DMN: Blog: The Cowboys will make the playoffs

[Cbz40]

The Cowboys will make the playoffs

3:00 PM Fri, May 08, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon


So says SI.com's Don Banks, who figures that the Cowboys will be one of six teams that missed the playoffs last season and will participate in the 2009 postseason.

Dallas -- There are no two ways around it: The Cowboys underachieved mightily in 2008 and became a dysfunctional team in the locker room in the second half of last season. But only one of Dallas' losses came against a losing team, and that was at St. Louis in its first game without injured starting quarterback Tony Romo. Otherwise, the Cowboys lost to Pittsburgh, Arizona, Philly, Baltimore and the Giants -- the NFL's final four and its defending Super Bowl champion -- as well as to 8-8 Washington when the Commanders were rolling early.

Three reasons why the Cowboys will be better off in 2009 jump to mind: 1) Romo doesn't have to sweat the T.O. drama any more, and that's going to help his head and his game; 2) explosive running back/return man Felix Jones should play more than six games this time around; 3) the Cowboys improved their porous secondary both at cornerback and safety in free agency and the draft.

My response to Banks' three points: 1) There's no question that Romo's Monday-Saturday life will be easier without T.O., but it remains to be seen how much the Cowboys will miss the prima donna's playmaking ability; 2) No doubt that a healthy Jones makes a huge difference; 3) Agree on safety, but it's way too early to say that Mike Mickens is an upgrade over Pacman Jones and Anthony Henry.

 

[DallasEast]

My response to Banks' three points: 1) There's no question that Romo's Monday-Saturday life will be easier without T.O., but it remains to be seen how much the Cowboys will miss the prima donna's playmaking ability; 2) No doubt that a healthy Jones makes a huge difference.

I haven't a clue how an NFL offense with a top quarterback, a top tight end, a very good #1 wide receiver, a good slot receiver, three solid running backs and a competent offensive line (when healthy) can be successful without Terrell Owens.

Yeah. I'm lying my *** off.

 

[casmith07]

3) Agree on safety, but it's way too early to say that Mike Mickens is an upgrade over Pacman Jones and Anthony Henry.

I disagree on Anthony Henry and on Pacman Jones. Mike Mickens likely won't get suspended for almost half the season, and he is probably much more athletic at this point in his career (early 20's) than Henry (pushing 30s).

 

[jobberone]

It's the Cowboys. Ya luv'em or hate them.

 

[Doomsday101]

I expect nothing less than this team making it to the post season. I think this team still have very good talent on it and if they can come together as a team sacrificing individual glory and praise for the what is best for the team then I think we have a good shot at doing it.

 

[Clove]

I haven't a clue how an NFL offense with a top quarterback, a top tight end, a very good #1 wide receiver, a good slot receiver, three solid running backs and a competent offensive line (when healthy) can be successful without Terrell Owens.

Yeah. I'm lying my *** off.

Because our QB does not show up when we need him.

Because our QB does not hold on to the ball.

Because our #1 receiver could not escape single coverage last year.

Because our slot receiver could NOT get opened last year.

Because Garrett hates to run the ball, so it doesn't matter how good they are.

Because our offensive line is WAY over rated.

I think we as fans are living in a bottle when it comes to evaluating our own talent.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Because our QB does not show up when we need him.

Because our QB does not hold on to the ball.

Because our #1 receiver could not escape single coverage last year.

Because our slot receiver could NOT get opened last year.

Because Garrett hates to run the ball, so it doesn't matter how good they are.

Because our offensive line is WAY over rated.

I think we as fans are living in a bottle when it comes to evaluating our own talent.

Not sure Judas if most are ready for your brand of truth. But I do agree with a lot of points you make.

Even in our 13-3 season, the offensive line was bolstered by a Romo who moved around. But we weren't a great running team at all. I don't believe our line is built to be a running game first team.

But I am excited at the possibilities this running game brings. I think it remains to be seen where it will take this team.

Does Romo have warts? Yes, he does. But none of the things you mentioned are at the focal point for me.

Two things.

1. He seems to get into tense situations and then he resorts to boneheaded decisions. This causes the turnovers you mentioned. But what I am talking about is when everything is on the line against top talent, he seems to panic and make a mistake.

That is a concern. And a concern that his experience should overcome. I do not buy into the argument "he has played only 39 games."

2. His Babe Laughenberg interview holds a great deal of meaning for me. When asked about his leadership, it wasn't the usual Tony Romo who has a smile on his face.

He became petulant and defensive. He said don't tell him about leadership. Come to him with ways to beat the other team. Because he leads by example. Horse manure. He is the leader of this team and speaking out and correcting mistakes is part of his job.

He then tried to deflect by making that snarky remark, "Babe, lets' trade chairs and talk about your career. That will be a short talk."

Immaturity is all I thought. And we have our team resting in his hands.

I hope I am wrong about this.

Your Garrett comments are speculation. You cannot take what happened in 2008 and extrapolate anything into 2009 with the weapons, or lack of same, and suggest how Garrett will respond.

Same goes for Roy Williams. You are drawing a conclusion on incomplete information.

But I have read some of your comments and the replies. It takes guts to say what you say.

 

[DallasEast]

Because our QB does not show up when we need him.

Because our QB does not hold on to the ball.

Because our #1 receiver could not escape single coverage last year.

Because our slot receiver could NOT get opened last year.

Because Garrett hates to run the ball, so it doesn't matter how good they are.

Because our offensive line is WAY over rated.

I think we as fans are living in a bottle when it comes to evaluating our own talent.

Bookmarked for the '09 season

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Mike Mickens can play CB, he's tough and physical.

 

[Idgit]

Bookmarked for the '09 season

Don't bother. Judas is just play-acting. He doesn't mean it.

 

[masomenos]

Mike Mickens can play CB, he's tough and physical.

He's also not on the 53 man roster yet.

 

[Clove]

Don't bother. Judas is just play-acting. He doesn't mean it.

What are you talking about?

I mean what I say, I've just been one of those fans over the years that just did not WANT to see the truth. The first time someone said something bad about Roy Williams three or four years ago, I almost destroyed something in my living room because I did not want to believe it.

Now I did say what I said about Romo but a few things he can do to clean it up.

1. He can be completely prepared, and I will admit this one thing. I do think TO intimidated him a little bit, which should never happen with your QB, but now that he is gone, he should be able to walk in that huddle, tell those players that we are going to go out there and kick butt, and if you're not on board, get out of the huddle.

At times he looked confused with certain defenses as if he had never seen it before. At times he seemed like he had no clue where the rushers were coming from, called the wrong protection packages (to me, I could be wrong) and then would rush the snap count since he ran out of time trying to read the blitz. (this is NOT being prepared to me)

Let me also add that Romo has not handled the pressure of being the Dallas Cowboys QB although he runs around loose, talks like a regular guy, but when those big games come up, it seems like the game is bigger than he.

2.Garrett can call a better game. When teams know you're going to throw the ball on 1st and 3rd downs all game long, they can simply sit back and wait for it. If Garrett could call a game the way the Steelers O'Coordinator does, Romo could possibly be the best QB in the league running away.

Garrett's game-plan had me scratching my head. There was none, it was the same plan every game. I never saw him trying to set up certain CBs or Safeties, okay that's a lie. That one game, I don't remember but the safeties were weak, Garrett would not challenge them, finally he did and Owens had a record breaking day, I think it was against either NY or the Eagles.

One more thing about Garrett's offense is the way they handle blitzes. We need far better plays to exploit flood-blitzes (where they over-load one side of the line, bringing more blitzers than we can block)
Too many times I saw a guy coming free, but no one was opened for Romo to throw it to, so he would generally take the law into his own hands, and far to often, while trying to do that, he would throw an interception or get hit and fumble.

Our offensive line either has problems or horrible coaching. Romo has been making that trashy line look good for years. Even bigg is an average run blocker from what I've seen, but these guys have the potential to be a great run team if they would exercise just a little patience and not be afraid of a close game if that's what it takes to control a game.

The one thing I've noticed about older O'Coordinators is that they have patience usually. Garrett has had no patience, and it didn't help him to have a monster year the first year he came in, because that set the delusional run-n-gun mentality he thinks he can employ all the time.

Roy Williams disappointed me last year because I was one of many who wanted him here. I thought it would be the perfect opportunity with Owens on the other side to just destroy offenses and the problem with that was, Williams didn't do his part.

Witten did his part, Williams did absolutely nothing. I would give him a pass, but he's been in the league forever, and there's just no excuse for that. I've played receiver, an out is still an out. A go route is a go route even in flag football. A slant is a slant, an in-route is the same, so not knowing the play book is not an excuse, the patterns are still the same, run them and get opened.

So there's my non-mean version of what I was trying to say. Soak it up, it won't last.

 

[TNCowboy]

Mike Mickens can play CB, he's tough and physical.

We're down to counting on 7th round draft choices who haven't even made the team yet?

 

[jobberone]

Not sure Judas if most are ready for your brand of truth. But I do agree with a lot of points you make.

Even in our 13-3 season, the offensive line was bolstered by a Romo who moved around. But we weren't a great running team at all. I don't believe our line is built to be a running game first team.

But I am excited at the possibilities this running game brings. I think it remains to be seen where it will take this team.

Does Romo have warts? Yes, he does. But none of the things you mentioned are at the focal point for me.

Two things.

1. He seems to get into tense situations and then he resorts to boneheaded decisions. This causes the turnovers you mentioned. But what I am talking about is when everything is on the line against top talent, he seems to panic and make a mistake.

That is a concern. And a concern that his experience should overcome. I do not buy into the argument "he has played only 39 games."

2. His Babe Laughenberg interview holds a great deal of meaning for me. When asked about his leadership, it wasn't the usual Tony Romo who has a smile on his face.

He became petulant and defensive. He said don't tell him about leadership. Come to him with ways to beat the other team. Because he leads by example. Horse manure. He is the leader of this team and speaking out and correcting mistakes is part of his job.

He then tried to deflect by making that snarky remark, "Babe, lets' trade chairs and talk about your career. That will be a short talk."

Immaturity is all I thought. And we have our team resting in his hands.

I hope I am wrong about this.

Your Garrett comments are speculation. You cannot take what happened in 2008 and extrapolate anything into 2009 with the weapons, or lack of same, and suggest how Garrett will respond.

Same goes for Roy Williams. You are drawing a conclusion on incomplete information.

But I have read some of your comments and the replies. It takes guts to say what you say.

It takes guts to say what you said. Thoughtful and considerate post. Tony does say things that make me scratch my head. Some of that could be the golf which is one of the most Zen-like things you can do. Think, think, think and prepare, prepare and prepare then zone out before doing it.

But there is a time and place for all things. Tony will learn. It can't be easy to be a regular Joe one day and then celeb/QB OF THE DALLAS COWBOYS the next one. Ask Mickey Mantle about taking on the reigns or Yaz.

 

[Alexander]

Not sure Judas if most are ready for your brand of truth. But I do agree with a lot of points you make.

Even in our 13-3 season, the offensive line was bolstered by a Romo who moved around. But we weren't a great running team at all. I don't believe our line is built to be a running game first team.

But I am excited at the possibilities this running game brings. I think it remains to be seen where it will take this team.

Does Romo have warts? Yes, he does. But none of the things you mentioned are at the focal point for me.

Two things.

1. He seems to get into tense situations and then he resorts to boneheaded decisions. This causes the turnovers you mentioned. But what I am talking about is when everything is on the line against top talent, he seems to panic and make a mistake.

That is a concern. And a concern that his experience should overcome. I do not buy into the argument "he has played only 39 games."

2. His Babe Laughenberg interview holds a great deal of meaning for me. When asked about his leadership, it wasn't the usual Tony Romo who has a smile on his face.

He became petulant and defensive. He said don't tell him about leadership. Come to him with ways to beat the other team. Because he leads by example. Horse manure. He is the leader of this team and speaking out and correcting mistakes is part of his job.

He then tried to deflect by making that snarky remark, "Babe, lets' trade chairs and talk about your career. That will be a short talk."

Immaturity is all I thought. And we have our team resting in his hands.

I hope I am wrong about this.

From the week before the Giants playoff game through that interview, he's really dropped down a peg or two in my eyes. I don't like what I have seen or heard from him. You are correct that he's been somewhat smug, immature and above all defensive.

 

[Bleu Star]

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2768890&postcount=19

 

[DallasEast]

Don't bother. Judas is just play-acting. He doesn't mean it.

[strike]Jekyll[/strike] Clove? Sure. [strike]Hyde[/strike] Judas? I'm not so certain.

 

[theebs]

From the week before the Giants playoff game through that interview, he's really dropped down a peg or two in my eyes. I don't like what I have seen or heard from him. You are correct that he's been somewhat smug, immature and above all defensive.

You would become annoyed and defensive also if your on the field football play was being analyzed based on your girlfriends current album sales.

I have no idea where you live, but the DFW market is a weird place, instead of defending their athletes and standing in their corner, they are usually the first to jump on them and bury them over tiny miniscule things.

Leonard davis and kevin burnett's wife were on the bone talking about players and teams and other crap and no one cared.

Romo hasnt changed. I remember seeing interviews of him on fox 4 and cbs 11 in 2004 when he just bought a new apartment and was living with his friends in Dallas and trying to qualify for the US open. He is the same guy. He is doing the same things.

The difference is He is hated everywhere. He doesnt trash talk or take cheap shots at people and he rarley talks to anyone and people attack him for it.

So at some point every person is just going to shut everyone out and that is what he has done. You could see it last december. He is getting hammered from everywhere, he is being blamed for everything under the sun and then people start in on his work ethic. And through it all he has never criticized his offensive line or blamed anything on the defense or the poor special teams or constant penalties...etc...

I dont blame him one bit, I am glad he is quiet and doesnt talk. I think thats good. He is hated Nationally and he has become hated locally. So what is he supposed to do go on tv and beg to be liked or explain to a large group of irrational people what his daily routine is or how hard he works.

He is in a no win situation. He has higher expectations on him than any qb in the league and he is on a team that last year, couldnt block, couldnt tackle and couldnt focus. So when leonard davis and andre gurode whiff on a block and two guys come free and romo gets the ball out quick in a tight spot and the ball is dropped or is a short gain or whatever it becomes, romo had this guy open but he sucks and couldnt get him the ball. THen the wr complain, yet romo never complains and doesnt point fingers when he is getting his brains beaten in. He has had one moment of frustration after the eagles game where he publically complained about garrett and it was obvious it was about the protections called. Garrett has since talked about how him and romo went over the protection scheme and it was over.

but hey, he went to mexico and he fumbled against seattle so he sucks and is going down a few notches.

 

[theogt]

One thing is for sure -- if we win a playoff game, it is despite of Romo, not because of Romo.

LOL.

 

[AsthmaField]

You would become annoyed and defensive also if your on the field football play was being analyzed based on your girlfriends current album sales.

I have no idea where you live, but the DFW market is a weird place, instead of defending their athletes and standing in their corner, they are usually the first to jump on them and bury them over tiny miniscule things.

Leonard davis and kevin burnett's wife were on the bone talking about players and teams and other crap and no one cared.

Romo hasnt changed. I remember seeing interviews of him on fox 4 and cbs 11 in 2004 when he just bought a new apartment and was living with his friends in Dallas and trying to qualify for the US open. He is the same guy. He is doing the same things.

The difference is He is hated everywhere. He doesnt trash talk or take cheap shots at people and he rarley talks to anyone and people attack him for it.

So at some point every person is just going to shut everyone out and that is what he has done. You could see it last december. He is getting hammered from everywhere, he is being blamed for everything under the sun and then people start in on his work ethic. And through it all he has never criticized his offensive line or blamed anything on the defense or the poor special teams or constant penalties...etc...

I dont blame him one bit, I am glad he is quiet and doesnt talk. I think thats good. He is hated Nationally and he has become hated locally. So what is he supposed to do go on tv and beg to be liked or explain to a large group of irrational people what his daily routine is or how hard he works.

He is in a no win situation. He has higher expectations on him than any qb in the league and he is on a team that last year, couldnt block, couldnt tackle and couldnt focus. So when leonard davis and andre gurode whiff on a block and two guys come free and romo gets the ball out quick in a tight spot and the ball is dropped or is a short gain or whatever it becomes, romo had this guy open but he sucks and couldnt get him the ball. THen the wr complain, yet romo never complains and doesnt point fingers when he is getting his brains beaten in. He has had one moment of frustration after the eagles game where he publically complained about garrett and it was obvious it was about the protections called. Garrett has since talked about how him and romo went over the protection scheme and it was over.

but hey, he went to mexico and he fumbled against seattle so he sucks and is going down a few notches.

Precisely. Thank you Theebs for saying what I also feel.

The guy has done everything the team has asked him to do and he just keeps on getting crap, no matter what he does.