Bledsoe - back in the saddle

[Nightshade]

When the Cowboys signed Bledsoe I was pretty ticked off. Living in Toronto, we get alot of the Bills games and he looked awefull for a year or more. I slagged him up and down these boards because I figured he wouldn't have a prayer if we didn't protect him. I said as much at the time. The big question was could we give him the time, because I knew he wan't about to change his style of play.

Thing is, I should have known that protecting Bledsoe would become Parcells first priority. It has, and as a result Bledsoe has been very successfull

So here I am eating very delicious crow. Hey, as long as my Cowboys DOMINATE, I don't mind a little statuesque play by our QB.

 

[Nors]

The statue is Alive!

 

[Tripod]

When the Cowboys signed Bledsoe I was pretty ticked off. Living in Toronto, we get alot of the Bills games and he looked awefull for a year or more. I slagged him up and down these boards because I figured he wouldn't have a prayer if we didn't protect him. I said as much at the time. The big question was could we give him the time, because I knew he wan't about to change his style of play.

Thing is, I should have known that protecting Bledsoe would become Parcells first priority. It has, and as a result Bledsoe has been very successfull

So here I am eating very delicious crow. Hey, as long as my Cowboys DOMINATE, I don't mind a little statuesque play by our QB.

Nice of you to admit your mistake. Some folks are still waiting for the meltdown so they can have their "I told you so" party. You know who you are.

Truth is Bledsoe is showing more mobility, quicker releases than most people
expected. The protection is pretty good but let's not go overboard. Much of
this is on Bledsoe showing us some subtle and not-so-subtle abilities to avoid the rush.

 

[Nightshade]

Truth is Bledsoe is showing more mobility, quicker releases than most people
expected. The protection is pretty good but let's not go overboard. Much of
this is on Bledsoe showing us some subtle and not-so-subtle abilities to avoid the rush.

Sorry dude. Our O-line deserves much praise. But the coaching has also been excellent. The problems I worried about with Bledsoe are still there. Buffalo's coaching staff and player personnel just weren't up to the job or didn't have the inclination or whatever, to do what it takes to give him the time he DEMANDS.
Bledsoe didn't have the protection, the running game (early last year) or the recievers that we have in Big D.

But Parcells figured he'd accumulated enough pieces so that he could set Bledsoe up fine. It was doubting Parcells that was my mistake.

 

[Cbz40]

You protect the statue and the statue will be fine.

 

[Nors]

Whats funny - is the statue is actually rather fast for a guy his size.

Its more his stubborness to leave the pocket that gets him a statue rep.....

 

[Danny White]

That's REALLY big of you Nightshade.

You are now officially scratched off of the list of those who will get mercilesslly mocked when Bledsoe makes the pro bowl. :toast:

 

[lspain1]

Protect the Statue!....er Star!.....er whatever!

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

For a statue, he is not afraid to run and sacrifice his body for the team. Even though he was stopped short of the first down in Seattle, he gave his all to get the first down.

I knew he would be an upgrade over Vinny but I never thought he would be that much of an upgrade.

 

[goshan]

Its not about 'afraid to leave the pocket'.
He has ok speed but he definitely isn't quick and his reaction time to pressure is poor.

 

[Eddie]

You know ... it's not just Bledsoe. I'm sure Vinny T and a mature QC would also do well with adequate protection. Heck, we saw what happened to Troy when his OL broke down ... he was a shadow of his former self.

So let's hang this one on the OL. Protect ANY QB, and see him perform.

Not a slag on Bledsoe, but just a simple look at reality. It's been a LONG time since we've had consistency along the OL.

 

[Paniolo22]

Even more impressive is his ability to throw a short pass accurately with a DE draped all over him. He has turned guaranteed sacks into positive yards at least a handful of times.

 

[big_neil]

Dallas is America's team, and Bledsoe is the Statue of Liberty!

 

[ravidubey]

Bledsoe is throwing several passes a game whose accuracy surprises me. The OL is freeing him up to create plays, but its also the dedication to run/pass balance of the play calling and the broad range of targets that can get open. Key, Witten, and Terry each fit a perfect niche that can leave a shifty guy like Patrick Crayton open all day long.

In summary, that 97+ QB rating is because:

1) Bledsoe has been accurate, creative, patient, and healthy
2) The OL has protected the middle, allowing Bledsoe to step up in the pocket
3) The playcalling has stuck with the run, even when the run isn't working. When you have to play the run, it's harder to scheme vs. the pass.
4) There are multiple targets, not just Eric Moulds deep or a dumpoff to the back.
5) The multiple targets specialize short (Witten), intermediate (Key), deep (Terry), and in-between (Crayton). There's a good chance someone is open no matter how much time Bledsoe ahs or doesn't have.

 

[Nors]

You know ... it's not just Bledsoe. I'm sure Vinny T and a mature QC would also do well with adequate protection. Heck, we saw what happened to Troy when his OL broke down ... he was a shadow of his former self.

So let's hang this one on the OL. Protect ANY QB, and see him perform.

Not a slag on Bledsoe, but just a simple look at reality. It's been a LONG time since we've had consistency along the OL.

Lets not annoint this Oline yet - they have had their share of jailbreaks.....

 

[lane]

drew bledsoe makes my sundays enjoyable again..

my beer tastes great now...........

anxiety almost gone........ except for the nailbiters we've had due to poor playcalling.

drew rocks.



plain and simple.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

For a statue, he is not afraid to run and sacrifice his body for the team.

lol, that reminds me of when during a game in preseason, BLedsoe dove head-long for a 1st down, and people on here were crucifying him for being "stupid", lol, sorry, that just brought up a funny memory