TheSkaven
Last Man Standing
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Sorry if this is a re-post, didn't see it in either zone. This article sums up my feelings exactly. The thing that I like most about this team is that they always attack, no surrender. We all knew they would attack on defense, but when you are backed up against your goal line on third and long and you throw a pass down the middle for a first down, it really breaks the opponent's back.
I love this team!
DMN: Go-for-it mentality helps Cowboys
Author: Frank Luksa
Two plays against Chicago on Sunday night defined the emerging personality of the Cowboys' offense for me. Label it their philosophy if you choose. Or even what often appears an all-in spirit of aggression.
Neither play was a touchdown, incidentally. The significance of both was largely lost in the euphoria of a 34-10 romp over the defending NFC champion Bears. Never known for restraint in pre-judging their team as pick of the litter, Cowboy fans were emboldened by the shocking margin of victory.
Their attention reverted to how soon the 3-0 Cowboys would qualify for the Super Bowl, and whether any team has done it in September or, at the latest, before Thanksgiving. Also whether Tony Romo and Terrell Owens are eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and if not, why not? Further, Wade Phillips is coach of the year and maybe the century unless the vote goes to offensive coordinator Jason (The Red Baron) Garrett.
So it goes among conservative loyalists. Those of blue state persuasion project that after the Cowboys go to 6-0 by beating New England here in October, they'll win … well, how many do they play?
Meanwhile, it's time to expand on my two-play theme.
The first occurred in the second quarter of a 3-3 game, with Dallas facing fourth-and-3 from the Chicago 40. The routine play is to punt even if Devin Hester represented a dangerous return threat. Then kick it into the end zone and spot the Bears at their 20-yard line.
Try something fancy and fail … Chicago gets the ball at its 40. Is that worth the risk against a Bears defense compared to The Great Wall of China? Of course it wasn't. The punting unit took the field during a timeout.
VERNON BRYANT / DMN
Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens (left) and quarterback Tony Romo connected for a game-changing play against Chicago. But what's this? The punting unit was withdrawn. Romo and his guys returned to the huddle. Phillips and Garrett agreed to go on fourth down, Romo flipped a 12-yard pass to Owens and neither was second-guessed because the gamble worked.
"Coach got in the mood," Romo recalled. "Sort of like, 'We got a pretty good unit. Let's attack.' "
This was the drive that led to so much grief and revived grim special-team calamities. Patrick Crayton upchucked a 5-yard touchdown pass from Romo after which the Bears blocked a 23-yard goal attempt by Nick Folk. Ah, yes, memory returned to Washington's game-deciding block of Mike Vanderjagt's field goal attempt, and then Romo's center snap fumble in the Seattle playoff game.
"I liked our mentality," Phillips noted. "We kept grinding. It didn't look like we were fazed when bad things happened."
The second play was more revealing as to the Cowboys' offensive mind-set. Now it's the third quarter, game tied at 10, and the Cowboys are in a tight spot. It's third down, 12 to go, from their 7-yard line.
What to do? Whatever it is, be careful. A mistake here and the game might get away. Consider the odds on making 12 yards against a defense that thrives on turnovers in just this situation. The standard response is to play safe, punch out a couple yards and punt.
But instead, Romo faded to pass near his goal line, passed to Owens and he ran it out for a 36-yard gain. If one play turned the outcome, this was it. The Cowboys finished a 91-yard drive for a 17-10 lead when Marion Barber head-butted his way 10 yards into the end zone with a swing pass from Romo.
What did this play tell us?
It spoke of many things, foremost of Garrett's trust in Romo and his pals to succeed calmly under duress. Romo spoke of how that trust amounted to a massive transfusion of confidence in his huddle. Put together, it meant that Garrett has no hesitation to attack from anywhere and under any scenario. Best case in point: Passing downfield on third-12 from his own 7.
This is a headache for opposing defensive coordinators. There's not much dink and dunk in Garrett's aerial quiver other than a screen pass. Much of the success so far is tied to Romo's mobility. He's not a runner but he is a dodger, a player with instinctive feel for pressure. Romo's quick feet prevented at least six sacks by my count.
Garrett's handprints are everywhere. Unlike the previous regime, Garrett knows how to best employ Owens, aligning him in the backfield, in the slot, out wide and putting him in motion. Owens produced another monster game (eight catches for 145 yards) and in a display of post-game bonding, praised Romo, Garrett, the defense and a couple of ships at sea.
Finally, this team is legit. Even minus Terry Glenn, it has splendid offensive weapons behind an effective line. Rookie kicker Folk is a keeper. Defensive strength can be questioned until it handles an NFL sharpshooter.
Meanwhile, enjoy the moment. You never know how long the good ones will last.
I love this team!
DMN: Go-for-it mentality helps Cowboys
Author: Frank Luksa
Two plays against Chicago on Sunday night defined the emerging personality of the Cowboys' offense for me. Label it their philosophy if you choose. Or even what often appears an all-in spirit of aggression.
Neither play was a touchdown, incidentally. The significance of both was largely lost in the euphoria of a 34-10 romp over the defending NFC champion Bears. Never known for restraint in pre-judging their team as pick of the litter, Cowboy fans were emboldened by the shocking margin of victory.
Their attention reverted to how soon the 3-0 Cowboys would qualify for the Super Bowl, and whether any team has done it in September or, at the latest, before Thanksgiving. Also whether Tony Romo and Terrell Owens are eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and if not, why not? Further, Wade Phillips is coach of the year and maybe the century unless the vote goes to offensive coordinator Jason (The Red Baron) Garrett.
So it goes among conservative loyalists. Those of blue state persuasion project that after the Cowboys go to 6-0 by beating New England here in October, they'll win … well, how many do they play?
Meanwhile, it's time to expand on my two-play theme.
The first occurred in the second quarter of a 3-3 game, with Dallas facing fourth-and-3 from the Chicago 40. The routine play is to punt even if Devin Hester represented a dangerous return threat. Then kick it into the end zone and spot the Bears at their 20-yard line.
Try something fancy and fail … Chicago gets the ball at its 40. Is that worth the risk against a Bears defense compared to The Great Wall of China? Of course it wasn't. The punting unit took the field during a timeout.
VERNON BRYANT / DMN
Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens (left) and quarterback Tony Romo connected for a game-changing play against Chicago. But what's this? The punting unit was withdrawn. Romo and his guys returned to the huddle. Phillips and Garrett agreed to go on fourth down, Romo flipped a 12-yard pass to Owens and neither was second-guessed because the gamble worked.
"Coach got in the mood," Romo recalled. "Sort of like, 'We got a pretty good unit. Let's attack.' "
This was the drive that led to so much grief and revived grim special-team calamities. Patrick Crayton upchucked a 5-yard touchdown pass from Romo after which the Bears blocked a 23-yard goal attempt by Nick Folk. Ah, yes, memory returned to Washington's game-deciding block of Mike Vanderjagt's field goal attempt, and then Romo's center snap fumble in the Seattle playoff game.
"I liked our mentality," Phillips noted. "We kept grinding. It didn't look like we were fazed when bad things happened."
The second play was more revealing as to the Cowboys' offensive mind-set. Now it's the third quarter, game tied at 10, and the Cowboys are in a tight spot. It's third down, 12 to go, from their 7-yard line.
What to do? Whatever it is, be careful. A mistake here and the game might get away. Consider the odds on making 12 yards against a defense that thrives on turnovers in just this situation. The standard response is to play safe, punch out a couple yards and punt.
But instead, Romo faded to pass near his goal line, passed to Owens and he ran it out for a 36-yard gain. If one play turned the outcome, this was it. The Cowboys finished a 91-yard drive for a 17-10 lead when Marion Barber head-butted his way 10 yards into the end zone with a swing pass from Romo.
What did this play tell us?
It spoke of many things, foremost of Garrett's trust in Romo and his pals to succeed calmly under duress. Romo spoke of how that trust amounted to a massive transfusion of confidence in his huddle. Put together, it meant that Garrett has no hesitation to attack from anywhere and under any scenario. Best case in point: Passing downfield on third-12 from his own 7.
This is a headache for opposing defensive coordinators. There's not much dink and dunk in Garrett's aerial quiver other than a screen pass. Much of the success so far is tied to Romo's mobility. He's not a runner but he is a dodger, a player with instinctive feel for pressure. Romo's quick feet prevented at least six sacks by my count.
Garrett's handprints are everywhere. Unlike the previous regime, Garrett knows how to best employ Owens, aligning him in the backfield, in the slot, out wide and putting him in motion. Owens produced another monster game (eight catches for 145 yards) and in a display of post-game bonding, praised Romo, Garrett, the defense and a couple of ships at sea.
Finally, this team is legit. Even minus Terry Glenn, it has splendid offensive weapons behind an effective line. Rookie kicker Folk is a keeper. Defensive strength can be questioned until it handles an NFL sharpshooter.
Meanwhile, enjoy the moment. You never know how long the good ones will last.
