ESPND: Felix and Dez must fire on all cylinders for the Cowboys to be successful

[WoodysGirl]

Updated: September 4, 2011, 3:02 PM ET
Young guns will trigger Cowboys


By Tim MacMahon
ESPNDallas.com
Archive (http://search.espn.go.com/tim-macmahon/)

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Jason Garrett smirked when asked whether Felix Jones seemed more vocal this preseason. No, that's definitely not the word Garrett would use to describe the running back.

OK, how about more confident?

"I think that's a better description," Garrett said.

It's more like an understatement. The normally media shy Jones raised some eyebrows early in training camp by declaring that he expected to be the NFL's best running back in his first full season as a starter. That's a bold statement for a 2008 first-round pick coming off a career-best 800-yard rushing season, but Jones certainly isn't backing off.

Read the rest: http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/_/id/6930309/the-dallas-cowboys-success-hinges-felix-jones-dez-bryant

[ThreeSportStar80]

I completely agree with this article...

[adbutcher]

I can't wait to see them play. The Jets never been hit in the mouth and I think we have the players to knock the snot out of them. If we can weather the early storm of emotions, we can win this game.

[Doomsday101]

I agree but it will all start up front. Felix and Dez having a big day will come down to the OL opening holes for Felix to run through and protection of Romo so that he can take advantage of Dez and the other weapons he has.

[Risen Star]

Yeah, that's the transition this offense needs to make. Away from Witten and Austin and toward Felix and Dez. They are the future. Austin's the future too, but Dez rolls out of bed better than he could ever dream of being.

[Risen Star]

I agree but it will all start up front. Felix and Dez having a big day will come down to the OL opening holes for Felix to run through and protection of Romo so that he can take advantage of Dez and the other weapons he has.

It'll also depend on Dez being where he needs to be when he needs to be there.

[WoodysGirl]

I can't wait to see them play. The Jets never been hit in the mouth and I think we have the players to knock the snot out of them. If we can weather the early storm of emotions, we can win this game.
Actually they have (2010 Patriots-Jets I, I believe), but it's nice to think the Cowboys can do it, too.

[Risen Star]

I can't wait to see them play. The Jets never been hit in the mouth and I think we have the players to knock the snot out of them. If we can weather the early storm of emotions, we can win this game.

If it comes down to smashmouth football, I'd have to favor the Jets.

[CATCH17]

I can't wait to see them play. The Jets never been hit in the mouth and I think we have the players to knock the snot out of them. If we can weather the early storm of emotions, we can win this game.

If our defense can limit big plays and get off the field in 3rd and long situations than we should win just about every week.

[Doomsday101]

It'll also depend on Dez being where he needs to be when he needs to be there.

I'm not worried about Dez going out and making plays. Like many things around here things get over blown. As a rookie who missed most of camp last season it was not a shock that Dez made mistake yet despite those mistakes he put up a darn good rookie season even with the missed games.

I have faith in our playmakers to do the job but it can't happen unless the line give the openings and protection

[Risen Star]

I'm not worried about Dez going out and making plays. Like many things around here things get over blown. As a rookie who missed most of camp last season it was not a shock that Dez made mistake yet despite those mistakes he put up a darn good rookie season even with the missed games.

I have faith in our playmakers to do the job but it can't happen unless the line give the openings and protection

Yeah but in order for him to reach his potential and max out his numbers he's gonna need to have Romo's complete trust. Otherwise he'll just rely on Witten and Austin in crucial situations.

Romo came out after the last game they played saying that Dez still has some assignment things he needs to work on. He's telling you he's not there yet. He needs to get there or he won't be the focal point of the offense like his talent says he should.

[adbutcher]

If it comes down to smashmouth football, I'd have to favor the Jets.

There are very few games in the NFL that are smash mouth. This is a passing league. If I were a betting man, I would pick the Jets by a touchdown because they are at home and the emotions of 9-11 will be running high.

However, since this is a passing league the best QB usually leads his team to victory. I will pick Romo over Sanchez, 10 out of 10 times. Romo have to have a Romoesque game to close the point differential. If he does we have a great shot of winning.

My nightmare is down by 2 with a field goal to win it and we shank it. :mad: Damn I hate kickers!

[Risen Star]

There are very few games in the NFL that are smash mouth. This is a passing league. If I were a betting man, I would pick the Jets by a touchdown because they are at home and the emotions of 9-11 will be running high.

However, since this is a passing league the best QB usually leads his team to victory. I will pick Romo over Sanchez, 10 out of 10 times. Romo have to have a Romoesque game to close the point differential. If he does we have a great shot of winning.

My nightmare is down by 2 with a field goal to win it and we shank it. :mad: Damn I hate kickers!

There are only a few these days. The Jets just happen to be one of them.

No way are we a more physical team than the Jets. My hope lies with big plays rather than ground and pound. We can't beat that team that way.

[adbutcher]

Actually they have (2010 Patriots-Jets I, I believe), but it's nice to think the Cowboys can do it, too.

True. We can do it but the million dollar question is can we do it?

The stage will be huge for the young players, if it ain't too big we should be ok. However, traditionally young players take a few games to settle in to the speed of regular season, which doesn't bode well for our chances.

This game will test Red's mettle early on and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[tupperware]

If our defense can limit big plays and get off the field in 3rd and long situations than we should win just about every week.
It seems so easy when stated as two things, doesn't it? Just getting off the field on 3rd down and limit big plays. Trouble is it entails so many things going right.

I'm very worried about our D this year. I hope they surprise us all.

[Doomsday101]

Yeah but in order for him to reach his potential and max out his numbers he's gonna need to have Romo's complete trust. Otherwise he'll just rely on Witten and Austin in crucial situations.

Romo came out after the last game they played saying that Dez still has some assignment things he needs to work on. He's telling you he's not there yet. He needs to get there or he won't be the focal point of the offense like his talent says he should.

Dez is still learning I don't deny that and as he gains more and more experiance he will learn in the meantime that is not going to stop him from making big plays. Romo making that comment did not seem to slow them down in the Minn game from connecting

By the way here or Romo exact comments


"It felt good," Bryant said of his pitch-and-catch routine with Romo. "Coach (Jason Garrett) played us a little longer, and we were able to get a rhythm going. That played a part in it. It let us get warmed up and go out there and have a good time."

Romo praised Bryant but was quick to point out that there were some flaws in the performance.

"He runs great routes and has great hands, and we need him to get better with the details," Romo said. "We had a couple times tonight where he struggled with that, but otherwise, he is doing well. I think we will continue to get better and better each week."

In his best performance of the preseason, Romo was 15 of 20 for 141 yards without a TD or turnover. He declared himself ready for the season after guiding the offense to a TD and a field goal.

"Tony did a good job with the tempo," Witten said, "and I thought Dez came out and made some huge plays for us. We were rolling and had some tempo going, and that's really when our offense is at its best."



Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/cowboys/article/Cowboys-Romo-Bryant-developing-chemistry-2145420.php#ixzz1XBH6xKxi

[adbutcher]

There are only a few these days. The Jets just happen to be one of them.

No way are we a more physical team than the Jets. My hope lies with big plays rather than ground and pound. We can't beat that team that way.

This is a different season. At times the Jets played physical last year but that was last year.

It is not lip service that you have to earn it on the field. This season, our team will not lack any toughness. Garrett having them practicing tough and teams that practice tough usually translate to being tough on the field.

The game is setup to be in favor of the Jets but that doesn't mean the Jets are guaranteed a win.

Mental breakdowns of the secondary or botched field goals scare me more than our so call lack of toughness.