There are specific areas where this team is lacking. While we may all lament about the quality of the product being put on the field, there are areas where it is evident that Dallas has issues.
DEFENSE
Two specifics here.
Safety - We are using a corner back to play safety and possibly Sensabaugh still has lingering effects from his injury.
The prevalent thought after FA and the draft is the DBs will make the line better. But there is a fallacy in this idea.
First, it takes the right players in the right positions. We are subbing out corners to cover our deficiencies at safety.
Second, it takes a front that stops the run and creates pressure.
Defensive front Ware is a major player. But what Dallas has between Ware and Spencer cannot stop the run. Everything we saw in the Chicago game started with them being able to run between the tackles. It starts off well enough but then they gash Dallas. And this is not the only game where the front seven gave up runs inside the tackles. This translated into play action, and once they figured how to slow Ware and stop any linebacker attack, they threw at will.
OFFENSE The dropped passes, interceptions and miscommunication comes down to one thing. Protecting Romo.
While he is a tough S.O.B. he is still human. And when a defense can get him out of sync then what we saw of the team is the results.
A running game would give Romo the ability to play action and that makes him dangerous. But that will not happen as long as we have what we are fielding as a line.
Dez will never be what his talent projects. He isn't smart enough to think like Romo. So when you force Romo out of his comfort zone, it effects Dez because he cannot make the same mental transition.
Ogletree is mentally lazy. His miscues are self created because he cannot give 100% between his ears at all times.
You cannot make a cat an elephant, and so with Ogletree you will have him whiffing on balls that turn into interceptions. It starts in his brain to ease up and then he stops catching with his hands but tries to catch with his chest.
The defense needs a nose tackle and a defensive end that can put pressure up the middle and stop the run. It also needs another safety.
The offense needs interior linemen to protect Romo and keep the offense in sync.
What they bought was magic beans.
Norm was quoted as saying after the game that when they went for Livings and Mac, he heard from an executive from another team that they were astonished at them paying these guys so much.
They over valued the product.
We may argue about who is at fault.
But this thread is about what is wrong. All this is fixable, but not this season.
One last piece is needed.
A WR that is in the top 7 in the league. We need someone who can consistently get separation and can make the catch to free up Austin and move the chains. Our WR are too inconsistent, and not of the level of talent to demand the ball when the team needs someone to stand up.
I despise this type of season where I had some hope.
But the writing is on the wall here. And it will get to be more painful as December gets closer.
