Video: For those of you concerned about the Giants

[guag]

Going to come down to what we do against 8 in the box. Right now, the Giants want the game in Dak's hands and dependent on him. They are not going to let us run and just play 7, they'll play 8 and blitz and try and get us on the down and distance part of the game.

It will be incumbent on Garrett, Linehan, Wilson and Romo to keep Dak calm and under control. The last thing we need is a shootout, that plays to their strength. Dak will need the discipline to stay with the run call even with the 8th man in the box. The danger of 8 in the box for them is 3 in the secondary and if Zeke can get through or around the corner?

Other than this being a division game it will serve as the game film for the Skins. We need to show them they cannot dictate the game to us. Teams without an identity will make statements like "we're taking what the defense will give us". A power run team says BS to that and they take what they want. Nothing breaks the spirit of a defense like a power run game. Play the game to own the 4th Q and make this a game of strategy not tactics. Even if they're ahead by <10, do not forsake the run.

Wanna know what I'd do the night before the game? Sure you do. I'd pull footage of the 4Q drives that Emmitt and his OL made in the glory years and have my offense watching those and I'd pull film of great inceptions made in the past to my defense, especially game changers. See it, do it.

I like how you think.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

Oh, you mean this thread?

http://cowboyszone.com/threads/what-was-impressive-and-what-was-not.354906/

A thread that was just observations on a game with no real long term prognostications about how good or bad the team will be? The reality is, I've long said preseason is largely meaningless even in terms of individual play, team player, whatever. It's still nice to see certain guys perform well in the preseason - like how good Elliott looked, or how Prescott seemed to stand up to the Seattle defense, how Butler looked more involved, etc. But in the end, it's all largely meaningless as any NFL player will tell you the regular season is an entirely differently animal than the preseason.

But I get it. If you aren't blowing smoke up the Cowboys butts 24/7 you have to be some sort of lower class fan.

I just exposed your double standards. Now you can ask yourself why your standards are different for the Cowboys and other teams. I already know the answer. Heck you reached a different conclusion in this very thread. Logical consistency not your strong suit eh?

 

[Sydla]

I just exposed your double standards. Now you can ask yourself why your standards are different for the Cowboys and other teams. I already know the answer. Heck you reached a different conclusion in this very thread. Logical consistency not your strong suit eh?

Care to explain?

I offered my views of how guys played in that 3rd preseason game but offered no long term prognostications. I didn't say because Elliott looked good that he's now going to dominate the league, for example.

I can't help it if you can't comprehend what you read and seem on some bizarre quest to root out all Cowboys fans that aren't bullish 100% of the time.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

Yesterday in this thread you said "With the Giants sucking". I said basically the same thing and you went off on this tangent completely contradicting yourself.

 

[Sydla]

Yesterday in this thread you said "With the Giants sucking". I said basically the same thing and you went off on this tangent completely contradicting yourself.

In fairness, that post was made tongue in cheek, and was more about how the Eagles must feel great and might not be out of the race by early October. I figured the early October barb would give away how it was meant to be a funny post. But honestly, I can see your point there. That's my bad.

But in every post before and after, I've been pretty clear that the preseason is largely a meaningless time in terms of prognosticating out a season.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

That post was made tongue in cheek, and was more about how the Eagles must feel great and might not be out of the race by early October. I figured the early October barb would give away how it was meant to be a funny post. I guess I need to put some emoji's or LOLs in posts.

I also figured that since every post since that one talked about how preseason is largely meaningless, you'd further understand, but I gave you too much credit apparently.

You've been exposed here bud. Time to take your concern trolling to a new thread. You're just embarrassing yourself in this one.

I do like how you've devolved into attacking my intelligence for pointing out the logical inconsistency of someone who makes post game threads for games that he feels are meaningless and attacks someone for making the same argument they made. And then uses the just a prank bro defense. El oh El.

 

[Sydla]

You've been exposed here bud. Time to take your concern trolling to a new thread. You're just embarrassing yourself in this one.

I do like how you've devolved into attacking my intelligence for pointing out the logical inconsistency of someone who makes post game threads for games that he feels are meaningless and attacks someone for making the same argument they made. And then uses the just a prank bro defense. El oh El.

I actually went back and read the post in question and I can totally see that it read the way you said it and I am in the wrong on that one. My intent was more a joke than anything about the Eagles but I clearly didn't convey that right. I edited my post above but I guess you were responding at the same time.

My apologies.

 

[KJJ]

You realize the lead was given up when the Seattle starters were playing against our backups, right? I've seen you post that a couple of times. Starters vs. starters it was 10-10. Then the Seahawks kept their starters in for 3 drives in the 3rd against Dallas backups.

We took a 7-0 and Seattle scored 10 unanswered points with starters vs starters. Their offense struggled the first 2 preseason games but not against us. We gave up the lead once the game was tied. Seattle jumped out to a 20-10 lead while Dak who'll be starting for us and Trevone Boykin was playing for Seattle. We still had a few players in the game entering the 3rd quarter that we'll be counting on this season.

 

[Sydla]

You've been exposed here bud. Time to take your concern trolling to a new thread. You're just embarrassing yourself in this one.

I do like how you've devolved into attacking my intelligence for pointing out the logical inconsistency of someone who makes post game threads for games that he feels are meaningless and attacks someone for making the same argument they made. And then uses the just a prank bro defense. El oh El.

One more thing for clarification. Yes, I think most things in the preseason are largely meaningless, so like when Free seems to struggle and has been criticized like he has, I tend to not worry because I know what he has come regular season. Same with say someone like Bryant or Witten, if they had a so-so camp. I wouldn't concern myself with camp. I don't worry about the DTs even though, at times, they've looked so-so in camp.

But I think the defensive ends had to show something in this camp to give some hope that the DE spots wouldn't be a wasteland. In that sense, I think you can glean something from preseason because you at least want to see a skill set from some of these guys, which we haven't seen.

PS - I don't think I actually apologized for the insult earlier. That was uncalled for and frankly stupid since I am the one who looks like the boob in this thread.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

We took a 7-0 and Seattle scored 10 unanswered points with starters vs starters. Their offense struggled the first 2 preseason games but not against us. We gave up the lead once the game was tied. Seattle jumped out to a 20-10 lead while Dak who'll be starting for us and Trevone Boykin was playing for Seattle. We still had a few players in the game entering the 3rd quarter that we'll be counting on this season.

So you don't understand that and will double down on your misunderstanding? Color me shocked.

 

[DandyDon1722]

No realistic conclusions should ever be drawn from preseason games whatsoever.

Sarge, I know you're talking wins and loses and you're right but you don't excuse horrific line play just because it happened it pre-season and make no mistake - they were horrific.

How bad were the Giants starters?

Did not score against Miami
Were shut out against Buffalo (the entire game)
Starters played into the 3rd quarter and DID NOT CROSS MIDFIELD.

In the dress rehearsal the starters had the ball 33 minutes. 8 drives, 61 yards on 29 plays. Eli got hit 5 times, sacked twice and threw a pick. The run game averaged 2.1 yards per carry.

That's not just bad - that's almost unbelievable. This component has nothing to do with scheming or game planning, this is straight up blocking your man with guys who played their butts off because outside of Justin Pugh, they are all on the bubble.

When the coach says it, when the GM says it and when the fans obviously see it, they are and should be -- very concerned.

 

[KJJ]

So you don't understand that and will double down on your misunderstanding? Color me shocked.

There's no misunderstanding on my part, Seattle came back from a 7 point deficit to tie the game against our starters and took a 10 point lead against a few players we'll be counting on this season including our starting rookie QB.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

There's no misunderstanding on my part, Seattle came back from a 7 point deficit to tie the game against our starters and took a 10 point lead against a few players we'll be counting on this season including our starting rookie QB.

See y'all. This is how you take preseason too seriously. The champ is here.

 

[KJJ]

See y'all. This is how you take preseason too seriously. The champ is here.

I saw a lot of the same issues defensively last week that we've been seeing every year during the regular season. I haven't seen anything in preseason that tells me our D is going to take a big step forward this season. They call it a dress rehearsal game for a reason to see where your team is and the defense still looks like a liability. Offensively we've looked good because we have a lot of talent on that side of the ball but the defense that lacks talent especially on the DL is still not getting a pass rush and can't make stops. We got gashed by the run last week by a back we let go. Practically every back Seattle used made some plays. If we can't stop anyone defensively it's going to put a lot of pressure on Dak and our offense.

 

[jday]

We took a 7-0 and Seattle scored 10 unanswered points with starters vs starters. Their offense struggled the first 2 preseason games but not against us. We gave up the lead once the game was tied. Seattle jumped out to a 20-10 lead while Dak who'll be starting for us and Trevone Boykin was playing for Seattle. We still had a few players in the game entering the 3rd quarter that we'll be counting on this season.

So what really is the argument here? I'm really curious. Is your point that we have reason to be concerned? I can go along with that, but that point could be made for 31 teams.

Take Seattle, for instance. If I am a Seattle fan, I am a little concerned that despite all of the Seahwaks starters playing the first half (and into the 3rd quarter) versus a mixture of starters for the Cowboys, we still went into the half tied. That's against the backup QB for all but 3 plays. That's without the services of Dez and Tyrone Crawford for the entire game. That's against Zeke for only two series out of the entire half. Anyone who was watching and watching intently, knows if the Cowboys don't start pulling starter after starter starting at the end of the first quarter, the scoreboard is likely in the Cowboys favor.

The fact is, if you simply google every team name in the league along with "preseason" you will find articles lamenting weaknesses. They are everywhere for every team. That was the reason I posted the video in the first place. Not to say that the Giants will be a layup (though they very well might be) but mostly my intent was to point out that the Giants have their own problems to contend with during game 1. And you won't have to look very long to find that nugget about every team on the Cowboys schedule. And the further removed we get from game 1, the more issues that will come up across the league which will change the face of competition from week to week.

My contention is, Dak is good enough. Too soon to say "great." Too soon to order his Hall of Fame bust. But with that OL, those WR/TE/RB, Dak doesn't have to put the team on his back and go win games. All he has to do is get the ball to his playmakers...and there are plenty...more than what most teams can boast So my point is, I think the Cowboys will be just fine in Romo's absence. I know that is crazy to say with 2015 so close in the rearview...but I think Dak is special. By no means a finished product, but he does have that certain "it" factor that will be enough to overcome most of the teams the Cowboys face this year. Of course, as always, that is just my opinion.

 

[DenCWBY]

I can't figure out how to draw any conclusions from preseason. Wasn't it last year that Philly looked like they were going to destroy everyone based on their preseason performances?

Happens every year. A lot of teams go 4-0 in PS and go 6-10 in the season. Also some veteran teams go 0-4 and play at a very high level during the season. Pre-season means relatively nothing, mainly just measuring/confirming individual talent. If Eli and Beckum get on a roll, look out.
That said, I think we'll compete in this game but the score is a toss up IMO.

 

[jday]

Happens every year. A lot of teams go 4-0 in PS and go 6-10 in the season. Also some veteran teams go 0-4 and play at a very high level during the season. Pre-season means relatively nothing, mainly just measuring/confirming individual talent. If Eli and Beckum get on a roll, look out.
That said, I think we'll compete in this game but the score is a toss up IMO.

Here's my guess about OBJ...they will have Scandrick follow him around, Byron Jones will shade to his side deep and Lee will play underneath to cut down on throwing lanes from Eli. Of course, there are alot of variables involved that may pull the Cowboys away from boxing in OBJ, but the majority of the day that is what we are likely to see. In other words, I suspect, if the Giants beat the Cowboys it will be because of someone other than OBJ, who is benefiting from the attention OBJ gets.

But I still say, they won't be able to keep up with the Cowboys ultimately and that will force Dumbface to get careless with the ball in an attempt to keep up...if the Cowboys can capitalize on those opportunities, this game could be over before the end of the 3rd quarter.

 

[theebs]

Here's my guess about OBJ...they will have Scandrick follow him around, Byron Jones will shade to his side deep and Lee will play underneath to cut down on throwing lanes from Eli. Of course, there are alot of variables involved that may pull the Cowboys away from boxing in OBJ, but the majority of the day that is what we are likely to see. In other words, I suspect, if the Giants beat the Cowboys it will be because of someone other than OBJ, who is benefiting from the attention OBJ gets.

But I still say, they won't be able to keep up with the Cowboys ultimately and that will force Dumbface to get careless with the ball in an attempt to keep up...if the Cowboys can capitalize on those opportunities, this game could be over before the end of the 3rd quarter.

What if Jenkins takes Williams out of the game one on one, then Rodgers cromartie and the free safety whoever that ends up being double dez......That leaves 8 guys to blitz and mix and match their blitzing. Very difficult for a rookie to understand everything they are going to do.

One of the reasons I was confident Dallas would win this game is because of Romo's complete mastery of what Spagnuolo does. you can not understate how much he frustrated them in the 4th qtr last year. Spagnuolo on the first TD drive tried to bait romo into a turnover by playing zone and staying back..he picked it apart....then on the final drive he brought his blitz packages and romo saw them all coming.

now we have a rookie rb and Qb and possibly swaim playing opposite Witten....that is a lot of intelligence off the field.

I think you could make the case the Giants could play bad offense score 17 points and win. Now hopefully Dak will get good protection not overthink and just take the adjustments from the blitz and not force anything and let the running game and special teams dictate the game.

 

[KJJ]

So what really is the argument here? I'm really curious. Is your point that we have reason to be concerned? I can go along with that, but that point could be made for 31 teams.

Take Seattle, for instance. If I am a Seattle fan, I am a little concerned that despite all of the Seahwaks starters playing the first half (and into the 3rd quarter) versus a mixture of starters for the Cowboys, we still went into the half tied. That's against the backup QB for all but 3 plays. That's without the services of Dez and Tyrone Crawford for the entire game. That's against Zeke for only two series out of the entire half. Anyone who was watching and watching intently, knows if the Cowboys don't start pulling starter after starter starting at the end of the first quarter, the scoreboard is likely in the Cowboys favor.

The fact is, if you simply google every team name in the league along with "preseason" you will find articles lamenting weaknesses. They are everywhere for every team. That was the reason I posted the video in the first place. Not to say that the Giants will be a layup (though they very well might be) but mostly my intent was to point out that the Giants have their own problems to contend with during game 1. And you won't have to look very long to find that nugget about every team on the Cowboys schedule. And the further removed we get from game 1, the more issues that will come up across the league which will change the face of competition from week to week.

My contention is, Dak is good enough. Too soon to say "great." Too soon to order his Hall of Fame bust. But with that OL, those WR/TE/RB, Dak doesn't have to put the team on his back and go win games. All he has to do is get the ball to his playmakers...and there are plenty...more than what most teams can boast So my point is, I think the Cowboys will be just fine in Romo's absence. I know that is crazy to say with 2015 so close in the rearview...but I think Dak is special. By no means a finished product, but he does have that certain "it" factor that will be enough to overcome most of the teams the Cowboys face this year. Of course, as always, that is just my opinion.

The fact is we have a lot of reason for concern, Romo could be done for most if not the entire season and we have a rookie QB starting. What little pass rush we had last season is either gone permanently or suspended the first 4 games. We're coming off a 4-12 season because we had 3 backup QBs that went 1-11. The Cowboys are 1-13 the past 3 seasons without Romo and although Dak has looked terrific in preseason the regular season is a totally different ball game. We don't know if Dak will be good enough when the games matter he's a rookie that still has a lot of learning ahead of him. He's going to be game planned and if our defense continues to be a liability a lot will be put on his shoulders.

If our offense has to carry the team we're going to end up in trouble. Russell Wilson benefitted greatly from having the #1 defense in the league when he took over as a rookie. Seattle was able to scale back with him allowing him to manage games due to having a great back and a great defense. Zeke and our running game should help Dak but if we fall behind in games it may take us away from the run and force Dak to have to make plays in the passing game and take some chances down field. The play of our defense will dictate what we have to do offensively.

 

[KJJ]

My contention is, Dak is good enough. Too soon to say "great." Too soon to order his Hall of Fame bust. But with that OL, those WR/TE/RB, Dak doesn't have to put the team on his back and go win games. All he has to do is get the ball to his playmakers...and there are plenty...more than what most teams can boast So my point is, I think the Cowboys will be just fine in Romo's absence. I know that is crazy to say with 2015 so close in the rearview...but I think Dak is special. By no means a finished product, but he does have that certain "it" factor that will be enough to overcome most of the teams the Cowboys face this year. Of course, as always, that is just my opinion.

If we can't stop anyone defensively Dak will be put in the same position Romo has been put in for most of his career having to win games. If we can't protect a lead or start falling behind by 10 or more points we'll have to start turning to the passing game. You can't just pound the run all day if you start falling behind. Dak has looked special in preseason but the regular season is different, he'll be facing the best the NFL has to offer in games that count and that may bring him crashing back to earth along with everyone else who thinks he's perfect. If he does light it up during the regular season like he has in preseason then the Cowboys have hit on a very special QB. The play of our defense will play a big part in how Dak performs.