A reminder for next year

[perrykemp]

There has a lot of talk about the the offense and the defense as it relates to the Cowboys getting to the Superbowl next year -- right now.

If you look at the Packer game and, IMHO, what ultimately lost them the game in Seattle it was their special teams failing them -- the fake FG for a TD and a onsides kick.

One thing that didn't get a lot of airplay this season is the general downward trend of special teams. Lack of returns. FG kicking not as good as other years, etc.

I'd hate for the Cowboys to get better overall (defensively mainly) next season and then blow a game like the Packers did on special team.

Its easy to forget how pivotal special teams can be.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Jimmy Johnson is that you?


Great point and I completely agree.

 

[JPostSam]

"all three phases... it's a process."

 

[DandyDon1722]

Really good point and I would say we are trending down in special teams after this season. However, Jason has earned my trust in the process and I fully expect they will get a lot of attention in the offseason and be much better next year.

 

[TonyRomo17]

Something was going on with bailey this season

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Packers didn't lose the game on special teams. Packers lost the game because instead of having 28 points going into half they only had 16 points and they played conservative all the way out. From everything. There was even a point where I think Morgan Burnett, with 5 minutes left got a interception and instead of running it back for a touchdown he fell to the floor. Mind boggling.

 

[perrykemp]

Something was going on with bailey this season

Dwayne Harris's longest Kick Return was for 42 yards and his longest Punt Return was for 38 yards.

Not terrible but no earth-shattering plays either.

 

[perrykemp]

Packers didn't lose the game on special teams. Packers lost the game because instead of having 28 points going into half they only had 16 points and they played conservative all the way out. From everything. There was even a point where I think Morgan Burnett, with 5 minutes left got a interception and instead of running it back for a touchdown he fell to the floor. Mind boggling.

Lots of things added up to them losing that game.

In the end -- the onsides kick is the single play that hurt them the most. What is the success rate of onsides kicks? Isn't something like 10-11%?

 

[Tenkamenin]

Dwayne Harris's longest Kick Return was for 42 yards and his longest Punt Return was for 38 yards.

Not terrible but no earth-shattering plays either.

Agreed, however he was a heck of a gunner this season.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Something was going on with bailey this season

He seemed fine until that last game.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Lots of things added up to them losing that game.

In the end -- the onsides kick is the single play that hurt them the most. What is the success rate of onsides kicks? Isn't something like 10-11%?

Yeah but the game shouldn't have even come down to that play. Burnett kneeled down the interception before he even got past the 50 yard line. They play conservative and have to punt. That to me was far more telling.

My understanding of the onside kick is Bostic tried to be a hero and wasn't asked to do it. His job was to block and he went against his own assignment.

 

[perrykemp]

Yeah but the game shouldn't have even come down to that play. Burnett kneeled down the interception before he even got past the 50 yard line. They play conservative and have to punt. That to me was far more telling.

My understanding of the onside kick is Bostic tried to be a hero and wasn't asked to do it. His job was to block and he went against his own assignment.

Burnett going down the ground with at least 20 yards of real-estate open in front of his was unconscionable UNLESS you consider he was taking his cues from McCarthy who totally and absolutely blew it by turtling up and going ultra conservative.

If you watched Rodgers in his post-game conference his contempt for lack of aggressiveness by McCarthy was barely veiled.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Burnett going down the ground with at least 20 yards of real-estate open in front of his was unconscionable UNLESS you consider he was taking his cues from McCarthy who totally and absolutely blew it by turtling up and going ultra conservative.

If you watched Rodgers in his post-game conference his contempt for lack of aggressiveness by McCarthy was barely veiled.

If McCarthy truly did that then he should be fired. I've been sitting here wondering since the game ended why on earth would a NFL player do that. Like I understand you want to end the game on your terms. But there was nearly 5 minutes left, and when he kneels down he doesn't even kneel down into points. I can see kneeling down in field goal range. He doesn't even get to the 50 and does it. Truly remarkable stuff.

 

[tyke1doe]

There has a lot of talk about the the offense and the defense as it relates to the Cowboys getting to the Superbowl next year -- right now.

If you look at the Packer game and, IMHO, what ultimately lost them the game in Seattle it was their special teams failing them -- the fake FG for a TD and a onsides kick.

One thing that didn't get a lot of airplay this season is the general downward trend of special teams. Lack of returns. FG kicking not as good as other years, etc.

I'd hate for the Cowboys to get better overall (defensively mainly) next season and then blow a game like the Packers did on special team.

Its easy to forget how pivotal special teams can be.

The Packers lost because of special teams? I thought their special teams played pretty well. The fake field goal? You think they should have been prepared for that ? Those things happen.

The Packers lost because they wouldn't commit to the run, and they relied too much on their special teams, i.e., field goals.

 

[Blackspider214]

Something was going on with bailey this season

Remember, he got dinged up after he made a tackle on a kickoff. Want to say it was the Bears game. He was never right after that.

Anyways, he's always been shaky when it comes to long FGs.

 

[Blackspider214]

The Packers lost because of special teams? I thought their special teams played pretty well. The fake field goal? You think they should have been prepared for that ? Those things happen.

The Packers lost because they wouldn't commit to the run, and they relied too much on their special teams, i.e., field goals.

Yes they should have. Down 16-0, you have to think a guy like Carroll will be going for it. No reason to sell out for a block. Keep a guy in zone coverage.

AJ Hawk made a terrible decision anyways. That holder had a long ways to go for a 1st down and Hawk just left his guy as wide open as he could.

 

[tyke1doe]

Yes they should have. Down 16-0, you have to think a guy like Carroll will be going for it. No reason to sell out for a block. Keep a guy in zone coverage.

AJ Hawk made a terrible decision anyways. That holder had a long ways to go for a 1st down and Hawk just left his guy as wide open as he could.

But I can't see that as the decisive play of the game. The Packers had their chances. They just didn't capitalize on their opportunities, similar to the Cowboys last week.

 

[Parcells4Life]

If McCarthy truly did that then he should be fired. I've been sitting here wondering since the game ended why on earth would a NFL player do that. Like I understand you want to end the game on your terms. But there was nearly 5 minutes left, and when he kneels down he doesn't even kneel down into points. I can see kneeling down in field goal range. He doesn't even get to the 50 and does it. Truly remarkable stuff.

After seeing DeMarcus Lawrence's fumble and given how poorly Seattle was playing on offense at the time, he did the right thing. Don't risk a fumble. Take time off the clock and at the minimum flip field position

 

[DogFace]

% wise we are good. We will get some big plays on ST.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

After seeing DeMarcus Lawrence's fumble and given how poorly Seattle was playing on offense at the time, he did the right thing. Don't risk a fumble. Take time off the clock and at the minimum flip field position

There was no one around him though lol. The only person around him was his teammate. I get the risk of fumble......but his was nothing like Lawrences. Lawrence had a fumble to fall on to. Burnett had clear momentum to atleast get into field goal range if not more.