CFZ The Fundamentals of Football still matter

VaqueroTD

Well-Known Member
Messages
8,257
Reaction score
16,712
On another note, if Buffalo gets in, they are going to the SB IMO. They are getting hot at the right time. The AFC is weak.
Agreed. No rocket science. What's best thing to do with a gunslinger who gets erratic because he thinks he can thread the ball anywhere? (which sometimes he can LOL) Give him a run game. Genius move and gutsy to shake up the offense this late in the season. They were talking about the increased carries since Mr. Temper Tantrum was fired. Try doing that though against Cleveland's Front 7. Ain't gonna happen!
 

Bagman

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,564
Reaction score
2,205
At its core, football is still a game where the fundamentals matter. The ability to block well, tackle well, and to be more physical (within the rules) than your opponent is still the foundation for long term football success. The teams that control the line of scrimmage usually win. Especially in the playoffs.

Yesterday in Buffalo, we received a major reminder of this fundamental truth. The bills completely dominated the LOS on both sides of the ball, ran the ball 39 times with almost no problem and their defense dominated our OL all day. The bills played sound fundamental football and we did not. It is truly that simple.

We did not lose that game because of “bad play-calling” on offense or not making enough “adjustments“ on defense. We got physically dominated. And that is worse than losing because of just a few plays here and there. That game was over in the second quarter. No great QB or dominant defender could rescue a team from that.

So, IMO, the Cowboys have still not fixed the same flaw that has knocked them out of the playoffs too many times in the last decade: Not being able to counterpunch a physical bully. SF showed us that in our 3 straight losses to them since 2021. Until this team proves they are capable of being able to counterpunch a physical team, that problem will remain our achilles heel.

So Mike McCarthy’s biggest challenge moving forward is to find a way to get this team tougher physically and mentally. This is a still a good football team. But it needs to get tougher and smarter.

Hate to say it, but the Cowboys are soft until proven otherwise in the playoffs. They can still change that narrative in the playoffs but it won’t change until it actually happens.
Excellent points. Running the ball is safe, easy on your own players, risk averse and controls the clock. It took the Bills maybe 5 minutes to figure out they could push us around and never stopped running. Just think, we held Josh Allen to SEVEN completions and 94 yds passing and still got blown out. Our defense made it way too easy for Buffalo
 

Bobhaze

Staff member
Messages
16,875
Reaction score
64,997
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
Excellent points. Running the ball is safe, easy on your own players, risk averse and controls the clock. It took the Bills maybe 5 minutes to figure out they could push us around and never stopped running. Just think, we held Josh Allen to SEVEN completions and 94 yds passing and still got blown out. Our defense made it way too easy for Buffalo
Sometimes it really is that simple.
 

Tabascocat

Dexternjack
Messages
26,649
Reaction score
36,461
CowboysZone LOYAL Fan
Games are won and lost in the trenches, that will never change. Each line sets the tone for the game.
 

john van brocklin

Captain Comeback
Messages
38,491
Reaction score
43,443
At its core, football is still a game where the fundamentals matter. The ability to block well, tackle well, and to be more physical (within the rules) than your opponent is still the foundation for long term football success. The teams that control the line of scrimmage usually win. Especially in the playoffs.

Yesterday in Buffalo, we received a major reminder of this fundamental truth. The bills completely dominated the LOS on both sides of the ball, ran the ball 39 times with almost no problem and their defense dominated our OL all day. The bills played sound fundamental football and we did not. It is truly that simple.

We did not lose that game because of “bad play-calling” on offense or not making enough “adjustments“ on defense. We got physically dominated. And that is worse than losing because of just a few plays here and there. That game was over in the second quarter. No great QB or dominant defender could rescue a team from that.

So, IMO, the Cowboys have still not fixed the same flaw that has knocked them out of the playoffs too many times in the last decade: Not being able to counterpunch a physical bully. SF showed us that in our 3 straight losses to them since 2021. Until this team proves they are capable of being able to counterpunch a physical team, that problem will remain our achilles heel.

So Mike McCarthy’s biggest challenge moving forward is to find a way to get this team tougher physically and mentally. This is a still a good football team. But it needs to get tougher and smarter.

Hate to say it, but the Cowboys are soft until proven otherwise in the playoffs. They can still change that narrative in the playoffs but it won’t change until it actually happens.
Charmin soft...
I believe the root is the culture here.
Entertainment seems to be the priority here more so than winning.
 

Creeper

Well-Known Member
Messages
14,204
Reaction score
18,037
While it certainly looked like they were dominated, I hesitate to use language like that, and like "they are soft". It can look like that in games like this but I think it is more about fundamentals. The Cowboys are not a disciplined team and it shows up in penalties and other things. Last night it was tackling, and gap discipline. Too many times the DEs were caught inside with their backs to the play. Too many times LBs were late in pursuit or just missed tackles. Even tackling Allen, and I know he is tough to bring down, but not as tough if you tackle properly. If I was a coach I would punish every player who tries to tackle high at the shoulder pads to helmet. The same thing with blocking. hands to the face should never happen if your linemen are doing it right. Who am I to tell professional football players what to do? But when you see a pile of Cowboys pushed backwards seven yards for a 12 yard gain on a simple running play you know there is something wrong. Take a guys legs out and he cannot keep going forward. Grabbing him around the shoulders lets him keep his legs moving and it gives the blockers a chance to shove the pile forward.

The Cowboys were outplayed last night. The Bills took advantage of the Cowboys lack of discipline. Hopefully Quinn drills the LBS and DEs to control the edges.
 

Praxit

Well-Known Member
Messages
11,752
Reaction score
12,720
... Well we have 3 weeks to do it.

That fourth week we'll be it. There's no coming back.
 

JonesBoys

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,522
Reaction score
5,004
You mean you just don’t throw your shoulder out and hope to bring down the ball carrier like the whole defense was doing last night?
 

ArtClink

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,523
Reaction score
3,692
At its core, football is still a game where the fundamentals matter. The ability to block well, tackle well, and to be more physical (within the rules) than your opponent is still the foundation for long term football success. The teams that control the line of scrimmage usually win. Especially in the playoffs.

Yesterday in Buffalo, we received a major reminder of this fundamental truth. The bills completely dominated the LOS on both sides of the ball, ran the ball 39 times with almost no problem and their defense dominated our OL all day. The bills played sound fundamental football and we did not. It is truly that simple.

We did not lose that game because of “bad play-calling” on offense or not making enough “adjustments“ on defense. We got physically dominated. And that is worse than losing because of just a few plays here and there. That game was over in the second quarter. No great QB or dominant defender could rescue a team from that.

So, IMO, the Cowboys have still not fixed the same flaw that has knocked them out of the playoffs too many times in the last decade: Not being able to counterpunch a physical bully. SF showed us that in our 3 straight losses to them since 2021. Until this team proves they are capable of being able to counterpunch a physical team, that problem will remain our achilles heel.

So Mike McCarthy’s biggest challenge moving forward is to find a way to get this team tougher physically and mentally. This is a still a good football team. But it needs to get tougher and smarter.

Hate to say it, but the Cowboys are soft until proven otherwise in the playoffs. They can still change that narrative in the playoffs but it won’t change until it actually happens.
Wow, that is a perfect description.
 

Diehardblues

Well-Known Member
Messages
55,677
Reaction score
36,808
I also think some draft capital needs to be sunk in some run stuffing talent. At DT and LB.
We used 1st rd pick this year for DT, 3rd for LB and 4th for DL. All of which made very little impact.

Last year used 2nd rd on DL

2021- 1st rd LB, 2nd DB, 2 3rds for DL

Unfortunately only one of those picks is making a big contribution

All this talk about how well we are drafting might need to be reevaluated.
 

TheHerd

Well-Known Member
Messages
14,542
Reaction score
15,006
I also think some draft capital needs to be sunk in some run stuffing talent. At DT and LB.
We tried last year but Mazi hasn’t been good so far. Some ask me to explain Schoonmaker.
 

JoeKing

Diehard
Messages
35,792
Reaction score
31,244
At its core, football is still a game where the fundamentals matter. The ability to block well, tackle well, and to be more physical (within the rules) than your opponent is still the foundation for long term football success. The teams that control the line of scrimmage usually win. Especially in the playoffs.

Yesterday in Buffalo, we received a major reminder of this fundamental truth. The bills completely dominated the LOS on both sides of the ball, ran the ball 39 times with almost no problem and their defense dominated our OL all day. The bills played sound fundamental football and we did not. It is truly that simple.

We did not lose that game because of “bad play-calling” on offense or not making enough “adjustments“ on defense. We got physically dominated. And that is worse than losing because of just a few plays here and there. That game was over in the second quarter. No great QB or dominant defender could rescue a team from that.

So, IMO, the Cowboys have still not fixed the same flaw that has knocked them out of the playoffs too many times in the last decade: Not being able to counterpunch a physical bully. SF showed us that in our 3 straight losses to them since 2021. Until this team proves they are capable of being able to counterpunch a physical team, that problem will remain our achilles heel.

So Mike McCarthy’s biggest challenge moving forward is to find a way to get this team tougher physically and mentally. This is a still a good football team. But it needs to get tougher and smarter.

Hate to say it, but the Cowboys are soft until proven otherwise in the playoffs. They can still change that narrative in the playoffs but it won’t change until it actually happens.
So what does it say about the Eagles that they have lost three games in a row? Are you willing to call them soft too or do you use a sliding scale in their favor when judging them? The 49ers lost three in a row and I don't recall you ever saying they are soft, so that sliding scale is apparent. The Cowboys lost one game and you are calling them soft. The Cowboys and 49ers lead the league in scoring margin but you don't judge them the same. You @Bobhaze, clearly use a harsher scale when judging the Cowboys.
 

Blackrain

Well-Known Member
Messages
6,605
Reaction score
9,227
At its core, football is still a game where the fundamentals matter. The ability to block well, tackle well, and to be more physical (within the rules) than your opponent is still the foundation for long term football success. The teams that control the line of scrimmage usually win. Especially in the playoffs.

Yesterday in Buffalo, we received a major reminder of this fundamental truth. The bills completely dominated the LOS on both sides of the ball, ran the ball 39 times with almost no problem and their defense dominated our OL all day. The bills played sound fundamental football and we did not. It is truly that simple.

We did not lose that game because of “bad play-calling” on offense or not making enough “adjustments“ on defense. We got physically dominated. And that is worse than losing because of just a few plays here and there. That game was over in the second quarter. No great QB or dominant defender could rescue a team from that.

So, IMO, the Cowboys have still not fixed the same flaw that has knocked them out of the playoffs too many times in the last decade: Not being able to counterpunch a physical bully. SF showed us that in our 3 straight losses to them since 2021. Until this team proves they are capable of being able to counterpunch a physical team, that problem will remain our achilles heel.

So Mike McCarthy’s biggest challenge moving forward is to find a way to get this team tougher physically and mentally. This is a still a good football team. But it needs to get tougher and smarter.

Hate to say it, but the Cowboys are soft until proven otherwise in the playoffs. They can still change that narrative in the playoffs but it won’t change until it actually happens.
As usual bullet you are spot on unfortunately it seems that we don't draft tough players looks like Ferguson might be the only player we have with a little attitude.

Micah is an incredibly talented player but more of a talker than a tough guy we have no Ray nitschke or Dick butkus Jack Lambert on our team.
There's no Ray Lewis Jack youngblood or Deacon Jones on our horizon.
Ronnie Lott and Steve Atwater are not in our secondary.
We do have some people that can get a stupid penalty in a hot minute though.
When the going gets tough you're 100% right it comes down to the fundamentals it gets primitive might makes right and there has to be a willingness to sacrifice your body and go all in not make business decisions.


We've watched this over and over again now we have to have the perfect storm to win and we can win by a lot but we have to get up on our opponent early and then release our pass rush.

Hope I'm wrong but I don't feel the players we need to dominate the line of scrimmage are on our roster at the moment.
 

Captain-Crash

Well-Known Member
Messages
21,542
Reaction score
33,801
Bob get back on the Superbowl wagon you hater. I guess Jerry lost the game yesterday when he went into the fetal position after getting hit once.
 
Top