Alan Ball's INT

[JohnsKey19]

I've been hard on the guy all year - and rightfully so. He didn't play all that well yesterday. But i give credit where it's due. That INT he made was probably the best play a Dallas S has made in pass coverage in years - probably since Roy Williams' pick 6 vs Philly @ The Linc. The fact that Ball made the catch was icing on the cake. But first, he diagnosed the play, a double-move, trusted what he saw, drove on the ball and made a play. Very impressive play from a guy who really hasn't shown that type of awareness all year.

 

[Apollo Creed]

A blind squirrell finds a nut from time to time. Ball has been horrendous, hopefully we will upgrade his position in the draft or FA so he can go back to being a reliable guy for depth at corner.

 

[newlander]

EXACTLY my thoughts Apollo....he's brutal at safety but he's NOT a safety he's a CB...and could be a decent one if given the chance. He played pretty well at CB yesterday when Jenkins and tnew were both out. So....we need two safetys next year and he can provide depth at CB. Being a backup CB isn't a bad gig at all....

 

[Biggems]

they are saying he got burned by that play earlier in the season, but this time was able to read the play, react, and get the int. props to Ball for learning from a previous mistake.

 

[Future]

they are saying he got burned by that play earlier in the season, but this time was able to read the play, react, and get the int. props to Ball for learning from a previous mistake.

Well it's the first mistake he's learned from.

 

[sbark]

they are saying he got burned by that play earlier in the season, but this time was able to read the play, react, and get the int. props to Ball for learning from a previous mistake.

well then, that takes away the blind squirrel theory......he saw, he recognized

Maybe Sensebaugh finally called the right D

 

[casmith07]

Sorry, but I refer to it as Lincoln Financial Field. Opponents' stadiums aren't worthy of nicknames.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Sorry, but I refer to it as Lincoln Financial Field. Opponents' stadiums aren't worthy of nicknames.

what if the nickname is cesspool?

 

[BlueStar3398]

Loved that INT!! When it happened, I knew that sealed the WIN!! I was so excited!!

 

[TheCoolFan]

Hoping this is the beginning of him becoming the next Ed Reed

 

[DawnOfANewD]

How can you a blame a guy for failing to live up to YOUR expectations that were unreasonable to begin with? He's a 7th-round pick. He's playing like a 7th-round pick. That's like buying a cheap watch knowing because it's cheap it'll break pretty easily, then getting upset at it for breaking. Totally illogical.

 

[CalCBFan]

Hoping this is the beginning of him becoming the next Ed Reed

You and me both, but I'm not holding my breath!

Best part of it was he actually jumped the route, coming from slightly behind Nicks was it, and caught the ball. It was not a deflection nor an error between the QB and WR and just happening to have the ball thrown to you. I cannot remember the last time and Cowboys DB did that. Maybe it was Roy's INT in the Vet.

At any rate, I loved it....

 

[chuffly]

Ball has been pretty bad all year, but you do have to give him props for that play. He made a good play on that ball.

 

[Jay]

Not to be a buzzkill but it wasn't that great of a play. Not sure he even really diagnosed the double move, he was watching Eli the whole time and Eli just stared his receiver down.

 

[4lifecowboy]

Not to be a buzzkill but it wasn't that great of a play. Not sure he even really diagnosed the double move, he was watching Eli the whole time and Eli just stared his receiver down.

I'm thinking the scheme we were running is the biggest factor in the lack of play making from the safety position. I was watching an instant replay of a touchdown from the Green Bay game, and what Phillips was asking the safety to do on that play was ridiculous.

 

[CCBoy]

Lol, Cas...as if what's in a name?

But as to Ball, hey, more glue to the mix in the secondary. You play the best players available and adapt their roles. Maybe one more player coming of value and with some salt, maybe McCann, but keep up with the stirring and upgrade of the unit as a whole. I'm still undecided on Campo, but at least open to watching the developments back there...now.

I like the addition of reads and reactions coming out for us to hear...

 

[Iago33]

Were my eyes deceiving me, or did I see Ball play some corner on Sunday? I think he's more valuable at corner right now.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I actually thought he played well from what I saw. He was making the right reads and switch offs and it was one of the things that stood out to me before the INT. Scandrick also started to tackle like he did when he was a rookie. There may be hope afterall.

I thought McCann played alright. For a young guy, very pleased. Showed better techniqued and it was Hakeem Nicks. The pass interference was a bad call as he was looking at the ball and really barely touched the receiver.






YR

 

[CCBoy]

I actually thought he played well from what I saw. He was making the right reads and switch offs and it was one of the things that stood out to me before the INT. Scandrick also started to tackle like he did when he was a rookie. There may be hope afterall.

I thought McCann played alright. For a young guy, very pleased. Showed better techniqued and it was Hakeem Nicks. The pass interference was a bad call as he was looking at the ball and really barely touched the receiver.






YR

Lol, and the 'Boys are going to need 'em all come the Eagles with Vick running around and tossing the ball great. Can't wait for this pair of matchups down the road.

 

[Doomsday101]

I've been hard on the guy all year - and rightfully so. He didn't play all that well yesterday. But i give credit where it's due. That INT he made was probably the best play a Dallas S has made in pass coverage in years - probably since Roy Williams' pick 6 vs Philly @ The Linc. The fact that Ball made the catch was icing on the cake. But first, he diagnosed the play, a double-move, trusted what he saw, drove on the ball and made a play. Very impressive play from a guy who really hasn't shown that type of awareness all year.

I agree he has deserved the heat he has taken and as far as the play he made he does deserve credit for seeing the play unfold and making the correct read and being aggressive in cutting in front of the rout to make a play that sealed the game. All I can hope for is Ball is learning from his failures and makes improvement in his game. He has 7 more games to show what he can do.