Carolina

[Chuck 54]

Okay, I'm over the Commanders' loss...never thought I'd get over it so fast because I'm still not over the MOnday night loss. I think it's because we lost a game that we'd dominated for 56 minutes. This one was so bad that it's hard to even stay angry...we just sucked.

I expect our best effort of the season this Sunday...guys' bodies better be flying around, mental sharpness, nastiness...after a loss like last week, everyone's manhood and intelligence, including the coaches', are in question. Everyone should be out to prove something...unless we are a pathetic team that deserves to be in the basement of the NFC East and Parcells is a miserable failure, win or lose, this should be one of the best game plans and best performances of the year.

I expect to see an aggressive defense that is very physical, and I expect to see us give Bledsoe max protection (something we should have switched to against Washington) and keep the game close, giving us a chance to win. Weak offensive tackles are no excuse...we have to give them help and use Glenn, Key, and Witten or the threesome of Glenn, Key, and Crayton to move the team. I also think we should use Barber much more and throw more to him out of the backfield rather than block with him on every play.

I expect to see great performances by Cundiff and McBriar or I expect them to both be replaced for next season. McBriar hasn't punted consistently or well since preseason when he looked like a future all pro punter. Cundiff worked with Huffman before trying out with us again and booming his kicks and a FG when he first returned....I think it's clear that our punter and our kicker could really benefit from a coach like him working with them all the time.

Oh well....here's to Sunday...we don't deserve to make the playoffs, and we probably won't....but it is still essential that we finish the season on a positive note.

 

[joseephuss]

Okay, I'm over the Commanders' loss...never thought I'd get over it so fast because I'm still not over the MOnday night loss. I think it's because we lost a game that we'd dominated for 56 minutes. This one was so bad that it's hard to even stay angry...we just sucked.

I expect our best effort of the season this Sunday...guys' bodies better be flying around, mental sharpness, nastiness...after a loss like last week, everyone's manhood and intelligence, including the coaches', are in question. Everyone should be out to prove something...unless we are a pathetic team that deserves to be in the basement of the NFC East and Parcells is a miserable failure, win or lose, this should be one of the best game plans and best performances of the year.

I expect to see an aggressive defense that is very physical, and I expect to see us give Bledsoe max protection (something we should have switched to against Washington) and keep the game close, giving us a chance to win. Weak offensive tackles are no excuse...we have to give them help and use Glenn, Key, and Witten or the threesome of Glenn, Key, and Crayton to move the team. I also think we should use Barber much more and throw more to him out of the backfield rather than block with him on every play.

I expect to see great performances by Cundiff and McBriar or I expect them to both be replaced for next season. McBriar hasn't punted consistently or well since preseason when he looked like a future all pro punter. Cundiff worked with Huffman before trying out with us again and booming his kicks and a FG when he first returned....I think it's clear that our punter and our kicker could really benefit from a coach like him working with them all the time.

Oh well....here's to Sunday...we don't deserve to make the playoffs, and we probably won't....but it is still essential that we finish the season on a positive note.

Which is it Wayne? Help the tackles or use Barber?

I have been hoping all season that they throw to the backs more. Not out in the flat so much, but in the middle of the field. I also would like to see them run patterns downfield as well.

 

[Jimz31]

And I expected those things last week. What was I thinking?!?!?!?!

 

[canters]

I expect the Panthers to be fired up-----the Cowboys are in town.

We will be intimidated and scared. Eyes as big as silver $. Drew will be pressured all day. You know the rest.

 

[Chuck 54]

Which is it Wayne? Help the tackles or use Barber?

I have been hoping all season that they throw to the backs more. Not out in the flat so much, but in the middle of the field. I also would like to see them run patterns downfield as well.

I think it's both...or should be. But Bledsoe has to be more aware and willing to dump the ball. If Barber chips and blocks the DE's and outside backers consistently, he can then do what he did on Sunday against Washington, let a guy slip by him free and be standing all alone with wide open spaces in front of him. The one time I saw that on Sunday, Bledsoe didn't even notice the rush coming from his right and took a sack, holding onto the ball while Barber stood frustrated in the flats with about 20 open yards in front of him.

We've always known that Bledsoe doesn't look to dump the ball, holding it too long at times with his eyes transfixed downfield, but with an excellent blocker like Barber, this is a great play if Bledsoe will simply feel or see the rush and know that it means Barber is standing alone waiting for the dump off...it also slows the pass rush if successful. It's a much better play than the screen because Bledsoe, like many other QBs, dumps the screen way too early to avoid being hit instead of holding it longer and backing away before throwing it, allowing the screen to develop.

 

[Mattsdad]

FYI............game is Saturday.

 

[Chuck 54]

FYI............game is Saturday.

yep....I think all my Sunday references were to the Washington game...Thanks.

 

[DipChit]

Oh we *could* win but either way it's gonna be U-G-L-Y as sin. The D just has to step back up and give the O a chance.. not unlike against the Giants a few weeks ago.. even if they give up some rushing yards, keep them out of the endzone.. hold em to about 10 points.

If we end up needing more than about 13 points of our own.. fugetaboudit.

That'll be the case in any other road games we might play (should we make the playoffs). Any chance we could draw the Bears?

 

[SultanOfSix]

I expect nothing different than all of the road games that we've played. To expect inconsistency.

We may win close.
We may lose close.
We may lose big (since this became an option last week).

But, we're NOT going to win big.

Once again, like I mentioned in the predictions for the Commanders game thread, the key will always be how the offensive line holds up. If it's like last week, we don't stand a chance.

I've never really understood why teams would play better or worse on the road. You execute the same plays, and the crowd can only matter if you let them matter (psychologically). If you pay attention, there really should be no difference. Personally, if I was a professional football player I would love to play on the road and win, just to shut the crowd up and show them that they really have no relevance. That would be my motivation.

 

[DipChit]

I've never really understood why teams would play better or worse on the road. You execute the same plays, and the crowd can only matter if you let them matter (psychologically). If you pay attention, there really should be no difference.

Yeah, I been harpin on that for 2 days now, myself.

To my eyes we're not talking about some logical discrepency between home and road with this O.. but a glaring one.

On the road we look like some band of misfits that doesnt have even the tiniest clue. At home we aint bad at all.

We've scored a total of like 5 TD's in our last 4 road games. Hell we scored 4 in our last home game. And 3 in the game before that.

 

[Aikmaniac]

Yep, I agree. For some reason, the Cowboys have been a crappy road team for God knows how long.

 

[canters]

Yep, I agree. For some reason, the Cowboys have been a crappy road team for God knows how long.

Largely due to a lack of a running game,,,IMO. No better way to silence a crowd and play at your own pace than by running the ball.

 

[bula]

cowboys just need a freaking break in these road games. How many missed FGs can you have or tipped INTs can you give up. Momentum is key. After seeing what Tampa did to Carolina 2 weeks ago, I know its possible to win this game.

 

[Faerluna]

We will be intimidated and scared.

Sorry, but that's a load of horse hockey. The last thing they're going to be is intimidated and/or scared.

Aware of their abilities, yes.
Respectful of the talent, sure.
Knowing they're in for a tough game, absolutely.
Scared? keep dreamin.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Sorry, but that's a load of horse hockey. The last thing they're going to be is intimidated and/or scared.

Aware of their abilities, yes.
Respectful of the talent, sure.
Knowing they're in for a tough game, absolutely.
Scared? keep dreamin.

Horse hockey? Is your real name Col. Potter? :laugh1:

 

[Faerluna]

Horse hockey? Is your real name Col. Potter? :laugh1:

Hah...I love MASH! In all honesty, I have a really foul mouth. If I said what I really wanted to, I'd get a beat down with the ban stick.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Hah...I love MASH! In all honesty, I have a really foul mouth. If I said what I really wanted to, I'd get a beat down with the ban stick.

I love MASH, too. One of those shows I can watch all day.

I appreciate your discretion, especially since I can relate.

 

[silver]

IWe may win close.
We may lose close.
We may lose big (since this became an option last week).

But, we're NOT going to win big.

the problem with our team is our talent level. it takes a monumental effort for us to compete. and now injuries are catching up with us. it won't be pretty. i agree. i really don't expect a win this time. i just have visions of julius peppers terrorizing our backfield i can't sleep at night. can you imagine what pettiti's nights are like? freddy kruger was more palatable in his movies.

 

[alancdc]

I usually don't get into a "who had the toughes schedule" talk, but since I am in Charlotte it is making me sick hearing all the PAnther fans gush about this average team. The record of their opponents is 84-112. Heck that is giving them the benefit of the Vikings sudden turnaround. When they played them they wer 2-5 and in disaster mode. What I am getting at is that the Panthers got teh benefit of playing the NFC North and the AFC East this year. I would have loved to have gotten a shot at Brooks Bollinger or PJ Losman this year for 2 more w's. We can beat the Panthers. They are more conservative than we are(hard to believe), they haven't run the ball effectively all year, they never throw to the tight end, and Jake locks onto Steve Smith on every pass play. If, and a big if, we can block their banged up DE's we can win this freakin ball game. We have to turn Poy loose to play near the line to pressure Jake into throwing jump balls as he always does when pressured. Let me also run down the stellar QB's they have had to match wits with this year: Brooks, Fiedler, McNown(AZ) SPELLING MAY BE OFF, Harrington, Culpepper, Simms first game, Bollinger, Losman, Bauman... No Breese, No McNabb, no Hasslebeck, no Manning, no Plummer, no Trent Green, not even a Mark Brunnell. We can beat the Panthers if we play sound football.