Day After Thoughts

dbair1967

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It was hardly a thing of beauty, but I didnt expect it to be. The bottom line is its a "W" over the Eagles. THE EAGLES. They are required hating. There will never come a day when I am upset about a win over the Eagles.

Proud of the team, I doubt many would have blamed them had they mailed it in. Absolutely awful weather, on the road, 3rd string QB making his first start ever against a hated divisional opponent thats headed to the playoffs.

1) Hats off to Garrett. I think I could have made some mucho coin if I had bet anyone the day he took over that he'd finish with a 5-3 record and Romo wouldnt have played a single snap in any of those games. He deserves the HC job, and it appears Jones is going to do the right thing. Once he gets it, deciding what to do with the defensive coaching staff will be the #1 issue IMO. I think its paramount that he get a good staff in place, and Jones is getting this going the right way early by putting Garrett in place asap, he has the pick of the litter for assistants. And there should be a number of good coordinators and position coaches available. I wouldnt retain any of the current defensive assistants if I were him.

2) To the crowd that wanted to lose the game for the sake of the draft position, I cant post what needs to be said due to forum guidelines. I made it quite clear during the week why I thought this was massively flawed thought process by those people. In the end, it works out just fine. We win, and we only dropped from 6th to 9th. We're still going to get a very good player, and in all liklihood have more flexibility to move down (if they wanted to pursue that) from where we are now than had we ended up with the higher pick. Nobody wants to trade into those premium slots anymore, though that might change after a new CBA gets done.

3) The Eagles might not have played alot of their starters, but those who thought they were going to hand the game to us were wrong. They threw the kitchen sink at McGee and our OL. I thought McGee did about as good as he could due considering the circumstances. He only completed 11/27, but he had very little pass protection and had a few passes dropped. It was a tough day weather wise, steady cold rain. But other than one or two really bad throws, he avoided the killer mistakes and made some timely plays with his legs. In the end, he led another GW TD drive (that should be two in two games now) and threw some good passes on that drive. I like the kid, he has alot of upside. I also thought the game plan with him was the one of simplest I've ever seen for a modern day NFL game. They definitely didnt throw the playbook at Philly.

3) Stat/potential factoid I didnt know. They announced yesterday during the game that the Cowboys had scored 26+ pts in all 7 of Garrett's games as HC, thats the longest streak in franchise history. I havent verified it but assume they did. Thats pretty damn amazing when you think about all the awesome offensive teams we've had here. I'm not saying this one is as good as any of those elite Dallas offense's were, but its definitely an eye opener. And this was done with the 2nd string QB (and 3rd string for a half).

4) Hats off to DeMarcus Ware, league leader is sacks again. Kudos to Jason Witten and Miles Austin, each reaching 1000 yds (again). Felix Jones ended up with exactly 800 yds rushing and 4.3 yds per carry, and his longest run was only 34 yds for the season. Thats tough running because he sure didnt get much help from the OL. They all busted their tails yesterday like this was an early season game. They played with alot of pride. Throw Jay Ratliff & Bradie James into that group as well. For those of you who wanted to lose, I wish you'd get a chance to tell some of these guys something like that, or that winning didnt matter.

5) What a pathetic performance by the OL. I think for certain 2, and perhaps 3 of them played their last games here yesterday. And thats a good thing.

6) Bryan McCann is just about the worst punt returner I've ever seen. He got progressively worse every week. His kickoff returns got worse too. I think he better hope he improves his CB skill, because he'll have a hard time making the team next yr as-is. We REALLY missed Dez Bryant's return ability.

7) Just throwing this out there for the "I wont be surprised" item for the draft, but OLB (even though Spencer did get two sacks and had the key forced fumble) and maybe even RB could be picked higher than some think. I think Jones is a definite keeper, but I absolutely wont be surprised if both Barber AND Choice are elsewhere. I dont think they'd pick a RB in the 1st, but I wont be surprised if one comes soon after that. OLB could end up being one of the top picks, and this appears to be a good draft for 3-4 OLB prospects. 2011 is Spencer's last contract yr, and I dont think he's done anything near enough to warrant an extension. If they are sticking with the 3-4, then upgrading the pass rush has to be a priority.

8) Tough free agent decisions to make on our DL. I think Spears was really missed up front after he got hurt, and to me both Hatcher and Bowen were disappointments. Bowen I'd like to keep as a nickel rusher, but Spears is the defensive front's best run stopper, unfortunately he might be the one who warrants the mostt interested elsewhere too. I hope they get rid of Olshansky. Of course this leads to alot of change, although if Josh Brent could assume the starting NT role then Ratliff could potentially move to a DE spot, which would help. On the OL, both Free and Kosier are free agents. Free is a must keep IMO. Kosier I wouldnt break the bank to keep and ultimately I wont be surprised if they just let him walk.
 
Good thoughts. My only disagreement is I thought McGee made more than a couple poor throws but he definitely looked better than in preseason.

Thanks again, David.
 
Great post OP.

And I completely agree with you on McCann. The dude is a terrible return guy, for the most part. I got so sick of seeing him take a kickoff and run straight for the sideline area. It was pretty predictable and was annoying.

I don't see him making it on this team again next year with Dez being back. I will, however, salute him for his two huge momentum changing plays he made against the Giants and the Lions. Those were nice to see this season and were certainly a couple of highlights for him to keep in his back pocket and tell the grandkids about.
 
casmith07;3778739 said:
Good thoughts. My only disagreement is I thought McGee made more than a couple poor throws but he definitely looked better than in preseason.

Thanks again, David.

He played pretty much how I expected. I didnt think the Eagles would lay down as some did, and the weather was pretty bad.

The game plan was also exceedingly simplified IMO too. Put this, the above and the fact the OL was just awful and you get what we witnessed.

He isnt there yet, but he has upside.
 
I didn't see the game. McCann was that bad on punt returns? And we're back to square one :bang2: I really would like him to be the full-time punter so Dez can just focus on being a great WR and will be subject to less hits (aside for when we need a big-time return a la Terence Newman in the past). Maybe a full training camp as a kick returner will make McCann better.
 
Today is the day where I am upset over a win vs the eagles. Nothing to do with draft position. I am not a draft nerd and dont care about that. But that team was barely the eagles that beat us for 59 minutes last night. It was the eagles JV. Their starters were laughing at us from the sidelines. They have a real game to prepare for. We were just a chance for their practice squad to get some time in. It was a chance for the guys who havnt seen more than a few snaps the whole season to get some face time on tv. And they did that to the starters of the dallas cowboys (with a 3rd string qb i know).

You can say the players had every right to mail it in.... And if that true then Garrett will be no more effective than Wade was. These players were playing for their careers. These coaches were coaching for their careers. And thats all they could show.

We lined up probowlers and future hall of famers against a group of guys that my friends who are eagles fans didnt even know who many of them were.

Terrible performance last night. No one should be looking for pats on the back over that. Thats the loser mentality that has infected this team for too long now. Jason Garrett speaks about being great everyday...... Well they failed to be great. They failed to even show that they deserved to play in the NFL last night against a bunch of practice players.
 
TheCoolFan;3778751 said:
I didn't see the game. McCann was that bad on punt returns? And we're back to square one :bang2: I really would like him to be the full-time punter so Dez can just focus on being a great WR and will be subject to less hits (aside for when we need a big-time return a la Terence Newman in the past). Maybe a full training camp as a kick returner will make him better.

Maybe he can improve, but he just cant catch the ball cleanly on punts (lost another fumble yesterday) and on kickoff returns he doesnt show any instincts.

He's gotta get better otherwise I dont think he'll have a spot here next yr, unless like I said in my OP he improves as a CB and can play some role in the nickel/dime defense perhaps.
 
superonyx;3778753 said:
Today is the day where I am upset over a win vs the eagles. Nothing to do with draft position. I am not a draft nerd and dont care about that. But that team was barely the eagles that beat us for 59 minutes last night. It was the eagles JV. Their starters were laughing at us from the sidelines. They have a real game to prepare for. We were just a chance for their practice squad to get some time in. It was a chance for the guys who havnt seen more than a few snaps the whole season to get some face time on tv. And they did that to the starters of the dallas cowboys (with a 3rd string qb i know).

You can say the players had every right to mail it in.... And if that true then Garrett will be no more effective than Wade was. These players were playing for their careers. These coaches were coaching for their careers. And thats all they could show.

We lined up probowlers and future hall of famers against a group of guys that my friends who are eagles fans didnt even know who many of them were.

Terrible performance last night. No one should be looking for pats on the back over that. Thats the loser mentality that has infected this team for too long now. Jason Garrett speaks about being great everyday...... Well they failed to be great. They failed to even show that they deserved to play in the NFL last night against a bunch of practice players.

I'm not surprised at the response, I expected it and even predicted it. Garrett was in an awful situation yesterday win or lose.

Not many teams win in the NFL with 3rd string QB's starting on the road, and when they do win its normally because 1) the other team was looking past them 2) other areas of the team step up dramatically

The Cowboys players werent the only one's playing for something. The Eagles backups were playing for bigger roles next yr, whether its in Philly or elsewhere. Kevin Kolb was clearing auditioning for alot of QB needy teams. The Eagles may have played some backups but they clearly didnt have a vanilla game plan on either side of the ball. We were eons more basic than they were.

We've got holes. The OL is bad. The secondary, especially the safeties are really bad. We were 1-7 at one point for a reason.
 
Good stuff.

With regard to Spencer, I am hoping they give Butler a fair shot at winning the position.

Every time he hits the field, he makes plays...constantly around the ball.

BURIED Hall with a tackle yesterday that was textbook of how to tackle.
 
Juke99;3778765 said:
Good stuff.

With regard to Spencer, I am hoping they give Butler a fair shot at winning the position.

Every time he hits the field, he makes plays...constantly around the ball.

BURIED Hall with a tackle yesterday that was textbook of how to tackle.

I like him too, he should be in the mix for legit PT next yr.
 
I agree on 6 and 7.

Mcann although young and can develop reminds me of lance frazier in 04. We were so bad off he had to play all the time and every once in a while he made a good play although he gave up many big ones.

He will probably be a bubble guy in camp and a special teamer if he returns, although I am not sure if he is the guy to be returning punts.

as far as the backs go, I really wish there was a way we could go get two new ones to go with jones. Barber is obvious he wont be back and me personally I just dont see choice as anything more than just a guy and I am not a fan of his attitude. I think it would be good for the locker room next year to have a fresh start there.

same way I feel about roy williams. I think it will just be better for the locker room if he is not in it next year.

I also wonder given how much the team liked dexter mccluster last spring if choice wasnt on his way out last year seeing that garrett liked barber more.

and in a perfect world we could use a back who could be the 3 and return punts/kicks. That was what jerry was alluding to when he mentioned special teams earlier in the year even though everyone took it as covering kicks.

I am sure we could find a mid level free agent running back to be the 2.
 
We REALLY missed Dez Bryant's return ability.

I think the Cowboys should find a good return man, or develop McCann into a NFL level return man. He did show something at the position. Dez's value is greater at WR, and to take a chance with him returning punts or kickoffs really isn't warranted.

The Cowboys really don't have a third, fourth, and fifth WR that can do more than play backup, and occasionally contribute on special teams. Crayton did occasionally have good punt returns. Williams, Ogletree, and Hurd provided nothing in that regard. These positions have to contribute more.

I wonder, and I probably already know the answer, if Jerry has learned anything about team building this year. He has no young O-linemen he can throw into the mix. As bad as Colombo was down the stretch, he was never pulled. This is indicative of a poor roster where no one is capable of stepping in. Last year Free stepped in for Colombo, and was written in as the left tackle this year in training camp, and was never challenged. Is he that good, or is the second level of talent so bad the choice was clear cut.

For all the gnashing of teeth over Spears, Bowen and Hatcher couldn't replace him. If Josh Brent is capable at the nose, why wasn't Ratliff put into the mix at Spear's vacant position? That's how bad I think Bowen and Hatcher played this year. It appears the lineup of Olshansky, Ratliff, and Bowen/Hatcher was better than Olshansky, Brent, and Ratliff. I think Spencer's production was definitely impacted by the weak left side of the Dline. How much of that was his fault is a guess.
 
dbair1967;3778699 said:
8) Tough free agent decisions to make on our DL. I think Spears was really missed up front after he got hurt, and to me both Hatcher and Bowen were disappointments. Bowen I'd like to keep as a nickel rusher, but Spears is the defensive front's best run stopper, unfortunately he might be the one who warrants the mostt interested elsewhere too. I hope they get rid of Olshansky. Of course this leads to alot of change, although if Josh Brent could assume the starting NT role then Ratliff could potentially move to a DE spot, which would help. On the OL, both Free and Kosier are free agents. Free is a must keep IMO. Kosier I wouldnt break the bank to keep and ultimately I wont be surprised if they just let him walk.

If they don't keep Spears and Igor is gone, the DL will be an even bigger weakness IMO. Not that I think Igor is great. With the current depth being what it is, losing two starters means either more FA needed AND/OR more draft picks for the DL. There's other areas like LB and OL that need some help as well. I think several of these players that people want gone will be back for another season due to limitations on how much you can realistically expect to replace in one offseason. We may see Davis or Columbo on the team next year, or maybe keep Brooking around. Or Igor gets another year while Spears signs a big FA contract elsewhere.
 
TheCoolFan;3778751 said:
I didn't see the game. McCann was that bad on punt returns? And we're back to square one :bang2: I really would like him to be the full-time punter so Dez can just focus on being a great WR and will be subject to less hits (aside for when we need a big-time return a la Terence Newman in the past). Maybe a full training camp as a kick returner will make McCann better.
I can't watch Bryan McCann on another punt return. He's a turnover waiting to happen.
 
casmith07;3778877 said:
We should have kept Crayton and cut Williams.

Yeah, pretty much.

Would have been interesting to see if Garrett was HC all along if they would have done just that.
 
dbair1967;3779059 said:
Yeah, pretty much.

Would have been interesting to see if Garrett was HC all along if they would have done just that.

crayton threw garrett under the bus on his way out for no reason.

So I am pretty sure garrett probably isnt going to miss either.
 
theebs;3779075 said:
crayton threw garrett under the bus on his way out for no reason.

So I am pretty sure garrett probably isnt going to miss either.

Ultimately, you are right. He probably didnt want either of them.
 

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