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Cowboys' chat
10:03 AM Mon, Oct 20, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Todd Archer http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips
We'll start taking questions at 10:30 so fire away with the questions on the link and we'll be ready to go. Thanks for tuning in.
http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/archives/2008/10/cowboys-chat-2.html
10:28 [Comment From Tyler] Is there any chance Romo doesn't play this weekend? We can't afford to go 0-3 and go into our bye week 4-5.
10:31 Todd Archer: Call this a gut feeling - I believe Romo plays against Tampa Bay. It will be his decision. He knows the season hangs in the balance and a loss would be devastating. I was on the field for pre-game warmups and it didn't look like he was getting everything behind his throws. I don't know if I saw him ever really let it go. But another week of practice, to get used to the splint and to deal with the pain should help.
10:31 [Comment From Nick]
Do you think there's any way to right the Cowboys' ship or is this season all but lost? I personally still think there's a way to turn it around.
10:33 Todd Archer: I don't think the ship has sailed but I don't know if it's coming back to port either. We always joke, "must win" on one game or another, but Sunday vs. Tampa Bay is a must win. If the Cowboys are 4-4 at the midway point, it will be a 9-7 struggle to the playoffs. Maybe.
10:33 [Comment From Tyler]
T.O. seems to be the only one willing to show some fire and get after the O-Line for not blocking, do you see this a Team First T.O. or selfish T.O.? Most T.V. analyst seem to think this is him about to boil over and divide the locker room.
10:35 Todd Archer: Somebody has to get it going. I'm not sure Owens is the right guy, but he is passionate. Sometimes I think his passion is misplaced. The attention to detail is not as great as it should be. There are too many penalties. And most of the time they are mental errors - false starts, motions, offside. I can take physical penalties. Those happen, but mental errors cannot be accepted.
10:35 [Comment From Nick]
Is someone like Daunte Culpepper a viable option now that it is obvious Brad Johnson will not work in this cowboys offense?
10:36 Todd Archer: I'm not sure bringing in Daunte Culpepper would do anything for this team. No wait, I KNOW he won't do anything for this team. He doesn't know this offense, or the players. And he hasn't been very good the last few years. Brad Johnson needs to play better, but the players around Brad Johnson have to play better. He is not the type of quarterback who can succeed when the game is out of whack.
10:37 [Comment From PaulC]
I asked this last week, but it wasn't included in the session. But . . . coaches have changed, players have changed, scouts have changed, personnel directors have changed, even the stadium is changing. Still, from Switzer to Phillips the very same problems remain. No discipline, a defense that cannot come up with a clutch stop, weak secondary, overconfidence, turnovers, and penalties, penalties, penalties. During that time, only ONE THING has remained constant: an interfering owner that coddles the players and short circuits any accountability. That said, is the problem Jerry first, Jerry second, Jerry third, and Jerry fourth?
10:38 Todd Archer: This is a good question, but you're not going to like the answer. Jerry Jones is the GM of this team and always will be the GM. He has done a great job of acquiring talent. Does he interfere and coddle? Yeah, but he did that when they were winning too.
10:38 [Comment From JD in MD]
What a colossal waste of a season--yes, I'm calling the season over. This team is MENTALLY weak. I'm calling for a new head coach. What are the odds JJ will get his "gambler" hat out and make me happy again?
10:40 Todd Archer: JD, I wish I could tell you what you want is going to happen. But there's this: Jerry said he wouldn't trade for a receiver and he traded for a receiver. On Sunday he said Phillips' job was not on the line. I'll let you make the next statement. He has put too many resources into this year's team to let it go down the drain.
10:41 [Comment From Biglat]
Do You think Jason Garrett is ready to take over as HC, and if not do you think Jerry will go after a Bill Cowher, I bet we might have a littel more fire with him on the sideline..
10:42 Todd Archer: Is Garrett ready? I don't know. Jerry doesn't know. Nobody knows. Bill Cowher is an interesting name, but I wouldn't see the Cowboys going outside for a coach if - IF - Jerry makes a move.
10:42 [Comment From Jason]
Will Wade fire Stewart to keep his job?
10:44 Todd Archer: Wade essentially lost his job in Buffalo when he wouldn't relieve his special teams' coach, Ronnie Jones, after the Bills had a disastrous season. Wade has a father/son relationship with Brian Stewart. I wouldn't see that happening.
10:45 [Comment From Steve]
Do you think Jimmy Johnson would ever come back to coach the Cowboys?
10:45 [Comment From Gabe]
Is this team lacking heart? Or did the players get their "big payday" too soon?
10:45 [Comment From JT]
Say what u want I seee no heart in this team .
10:47 Todd Archer:
It didn't look like there was much fight on Sunday. During the game, it just looked like players came off the field, had a little meeting and went back on the field. I'm not always sure flipping a table over or slamming helmets solves anything. But somtimes that is nice to be seen just for effect.
10:47 [Comment From Bernardo]
Are you seriously considering this team making the playoffs with the schedule that lies ahead?
10:49 Todd Archer: Can they make the playoffs? Yes. Playing this way? Absolutely not. Can they play better? Yes. Will they? If I knew, I'd be a billionaire like Jerry Jones. There's a balance that has to be struck between panicking and keeping your cool. This team is as close to the panic-mode side of things since I've been covering the team.
10:49 [Comment From SB]
What's happened to the OL, they were so dominant during the regular season and the first 4 games of this season, what's the reason for their sudden downfall? Not just the passing game but the inside running game is a disaster as well
10:50 Todd Archer: This is a huge concern, you're right. I don't know what has happened. They have looked big and slow instead of big and mauling. Playing on the road affects line play but it shouldn't be that much of a big deal. I'm not sure what changes need to be made or what can be made. The return of Kyle Kosier will help but I wouldn't say Cory Procter has been the reason why they have regressed.
10:51 [Comment From 5 time champs]
If the boys lose the next two of three, the year is over. Do you feel that way?
10:51 Todd Archer: So that would put them at 5-5 with six to go. With the way the NFC is shaping up, yes.
10:51 [Comment From Bill]
Has Roy 31 played his last game as a Cowboy?
10:52 Todd Archer: Another good question. He is out for the year after fracturing his forearm for the second time. It's a real possibility. He makes a lot of money to just be a two-down safety.
10:53 [Comment From Chad]
Was Roy Williams a good trade, or a waste of draft picks we will NEED!
10:54 Todd Archer: I think it was a good trade. They essentially gave up a No. 1 to get a receiver they know can play. If they drafted one next year with that first-round pick, there would be no guarantee. I like it more because they kept Cleveland's three and Miami's six, and those picks figure to be higher in those rounds than where Dallas' picks would end up.
10:54 [Comment From PaulS]
The Cowboys lack any passion, intensity, etc. The teams needs a wake up call, is firing Wade Phillips the wake up call needed?
10:55 Todd Archer: Phillips says it's his job to get his team physically, emotionally and mentally ready to play. I think they were physically ready but the other too? Not so much. There doesn't need to be Knute Rockne speeches or that crap Al Pacino said in Any Given Sunday to get a team ready but there needs to be some emotion. You don't see a lot of it on the sideline.
10:56 [Comment From 5 time champs]
Why do so many in the Dallas media give Brad a pass for the game? They all seem to blame people but not him.
10:56 Todd Archer: Who gave him a pass? He threw three inteceptions. I think the blame, however, should fall more on the starters that have played all year than a guy coming off the bench. He's not immune to the crtiticism but the Cowboys need the other players to play better.
10:57 [Comment From David]
I personally think that the off the field problems are a distraction. Do you really think they will admit that to. I would be beaten down by all the questions. Seems nobody wanted to talk about the rams. I didn't hear hardly anything regarding the game coming up. That with suspect coaching and jerry wanting to be the coach is the problem. Your thoughts.
11:00 Todd Archer: I'm not sure on this one. It has been a roller coaster last few weeks with Adam Jones, Terrell Owens, Tony Romo et al. Maybe they have reached a tipping point. For the people who were here in the 90s, they say the number of incidents hasn't been an issue but the intensity is different. Let me get off one media rant here and I know you guys don't care - There are a number of players who do not speak to the media now. That's their judgment, but what they are doing is making guys like Jason Witten, Bradie James, Marcus Spears and Ken Hamlin answer all of the questions for them. It would be nice to here what Marion Barber or Chris Canty or Jay Ratliff has to say about what's going on. Sorry, rant over. And I know you don't care. Back to the chat.
11:00 [Comment From Gerald In Atlanta]
With Roy Williams out, who is left in the seconday and who is available (i.e. Ty Law, etc.)?
11:01 Todd Archer: I don't see Ty Law coming here as a safety or even a corner. Maybe if there's another injury, but Law would have to learn safety on the fly, so to speak. He's played there some but not too much. I think you'll see Keith Davis start at strong safety.
11:03 [Comment From Todd Huggins]
What is the deal with Bradie James ? He is not flying all over the field. You have to lead by example. This is the time where Zac Thomas and Ken Hamlin use their experience and take over the team ? Any comments.
11:04 Todd Archer: Sort of. I see a defense that is too passive all across the board (except DeMarcus Ware.) They don't attack. Players are tentative. I wonder if they're being taught too much stuff and it's not a matter of just playing. That'll be a question for Wade today.
11:05 [Comment From Trent]
Why did Romo not start the second half when we were still in the game?
11:06 Todd Archer: Trent, you thought they were in the game at halftime? It was 24-7. I think not playing Romo in the second half was actually smart. The Rams were relentlessly rushing the passer and putting Romo in danger of getting hurt more wouldn't have been smart.
11:07 [Comment From Todd]
The defense is soft , the offense line is not playing well and the speicla teams are not very good. If the Boys dont make the playoffs do you see Wade getting fired. And if he goes who will be the replacement?
11:08 Todd Archer: If they don't make the playoffs, then, yes, there will be a new coach, IMO. The replacement? Well, the easy answer is Jason Garrett, but it shouldn't be some sort of slam dunk. Yet.
11:09 [Comment From GLR]
Where's Sam Hurd?
11:09 Todd Archer: On injured reserve. I don't think he'd make a difference in this anyway.
11:10 [Comment From mjd]
I thought Phillips/Garrett said last year that they'd be moving TO around in the formation to get him the ball. Instead, he almost always lines up at the "X" Split end spot instead of the "Z" Flanker Spot. In Parcells last years, the reports were that he didn't know all his plays. Is that part of the problem in moving him around in the formation?
11:11 Todd Archer: Last year he certainly moved around more than this year, so the "he doesn't know the plays" argument doesn't work so good. I don't know why they haven't done it more. But let's not put it all on the coaching. Owens hasn't gotten up much either. He struggles vs. press coverage.
11:13 [Comment From brian]
Little has been mentioned about the loss of the defensive coach to Miami. Do you think this is the single biggest reason Dallas is struggling?
11:13 Todd Archer: Not only the defensive coaches were lost. The offensive line coach is gone too. The line played better last year under Tony Sparano. Hudson Houck has a great reputation and is considered a fine teacher. It's time his unit plays better before it's over.
11:15 [Comment From eric]
it seems to me that the 3-4 defense in dallas has run it's course. is it possible to make this change mid year?
11:15 Todd Archer: They're not changing schemes. They've invested too much in a type of player and in money to switch. And Wade Phillips is a 3-4 coach. He's not changing.
11:17 [Comment From box]
Who's more to blame for the defenses play, Wade Phillips or Brian Stewart?
11:18 Todd Archer: This will be the ender. Thanks everybody for tuning in. This is Wade Phillips' defense. He plays a big part in the game planning. Stewart calls the defenses, but Phillips can overrule. He was brought here to fix the defense and it hasn't been fixed. Stewart is not blameless, but more of it has to go on Phillips.
Again thanks for the questions. See ya.
10:03 AM Mon, Oct 20, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Todd Archer http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips
We'll start taking questions at 10:30 so fire away with the questions on the link and we'll be ready to go. Thanks for tuning in.
http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/archives/2008/10/cowboys-chat-2.html
10:28 [Comment From Tyler] Is there any chance Romo doesn't play this weekend? We can't afford to go 0-3 and go into our bye week 4-5.
10:31 Todd Archer: Call this a gut feeling - I believe Romo plays against Tampa Bay. It will be his decision. He knows the season hangs in the balance and a loss would be devastating. I was on the field for pre-game warmups and it didn't look like he was getting everything behind his throws. I don't know if I saw him ever really let it go. But another week of practice, to get used to the splint and to deal with the pain should help.
10:31 [Comment From Nick]
Do you think there's any way to right the Cowboys' ship or is this season all but lost? I personally still think there's a way to turn it around.
10:33 Todd Archer: I don't think the ship has sailed but I don't know if it's coming back to port either. We always joke, "must win" on one game or another, but Sunday vs. Tampa Bay is a must win. If the Cowboys are 4-4 at the midway point, it will be a 9-7 struggle to the playoffs. Maybe.
10:33 [Comment From Tyler]
T.O. seems to be the only one willing to show some fire and get after the O-Line for not blocking, do you see this a Team First T.O. or selfish T.O.? Most T.V. analyst seem to think this is him about to boil over and divide the locker room.
10:35 Todd Archer: Somebody has to get it going. I'm not sure Owens is the right guy, but he is passionate. Sometimes I think his passion is misplaced. The attention to detail is not as great as it should be. There are too many penalties. And most of the time they are mental errors - false starts, motions, offside. I can take physical penalties. Those happen, but mental errors cannot be accepted.
10:35 [Comment From Nick]
Is someone like Daunte Culpepper a viable option now that it is obvious Brad Johnson will not work in this cowboys offense?
10:36 Todd Archer: I'm not sure bringing in Daunte Culpepper would do anything for this team. No wait, I KNOW he won't do anything for this team. He doesn't know this offense, or the players. And he hasn't been very good the last few years. Brad Johnson needs to play better, but the players around Brad Johnson have to play better. He is not the type of quarterback who can succeed when the game is out of whack.
10:37 [Comment From PaulC]
I asked this last week, but it wasn't included in the session. But . . . coaches have changed, players have changed, scouts have changed, personnel directors have changed, even the stadium is changing. Still, from Switzer to Phillips the very same problems remain. No discipline, a defense that cannot come up with a clutch stop, weak secondary, overconfidence, turnovers, and penalties, penalties, penalties. During that time, only ONE THING has remained constant: an interfering owner that coddles the players and short circuits any accountability. That said, is the problem Jerry first, Jerry second, Jerry third, and Jerry fourth?
10:38 Todd Archer: This is a good question, but you're not going to like the answer. Jerry Jones is the GM of this team and always will be the GM. He has done a great job of acquiring talent. Does he interfere and coddle? Yeah, but he did that when they were winning too.
10:38 [Comment From JD in MD]
What a colossal waste of a season--yes, I'm calling the season over. This team is MENTALLY weak. I'm calling for a new head coach. What are the odds JJ will get his "gambler" hat out and make me happy again?
10:40 Todd Archer: JD, I wish I could tell you what you want is going to happen. But there's this: Jerry said he wouldn't trade for a receiver and he traded for a receiver. On Sunday he said Phillips' job was not on the line. I'll let you make the next statement. He has put too many resources into this year's team to let it go down the drain.
10:41 [Comment From Biglat]
Do You think Jason Garrett is ready to take over as HC, and if not do you think Jerry will go after a Bill Cowher, I bet we might have a littel more fire with him on the sideline..
10:42 Todd Archer: Is Garrett ready? I don't know. Jerry doesn't know. Nobody knows. Bill Cowher is an interesting name, but I wouldn't see the Cowboys going outside for a coach if - IF - Jerry makes a move.
10:42 [Comment From Jason]
Will Wade fire Stewart to keep his job?
10:44 Todd Archer: Wade essentially lost his job in Buffalo when he wouldn't relieve his special teams' coach, Ronnie Jones, after the Bills had a disastrous season. Wade has a father/son relationship with Brian Stewart. I wouldn't see that happening.
10:45 [Comment From Steve]
Do you think Jimmy Johnson would ever come back to coach the Cowboys?
10:45 [Comment From Gabe]
Is this team lacking heart? Or did the players get their "big payday" too soon?
10:45 [Comment From JT]
Say what u want I seee no heart in this team .
10:47 Todd Archer:
It didn't look like there was much fight on Sunday. During the game, it just looked like players came off the field, had a little meeting and went back on the field. I'm not always sure flipping a table over or slamming helmets solves anything. But somtimes that is nice to be seen just for effect.
10:47 [Comment From Bernardo]
Are you seriously considering this team making the playoffs with the schedule that lies ahead?
10:49 Todd Archer: Can they make the playoffs? Yes. Playing this way? Absolutely not. Can they play better? Yes. Will they? If I knew, I'd be a billionaire like Jerry Jones. There's a balance that has to be struck between panicking and keeping your cool. This team is as close to the panic-mode side of things since I've been covering the team.
10:49 [Comment From SB]
What's happened to the OL, they were so dominant during the regular season and the first 4 games of this season, what's the reason for their sudden downfall? Not just the passing game but the inside running game is a disaster as well
10:50 Todd Archer: This is a huge concern, you're right. I don't know what has happened. They have looked big and slow instead of big and mauling. Playing on the road affects line play but it shouldn't be that much of a big deal. I'm not sure what changes need to be made or what can be made. The return of Kyle Kosier will help but I wouldn't say Cory Procter has been the reason why they have regressed.
10:51 [Comment From 5 time champs]
If the boys lose the next two of three, the year is over. Do you feel that way?
10:51 Todd Archer: So that would put them at 5-5 with six to go. With the way the NFC is shaping up, yes.
10:51 [Comment From Bill]
Has Roy 31 played his last game as a Cowboy?
10:52 Todd Archer: Another good question. He is out for the year after fracturing his forearm for the second time. It's a real possibility. He makes a lot of money to just be a two-down safety.
10:53 [Comment From Chad]
Was Roy Williams a good trade, or a waste of draft picks we will NEED!
10:54 Todd Archer: I think it was a good trade. They essentially gave up a No. 1 to get a receiver they know can play. If they drafted one next year with that first-round pick, there would be no guarantee. I like it more because they kept Cleveland's three and Miami's six, and those picks figure to be higher in those rounds than where Dallas' picks would end up.
10:54 [Comment From PaulS]
The Cowboys lack any passion, intensity, etc. The teams needs a wake up call, is firing Wade Phillips the wake up call needed?
10:55 Todd Archer: Phillips says it's his job to get his team physically, emotionally and mentally ready to play. I think they were physically ready but the other too? Not so much. There doesn't need to be Knute Rockne speeches or that crap Al Pacino said in Any Given Sunday to get a team ready but there needs to be some emotion. You don't see a lot of it on the sideline.
10:56 [Comment From 5 time champs]
Why do so many in the Dallas media give Brad a pass for the game? They all seem to blame people but not him.
10:56 Todd Archer: Who gave him a pass? He threw three inteceptions. I think the blame, however, should fall more on the starters that have played all year than a guy coming off the bench. He's not immune to the crtiticism but the Cowboys need the other players to play better.
10:57 [Comment From David]
I personally think that the off the field problems are a distraction. Do you really think they will admit that to. I would be beaten down by all the questions. Seems nobody wanted to talk about the rams. I didn't hear hardly anything regarding the game coming up. That with suspect coaching and jerry wanting to be the coach is the problem. Your thoughts.
11:00 Todd Archer: I'm not sure on this one. It has been a roller coaster last few weeks with Adam Jones, Terrell Owens, Tony Romo et al. Maybe they have reached a tipping point. For the people who were here in the 90s, they say the number of incidents hasn't been an issue but the intensity is different. Let me get off one media rant here and I know you guys don't care - There are a number of players who do not speak to the media now. That's their judgment, but what they are doing is making guys like Jason Witten, Bradie James, Marcus Spears and Ken Hamlin answer all of the questions for them. It would be nice to here what Marion Barber or Chris Canty or Jay Ratliff has to say about what's going on. Sorry, rant over. And I know you don't care. Back to the chat.
11:00 [Comment From Gerald In Atlanta]
With Roy Williams out, who is left in the seconday and who is available (i.e. Ty Law, etc.)?
11:01 Todd Archer: I don't see Ty Law coming here as a safety or even a corner. Maybe if there's another injury, but Law would have to learn safety on the fly, so to speak. He's played there some but not too much. I think you'll see Keith Davis start at strong safety.
11:03 [Comment From Todd Huggins]
What is the deal with Bradie James ? He is not flying all over the field. You have to lead by example. This is the time where Zac Thomas and Ken Hamlin use their experience and take over the team ? Any comments.
11:04 Todd Archer: Sort of. I see a defense that is too passive all across the board (except DeMarcus Ware.) They don't attack. Players are tentative. I wonder if they're being taught too much stuff and it's not a matter of just playing. That'll be a question for Wade today.
11:05 [Comment From Trent]
Why did Romo not start the second half when we were still in the game?
11:06 Todd Archer: Trent, you thought they were in the game at halftime? It was 24-7. I think not playing Romo in the second half was actually smart. The Rams were relentlessly rushing the passer and putting Romo in danger of getting hurt more wouldn't have been smart.
11:07 [Comment From Todd]
The defense is soft , the offense line is not playing well and the speicla teams are not very good. If the Boys dont make the playoffs do you see Wade getting fired. And if he goes who will be the replacement?
11:08 Todd Archer: If they don't make the playoffs, then, yes, there will be a new coach, IMO. The replacement? Well, the easy answer is Jason Garrett, but it shouldn't be some sort of slam dunk. Yet.
11:09 [Comment From GLR]
Where's Sam Hurd?
11:09 Todd Archer: On injured reserve. I don't think he'd make a difference in this anyway.
11:10 [Comment From mjd]
I thought Phillips/Garrett said last year that they'd be moving TO around in the formation to get him the ball. Instead, he almost always lines up at the "X" Split end spot instead of the "Z" Flanker Spot. In Parcells last years, the reports were that he didn't know all his plays. Is that part of the problem in moving him around in the formation?
11:11 Todd Archer: Last year he certainly moved around more than this year, so the "he doesn't know the plays" argument doesn't work so good. I don't know why they haven't done it more. But let's not put it all on the coaching. Owens hasn't gotten up much either. He struggles vs. press coverage.
11:13 [Comment From brian]
Little has been mentioned about the loss of the defensive coach to Miami. Do you think this is the single biggest reason Dallas is struggling?
11:13 Todd Archer: Not only the defensive coaches were lost. The offensive line coach is gone too. The line played better last year under Tony Sparano. Hudson Houck has a great reputation and is considered a fine teacher. It's time his unit plays better before it's over.
11:15 [Comment From eric]
it seems to me that the 3-4 defense in dallas has run it's course. is it possible to make this change mid year?
11:15 Todd Archer: They're not changing schemes. They've invested too much in a type of player and in money to switch. And Wade Phillips is a 3-4 coach. He's not changing.
11:17 [Comment From box]
Who's more to blame for the defenses play, Wade Phillips or Brian Stewart?
11:18 Todd Archer: This will be the ender. Thanks everybody for tuning in. This is Wade Phillips' defense. He plays a big part in the game planning. Stewart calls the defenses, but Phillips can overrule. He was brought here to fix the defense and it hasn't been fixed. Stewart is not blameless, but more of it has to go on Phillips.
Again thanks for the questions. See ya.
