Day After Thoughts

[Chocolate Lab]

Good, balanced post as usual David.

Only thing I'd add is that I think Mike Jenkins deserves his own goat section. I just can't believe what's happened to him. Ninety-nine percent of the time when people scream "Bench so and so!" I think it's a vast overreaction, but as much as Scandrick sucks at times, I think I'd do it.

But a huge problem, as Avezanno said on the postgame show, is that we only have three corners. And that kind of puts us in a bind.

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

I agree with most of your points.

Romo cannot make those picks, eliminate those picks and we probably win the ball game. Be it fair or not, Romo is one of only a few players on this team in a position to make up for the ineptitude of the players around him. It's an incredible pressure, but it's the only way this team can overcome itself. Unfortunately, Romo must be near perfect for this team to succeed.

Every game that goes by, I am even a less of a fan of Garrett. He is game planning with a defeated attitude. He's nothing even close to a genius OC.

I've tried to resist the whole "refs are against us" theory, but I have got to admit, it's starting to creep into my thoughts.

I actually recovered rather quickly from this loss. I've unwillingly developed a bit of a "don't care anymore" attitude. Scary for me since I usually am depressed all week after a loss.

 

[LucaBrasi]

Good, balanced post as usual David.

Only thing I'd add is that I think Mike Jenkins deserves his own goat section. I just can't believe what's happened to him. Ninety-nine percent of the time when people scream "Bench so and so!" I think it's a vast overreaction, but as much as Scandrick sucks at times, I think I'd do it.

But a huge problem, as Avezanno said on the postgame show, is that we only have three corners. And that kind of puts us in a bind.

Not defending him, because he's been awful the last 2 weeks, but I thought the first PI yesterday was suspect. He has as much right to the ball as the receiver. Maybe I'm wrong.

I think the guys on defense right now are playing well enough to win. Outside of the Chicago game and the 1st half against Tennessee the defense has been good to very good. (ducks)

 

[Venger]

1) Nobody likes it, but Jones is probably doing the right thing by not firing Wade.

At this point - there is no right or wrong. Firing him with no replacement likely does as much harm as good. Firing him makes us all feel like at least Jones realizes he has a sack of fat for a coach. If he fires him now, it's to appease the fans, only.

4) Officiating, it sux people. No way anyone is ever going convince me that either 1) These guys are corrupt as hell and people should start investigating some of their relationships with people in Vegas or 2) even worse, that this is some sort of policy dictated by the league office.

This is the whine of all fans of teams that don't win as much as the fans think they should. This is endemic in Dallas Mavericks fans - a good team that hasn't quite done it, and a fanbase that cannot see the weaknesses in their team, therefore externalizing justification for their losing. It's ALL the refs. I despise this line of thinking, and the weakness of character it reveals.

This team is a penalty machine. It practices sloppy for 30 hours and then wonders why it gets penalized for 3 hours each week.

This whining about the refs is a sure sign that this team is no longer a quality franchise - the fans have become petulant.

5) Tony Romo, love the man. But those two picks yesterday were crap.

Hardly - you had a carom off of a helmet for a jump ball, and a great play which led to a mistake by Tony. Those plays happen in this league. Not against us, we have the playmaking ability of a corpse. That was hardly bad QBing yesterday. At all.

8) We've played 5 games, and Ball's play against Moss in the endzone yesterday was his FIRST pass defensed of the season. Sensabaugh has NONE.

That was a drop on Moss, pure and simple. Watch it again. But your point is taken - the secondary on this team does not make plays. At least good ones.

12) The most noticeable difference between the Vikings and us yesterday? (Other than they benefitted from an incedibly biased group of officials) TACKLING.

A very good point that is obscured by the ugly petulance that is creeping into the Cowboys fan lexicon - whining about the refs. There wasn't a penalty yesterday of note that wasn't well earned.

And yes, the Vikings tackle well, including the secondary, which is a notable difference to the Cowboys.

 

[Stash]

Last week I was absolutely opposed to trading for Mankins; but Kosier's injury is huge and I've come around on the idea.

Just look at the current state of the guard position, and then think about the future.

Davis is terrible and should be cut today but given Kosier's frequent injuries, the team can't do it. I'd be very interested to see if Adam knows the numbers regarding releasing Davis now in the uncapped year over releasing him next year.

Kosier simply put can't stay healthy so he's also a liability. He's solid when he's out there but this is three significant injuries including the preseason. I'd resign Kosier next year for depth purposes only. I think he'd a make a great utliity lineman but forget about being a starter, those days are over.

Holland has done a nice job when called upon, but he's a solid player, not special. He's not someone you'd want to build with for the future.

That's why it seems imperative to me that the team trade for Mankins - a proven (deserved) Pro Bowl commodity.

He's more of a sure thing than anyone you could dream of taking in the draft, and with this team's shoddy record in that area, you have to take the sure thing.

This team has no one but two question marks at guard. I'd like to eliminate at least one question mark going forward.

 

[casmith07]

Just look at the current state of the guard position, and then think about the future.

Davis is terrible and should be cut today but given Kosier's frequent injuries, the team can't do it. I'd be very interested to see if Adam knows the numbers regarding releasing Davis now in the uncapped year over releasing him next year.

Kosier simply put can't stay healthy so he's also a liability. He's solid when he's out there but this is three significant injuries including the preseason. I'd resign Kosier next year for depth purposes only. I think he'd a make a great utliity lineman but forget about being a starter, those days are over.

Holland has done a nice job when called upon, but he's a solid player, not special. He's not someone you'd want to build with for the future.

That's why it seems imperative to me that the team trade for Mankins - a proven (deserved) Pro Bowl commodity.

He's more of a sure thing than anyone you could dream of taking in the draft, and with this team's shoddy record in that area, you have to take the sure thing.

This team has no one but two question marks at guard. I'd like to eliminate at least one question mark going forward.

On top of that, the conract that he will demand will be comparable to drafting a player of his caliber in the first round anyway with our projected draft position, and draftees are never a sure thing. Mankins is about as close to a sure thing as we can get right now.

 

[Stash]

On top of that, the conract that he will demand will be comparable to drafting a player of his caliber in the first round anyway with our projected draft position, and draftees are never a sure thing. Mankins is about as close to a sure thing as we can get right now.

Worst case, I can't see it being significantly bigger than what they're overpaying Davis right now. Either this season or next, that bloated contract will come off the books, along with Marion Barber's, so paying a proven commodity like Mankins shouldn't be an issue.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

When somone asks you about the Dallas Cowboys just reply "I used to care."

It has a nice ring, and goes over well.

 

[big dog cowboy]

3) I hated yesterdays offensive game plan and alot of the play calling. Its called "playing scared" and its a losers mentality. We should have went after their secondary, its the weakest part of their team by far.

Reminded me of the Seattle playoff loss. They didn't have NFL caliper CB's out there and we run, run and run some more. To this day I have no idea what the hell we were thinking.

 

[DIAF]

Romo is what he is. He's never going to be the guy that just lifts the team on his shoulders and wills them to victory. He's not a championship QB, just a pretty good QB. I think we should all start realizing this.

 

[RS12]

Like I said above, the season isnt totally over yet, but for all intents and purposes will be if they lose to the Giants next Monday. We probably could be 5-0 right now and nobody on the schedule scares me, but this just looks like a season from hell. It started with a lackluster, poor effort preseason and has spilled over to the regular season. Too many players have a "losing" look on their face, and that comes straight from Wade, who almost looks like a beaten man as soon as he gets out of the lockerroom. He deserves to be fired and hopefully the next guy will be someone who instills confidence in the players and coaches with cajones. We need that "edge" back again. Jimmy was able to do it. Even Switzer to a certain extent exuded confidence. We havent seen it sense. (Parcells from the Giants days certainly had that too, but the Parcells we got wasnt that guy). No way would I hire a retread or somebody I thought only was coaching for the money. Go find the next Jimmy, there's too much talent here to be wasting seasons like this.

Beg to differ. It is gonna get worse before it gets better.

 

[VACowboy]

There might be a top 10 Safety, though.

I don't see one. I don't know if there's even a top-20 safety.

 

[craig71]

I can't help but notice that we are one of the worst teams at the screen pass that I have ever seen. Where is the blocking for it? I hope this is a strong OL and safety draft.

You would think that a screen play would be an easy play to run, in reality though, in order to run a screen to perfection, it takes alot of work on the practice field.

Craig

 

[craig71]

The reason why I was opposed is because Mankins obviously will want to start wherever he goes. He wouldn't have started here if we traded for him before because this staff will not bench veterans no matter what.

But now, with Kosier possibly done, it affords you the opportunity to bring him in as a starter and maintain Holland in that vital swing-guard role that he does so well...and possibly replace Davis with Holland and actually probably have a better offensive line.

Remember, Holland started for Shanahan for a long time and they only traded him after he showed up at camp out of shape, and Shanahan pulled a Haynesworth on him.

I think any big trades are out the window this year. With the looming lock-out on the horizon many teams just aren't willing to take on additional payroll at this point in the year. I also think Mankins wants to be the highest paid lineman in the league, or atleast in the running, I want the say that he already turned down an offer from the Pat's that would have paid him $7M per year.

Craig

 

[Stash]

Definitely shaping up as the most depressing, frustrating season ever IMO. 2008 was bad, but they had a ton of injuries that yr. We're too talented to be 1-4 and see this kind of junk. I still dont think the season is over, its close, but we really could be 5-0 with a few breaks and a few less penalties. I dont see anyone on the schedule thats dramatically better than we are to be honest.

I do think the season is over. The talent is there but this team has shown that the opponent doesn't matter, the Dallas Cowboys beat the Dallas Cowboys.

1) Nobody likes it, but Jones is probably doing the right thing by not firing Wade. It doesnt mean he is approving of Wade's coaching, and it definitely doesnt mean he'll be back as HC next year. It also tells me he doesnt think much of Jason Garrett's potential as a HC here. Because if he did, if he believed Garrett was THE guy, he'd definitely fire Wade now. No, he isnt dumping him because he wants whomever he chooses to run things here next yr to know that he is behind him 100%. Garrett may get a formal interview for our HC job, but he aint getting it IMO.

Nah, no point in firing Wade because there isn't a viable alternative at either head coach or defensive coordinator. Ride out this season and clean house after the last game.

2) Fly on the wall (or around the phone) moment for next week, Jon Gruden coming to town with the MNF crew. Cant remember who brought that up in another thread, but I think he nailed it. I'd imagine Jerry or Stephen (or both) may have some interesting off the record discussions with Gruden. "Hey Jon, think you could fax us a copy of that MNF contract?"

I wouldn't want him, but fear that he or Norv Turner may be the only candidates Jerry can get without releasing his iron grip on the franchise.

3) I hated yesterdays offensive game plan and alot of the play calling. Its called "playing scared" and its a losers mentality. We should have went after their secondary, its the weakest part of their team by far. The few times they did go downfield, the plays seemed to work.

Seattle playoff loss part deux if you ask me. Worry about the offensive line if you want (and do something about it!) but you have to take some shots downfield with that talent at receiver. Even if it's a two man pattern with max protection!

4) Officiating, it sux people. No way anyone is ever going convince me that either 1) These guys are corrupt as hell and people should start investigating some of their relationships with people in Vegas or 2) even worse, that this is some sort of policy dictated by the league office. Either way the integrity of the game is (insert explicative for feces). They are not calling these games the same for both teams. Sure some pinhead can say "thats what the rule book says!!!!" but what the rulebook says and their (officials) consistency or interpretations do not apply on a week to week basis where our team is concerned. Eventually the word will get out, and when it does its going to be a massive embarrassment for the league.

Nobody gets the flag like we do, that's for sure. I heard Tony Dungy mention something about Andre Johnson during a replay of Austin's non-TD, anyone know what he was referring to? And did Johnson likely NOT draw the flag for the same play?

5) Tony Romo, love the man. But those two picks yesterday were crap. The one he threw into triple coverage last week was crap. I thought he made huge strides last yr in regards to plays like this, but he's taken a step back. I'm not blaming him for being 1-4, but he's gotta do better than this. Those were plays I expect from inexperienced starters or rookies, not from a seasoned probowler. And the coaches should be reading him the riot act today for it.

I put that second backbreaker on Garrett. Getting cute in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it killed the team yet again.

6) If not for an absolute gift, we'd now have 4 of 5 games this yr where the defense hasnt forced a turnover. Its mind moggling how pathetic this team is at getting them. Favre had turnovers in every game, until ours. He also had a season high completion % and QB rating. McFlabb has turnovers in every game except for two, ours and week two vs Houston.

I don't know what Wade is watching, buit this team's safeties are terrible and provide zero help to the corners. That and two average ILB's in coverage don't help.

7) Losing Kosier is probably going to hurt the OL. If he's gone for the yr I'd sign Travis Bright to the active roster and at some point very soon I'd start thinking about playing him. Davis will not be back here next yr (he was terrible again yesterday IMO) and Kosier is a free agent who probably wont be resigned. Holland is a decent backup and spot starter, but he isnt the longterm answer.

Logan Mankins

8) We've played 5 games, and Ball's play against Moss in the endzone yesterday was his FIRST pass defensed of the season. Sensabaugh has NONE. I dont think either has even come close to an interception either. We're getting zilch from the safety spot, again. No way I'd bring either of these guys back as starters next yr. Backup, maybe.

Actually he didn't make that play either. He's a failed expreiment. Can't win 'em all.

9) As I stated in a couple other threads, if DeCamillis is telling Buehler he needs to directional kick (and its most likely him) he should be fired. The only excuse is if Buehler is really more hurt than we know (and he said after the bye week he was feeling normal). Its an incredibly stupid strategy. The guy can kick the ball 75-80 yds almost at will, who cares how high it goes at that point. I can forgive DeCamillis for guys missing tackles (the whole teasm is basically inept at tackling anyway) but if he's the one behind the "directional kicking" idea, then he's a bonehead and he needs to go. By the way, Nick Folk kicked a 56 yd FG yesterday. He's now 13/15 on the season and is 2/3 on 50+ kicks. For all of you who couldnt wait to hang this guy last yr, good call. DeCamillis has also got to bench AOA on kick returns I think, dude looks lost out there right now. He's down to just barely 20 yds a return now after yesterday.

Whoever messed with his kickoffs needs to go, that's for sure. They ruined Folk the same way two years ago. How's that looking right now?

10) Love the way Roy Williams is playing this yr. THIS is the guy we all thought we were getting. I dont think he's dropped a pass this season and the way he is just snatching the ball with those mits this yr is pretty amazing. Dez Bryant is gonna be a superstar too, what a great catch for the TD (should have been easy score, but Romo underthrew him. Last week on a similar route Bryant was wide open for an easy score, and Romo grossly overthrew him). He's beating guys like a drum, and he is nowhere near 100% with that ankle. Imagine what he'll be like when he is 100%. Disappointed he didnt make that one catch on the slant though. Our trio of WR's is as good as it gets.

No doubt. Just have to use 'em. That's not to say that I'm bashing Garrett as I like the fact that he stuck with the run. Why he chose to do it against the Vikings' defense? Not sure about that.

11) Defense played a solid game yesterday, except for the fact that they cant force turnovers. They also play mediocre defense in the redzone. That part could be better, they need to hold teams to FG's more than they do. Controlled Peterson though and in the first half put alot of hits on Favre.

Nice effort overall and a nice bounce back from the prior week. All for naught though.

12) The most noticeable difference between the Vikings and us yesterday? (Other than they benefitted from an incedibly biased group of officials) TACKLING. You didnt see them arm tackling people or diving at air. Other than Bradie James and Ware, our defense is garbage when it comes to tackling, and has been for years (the team sucked at tackling under Parcells too).

I thought we were better at it under Parcells. But you're right, Vikings were noticeably better at it yesterday.

Like I said above, the season isnt totally over yet, but for all intents and purposes will be if they lose to the Giants next Monday. We probably could be 5-0 right now and nobody on the schedule scares me, but this just looks like a season from hell. It started with a lackluster, poor effort preseason and has spilled over to the regular season. Too many players have a "losing" look on their face, and that comes straight from Wade, who almost looks like a beaten man as soon as he gets out of the lockerroom. He deserves to be fired and hopefully the next guy will be someone who instills confidence in the players and coaches with cajones. We need that "edge" back again. Jimmy was able to do it. Even Switzer to a certain extent exuded confidence. We havent seen it sense. (Parcells from the Giants days certainly had that too, but the Parcells we got wasnt that guy). No way would I hire a retread or somebody I thought only was coaching for the money. Go find the next Jimmy, there's too much talent here to be wasting seasons like this.

I'm on record that I think the only guy who can turn it around while the window is still open is Bill Cowher.

And I think this season is over.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Where are all the Jerry Jones apologists when we lose, you are here to prop him up when we win and give him credit but when we lose you run and hide.

 

[casmith07]

I think any big trades are out the window this year. With the looming lock-out on the horizon many teams just aren't willing to take on additional payroll at this point in the year. I also think Mankins wants to be the highest paid lineman in the league, or atleast in the running, I want the say that he already turned down an offer from the Pat's that would have paid him $7M per year.

Craig

He turned it down because of Robert Kraft's demand for a public apology, not because of the money.

 

[casmith07]

Worst case, I can't see it being significantly bigger than what they're overpaying Davis right now. Either this season or next, that bloated contract will come off the books, along with Marion Barber's, so paying a proven commodity like Mankins shouldn't be an issue.

Kosier might come off the books as well, and Colombo.

I would love to have Mankins and a healthy Kosier though.

 

[Hoofbite]

9) As I stated in a couple other threads, if DeCamillis is telling Buehler he needs to directional kick (and its most likely him) he should be fired. The only excuse is if Buehler is really more hurt than we know (and he said after the bye week he was feeling normal). Its an incredibly stupid strategy. The guy can kick the ball 75-80 yds almost at will, who cares how high it goes at that point. I can forgive DeCamillis for guys missing tackles (the whole teasm is basically inept at tackling anyway) but if he's the one behind the "directional kicking" idea, then he's a bonehead and he needs to go. By the way, Nick Folk kicked a 56 yd FG yesterday. He's now 13/15 on the season and is 2/3 on 50+ kicks. For all of you who couldnt wait to hang this guy last yr, good call. DeCamillis has also got to bench AOA on kick returns I think, dude looks lost out there right now. He's down to just barely 20 yds a return now after yesterday.

What should they have done?

Waited it out? If you listen to what Folk says, it was all mechanics which means the team wasn't seeing something that they should have. Waiting it out doesn't solve that problem. If the coaching sucks, it doesn't matter.

Hurt, mechanics......who cares? You don't let a guy miss 10 kicks. They could have easily brought him back, they could have IR'd him. You do not let a guy miss that many kicks. Too many other players on the team are working too hard to let a kicker screw it up.

Nobody bothered to sniff that guy until the spring. NOBODY. That's how bad he was. Give the Jets credit. They took a flyer and it's paying off. Them getting lucky doesn't mean Dallas is any more stupid for making the RIGHT decision.

 

[craig71]

He turned it down because of Robert Kraft's demand for a public apology, not because of the money.

I wasn't aware of that detail.

Craig