Looking back at the 2007 Cowboys

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

We're reliving 19 year old games now? Middle of the season? Just lost to the Bucs, hired a new defense staff member... SMH

LOL, about the only thing we can do these is live in the past, like winning our last SB’s in the 90’s. Sad though.

 

[Qbert]

They started Barber when it was Julius jones all year, a couple of Barber carries that went 10 or 15 yards were probably tds for jones, cutting Aaron Glenn for Reeves was stupid as Hell, ware got called for offsides a couple times I think when he wasnt

 

[MarkP88]

Giants D was healthy for the playoffs and they had a great pass rush. THAT is what got them the SB.
For us, the Injury to TO was huge. Having to rely on Crayton killed us
we had a TEN MINUTE DRIVE in the first half and the OL was worn out by the platooning of the Giants D.
And our D had critical weaknesses that showed up.
Plus Wade as a HC vs Coughlin
with hindsight its no surprise at all we lost

Even though TO was less than 100%, he was still open by about 5 yards on a bomb early in the game (I think it was fairly early), and Romo missed overthrew him. There was of course the Crayton drop, Jacque Reeves (or whatever the hell his name was), and I also think Romo and the offense in general really lost their composure on that final drive.

One team was dialed in, mentally tough, and one was not. You put the nail on the head when you mention Coughlin vs. Wade.

 

[gimmesix]

The 2007 Cowboys were 13-3 and clinched the one seed. We know what happened vs the Giants in the postseason.

Doubts started for me when they barely beat a bad Detroit team. After losing to the Eagles, they barely beat a horrific Carolina team. I still had confidence. But cracks were beginning to show with the coaching staff and execution. When they lost to Washington in week 17 (terrible weather and resting starters) I saw shots of Wade Phillips reaction. It was a meaningless game. But nothing about him inspired confidence. Something seemed off and I thought this team would be in big trouble against a great HC. And that is how it played out vs the Giants.

Was there red flags before that Giants game for you?

I think we beat the Giants if Terrell Owens had not gotten hurt. He was mostly a decoy in that game and we were relying more on players like Patrick Crayton instead. Owens had a high-ankle sprain and probably shouldn't have even been playing. We were so desperate at receiver that we put Terry Glenn out there even though he hadn't played all season.

Couple that with the Giants' stunts and quickness on defense beating our big men and we weren't able to sustain enough on offense. We needed the defense to step up, but we had players like Alan Ball and Jacques Reeves out there at corner.

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

I recall the Cowboys gave up a TD with 50 seconds left in the half.
Marion Barber was spent after the 1st half.
Crayton should have stayed on the bus.
The Cowboys couldn't cover Amani Toomer for God's sake.

Nailed it

 

[JustChip]

Was that the game where Patrick Crayton dropped an easy pass on his way to a TD?

It was a critical 3rd down at about mid- field with maybe 5 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Romo was flushed from the pocket to the left. Crayton Was in front if Romo who threw a perfect cross-body strike that Crayton dropped. Crayton probably doesn’t score, but it would definitely have been a chunk play 1st down.

Crayton later broke off his route on the final drive that should’ve been a game winning TD.

 

[Shane612]

There were couple of years in the late 2000 when they were respectable. Then in 2010 it all stopped. Then they went 8-8 for like forever.
Then came the 12-4 season when they lost to the packers badly in the playoff.

 

[JustChip]

Was there red flags before that Giants game for you?

When Wade said they already had won a playoff game by having the 1st seed and a bye.

 

[CTcowboy203]

Whose got the video of Crayton losing the ball in the lights

 

[CTcowboy203]

When Wade said they already had won a playoff game by having the 1st seed and a bye.

My god I remember him saying that and thinking this guy is a dope

 

[stuckindc]

he did not drop it; claimed he lost the ball was what HE said
most of us think he quit on the route
that was not the only bad play by receivers in that game

Correct, he dropped a massive 3rd down pass that either flips the field or he scores. Instead we punt and giants drive down and score. Changed the entire game

 

[stuckindc]

I disagree. I thought the 2007 was the best team since the 90's. The 2014 team I always worried about their defense and fully believe that even if they give Dez the catch and score the defense would have given back against Rogers. 2014 defense missed Sean Lee big time that year.

The only issue with the 2007 was had they made it to the Supebowl, they would have had to play one of the greatest teams of all time.

 

[gtb1943]

No way. The 2014 had a way better version of Romo. A more mature, responsible Romo and a Romo I could trust. Romo was 34 TDs to 9 INTs in 2014, compared to 36 and 19 in 07. Better completion percentage at almost 70%. Led the league in both passer rating and completion percentage. That was his best year as a QB

The running game was way better than 07. Demarco Murray was an absolute beast that year. He ran for over 1800 yards. In 07 we didn't have a lead back. Instead we had two guys rotating which worked but not a true number 1.

Murray and Romo both tied for 3rd in MVP.

The passing game had more balance with 5 players over 400 yards. Dez lead the league in receiving TDs. It's pretty close between him and TO but I'd go with a better overall receiving corp in 2014.

The defenses in both years are a wash. In 14 the defense gave up 22 ppg and 07 20.3ppg. Neither one were great but 07 you had Ware.

Coaching staff is probably a wash too although I'd slightly take Garrett over Wade as head coach but not much if at all difference

Special teams probably a wash. McBriar and Jones were pretty similar . McBriar had 38.5 net yards per punt and Jones had 39.8. Folk and Bailey were similar. Folk was 26/31 and Bailey 25/29 on FGs.

I like the 14 team more because as I said we had a much better version of Romo which is a big deal. That team was also more consistent as well. There was no slumping and sloppiness at the end of that season. We won our last 4 games of the regular season whereas in 07 we lost 2 of our last 3.

neither Defense could get it done when it mattered. We could get the pass rush with the 07 team but the secondary really only had Newman. the 14 D did not have the pass rush or much in the secondary.

 

[gtb1943]

The only issue with the 2007 was had they made it to the Supebowl, they would have had to play one of the greatest teams of all time.

Thing was, the Pats were mentally exhausted by the time
Vrabel has talked about it
said the pressure of being unbeaten and trying to be the first 19-0 wore them down

 

[stuckindc]

Thing was, the Pats were mentally exhausted by the time
Vrabel has talked about it
said the pressure of being unbeaten and trying to be the first 19-0 wore them down

If Parcells had stayed for the 2007, we would have beat them in the SB. It would have been the biggest SB ever

 

[mldardy]

neither Defense could get it done when it mattered. We could get the pass rush with the 07 team but the secondary really only had Newman. the 14 D did not have the pass rush or much in the secondary.

I agree with this. Neither defense was good but 14 Romo plus Murray >>>>>> 07

 

[ryanbabs]

I disagree. I thought the 2007 was the best team since the 90's. The 2014 team I always worried about their defense and fully believe that even if they give Dez the catch and score the defense would have given back against Rogers. 2014 defense missed Sean Lee big time that year.

I totally agree with you. The 2007 team should’ve been a SB team. For most of the season, they were a notch under NE and a notch above GB. Those were the best teams and the Giants kind of came out of nowhere at the end of the season. I went to that Giants playoff game and it hurt so bad I had to miss work the next day. The 2014 team wasn’t a top seed and have HFA like the 2007 team. The 2016 was very good, but I always knew you could only go so far with two rookies leading the team.

 

[ryanbabs]

If Parcells had stayed for the 2007, we would have beat them in the SB. It would have been the biggest SB ever

Yep always felt he left one year too early.

 

[Surfguy]

Don't remind me!

 

[cowboyec]

that one still hurts.
so does the loss by the 2016 team.
thought both would go all the way.
home field advantage.
it was all laid out.