Allowed.
Rushing
16th in Rushing Yards Allowed (per game).
18th in Average Yards Rush Allowed (per rush).
11th in Rushing TD’s Allowed.
Downs and Penalties
14th in First Downs Allowed (per game).
13th in Third Down Percentage.
10th in Fourth Down Percentage.
21st in Penalties.
Making Plays
6th in Sacks.
25th in Pass Deflections.
31st in Interceptions.
24th in Forced Fumbles.
22nd in opponent QB Rating (91.0).
After 4 games that’s some pretty poor numbers from a Defense that supposedly has plenty of talent, Pro Bowlers and a defensive guru Head Coach.
Two Pro Bowl pass rushers; D. Ware, Ellis. With another young First Round pass rusher backing up. Veteran Pro Bowler Zach Thomas plus signal caller Bradie James with Second and First Round backups Burnett and Carpenter.
Three Pro Bowlers in the Secondary; Hamlin, Newman, Williams. Plus expensive 05 Free agent Anthony Henry, 06 Top Ten pick Pacman Jones and 08 First round pick Mike Jenkins.
A Dline of young players; Ratliff, Spears, Canty, Johnson, Hatcher, Bowen.
So now it’s over to you guys; Are the players not as good as we think? Are the coaches not using them correctly? Is it just a rough start?
A lot of dallas sacks were “coverage” sacks, remember. Out of 12 sacks they have only two looked like someone came free. A lot of the sacks against mcnabb were coverage.
Im still pissed about this game. We looked so domminant the first qtr with sacks and good completions to Austin and Witten and all of a sudden the D seemed to soften and break….
I do hope we get Roy Williams (receiver)…I followed him through his years in texas and the guy is good. He is good in Detroit, imagine what he could be next to T.O., Crayton, Witten and Austin. The guy I would release is Stanback. Seems to me Hurd is a better young project and Felix is returning kicks with Scandrick. So much talent and we lost to the skins…..urgghhhhh
The Dline is what concerns me the most. The Dline seems to have good depth but no dominance.
Ratliff got a new contract and is earning it. He causes more trouble than any other of our Dlineman. He has a strong 15 Tackles and 2 sacks so far.
The 05 First Rounder Spears has continued his same old routine; show flashes of brilliance and then disappear for long stretches. 6 tackles this year.
Canty; this was supposed to be his breakout year (although some people claimed he had it last year, but I must have missed it). He’s a solid 3-4 end. Tough against the run most days and very little pass rush. 12 tackles 1 sack.
Tank Johnson; the self professed beast has 2 tackles so far this year. Two. He needs to pick it up.
Hatcher; Mr Potential has yet to record a Sack after 4 games even though he’s in on Third Downs. He has 4 tackles.
Bowen; who has numbers almost the same as his much ballyhooed counterparts. 4 tackles in 3 games.
If our Defense is going to improve it starts right here I think. The Potential Boys; Tank Johnson, Marcus Spears and Jason Hatcher need to pick there game up quick.
All right Joey. No one has said that Dallas shouldn’t play good every week and not to expect it…
But realistically they won’t play every game great. The 90’s Dynasty didn’t and neither did the current patriots.
You can think whatever you want, Newman isn’t a bum. He had a bad game. The defense isn’t playing well.
If you look over a career Newman has been good. You acting like a condescending prick doesn’t make you more right about it.
I think we should also bring attention to missed opportunities by our D - especially up front. It seems Dallas has gotten plenty of pressure on opposing QB’s, and get plenty of hits but not many sacks. Anyone keeping track of hits on QB’s versus sacks?
Not me, although I will say so far the hits have been on QB’s that are pretty evasive or big. Rodgers went down almost every time. The only time I remember Campbell escaping was Newman. Ware got a piece of jersey once but that was it.
Well, look, Joey and Luke are making some of the main points I am-I’m not saying our defense sucks, I haven’t been on here crying about one little loss, and Newman’s a very good, ‘B’ corner.
But some people are posting on here, “Why isn’t this D dominating with all this talent?!?”
My point is, again, maybe we just don’t HAVE as much talent as some of you think. Maybe the Boys have a bunch of above average, “Good” players. Besides Ware, that’s what I see. Newman’s better than others, and worth what he gets paid, but some of you are so blinded by Fandom, esp. in this day of overinformation, that you think this is some AWESOME, DOOMSDAY III we have now.
It’s not.
We have a lot more talent than some other teams, and they can be very good against weak running teams. But that’s about it.
Do you really think changing DCoordinators is going to make our D suddenly outrageously dominating??
Isn’t that what we’ve been hearing since Phillips came? Hasn’t there finally been enough time in the 3-4 to stop using that excuse?
While it’s true I am a condescending prick, there is no need for name calling. I’m just trying to stir things up.
I’m pulling for Newman to heal and snap out of this funk. I have no idea why the defense is not playing well. Roy is gone, Zack is new, Newman’s hurt probably, Henry and Newman are aging, Adam Jones is new, Reeves is gone/Scandrick & Jenkins new, D Coordinator is new, Hard Knocks is new… everyone else is in the pink with the right age, right experience, good health, same system (I assume). The system is a year old with a year of film for opponents to watch.
I’m trying to pierce a hole in your blind love of Newman (yeah that’s a mixed metaphor, sue me). Sure, he’s played well in the past. So did Barry Zito. Zito won’t be good until he’s good again. Newman won’t be good until he can f’ing defend a pass route and not run around like Pat Watkins his rookie year. There are only 16 games and the Cowboys play in one of the most competitive divisions ever (Super Bowl Champs, Super Bowl faves, 3 playoff teams from year before, all are playoff favorites now). So… to the defense… What have you done for me lately? Last year, schmast year. Pro Bowl, Schmo Bowl.
Alright, you saw the pretty poor Defensive numbers, now check the very good offensive numbers after the first month;
Totals.
3rd in Points Scored (per game) (30 points).
2nd in Total Yards (per game) (416).
1st in Yards Per Play (6.8).
3rd in First Downs (per game).
1st in Third Down Percentage (at 57%, San Diego is 2nd way back at 49%!!).
5th in Penalties.
4th in Penalty Yards.
17th in Time of Possession.
Passing.
3rd in Passing Yards (per game).
5th in Passing Average (per play).
4th in Passing TD’s.
8th in Interceptions.
5th in Passing First Downs.
2nd in 20+ Yard Pass Plays.
4th in 40+ Yard Pass Plays.
30th in Sacks (3).
6th in QB Rating (98.3).
Rushing.
13th in Rushing Yards (per game).
4th in Rushing Average (per play).
2nd in Rushing TD’s.
4th in 20+ Yard Runs.
5th in 40+ Yard Runs.
11th in Fumbles.
Team
31st in Turnovers (-4).
There’s a few areas where the Offense can continue to improve (Penalties, TOP, Turnovers) but overall this is a excellent offense. With all the whining about Romo that sometimes goes on around here you’d think he led a very average offense, when in actuality he’s the biggest part of one of the best big play offenses in the league.
I second the recent 2zz’s posts …