Emmitt Smith on the Cowboys

[Yakuza Rich]

I keep seeing these type of comments...turn Dakota loose or don't be conservative when it comes to Dakota. The Cowboys threw the ball 45 times and ran it 30 times against the Giants. Pretty sure that is letting the kid play.

The minute Dakota is "let loose" and has a bad game with poor decisions and turnovers like most rookie/young QBs tend to have...then there will be those crying about Dallas not protecting the QB with the running game behind the League's best OL. Smh...

Throwing it 45 times doesn't mean you're 'letting him play.' They had 75 plays in total when a normal game features 60 plays. They threw more because they had more plays and when you have more plays, it's usually a conservative gameplan where you're only gaining short yardage instead of hitting the big explosive play.

With that being said, I was fine with the playcalling in the first half. The 2nd half we tightened up and got very conservative and didn't see that the gameplan of the Dez sprint-a-thon wasn't working and didn't adjust.

What I liked about the playcalling in the first half was that we attacked them with Beasley underneath and only Beasley and his drops could stop him. But in the 2nd half we decided to try and beat them with Witten underneath on pivot routes and screens which is about as conservative as it gets.

Having Dez go deep that often is pretty conservative. I can understand some of the conservative nature due to Spagnolo's complex blitz packages. But, out gaemplan wasn't working that well and you would think after last year that Garrett would realize that being conservative with backup QB's hasn't worked for us.









YR

 

[Stash]

If you Google my post history here, you'll find I am not a Garrett apologist, by any stretch of the imagination. Would you like to engage in a conversation or hurl insults? The 4th round rookie threw the ball 45 times. Not sure how you could release him anymore.

If anything, they need more short passes. Put Dez in slants and drags, but apparently, he doesn't run these routes well.

If that's the case, those routes should have been worked on again and again until he did run them well. For a player with his attributes and abilities, they're a necessity. And if he can't run them, he's certainly not worth the contract they gave him. Either scenario doesn't paint anyone involved in a positive light.

 

[CyberB0b]

Buddy.......He was spot on in his assessment it doesnt matter who said it.

He didn't watch the game. How can you assess anything if you didn't even watch it?

If that's the case, those routes should have been worked on again and again until he did run them well. For a player with his attributes and abilities, they're a necessity. And if he can't run them, he's certainly not worth the contract they gave him. Either scenario doesn't paint anyone involved in a positive light.

Agreed. Some players just have limitations. At this point, Dez runs two routes. I would blame Dez and the staff equally for his lack of development.

 

[Sydla]

The obtuseness in this thread is hilarious. Having Prescott throw it as much as he did isn't necessarily "turning him loose". The point Emmitt is making is that this "taking what the defense gives you" stuff is essentially a conservative approach to football.

Because we know what the better defenses are going to do............. they are going to load the line and then try to take Dez out of the game. And they know our response will be............... dink and dunk our way down the field with Beasley and Witten and then take their chances in the red zone.

I am watching the Jets game last night and I would consider Marshall to be a good comp for Dez. Not a burner, but a bigger, strong WR who can still make plays with his legs. They would use him in a bunch formation and throw him a screen. They had him running a lot of comeback routes knowing he could beat the CB one on one.

 

[Daillest88]

The obtuseness in this thread is hilarious. Having Prescott throw it as much as he did isn't necessarily "turning him loose". The point Emmitt is making is that this "taking what the defense gives you" stuff is essentially a conservative approach to football.

Because we know what the better defenses are going to do............. they are going to load the line and then try to take Dez out of the game. And they know our response will be............... dink and dunk our way down the field with Beasley and Witten and then take their chances in the red zone.

I am watching the Jets game last night and I would consider Marshall to be a good comp for Dez. Not a burner, but a bigger, strong WR who can still make plays with his legs. They would use him in a bunch formation and throw him a screen. They had him running a lot of comeback routes knowing he could beat the CB one on one.

oh god I would kill for us to use Dez like that.

 

[CowboyRoy]

He didn't watch the game. How can you assess anything if you didn't even watch it?



Agreed. Some players just have limitations. At this point, Dez runs two routes. I would blame Dez and the staff equally for his lack of development.

Wow, never mind. Emmitt got more out of one half then you did out of watching the whole game.

Seriously, if he didnt watch one play it wouldnt matter. His assessment was spot on.

And for you to imply that Dez cant run a slant or a drag is completely laughable. I am not a huge Dez fan, but that is just a ridiculous claim.

 

[dfense]

I have no complaints on how they used and protected Prescott. If he punched in two of those drives inside the 20, nobody would be complaining anyways. And it's not all his fault, Beasley and Dez both drop sure TD passes.

Word for the week is FINISH.

 

[CyberB0b]

I have no complaints on how they used and protected Prescott. If he punched in two of those drives inside the 20, nobody would be complaining anyways. And it's not all his fault, Beasley and Dez both drop sure TD passes.

Word for the week is FINISH.

That is exactly what Emmitt said, as well, but apparently, no one read the article. And Emmitt didn't watch the second half.

 

[Sydla]

oh god I would kill for us to use Dez like that.

I am probably missing something obvious but I can't remember the last time going back to last year that we put the ball in Bryant's hands with a chance to really create YAC. Granted, he was hurt last year but I wonder where are the screens to him or slants or crossing routes. Seems like it's mostly comeback routes and jump ball type stuff.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Has he seen Dak in practice? Has he watched extensive film on him? Has he worked with him day in and day out?

I'm far from a Garrett apologist, but Dak and the game plan are two drops away from winning big in this game. I have a hard time taking anyone seriously when they keep saying that he was handcuffed in this game. He threw it 45 times.

I don't think Dak has developed enough to throw contested balls to Dez when he's not open. His ball placement isn't quite there yet.

According to Cowboys Break Dak is a terrible practice guy, but comes to life in the real games. Despite all the criticsm and expected rookie growing pains, I'm satisifed with what I saw from him on Sunday. He'll figure things out. With a great defense (which we don't have) he's good enough to win right now. I just don't think he's ready for the shoot out type games. We need to control the clock, score touchdowns when the opportunities present themselves and pray that the defense finds a way to make plays.

 

[CyberB0b]

According to Cowboys Break Dak is a terrible practice guy, but comes to life in the real games. Despite all the criticsm and expected rookie growing pains, I'm satisifed with what I saw from him on Sunday. He'll figure things out. With a great defense (which we don't have) he's good enough to win right now. I just don't think he's ready for the shoot out type games. We need to control the clock, score touchdowns when the opportunities present themselves and pray that the defense finds a way to make plays.

Exactly how I feel. Two dropped TDs changed the dynamics of the game significantly.

 

[Aven8]

I heard the interview, and when he said turn him loose, he meant let Dak use his skills. Runnning and passing, ala Russell Wilson. They are trying to turn him into Romo. Let him be himself!

 

[tyke1doe]

Can a leopard change its stripes?

I'm sorry, but this all-time classic from Emmitt still cracks me up to this day.

Continue on.

 

[slick325]

I heard the interview, and when he said turn him loose, he meant let Dak use his skills. Runnning and passing, ala Russell Wilson. They are trying to turn him into Romo. Let him be himself!

That makes sense Aven8. Guess Emmitt wants more read option and designed running plays for the QB. Risky since Dallas is one hit away from Mark Sanchez.

 

[Blackspider214]

I keep seeing these type of comments...turn Dakota loose or don't be conservative when it comes to Dakota. The Cowboys threw the ball 45 times and ran it 30 times against the Giants. Pretty sure that is letting the kid play.

The minute Dakota is "let loose" and has a bad game with poor decisions and turnovers like most rookie/young QBs tend to have...then there will be those crying about Dallas not protecting the QB with the running game behind the League's best OL. Smh...

Sounds like you just view sports as numbers on a stat sheet. Did you really watch that game and think we let Dak loose because we passed 45 times? How many of those passes were 5-7 yard passes to Witten and Beasley?

We also had 2nd and 1 about 8 times and not once did we ever try and go downfield. We never tried to take advantage of his running ability in the red zone either. Even though in the preseason he proved he had this element and could do it well.

Emmitt, Ed Werder, other media and fans were all yelling for us to take the reigns off Dak. It's what lost us games without Romo last year.

But keep taking up for this inept coaching staff.

 

[Blackspider214]

That makes sense Aven8. Guess Emmitt wants more read option and designed running plays for the QB. Risky since Dallas is one hit away from Mark Sanchez.

I've never seen a team ever win anything with this mindset or playing scared. Romo is always one hit away from what we are dealing with the last 3 or 4 seasons. Yet we let him do what he does best.

If you are going to reign Dak in because you are scared of him getting hurt, then we are going to see repeats of Week 1 the entire time he's under center. You play to win, not to tuck your tail and protect players.

 

[slick325]

Sounds like you just view sports as numbers on a stat sheet. Did you really watch that game and think we let Dak loose because we passed 45 times? How many of those passes were 5-7 yard passes to Witten and Beasley?

We also had 2nd and 1 about 8 times and not once did we ever try and go downfield. We never tried to take advantage of his running ability in the red zone either. Even though in the preseason he proved he had this element and could do it well.

Emmitt, Ed Werder, other media and fans were all yelling for us to take the reigns off Dak. It's what lost us games without Romo last year.

But keep taking up for this inept coaching staff.

Watched the All 22 and saw each pass and route combination actually. The inept staff did a good job protecting their potential franchise QB in my opinion. Dakota has issues being under center because turning his back to the coverage hinders him currently. So play action with his back turned to the defense won't happen often just yet.

Also, most of his throws were outside the numbers and underneath because anyone that played football knows the middle of the field is the most congested place on the field with buzzing LBs and Safeties. Dakota isn't asked to throw too many deep ins and slants because of this...tipped balls or a high throw due to a LB getting good depth can cause interceptions. This defense can't handle extra plays because a young QB misreads the coverage or forces the ball in a tight window on a slant.

These coaches are maligned and should be but their game plan was good enough to win that football game. Poor execution lost the game. As I and many others have pointed out, Dez catch in end zone and Cole Beasley catch at the 3 are two TDs that win the game.

Again, if Dakota gets turned loose and turns the ball over a few times I hope the fan base is gentle on him as he is a rookie. Also hope they acknowledge that the staff turned him "loose" and are happy with the fact that they did so even if the team loses or is blown out. Somehow I don't think that will be the case though. Kinda figure there will be the fire Garrett crowd screaming that his gameplan put Dakota in a bad position. Or there will be those that no longer think Dakota has a future as a starting QB.

 

[slick325]

I've never seen a team ever win anything with this mindset or playing scared. Romo is always one hit away from what we are dealing with the last 3 or 4 seasons. Yet we let him do what he does best.

If you are going to reign Dak in because you are scared of him getting hurt, then we are going to see repeats of Week 1 the entire time he's under center. You play to win, not to tuck your tail and protect players.

Guess I should have written TONGUE AND CHEEK in parentheses for some readers and posters. That was a knock on Sanchez not an analysis of an offense incorporating read option.

Man...smh

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Look how Jerry evaluated players . Not shocking he struggles with coaches as well. He's fired every Coach whose won a Super Bowl for us.

That's kind of misleading because he fired every coach we ever had period (except Garrett). He also hired every coach we ever had (except Landry). So of course the Super Bowl winners are in there too.

 

[superonyx]

I keep seeing these type of comments...turn Dakota loose or don't be conservative when it comes to Dakota. The Cowboys threw the ball 45 times and ran it 30 times against the Giants. Pretty sure that is letting the kid play.

The minute Dakota is "let loose" and has a bad game with poor decisions and turnovers like most rookie/young QBs tend to have...then there will be those crying about Dallas not protecting the QB with the running game behind the League's best OL. Smh...

I don't see anyone saying to turn Dakota loose.
I see plenty of fans, analyst, former players saying to turn Dak loose. Who is this Dakota and why are we using the long version of his name when he doesn't. Should we be moving Dezmond around also or should we be moving Dez around?