erod
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Dallas has a disturbing unwillingness to demote players during a season. Especially, if Jerry paid them good money and might look unfootballman-like in doing so.
To his rare credit, our genius GM made a surprising admission after the game when he said, "I'm hopeful, but I'm realisitic." Thank you for that, Jerry.
6-6 is such an ugly, non-descript, uninspiring record for team and fans alike, and it can't afford more than one more notch on the wrong side for this thing to have any shot at postseason. In fact, instead of rooting for the Giants tonight as we thought, it appears now we need the Commanders to win to reel New York back in.
Winning the NFC East is the only way in now. Tiebreakers don't favor Dallas with Seattle or Chicago.
So how? Drastic measures are the only way.
The Cowboys are going to have to forget feelings, pride, and salaries to have a shot. The eyesores are obvious - Free, Bernadeau, Cook, McCray, Ogletree, Connor, to name the most egrigious - and immediate changes must be made.
This is what I'd do:
1. Move Parnell to tackle asap, and move Free inside to guard. The right side of the line looks like the leavings of a large farm animal, but perhaps Free can be more effective if we get him out of space. He's more physical than Bernadeau and Dockery for sure, and Parnell handled himself well on the more difficult left tackle position. Get Costa back, and this could be a more physical line that will keep the run game going against better defenses than Philly.
2. After #1 is inputted, run the ball and wind the clock. Keep Romo throwing 27 passes a game like last night, not 57.
3. Play Jenkins at corner and drop Carr into McCray's spot in the standard defense. I like Danny McCray on the roster for his great special teams ability and as a backup, but lordy get him out of the regular safety spot. I know the absence of Scandrick makes it impossible to put Carr at safety all the time, but when they are in a two-receiver set (or less), get McCray off the field.
4. Get Poppinga ready asap. Connor and Sims were lost much of last night. This guy can't be any worse. I'd play Albright more, too.
5. Bench Ogletree. He's completely useless, particularly when you have a much better-handed receiver in Harris, and with Beasley getting a bit more comfortable.
That's where I'd start.
We know this, this thing has NO shot constructed as it is and playing like it is. You can't fall behind 14-3 against Pittsburgh, New Orleans, or Cincinnati and come storming back like that. The Eagles were missing seven offensive starters, and they marched through the Cowboys defense with ease. Philly had no pass rush all year, yet Romo was bullied early. Nice response, but the problems still scream loud and clear.
To be clear, I expect none of this to happen. As earlier stated, there's a long history, sans Parcells or Jimmy, to vastly exagerrate the skills of our players and make excuses for their mistakes. "Encouragement" won't fix "can't".
Changes must be made right now. Today. Or this this season's glimmer of hope will fade like a fart in a hurricane.
To his rare credit, our genius GM made a surprising admission after the game when he said, "I'm hopeful, but I'm realisitic." Thank you for that, Jerry.
6-6 is such an ugly, non-descript, uninspiring record for team and fans alike, and it can't afford more than one more notch on the wrong side for this thing to have any shot at postseason. In fact, instead of rooting for the Giants tonight as we thought, it appears now we need the Commanders to win to reel New York back in.
Winning the NFC East is the only way in now. Tiebreakers don't favor Dallas with Seattle or Chicago.
So how? Drastic measures are the only way.
The Cowboys are going to have to forget feelings, pride, and salaries to have a shot. The eyesores are obvious - Free, Bernadeau, Cook, McCray, Ogletree, Connor, to name the most egrigious - and immediate changes must be made.
This is what I'd do:
1. Move Parnell to tackle asap, and move Free inside to guard. The right side of the line looks like the leavings of a large farm animal, but perhaps Free can be more effective if we get him out of space. He's more physical than Bernadeau and Dockery for sure, and Parnell handled himself well on the more difficult left tackle position. Get Costa back, and this could be a more physical line that will keep the run game going against better defenses than Philly.
2. After #1 is inputted, run the ball and wind the clock. Keep Romo throwing 27 passes a game like last night, not 57.
3. Play Jenkins at corner and drop Carr into McCray's spot in the standard defense. I like Danny McCray on the roster for his great special teams ability and as a backup, but lordy get him out of the regular safety spot. I know the absence of Scandrick makes it impossible to put Carr at safety all the time, but when they are in a two-receiver set (or less), get McCray off the field.
4. Get Poppinga ready asap. Connor and Sims were lost much of last night. This guy can't be any worse. I'd play Albright more, too.
5. Bench Ogletree. He's completely useless, particularly when you have a much better-handed receiver in Harris, and with Beasley getting a bit more comfortable.
That's where I'd start.
We know this, this thing has NO shot constructed as it is and playing like it is. You can't fall behind 14-3 against Pittsburgh, New Orleans, or Cincinnati and come storming back like that. The Eagles were missing seven offensive starters, and they marched through the Cowboys defense with ease. Philly had no pass rush all year, yet Romo was bullied early. Nice response, but the problems still scream loud and clear.
To be clear, I expect none of this to happen. As earlier stated, there's a long history, sans Parcells or Jimmy, to vastly exagerrate the skills of our players and make excuses for their mistakes. "Encouragement" won't fix "can't".
Changes must be made right now. Today. Or this this season's glimmer of hope will fade like a fart in a hurricane.
