A place to freely scratch your head...come on in.

[Chuck 54]

No over reacting here, but I have always thought it was okay to ask questions and to criticize, so anyone who wants to call me negative, not a true Cowboys fan, or a bandwagon fan can first realize that I've worshipped the Cowboys since December of 1967, and second...can kiss my @#%$#.

Anyone else who wants to vent or ask questions or suggest answers, jump on in.

1. I've watched an awful lot of Commanders games this year due to living in Richmond, VA, and anyone who's seen anything of the Commanders knows that the only guys they throw to in the redzone are Cooley and Sellars. I sat there and called all three of their TD passes down there, and it's not because I'm smart...it's because that's what they do every freakin' week. So why was Demarcus Ware covering Cooley 1-1 when that should be Roy's job, and how in the world could Cooley and Sellars be standing totally alone for the other 2 td passes? Did anyone watch any film at all?

2. Why did Glenn choose today to drop passes?

3. Why punt on 4th and less than 1 behind by that much? and then berate the punter for a bad punt?

4. Why let Bledsoe take the beating he took by stubbornly blocking the Skins front 4 with our 5 almost all game? I know they should be able to handle the Skins underachieving front 4, but that has nothing to do with it....they were eating us up inside and outside. Pettitti, Tucker, Riverra, and Johnson were all terrible...Tucker's man got by him plenty, but two of his sacks came while engaged because Bledsoe had to slide over into his arms to avoid the rush up the middle. So why was Bill so stubborn for the entire game? At what point do you start giving help with Campbell and a RB and send out only 3? We were midway in the 3rd quarter and still leaving our OTs 1-1 with no help...I don't understand that lack of attention.

5. Why were CAnty and Henry too injured to play for most of the game when we needed both against the run and Henry against the pass to keep Reeves off the field, but suddenly I look up in the 4th quarter with the game over and I see Henry and Canty both in the game? What the hell is that all about?
Reeves had Cooley 1-1 and made him look like a freakin' all pro WR instead of an HB...he gave Cooley and huge cushion, let him catch a first down in front...then gets faked out on the tackle and let's Cooley turn it into a long TD...I know Newman missed a followup tackle on the sideline, but that play by Reeves was the most ridiculous play of a CB on a TE I've ever seen.

6. Two weeks in a row we've given up 100+ to an opposing RB...yes, our LBs are weak...Shanlee is the main culprit who's gone in the crapper for whatever reason...That explains why we tried to replace him with both Barrow and Fowler tonight. I'm sure the apologists will attack me for this, but Ware has sucked for the entire 2nd half of the season, especially against the run...he was exposed last week vs. LJ, and the Skins obviously watched since they ran Portis wide on him all game...he made a couple of nice plays, but that's not enough. I'll hold out hope that he'll get much more powerful and confident in the offseason, but anyone who doesn't think Merriman is a better player right now is out of his mind.

7. We'll never win a title with Parcells...he didn't win one in NE, and he didn't win one with the Jets...by my count it's been a very long time since he even got close. However, I support Parcells finishing his contract...he's made us better. He's really blown it on the OL with every move he's made, but he's done a nice job with our RBs, WRs, and the overall defense when healthy. Let him continue building our personel, but when his contract is up, don't give him an extension...by then it will be time to bring someone else in who approaches the game and the players differently...I believe that.

8. I don't believe replacing Zimmer is the answer...he was coaching one of the top defenses until we lost two starting LBs and Henry...and he was doing it with no FS. He didn't suddenly go stupid, though we may sometimes not like the game plan. We need Henry at full strength and Glenn in the nickel...we need Canty with Spears to stop the run...and mostly we need better LB play. DAT was too small and Singleton was no good , but I always figure the guys who aren't starting must be worse, so of course it hurts to lose them...duh.

9. The only reason I kept watching in the 2nd half after giving them another TD on our first possession was because I was looking forward to applauding or laughing at Romo in the 4th quarter...I'm not against Bledsoe, but come on Bill !!!! Geeze...that was the time to freakin' play your backup QB if for no other reason than to protect Bledsoe from injury.

10. I caught some flak from the homers this week when I supported Prisco's pro bowl selections...I could see Allen as the 3rd OG (backup)...I would never have given that same spot to Glover at DT however. This was only 1 game, and I love the direction our team is headed after the past years of misery, but I don't see guys who deserve probowl nods.

11. It was nice to see Crayton finally catch a meaningful pass and make a nice run...and then he disappeared again....sort of like Witten with his 1 meaningful play. I know, I know...Bledsoe never got a chance to look around.
AGain, why didn't we max protect at some point and run our 3 main guys around that patchwork secondary....The really embarrassing thing was when we couldn't score on our last two possessions against mostly their backups on defense.

12. Julius made 1 nice cut and untouched run, until he was run down by Taylor, but I still like Barber much much better...he's obviously more consistant, and the fact reported tonight that over the past 3 games he's had a 4.5 yard avg. while JJ running behind the same line has a 3 yard avg. makes me wonder why Barber isn't starting and getting most of the carries.

13. Cut Cundiff who started the whole downward spiral by missing another short range FG when the score would have been 7-3 :violin: .

*** That's it for me....I'm out....I predicted an 8-8 season with a chance for 9-7 back in the summer, but like everyone else, I got caught up in the hype and hoped we were better than that. We're not...the evidence is clear, and not just from tonight. While we can point to games we gave away like the first Washington fiasco and the Seattle game, we also could have lost many more like the KC game won on a missed FG and the first Giants game when they had all the momentum and we won the coin toss.

We're a middle of the road team with injuries...we'll finish with a middle of the road record of 8-8 or 9-7...we'll have a middle of the road draft position. Not all that disappointing because it's what I expected, and it's an improvement over the previous teams we've fielded in recent years.

But being swept by the Skins...and being totally outplayed, outhit, outcoached, out-everythinged in a game that meant so much...well, that's sickening uke: .

I'm no big Keyshaun fan because I don't think he's very good anymore, but tonight he looked like he was the only guy who cared enough to show any passion...I respected that and loved the fact that he was giving Cundiff hell after he blew the freakin' fg.

If you actually made it through all of that, step up....it's your soap box now, and don't let the kool aid, rose colored glasses people intimidate you...this team isn't going to the playoffs unless we really are God's team and he steps in big time, nor do we deserve to go.....but as William Money replied to Little Bill before putting a bullet in his face, "Deserves got nothin' to do with it."

 

[TonyS]

Wayne...all seems on target. I don't disagree with anything you've posted. This was a tough loss to swallow. Rather had a close one, but had a feeling Washington was entertaining us with something to prove.

My biggest concern is the disappearing rookies. Ware is obviously way over his head out there and doesn't look like he's been taught how to maintain the outside or shed a block. I would think coaches could teach these young guys with potential how to compete and counter moves that they see on the field. Very disappointing.

If we end 9-7, we can call it a rebuilding year and move to next year, I just don't know how much better we will be, even with better/different talent.

 

[Ashwynn]

That punt on 4th and 1 was a good call. Deep in our end and early in the game. We were playing like crap and noone in the stadium thought we could get 1 yard with 4 more tries, let alone one.

You woulda been roasting Parcells for failing and giving them the ball with plenty of time inside the 40. 42-7 woulda looked a lot worse then 35-7.

 

[Eddie]

That punt on 4th and 1 was a good call. Deep in our end and early in the game. We were playing like crap and noone in the stadium thought we could get 1 yard with 4 more tries, let alone one.

You woulda been roasting Parcells for failing and giving them the ball with plenty of time inside the 40. 42-7 woulda looked a lot worse then 35-7.

Not sure what the difference between 42-7 and 35-7 is. An azz-whipping is an azz-whipping.

Punting on 4th and 1 when we're down 35-0 is GIVING UP !!!

 

[Ashwynn]

Not sure what the difference between 42-7 and 35-7 is. An azz-whipping is an azz-whipping.

Punting on 4th and 1 when we're down 35-0 is GIVING UP !!!

See, I guess your damned if you do and damned if you dont. I think it was a good call and dont have a problem with it. you cant go for them all all the time. Pick your battles instead of fighting them all and you stand a better chance of winning a higher percentage.

 

[jimmy40]

No over reacting here, but I have always thought it was okay to ask questions and to criticize, so anyone who wants to call me negative, not a true Cowboys fan, or a bandwagon fan can first realize that I've worshipped the Cowboys since December of 1967, and second...can kiss my @#%$#.

Anyone else who wants to vent or ask questions or suggest answers, jump on in.

1. I've watched an awful lot of Commanders games this year due to living in Richmond, VA, and anyone who's seen anything of the Commanders knows that the only guys they throw to in the redzone are Cooley and Sellars. I sat there and called all three of their TD passes down there, and it's not because I'm smart...it's because that's what they do every freakin' week. So why was Demarcus Ware covering Cooley 1-1 when that should be Roy's job, and how in the world could Cooley and Sellars be standing totally alone for the other 2 td passes? Did anyone watch any film at all?

2. Why did Glenn choose today to drop passes?

3. Why punt on 4th and less than 1 behind by that much? and then berate the punter for a bad punt?

4. Why let Bledsoe take the beating he took by stubbornly blocking the Skins front 4 with our 5 almost all game? I know they should be able to handle the Skins underachieving front 4, but that has nothing to do with it....they were eating us up inside and outside. Pettitti, Tucker, Riverra, and Johnson were all terrible...Tucker's man got by him plenty, but two of his sacks came while engaged because Bledsoe had to slide over into his arms to avoid the rush up the middle. So why was Bill so stubborn for the entire game? At what point do you start giving help with Campbell and a RB and send out only 3? We were midway in the 3rd quarter and still leaving our OTs 1-1 with no help...I don't understand that lack of attention.

5. Why were CAnty and Henry too injured to play for most of the game when we needed both against the run and Henry against the pass to keep Reeves off the field, but suddenly I look up in the 4th quarter with the game over and I see Henry and Canty both in the game? What the hell is that all about?
Reeves had Cooley 1-1 and made him look like a freakin' all pro WR instead of an HB...he gave Cooley and huge cushion, let him catch a first down in front...then gets faked out on the tackle and let's Cooley turn it into a long TD...I know Newman missed a followup tackle on the sideline, but that play by Reeves was the most ridiculous play of a CB on a TE I've ever seen.

6. Two weeks in a row we've given up 100+ to an opposing RB...yes, our LBs are weak...Shanlee is the main culprit who's gone in the crapper for whatever reason...That explains why we tried to replace him with both Barrow and Fowler tonight. I'm sure the apologists will attack me for this, but Ware has sucked for the entire 2nd half of the season, especially against the run...he was exposed last week vs. LJ, and the Skins obviously watched since they ran Portis wide on him all game...he made a couple of nice plays, but that's not enough. I'll hold out hope that he'll get much more powerful and confident in the offseason, but anyone who doesn't think Merriman is a better player right now is out of his mind.

7. We'll never win a title with Parcells...he didn't win one in NE, and he didn't win one with the Jets...by my count it's been a very long time since he even got close. However, I support Parcells finishing his contract...he's made us better. He's really blown it on the OL with every move he's made, but he's done a nice job with our RBs, WRs, and the overall defense when healthy. Let him continue building our personel, but when his contract is up, don't give him an extension...by then it will be time to bring someone else in who approaches the game and the players differently...I believe that.

8. I don't believe replacing Zimmer is the answer...he was coaching one of the top defenses until we lost two starting LBs and Henry...and he was doing it with no FS. He didn't suddenly go stupid, though we may sometimes not like the game plan. We need Henry at full strength and Glenn in the nickel...we need Canty with Spears to stop the run...and mostly we need better LB play. DAT was too small and Singleton was no good , but I always figure the guys who aren't starting must be worse, so of course it hurts to lose them...duh.

9. The only reason I kept watching in the 2nd half after giving them another TD on our first possession was because I was looking forward to applauding or laughing at Romo in the 4th quarter...I'm not against Bledsoe, but come on Bill !!!! Geeze...that was the time to freakin' play your backup QB if for no other reason than to protect Bledsoe from injury.

10. I caught some flak from the homers this week when I supported Prisco's pro bowl selections...I could see Allen as the 3rd OG (backup)...I would never have given that same spot to Glover at DT however. This was only 1 game, and I love the direction our team is headed after the past years of misery, but I don't see guys who deserve probowl nods.

11. It was nice to see Crayton finally catch a meaningful pass and make a nice run...and then he disappeared again....sort of like Witten with his 1 meaningful play. I know, I know...Bledsoe never got a chance to look around.
AGain, why didn't we max protect at some point and run our 3 main guys around that patchwork secondary....The really embarrassing thing was when we couldn't score on our last two possessions against mostly their backups on defense.

12. Julius made 1 nice cut and untouched run, until he was run down by Taylor, but I still like Barber much much better...he's obviously more consistant, and the fact reported tonight that over the past 3 games he's had a 4.5 yard avg. while JJ running behind the same line has a 3 yard avg. makes me wonder why Barber isn't starting and getting most of the carries.

13. Cut Cundiff who started the whole downward spiral by missing another short range FG when the score would have been 7-3 :violin: .

*** That's it for me....I'm out....I predicted an 8-8 season with a chance for 9-7 back in the summer, but like everyone else, I got caught up in the hype and hoped we were better than that. We're not...the evidence is clear, and not just from tonight. While we can point to games we gave away like the first Washington fiasco and the Seattle game, we also could have lost many more like the KC game won on a missed FG and the first Giants game when they had all the momentum and we won the coin toss.

We're a middle of the road team with injuries...we'll finish with a middle of the road record of 8-8 or 9-7...we'll have a middle of the road draft position. Not all that disappointing because it's what I expected, and it's an improvement over the previous teams we've fielded in recent years.

But being swept by the Skins...and being totally outplayed, outhit, outcoached, out-everythinged in a game that meant so much...well, that's sickening uke: .

I'm no big Keyshaun fan because I don't think he's very good anymore, but tonight he looked like he was the only guy who cared enough to show any passion...I respected that and loved the fact that he was giving Cundiff hell after he blew the freakin' fg.

If you actually made it through all of that, step up....it's your soap box now, and don't let the kool aid, rose colored glasses people intimidate you...this team isn't going to the playoffs unless we really are God's team and he steps in big time, nor do we deserve to go.....but as William Money replied to Little Bill before putting a bullet in his face, "Deserves got nothin' to do with it."

We have a team full of guys that will get on the kicker but no one else. I think I know one of our problems.

 

[Juke99]

Great post Wayne...and thank you for having the brass ones to state, what is very clear....Ware simply isn't playing well...and hasn't been for a while.

I'd also like to get an explanation for throwing the ball at the end of the game...calling time outs...down 35-7....hell, I was waiting for Parcells to trot the FG team out there with 11 seconds left.

Why not bring Romo in? Is Bill afraid he'll do well and then he'll have to handle the resulting "QB controversy" stuff??? Other than that, I can see no reason for leaving Bledsoe in for the entire game.

I'm also gonna say that I like Marion Barber VERY much...I also like Julius, even though he's not the same guy as he was last year and I do wonder if coaching has something to do with this...anyway, please name one the starter and leave him in there. Any RB will tell ya that they need to get in the flow of the game...that they feel more comfortable as the game wears on and they get more carries. There's no way either of these guys can get in a rythmn.

I agree about the punt call...I seem to remember Parcells going for it vs SF earlier this year, from around the same area, in a close game...why punt in this situation today? And I agree....the garbage with seeking out McBriar to give him the patented Parcells tough guy look, was a joke. Did Parcells bother to look up at the scoreboard at any time and notice the score that HIS team was losing by?

Parcells was hired to win, not rebuild. That became apparent to me last year with that awful roster he put together. There is no consistent game plan for the organization..which btw, has been a Jerry hallmark since Jimmy left. It continues.

Anyway....great post. Thanks

 

[Chuck 54]

That punt on 4th and 1 was a good call. Deep in our end and early in the game. We were playing like crap and noone in the stadium thought we could get 1 yard with 4 more tries, let alone one.

You woulda been roasting Parcells for failing and giving them the ball with plenty of time inside the 40. 42-7 woulda looked a lot worse then 35-7.

early in the game??? we were already blown out. Barber hadn't been stopped in the backfield yet I don't think. But it's an honest difference of opinion...not a big deal, just me wondering why? I'd always punt if we needed more yardage, but less than a yard while being blown out? OH well...good response.

 

[Chuck 54]

We have a team full of guys that will get on the kicker but no one else. I think I know one of our problems.

sounds promising, but I'm missing whatever you're saying between the lines...what is the one problem you think you know?

 

[Ashwynn]

early in the game??? we were already blown out. Barber hadn't been stopped in the backfield yet I don't think. But it's an honest difference of opinion...not a big deal, just me wondering why? I'd always punt if we needed more yardage, but less than a yard while being blown out? OH well...good response.

Yea - your point? let see, we cant stop em, we are losing 28-0. we are inside OUR 40. 4&1. We have little to NO chance at pickign up 1 yard. what to do......?

How idiotic do you have to be to give the skins a 35 yard field. Instant GF possible 6 points gift wrapped.

I dont care how far behind you are. If your playing like we were you cant afford that luxary of taking chances.

Can you imagine you if we had of went for it with a Jones dive into the biggest pile on the field ad lost 1 yard. and gave them a TD.

Trust me, it was the right thing to do. Your agree tomorrow after you cool down.

 

[lane]

i'm with you 100% wayne.

 

[Chuck 54]

Great post Wayne...and thank you for having the brass ones to state, what is very clear....Ware simply isn't playing well...and hasn't been for a while.

I'd also like to get an explanation for throwing the ball at the end of the game...calling time outs...down 35-7....hell, I was waiting for Parcells to trot the FG team out there with 11 seconds left.

Why not bring Romo in? Is Bill afraid he'll do well and then he'll have to handle the resulting "QB controversy" stuff??? Other than that, I can see no reason for leaving Bledsoe in for the entire game.

I'm also gonna say that I like Marion Barber VERY much...I also like Julius, even though he's not the same guy as he was last year and I do wonder if coaching has something to do with this...anyway, please name one the starter and leave him in there. Any RB will tell ya that they need to get in the flow of the game...that they feel more comfortable as the game wears on and they get more carries. There's no way either of these guys can get in a rythmn.

I agree about the punt call...I seem to remember Parcells going for it vs SF earlier this year, from around the same area, in a close game...why punt in this situation today? And I agree....the garbage with seeking out McBriar to give him the patented Parcells tough guy look, was a joke. Did Parcells bother to look up at the scoreboard at any time and notice the score that HIS team was losing by?

Parcells was hired to win, not rebuild. That became apparent to me last year with that awful roster he put together. There is no consistent game plan for the organization..which btw, has been a Jerry hallmark since Jimmy left. It continues.

Anyway....great post. Thanks

Wow....interesting comments on the organization's game plan, Juke...It just seems to me that Parcells is stubborn...we accept his stubborness when it comes to players he likes and how he coaches them, but I really have never liked his stubborn way of approaching games. I didn't see any adjustments today, did you?

I really hope he'll continue to improve the defense, finally figure the OL out, and then we hire a more innovative offensive coach. His style makes a poor team better than it is, and maybe it makes an average team better than it is at times, but it seems to me that his conservative style will make a talented team less than it should be....but I can't really support that feeling.

 

[Chuck 54]

Yea - your point? let see, we cant stop em, we are losing 28-0. we are inside OUR 40. 4&1. We have little to NO chance at pickign up 1 yard. what to do......?

How idiotic do you have to be to give the skins a 35 yard field. Instant GF possible 6 points gift wrapped.

I dont care how far behind you are. If your playing like we were you cant afford that luxary of taking chances.

Can you imagine you if we had of went for it with a Jones dive into the biggest pile on the field ad lost 1 yard. and gave them a TD.

Trust me, it was the right thing to do. Your agree tomorrow after you cool down.

I respect your opinion...really, totally, but I guess I'm idiotic because I'm not even mad about this game...how could anyone be mad when it was over soo fast...lol. I actually figured we had a good chance to make the 1 yard with Barber on short yardage...I guess that's the idiotic part.

 

[Gaede]

Main thing that made me sratch my head was Bledsoe playing the entire game. Now I realize that some of his mistakes can be attributed to other people, but the bottomline is that he wasn't working. He was a liability.

Why not make a change? Just for a couple series? Put Romo in and give him some ******* playing time...We all know he needs it...Can't be much worse than 3 picks, 7 sacks and 1 fumble lost right?

 

[lspain1]

One of the key questions on our defense at the beginning of the year was out LB's. Ware has hit a wall and the rest are weak after the injuries. Our 3-4 experiment definitely gets mixed reviews. It'll be better next year but we are going have to spend money or draft choices on defense again this year. Things look a bit grim tonight. Maybe I'll feel better tomorrow.

 

[DMX690]

Dallas pick a bad time to play one of its worse game of the season. But, that's life. Actually this lost, builts character, let's see what type of players we have on this team, especially the young guys. Do they have the mental toughness to overcome this setback. It's easy to play well, and look good when thing our going well. But, its another thing when you just got your *** kick.

 

[SultanOfSix]

Why not make a change? Just for a couple series? Put Romo in and give him some ******* playing time...We all know he needs it...Can't be much worse than 3 picks, 7 sacks and 1 fumble lost right?

You don't know? There are three guaranteed things in life: death, taxes, and Parcells not making a change at QB.

 

[Juke99]

Wow....interesting comments on the organization's game plan, Juke...It just seems to me that Parcells is stubborn...we accept his stubborness when it comes to players he likes and how he coaches them, but I really have never liked his stubborn way of approaching games. I didn't see any adjustments today, did you?

I really hope he'll continue to improve the defense, finally figure the OL out, and then we hire a more innovative offensive coach. His style makes a poor team better than it is, and maybe it makes an average team better than it is at times, but it seems to me that his conservative style will make a talented team less than it should be....but I can't really support that feeling.

He's not the same coach he was in NY...I watched him then...and I LOVED the way he coached. He was a gambler. His game plans were brilliant.

Somewhere along the line, it all became about "not making mistakes"...sure, a coach is going to stress that...but this is just lunacy...and I think it takes away from a good player's natural ability.

His stubborness is centered around "If we execute perfectly, we'll win" Well, to expect 11 guys to execute perfectly on every play is not reasonable....and to ignore the fact that the opposition MIGHT execute perfectly.

In my opinion, he has taken the life out of this team with his little mind games...eg, getting in McBriar's face.

I'll tell ya, I know Antonio Bryant was a headcase but when he tossed that jersey, it just kinda got me thinking.

I would NOT want to be a young guy playing for Parcells.

He just seems to pee on the fire that young guys have.

 

[jimmy40]

sounds promising, but I'm missing whatever you're saying between the lines...what is the one problem you think you know?

We have no freakin leader on this team at all, not even close, and getting in the kickers face is not leading or showing passion. Getting into a 300 pound offensive lineman's face for getting your qb killed is showing passion, might get you killed but hey, a second rate receiver getting on the kicker just looks stupid. We need an identity in the worst way. I don't think an old man coach that hasn't won a Super Bowl in 15 years is what we need for an identity. We need a leader on the field. I just don't think he's on the team yet.

 

[Chuck 54]

We have no freakin leader on this team at all, not even close, and getting in the kickers face is not leading or showing passion. Getting into a 300 pound offensive lineman's face for getting your qb killed is showing passion, might get you killed but hey, a second rate receiver getting on the kicker just looks stupid. We need an identity in the worst way. I don't think an old man coach that hasn't won a Super Bowl in 15 years is what we need for an identity. We need a leader on the field. I just don't think he's on the team yet.

Wow....I'm glad I asked...cudos for the balls to share your opinion.