erod
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Hyperbole is often exagerrated in the short thereafter, but I'm certain I'll never forget the day I watched Peyton Manning at his absolute best get upstaged by Tony Romo in a game that will live forever in NFL lore.
Some morning-after observations after struggling to catch my breath....
1. Never has so much been asked from a single player in Cowboys history. Damn, I was proud of Tony Romo yesterday. That was the most brilliant performance I've seen from a Cowboys quarterback in my lifetime, even with the interception. He knew they couldn't punt; he had to make a throw; he tripped on Tyron's leg and the throw came out weak; and yes, he had Murray but couldn't see him behind Tyron. The referee blew the horsecollar call on the play before. Romo knew a punt was just as good as an interception, so he let it go. Still, he went toe to toe with Peyton Manning carried the hopes of this franchise all day, as usual. Romo has been failed by this organization and team for so many years, he is CONSTANTLY in the position of having to bail it out. Never was that much asked of Staubach or Aikman, who got to just drive the bus many Sunday afternoons.
2. The reason yesterday can be a spring board is that Dallas now has a legitimate offensive line. Tony made a few escape plays, but by and large, the offensive line was good in pass protection and in the run game. This is a HUGE difference from last year, and something the team can build upon. Callahan needs to say in attack mode every Sunday from here on out, now that he's seen what they can do with this offensive line.
3. Ware disappeared yet again. Tired of arguing this subject, but he was a complete non-factor, just like he was in Kansas City and San Diego, and pretty much every big game he plays in.
4. Terrance Williams became an NFL receiver yesterday. There's a lot to this kid, and although growing pains still lie ahead, I think yesterday should catapult him to a much more productive level in the coming weeks. Cole Beasley, too, had a very nice game yesterday, and I gotta give him props since I'm often critical of his lack of versatility on the roster.
5. It's easy to blast the defense, especially after what happened in San Diego. But the fact is, Denver has done this five weeks in a row basically, so I'm going to wait and see what happens over the next 2-3 games to judge what's going on. The offense caused a lot of the problems against San Diego, but yesterday, we were just watching a truly NFL Great with unlimited weaponry against a team with ZERO pass rush.
6. For those criticizing the Tampa 2, that wasn't the Tampa 2. Dallas was playing the safeties up close and inside, rather than deep and wide. Not sure it would have made a difference. Peyton simply diagnoses everything you're doing with ease, so blitzes and disguised coverages are pointless. The only way to beat Peyton is with a great pass rush, and Dallas had none.
7. I was embarassed by the crowd, which was about 40 percent Broncos fans. However, I will say that the Bronco fans did NOT enjoy yesterday. They were arrogant as could be beforehand, and found themselves down 14-0. Then they watched Romo carve them to pieces in a comeback for the ages, and they didn't get the massacre they paid to see. They knew when they walked out that they'd witnessed a draw, and their gloating seemed hollow and unfelt.
8. Jerry and the ignoramous architect of this stadium......did they not know the sun would shine directly into the eyes of the players? That's why football stadiums are built north-and-south, Jerry. Of course, that might put a glare on your vidja board, I know. A $1.2 billion dollar joke of a mistake.
9. Remember, Denver has a very good defense. No team has done that to them. Nobody. That wasn't lost on the Broncos fans, trust me.
10. I was left with this. If Dallas plays that game against the Commanders, they'll win by 30, against the Eagles, they'll win by 20, and against the Saints, they'll win by 10. I know things won't go perfectly, but with that performance by the offensive line repeated, Dallas can play this style. Last year, Romo was running for his life every play, and the run game was non-existent. This year, they can run and protect, so they need to just keep turning Romo loose.
Meanwhile back at the Ranch, Dallas has to figure out how to play better defense against teams that don't have Peyton Manning. Starting this coming Sunday.
Some morning-after observations after struggling to catch my breath....
1. Never has so much been asked from a single player in Cowboys history. Damn, I was proud of Tony Romo yesterday. That was the most brilliant performance I've seen from a Cowboys quarterback in my lifetime, even with the interception. He knew they couldn't punt; he had to make a throw; he tripped on Tyron's leg and the throw came out weak; and yes, he had Murray but couldn't see him behind Tyron. The referee blew the horsecollar call on the play before. Romo knew a punt was just as good as an interception, so he let it go. Still, he went toe to toe with Peyton Manning carried the hopes of this franchise all day, as usual. Romo has been failed by this organization and team for so many years, he is CONSTANTLY in the position of having to bail it out. Never was that much asked of Staubach or Aikman, who got to just drive the bus many Sunday afternoons.
2. The reason yesterday can be a spring board is that Dallas now has a legitimate offensive line. Tony made a few escape plays, but by and large, the offensive line was good in pass protection and in the run game. This is a HUGE difference from last year, and something the team can build upon. Callahan needs to say in attack mode every Sunday from here on out, now that he's seen what they can do with this offensive line.
3. Ware disappeared yet again. Tired of arguing this subject, but he was a complete non-factor, just like he was in Kansas City and San Diego, and pretty much every big game he plays in.
4. Terrance Williams became an NFL receiver yesterday. There's a lot to this kid, and although growing pains still lie ahead, I think yesterday should catapult him to a much more productive level in the coming weeks. Cole Beasley, too, had a very nice game yesterday, and I gotta give him props since I'm often critical of his lack of versatility on the roster.
5. It's easy to blast the defense, especially after what happened in San Diego. But the fact is, Denver has done this five weeks in a row basically, so I'm going to wait and see what happens over the next 2-3 games to judge what's going on. The offense caused a lot of the problems against San Diego, but yesterday, we were just watching a truly NFL Great with unlimited weaponry against a team with ZERO pass rush.
6. For those criticizing the Tampa 2, that wasn't the Tampa 2. Dallas was playing the safeties up close and inside, rather than deep and wide. Not sure it would have made a difference. Peyton simply diagnoses everything you're doing with ease, so blitzes and disguised coverages are pointless. The only way to beat Peyton is with a great pass rush, and Dallas had none.
7. I was embarassed by the crowd, which was about 40 percent Broncos fans. However, I will say that the Bronco fans did NOT enjoy yesterday. They were arrogant as could be beforehand, and found themselves down 14-0. Then they watched Romo carve them to pieces in a comeback for the ages, and they didn't get the massacre they paid to see. They knew when they walked out that they'd witnessed a draw, and their gloating seemed hollow and unfelt.
8. Jerry and the ignoramous architect of this stadium......did they not know the sun would shine directly into the eyes of the players? That's why football stadiums are built north-and-south, Jerry. Of course, that might put a glare on your vidja board, I know. A $1.2 billion dollar joke of a mistake.
9. Remember, Denver has a very good defense. No team has done that to them. Nobody. That wasn't lost on the Broncos fans, trust me.
10. I was left with this. If Dallas plays that game against the Commanders, they'll win by 30, against the Eagles, they'll win by 20, and against the Saints, they'll win by 10. I know things won't go perfectly, but with that performance by the offensive line repeated, Dallas can play this style. Last year, Romo was running for his life every play, and the run game was non-existent. This year, they can run and protect, so they need to just keep turning Romo loose.
Meanwhile back at the Ranch, Dallas has to figure out how to play better defense against teams that don't have Peyton Manning. Starting this coming Sunday.
