BTB: Cowboys Vs. Commanders: Jason Garrett Better Get His Jedi On

[supafly]

In the Star Wars movie franchise, whenever the going gets particularly tough for one of our intrepid heroes, he or she invariably offers the same response: "I've got a bad feeling about this." I begin with this foray into geekdom because it describes exactly the emotional state in which I currently find myself as we crest the hill on Commanders week.

Why, you ask? Sure, I'm not in love with the offense's lack of production in the preseason, particularly against San Diego and Houston. Yes, the defense, which looked damn near impenetrable for the best part of the first two games, was pushed around thereafter. Okay, there have been injuries to key veterans, many of whom might not be back in time for Sunday night's tilt. But even had none of these problems arisen, even if the 'Boys were completely healthy, even if the O-Line had been blowing open massive holes as the offense drove relentlessly to paydirt before taking a preseason powder, I suspect I'd still be approaching opening night with great trepidation.

To explain why, I ask you to consider the most frustrating Cowboy losses over the last two seasons. For me, the losses that ended each of the past two seasons were less frustrating than freeing. In each, a version of the Peter Principle was at work: it was clear that this team had risen as high as it could and was now fighting out of its class. Certainly, the Arizona loss in '08 sucked eggs, on multiple levels. But no, the ones that still smart are three particular road losses: Pittsburgh in '08, and last year's defeats at the hands of the Broncos and Packers.



Any Cowboy fan will instantly recognize that these games share a common narrative: Cowboys' offense looks terrific early and Dallas jumps out to an early lead but then, as the game progresses, begins to have trouble. The opponent scratches back into the game. A gallant defense begins to tire, an offensive miscue or a special teams blunder leads to an easy score, the offense can't respond, and the gig is up.

Perhaps the most unsettling aspect these losses share is the degree to which the offense--and specifically the offensive line--became increasingly over-matched as the game went on. The indelible images of these games are running backs being met at the line of scrimmage, Romo under intense pressure from multiple angles and untimely turnovers, typically caused by an unblocked blitzer. In the latter stages of the aforementioned '09 losses, the offensive line seemed to be in utter chaos, resulting in pre-snap penalties and missed assignments.

Of course, all three of these defeats were to teams that employ a 3-4 defense.

The NFL is all about matchups. In recent history, the Cowboys have demonstrated that they do not match up well with 3-4 defenses that have the ability to send a variety of rushers. The Cowboys' O-line is strong at the point of attack when they can get their hands on opponents; however, some of them (I'm talking to you Andre and Leonard) tend to no move their feet well and thus have difficulty latching on to moving targets. Given that the 3-4 defenses rush a lot of linebackers and some defensive backs, the Cowboys' linemen particularly struggle to get their hands on them.

Moreover, as the NFL Network's Brian Baldinger noted recently, the Dallas O-line is not a particularly cerebral bunch. They are slow to recognize stunts, dogs and other blitz games. Typically, the center makes all the line calls; Gurode, however, has always had a hard time doing this, so Kyle Kosier has taken over this responsibility. One problem: Kosier won't play on Sunday.

The various problems presented by 3-4 defenses are exacerbated when the Cowboys are on the road, especially when the hometown fans begin to sense that there is chum in the water. Well, here we are: a season opener against a 3-4 team on the road. To compound the anxiety this matchup produces, two of the Cowboys O-linemen, including Kosier, the one interior lineman who actually does move his feet and get to the second level well, are almost certain to miss the contest.

In the week following the previously discussed debacles, Jason Garrett has been the recipient of a great deal of Cowboy fandom's collective vitriol: he abandoned the run; he didn't throw to Witten enough; he called too many plays designed to go to Roy WIlliams. Blah blah blah. While it is probably true that Garrett tends to panic a bit when the Dallas O-line is getting whipped (the '08 home loss to Washington joins these games in that category), one must still wonder: what is an offensive coordinator supposed to call when the big uglies are having their backsides handed to them play after play? The special package that doesn't require blocking? Punt and hope the returner fumbles?

In the various Star Wars films, the good guys tend to get out of unfavorable matchups--those situations that give them bad feelings--by relying on and trusting in The Force. When the bad guys have you surrounded, sometimes that's what you have to do. Given recent history, and the current state of the Dallas O-line, a trip to FedEx Field is looking like a trip to Cloud City: it could go either way. I suggest Garrett will need to pack his light saber; to get to 1-0, the Cowboys are definitely going to need him to get his Jedi on.

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2010/9/9/1677732/cowboys-vs-Commanders-jason-garrett

What's the take on this analysis?

 

[Coakleys Dad]

That description of the flow of the game in our losses was spot on. This article made me worry a bit. I hope red has a few NEW tricks up his sleeve

 

[Idgit]

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2010/9/9/1677732/cowboys-vs-Commanders-jason-garrett

What's the take on this analysis?

It's an emotional release capped by two weird Star Wars references. They're missing Vela badly.

 

[SaltwaterServr]

It's an emotional release capped by two weird Star Wars references. They're missing Vela badly.

I concur, especially regarding Vela.

 

[Idgit]

I concur, especially regarding Vela.

In the various Star Wars films, the good guys tend to get out of unfavorable matchups--those situations that give them bad feelings--by relying on and trusting in The Force. When the bad guys have you surrounded, sometimes that's what you have to do. Given recent history, and the current state of the Dallas O-line, a trip to FedEx Field is looking like a trip to Cloud City: it could go either way​

This is a cry for help.

 

[LeonDixson]

He admits he would feel that way even we had excelled in pre-season. He makes a very good point about the offensive line though, especially in regards to our RBs being met at the line of scrimmage. Too often they are actually met in the backfield. And they really need to learn to pick up the blitzes, especially on that stunt up the middle.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Question: Why do you read it if you hate it and just bash it with "they miss Vela" or "it's a cry for help"?

Don't read it if you don't like it.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

This is a cry for help.

:laugh2:

I don't think even theebs saw just how much impact that Texans game would have on everyone's perception of this team.

 

[Kangaroo]

:laugh2:

I don't think even theebs saw just how much impact that Texans game would have on everyone's perception of this team.

My god I heard an interview with a Texan's player on the radio he gushed over the Cowboys win in Preseason that is how serious they took that game. Yet the Texans players and Fans ignore that the Saint's put like 28 on them before half the week before. :laugh2:

The Texans have Star envy and it starts with the fans they needed that win to make the fans get all giddy and get them off their backs.

:bang2::bang2::bang2:

Pre-season football equals glorified scrimmage

 

[CATCH17]

Kill Kill Kill!

 

[speedkilz88]

Question: Why do you read it if you hate it and just bash it with "they miss Vela" or "it's a cry for help"?

Don't read it if you don't like it.

Riddle me this Batman. How can you know you won't like it before reading it?

 

[Stash]

One thing I do agree with, it's an accurate assessment of this offensive line being abused by 'lesser personnel'.

This line has not played up to its' potential or the financial investment made in it. And like many, I'm talking to you Andre Gurode and you Leonard Davis.

Now it's 'go time', it's 'put up or shut up' time, it's 'get up or get out' time.

The rest of this team is in great shape for a championship run, it's up to the offensive line to hold up their end of the bargain.

And if they don't, I would shake things up as quickly as I could. I would make sure that each player knew that their spot on that line and on this team was not safe or secure. If you don't get the job done, we'll find someone who will.

And if all else offensively should fail, this team should be able to rely on its' running game. Huge line plus depth at running back with quality blockers at TE should equal success on the ground. If it doesn't, there's no point keeping this group around, is there?

 

[Doomsday101]

No doubt we will get a good read on the depth along the OL in this game with 2 backups starting and I think it will be big for the Cowboys if they can go out there and have good games for us. If not then it will put a big load on the defense to go out and shut down the skins offense and help set the offense up with short fields.