Prisco: After Further Review: Cowboys questionable 3rd-Down Play - Dallas Cowboys Forum

**WoodysGirl** · 11-01-2012

By Pete Prisco | Senior NFL Columnist

2. Cowboys fans have to be sick about the way they lost to the Giants at home last week. They had their chances, but made a ton of mistakes. I still think a big part of the problem was the calling of three consecutive passes after they had a second-and-1 at the Giants' 19 late in the game. Cowboys fans will be even sicker when they see the screen shot from the third-and-1 pass that Tony Romo tried to hit for a score to Kevin Ogletree. Why? Miles Austin was wide open in the middle. Romo made a decision to go to Olgetree without any consideration for any other receiver in the route. If he looked to the middle, he could have hit Austin with a quick throw -- and he had an easy throwing lane to see him. Austin would have had a first down and a lot more. But Romo made the pre-snap decision to take the shot. Bad move. In fairness to Romo, Ogletree should have caught the pass for a go-ahead score. Romo was credited with four picks, but the first one he threw was on receiver Dez Bryant. He had to get across the face of safety Steve Brown, but kind of rounded off his route, which led to the pick. It wasn't a good day for the Cowboys all the way around.

Here's a look at the questionable third-down play.

Here's a look at the first play in a three-picture sequence. You can see Romo threw to Ogletree in the blue circle. The yellow circle highlights Austin, who beat Jayron Hosley inside. It should have been an easy pitch-and-catch to keep the drive alive.

Hot Tub

1. Cowboys TE Jason Witten: He had 18 catches and the Giants could not stop him. He almost willed his team to a victory.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/2...stingy-defense

Chuck 54 · 11-01-2012

3rd and 1... Tony has to be aware of the situation and look for best chance to get the first down.

DCBoysfan · 11-01-2012

Yup I do still feel sick, the play to Austin was the best play.

Risen Star · 11-01-2012

You mean Garrett didn't call "throw it to Ogletree on three"?

One other aspect to that situation is you didn't want to score too early. A FG wins them the game. I'd have run the ball on 2nd and 1 regardless of the look I was getting. I want time off the clock and/or the Giants to use their timeouts.

**Idgit** · 11-01-2012

Wait...so was it a bad play call, or just a risky read?

I think 'bad play call', because it didn't work. I don't believe anyone would be complaining about JG, though, if Tony'd thrown to Austin. That should tell you something about the assessment of play calls by fans after a tough loss.

ddh33 · 11-01-2012

It's a lot easier to know what is good or bad after the play works or doesn't.

**Idgit** · 11-01-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddh33

It's a lot easier to know what is good or bad after the play works or doesn't.

Especially when you define 'good' and 'bad' by your answer to the question "Did the play work?"

Outlaw Heroes · 11-01-2012

I agree with RS: 2nd and 1 has to be a run.

Maybe 3rd and 1 too. But Prisco's not concerned with whether the third down play is a run or a pass. He thinks we should be concerned instead that Austin was wide open on a play where Romo went to O-Tree. I don't see it. How's it fair to imply that Romo should have gone through his progressions when he obviously had a look he liked for the score and proved that he could execute the play only to be let down by the receiver? He trusted his read and trusted his receiver. He was right to do the former and, as it turned out, wrong to do the latter. Sounds more like a basis for indicting O-Tree rather than Romo.

**jobberone** · 11-01-2012

I think the D should dictate whether it's a run or pass although that's not an absolute.

DCBoysfan · 11-01-2012

The read should have been to get the first down, it was over a minute left and The smart play was to eat more clock while trying to score.

**Idgit** · 11-01-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCBoysfan

The read should have been to get the first down, it was over a minute left and The smart play was to eat more clock while trying to score.

It sounded to me like Garrett agreed with you in his Mon press conference. Though it was only a tone-of-voice thing as he listed off a handful of mistakes or 'challenging plays' we had last weekend.

Outlaw Heroes · 11-01-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCBoysfan

The read should have been to get the first down, it was over a minute left and The smart play was to eat more clock while trying to score.

Maybe. Or maybe you think that you're getting a look from the D that you can take advantage of and you might not get a look you like this much again. Maybe you think that plays that go for six are hard to come by and that you have to try to capitalize on the rare opportunities. Maybe you think that first priority is to get the touchdown, which after all is the ultimate objective of every play on every drive, and let the D (which, btw, has been pretty stiff all day long) worry about making sure the clock runs out without further points being scored.

Doomsday · 11-01-2012

I just dont like the timing of taking that shot. Those are the type of shots you take on 1st and 2nd down or earlier in the game, not 3rd and 1 with a minute left to a guy not making plays.

Either JG or TR dont get match ups. Kind of reminds me of the Denver game a few years back, game on the line, one play to decide it, the play is to single Hurd on Champ Bailey. REALLY? That is the play call, a slant to Hurd on arguably the best corner in the NFL at the time? That is the your best match up Romo? Just doesnt seem like much has changed. I really think he believes he can scheme guys open and that match ups arent as important as running his stuff. Maybe Im wrong, but that is the impression Im left with.

mmillman · 11-02-2012

it was typical Romo in that he doesn't manage a game well. You take the first down high percentage play then you take your shots.

CutMeMick · 11-02-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmillman

it was typical Romo in that he doesn't manage a game well. You take the first down high percentage play then you take your shots.

Exactly.
Its that same gunslinger mentality that had Bill Parcells frothing, and it always comes up in moments like those.
Get the easy 1st, run some clock, then look to score w/out giving Eli time to do anything. The worst move is to throw it there. Just another ill-advised decision that came back to bite him.