DMN Blog: One opponent's take on the Cowboys

[WoodysGirl]

11:00 AM Thu, Jul 16, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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The Sporting News is breaking down every NFL team prior to training camp. They recently did a quick story on the Cowboys. It included this quote from CBS analyst Phil Simms about how the Cowboys will do without Terrell Owens:

"I'll have to wait and see how being without T.O. affects Tony Romo. With Owens in there, defenses were designed to stop him--to either roll zone or double coverage toward him. If he's not there, they have to work harder. I don't really buy into (letting Owens go) as an 'addition by subtraction.' "​

And this scouting report from "an opponent," as The Sporting News puts it:

"You've got a situation where there is a lot of talent on that football team that for whatever reason is underachieving. I hate to say anything about Wade, but he has fallen right in line with the way his teams play--just over .500 or right around it. "They're certainly dodging a circus atmosphere, and the removal of (Owens) is going to help that and may bring a little bit of stability to an offensive side that isn't playing anywhere near what they're capable of with the type of guys they have over there."​

"Defensively, you're looking at a top-10 team but they need to play to their ability on that side and they've underachieved a little there, though the defense kind of carried them last year.​

"They're very poor on special teams as well, which to me sometimes is indicative of an undisciplined group. Generally, I see a situation where the emphasis from the staff is not being placed on field position and that sort of thing."​

Is this how you would describe the Cowboys?


http://www.***BANNED-URL***/images/ice3/icons/blog.gif Comments (9) Leave comment | http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail entry

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I read this before, maybe on another board, and the opponent quotes sound exactly like Tom Coughlin to me.

Anyway, our special teams were horrible, but that was mainly due to a horrible coordinator and mainly scrubs for players. It won't be the same this year.

 

[Stash]

11:00 AM Thu, Jul 16, 2009

The Sporting News is breaking down every NFL team prior to training camp. They recently did a quick story on the Cowboys. It included this quote from CBS analyst Phil Simms about how the Cowboys will do without Terrell Owens:

"I'll have to wait and see how being without T.O. affects Tony Romo. With Owens in there, defenses were designed to stop him--to either roll zone or double coverage toward him. If he's not there, they have to work harder. I don't really buy into (letting Owens go) as an 'addition by subtraction.' "

I'd say that I'm in the 'wait and see' camp regarding Owens and the 'addition by subtraction' statements. It's easy to call it that when you don't have a game to play. There's certainly talent left on offense but I'm not going to take away what Owens brought on the field.
​

And this scouting report from "an opponent," as The Sporting News puts it:

"You've got a situation where there is a lot of talent on that football team that for whatever reason is underachieving. I hate to say anything about Wade, but he has fallen right in line with the way his teams play--just over .500 or right around it. "They're certainly dodging a circus atmosphere, and the removal of (Owens) is going to help that and may bring a little bit of stability to an offensive side that isn't playing anywhere near what they're capable of with the type of guys they have over there."​

"Defensively, you're looking at a top-10 team but they need to play to their ability on that side and they've underachieved a little there, though the defense kind of carried them last year.​

"They're very poor on special teams as well, which to me sometimes is indicative of an undisciplined group. Generally, I see a situation where the emphasis from the staff is not being placed on field position and that sort of thing."​

Is this how you would describe the Cowboys?

I think it's a spot-on assessment. This team is still loaded with talent and they most certainly did not play to their potential last season, for a multitude of reasons.

But with recent changes, I think that's fixin' to change. I think the team has three excellent coordinators in charge of offense, defense, and special teams and it will be up to them to maximize the talent at their disposal.

Responses in bold.

 

[Dodger]

Is this how you would describe the Cowboys?

Generally speaking, yes.

 

[CIWhitefish]

Last year sure. It's easy to assess the team after the fact. Where was this astute assessment when everyone and their brother thought we would win it all? Like they say, every year you have a different team. You can't say this years Boys are the same as last years.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

That is how anyone but a blind homer would describe them. Waaay too much talent to underachieve like they did last year.

 

[DallasEast]

1. It's 2009. Not 2008. What worked or did not work last season is not indicative of what will or will not work this season.
2. Does professional football begin, fester and end with Terrell Owens? He's no longer on the roster, so let's just write off the season already. Are San Francisco and Philadelphia still members of the league? Should someone send FEMA to Buffalo as a precaution?



This silliness surrounding one football player subtracted from the equation has got to end. It's still football ******. The season can't start soon enough.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

it should be obvious to anyone that knows football what there problems are. Are special teams were so horrible, but to me the team always acted as if the OFFENSE (especiall in Wades 1st year) would score enough to cover all of the mistakes...so penalties, field position...you know the things that MATTER to teams trying to win a Super Bowl, were never emphasized before now.

But with TO gone...I think this team has lost some of its confidence to outscore everyone....and they will focus on doing the LITTLE things correctly. It may not make a MAJOR difference in the standings...but I think it will make a major difference in playoff games.

When you get to the point in a season where everyone is good (i.e. the playoffs)...you better be sound in all 3 phases or you are going home.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

Is this how you would describe the Cowboys?

I think that was pretty spot-on, but I disagree with Phil Simms, losing T.O. is addition by subtraction because it helps the circus atmosphere leave the locker room, allowing the team to build chemistry. True, they still have to build it, but at least now they have a chance, and the media will be less in their way. Phil Simms probably doesn't appreciate that because he was always sheltered by a head coach (Parcells) that always made sure to build a barrier between the media and players. In Dallas, that's not possible, as parcells found out the hard way.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I agree with most of this. The special teams kickoff return unit was actually excellent last season, take a look at the stats for kickoff return yardage allowed. The field goal kicking was excellent as well and the kickoff return game was very good. We really missed Jacques Reeves on punt coverage because McBriar could just boom them deep and then Reeves could run it down, make the returner avoid him and the rest of the guys could catch up and make the tackle. We'd get something like a 60 yard punt with a 10 yard return, and net a 50 and make a dramatic change in field position (obviously, McBriar's stats were different than that, but I'm talking about punts where McBriar could actually kick them as far as he could).

I do agree that the defense underachieved last year, although much of that could be due to injury. Losing Newman early on hurt a lot, we went through about 5 safeties due to injury and a hurt Spencer didn't help matters either.

I think this year we'll be much improved from an all around standpoint on special teams. Big problem we've had is terrible tacklers on special teams. Miles Austin is very good getting down there on coverage, but terrible at tackling. Justin Rogers is really bad at tackling. I think we've got guys now that can get down and make some big hits. If Buehler is as good as advertised that will pin opponents back further and give a lot of touchbacks which should help prevent injuries as well. The defense certainly got better with Wade calling the plays last year. Jenkins and Scandrick have a year under their belt, hopefully Newman stays healthy and I like Spencer over Ellis (and it's not just from Ellis acting like a total ******, I think Spencer is better suited at 3-4 OLB than Ellis).

Weird season coming up ahead. Part of me sees this team going 7-9, another part of me sees them being a very good and tough team to be and going something like 12-4.






YAKUZA

 

[2much2soon]

I disagree with Phil on the TO part.

I agree with Phil on the Wade part.

As a famous ex-Cowboy coach used to say "you are what you are". And Wade's record indicates he is mediocre as a head coach.

Maybe he coaches above and beyond his capabilities this season.

But don't be surprised to see his overall mediocrity reflected in the team's performance on the field when it counts, in a key situation.

 

[BAT]

As a famous ex-Cowboy coach used to say "you are what you are". And Wade's record indicates he is mediocre as a head coach.

If the record indicates that Wade is mediocre as a Cowboy HC, then what does it say about your "famous ex-Cowboy coach"?

 

[burmafrd]

BP rebuilt 4 teams from losers to winners. In each case (except for the BOys) he had several losing years before the teams turned around. That is one reason his record as a coach is not that great win/lose. Did wade EVER take over a team that had to be rebuilt? NO. He mostly took over winning teams or teams that were in the .500 area. The boys are a perfect example. LOTS of talent.
So the fact that his record is not that great is even more telling.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

If the record indicates that Wade is mediocre as a Cowboy HC, then what does it say about your "famous ex-Cowboy coach"?

That and being 22-10 would actually indicate a very good HC, not a 'mediocre' head coach. And Wade's career coaching record would also indicate a very good HC. Coaching winning percentages generally are not as high as Wade's are.




YAKUZA

 

[2much2soon]

9 seasons as a head coach, 4 playoff appearances, 0 playoff wins, and you guys think he isn't mediocre?

 

[Manster68]

BP rebuilt 4 teams from losers to winners. In each case (except for the BOys) he had several losing years before the teams turned around. That is one reason his record as a coach is not that great win/lose. Did wade EVER take over a team that had to be rebuilt? NO. He mostly took over winning teams or teams that were in the .500 area. The boys are a perfect example. LOTS of talent.
So the fact that his record is not that great is even more telling.

Now THAT'S an excellent post!

 

[Yakuza Rich]

9 seasons as a head coach, 4 playoff appearances, 0 playoff wins, and you guys think he isn't mediocre?

A poor playoff coach? Absolutely.

A mediocre regular season coach...no way.

Out of 145 head coaches listed by pro-football-reference.com, Wade is 36th in winning percentage (.588) http://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/

That's better than:

- Hank Stram
- Bill Parcells
- Chuck Knox
- Mike Ditka
- Marv Levy
- Jeff Fisher
- Jimmy Johnson
- Tom Coughlin
- Jon Gruden
- Dan Reeves
- Dick Vermeil

And Wade did rebuild the Bills. They were 6-10 when he took them over and pretty much everybody that was on their AFC Championship glory year teams were either retired or close to going to the glue factory.

For the most part, I'm not all that worried about Wade from September thru November. After that, he's got a ton to prove.




YAKUZA

 

[2much2soon]

A poor playoff coach? Absolutely.

A mediocre regular season coach...no way.

Out of 145 head coaches listed by pro-football-reference.com, Wade is 36th in winning percentage (.588) http://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/

That's better than:

- Hank Stram
- Bill Parcells
- Chuck Knox
- Mike Ditka
- Marv Levy
- Jeff Fisher
- Jimmy Johnson
- Tom Coughlin
- Jon Gruden
- Dan Reeves
- Dick Vermeil

And Wade did rebuild the Bills. They were 6-10 when he took them over and pretty much everybody that was on their AFC Championship glory year teams were either retired or close to going to the glue factory.

For the most part, I'm not all that worried about Wade from September thru November. After that, he's got a ton to prove.




YAKUZA

You'd seriously choose Wade over all but a couple of those guys (in their prime)?

I wouldn't.

I'd take Wade over maybe, maybe, Gruden or Coughlin. The rest of those guys would run most of Wade's teams off the field.

 

[billknows]

I agree with most of this. The special teams kickoff return unit was actually excellent last season, take a look at the stats for kickoff return yardage allowed. The field goal kicking was excellent as well and the kickoff return game was very good. We really missed Jacques Reeves on punt coverage because McBriar could just boom them deep and then Reeves could run it down, make the returner avoid him and the rest of the guys could catch up and make the tackle. We'd get something like a 60 yard punt with a 10 yard return, and net a 50 and make a dramatic change in field position (obviously, McBriar's stats were different than that, but I'm talking about punts where McBriar could actually kick them as far as he could).

I do agree that the defense underachieved last year, although much of that could be due to injury. Losing Newman early on hurt a lot, we went through about 5 safeties due to injury and a hurt Spencer didn't help matters either.

I think this year we'll be much improved from an all around standpoint on special teams. Big problem we've had is terrible tacklers on special teams. Miles Austin is very good getting down there on coverage, but terrible at tackling. Justin Rogers is really bad at tackling. I think we've got guys now that can get down and make some big hits. If Buehler is as good as advertised that will pin opponents back further and give a lot of touchbacks which should help prevent injuries as well. The defense certainly got better with Wade calling the plays last year. Jenkins and Scandrick have a year under their belt, hopefully Newman stays healthy and I like Spencer over Ellis (and it's not just from Ellis acting like a total ******, I think Spencer is better suited at 3-4 OLB than Ellis).

Weird season coming up ahead. Part of me sees this team going 7-9, another part of me sees them being a very good and tough team to be and going something like 12-4.







YAKUZA

Think 11-5 ...and we beat the Giants TWICE