what a letdown, post game thoughts

[dbair1967]

I just cant believe how inept we were on defense. Honestly if I ever hear anyone try to tell me again that Mike Zimmer is a good defensive coordinator I think I'll just die. This guy is a disgrace...the fate of our season was probably decided last January when Zimnutz inexplicably decided to turn down nebraska and stay here to further torture us. We dont rush the QB. We dont have a clue how to play the ball in the air. Our veteran LB's bust coverages left and right. Our tackling is an utter disgrace. I dont want to hear how we lack talent, there are alot of teams who dont have the luxury of guys like Terrance Newman, Roy Williams, LaRoi Glover, Greg Ellis etc etc...some teams have one or two decent defenders, we have a half dozen or so good players and this clod cant get it done.

---hats off to Vinny Testaverde and our WR's...these guys played a hell of a game and deserved far better than what we got

---what the hell was Parcells and Carthon thinking by BENCHING Rashard Lee after a sensational drive. We havent seen running that effective since Emmitt several yrs ago, and the guy was taken out of the game. Whatever the "plan" is for these RB's SUX. Julius Jones should have been active. Rashard Lee showed DURING the game he could be a difference maker, but wasnt allowed to continue. AWFUL, just awful.

---our DB's were in positon to make a number of plays, but as always they have NO CLUE how to play the ball. If it was lack of taent guys would just run by them or around them. They were there, with a chance to do something never did. Tony Dixon should have had an easy pick, instead it turned into the typical awful PI call we see against our guys, and its gone on for years.

---horrendous game by this LB group, who performed at a keystone cop like level. Dexter Coakley and Dat Nguyen were horrendous today, each taking turns missing tackle after tackle or being totally out of position on pass plays.

---Richie Anderson is a fumbler...he holds the ball out there inviting fumbles, and he's had about 3 now at the worst possible times that I can remember. Yet he got almost all the 4th qtr snaps today. He and Eddie George CONSISTENTLY turned 10-15 yd potential runs into 3 yd gains, it was sickening.

---If Greg Williams can get a 2nd rate player like Matt Bowen to turn in a tremendous performance like he did today, why can Mike Zimmer do something similar with an elite talent like Roy Williams? Williams is a total waste in this ignorant scheme of his...a total waste, if this is how they wante to use him we should have never drafted him. This guy was a huge playmaker at a bigtime school, yet he is so de-emphasized here its just pathetic.

I'm just terribly disappointed and surpised. Zimmer did an awful job and for the first time I think Parcells did a POOR job. Unless Julius Jones just cant lift his arms or breath he should have been active. Rashard Lee should have never been removed from this game. Torrin Tucker had 3 or 4 penalties alone, he should have been replaced at some point.

I hope we see better next week, but we'll probably cut Rashard Lee for being too explosive and replace him with Adrian Murrell. Jones will probably be benched again. And the worst thing is Mike Zimmer will still be putting together the game plans for this defense.

David

[EveryoneElse]

I just cant believe how inept we were on defense. Honestly if I ever hear anyone try to tell me again that Mike Zimmer is a good defensive coordinator I think I'll just die. This guy is a disgrace...the fate of our season was probably decided last January when Zimnutz inexplicably decided to turn down nebraska and stay here to further torture us. We dont rush the QB. We dont have a clue how to play the ball in the air. Our veteran LB's bust coverages left and right. Our tackling is an utter disgrace. I dont want to hear how we lack talent, there are alot of teams who dont have the luxury of guys like Terrance Newman, Roy Williams, LaRoi Glover, Greg Ellis etc etc...some teams have one or two decent defenders, we have a half dozen or so good players and this clod cant get it done.

---hats off to Vinny Testaverde and our WR's...these guys played a hell of a game and deserved far better than what we got

---what the hell was Parcells and Carthon thinking by BENCHING Rashard Lee after a sensational drive. We havent seen running that effective since Emmitt several yrs ago, and the guy was taken out of the game. Whatever the "plan" is for these RB's SUX. Julius Jones should have been active. Rashard Lee showed DURING the game he could be a difference maker, but wasnt allowed to continue. AWFUL, just awful.

---our DB's were in positon to make a number of plays, but as always they have NO CLUE how to play the ball. If it was lack of taent guys would just run by them or around them. They were there, with a chance to do something never did. Tony Dixon should have had an easy pick, instead it turned into the typical awful PI call we see against our guys, and its gone on for years.

---horrendous game by this LB group, who performed at a keystone cop like level. Dexter Coakley and Dat Nguyen were horrendous today, each taking turns missing tackle after tackle or being totally out of position on pass plays.

---Richie Anderson is a fumbler...he holds the ball out there inviting fumbles, and he's had about 3 now at the worst possible times that I can remember. Yet he got almost all the 4th qtr snaps today. He and Eddie George CONSISTENTLY turned 10-15 yd potential runs into 3 yd gains, it was sickening.

---If Greg Williams can get a 2nd rate player like Matt Bowen to turn in a tremendous performance like he did today, why can Mike Zimmer do something similar with an elite talent like Roy Williams? Williams is a total waste in this ignorant scheme of his...a total waste, if this is how they wante to use him we should have never drafted him. This guy was a huge playmaker at a bigtime school, yet he is so de-emphasized here its just pathetic.

I'm just terribly disappointed and surpised. Zimmer did an awful job and for the first time I think Parcells did a POOR job. Unless Julius Jones just cant lift his arms or breath he should have been active. Rashard Lee should have never been removed from this game. Torrin Tucker had 3 or 4 penalties alone, he should have been replaced at some point.

I hope we see better next week, but we'll probably cut Rashard Lee for being too explosive and replace him with Adrian Murrell. Jones will probably be benched again. And the worst thing is Mike Zimmer will still be putting together the game plans for this defense.

David

That game was very "Madden Like".

[mullet]

you are a little over the top.... a little knee jerk.
but, i understand.

we were on the road AT minesota. i think minnesota is a SB favorite.
the Redskins were at home versus an old team.

Lee should have gotten in more. the Defense made no plays. and the FG holder situation is inexusbable.

but, did you really expect to win this game?

[Everlastingxxx]

Cowboys suck.

(sorry, im a Cowboy fan btw)

[Wolverine]

I just cant believe how inept we were on defense. Honestly if I ever hear anyone try to tell me again that Mike Zimmer is a good defensive coordinator I think I'll just die. This guy is a disgrace...the fate of our season was probably decided last January when Zimnutz inexplicably decided to turn down nebraska and stay here to further torture us. We dont rush the QB. We dont have a clue how to play the ball in the air. Our veteran LB's bust coverages left and right. Our tackling is an utter disgrace. I dont want to hear how we lack talent, there are alot of teams who dont have the luxury of guys like Terrance Newman, Roy Williams, LaRoi Glover, Greg Ellis etc etc...some teams have one or two decent defenders, we have a half dozen or so good players and this clod cant get it done.

---hats off to Vinny Testaverde and our WR's...these guys played a hell of a game and deserved far better than what we got

---what the hell was Parcells and Carthon thinking by BENCHING Rashard Lee after a sensational drive. We havent seen running that effective since Emmitt several yrs ago, and the guy was taken out of the game. Whatever the "plan" is for these RB's SUX. Julius Jones should have been active. Rashard Lee showed DURING the game he could be a difference maker, but wasnt allowed to continue. AWFUL, just awful.

---our DB's were in positon to make a number of plays, but as always they have NO CLUE how to play the ball. If it was lack of taent guys would just run by them or around them. They were there, with a chance to do something never did. Tony Dixon should have had an easy pick, instead it turned into the typical awful PI call we see against our guys, and its gone on for years.

---horrendous game by this LB group, who performed at a keystone cop like level. Dexter Coakley and Dat Nguyen were horrendous today, each taking turns missing tackle after tackle or being totally out of position on pass plays.

---Richie Anderson is a fumbler...he holds the ball out there inviting fumbles, and he's had about 3 now at the worst possible times that I can remember. Yet he got almost all the 4th qtr snaps today. He and Eddie George CONSISTENTLY turned 10-15 yd potential runs into 3 yd gains, it was sickening.

---If Greg Williams can get a 2nd rate player like Matt Bowen to turn in a tremendous performance like he did today, why can Mike Zimmer do something similar with an elite talent like Roy Williams? Williams is a total waste in this ignorant scheme of his...a total waste, if this is how they wante to use him we should have never drafted him. This guy was a huge playmaker at a bigtime school, yet he is so de-emphasized here its just pathetic.

I'm just terribly disappointed and surpised. Zimmer did an awful job and for the first time I think Parcells did a POOR job. Unless Julius Jones just cant lift his arms or breath he should have been active. Rashard Lee should have never been removed from this game. Torrin Tucker had 3 or 4 penalties alone, he should have been replaced at some point.

I hope we see better next week, but we'll probably cut Rashard Lee for being too explosive and replace him with Adrian Murrell. Jones will probably be benched again. And the worst thing is Mike Zimmer will still be putting together the game plans for this defense.

David


Good post. Zimmer SUCKS!

Testeverde still has game. Might wanna keep him here for a another year even if he spends some time at back up. Key has quite a few years left in him. He just gets the ball. AB is comin on. As AB gets better him and Key are gonna be deadly and Glenn a HR threat, we can have a real good WR corp here. Shoulda never pulled Lee out. I hope to see more of Lee. He looks like a gamer and who knows Julius aint won the job yet. Lee has looked real good.

[Everlastingxxx]

but, did you really expect to win this game?

Ummm, Yea, why else did anyone watch the damn game? Could have just saved 3 hours of your life.

[Dale]

The problem with Minnesota, as said numerous times before the game, was how poorly we matched up against them. We were discussing this in chat last night. Culpepper has a turnover history, but unfortunately our defense isn't built toward creating a lot of turnovers. Culpepper doesn't just mysteriously turn the ball over at times; he usually does it when baited or pressured into them. Our defense just doesn't do that to teams.

I don't think anyone should honestly be surprised by the way today's game turned out. If anything, I was shocked we held Minnesota's offense in check for as long as we did.

We're a good team, but not a good enough team to beat anyone in the league. As the season goes on, I fully expect us to be the sort of team that takes care of our business by beating the poor teams and beating some of the better teams that we do actually match up well against.

[Duane]

you are a little over the top.... a little knee jerk.
but, i understand.

we were on the road AT minesota. i think minnesota is a SB favorite.
the Redskins were at home versus an old team.

Lee should have gotten in more. the Defense made no plays. and the FG holder situation is inexusbable.

but, did you really expect to win this game?

I told a buddy of mine Friday that I felt we were going to get spanked. There were just too many things going against us today. We were playing on the road vs. one of the best offensive teams in football last year, and they got better in the off season. That and we were playing Dixon and Hunter against Moss and Culpepper. Add those negatives to some poor coaching decisions and you have a recipe for disaster.

I also disagree about playing J. Jones today. What do we really get out of him today if he's hurt? Maybe a more beat up player against Cleveland a team we should beat. You can't make me believe that we would have gotten more out of him today than we got out of Lee. It's Parcells and Co. who insisted on playing slower/older players in Anderson and George.

[Duane]

Ummm, Yea, why else did anyone watch the damn game? Could have just saved 3 hours of your life.
Because of our love of the Cowboys. Did you quit watching when we had three Dave Campo 5-11 seasons? I didn't.

[Bizwah]

Couple more thoughts.

I can't stress how big the botched field goal was. We had some momentum. That play seemed to give them life.

Culpepper was huge this game. I know people want to bash our secondary, but I actually think they played well for a good portion of the game. Remember how they sustained most of their early drives? Culpepper ran for eighty first downs. He personally kept them in the game by his scrambles. I think two of their TDs came from him keeping their drives alive.

Our DBs weren't doing a bad job early. They fell apart late.

[SacredStar]

I knew Minny would win and was actually kind of surprised Dallas was in it as late as they were. I figured Culpepper would hook up deep and often early and it was good to see Dallas hanging in there.

The offense clicked along pretty good, but I still see trouble in the red zone. Some things worked out good today.

A couple drives killed by false starts putting them back 10 xtra yards really kills momentem. Fumbles are part of the game, but that fumble in the red zone really closed the door and gave Minnesota a wild swagger. Missed tackles were the flavor of the day. I'm sure Minny was worried at halftime, but after Dallas' goof ups, they gained a ton of confidence, whereas Dallas lost confidence.

I saw some things I like, and remember Dallas' #1 ranking on defense last season didn't come after the first game, it will take some time. Kind of hard to beat those deep throws when the WR gets a yard on you. I do believe that Moss and Robinson both had Td's that were clearly made after pushoffs, but blaming refs is not my style, defensive plays were there to make and our guys didn't get ti done......this time.

I still have confidence this team is going to be sharp and ready to kick some tail.

Heads up men........a long way to go.

[scotth66]

I just cant believe how inept we were on defense. Honestly if I ever hear anyone try to tell me again that Mike Zimmer is a good defensive coordinator I think I'll just die. This guy is a disgrace...the fate of our season was probably decided last January when Zimnutz inexplicably decided to turn down nebraska and stay here to further torture us. We dont rush the QB. We dont have a clue how to play the ball in the air. Our veteran LB's bust coverages left and right. Our tackling is an utter disgrace. I dont want to hear how we lack talent, there are alot of teams who dont have the luxury of guys like Terrance Newman, Roy Williams, LaRoi Glover, Greg Ellis etc etc...some teams have one or two decent defenders, we have a half dozen or so good players and this clod cant get it done.

---hats off to Vinny Testaverde and our WR's...these guys played a hell of a game and deserved far better than what we got

---what the hell was Parcells and Carthon thinking by BENCHING Rashard Lee after a sensational drive. We havent seen running that effective since Emmitt several yrs ago, and the guy was taken out of the game. Whatever the "plan" is for these RB's SUX. Julius Jones should have been active. Rashard Lee showed DURING the game he could be a difference maker, but wasnt allowed to continue. AWFUL, just awful.

---our DB's were in positon to make a number of plays, but as always they have NO CLUE how to play the ball. If it was lack of taent guys would just run by them or around them. They were there, with a chance to do something never did. Tony Dixon should have had an easy pick, instead it turned into the typical awful PI call we see against our guys, and its gone on for years.

---horrendous game by this LB group, who performed at a keystone cop like level. Dexter Coakley and Dat Nguyen were horrendous today, each taking turns missing tackle after tackle or being totally out of position on pass plays.

---Richie Anderson is a fumbler...he holds the ball out there inviting fumbles, and he's had about 3 now at the worst possible times that I can remember. Yet he got almost all the 4th qtr snaps today. He and Eddie George CONSISTENTLY turned 10-15 yd potential runs into 3 yd gains, it was sickening.

---If Greg Williams can get a 2nd rate player like Matt Bowen to turn in a tremendous performance like he did today, why can Mike Zimmer do something similar with an elite talent like Roy Williams? Williams is a total waste in this ignorant scheme of his...a total waste, if this is how they wante to use him we should have never drafted him. This guy was a huge playmaker at a bigtime school, yet he is so de-emphasized here its just pathetic.

I'm just terribly disappointed and surpised. Zimmer did an awful job and for the first time I think Parcells did a POOR job. Unless Julius Jones just cant lift his arms or breath he should have been active. Rashard Lee should have never been removed from this game. Torrin Tucker had 3 or 4 penalties alone, he should have been replaced at some point.

I hope we see better next week, but we'll probably cut Rashard Lee for being too explosive and replace him with Adrian Murrell. Jones will probably be benched again. And the worst thing is Mike Zimmer will still be putting together the game plans for this defense.

David

Everything is right on and Zimmer didnt adjust at halftime like it looked like Minny did on Def.

[Little Jr]

Everything is right on and Zimmer didnt adjust at halftime like it looked like Minny did on Def.


Zim didn't adjust? Why do people think a control freak like BP has nothing to do with the D?

Remember JJ and BP was the ones who didn't want to OVER SPEND on a CB and a pass rushing DE. You get what you pay for.

[Chocolate Lab]

dbair, I just made a long post on this elsewhere, but the short version of my theory/question is that I wonder if our guys aren't so worried about doing everything perfectly and not making mistakes -- like Parcells said about Gurode -- that they can't let their natural instincts and athletic ability take over. Remember how Jimmy's idea was to get playmakers, put them in position, and turn them loose? With Tuna it seems to be "If you screw up, I'm gonna get your ***." Is that really conducive to an attitude of attacking the football like a madman?

I don't know, but we've got some natural playmakers on this team -- Roy Williams is one of the best I've ever seen at game-changing plays -- who have been strangely quiet for many games now, even going back to the last several games of last year. There has to be some explanation.

[ddh33]

I am really disapoointed with the way Roy has been used here for all but the few games where Woodson was injured Roy's rookie year. I just wish someone would turn him loose. I keep telling myself that this kind of discipline will eventaully make him a better player. Right now, I just want to see the Roy Williams I used to see at OU.

[TruBlueCowboy]

dbair, I just made a long post on this elsewhere, but the short version of my theory/question is that I wonder if our guys aren't so worried about doing everything perfectly and not making mistakes -- like Parcells said about Gurode -- that they can't let their natural instincts and athletic ability take over. Remember how Jimmy's idea was to get playmakers, put them in position, and turn them loose? With Tuna it seems to be "If you screw up, I'm gonna get your ***." Is that really conducive to an attitude of attacking the football like a madman?


I feel wierd saying this Chocolate but from everything I've read, I think Parcells is actually considered more of a "player's coach" than Jimmy Johnson was. Especially the older, more patient Parcells. Seems to me Jimmy Johnson was tearing new @ssholes a lot quicker than Parcells did. Not to say Parcells is easy going, and I have no idea what really happens since I'm not on the field or in the locker rooms, but I'd rather make a mistake with early 00's Parcells than early 90's Jimmy Johnson. They're both tough coaches to please, that's for sure.

[Chocolate Lab]

I feel wierd saying this Chocolate but from everything I've read, I think Parcells is actually considered more of a "player's coach" than Jimmy Johnson was. Especially the older, more patient Parcells. Seems to me Jimmy Johnson was tearing new @ssholes a lot quicker than Parcells did. Not to say Parcells is easy going, and I have no idea what really happens since I'm not on the field or in the locker rooms, but I'd rather make a mistake with early 00's Parcells than early 90's Jimmy Johnson. They're both tough coaches to please, that's for sure.

Jimmy definitely ran a tight ship and ruled with fear at times, but I'm thinking more of on-field technique... I love the way Parcells makes these guys train like crazy in the offseason, puts them through physical training camps, and makes sure everyone knows who's the boss. But I wonder if once they're on the field they feel free enough to use their ability. Like DDH said, I want to see the Roy from OU, the one with the ESP-like instincts. I know that player is still there -- I just hope that instinctive play isn't being coached out of him (and the others).

[TruBlueCowboy]

Jimmy definitely ran a tight ship and ruled with fear at times, but I'm thinking more of on-field technique... I love the way Parcells makes these guys train like crazy in the offseason, puts them through physical training camps, and makes sure everyone knows who's the boss. But I wonder if once they're on the field they feel free enough to use their ability. Like DDH said, I want to see the Roy from OU, the one with the ESP-like instincts. I know that player is still there -- I just hope that instinctive play isn't being coached out of him (and the others).

I'll agree with you on that. Parcells does come across as more of a "Technique Nazi." LOL

[big dog cowboy]

I am disappointed about much of the same things mentioned so far in this thread. The most basic and obvious things are what really irratate me. I saw this coming so I am not overly shocked at the outcome. Thursday or Friday we all were tossing out the final score and I said 31-13. We have a winnable game next week then our Monday nighter. If we can go into our bye week at 2-1 I will be happy.

[SuspectCorner]

it's really no surprise the vikes threw it all over our secondary. but i've never seen dat outta position so many times in one game - particularly the first half when onterrio smith caught a little dump-off and found himself staring at a shockingly vacant field. ridiculous! dat failed horribly today. and don't throw tackle stats at me either. he did not maintain his area - period.
offensive play-calling was to conservative. dallas held the ball for huge chunks of clock and their dink and dunk attack was awesome between the 20's. vikes lost a starting corner just minutes prior to kickoff and replaced him with a rookie. yet dallas waited until the last 30 seconds of the half to test said rookie deep. i figured the deep ball was something vinny brought to the table. BP failed to take advantage here. and after seeing what reshard brought to the table they promptly went away from him.
i can see this team getting better as the season progresses. but parcells has to be willing to play it more aggressively on offense against the league heavyweights. penalties must be brought under control. and the defense has to find their technique. otherwise we're back to another sub-.500 year.

[TruBlueCowboy]

it's really no surprise the vikes threw it all over our secondary. but i've never seen dat outta position so many times in one game - particularly the first half when onterrio smith caught a little dump-off and found himself staring at a shockingly vacant field. ridiculous! dat failed horribly today. and don't throw tackle stats at me either. he did not maintain his area - period.


Dat made a lot of mistakes today, that's for sure. One of his worse performances in a while. That Team Captain label did something to him. LOL The good news is we know Dat doesn't play like that every week. :)

[btcutter]

I am really disapoointed with the way Roy has been used here for all but the few games where Woodson was injured Roy's rookie year. I just wish someone would turn him loose. I keep telling myself that this kind of discipline will eventaully make him a better player. Right now, I just want to see the Roy Williams I used to see at OU.


Roy feels like he needs to be superman and cover everyone else's mistakes that it takes away from his aggresiveness and effectiveness.

[mr.jameswoods]

Minnesota has arguably a top 3 offense in the NFL. We have no pass rush and one decent cornerback. What did you expect? Until Jerry Jones goes out pays for a marquee pass rusher that other teams actually seem to want, we will not improve our defense.

[Eskimo]

Minnesota has arguably a top 3 offense in the NFL. We have no pass rush and one decent cornerback. What did you expect? Until Jerry Jones goes out pays for a marquee pass rusher that other teams actually seem to want, we will not improve our defense.

How often do truly elite pass rushers ever reach FA? The only reason Kearse got there this year was because of the Titans' cap situation, Titans' depth at that position and his injury history. A guy like Wistrom got $14M SB! Sorry, if we want a premier pass rusher, we're going to have to draft one. That's why I campaigned really hard for Suggs when he was available (not that I think TNew was a bad pick at all). He would have given us a dimension that we haven't had in a long while.

The 3 hardest positions to fill in the league seem to be pass rushing DE, shutdown CB and playmaking QB.

For our future we seem to have the CB (TNew) and hopefully we have the QB (Henson). Now it's a matter of finding that DE. If we have to, we should use both first rounders next year to get one. Run stuffing DTs (space eater types) can be found much more easily in FA or even later in the draft. Parcells just has to give up his conception that he doesn't want any fat guys on the team because these are the guys who usually end up playing the position well.

[JakeCamp12]

The thing that makes me crazy about this team and the teams that had Zimmer as the secondary coach is, why are our CB's are always running with their backs to the QB and NEVER turn their head when the ball is in the air. Hunter did it at least two times yesterday. Our CB's have also been doing this for years, not matter who the coach was, Zimmer is the only consistent thread between all of the different coaches that we have had the last few years. I know Hunter is going to make mistakes this year, as well as the other rookie CB's, but what are they teaching these kids? They never turn their head, have no idea where the ball is and just flail there arms in the air before the guy catches it over their head. Newman got beat twice, but at least he was behind the guy trying to get his arm in there. With the way the are calling PI, there was not much Newman could do. That aspect of the secondary just drives me nuts. Also, why did it take so long for them to decide Powell was not the answer, taking away reps from possibly Thorton and Reeves or any other CB we have on the roster. Without Woodson, it seems the entire secondary is just a disaster. What happens if he can't come back after a few games? Could be a real frustrating year with no pass rush and a secondary full of rookies....

[BHendri5]

I just cant believe how inept we were on defense. Honestly if I ever hear anyone try to tell me again that Mike Zimmer is a good defensive coordinator I think I'll just die. This guy is a disgrace...the fate of our season was probably decided last January when Zimnutz inexplicably decided to turn down nebraska and stay here to further torture us. We dont rush the QB. We dont have a clue how to play the ball in the air. Our veteran LB's bust coverages left and right. Our tackling is an utter disgrace. I dont want to hear how we lack talent, there are alot of teams who dont have the luxury of guys like Terrance Newman, Roy Williams, LaRoi Glover, Greg Ellis etc etc...some teams have one or two decent defenders, we have a half dozen or so good players and this clod cant get it done.

---hats off to Vinny Testaverde and our WR's...these guys played a hell of a game and deserved far better than what we got

---what the hell was Parcells and Carthon thinking by BENCHING Rashard Lee after a sensational drive. We havent seen running that effective since Emmitt several yrs ago, and the guy was taken out of the game. Whatever the "plan" is for these RB's SUX. Julius Jones should have been active. Rashard Lee showed DURING the game he could be a difference maker, but wasnt allowed to continue. AWFUL, just awful.

---our DB's were in positon to make a number of plays, but as always they have NO CLUE how to play the ball. If it was lack of taent guys would just run by them or around them. They were there, with a chance to do something never did. Tony Dixon should have had an easy pick, instead it turned into the typical awful PI call we see against our guys, and its gone on for years.

---horrendous game by this LB group, who performed at a keystone cop like level. Dexter Coakley and Dat Nguyen were horrendous today, each taking turns missing tackle after tackle or being totally out of position on pass plays.

---Richie Anderson is a fumbler...he holds the ball out there inviting fumbles, and he's had about 3 now at the worst possible times that I can remember. Yet he got almost all the 4th qtr snaps today. He and Eddie George CONSISTENTLY turned 10-15 yd potential runs into 3 yd gains, it was sickening.

---If Greg Williams can get a 2nd rate player like Matt Bowen to turn in a tremendous performance like he did today, why can Mike Zimmer do something similar with an elite talent like Roy Williams? Williams is a total waste in this ignorant scheme of his...a total waste, if this is how they wante to use him we should have never drafted him. This guy was a huge playmaker at a bigtime school, yet he is so de-emphasized here its just pathetic.

I'm just terribly disappointed and surpised. Zimmer did an awful job and for the first time I think Parcells did a POOR job. Unless Julius Jones just cant lift his arms or breath he should have been active. Rashard Lee should have never been removed from this game. Torrin Tucker had 3 or 4 penalties alone, he should have been replaced at some point.

I hope we see better next week, but we'll probably cut Rashard Lee for being too explosive and replace him with Adrian Murrell. Jones will probably be benched again. And the worst thing is Mike Zimmer will still be putting together the game plans for this defense.

David







I tried telling people before that richie holds the ball like a loaf of bread, everytime he runs with the ball I cringe.
I'm more comfortable with him being a receiver out of the back field, but as soon as he catches the ball I want him to go down as soon as someone comes to tackle him.

He is very good, but he holds that ball too loosely, for me, he has just been lucky that he has not had many fumbles and that he has not been asked to carry the ball a lot, like true RB are asked to do.

I'm okay with him carrying the ball maybe 6 or 7 times a game. It always seems that when he do fumbles it kills the momentum that the team has going at the time, (not just the offense) but the whole team.

I know we were about to score again and make the score 24-28, on that drive and that possibly would have lifted the defense to make a stop and give us the ball back to go ahead.
Just how I felt things would have turned out.

[MichaelWinicki]

David, I know you say don't be worried about this offense but I'm telling you we have problems. To only score 17 points on this Minny defense does not speak highly of our offensive capability. And time of possession means nothing if you can't score points.

[BillsFan]

You could have lost on the last play of the game. I can't put into words how painful that was. Just rip out my heart and stomp on it ...

As for you guys, I wouldn't get that upset. These high powered offensive teams can make good defensive teams look downright silly sometimes. People are saying New England sucks after what the Colts O did to that defense the other day. Spare me...

You'll bounce back against Cleveland and probably hold them to single digits. Nothing wrong with your D, Culpepper and Moss and that running game are just sick at home.

I was looking forward to seeing Julius Jones play yesterday. Hopefully he gets on the field next week.

[DallasInDC]

The problem with Minnesota, as said numerous times before the game, was how poorly we matched up against them. We were discussing this in chat last night. Culpepper has a turnover history, but unfortunately our defense isn't built toward creating a lot of turnovers. Culpepper doesn't just mysteriously turn the ball over at times; he usually does it when baited or pressured into them. Our defense just doesn't do that to teams.

I don't think anyone should honestly be surprised by the way today's game turned out. If anything, I was shocked we held Minnesota's offense in check for as long as we did.

We're a good team, but not a good enough team to beat anyone in the league. As the season goes on, I fully expect us to be the sort of team that takes care of our business by beating the poor teams and beating some of the better teams that we do actually match up well against.


Excellent post as usual Dale! As I watched the game yesterday, I expressed the same ideas. I was impressed on how long we held back Minnesota's offense and extremely impressed with our offense. Our D doesn't match up well against the Vikings but were not facing the vikings in 16 games this year. So I would expect our D to step it up against the less explosive offenses. Add that to our ability to move the ball and the elimination of boneheaded penalties, I think we will be competitive all year long.

[SoTex]

You could have lost on the last play of the game. I can't put into words how painful that was. Just rip out my heart and stomp on it ...

As for you guys, I wouldn't get that upset. These high powered offensive teams can make good defensive teams look downright silly sometimes. People are saying New England sucks after what the Colts O did to that defense the other day. Spare me...

You'll bounce back against Cleveland and probably hold them to single digits. Nothing wrong with your D, Culpepper and Moss and that running game are just sick at home.

I was looking forward to seeing Julius Jones play yesterday. Hopefully he gets on the field next week.

Good post. Dallas was in the game and blew it with a turnover and some mental mistakes. Had they shown no signs of life and laid an egg I would be very concerned instead of just disappointed. The offense did some good things and the O-line showed some promise. The defense did not play well, but the Vikings offense is pretty tough at home. If adjustments aren't made I will start to become very concerned. Until then, week 1 is in the books and Minny did what they were supposed to.

[slick325]

I am really disapoointed with the way Roy has been used here for all but the few games where Woodson was injured Roy's rookie year. I just wish someone would turn him loose. I keep telling myself that this kind of discipline will eventaully make him a better player. Right now, I just want to see the Roy Williams I used to see at OU.

At Oklahoma Roy had two corners who matched up one on one on the outside so Stoops could blitz him every down if he wanted to. In Dallas he has to compensate for Woody not being there this season and helping out a relatively week CB position for his entire 3 years. Once we settle on a RCB, be it Hunter or Thorton or whomever, and get a solid FS, Roy will be the playmaker he is capable of being.

[kidcrook]

I knew Minny would win and was actually kind of surprised Dallas was in it as late as they were. I figured Culpepper would hook up deep and often early and it was good to see Dallas hanging in there.

The offense clicked along pretty good, but I still see trouble in the red zone. Some things worked out good today.

A couple drives killed by false starts putting them back 10 xtra yards really kills momentem. Fumbles are part of the game, but that fumble in the red zone really closed the door and gave Minnesota a wild swagger. Missed tackles were the flavor of the day. I'm sure Minny was worried at halftime, but after Dallas' goof ups, they gained a ton of confidence, whereas Dallas lost confidence.
I saw some things I like, and remember Dallas' #1 ranking on defense last season didn't come after the first game, it will take some time. Kind of hard to beat those deep throws when the WR gets a yard on you. I do believe that Moss and Robinson both had Td's that were clearly made after pushoffs, but blaming refs is not my style, defensive plays were there to make and our guys didn't get ti done......this time.

I still have confidence this team is going to be sharp and ready to kick some tail.

Heads up men........a long way to go.

That's the main issue right there. That and the fact that it was a home game for the Vikings really made a big difference.

Another thing, I understand why Parcells went to Anderson when and how he did. He trusts him and he thought every 4th quarter carry would be very important especially since two consecutive scores were needed in order to win. If thats the case, you go with what you know and he does not know Lee and George. However, if these things (Anderson in the game when the Boys need a game breaker) are still happening at the end of the season I will then say he is too stubborn for his own good.

[DallasInDC]

At Oklahoma Roy had two corners who matched up one on one on the outside so Stoops could blitz him every down if he wanted to. In Dallas he has to compensate for Woody not being there this season and helping out a relatively week CB position for his entire 3 years. Once we settle on a RCB, be it Hunter or Thorton or whomever, and get a solid FS, Roy will be the playmaker he is capable of being.

Very good point. I feel that we are wasting RW's best years by not using him the right way. If he was playing closer to the line yesterday, I'm pretty sure that Culpeper wouldn't have had all of those runs for first downs.

[Doomsday101]

Defense needs to do a better job, plain and simple. We can point fingers at a number of players on defense. Myself I think the defense can and will play better that what we saw yesterday, I make no excuses for the defense we did not tackle well through out the game we did not get the pressure on Culpepper that we needed to get and we did not cover well. Personally I felt to much attention was given to Moss which allowed openings for some of the other viking players to make some big plays.

[SA_Gunslinger]

this wasn't a letdown...we have no secondary right now.

i was not surprised. i thought the offense did ok. that field goal botch is unacceptable though.

[Lifer]

Ummm, Yea, why else did anyone watch the damn game? Could have just saved 3 hours of your life.

Vinny T is thinking, why did I just play this damn game.

Vinny T is thinking he could have saved 3 hours of HIS life (AND 50 passes on an aging arm).

Vinny T had a great game, but does anyone think he can make it thru 8 games averaging 35-40 passes / game trying to save our defensive incompetence???

[Doomsday101]

Vinny T is thinking, why did I just play this damn game.

Vinny T is thinking he could have saved 3 hours of HIS life (AND 50 passes on an aging arm).

Vinny T had a great game, but does anyone think he can make it thru 8 games averaging 35-40 passes / game trying to save our defensive incompetence???

Vinny can if he needs to however if Vinny and the Cowboys are throwing 40 to 50 passes a game then we are in trouble because that would tell me that the defense is not showing any improvement and we are having to play from behind. Vinny is not some fragil flower the man is in very good shape and can do the job and him throwing the ball is not going to put a stress on his arm.

[lspain1]

Defense needs to do a better job, plain and simple. We can point fingers at a number of players on defense. Myself I think the defense can and will play better that what we saw yesterday, I make no excuses for the defense we did not tackle well through out the game we did not get the pressure on Culpepper that we needed to get and we did not cover well. Personally I felt to much attention was given to Moss which allowed openings for some of the other viking players to make some big plays.

I think this is mostly correct. HOWEVER, the concern I have relates to how many players we still must gather to compete against this type of team. I believe Philly is building a similar type of offense and we had better plan on seeing this type of attack on more than one occasion per year. Regardless of how you feel about the coaching decisions, the player fundamentals and matchups were against the Cowboys yesterday.

Sorry to sound like a Chicken Little but this game is a sobering wake up call on how long it might take to build a contender. Would fixing the corner position have changed the result? No. Would adding a better safety and a CB have helped? Doubtful. How about a better running attack in the Red Zone?

My point here is we have a number of positions needing upgrades to graduate to "elite" status. I know a season is all about depth and how you perform over the long haul. But if we make it to the playoffs we will see this kind of attack again and the result will probably be the same. We have question marks on both offense and defense and with the age of our skill positions I doubt our ability to solve all of them even next year.

One last point. Anyone who states that the Minnesota defense was/is poor should look at how well Witten was covered yesterday. They did an excellent job yesterday and my hat is off to them.

[Doomsday101]

I think this is mostly correct. HOWEVER, the concern I have relates to how many players we still must gather to compete against this type of team. I believe Philly is building a similar type of offense and we had better plan on seeing this type of attack on more than one occasion per year. Regardless of how you feel about the coaching decisions, the player fundamentals and matchups were against the Cowboys yesterday.

Sorry to sound like a Chicken Little but this game is a sobering wake up call on how long it might take to build a contender. Would fixing the corner position have changed the result? No. Would adding a better safety and a CB have helped? Doubtful. How about a better running attack in the Red Zone?

My point here is we have a number of positions needing upgrades to graduate to "elite" status. I know a season is all about depth and how you perform over the long haul. But if we make it to the playoffs we will see this kind of attack again and the result will probably be the same. We have question marks on both offense and defense and with the age of our skill positions I doubt our ability to solve all of them even next year.

One last point. Anyone who states that the Minnesota defense was/is poor should look at how well Witten was covered yesterday. They did an excellent job yesterday and my hat is off to them.

I don't disagree with what you are saying, however I do think the defense can and will play better than what we saw aginst Minn. I'm not going to look at 1 game and write off the defense at this point. I want to see how they rebound from this poor performance and how they play through out the season.

[Sportsbabe]

Good post. Zimmer SUCKS!

Testeverde still has game. Might wanna keep him here for a another year even if he spends some time at back up. Key has quite a few years left in him. He just gets the ball. AB is comin on. As AB gets better him and Key are gonna be deadly and Glenn a HR threat, we can have a real good WR corp here. Shoulda never pulled Lee out. I hope to see more of Lee. He looks like a gamer and who knows Julius aint won the job yet. Lee has looked real good.

Vinny missed AB wide open for a touchdown. I'm just not feeling Vinny. He's a good QB but he just don't have enough zip on his passes for me. I don't know if he can gun it when necessary (like in the red zone).

Our kicker for KOs is still not good while Micah Knorr is booting the ball in the end zone in Denver. We give up 10 yard on every KO because we can't get the ball in the endzone.

We have nobody to return punts or KO's. The one Lee got was a break down in coverage. It would have been a touchdown if we had a true KO Returner. I could have faked that kicker out on the return.

Again, our front four are soooo undersized. They look like boys playing against men.

[Sportsbabe]

I am disappointed about much of the same things mentioned so far in this thread. The most basic and obvious things are what really irratate me. I saw this coming so I am not overly shocked at the outcome.

I also expected us to lose but, once the game started, and we were having some success, I changed my mind. Moss ended up with less than 50 yards. We moved the ball on them very well. If we had any kind of help from the front seven we could have easily won that game. I don't mean easy as in easy. But easy as in a good opportunity.

[dbair1967]

dbair, I just made a long post on this elsewhere, but the short version of my theory/question is that I wonder if our guys aren't so worried about doing everything perfectly and not making mistakes -- like Parcells said about Gurode -- that they can't let their natural instincts and athletic ability take over. Remember how Jimmy's idea was to get playmakers, put them in position, and turn them loose? With Tuna it seems to be "If you screw up, I'm gonna get your ***." Is that really conducive to an attitude of attacking the football like a madman?

I don't know, but we've got some natural playmakers on this team -- Roy Williams is one of the best I've ever seen at game-changing plays -- who have been strangely quiet for many games now, even going back to the last several games of last year. There has to be some explanation.

totally agree CL...we keep adding playmaking talent, and never see results. We've rolled DB after DB through here for years and the results are always the same, dont play the ball, hope they drop it and if they dont make a tackle. LaRoi Glover was a sack machine at New Orleans, some games he's a non factor here. Greg Ellis and Ekuban were both pas rushing, sacking, playmakers on a very aggressive North carolina defense (and Ellis was their career leader in sacks prior to Julius Peppers) yet neither consistently got heat here. Roy Williams might have been one of the mosr dominant playmaking DB's in college football the past 10-12 yrs, yet there are games now (like yesterday) where you cant even tell he's been on the field. Then I watch Greg Williams turn Joe Scmoe safety Matt Bown into a playmaking machine yesterday for Washington (something like a dozen tackles, forced fumble, couple of sacks, couple of passes defensed)...if he can do it with Bown, why cant Zimmer with RW?

This team plays scared, they play a timid style on defense and guys are afraid to try and make plays. Until Zimmer is gone its always going to be that way.

David

[pancakeman]

Vinny missed AB wide open for a touchdown. I'm just not feeling Vinny. He's a good QB but he just don't have enough zip on his passes for me. I don't know if he can gun it when necessary (like in the red zone).

Our kicker for KOs is still not good while Micah Knorr is booting the ball in the end zone in Denver. We give up 10 yard on every KO because we can't get the ball in the endzone.

We have nobody to return punts or KO's. The one Lee got was a break down in coverage. It would have been a touchdown if we had a true KO Returner. I could have faked that kicker out on the return.

Boy, I'm really surprised where your fingers are pointing!

355 yards passing (highest in the NFL) and no interceptions works for me.

32.3 avg KO return (highest in the NFL) and turning the momentum of the game works for me.

And comparing kicking distance against anyone playing in Mile-High Stadium is apples and oranges.

The blame lies elsewhere.

[Sportsbabe]

Boy, I'm really surprised where your fingers are pointing!

The blame lies elsewhere.

My post was just observations not blaming. I leave that up to the experts. I guess you missed the part where I said that Vinny is a good QB.

As far as kicking the ball in Denver, you missed my whole point. We haven't had a kicker who consistently kicks the ball into the end zone for 5 years.

Sure, we can average 32.0 on KO return when one goes for about 75. By the way, is that average you posted "for the year" based on one game?

[ABQCOWBOY]

Team Review.

Are we that far away?

Offense:

QB is OK. I believe we have a short term answer. I believe we have a good future backup and I believe we have a future star QB.

RB is OK. I believe we have two very good young backs. We may need something at FB. Will know before this year is out.

WR is OK, for now. KJ and Glenn showed that they can play for at least the short term. Off of one game, it's hard to say for sure but Bryant is definatly showing signs. I think we need a big time young WR but were OK right now.

TE is OK. Witten is young and getting better. Campbell is strong and at a very good age. We probably have more talent here then at any position.

OL is just OK. Allen and Adams are dominant. No problem there. Center is young but strong from a talent standpoint. They just need experience. RG is a concern but only because of injury. Between Gurode and Peterman, I think this position will be fine. RT is basically in the same sito. All they need it time.

Defense:

CBs are just OK. Newman is a 10 year guy. Hunter might be OK or might be a FS. Jury is out at this point. I would like to see him at FS but who knows. Either way, I think we need a good, not great CB option. FA or draft, doesn't matter if we address some other things on the defense.

S is just OK. Roy is another 10 year guy at SS. I would very much like to see us bring in a FS. I would love to see us draft a guy like Ben Stratton. CB for CSU that was forced to move to FS.

LBs are OK. James is improving and he will be the starter eventually. Dat is a solid MLB dispite what we saw this weekend. Singleton is probably short term so we need a guy there and Coakly is on the way out. Over all, I think were OK with decent depth. Maybe bring in a guy but probably not a big time player like Johnson or anybody.

DL sucks. Glover is still good but he's not the player he once was. All the rest of our DTs are just rotation guys. No impact DT that can make a difference. We need a guy who can create havock. This is why we don't have TOs. This is why we can't three and out. This is why our defense will never be championship quality. We need this guy. We also need a speed rusher. Doesn't need to be a great against the run kind of guy. Just needs to be able to get the corner. Ellis is fine at the strong side. Actually, ideal IMO.

As a whole, I don't think were that far off.

We probably need a young impact WR at some point. We may need a FB but to early to tell. On defense, we need an impact DT, a pass rush DE, a good FS and or CB that can hold his own. Not dominate, just carry his load. Maybe a good speed OLB.

That's 4 to 6 players. That's not all that many IMO.

The future is bright. It's just hard to see it when your expecting a championship team at this early stage. All things in proper prospective. Were close.