Blog Merger
November 11, 2008
The AFL and NFL merged in 1966, ending the rancor and player stashing that existed between the leagues and ushering the Super Bowl era.
I can’t say if I’m going to play Tex Schramm or Lamar Hunt in this scenario, or even that you’re about to get the Super Bowl of Cowboys blogs, but I can report that a blog merger has been in the works for some time and this Friday, Raul and I will join forces with Dave Halprin at Blogging the Boys.com.
The merger will bring together the two biggest, longest-standing Cowboys blogs and offer readers the biggest and best Cowboys blogging experience.
We’ll keep posting here through Friday but starting Saturday, you’ll find Raul and me and our story archive at http://www.bloggingtheboys.com.
You will have to re-register but I’m assuming many of you are already readers of both sites.
Persons of Interest
November 10, 2008
Two guys to watch, as I’m sure Dallas is watching them:
B.J. Raji and Ron Brace, defensive tackles, Boston College
The Eagles have the two biggest DTs in this year’s crop. They’re the only two who top 310 lbs. Both list at 323 lbs. and either could be a needed fireplug to play on the nose and draw double teams.
The Eagles alternate an over and undershifting 4-3 with a 3-3 package. Raji is the squattier of the two, at 6′1″, 323, but he always plays the under in the 4-3. He’s got a massive lower body, with great power and a nifty spin move on his rushes. He’s rated in the top half of the 2nd round right now and while a wave of early-entry juniors could push him down, defensive tackles rise. He may be too good for Dallas’ reach.
Brace plays the nose in both B.C. schemes and he “passes the eyeball test,” as the late draft guru Joel Buchsbaum used to say. Like Raji, he’s got a thick lower body and a low center of gravity. He’s quick, has a strong punchout and can walk guards back to the quarterback when he’s one-on-one. He plays in a one-gap scheme but he holds his ground very well when double-teamed. B.C. calls a lot of zone blitzes and Brace drops into shallow coverage a lot. Against Notre Dame, he shadowed running backs a couple of times and didn’t look lost in space.
That said, he’s a space eater, and that’s one type of player the Cowboys need. He’s rated in the 3rd to 4th round in the early mocks I’ve seen.
Watch both of these guys if you get the chance.
Gain Ground From The Comfort of Your Own Home
November 9, 2008
The Giants victory over the Eagles last night jumped the Cowboys over Philly and into third place, as Dallas has beaten Philly and has a better division record. The Eagles are winless in their first tour of the East.
That ups the stakes in next week’s visit to FedEx Field. A win in the Redskins rematch puts Dallas into a 2nd place tie with Washington.
Onward.
Early Shopping List — Updated
November 4, 2008
Updated: Losing Makes Everybody Stupid.
Including the fans. I’m seeing sites calling for Mike Jenkins to get benched for his olé in the 4th quarter.
People. Keep your senses. Mike Jenkins is getting better every week. He’s the future at one CB spot. He had a pick six Sunday. He’s doing crazy things but he’s got an excuse. He’s a rookie. If he keeps doing crazy things, fine, but he’s got one stupid example on his resume. Adam Jones, by comparison, has a career’s worth of ass-clownery.
But seriously, you gonna bench him and play Anthony Henry, the one-legged man? Who’s better going forward? A guy who’s getting better every week, or a guy who’s slowing down every week and who is again injured?
Would you have benched Leon Lett after Thanksgiving ‘03 for being a knucklehead? And what would it have cost you if you did?
* * * * * *
I’m not bailing on ‘08 by any means, but we don’t have to wait until January to list the areas of weakness on this team:
Defense:
Safety — Keith Davis was a special teams ace, who was released outright by Miami and now he’s starting at strong safety for the Cowboys. We can debate his value versus Roy Williams ’till we’re breathless, but Dallas has nothing at their position right now. I would not be surprised to see safety at the top of Dallas draft wish list next April. Imagine the secondary with a Bob Sanders instead of Davis and the potential improvement is obvious.
Nose Tackle — Jay Ratliff is Dallas’ best D-lineman, and it’s not even close. He got the big money first — and so far alone at his spot — as the Cowboys have wisely held off splurging on either Marcus Spears or Chris Canty. The Cowboys would love to move Ratliff to DE, but can you trust Tank Johnson as your every down NT? He had 10 starts for Chicago in ‘06 and has never started more than four games in any other season.
Defensive end — who bookends Ratliff if he moves outside? Marcus Spears looked like a goner before this year but has showed flashes this season. Still, he’s been very erratic in his four years. And is any defensive player more disappointing this year than Chris Canty? When a player disappears in his salary-drive year, that’s a huge red flag. Jason Hatcher is MIA.
Guard/Center — The injury to Kyle Kosier showed the cupboard is bare at interior line. Cory Proctor was a short-term band aid, but he’s regressed with every passing game. A bigger, meaner version of Proctor, who can play center and guard, would be a godsend.
Tackle — Teams will tell you, they don’t draft guys to be backups. Pat McQuistan and Doug Free looked like up-and-coming players under Tony Sparano but they have looked lost under Hudson Houck. Which brings up…
Offensive Line Coach? — The Cowboys had a choice this spring. Hudson Houck was available, but so was Mike Solari. Solari started his coaching career working with the Cowboys, working with the tight ends and assisting Jim Erkenbeck in the late Landry days. He moved on and coached those nasty Kansas City lines which paved lanes for Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson. He washed out in his trial as K.C.’s offensive coordinator last year but he’s got a solid track record. Think back to December ‘05, when Johnson ran wild in Dallas, behind Pro Bowlers Willie Roaf and Brian Watters. That was Solari’s calling card.
Solari has brought a fair Seahawks line up from 20th to 12th in rushing this year. The Cowboys have improved a bit in that department under Houck, but the sacks-allowed mushroomed, even when Tony Romo was hurt.
Wade Phillips apparently recommended Solari for the OL job. The Cowboys brought back Houck. We’ll get a much better idea of things when Kyle Kosier returns but this is the offseason move I ponder the most.
Witten Will Try to Play Sunday. Should He?
October 28, 2008
A scan has revealed Jason Witten has a fractured rib. He says he will try to play against the Giants on Sunday, giving Brad Johnson another weapon against the Giants rush.
What can be done to make him ready and is this a dangerous move? I asked Luis Rios, my Sportsdoctor partner and a real doctor in his own right. He says:
“Rib fractures have a lot of stability, because there’s a lot of muscle tissue around them. They’re very painful, because those supporting muscles expand and contract every time you breathe. You can put a flak jacket over the injured rib and you can inject the area around the injury and deaden the pain for four to six hours. He can be made comfortable for the game.
What I would ask him is whether he feels its worth this, because if he plays and reinjures the area the healing starts over. Is he willing to do this again and again? If he wants to play and I’m on the Cowboys staff, I’d prepare him but not start him. They’ll know early on if the game is competitive. If he’s needed, let him play. If it’s another Rams game, where you’re way down early, let him heal and let Martellus Bennett go.”
Second Whack at the Same Pitch
October 26, 2008
What does Dallas need?
What it started with last week, and lost after seven minutes.
On offense — attack laterally in the air. Quick timing routes on the outside. Lots of crossing routes to the receivers and lots of vertical throws to the tight ends. Dallas showed how this is done on the opening drive. Run effectively, either from heavy sets or from spread formations and throw shallow crosses and seams to the tight ends.
What the Cowboys cannot do is overdo the run. Eight of Dallas’ first nine 1st down plays were runs to Marion Barber, and while they worked on the initial Dallas drive, they were sabotaged by run blitzes the rest of the first half. Play action off of Barber runs should give Brad Johnson some throwing lanes.
It’s also time to re-aquaint Jason Witten with the Dallas passing game. With T.O. facing weekly double teams, Roy Williams cramming to learn the playbook and with teams sure to stack the box for Barber, Witten should have free reign in the middle of the field. However, he’s short-circuited a lot of promising Dallas plays with drops and motion penalties. The motion miscues were a problem for Witten his first three years but John Garrett ironed them out of his game last year. They’ve crept back at the worst time and Witten needs to regain his attention to detail.
The weapon most missed is Felix Jones. He’s the perfect antitode to an injured Tony Romo, a player who can take a simple swing pass, delay or draw and go 60 yards. Without him, T.O. is the only speed option for this offense, until Williams and Miles Austin show more.
On the opposite side of the ball, the name of the game will be execution. The tackling must improve. The run defense has to step up. Nothing special schemes will matter if the Cowboys consistently find themselves in 2nd and twos, as they did against the Redskins and last week against the Rams. The linebackers have been very sloppy in forcing runs and have been poor at getting off blocks. These are fundamental issues and multi-year vets like Greg Ellis and Zach Thomas have no excuse.
We may see more zone than the Cowboys are used to playing, because Mike Jenkins is having growing pains at left corner. He looked better late in the Rams game but the damage was done in the first half against him. He’s thinking on the field and having trouble tracking the football.
More than anything, there seems to be a communications issue on the field. On Donnie Avery’s first seried TD catch the back seven looked confused. Linebackers were not sure whether they were playing zone or man. The safeties were unsure if they should play up or back. And this is the Rams fourth play of the game. Maybe there is something to the complaint that the schemes are too rigid and complicated. When vets are running around like the Keystone Cops from the opening gun, there are problems.
Prediction: I think the Cowboys will play a lot harder. I do think we’ll see some pride. I also think there are so many problems that not all of them can be sorted through in one week. The penalties can be cut, but do you see the o-line, the shotgun snaps, the penalties, the run defense, special teams coverage and the pass coverage ALL being fixed in seven days? A lot of these problems have been lingering for weeks. It’s like expecting to lose 20 lbs. in one week after eating junk food non-stop since August. It can happen but usually not overnight.
I see a much closer game, and a disappointing finish. It’s the Redskins and Cardinals redux. A big step forwards, but not big enough:
Tampa Bay 20, Dallas 17
Good News — Romo’s Out
October 21, 2008
Tony Romo announced today he won’t play against Tampa Bay this Sunday and probably won’t play again until the Cowboys return from their bye against Washington.
Why is this good news?
Because Romo is almost halfway through his rehab, which will take four weeks. I was told by Dr. Luis Rios that re-fracturing the finger resets the rehab clock at four weeks.
“If you were going to try to play with it, last week would have been the time. If Romo re-injures the finger then, well, then just you add a week to the rehab, that’s not too bad. But what if he’s three weeks in, and you play him against the Giants and he re-breaks the finger because it’s not fully healed. Then, you’re back to square one and he misses four more weeks…”
The Cowboys have already had an awful history this year of injured players trying to rush back and re-injuring themselves. Kyle Kosier was going to miss three September games, came back after two games and re-broke his foot. Now, halfway through the season, Kosier has just one appearance.
Terence Newman was going to miss the Browns opener rehabbing his injured groin, played three weeks in apparent pain, didn’t look like himself and last week had surgery for a hernia. We’re halfway through ‘08 and have yet to see a healthy, pain-free Newman.
Roy Williams tried coming back as soon as possible and re-broke his forearm. Now, he’s out for the year. Anthony Spencer is now rehabbing a hamstring after rehabbing a knee.
Dallas needs to bite the bullet and let Romo’s finger heal completely. It does not matter what the Cowboys record is the next two games. Whether they are 4-5 after the bye, 5-4 or 6-3, they don’t have the slightest chance without number 9 under center. Jerry should take some of Tex’s deposit money for his seats in the new stadium and send Tony and Jessica back to Cancun until the bye is over.
You’ve Got to Lose…
October 21, 2008
… you can’t win all the time. Especially in 2008.
One positive sign for the Cowboys is that very few teams in either conference appear capable of running away and hiding. Who’s dominant at this point?
In the AFC, lets begin in the West. The Broncos are an Ed Hochuli-inflated 4-3 and just got thrashed 41-7 by the Patriots. The Chargers, the presumed AFC favorite, are 3-4 and have only one road win, over the Raiders.
In the North, the Steelers are 5-1, having won three, but are beaten up. They have not played a team with a winning record yet and were left for the dead by the Eagles three weeks ago.
In the East, the Pats are are basking in a blowout win over Denver. On the down side, they’ve already suffered a 25 point loss to Miami and a 20 point loss to San Diego. The division-leading Bills have been the most consistent but were abused by Arizona two weeks ago.
The South sports the lone consistent AFC, NFL team in Tennessee. The Titans have a tough defense, and a rock-ribbed running attack. On the other hand, they have yet to play a winning team. And does anybody fear Kerry Collins and his passing attack?
The NFC has been mercurial, from top to bottom. In the North, the Packers lead at 4-3 and have already endured a three game losing steak, which is sandwiched between two two-game winning streaks. Chicago is tied with Green Bay but they’re playing shootouts every week. That’s not Bears football.
The Giants lead the suddenly deflated East but have had their shaky moments against mediocre teams the last month. They throttled the Seahawks but needed a late score to beat Cincy, were destroyed in Cleveland and were so-so against the 49ers. The Redskins looked like the bully in waiting but were beaten by the Rams and just escaped the revitalized Browns. Everybody here has a chance.
Right now — for this week and possibly this week alone — the three best NFC teams are in the West and the South. The Cards just blew out the Bills and beat up Dallas, but have an embarrassing 56-35 loss on their resume.
The Panthers are a strong 5-2 and were humiliated by Tampa Bay 27-3 two weeks ago. Atlanta is flying quietly under the radar at 4-2 and has a solid win at Lambeau Field on their record.
The best NFC team after 7 weeks may be the Tampa Bay Bucs. They’re 4-0 against winners this year, with the blowout over Carolina topping that list. They’ve also beaten the Packers, Bears and Falcons. They’re one of the few winners to avoid a blowout loss.
They’re also Dallas’ next opponent.
Hey, nobody said turning the season around would be easy.
Cowboys Sign LB Carlos Polk
October 16, 2008
Former Chargers LB Carlos Polk was signed by Dallas, probably as a hedge against Kevin Burnett’s injured foot. He’ll fill the roster spot vacated by Sam Hurd, who was played on injured reserve.
Polk was a situational defensive player for Wade Phillips when he coordinated San Diego’s defense. Polk was also a member on the Chargers’ special teams.
Burnett is one of the “core” players, along with Keith Davis, Bobby Carpenter, Justin Rogers and Pat Watkins, who are on all the coverage and return teams.
Your Cowboys Number of the Day
October 15, 2008
5 — The Roy Williams deal gives Dallas five consecutive top 11 picks:
- 2001 — Leonard Davis, Arizona Cardinals, 2nd overall;
- 2002 — Roy Williams, Dallas Cowboys, 8th overall;
- 2003 — Terence Newman, Dallas Cowboys, 5th overall;
- 2004 — Roy Williams, Detroit Lions, 7th overall;
- 2005 — Demarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys, 11th overall;
Williams Trade Draws Mixed Reviews
October 14, 2008
– They’re ecstatic in Detroit, where one scribe says GM Martin Mayhew “fleeced” the Cowboys. They’re also concerned that the Lions could bungle the extra picks.
– The move is pooh-poohed by the Washington Post, where Mike Wilbon claims Williams “wouldn’t bring a ham sandwich” from most teams.
– Meanwhile, the fans are grumpy in Philly, which has pursued Williams in the offseason.
Pacman Jones: A Knucklehead Too Far
October 14, 2008
Is there anything else that needs to be said?
Actually, I have a lot to say. No moment was more depressing for me as a fan of the ’90s Cowboys, not Michael Irvin’s suspension, not the Jimmy/Jerry split, than Leon Lett’s suspension after Thanksgiving ‘96. That’s because it left his teammates and his fans completely helpless. Lett’s drug relapse took the best lineman off the team a month before the playoffs. It killed the pass rush and there was no window or option for even trying to replace him.
Can you imagine if Jones had pulled this craziness in December? So long, mister. You ate up some time while Terence Newman was hurt and the rookies were greener than today. I’ll be thankful for that.
– Back to Roy Williams. The Cowboys have agreed on the parameters of a five year extension, according to the NFL Network’s Adam Schefter.
One more thought. If the Roy Williams deal is made in April, Mike Jenkins isn’t a Cowboy. Maybe Matt Millen was valuable too.
– The Power of the Shirt:
In the preseason, the Browns traveled to New York and were thrashed by the Giants. I blamed their blasphemous uniforms for the loss; Cleveland wore hideous chocolate brown aerobics pants, which shamed their classic all-white unis.
Last night, the Browns wore their throwback mid-’50s duds, with thin, simple trim and an orange helmet with a player’s number on the sides. All was right in the Browns cosmos. This time, they dismantled the Giants 35-14.
Yes, my friends, there is a cosmology of football. And it’s all tied to your uniform!
Twice the Roy Williams, Twice the Fun?
October 14, 2008
Update: We’re in the NFL equivalent of the fog of war. I heard a radio report from Dallas that the Cowboys offered a #1 and Miles Austin for Roy Williams. I heard on NFL radio a minute ago that the deal was cut for a straight #1 and I’ve also seen another report that the cost is two #2s.
Am looking for firm details.
Dallas now has both Roy Williams on its roster. Details upcoming.
Do the Cowboys Need a Receiver? I Think They Do — Updated with Roy Williams News
October 13, 2008
Any veteran receiver.
We’ve been down the Roy Williams/Anquan Boldin/Chad Johnson road before. My opinion has not changed. If they can be had for a decent trade price and accept Terry Glenn money, fine. Otherwise, no. You don’t lose your mind.
My question is more modest. Might the Cowboys pursue *any* decent veteran? Might they call a team like the Rams and see what Torry Holt costs? Could an Isaac Bruce be pried from the 49ers?
I’m asking because Sam Hurd’s injury gives leaves Dallas with four receivers, and Isaiah Stanback has a trick shoulder. Mike Jefferson is on suspension, and may be done as a Cowboy.
The Cowboys need another dependable body, with emphasis on dependable, and I’m not horribly picky right now.
Update: Lions HC Rod Marinelli said today the team told WR Roy Williams they were not interested in trading him.
Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, one of the best beat guys around, wrote in his blog today that the Lions contacted the 49ers about Williams:
The 49ers do not appear interested in making any trades, especially for a receiver. The Lions contacted them to gauge interest in Roy Williams. The 49ers were not interested. Williams was not known for putting in a lot of time to learn Martz’s system.
They’re shopping him folks. The Lions may still be asking too much for him, but they’ll swap Roy Williams if they get their price.
Update II: The Eagles and the Giants are both pursuing Chiefs’ TE Tony Gonzalez, according to this story.
Thing We Know and Things We Should - Updated
October 13, 2008
Well, well, well.
What did I write earlier today? That maybe some of the special team’s players are too knuckleheaded to be trusted and are going to get some coaches fired? Here’s Wade today on their coverage problems:
“The week before we had problems because the outside guy didn’t crease inside. He creased inside like he was supposed to, but we didn’t fill outside like we were supposed to, like we worked on every damn play in practice we worked on that and it didn’t happen, so we have to get that done.”
The stupid, ladies and gentlemen. It burns. It can’t be trusted, and it can get you fired.
As I argue below, Wade Phillips will never, ever hang a player out to dry publicly. Don’t look for that and don’t rip him for that. Wade’s guys know they can depend on him. The bigger question is how he’s handling the brain freezes behind closed doors. Players respect you for keeping what’s in house in house, but they won’t respect you if you don’t attach consequences to stupidity. A lot of players, important players, left the field beaten and bruised yesterday because of their teammates’ mental errors.
I have three sons, and when they think I’m unfair or am either not consistently applying discipline or not applying it at all when they feel it’s necessary, they get angry. They let me hear it.
Daddy Wade is hearing it too. The older kids, the Greg Ellis of the Cowboys family, are crying for some tough love. This is Wade’s challenge. Will he be a Barry and let the little things slide, or show a little Crazy Jimmy and demote somebody? He can keep it hush-hush, but if the children don’t see it, they’ll begin tuning out.
* * * * * * * *
1. Stop trying to perform pop psychology on Wade Phillips’ press conferences
Dwight Eisenhower was a master of obfuscation. When he had to face a press conference and faced thorny questions, he would wind through some official sounding verbiage so thick that the reporters’ eyes would glaze over. Everyone would forget what the original question was and not care — or being to parse — where Ike had been.
Wade Phillips takes a much more folksy approach than the Supreme Commander, but his philosophy is the same. Wade protects his players. He doesn’t care to answer questions, but he knows its part of the job. So he answers in the most mind-numbing way possible. That’s the way he’s always been and the way he’ll always be.
Looking for seeds of contrition are pointless. Seriously, what do you want him to do? Cry? Perform a ritual sacrifice of Bruce Read on the press table? (On second thought, don’t answer that last one.)
The press doesn’t like it but if the tone of presser answers had any effect on wins and losses, Bill Parcells would never have lost a game.
It’s the guys who lose their minds, the Dennis Greens and the Jim Moras, who get canned midseason. Can anybody here recall anything Tom Landry said in a press conference?
2. Whatever happens, special teams absolutely must improve. Dallas is facing a three game stretch with its backup QB. The game plans will be scaled back a bit. The defense will be leaned on a bit more.
So will special teams. The Cowboys won’t be swinging for 35 every game. 20 to 23 is more like it. They’re playing two teams in the Rams and Bucs with so-so offenses. They’re going to play buttoned down football.
Which means one blown coverage could very easily be the difference between another win and another loss.
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