5 Quick Thoughts

[JDSmith]

Cousins left a ton of yards and points on the field. This D is trash. A legit QB scores 35 today with the play of this D. We may squeak into the playoffs because the East is a joke, but a real playoff QB will torch this team. Even Romo can't save us from that.

I thought Mo was our second best defender today, but Cousins was our best.

 

[Dodger12]

4. I thought the play calling was brilliant. Play action boot to start the game was phenomenal and really helped set the tone of staying ahead of the sticks. Dak converted several 3rd and longs as well, but I thought that we played fairly well on first down, and kept the defense off balance. We forced the issue and made them alter their gameplan by moving Josh Norman to mirror Dez. Good amount of fakes, zone runs, power runs, and route combos. Only thing that I would like to see are some shots deep, but that will come.

I thought the game plan left something to be desired. First possession at the Skins 5 yards line. 1st and goal at the 5 and the red genius goes shotgun three straight downs. Not a run to be had.

I thought they'd move Dez around and it looked that way at the start of the game and Dez was getting open and then it looked like we abandoned it. Not sure why or if maybe missed it.

I still think we're too predictable on offense which allows the D to load the box. It doesn't look like we pass much from under center and usually do when we're in the shotgun or we do that gay delayed draw for little to no gain. Maybe that's just a product of a rookie QB who never had to work from under center so they're keeping him in his comfort zone.

I'd like to see Dak go downfield some but other than that it was a good performance and something to grow and improve on.

Elliott needs to sit some and give Morris some carries. He earned the job in pre-season.

No issue with the on-sides kick. Hey, what do we have to lose? I'd rather error on the side of being aggressive and the kick was bad. A better kick and we may have recovered, as I think we caught Washington sleeping.

I'll take it though and hope we can build some momentum.

 

[BAT]

Garrett doesn't call the plays.

Norv loves to tell story of tight game in closing minutes and Norv asks Jimmy what he wants to call on 3rd and short, run or pass, Jimmy tells Norv to just get him a score. The HC may not call plays directly but even Garrett is able to change calls, especially in key situations.

Even as a peewee football coach, my coordinators had to check with me if they were going call a risky blitz or trick play inside our 30 or inside oppositions 30. HC is even more accountable in the pros because they can actually hear every call.

Only Wade is exempt because he was not allowed to interfere with offense.

 

[NextGenBoys]

Cousins left a ton of yards and points on the field. This D is trash. A legit QB scores 35 today with the play of this D. We may squeak into the playoffs because the East is a joke, but a real playoff QB will torch this team. Even Romo can't save us from that.

I might not disagree with that.

 

[visionary]

Plays like that are brilliant when they work. The execution on that one was terrible, but it was a gutsy call and if it worked we would have really put the Commanders on their heels.

No way to sugar coat it
It was a stupid play call and almost turned the tide against us. If Cousins had not obliged with an intervention this game would have been over

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Garrett always likes to start off the game with a PA boot because in his words 'it gives the QB a little confidence.'

Most opposing teams know this.





YR

You're making things up. We don't "always start with a PA boot."

 

[visionary]

What a win. Have a lot of places to get better, but that was a great win to build on. Some quick thoughts.

1. The defense deserves a ton of credit for digging down late in the game. However, they are a real weakness, and the real reason we won is because Cousins is a sub par NFL QB. We have no pass rushers, and continue to just rush 4 non threats. QB's worth a damn will pick it apart and put all the pressure on our offense. Gregory and Lawrence are going to have to be game changers to give any amount of trust in this unit over the long haul. Ball control will be vital to any success, and with that, we will have to be incredibly efficient in the red zone and convert opportunities into TDs not FGs.

2. Zeke has really under performed. I don't want to come off too critical, but I think early in the season, Morris needs to get more run with the first unit. There have been notable struggles for the rookie that he will no doubt improve on, but no need to force him into a role when we have a more than capable backup. Rather than Zeke getting 20 carries, maybe get him 12-15 and let Morris get some more carries. The line at times seem to be more comfortable blocking for him anyway.

3. Dak is the real deal. That rushing touchdown he had, Romo obviously can't make that play. He gives this offense an entirely new dimension, and those play action bootlegs put a ton of pressure on the defense with his ability to take off. He didn't take shots down the field, which will open up more as the year progresses. I am just so impressed with his ability to see the field, be smart with the ball, and for the most part, put the ball where it needs to be.

4. I thought the play calling was brilliant. Play action boot to start the game was phenomenal and really helped set the tone of staying ahead of the sticks. Dak converted several 3rd and longs as well, but I thought that we played fairly well on first down, and kept the defense off balance. We forced the issue and made them alter their gameplan by moving Josh Norman to mirror Dez. Good amount of fakes, zone runs, power runs, and route combos. Only thing that I would like to see are some shots deep, but that will come.

5. Dez Bryant needs to use this game as a base of what he's capable of. He was used in the gameplan, and came through with a chain moving performance, all while not finding the end zone. When he can dominate games keeping ahead of the chains, it just becomes icing on the cake when he dominates in the red zone with his elite ability to find the end zone. Granted teams won't be using this gameplan much going forward, but even when they double and bracket, they can't do it every single play. You just cant. When he's not doubled, he's expected to win his battle more often than not. Norman had a good play on the ball breaking up a ball, but besides that Dez played great. I don't like the friendly attitudes though, but I can't hate on that.

Great win
Agree with your points
Dak can be a good one
The defense is absolutely terrible (cousins bailed us out again and again)
Zeke has his head in his press clippings. He needs a wake up call. I would start Morris in the next game

 

[AmericanCowboy]

21 carries for 83 yards with an average of 4 YPC. Underperformed? If he hadn't had the last ball punched out he gets 100 and that not one of your points. The blocking was better for him today, but wasn't great.

4 YPC, even without the fumbles, is very much underperforming. It is extremely average/below average.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

You're making things up. We don't "always start with a PA boot."

We start drives with PA boot more often than not. As Garrett likes to say, he wants to get his QB some confidence with an easy pass.

So starting the first play of the game with a PA boot wasn't really a surprise if you have been watching.

Another thing I had an issue with the playcalling was the Fades to Dez on Breeland. It was pretty obvious that Breeland does a good job of defending them, so continuing to use them was beating a dead horse. But, the playcalling was better.



YR

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Norv loves to tell story of tight game in closing minutes and Norv asks Jimmy what he wants to call on 3rd and short, run or pass, Jimmy tells Norv to just get him a score. The HC may not call plays directly but even Garrett is able to change calls, especially in key situations.

Even as a peewee football coach, my coordinators had to check with me if they were going call a risky blitz or trick play inside our 30 or inside oppositions 30. HC is even more accountable in the pros because they can actually hear every call.

Only Wade is exempt because he was not allowed to interfere with offense.

You have no idea what the relationship between the two is. Your peewee anecdotes are meaningless. Garrett is not the playcaller yet you complain about his playcalling through wishful thinking and the unknowable.

 

[BlueStar22]

4 YPC, even without the fumbles, is very much underperforming. It is extremely average/below average.

Let's cut him!

He had what, 8 carries from the time he last play his last real game until his first professional game last week. Cut him some slack. Fumbles, he can control and I'm sure he'll work on. That's all he can control, the run blocking is there yet.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

We start drives with PA boot more often than not. As Garrett likes to say, he wants to get his QB some confidence with an easy pass.

So starting the first play of the game with a PA boot wasn't really a surprise if you have been watching.

Another thing I had an issue with the playcalling was the Fades to Dez on Breeland. It was pretty obvious that Breeland does a good job of defending them, so continuing to use them was beating a dead horse. But, the playcalling was better.



YR

Not with Romo we haven't. Most drives we start out like we do with most of our first downs: with a run.

 

[BAT]

You have no idea what the relationship between the two is. Your peewee anecdotes are meaningless. Garrett is not the playcaller yet you complain about his playcalling through wishful thinking and the unknowable.

The boognish should never pout.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

The boognish should never pout.

Me pointing out that you have no real basis for your claims is not pouting. You shouldn't have delusions that your peewee football experience is relevant.

 

[BAT]

Me pointing out that you have no real basis for your claims is not pouting. You shouldn't have delusions that your peewee football experience is relevant.

Guess you missed the Norv-Jimmy part. That's so Fuzzy of you.

 

[reddyuta]

I wish We could make teams for putting 8 in the box,we need to trust Dak and go long with Dez one on one with a CB.

 

[AmericanCowboy]

Let's cut him!

He had what, 8 carries from the time he last play his last real game until his first professional game last week. Cut him some slack. Fumbles, he can control and I'm sure he'll work on. That's all he can control, the run blocking is there yet.

Why should I cut him some slack? He has become a professional athlete, was he fourth pick in the draft, is playing the easiest position to transition from, was arrogant about how awesome he was going to be, and tried his best today to get us to lose the game.

He should be benched.

 

[JDSmith]

Why should I cut him some slack? He has become a professional athlete, was he fourth pick in the draft, is playing the easiest position to transition from, was arrogant about how awesome he was going to be, and tried his best today to get us to lose the game.

He should be benched.

That's just silly

 

[btcutter]

I said the same on Twitter, but then took it back. I just feel Romo's ability to operate the playbook and his ability at the LOS offsets some of Daks physical abilities. Dak played well, but had 292 and 2 overall TDs. Romo does that in his sleep. But if Dak continues to grow, I think a real conversation might be had around week 6-7 if we're sitting at 5-1.

5-1? You are asking a lot from this rookie with this swiss cheese defense. Even Romo may not get us 5-1. If we are 5-1 then Romo may not get his job back.

 

[jjktkk]

Who's hailed him of the next AP? You? There's only one Peterson. Ignore his numbers today and forget we won.

If you're a rb picked 4th overall in the draft, you're going to expect AP like production.