Can we Finish

[maryquality]

• Ranked 32nd in YAC.
• Ranked 30th in number of games with at least one 100 yard receiver.
• Ranked 29th in yards per play with a whopping 5.9.
• Ranked 29th in yards per reception with 12.4.
• Ranked 27th in passing defense at 261 yards per game.
• Ranked 22nd in sacks.

You're not making a playoff run with that defense.

Wow!! Didn't realize we were this pitiful!!

 

[Blackrain]

his calf+ankle injury. he doesn't have much strength in that part of the leg and he is probably having pain/lingering issues. forget about running, watching him throw, his foot work is bad, specially that he doesn't put much weight on his back leg (right leg) when throws before he pivots forward. watch his film early in the season, vs. now. he is leaning on the front leg when he sets and doesn't get much power in his throws which also impacts his accuracy because he is trying to add power with his arm, so sometime it floats, sometimes its too low. he is trying to compensate but the release point is inconsistent at times

the reason I say I don't care much about runnign QBs, is in my opinion, QBs need to be able to throw from the pocket first. Dak had improved and was fantastic at it in early part of season. deadly accurate....throwing in motion or on the run is a plus, it just depends....the scrambling ability to extend plays is key and he has lost that so dependency on OL is higher to keep pocket clean. I looked at his KC, Saints and Raiders games and he was pretty good from the pocket still, less on deeper throws (less power) but pretty average when he was moving specially to his right.....perhaps not enough sample, but compared to earlier in the season when he was very accurate with his throws.

Excellent analysis . I thought he was good from the calf ankle injury but have not watched his foot work in detail like you have . Did notice he seemed to be trying to muscle some throws with his arm . That said the threat of Dak running for a first down to keep defenses honest is something I would like to have in our bag of tricks coming don the stretch.

 

[Blackrain]

energy level. WFT will bring it. Will we? Will we be a fundamentally sound team? WFT is that. We better be ready fr the physicality and high energy wave that the WFT will hit us with. If we can withstand THAT at the start, and hang in there, we can win. This game will be 1 f field position and taking care of the ball. We must choke them out early.

I agree it will be hard to match their energy level in their house . We have the more talented team but if we start getting penalties that we cant overcome and start going 3 and out the energy will get sucked out of us fast .
This is where coaching comes in this needs to be addressed during the week and people need to be held accountable for these drive killing penalties

 

[TexasHillbilly]

I agree it will be hard to match their energy level in their house . We have the more talented team but if we start getting penalties that we cant overcome and start going 3 and out the energy will get sucked out of us fast .
This is where coaching comes in this needs to be addressed during the week and people need to be held accountable for these drive killing penalties

Not if we come out and kick them in the teeth at the start of the game. It will shut the crowd down and it will also shut down the naysayers....at least for one more week.

 

[BEARCATSKLZ]

We are limping to the finish line.

I'm just disappointed I bought into this team.

What did it cost you? Couch time?

 

[America's Cowboy]

Who are the finishers on this team ??? Not our coach with his suspect clock management, surely not our inconsistent kicker . These are 2 things good teams depend on for a playoff run .

How about our QB?? He used to be a finisher but now since he got Paid and Injured he seems to refuse to use his legs to move the chains anymore when we are struggling . DCs around the league have scratched Dak running off their list of things to plan for when facing us and it hurts us that Dak will not run once in a while and keep defenses honest . At this stage in his career he should know when he can run and protect himself . Its a dimension of our offense that is nonexistent now .
Our RBs Pollard is a finisher !!! But now both are a bit banged up
O Line seems to all depend on Tyrons health and that is suspect at best so no we cant hang our hat on them . Plus drive-killing penalties
WR some frustrating drops at times but they border on being able to finish.

How about our defense Parsons is definitely a FINISHER and a true throwback type player that I think we can all appreciate . Diggs another finisher But The Defense as a whole gets totally gashed on a consistent basis by bad teams as well as good and is only saved by the TOs that Diggs and Parsons create . Veteran QBs that dont make mistakes will kill this defense

We have the ultimate opportunity to FINISH off our division with the remaining games against division teams except for Cards and go into the playoffs strong . We come into this weeks game as healthy and rested as anyone could want at this point in the season with guys returning on the Dline . If Dak continues to make business decisions and lets us go 3 and out we will lose to the Football team and be lucky to even make the playoffs . Thoughts??

Brother, you fail to understand how our Oline is the reason our Offense has struggled. Our Oline has been horrific the past 5 games. They can't open any holes for Zeke or Pollard to run through 85%+ of the time, they can't even help our RBs convert 3rd or 4th & 1s ... or even at the goal line. Heck, they have been just as bad in pass protection. Dak was pressured & hurried a franchise record high 27+ times a game or two ago. This Oline is the main reason our weapons on Offense have not been able to play up to their potential.

 

[Ranched]

Wow!! Didn't realize we were this pitiful!!

We're not!

​

 

[johneric8]

Who are the finishers on this team ??? Not our coach with his suspect clock management, surely not our inconsistent kicker . These are 2 things good teams depend on for a playoff run .

How about our QB?? He used to be a finisher but now since he got Paid and Injured he seems to refuse to use his legs to move the chains anymore when we are struggling . DCs around the league have scratched Dak running off their list of things to plan for when facing us and it hurts us that Dak will not run once in a while and keep defenses honest . At this stage in his career he should know when he can run and protect himself . Its a dimension of our offense that is nonexistent now .
Our RBs Pollard is a finisher !!! But now both are a bit banged up
O Line seems to all depend on Tyrons health and that is suspect at best so no we cant hang our hat on them . Plus drive-killing penalties
WR some frustrating drops at times but they border on being able to finish.

How about our defense Parsons is definitely a FINISHER and a true throwback type player that I think we can all appreciate . Diggs another finisher But The Defense as a whole gets totally gashed on a consistent basis by bad teams as well as good and is only saved by the TOs that Diggs and Parsons create . Veteran QBs that dont make mistakes will kill this defense

We have the ultimate opportunity to FINISH off our division with the remaining games against division teams except for Cards and go into the playoffs strong . We come into this weeks game as healthy and rested as anyone could want at this point in the season with guys returning on the Dline . If Dak continues to make business decisions and lets us go 3 and out we will lose to the Football team and be lucky to even make the playoffs . Thoughts??

So you start a post saying "can we finish" yet you spout off all the reasons we can't but not how we can. Whether you like to admit it or not, Dak is one of the more clutch QB's in the league and he proved that in the Saints game even though many have questioned his performance, but he made some amazing throws when needed.

Lets not forget that Big Mike is known as one of the best December Coaches which qualified as a "finisher" or your not looking for drivel to fill a narrative... I also would like to remind you that our receivers as a whole make clutch plays on a constant basis in crunch time. Our issues this year has been health of not only the staff but also the players. Our record is pretty darn good, so I say our boys need support right now and some optimism. That doesn't mean that we blindly ignore issues, but heck all teams have issues and things to overcome.. Heck, Parsons may be the edge we need come crunch time! I'm still eager to see how Parsons, Gregory and Tank function together, hell this may be a much bigger strength then we can imagine..

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Excellent analysis . I thought he was good from the calf ankle injury but have not watched his foot work in detail like you have . Did notice he seemed to be trying to muscle some throws with his arm . That said the threat of Dak running for a first down to keep defenses honest is something I would like to have in our bag of tricks coming don the stretch.

I don't disagree with having ability to run, specially on short yardage situations...maybe like 4 yards to go and its pretty much a passing situation and teams know he won't run, so they pin their ears back and rush and then drop the rest into coverage

 

[BourbonBalz]

We’ve had our struggles like every other team in the league and most of ours can be attributed to injuries. I mean there’s only 3 teams in the entire league with fewer losses than we have and two of those only have one fewer loss. Some of you act like we’re 4-8 instead of 8-4. Let’s see how the next 5 weeks play out before jumping off the ledge.

 

[Blackrain]

Brother, you fail to understand how our Oline is the reason our Offense has struggled. Our Oline has been horrific the past 5 games. They can't open any holes for Zeke or Pollard to run through 85%+ of the time, they can't even help our RBs convert 3rd or 4th & 1s ... or even at the goal line. Heck, they have been just as bad in pass protection. Dak was pressured & hurried a franchise record high 27+ times a game or two ago. This Oline is the main reason our weapons on Offense have not been able to play up to their potential.

I agree wholeheartedly before Tyron got back we could not run our offense whatsoever. Just saying in the past when this would happen and the Oline was banged up or not performing Dak would throw it on his back and run for some yrds to move the chains and keep the drive going . Now he dose not .

To your point along with the fact that they are under performing another continuing problem is the penalties, they keep getting called for creating unmanageable down and distance situations.

Our sad truth is at this point in the season this is probably as healthy and talented as this Oline is going to get so Im not sure if I see things improving there
I do think if Dak would run once in a while it would give defenses something else to game plan for and make things a bit easier on our line so they wouldnt have to hold blocks so long and possibly get less penalties .

I would go as far to say If Dak ran the ball 5x and had 30yrds rushing we beat the Skins

 

[Blackrain]

So you start a post saying "can we finish" yet you spout off all the reasons we can't but not how we can. Whether you like to admit it or not, Dak is one of the more clutch QB's in the league and he proved that in the Saints game even though many have questioned his performance, but he made some amazing throws when needed.

Lets not forget that Big Mike is known as one of the best December Coaches which qualified as a "finisher" or your not looking for drivel to fill a narrative... I also would like to remind you that our receivers as a whole make clutch plays on a constant basis in crunch time. Our issues this year has been health of not only the staff but also the players. Our record is pretty darn good, so I say our boys need support right now and some optimism. That doesn't mean that we blindly ignore issues, but heck all teams have issues and things to overcome.. Heck, Parsons may be the edge we need come crunch time! I'm still eager to see how Parsons, Gregory and Tank function together, hell this may be a much bigger strength then we can imagine..

First I love Dak and think he is a great QB ,just would like to see him do some of the things he used to do when we struggled to move the chains . Plays he made with his legs also made him the clutch player he is now .

Although IMO Mike is a step or two above Garrett his clock management is suspect at times and could cost us in a big game .

We can support them all we want but until our coaching staff figures out a way to stop the defense from getting gashed for huge plays and the offense from killing itself with penalties we are a one and done playoff team at best and its very frustrating because we have the talent to go much farther .
The defense is getting a shot in the arm this week with Parsons ,Gregory and Tank playing together should be no excuse not to stop the skins with a back up QB

 

[Blackrain]

Just to give some perspective on what I am saying about Dak . In Daks 1st 3 seasons when he was healthy he would give us 6 rushing TDs and between 20 and 30 rushing 1st downs .

This year he has 1 TD and 2 1st downs . I think the season would look a bit brighter with like 10 more rushing 1st downs from Dak Just Saying

 

[johneric8]

First I love Dak and think he is a great QB ,just would like to see him do some of the things he used to do when we struggled to move the chains . Plays he made with his legs also made him the clutch player he is now .

Although IMO Mike is a step or two above Garrett his clock management is suspect at times and could cost us in a big game .

We can support them all we want but until our coaching staff figures out a way to stop the defense from getting gashed for huge plays and the offense from killing itself with penalties we are a one and done playoff team at best and its very frustrating because we have the talent to go much farther .
The defense is getting a shot in the arm this week with Parsons ,Gregory and Tank playing together should be no excuse not to stop the skins with a back up QB

I hear some optimism there and that is great man.. Look, this team has gone through a drought mainly because of Jerry and the soft entitled team he seems find putting together, but things are at least on the uptick for the first time in a long time really. I still say the defense giving up lots of yards and gash plays is a product of being ahead so those stats are a bit skewed. They have proven they can keep a lid on good Qb's even though they haven't done it consistently but than again who has?

Lots of luck and good fortune (and help from refs) go into winning in the post season, but I have to admit I'm interested in seeing what Big Mike does with this team, because I think he has done a fabulous job giving players time to heal when needed. His management of the team is masterful compared to someone like garret.

 

[Blackrain]

I hear some optimism there and that is great man.. Look, this team has gone through a drought mainly because of Jerry and the soft entitled team he seems find putting together, but things are at least on the uptick for the first time in a long time really. I still say the defense giving up lots of yards and gash plays is a product of being ahead so those stats are a bit skewed. They have proven they can keep a lid on good Qb's even though they haven't done it consistently but than again who has?

Lots of luck and good fortune (and help from refs) go into winning in the post season, but I have to admit I'm interested in seeing what Big Mike does with this team, because I think he has done a fabulous job giving players time to heal when needed. His management of the team is masterful compared to someone like garret.

I hear you brother and Im trying not to be pessimistic. I really see the talent on this team and the opportunity we have here and dont want to see it squandered. Football players age in Dog years Dak and Zeke are in their prime at 6 and I would like to see them get deep into a tournament .
Very much hoping Tank and Gregory light this thing up cause Parsons has sure held the fort till they got back .

Got to admit I will be furious if they dont find a way to win this game because I believe it is that important

 

[charron]

If finish means SB then no. Does it mean make they playoffs? Then I think we do, might be as a wildcard team not that it matters we will be in that 1st round regardless.

 

[JoeKing]

Who are the finishers on this team ??? Not our coach with his suspect clock management, surely not our inconsistent kicker . These are 2 things good teams depend on for a playoff run .

How about our QB?? He used to be a finisher but now since he got Paid and Injured he seems to refuse to use his legs to move the chains anymore when we are struggling . DCs around the league have scratched Dak running off their list of things to plan for when facing us and it hurts us that Dak will not run once in a while and keep defenses honest . At this stage in his career he should know when he can run and protect himself . Its a dimension of our offense that is nonexistent now .
Our RBs Pollard is a finisher !!! But now both are a bit banged up
O Line seems to all depend on Tyrons health and that is suspect at best so no we cant hang our hat on them . Plus drive-killing penalties
WR some frustrating drops at times but they border on being able to finish.

How about our defense Parsons is definitely a FINISHER and a true throwback type player that I think we can all appreciate . Diggs another finisher But The Defense as a whole gets totally gashed on a consistent basis by bad teams as well as good and is only saved by the TOs that Diggs and Parsons create . Veteran QBs that dont make mistakes will kill this defense

We have the ultimate opportunity to FINISH off our division with the remaining games against division teams except for Cards and go into the playoffs strong . We come into this weeks game as healthy and rested as anyone could want at this point in the season with guys returning on the Dline . If Dak continues to make business decisions and lets us go 3 and out we will lose to the Football team and be lucky to even make the playoffs . Thoughts??

My thoughts... you said a great deal there that I disagree with, a little bit that I do agree with. So rather than getting into a pissing contest with you, I'll just say this team is hurting on offence, improving on defence and I have no idea how much those two can help each other. We should be able to get something going by passing the ball. Our run game, with both Zeke and Tony injured, is not going to be able to help us. So if our defense can stop the WFT from scoring too much, maybe Dak and our great WRs can win the game.

 

[Blackrain]

My thoughts... you said a great deal there that I disagree with, a little bit that I do agree with. So rather than getting into a pissing contest with you, I'll just say this team is hurting on offence, improving on defence and I have no idea how much those two can help each other. We should be able to get something going by passing the ball. Our run game, with both Zeke and Tony injured, is not going to be able to help us. So if our defense can stop the WFT from scoring too much, maybe Dak and our great WRs can win the game.

I am in agreement with all that just dont think we should be hurting as much on offense as we are especially as much as we have invested there and we are in pretty fair health .
A couple things stand out to me Penalties for one and Dak no longer getting us any first downs with his legs when it used to 25 a year now we have 2 . Thats a big difference IMO . In hopes Dlaw and Gregory provide enough pressure for our young playmakers to get some TOs.. I agree we have enough talent at receiver to weather the storm till Zeke and Tony are fully healthy but if I was putting money on it I would say they are both playing

 

[KJJ]

We have an agreement with the league to keep all things close to keep fans engaged in watching the games which somehow brings in more money

If you believe that don’t watch the games.

 

[Blackrain]

If finish means SB then no. Does it mean make they playoffs? Then I think we do, might be as a wildcard team not that it matters we will be in that 1st round regardless.

I would be happy with a playoff win