A Touch of Hostility... Week 14

[Disturbed]

I think a lot of fans share the sentiment and thoughts that Hostile has expressed. He did a better job of it than most, but the fan base is frustrated and rightly so.... It does appear clear that Dallas made the wrong decision and should have hired Turner, not Phillips.

The past thirteen years have been tough and it appears there is no end in sight.

When will Jerry be sick enough of losing to step back some and let a real football person come in and change things for the better?

 

[Randy White]

I have no issues with the play calling. I think Garrett will be the next HC and I'm OK with that.

Garrett has proven he still doesn't have enough sand in his saddle bags to completely coordinate a top offense ( play design, game plan, play call ), much less be in charge of an entire team. If the Jerrathor plays it right, one day he might become that guy, but he still needs more experience and a guy with enough medals to reel him in at times.

But this team does not or cannot execute because they are not as talented as many people think they are.

This team is just as talented as any team they've played so far.

 

[TheDude]

This team is just as talented as any team they've played so far.

Then what is the issue? Either its coaching, players, or both.

We are deficient in talent in some of these areas

 

[Dallas4ever]

I don't think they're head and shoulders better than us. I said last week that we match up well with them because their defense like to gamble and we should take opportunity of that. We didn't. I don't know what's in Garrett's head, but I'm tired of defending it. His play designing is not the problem, his play calling is. Perhaps it's because he's on the sidelines instead of the press box and doesn't really get a complete feel and/or view of defenses, perhaps ( and this is the theory I support the most ) it's because there isn't a strong voice that keeps him in check, just like Jimmy Johnson did to Norv back in the SB days. 4th and 1 and call a double tight dive to the FB with Marion as the FB ? and hike the ball on first sound ? That's STUPID. If you're not sure, call a damn timeout and come up with something better. Here's an idea, come in with a 3 receiver, 1 TE, RB set, spread the defense and THEN hand the ball to Barber ?... I guess that's too complicated..

and defensively, yea, we played " ok ", but I also warned that if we didn't get to Rivers, he was going to cut us like fresh tuna in an iron chef show. Sure enough, we didn't get to him, and he got us at the most important times. I know the offense was incompetent, mostly because of the play calling, but my biggest beef is with the defense. I'm tired of watching Cowboys CB, particularly Terrence Newman, watch receivers streak by him, thinking the safety has him over the top, and making plays. I don't know if it's by design ( probably it is ), or just him doing " his thang ", but once and for all STOP THAT. If a receiver is streaking down the sideline: STICK WITH HIM. If he's just a decoy to vacate the area so a RB or TE can come in and catch a dump pass, then ADJUST the damn defense, but that DAMN receiver is making too many plays and he's a hell of alot more dangerous than some TE or RB catching a dump pass ( Brandon Jacobs notwisthstanding ).

By the way, Keith Brookins, thanks for the inspirational leadership early in the season, but you showed why ATL didn't want to keep you. You've had a wonderful career, but unfortunately father time catches up to everyone. You can't play 10 games at full speed anymore, much less 16, without you losing alot of your game so if you're willing to become a part time player to help the your replacement ease up the transition, great, love to keep your leadership around 1 more year, if not, then thank you for your contribution, but it's time to see more of Jason Williams playing in your spot. James Brady: because of the season you had last year, you deserve the benefit of doubt, but be aware: in the offseason, you need to drop 10-15 lbs, you need to become quicker and you need to become SMARTER. You look heavier and slower than you did last year, but less physical and that's a NO-NO. You also better hit the film room more often because your reading and reacting has become just as slow as your footspeed.

After all that rant, it still comes down to leadership at the top and unfortunately, we don't have that. Cupcake needs to go.

You're on point!

 

[Eskimo]

At this point, I'm actually rooting for a full-fledged collapse 0-5 with 3 blowout losses to close it out so Jerry finally comes to the realization that he has been going about things wrong.

We need some big, embarassing losses to accomplish this.

Only this finish can result in achieving what we need to finally pull out of our funk - bring in a proper GM/director of player personnel. Then let him control the team. Jerry and Stephen can then focus on finances, merchandising, etc.

 

[RainMan]

Hos, your post should be published. I think it pretty much captures what every Cowboys fan is feeling right about now -- which is a difficult thing to do with our all-over-the-place bunch.

This is becoming a fitting end to a forgettable decade. A decade where we haven't won a playoff game and saw our old and new homes closed and opened in anguish.

It's sad to think that as Cowboys fans, we could have been placed in a coma for 10 years and essentially not missed a thing.

As for the on-field product, here's my question:

We tend to fall prey to teams with their backs against the wall. You know, they're must win games for them and we walk into a buzz saw, and thus lose.

Why, though, aren't we ever the buzz saw?

 

[Disturbed]

At this point, I'm actually rooting for a full-fledged collapse 0-5 with 3 blowout losses to close it out so Jerry finally comes to the realization that he has been going about things wrong.

We need some big, embarassing losses to accomplish this.

Only this finish can result in achieving what we need to finally pull out of our funk - bring in a proper GM/director of player personnel. Then let him control the team. Jerry and Stephen can then focus on finances, merchandising, etc.

That is a great dream but it will never happen. Jerry is a control freak...the best we can hope for is that he will step back some to let a real football person lead the way. Jerry will never see himself as the problem...coaches, style, players, etc...but not himself.

 

[Randy White]

Then what is the issue? Either its coaching, players, or both.

We are deficient in talent in some of these areas

Well, of course. So is every other team in the league. No team is über talented everywhere. I think we lack talent at the safety position. I think we lack talent at the ILB position as well. However, we are talented at the QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DL, CB, and OLB positions. If you go up and down the other top teams in the NFL, you'll find similar situations.

IMO, half the problem is that we lack consistency and we're inconsistent because we break down on a few plays during games and we break down on a few plays during games because we're not disciplined enough. The other half, frankly, has been coaching, particularly in the play calling on BOTH sides of the ball, but mostly on offense. We just don't seem to have a feel for the game unless we're dominating it. In close games, it seems like it's the other team's mistake that cost the game instead of us taking it from them.

 

[RainMan]

Well, of course. So is every other team in the league. No team is über talented everywhere. I think we lack talent at the safety position. I think we lack talent at the ILB position as well. However, we are talented at the QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DL, CB, and OLB positions. If you go up and down the other top teams in the NFL, you'll find similar situations.

IMO, half the problem is that we lack is consistency and we're inconsistent because we break down on a few plays during games and we break down on a few plays during games because we're not disciplined enough. The other half, frankly, has been coaching, particularly in the play calling on BOTH sides of the ball, but mostly on offense. We just don't seem to have a feel for the game unless we're dominating it. In close games, it seems like it's the other team's mistake that cost the game instead of us taking it from them.

Yep. Take San Diego, for instance. Their run defense has been highly vulnerable all year, their pass rush isn't getting there and their running game is deteriorating.

And they win, win and win again.

 

[Randy White]

Yep. Take San Diego, for instance. Their run defense has been highly vulnerable all year, their pass rush isn't getting there and their running game is deteriorating.

And they win, win and win again.

Very simple: Norv is the difference.

He did it against the Beagles, he didn't against the Giants, and he did it against us. That doesn't mean they're going to win the Superbowl ( they might, I don't know ), but it shows what taking advantage of the other team's weaknesses means to winning games.

Perfect example of that was the play right off the after injury timeout for Ware. Believe it or not, after Ware left, we actually got to Rivers more than before, but Norv used the same, exact play that beat the Giants in the meadowlands to complete a key long play that ended up scoring a TD. Twins right, go route. The slot receiver ( #11 ) streaks down the middle distracting Sensabaugh for a split second, while Jackson is sprinting by Newman down the sidelines. Newman, who was playing cover 2 defense, let's him go by before realizing it was a go route, and now Sensabaugh is left all alone to cover 2 guys. Sensabaugh's hesitation ( a split of a second ) is enough to allow Rivers to complete a ball over the top between two defenders who should have been there. IT was brilliant because Norv knows that ALL safeties in that defense will have to account for that guy coming up the middle, leaving the other guy running down the sidelines with space to make a play. Notice how Philips Rivers didn't hesistate at all. He took the snap, dropped back, and let it go with confidence that the safety was NOT going to be there.

That's also the types of plays that exposed the other Roy Williams when he was here ( Santana Moss going over the top ) only instead of a slot receiver, it was the TE streaking down the middle.

But here's where coaching, and what separates the masters from the good ones, comes in. A good coach calls a cover 2 defense to guard against the dump offs and short passes to the TE, guarding against first downs and long drives. A MASTER coach knows that his opponent is Norv Turner. Coach Turner has a reputation for liking the big play down field ( as he often tried during the game ). Coach Turner also has a reputation for taking chances ( something he learned from Jimmy Johnson ) and going for the kill, so during the injury TO, that master coach is trying to figure out what the next play is going to be. If he's done his homework, he'd know that Turner will most probably want to go deep now that his opponent's best pass rusher on his way to the hospital, so he'll call a defense that he's been, basically, calling most of the night and working ( man to man, with help over the top ).

What was call on that play ? Cover 2. What happened ? Norv called the play that just kills Cover 2 defenses.

 

[SaltwaterServr]

Very simple: Norv is the difference.

He did it against the Beagles, he didn't against the Giants, and he did it against us. That doesn't mean they're going to win the Superbowl ( they might, I don't know ), but it shows what taking advantage of the other team's weaknesses means to winning games.

Perfect example of that was the play right off the after injury timeout for Ware. Believe it or not, after Ware left, we actually got to Rivers more than before, but Norv used the same, exact play that beat the Giants in the meadowlands to complete a key long play that ended up scoring a TD. Twins right, go route. The slot receiver ( #11 ) streaks down the middle distracting Sensabaugh for a split second, while Jackson is sprinting by Newman down the sidelines. Newman, who was playing cover 2 defense, let's him go by before realizing it was a go route, and now Sensabaugh is left all alone to cover 2 guys. Sensabaugh's hesitation ( a split of a second ) is enough to allow Rivers to complete a ball over the top between two defenders who should have been there. IT was brilliant because Norv knows that ALL safeties in that defense will have to account for that guy coming up the middle, leaving the other guy running down the sidelines with space to make a play. Notice how Philips Rivers didn't hesistate at all. He took the snap, dropped back, and let it go with confidence that the safety was NOT going to be there.

That's also the types of plays that exposed the other Roy Williams when he was here ( Santana Moss going over the top ) only instead of a slot receiver, it was the TE streaking down the middle.

But here's where coaching, and what separates the masters from the good ones, comes in. A good coach calls a cover 2 defense to guard against the dump offs and short passes to the TE, guarding against first downs and long drives. A MASTER coach knows that his opponent is Norv Turner. Coach Turner has a reputation for liking the big play down field ( as he often tried during the game ). Coach Turner also has a reputation for taking chances ( something he learned from Jimmy Johnson ) and going for the kill, so during the injury TO, that master coach is trying to figure out what the next play is going to be. If he's done his homework, he'd know that Turner will most probably want to go deep now that his opponent's best pass rusher on his way to the hospital, so he'll call a defense that he's been, basically, calling most of the night and working ( man to man, with help over the top ).

What was call on that play ? Cover 2. What happened ? Norv called the play that just kills Cover 2 defenses.

Very good post. Need more of those around here.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

Now is not the time to concede defeat. We have the entire offseason to do that.

We can beat the Saints...we beat an undefeated Indy a few years ago, it’s possible.

But regardless, all the Cowboys have to do is make the playoffs and win a playoff game. That’s all i want...forget the Super Bowl, this is not a Super Bowl team. Let’s just build for next year and winning a playoff game will do that.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Did you guys see the camera pan over to Jerry's box suite? One caption showed him with both hands covering his face. The last shot shown was of Jerry angrily tossing whatever it was in his hands off the table. You know he was pissed and rightfully so.

I didn't think the Cowboys played bad, but just not good enough. We indeed left points on the board. Thank you Nick Folk for once again shanking a makeable FG. And why did Garrett have Marion Barber take the handoff from the lead back position? Stupid.

If I had the opportunity to call the play, I would have put in Marcus Spears as the FB and ran Barber right behind him and Leonard Davis. Instead, the entire Charger's defense knew who was getting the ball. 10 points left on the field. Pathetic.

The Chargers were not the better team today, but they capitlized on what we couldn't. My hats off to them.

The Chargers were hands down the better team today. I'm not sure how anyone reaches any other conclusion.

 

[casmith07]

Can't say I disagree. Jason Garrett has been pathetic down the stretch since he's been here.

 

[Bleu Star]

I didnt use one excuse for the loss. I didnt even comment on the loss or offer my opinion.

My comments were on the fans that do nothing but complain but can not even point reasons why stuff happened nor do they care to learn.

Just whine baby.

Nice high road there theebs. I bet the lowly contingent of fans look pretty good from your perspective... I suppose we're all supposed to just sit around and sugar coat the obvious until the end of time. I suppose we should just absorb every disappointing late season loss as if it were a mirage. We're supposed to just turn a cheek at the obvious deficiencies in the coaching department and the loser environment that is rampant at VR. I see where you're going. I'll be sure to give that a try one day. Thanks for the encouragement...

Oh sorry Hos. I got side tracked by Mr. Defense Minister. Nice post.

 

[Doomsay]

Very simple: Norv is the difference.

He did it against the Beagles, he didn't against the Giants, and he did it against us. That doesn't mean they're going to win the Superbowl ( they might, I don't know ), but it shows what taking advantage of the other team's weaknesses means to winning games.

Perfect example of that was the play right off the after injury timeout for Ware. Believe it or not, after Ware left, we actually got to Rivers more than before, but Norv used the same, exact play that beat the Giants in the meadowlands to complete a key long play that ended up scoring a TD. Twins right, go route. The slot receiver ( #11 ) streaks down the middle distracting Sensabaugh for a split second, while Jackson is sprinting by Newman down the sidelines. Newman, who was playing cover 2 defense, let's him go by before realizing it was a go route, and now Sensabaugh is left all alone to cover 2 guys. Sensabaugh's hesitation ( a split of a second ) is enough to allow Rivers to complete a ball over the top between two defenders who should have been there. IT was brilliant because Norv knows that ALL safeties in that defense will have to account for that guy coming up the middle, leaving the other guy running down the sidelines with space to make a play. Notice how Philips Rivers didn't hesistate at all. He took the snap, dropped back, and let it go with confidence that the safety was NOT going to be there.

That's also the types of plays that exposed the other Roy Williams when he was here ( Santana Moss going over the top ) only instead of a slot receiver, it was the TE streaking down the middle.

But here's where coaching, and what separates the masters from the good ones, comes in. A good coach calls a cover 2 defense to guard against the dump offs and short passes to the TE, guarding against first downs and long drives. A MASTER coach knows that his opponent is Norv Turner. Coach Turner has a reputation for liking the big play down field ( as he often tried during the game ). Coach Turner also has a reputation for taking chances ( something he learned from Jimmy Johnson ) and going for the kill, so during the injury TO, that master coach is trying to figure out what the next play is going to be. If he's done his homework, he'd know that Turner will most probably want to go deep now that his opponent's best pass rusher on his way to the hospital, so he'll call a defense that he's been, basically, calling most of the night and working ( man to man, with help over the top ).

What was call on that play ? Cover 2. What happened ? Norv called the play that just kills Cover 2 defenses.

Great post - I re-watched that play a couple of times last night.

Also in response to another earlier post, I didn't know that not having Marty B. caused us to call a predictable play and have our guard to whiff on a goal line stand.

Fans have a right to be upset, there has been plenty of talent on the field to get deep into the playoffs for the past 3 years, we just don't have the coaching staff to pull it off. The reasons for our failures are generic and systemic, like it or not.

 

[casmith07]

Very simple: Norv is the difference.

He did it against the Beagles, he didn't against the Giants, and he did it against us. That doesn't mean they're going to win the Superbowl ( they might, I don't know ), but it shows what taking advantage of the other team's weaknesses means to winning games.

Perfect example of that was the play right off the after injury timeout for Ware. Believe it or not, after Ware left, we actually got to Rivers more than before, but Norv used the same, exact play that beat the Giants in the meadowlands to complete a key long play that ended up scoring a TD. Twins right, go route. The slot receiver ( #11 ) streaks down the middle distracting Sensabaugh for a split second, while Jackson is sprinting by Newman down the sidelines. Newman, who was playing cover 2 defense, let's him go by before realizing it was a go route, and now Sensabaugh is left all alone to cover 2 guys. Sensabaugh's hesitation ( a split of a second ) is enough to allow Rivers to complete a ball over the top between two defenders who should have been there. IT was brilliant because Norv knows that ALL safeties in that defense will have to account for that guy coming up the middle, leaving the other guy running down the sidelines with space to make a play. Notice how Philips Rivers didn't hesistate at all. He took the snap, dropped back, and let it go with confidence that the safety was NOT going to be there.

That's also the types of plays that exposed the other Roy Williams when he was here ( Santana Moss going over the top ) only instead of a slot receiver, it was the TE streaking down the middle.

But here's where coaching, and what separates the masters from the good ones, comes in. A good coach calls a cover 2 defense to guard against the dump offs and short passes to the TE, guarding against first downs and long drives. A MASTER coach knows that his opponent is Norv Turner. Coach Turner has a reputation for liking the big play down field ( as he often tried during the game ). Coach Turner also has a reputation for taking chances ( something he learned from Jimmy Johnson ) and going for the kill, so during the injury TO, that master coach is trying to figure out what the next play is going to be. If he's done his homework, he'd know that Turner will most probably want to go deep now that his opponent's best pass rusher on his way to the hospital, so he'll call a defense that he's been, basically, calling most of the night and working ( man to man, with help over the top ).

What was call on that play ? Cover 2. What happened ? Norv called the play that just kills Cover 2 defenses.

Excellent post, and this is exactly what happened. I wish more of the Newman haters would read this. When I was watching the game and having a blast (hehe) in the CowboysZone chat, I wrote that I would put money on the fact that Norv would go over the top immediately after the injury timeout. It broke my heart that even Wade wouldn't know that.

Great post - I re-watched that play a couple of times last night.

Also in response to another earlier post, I didn't know that not having Marty B. caused us to call a predictable play and have our guard to whiff on a goal line stand.

Fans have a right to be upset, there has been plenty of talent on the field to get deep into the playoffs for the past 3 years, we just don't have the coaching staff to pull it off. The reasons for our failures are generic and systemic, like it or not.

Bingo. I would argue that we've had the talent the last 3 years to compete and win the Super Bowl, looking at the teams that made it there and won it. Unfortunately we just get out-schemed and out-coached in the back stretch of the season, and you can't put it completely on the players - the players can only execute the play that is called.

 

[TNCowboy]

I do agree, the group of "Fans" that love it when we lose and post here in bunches right after make me ill.

they always talk about all this generic crap and just basically intend to frustrate and tick off the rest of us.

I havent seen one person talk about the corelation of the goal line stand and the loss of marty b. they are all to busy firing all the coaches and saying how are players suck.

I have to agree with you hos. this place has actually turned for the worse and it just makes the losses more hard to handle. the fans of this team never stand up for their team, they just want to move on to the next hot name or topic.

I always find it ironic that the same fans who post on here who complain about the fans in the stadium actually have the exact same crappy attitude as the people they are complaining about. I always get the feeling these people would be the ones in the stadium yelling and screaming about firing coaches and benching players during the game....

Losing sucks. it really sucks that a place as large as this just makes the losses worse.

:laugh2: at bringing up injuries. The Chargers used a backup center, and when the game was on the line, he kicked Jay Ratliff's tail.

Correlation with Bennett being out? Oh, so the Chargers could counter with losing Jamal Williams if the Cowboys had scored? Nope, the Chargers made no excuses. They put backups in and they got the job done.

 

[TNCowboy]

Nice high road there theebs. I bet the lowly contingent of fans look pretty good from your perspective... I suppose we're all supposed to just sit around and sugar coat the obvious until the end of time. I suppose we should just absorb every disappointing late season loss as if it were a mirage. We're supposed to just turn a cheek at the obvious deficiencies in the coaching department and the loser environment that is rampant at VR. I see where you're going. I'll be sure to give that a try one day. Thanks for the encouragement...

Oh sorry Hos. I got side tracked by Mr. Defense Minister. Nice post.

+1,0000

 

[TNCowboy]

The "Realists" and the "Optimists" should probably both shut the **** up because ya know what, the truth lies somewhere between the two.

No, actually, one group has been generally right, while the other continues to be wrong.