Bullet-points from the Buffalo Game

[realtick]

• I really thought Dez had one of his better complete games yesterday. He was running his routes hard from start to finish and even when the play wasn't going to him which was an issue at times in previous games.
• On the long TD pass to Laurant Robinson early in the game, CBS had a great aerial view of the play. You got to see the effect Dez causes when teams' secondaries have to account for him. During the play the Bills' safety played deep but cheated over to Dez's side of the field. Robinson deeked his cornerback with a quick move to the sideline which opened up the field in front of him. Romo made the easy through and the safety had no chance of getting over in time.
• I've really enjoyed watching Orlando Scandrick play this season. I've been a big critic of him the past few seasons (and deservidly so I believe), but he has really turned the corner with his game this year.
• Props to Terence Newman for having a terrific game yesterday. I thought the early penalty on him (illegal contact) was a bogus reactionary call by the refs. Also, impressive was that tackle Newman had on Fred Jackson one of the early screens the Bills ran in the game. Newman was able to weave through an offensive lineman and snatch the legs of Jackson. Had he missed that tackle, Jackson would have likely gotten a huge gain with two o-linemen in front of him in space.
• I'm really enjoying watching Danny McCray and Barry Church contribute as nickel'backers in our defense. I've been saying this awhile, but I really do see McCray as our new Bill Bates. Church is a smart physical player that finds always seems to find a way to contribute while on the field.
• Dan Bailey = a Godsend
• Tony Romo + health + lessons learnt from early in the season = money
• One last thing...What I love about Dez is the kid's love for the game and his teammates. I like the fact that he celebrates as hard for his teammates as he does for himself when he makes plays. For a distinct contrast, I remember to this day TO's reaction after Dallas beat the Lions in Detroit a few years ago...the game Witten had like 20+ receptions and caught the game winner. After Witten caught the game-winner, the entire team was running out to the field to join in a group celebration with Witten. TO, who was open on the play could be seen walking away from everyone towards to sideline harshly unsnapping his chinstrap.

 

[Phoenix]

• Props to Terence Newman for having a terrific game yesterday. I thought the early penalty on him (illegal contact) was a bogus reactionary call by the refs.

Amen to that. That was a great play I thought.

 

[realtick]

• Nobody can run into a tackle like AOA....nobody.

 

[YosemiteSam]

• DeMarco Murray is lighting it up, but he needs to work on avoiding big collisions. (even if it is him hitting them) Otherwise his career want be as long as we would like.

 

[realtick]

• DeMarco Murray is lighting it up, but he needs to work on avoiding big collisions. (even if it is him hitting them) Otherwise his career want be as long as we would like.

I think he picks his spots. There were a couple plays where I was surprised he ran out of bounds instead of cutting up for a few more yards.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I think he picks his spots. There were a couple plays where I was surprised he ran out of bounds instead of cutting up for a few more yards.

The only time Emmitt every really did it was if there was no place else to go.

 

[preacher238]

• Nobody can run into a tackle like AOA....nobody.

You can find the negatives with the best of them!

Hey look, it's Debbie Downer along with Bob Bummer!!!

 

[realtick]

You can find the negatives with the best of them!

Hey look, it's Debbie Downer along with Bob Bummer!!!

Ah, Team Sunshine strikes again.

 

[LeonDixson]

Ah, Team Sunshine strikes again.

I thought his comment was odd given that most of your OP was very positive.

 

[realtick]

I thought his comment was odd given that most of your OP was very positive.

Yeah, but some positivity is vastly different for someone who wants all sunshine, all the time.

 

[Fletch]

• I really thought Dez had one of his better complete games yesterday. He was running his routes hard from start to finish and even when the play wasn't going to him which was an issue at times in previous games.
• On the long TD pass to Laurant Robinson early in the game, CBS had a great aerial view of the play. You got to see the effect Dez causes when teams' secondaries have to account for him. During the play the Bills' safety played deep but cheated over to Dez's side of the field. Robinson deeked his cornerback with a quick move to the sideline which opened up the field in front of him. Romo made the easy through and the safety had no chance of getting over in time.
• I've really enjoyed watching Orlando Scandrick play this season. I've been a big critic of him the past few seasons (and deservidly so I believe), but he has really turned the corner with his game this year.
• Props to Terence Newman for having a terrific game yesterday. I thought the early penalty on him (illegal contact) was a bogus reactionary call by the refs. Also, impressive was that tackle Newman had on Fred Jackson one of the early screens the Bills ran in the game. Newman was able to weave through an offensive lineman and snatch the legs of Jackson. Had he missed that tackle, Jackson would have likely gotten a huge gain with two o-linemen in front of him in space.
• I'm really enjoying watching Danny McCray and Barry Church contribute as nickel'backers in our defense. I've been saying this awhile, but I really do see McCray as our new Bill Bates. Church is a smart physical player that finds always seems to find a way to contribute while on the field.
• Dan Bailey = a Godsend
• Tony Romo + health + lessons learnt from early in the season = money
• One last thing...What I love about Dez is the kid's love for the game and his teammates. I like the fact that he celebrates as hard for his teammates as he does for himself when he makes plays. For a distinct contrast, I remember to this day TO's reaction after Dallas beat the Lions in Detroit a few years ago...the game Witten had like 20+ receptions and caught the game winner. After Witten caught the game-winner, the entire team was running out to the field to join in a group celebration with Witten. TO, who was open on the play could be seen walking away from everyone towards to sideline harshly unsnapping his chinstrap.

Nice post. I agree with everything said. Dez seems to be turning the corner. I really like Church. I need to see for myself, more from McCray... meaning I need to pay better attention when he is in the game. Not taking anything away from the kid. He seems like a keeper in every way.

Murray however, is a stud in the making. This kid cuts faster than anyone I've seen since Emmitt Smith in his early days. No, he is no Emmitt and I will not even go there. But he is the best RB we've had since Emmitt. Tony Romo officially has a franchise RB in my opinion.

Next up is the Skins at Fed Ex. I'm not making any predictions, but I think we handle the Skins in D.C. handily. It is a rivarly game and team records go out the window when we play, but I just feel the Cowboys will handle them.

 

[Donny Phoenix]

• DeMarco Murray is lighting it up, but he needs to work on avoiding big collisions. (even if it is him hitting them) Otherwise his career want be as long as we would like.

This is exactly what was said when Barber was mashin lbers heads in ad had cats scared to tackle him. Emmitt said it, Dorsett said it. Then coaches changed his game, and the rest is history.

Let Demarco do Demarco! He looks like a VERY smart runner to me.

 

[Fletch]

I think he picks his spots. There were a couple plays where I was surprised he ran out of bounds instead of cutting up for a few more yards.

I was actually begging for him to run out of bounds on a couple of plays. One thing about Demarco, he is not afraid to lower the boom on opposing tacklers. I like that. But sometimes you just need to take the high road and get out of bounds. I thought Murray played extremely smart.

 

[Gaede]

Great point about Scandrick. I didn't see him much at all during the game, save for his sack, which is such a great thing for a CB. Was he covering Stevie Johnson all game? Didn't hear the Johnson's name more than once. Extremely impressed with Scandrick this year. Looks like a different player

 

[Wimbo]

• An opposing Kicker actually missed a FG against us.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Great point about Scandrick. I didn't see him much at all during the game, save for his sack, which is such a great thing for a CB. Was he covering Stevie Johnson all game? Didn't hear the Johnson's name more than once. Extremely impressed with Scandrick this year. Looks like a different player

I need to re-watch, but it seemed like Newman was most of the time. Or at least much of the time.

 

[The30YardSlant]

With regards to your first point about Dez, I agree but I REALLY wish he'd stop doing that thing where he catches the ball and immediately takes it into one hand and tries to use his other to fend off defenders. Deion used to do that all the time and it drove me nuts. It's a huge fumble risk.

 

[The30YardSlant]

Great point about Scandrick. I didn't see him much at all during the game, save for his sack, which is such a great thing for a CB. Was he covering Stevie Johnson all game? Didn't hear the Johnson's name more than once. Extremely impressed with Scandrick this year. Looks like a different player

Newman covered Johnson most of the day.

 

[Gaede]

Newman covered Johnson most of the day.

Newman had one hell of a game then! Good job by both guys

 

[67CowboysFan]

• Did anybody notice Romo was actually able to step up into the pocket yesterday? He is lethal when he can do that.