News: DC: Scout’s Eye: Breaking Down Claiborne’s Return, TD Chances For Dez, More

[NewsBot]

IRVING, Texas – My full breakdown of the Cowboys’ 19-16 win at Washington after reviewing the tape from Monday night: Read

• I thought the tone of the game for this Dallas defense was set very early when they were able to sack Kirk Cousins on a 3rd-and-6 during the Commanders’ opening drive. Not only was the “T – E” stunt executed well between Tyrone Crawford and DeMarcus Lawrence to get Lawrence home, but the coverage by Barry Church on Jordan Reed also choked off any opportunity for them to convert on the play. You can tell in studying the play that there was no question Cousins wanted to get the ball to Reed in that situation but there was no avenue to make that happen.
• This is the first time that Dez Bryant looked completely healthy in a game since coming back from his foot surgery and playing through an ankle and knee injury. Bryant was able to win off the line against press coverage which allowed him to separate to get in his routes. There were two plays where I thought he could have scored touchdowns if the ball had just got to him. Cassel missed him on a slant in the red zone with no safety help in the middle of the field which upset Bryant because he knew that was a rare opportunity. Later in the game, after making an incredible catch to put the ball on the Commanders’ 3-yard line, Bryant the very next play beats Will Blackmon inside which leaves him flat footed. Instead of being a touchdown, the ball was knocked away by Ricky Jean-Francois who beat La’el Collins around the corner to get in the throwing lane. Despite only having three receptions, the night could have been much bigger for Dez Bryant.
• I don’t know what more Darren McFadden can do to protect the ball in traffic because on his second fumble of the night, he had both hands around the ball as he going through the hole. By protecting it this way, it actually slowed him down. The play was the scissors action that they used well in the Miami game where the ball starts in one direction then goes back the other way. McFadden got two nice blocks by Terrance Williams and Lucky Whitehead on the play to get him in the open field but Jason Hatcher was able to somehow get the ball out of his hands while going to the ground. It was just a really bad break for him that led to points for the Commanders.

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[WoodysGirl]

Some good stuff here..

 

[cowboys1981]

We took his security blanket away. Props for handling Reed last night. Aside from the TD pass the secondary did a good job last night.

 

[stilltheguru88]

@theranchsucks he doesnt get seperation right? Just say youre not a big fan of him instead of making **** up.

 

[Zekeats]

@theranchsucks he doesnt get seperation right? Just say youre not a big fan of him instead of making **** up.

LOL. Put down the PS3 controller for a minute and step back to reality. I actually am a fan of Dez but I am not a homer for him like you. I can admit his flaws and one of them is he does not separate from a defender the way Julio, Odell and Antonio do. Telling the truth doesn't mean I don't like the guy, its just the truth.