ESPN Mosley: Cowboys-Panthers: What will we learn?

[WoodysGirl]

September 28, 2009 2:00 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

I'm headed over to a "Monday Night Football" Chalk Talk session in downtown Dallas, but here are my quick-hit thoughts on tonight's game:

• The only way the Cowboys lose is if they're unable to pressure Jake Delhomme. At this stage in his career, Delhomme is a pick-six waiting to happen. The Cowboys need someone other than DeMarcus Ware to apply pressure against the Panthers. If Delhomme has time in the pocket, he's still capable of picking you apart.
• Jason Garrett has to establish the run early. The Panthers have allowed an average of 168 rushing yards through two games. Even with Marion Barber probably out with an injury to his left quadriceps, the Cowboys have enough depth to be successful. The Panthers are thin in the middle, so Felix Jones and Tashard Choice don't need to try and cut everything outside. Tashard Choice is an effective inside runner, and I think he's capable of having a big game.
• I think Martellus Bennett's about to have a breakout game. So far, Jason Witten has put up the best numbers in the Cowboys' celebrated (locally) two-tight end offense. The Panthers will focus on stopping Witten, which means Bennett could have more opportunities. He's an excellent athlete who also does a nice job blocking. Wouldn't surprise me for Bennett to have four or five catches for 70 yards and a touchdown.
• The Cowboys were much better against the run last Sunday. But DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are a lot different than Brandon Jacobs. They both have the ability to turn a little seam into a huge gain. If the Cowboys are going to run blitz, they better be under control. And that means you, Ken Hamlin.
• Stay on top of Tony Romo. Garrett doesn't need to put Romo in situations where he's going to make a big mistake. Get him in rhythm early with some quick slants to Roy Williams. Then you can build on that. Don't take shots downfield just for the sake of opening things up in the running game. There's a chance you can run on this team without that threat.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I largely agree wit Mosley.

With a Carolina run defense that porous . . . run the ball! Early and often.

If you do that you take the pressure off of Romo.

However, re the running game, if you are talking about quick slants, those should belong to Witten and Martellus, not RW who may hear them footsteps.

 

[Doomsday101]

I largely agree wit Mosley.

With a Carolina run defense that porous . . . run the ball! Early and often.

If you do that you take the pressure off of Romo.

However, re the running game, if you are talking about quick slants, those should belong to Witten and Martellus, not RW who may hear them footsteps.

And if Fox is willing to put 8 or 9 in the box from the start then what? I'm sure Fox knows his team has issues in stopping the run. If you were in his shoes would you not go in determined to stop the run and force Romo who is coming off a bad game to prove himself?

 

[theebs]

And if Fox is willing to put 8 or 9 in the box from the start then what? I'm sure Fox knows his team has issues in stopping the run. If you were in his shoes would you not go in determined to stop the run and force Romo who is coming off a bad game to prove himself?

that is the question. They are now a cover 2 team.

Do they stay back like ny and let us run, knowing they can run too and just let it play out or do they decide to load up and come after us and make romo make the reads and throws he did against tampa?

I think we will find out early on and I have a feeling they will act like they are loading up to see if romo audibles to passing plays and then back off at the snap.

Either way, I say suffocate them with the running game.

 

[Rampage]

I largely agree wit Mosley.

With a Carolina run defense that porous . . . run the ball! Early and often.

If you do that you take the pressure off of Romo.

However, re the running game, if you are talking about quick slants, those should belong to Witten and Martellus, not RW who may hear them footsteps.

what? are you confusing Roy with T.Old?

 

[CrazyCowboy]

This is a valid read....and spot on.....we better come ready to stop the run

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

And if Fox is willing to put 8 or 9 in the box from the start then what? I'm sure Fox knows his team has issues in stopping the run. If you were in his shoes would you not go in determined to stop the run and force Romo who is coming off a bad game to prove himself?

Would you listen to yourself? 8-9 in the box?

Let them!

Unless some of them are decoys who'd be quickly dropping back, Surely Witten and Martellus would have a field day.

But me know what you are saying . . .
if i am Fox, aside from buying me a big car, I would definitely stack the line. But he know and I know and Bob Dole know that that is when Roy/Austin/Crayfish is good to go -- jus lack Romo do in the first game.

I'm tired. All this deep thinking make me think I needs a nap.

 

[Doomsday101]

that is the question. They are now a cover 2 team.

Do they stay back like ny and let us run, knowing they can run too and just let it play out or do they decide to load up and come after us and make romo make the reads and throws he did against tampa?

I think we will find out early on and I have a feeling they will act like they are loading up to see if romo audibles to passing plays and then back off at the snap.

Either way, I say suffocate them with the running game.

I'm just saying Dallas should not bang their head against a brick wall. If Carolina comes in looking to stack the line to stop the run Dallas must be willing to let Romo and the passing game attack them. Because of Romo poor game last week Dallas can't be afraid to attack teams who are willing to load up in the box to stop the run.

 

[zeroburrito]

we will learn the panthers are a bad team.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

we will learn the panthers are a bad team.

And that the Cowboys are a better team.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

that is the question. They are now a cover 2 team.

Who are these covers? Deion and Ronnie Lott in their primes? Them Carolinas sure must have a lot of faiths in them!

 

[Joe Realist]

Personally, I would love to see a flea-flicker on our first play of the defense is stacked against run

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

[*]Stay on top of Tony Romo. Garrett doesn't need to put Romo in situations where he's going to make a big mistake. Get him in rhythm early with some quick slants to Roy Williams. Then you can build on that. Don't take shots downfield just for the sake of opening things up in the running game. There's a chance you can run on this team without that threat.[/LIST]

I just want to see more play-action passes once we've established the run. The thing I'm most dissapointed about in that last Romo INT to the safety in the Giants game is that the pass was not executed off the play-action. If it had been, then the safety would've cheated up and not been in position to backtrack on the route. Instead, Garrett did not leverage success from the running game into that pass and instead let the defense bait him (and Romo) right into their hands.

 

[btcutter]

Sorry, what a USELESS read.

If you pressure the opposing QB and stop the run, of course you are going to win. Give me a break! What kinda analysis is that?

You can apply that to every single game. Pressure Eli and stop Gmen running, you win...

Waste of time.

 

[Thick 'N Hearty]

How prophetic of Moseley. With wisdom like that, he would work for Jerrah and do the game planning.

 

[28 Joker]

Felix Jones is a very good inside runner, and he may pop a bomb tonight or two.

 

[Thick 'N Hearty]

Felix Jones is a very good inside runner, and he may pop a bomb tonight or two.

I hope so. My fantasy team needs a boost. ray:

 

[bayeslife]

I think people everywhere are getting to a point where we no longer need football analysis as in depth as this.

Pressure the QB, stop the run. Groundbreaking stuff.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Personally, I would love to see a flea-flicker on our first play of the defense is stacked against run

The closest Garrett comes to a trick play is the occasional reverse. He really surprised me against Green Bay last year when he had Crayton throw a bomb intended for TO. I think it was picked off.