A critical, but largely unnoticed play yesterday

[Doomsay]

A quietly important play was made yesterday that is indicative of this team's mentality this year.

After Romo's interception, Lance Dunbar raced over and tackled the Texans DB at the eight-yard line. That was incredibly important because last year, I swear the guy would have made it to the 50 or beyond.

The defense held, forcing a punt, and Dwayne Harris returned the ball down inside the 30.

So the result of the interception after the exchange was about 10 yards of field position.

It's those kind of plays that win games every bit as much as Romo's spin move or Dez' immaculate catch.

Good on you, Dunbar.

Saw that, drew the same conclusion. Guy is fast, wish he'd get 5 touches a game.

 

[BigStar]

JG seems to be making adjustments this year.

He gave his whistle to Linehan Why no challenge from him? Still working it out...

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Williams catches everything against his body. Concerns me. Even the touchdown.

Dez is learning to reach for ball. Hope Williams learns too.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

JG seems to be making adjustments this year.

Not having to worry about the "next play" or the "next drive" is allowing him to be a head coach. It is allowing him to coach the ENTIRE team. What a concept! /sarcasm

 

[BigStar]

That's just incorrect. This team has played hard for Garrett since the day he took over. Not well always, but hard every time.

NO/CHI of last season come to mind. Team gave up well before the end of those games.

 

[Zman5]

Dunbar was the reason Mo got pissed off. One of the coaches told Mo even Dunbar can tackle better than him.

 

[BigStar]

Not having to worry about the "next play" or the "next drive" is allowing him to be a head coach. It is allowing him to coach the ENTIRE team. What a concept! /sarcasm

What input does Garrett have on D (why would he)? Once his input was lifted from the O they look great (stable)? This would've been fine if he came in with this mentality, but he basically stole the rug from under Callahan and had to be scolded by JJ to stay out of the Offense's affairs (esp when it comes to play-calling). Team was terribly undisciplined throughout his tenure until this season as well. If his "effect" was to be felt, wouldn't the O have been sharp while the D looked sloppy? Both sides looked sloppy until this season; where Kiff/Linney have taken bigger roles of implementing their coaching methods and schemes. I'm not quite sure what JG does anymore tbh.

Love our record though, but let's get real about the reasoning behind it. The HC is finally out of the way and the team is receiving NFL level coaching.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

I don't think it's about him playing well. He's just playing hard.

For all the detractors of this head coach, you can not say his players don't give effort.

Wow, I've been agreeing with Risen Star a lot lately. Scary.

 

[plymkr]

This play by Dunbar and Jason Witten's strip/interception break up in the Titan's game could be season savers. If we go on and have a successful season, these two plays will never be on the highlight reel or on the stat sheet but possibly could have been the two most important plays of the young season. Momentum, field position, mentality, all of those things are represented in those two plays.

 

[fifaguy]

Worse screw up by Romo yesterday was the friggin delay of game. Seriously? Know where the hell you are at or call a TO.... Only complaint I had about Romo yesterday. And, THAT was a huge gaff.

Just me or did he seem to be having trouble with the play clock for a lot of the game.

 

[erod]

NO/CHI of last season come to mind. Team gave up well before the end of those games.

You mean the defense? Which consisted of Everette Brown, Landon Cohen, Corey Irvin, Jason Vega, Jarius Wynn, Edgar Jones, Caesar Rayford, Marquez Wilson.......?

That team didn't quit. It just consisted of non-NFL players.

 

[erod]

What input does Garrett have on D (why would he)? Once his input was lifted from the O they look great (stable)? This would've been fine if he came in with this mentality, but he basically stole the rug from under Callahan and had to be scolded by JJ to stay out of the Offense's affairs (esp when it comes to play-calling). Team was terribly undisciplined throughout his tenure until this season as well. If his "effect" was to be felt, wouldn't the O have been sharp while the D looked sloppy? Both sides looked sloppy until this season; where Kiff/Linney have taken bigger roles of implementing their coaching methods and schemes. I'm not quite sure what JG does anymore tbh.

Love our record though, but let's get real about the reasoning behind it. The HC is finally out of the way and the team is receiving NFL level coaching.

It's called culture, and it can only be instilled by a head coach, and reinforced by his direct reports.

Business 101.

 

[Idgit]

Wow, I've been agreeing with Risen Star a lot lately. Scary.

That, or--I'm going to go out on a limb here--Risen's tune changes with the temperature around him.

Wait until we lose the next game. Something tells me you could suddenly be at odds with him again.

 

[BigStar]

It's called culture, and it can only be instilled by a head coach, and reinforced by his direct reports.

Business 101.

How many other coaches are given 4 years to establish a "culture" that then requires outside expertise be brought in before this cultural change is felt? The O didnt work during last years culture, but when a good OC is brought in? Now the culture is embraced? Don't start the, "We are looking for players that like to play football" generality that somehow became a coaching attribute? You notice that label fits any player we sign after the fact?

Reduced penalties and NFL level coaching had to wait 4 years in order for this culture to become embedded? Preparation, critical teaching regarding Romo, crossing routes, motion, moving Dez around, screens, etc. These were never a staple before this season. That is specific coaching, not culture. The major positives displayed this season are direct counters to JG's deficiencies throughout his tenure. Preparation, limited mistakes, running the ball, no mass confusion before the snap, etc. None of these were associated with JG, but when Linney enables it, well JG said he wanted to win too! Culture Now we can rely on JG's expert clock analysis now that his plate is bare.

 

[big dog cowboy]

For all the detractors of this head coach, you can not say his players don't give effort.

This is a point I'm hearing more and more on SportsCenter and NFLN.

 

[erod]

How many other coaches are given 4 years to establish a "culture" that then requires outside expertise be brought in before this cultural change is felt? The O didnt work during last years culture, but when a good OC is brought in? Now the culture is embraced? Don't start the, "We are looking for players that like to play football" generality that somehow became a coaching attribute? You notice that label fits any player we sign after the fact?

Reduced penalties and NFL level coaching had to wait 4 years in order for this culture to become embedded? Preparation, critical teaching regarding Romo, crossing routes, motion, moving Dez around, screens, etc. These were never a staple before this season. That is specific coaching, not culture. The major positives displayed this season are direct counters to JG's deficiencies throughout his tenure. Preparation, limited mistakes, running the ball, no mass confusion before the snap, etc. None of these were associated with JG, but when Linney enables it, well JG said he wanted to win too! Culture Now we can rely on JG's expert clock analysis now that his plate is bare.

There are three players left from when he took over. Three.

He rebuilt a roster right under your nose, and with THAT general manager.

He deserves a statue, not criticism from the know-nothing fan base.

And for the record, Tom Landry was given a LOT more than four years to establish a culture.

 

[BigStar]

There are three players left from when he took over. Three.

He rebuilt a roster right under your nose, and with THAT general manager.

He deserves a statue, not criticism from the know-nothing fan base.

And for the record, Tom Landry was given a LOT more than four years to establish a culture.

A statue for being demoted and not winning a playoff game throughout his tenure? JG didn't just give up his play calling duties as evidenced with Callahan in 13...does he get credit for the 3 way play calling that somehow confused the players. So three of our best players were here before his tenure? Romo, Witten, Scan... Doesn't that mean he took 4 years to rebuild the team but still remains win less in the playoffs? All the while wasting his top 5 QB? Great top 3 rounds to our drafts but also nothing insinuating he was behind a master plan to design this OL either(Floyd blowup...Donald/Shazier needing to be off the board for us to even land Martin)

I am by no means a JJ supporter but he has done well outside of the Carr signing and the Escobar pick in the 2nd. Would like a S to be picked in top 3 (real FS) or in FA but hard to complain considering the cap constraints. I actually really liked that they didn't restructure Carr in the off season along with the others to allow the team to cut bait this off season if need be. The Frederick pick was all him but sure Martin was just the third option. Give him credit for breaking the lack of OL in the 1st and will give JG credit for those selections if nothing else but also believe SJ has a hand in that change in philosophy. But a true rebuilding of the OL wouldn't solely rely on 1st rd OL selections; with several being chosen throughout the drafts. Our OL was chosen bc they were the BPA available (Floyd trade omitted even though that worked out for us too). So this calculated nature or plan is being exaggerated when looking at the circumstances behind the selections and the reason behind the high player turnover (Gurode was still better than Nagy/Costa for ex)

If JG gets the team into the playoffs and wins a game I would understand an extension, but nothing before that point bc he simply doesn't warrant one. Landry was a different era and no one would be warranted that time in this age. JG is lucky to still be coaching after being out coached in 3 consecutive do or die games...but build away.

 

[Fletch]

I don't think it's about him playing well. He's just playing hard.

For all the detractors of this head coach, you can not say his players don't give effort.

You do know it's all in the process, right?

Keep stackin days, baby!

 

[Vanilla2]

And yet, this is the same head coach that has, in the past, gotten a ho-hum effort out of teams with talent. So is it Garrett or the OC's? My way of thinking is the guys running the different squads are making most of this physical, great effprt football;l happening.

Yawn....

 

[BigStar]

You mean the defense? Which consisted of Everette Brown, Landon Cohen, Corey Irvin, Jason Vega, Jarius Wynn, Edgar Jones, Caesar Rayford, Marquez Wilson.......?

That team didn't quit. It just consisted of non-NFL players.

That's fair But the O didn't look much better either (esp CHI) but that is pretty bare bones. Isn't that on him for switching to the 4-3 and requiring such a drastic change in player personnel? But I could put that on JJ just as easy. Really the effort part bugs me bc we are acting as if we are watching NFL teams regularly quit? I don't see that in the other games I watch so it seems like an attribute we are glorifying that applies to every NFL team (outside of Oakland)