DC.com: Spagnola: Perception & Yards Don't Add Up

[CCBoy]

You Make The Call
Spagnola: Perception & Yards Don't Add Up
Mickey Spagnola



http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=FD1DC759-B2AE-88E7-93E1A9B127E85D45




IRVING, Texas - So this has been mystifying for the past couple of weeks, and why I come humbly hat in hand asking for some guidance on the matter.

Not sure how or why this all began, whether this perception sprung to life in the Twitter world or maybe Facebook, possibly blogs and emails or talk radio, which probably should be the go-to source for anything that grows out of hand.

This notion that the Cowboys sorely need a new offensive coordinator, or really more to the point, they need someone other than Jason Garrett calling plays, that the dual role of head coach and play-caller has him in way over his head or that he's just not very good at it, just baffles me.

So perplexing.

Mostly because after the final game of this season, the postgame notes from that Jan. 1 loss to the Giants points this out:

The Cowboys finished the 2011 season with 6,008 total yards, the second most in the franchise's 52-year history - a history that encompasses the Pro Football Hall of Fame careers of Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Tony Dorsett, Bob Hayes, Michael Irvin and Rayfield Wright, along with such noted play-callers as Tom Landry, Norv Turner, Ernie Zampese, Bill Pacrcells and Sean Payton...

[burmafrd]

considering 1978 and 1979 were the first 16 game seasons and the same time the first real moves were made to favor passing, no surprise they were great seasons offensively.

now of course the game has changed immensely from those times; but of course propaganda chief Spags does not mention that.

Frankly that makes those two years incredible; compared to what the boys have done in the last few. Also those teams were not coming from behind that often compared to this year; so of course this year there would be more passing going on.

Of course those two teams also had a HOF RB as well. And a fine O line.
And a pretty good D. so a lot of the time they ran instead of passing to eat up the clock.

[Arik2]

First time in years I've read something from Spagnola...nothing has changed...he's a champion of mediocrity :rolleyes:

[Risen Star]

First time in years I've read something from Spagnola...nothing has changed...he's a champion of mediocrity :rolleyes:

He's incapable of being critical of the current direction of the team. So he's a worthless read, IMO.

Even though I do happen to agree with this particular stance.

[WoodysGirl]

I'd like the scoring to improve, especially in the red zone. It was average. For all the big yards that Romo & co. put up, I think the scoring should've been higher.

I'm not one of those calling for an OC, but I think it's good he has someone on staff whose been an offensive play caller and can provide situational analysis.

[CCBoy]

He's incapable of being critical of the current direction of the team. So he's a worthless read, IMO.

Even though I do happen to agree with this particular stance.

Use a little mental sophistication here. You really think a person who has been reporting in around the game for as long as Spags has is really ignorant on where upon the toast that butter goes?

There is pride going on as well...and ever wonder why Senior NCO's don't say many words against the Chain of Command whether good or not? The reason is pride, and not being disloyal to that concept. He has been a member of the DC.com as well as radio team for many, many years now. Although he does discuss elements that relfect negative things in the franchise, and with regularity, he doesn't first insult the dignity of that franchise he has a close tie and lover for first.

A little bit of discernment is needed, if a fan is truely a Cowboy fan. As storylines, devoid of insightful arrogance possibly, but on merit of actual elements do go through his eye and into his pen work as well.

If you complain about Spags, then you must really be in avoidance the rest of the Dallas or Ft. Worth's media then. As they are 90% negative in any and all approaches concerning the team. That doesn't nearly approach realities of the team, even in more of an exagerated manner. If one is to be as you claim unbiased as to information and give equal discernment to a positive or negative view when evaluating merit. Because something is always caustic doesn't suddenly blossom that into practical function as well. Just to be unbiased in pricipal here...as understanding is needed at where so ever is the start point. Myself, give me a positive view that includes an analysis for change, instead of destroying something and changing.

Using analogy, hated on this site, no kid would ever reach puberty then...as there is change in the best of circumstances that evolve to a better state, and not just changed.

[CCBoy]

considering 1978 and 1979 were the first 16 game seasons and the same time the first real moves were made to favor passing, no surprise they were great seasons offensively.

now of course the game has changed immensely from those times; but of course propaganda chief Spags does not mention that.

Frankly that makes those two years incredible; compared to what the boys have done in the last few. Also those teams were not coming from behind that often compared to this year; so of course this year there would be more passing going on.

Of course those two teams also had a HOF RB as well. And a fine O line.
And a pretty good D. so a lot of the time they ran instead of passing to eat up the clock.

I don't agree fully here. When response is more instinctual, as when Roger Staubach played, as opposed to design and technique reinforcement today, the end result, successful plays on the field were unchanged by time.

Seperation in play was attained, whether it was from differences in survival/flight instinct and dynamics of physical differences, or by adaptive conditioning and minute technique eforcements, the dynamics on the field transcended both eras as well. That is the reproducable aspects that reach the Hall then as well as now. And there is that direct linkage of inheritance in the sport. Even if referees now can us camera angles to enhance their own focus as well.

Now matter how sophisticated a fan thinks he is, the sporting element remains in the sport as well as incumbent on that fan as well.

I don't buy the added 'redeptive' element of not dissing one's team a necessary element for rooting for it as well. Change, and confrontation of unworkable elements was addressed.

It is naive fully, to think that through periods of strong to weak running effectiveness, that Jason Garrett didn't see the need or function through both. He did.

It also should be noted now, that Callahan has been added, that this very element IS being addressed. That gives credability to the function of the top level of analysis as well as applying elements for change as well. That probably receive an indorsement in exact line with what Spags was saying.

Contrary implies that Norv Turner and Wade Phillips are poor offensive and defensive coordinators because there was failure in some aspect under their control. Jason has proven his metal as an offensive coordinator as well, and that was Spag's message. It was, although, on target.

The issue of change, is seperate, but was addressed as I touched upon, with the arrival of Callahan. But that doesn't suddenly denegrate Jason in the same stroke. The stroke was his by initiation at onset. And both with have a strong marriage in this newly arrived at staff. Which, is evolving itself.

[Doomsday]

I truly believe if they fix the offensive line the red zone scoring will increase in a big way. 2 rushing TDs for the season is just pathetic, they have to have more balance in the red zone in order to be more consistent in my opinion.

[burmafrd]

I don't agree fully here. When response is more instinctual, as when Roger Staubach played, as opposed to design and technique reinforcement today, the end result, successful plays on the field were unchanged by time.

Seperation in play was attained, whether it was from differences in survival/flight instinct and dynamics of physical differences, or by adaptive conditioning and minute technique eforcements, the dynamics on the field transcended both eras as well. That is the reproducable aspects that reach the Hall then as well as now. And there is that direct linkage of inheritance in the sport. Even if referees now can us camera angles to enhance their own focus as well.

Now matter how sophisticated a fan thinks he is, the sporting element remains in the sport as well as incumbent on that fan as well.

I don't buy the added 'redeptive' element of not dissing one's team a necessary element for rooting for it as well. Change, and confrontation of unworkable elements was addressed.

It is naive fully, to think that through periods of strong to weak running effectiveness, that Jason Garrett didn't see the need or function through both. He did.

It also should be noted now, that Callahan has been added, that this very element IS being addressed. That gives credability to the function of the top level of analysis as well as applying elements for change as well. That probably receive an indorsement in exact line with what Spags was saying.

Contrary implies that Norv Turner and Wade Phillips are poor offensive and defensive coordinators because there was failure in some aspect under their control. Jason has proven his metal as an offensive coordinator as well, and that was Spag's message. It was, although, on target.

The issue of change, is seperate, but was addressed as I touched upon, with the arrival of Callahan. But that doesn't suddenly denegrate Jason in the same stroke. The stroke was his by initiation at onset. And both with have a strong marriage in this newly arrived at staff. Which, is evolving itself.

it is all but a different game today. It is like the NBA difference between the early 70's before they allowed dunking. That fundamentally changed the game; and when they made zone defense illegal, it just finished it for all intents and purposes as a team game.

I remember and occasionaly go back and watch some DVDs of games in the late 70's and it is so different now. You could still just about mug the WRs; and anyone going over the middle did it truly at the risk of life and limb. The D linemen could still head slap the O linemen; and that was a REAL factor with some. Randy White did not do it all that often but when he did the other guy just about went down. Todays NFL is almost touch compared to then. There are so many restrictions now on the Defense compared to then it is a different game.

[Future]

I feel like our offense and Anthony Spencer are exactly the same.

Both of them are pretty good, show flashes of brilliance at times. But they are both real inconsistent, disappear at times, and have bonehead plays that kill this team.

If you're happy with JG at OC, you have to be happy with Spencer at OLB.

[Woods]

Once we improve the interior of our OL, the consistency our running game and rushing TDs will improve significantly.

[Iago33]

I feel like our offense and Anthony Spencer are exactly the same.

Both of them are pretty good, show flashes of brilliance at times. But they are both real inconsistent, disappear at times, and have bonehead plays that kill this team.

If you're happy with JG at OC, you have to be happy with Spencer at OLB.

Thanks for the textbook example of logical fallacy, but I believe you rolled two fallacies into the last sentence. Impressive!

[Future]

Thanks for the textbook example of logical fallacy, but I believe you rolled two fallacies into the last sentence. Impressive!
First of all, it's half a joke.

Second of all, the last sentence would be one fallacy...informal. Essentially, "If this, then this."

If you're going to try to be a butt hole, at least be good at it.

[SaltwaterServr]

First of all, it's half a joke.

Second of all, the last sentence would be one fallacy...informal. Essentially, "If this, then this."

If you're going to try to be a butt hole, at least be good at it.

Well since Real***** got banned, there's no one to lead by example so we're all off on that portion of our game.

[Wood]

Spag has to write these articles to stay in the "inner circle" of reporters at the ranch. He writes intelligent articles but they are mostly intended to stay on good side of individuals he would like to remain close to.

[Woods]

But I do think that one reason that Garrett didn't run the ball more was because he couldn't - esp in the red zone.

Murray did help a lot with his vision. But regardless, the interior of the OL needs a massive upgrade, imo.

[JoeCorrado]

I'd like the scoring to improve, especially in the red zone. It was average. For all the big yards that Romo & co. put up, I think the scoring should've been higher.

I'm not one of those calling for an OC, but I think it's good he has someone on staff whose been an offensive play caller and can provide situational analysis.

O-line was the cause of red zone scoring issues.

I was a proponent of having an OC- to take over some of the work load leading up to game day. I don't care if Garrett calls the plays- that is up to him- but he needed to have somebody else around for the grunt work and traditional weekly OC duties and to have that voice in his ear about maintaining balance in making those calls as it happens, on game day.

[newlander]

he's a puppet of jerrah's completely void of any credibility: he's a hack



He's incapable of being critical of the current direction of the team. So he's a worthless read, IMO.

Even though I do happen to agree with this particular stance.