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Cowboys @ Browns Preview, Part III

When Dallas Throws the Ball

The Cowboys run many of the same sets the Browns do, because the OC pedigrees are similar. Follow the bouncing ball: Jason Garrett played for Norv Turner and Ernie Zampese last decade and uses many of their aggressive, timing plays. Browns OC Rob Chudzinski was San Diego’s TE coach when Cam Cameron ran the Chargers’ offense under Marty Schottenheimer. Cameron runs the same schemes Turner does. When Chudzinski and Cameron both left last season, Chargers GM A.J. Smith hired Turner back because he would keep the same offensive fundamentals, allowing for a smooth transition to the new regime.

The bottom line is that you’ll see many of the same personnel packages from each team. A look at Dallas’ passing breakdown shows patterns similar to those we saw from the Browns in Part I of the preview:

Targets	Att.	% of Romo’s Att.	YPA
Terrell Owens	139	26	9.7
Jason Witten	141	27	8.2
Patrick Crayton	80	15	9.5
Totals	360	68

Look at the Cowboys’ table and look at the Browns. The percentages to the first three targets are almost uncanny. Dallas also uses its #1 WR and TE as options 1 and 1A. The second receiver also gets 15% of the passes.

The wideouts will be playing an underrated set of Browns corners. Last season Cleveland lined up Eric Wright and Leigh Bodden and got very good play from both. Wright was superb out of the collegiate box, posting a 6.1 YPA. He was very good against red-level wideouts and is Cleveland’s top cover man.

The Browns lost Bodden in free agency and are confident that nickel and dime backs Daven Holly and Brandon McDonald can step up. Both had YPAs under 7 last year, which is red-level, but have struggled in the ‘08 pre-season games.

The key to Dallas’ success will be getting T.O. away from Wright. Garrett was excellent at this last year, motioning Owens into the slot and working him on shallow crosses and seams over the middle, where he was matched up on linebackers and safeties. Nearly half of Owen’s ‘07 attempts came against these coverages.

The Browns use a lot of zone so look for more of the same. Don’t be surprised if Patrick Crayton has a strong game. He had a strong 9.5 YPA in ‘07, which ranked 11th overall. Crayton’s downfall is red-level corners. He posted a lousy 2.6 against top tier corners, so look for the Cowboys to line him up away from Wright as much as possible. Crayton was 9.2 or better against mid and low-level corners, so he may put up some big numbers working the rest of the Cleveland secondary. He had a Bob Hayes-esque 19.4 YPA against non-rated CBs.

If Isaiah Stanback can stay on the field and flash some deep speed (getting his hands on a deep ball will suffice, to keep the Browns corners honest) Crayton could get the favorable matchups he’s destroyed in the past.

It will be interesting to see how many times Jason Witten plays the F-back, motioning into the backfield and how often he lines up on the line of scrimmage and can run deeper routes up field. Deon Anderson’s health should see Dallas playing more two back sets, putting Witten outside an OT or in the slots, usually on the same side as Owens. This puts the safety on that side in the difficult position of trying to choose which option to cover deep.

When Tony Romo drops back to pass, he’ll be protected by one of the best units in the game. The Browns get a lot of ink because their starting five only allowed 10 sacks last year but Dallas’ starters only gave up 11. Flozell Adams allowed a league best one sack at left tackle and Andre Gurode was stellar inside. Mark Colombo is a bit weaker on the right side, giving up 5 sacks last year, but was gritty against top rushers.

The Cowboys line is dinged, with LG Kyle Kosier out with an injured foot. After shuffling several interior linemen into the LG slot, backup C Cory Procter will get the start. There’s some concern that Procter could have trouble with massive NT Shawn Rogers, the Browns big offseason acquistion on defense.

Procter will likely get help from his center and his offensive coordinator. Last year, Jason Garrett ran a 56/44 pass/run blend. What’s more, he skewed his play calling heavily towards the pass early and the run late. This tactic was very effective at wearing out defensive lines early, as it’s taxing for 330-340 lb. DTs to run several sprints in heat, especially when they’re chasing an active QB like Tony Romo.

Garrett used this strategy to perfection in week two last year against the Dolphins, when he had Miami’s DTs worn out before the half. I expect him to try the same tactic Sunday. Rogers is very talented, but is also very overweight and wears out quickly. I think Dallas will make him rush a lot the first two to three series, and send him to the oxygen tank as quickly as possible.

Dallas will be facing a Browns front that could muster only 28 sacks last year. Kamerion Wimbley led the team with 5 sacks. Cleveland’s top four rushers combined for 17 sacks. Demarcus Ware, by comparison, had 14 all by himself. The Browns rush may be further weakened by OLB Antwaan Peek’s knee injury. Watch his status as game time approaches.

Cleveland’s weak rush may be the deciding factor in the game. The Browns were criticized last year for sitting in zones and playing it safe early on. Their rush came on down the stretch and they have the talent to be troublesome when they’re healthy, but right now they’re not at full strength. Peek appears hurt, as is safety Brodney Pool, who recently suffered a concussion. He has not been practicing and may not play.

Romeo Crennell was Bill Belichick’s DL coach and he’ll try some creative ways to get his guys to Romo. If they fail early, he may call on heavy blitzing, which is exactly what Dallas is hoping for. Cleveland has talent in its secondary, but its young and somewhat erratic. If the Cowboys can prevent leaks at left guard, Romo will get some chances for big plays.

Final Cuts Suggest Line Moves Ahead

Update: I’m looking at the league waivers and here’s what’s out there.

At quarterback, the list pretty much begins and ends with Chris Simms. Interested in Todd Bouman, Joey Harrington, or Brooks Bollinger ? Didn’t think so. The Tampa Bay Tribune is speculating that Dallas, Green Bay and Chicago are the most likely landing spots for Simms.

At wide receiver, the veteran pickings are slim. Guys like Reche Caldwell, Sammy Parker, Travis Taylor, and Cliff Russell. There may be a name among the rookies and 1st year vets the scouting staff knows and likes, but no names jumped out at me.

I still think another move or two is coming. The Cowboys don’t need eleven offensive linemen or seven corners.

Dallas cut 21 players today, including Larry Allen, who had been signed to a one day contract in order to retire as a Cowboy.

Here’s the full list:

1. OL Larry Allen
2. WR Danny Amendola
3. TE Drew Atchison
4. NT Remi Ayodele
5. WR Mark Bradford
6. RB Alonzo Coleman
7. FB Julius Crosslin
8. SS Dowayne Davis
9. DE Marcus Dixon
10. LB Tearrius George
11. OL Ryan Gibbons
12. TE Rodney Hannah
13. WR Mike Jefferson
14. RB Keon Lattimore
15. OL Cory Lekkerkerker
16. WR Todd Lowber
17. LB Darrell Robertson
18. NT Junior Siavii
19. DE Marcus Smith
20. LB Tyson Smith
21. LB Erik Walden

Comments:

– There’s some surprise that Dallas cut both Danny Amendola and Mike Jefferson. I’m not too surprised. Neither played exceptional football and would have made the team by default. As I wrote Thursday night, if the team finds a WR they like on waivers who is better, they’ll pick him up. If they can find a better WR for a late draft pick, a la Montrae Holland, they’ll pick him up.

This tells me the team has confidence that Miles Austin and Sam Hurd will return to full strength shortly.

– The Cowboys have 11 offensive linemen on their roster. This won’t last. None of the second unit guys were cut — Free, Berger, Procter, Marten and McQuistan. Add Montrae Holland and this is just too many linemen.

A former scout I spoke to a couple of weeks ago told me that offensive and defensive linemen are the hardest players to acquire this time of the year. While Dallas may not love any of the second five, the fact that demand far exceeds supply means a deal may be in the works for one of these guys.

– Surprising cut: Erik Walden. I don’t think the Cowboys are done shaking up their roster and he’s the most likely to be re-signed or pursued for the practice squad, in my opinion.

– Most disappointing: Marcus Dixon. Todd Grantham told me the week before the Chargers game that he was most excited to see this rookie play. Back problems wiped out his entire preseason. He’s another player who’s probably at the top of the practice squad wish list. to

Holland = Gesek?

In the summer of ‘90, the Cowboys took a small risk and gained a huge reward, shipping a 6th round pick to Oakland for guard John Gesek.  Gesek was never up to the standards of his Cowboys linemates, all of whom made the Pro Bowl.  He was steady, however and earned two Super Bowl rings in ‘92 and ‘93.

Dallas made a similar low-risk move today, sending a 5th round pick in 2010 to Denver for G Montrae Holland.  Holland had fallen out with the Denver coaching staff after reporting overweight and the move seems like an attempt by the Broncos to get something for a player they did not plan on keeping.  (The pick is in 2010, not 2009.)

The former Florida Seminole was a 4th round pick for New Orleans in 2003 and started all sixteen games for Denver last year.

Holland likely moves into the backup guard position and puts backups Joe Berger and James Marten on hot seats.  The team engages in self scouting, ranking its players at every position.  I know that one observer I spoke to rated ‘07 4th rounder Doug Free as 6 on the OL depth chart, but spots 7-9 were in flux.

Assuming backup Pat McQuistan can hold the LG spot while Kosier rehabs (we can’t assume that Holland is in game shape if the Broncos were dissatisfied enough by his conditioning to dump him), the team has a serious problem with coverage behind him.

Free worked almost exclusively at left tackle in camp.  If McQuistan is plugged in as a starter the Cowboys have no adequate backup for RT and at guard.  Consider that McQuistan got many of the starting reps in practice this week, and gets first crack at Kosier’s spot, though he’s only played RT in the preseason games.  This isn’t a good sign for second-unit guards Joe Berger and James Marten.

I’d say Marten is definitely on thin ice and Berger may be as well.  Then again, backup center Cory Procter has had all kinds of trouble with power rushers.  Watch the interior line carefully tonight to see if Berger gets any reps at center.

Holland’s addition means you’ll likely see the last of at least one of the second line C/Gs tonight.

Now We’re Gonna Remember “the Other Guy’s” Name

Remember that old Seinfeld joke about The Three Tenors, where the cast members could all recall Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo but couldn’t remember, “the other guy?”

Kyle Kosier has been “the other guy” on the Cowboys Five Redwoods line. People know Flozell Adams, Leonard Davis and Andre Gurode. They’re Pro Bowlers. We even mention Marc Colombo’s name, since tackles are visible on the edge and since he’s had a good camp.

People tend to ignore Kosier, except to rip him for being the guy who succeeded Larry Allen. When he was signed some folks posted links to YouTube clips of him getting beaten in his 49ers days, when he played out of position at tackle.

Come draft day, he’s always a whipping boy, whom some people are itching to bench. Last year there was a special section of bloggers here just dying to draft Texas’ Justin Blalock and drop him into Kosier’s spot, though Blalock was unproven.

In the meantime, Kosier has become the steady Eddie of the line, playing a solid, consistent left guard. He’s this decade’s John Gesek, the “other guy” from the ’90s,who toiled alongside bigger names like Erik Williams, Nate Newton, Mark Tuinei and Mark Stepnoski.

Last week, I mentioned that the Cowboys’ weakness is their interior offensive line depth. That fact could be rudely demonstrated next week against the Vikings because Kosier has suffered an apparent foot sprain and has an MRI scheduled for this afternoon to learn its severity.

Pray it’s not serious because the team needs him. The backups in the interior line, Joe Berger, Cory Procter and James Marten has been consistently underwhelming. Procter and Marten have looked just awful thus far and a source I spoke to this week, one who has seen game tape of the San Diego and Denver games, seconded that opinion. He also said Joe Berger had a poor performance against Denver.

I watched their games last night, brief as they were — the trio did not play until the last two series in the 4th quarter. I’m sorry to report that nothing has improved.

Berger and Procter are consistently being pushed backwards by bull rushes. This is a big no-no for an interior lineman. If you can’t anchor, how can your QB step up in the pocket and throw? Marten has had a lot of trouble handing quick interior rushers.

In short, I don’t trust any of these guys to sub in the absence of Kosier, Gurode or Davis. If Kosier’s injury is serious, I think the team might move RT Pat McQuistan to left guard. He worked at multiple positions in camp, but took most of his reps at RT and LG. He’s bigger and more athletic than any of the other three guys and played guard in college.

The Cowboys can’t afford any interior line leaks. The Vikings have two massive, athletic DTs in Pat Williams and Kevin Williams. They’re probably the best DT duo in football right now. If the Cowboys have to put Berger in at left guard I’m not confident he can keep the Williams boys off Tony Romo without center help. If Kosier isn’t around for the season opener, new Brown and former Lion Shaun Rogers will be lined up over Berger a lot.

It’s said you often don’t know what you have till it’s gone. If Kosier is gone for any appreciable amount of time, Cowboys fans may learn what he’s really worth — the hard way.

Update: Kosier is out up to six weeks. This is bad news, though the big brains at the DMN think Isaiah Stanback’s injury, which will cost him two weeks, is “the biggest blow.” I’ll refer you again to the title of my post.

Early Scouting ‘09 — Look to Offensive Line

Before camp started, a source told me that offensive line was probably the top priority going into the ‘08 campaign, as the Cowboys had concerns about their depth.

That same source told me today that line depth remains the biggest area of concern on the team.  I wrote last week that Cory Procter and James Marten struggled against the Chargers and Joe Berger played poorly against the Broncos.  Doug Free looks solid at LT but Pat McQuistan has been hot-and-cold under Hudson Houck’s tutelage.  He looked more stable to my eyes against Denver but looked more consistent in ‘07.

Offensive and defensive lines are the hardest positions to find, at any time of the year so don’t look for Dallas to get lucky plucking anybody off waivers.  Any young lineman who hits the market will have multiple claims put on him and the Cowboys have one of the last slots in the claim order.

Hope that the linemen stay healthy again this year, especially at the center and guard positions.

Other tasty crumbs from the source:

– the Cowboys are NOT nervous about their WR play, even with Miles Austin’s setback.  “They want to see the young guys play,” I was told.  I’ll say it again.  Watch Isaiah Stanback carefully against Houston.  He’ll get a lot more reps with the second unit and while he’s not as far along as Austin, he is improving.  Hold off on those Anquan Boldin trade packages, folks, at least for the time being.

– Dallas is happy with the safety play as well.  Take an early bow, Roy Williams.  And does this mean that Courtney Brown has a chance to make the final roster?  He made some plays on the line of scrimmage late against Denver, knifing in from the edge to spill a Broncos runner in the backfield.  On the other hand, he was also victimized by a long bootleg pass on a 4th-and-1 play.  These next two games are huge for him.

– I asked about the John Beck-to-Dallas rumors and was told that the characterizations from the Miami press, that Dallas had shown “mild interest” were “a nice choice of words.”  I take it there’s not much to this story.

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