ESPN Watkins: Midseason report Card: Dallas offense
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NoLuv4Jerry
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what I was trying to point out is that it is hard to grade guys based on what you think their numbers should be based on their talent/draft position/salary. This is a TEAM for the first time in a long time...and everyone other than the QB will see there numbers dip. Roy will probably NEVER post numbers to reflect what we gave up for him in draft picks/money....but if we are WINNING and he is a team player and he is an integral part of it...I do NOT care about his numbers. Ware and Romo and Ratliff will probably be the ONLY guys on this team that will post BIG numbers.AdamJT13;3069886 said:
Chocolate Lab
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By Calvin Watkins
ESPNDallas.com
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IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys reached the halfway point of their season in sole possession of first place in the NFC East at 6-2.
The last time the Cowboys were below .500 after eight regular-season games was 2004, when they were 3-5.
It's almost impossible to predict where this team will finish, but Dallas' 20-16 victory Sunday night at Philadelphia has given this team a boost.
"It was a chance for us to go in there on the road against a division rival and put it away," inside linebacker Bradie James said. "With it being the midpoint of the season, you really want to know. You want to know as players what you can count on and who you can rely on when the funk hits the fan, and we know we can definitely rely on each other."
With that, it's midseason report card time, and we tell you who among the active game-day roster players is doing well in the first half and who needs improvement.
Here's the defense. To see the grades for the offense, go here.
Calvin Watkins' midseason Report Card: Defense
Jay Ratliff
A
DEFENSIVE LINE: Wade Phillips can't stop talking about nose guard Jay Ratliff. The depth is strong with Junior Siavii, Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher as backups.
Marcus Spears: He's got two sacks and seven quarterback pressures this season at left end. He has fewer tackles (26 to 36) than at this same time last year, but he didn't pick up his first sack of 2008 until December. His tackle of Donovan McNabb on a fourth-and-1 was one of many highlights this year. GRADE: B
Jay Ratliff: The nose tackle has four sacks, 14 quarterback pressures and a team-leading eight tackles for loss. Amazing considering he's double-teamed on most plays. He seems destined to pick up his second consecutive Pro Bowl berth and he reminds Phillips of former Houston Oilers nose guard Curley Cup. GRADE: A
Igor Olshansky: When the Cowboys let Chris Canty go in free agency, they picked up Olshansky. And he's played in more games, eight to two. Olshansky got off to a slow start, but he's emerged with a strong presence the last few weeks with his quarterback hurries. GRADE: B
Jason Hatcher: At times, Hatcher has been inconsistent from the end position on passing downs. Yet, Hatcher is among the team-leaders in quarterback pressures with 10. The team would like to see him get more tackles for loss. GRADE C
Junior Siavii: The Cowboys front office wanted Siavii to work out for the team last season to put some pressure on backup nose tackle Tank Johnson. But Phillips wouldn't do it. With Johnson gone, Siavii gets about 14 snaps a game and has played well. But it's hard for him to get more snaps with Ratliff playing at a Pro Bowl level. GRADE: C
Stephen Bowen: He's been a pleasant surprise this year. He's made several hard hits, 13 pressures on the quarterback and showed an ability to play end and tackle. If the team wants to make a change at one of the end spots, Bowen is the man who could challenge for a starting spot. GRADE: B
DeMarcus Ware
B
LINEBACKERS: This unit has one of the best pass rushers in the game, DeMarcus Ware, and its young talent group has made plays in key spots this year.
Anthony Spencer: When the Cowboys cut Greg Ellis, it was to allow Spencer the chance to grow as a strong-side linebacker. Spencer has pressured quarterbacks 15 times but has no sacks. Offensives are still doubling Ware because they're not afraid to let Spencer roam free. He's doing a fair job against the run. GRADE: C
Bradie James: Had the best season of his career last year and didn't make the Pro Bowl. The inside linebacker is still one of the leading tacklers, but can't get to the quarterback consistently on the blitz. He's improved his pass coverage skills and is good vs. the run. James doesn't get enough credit for playing with another inside linebacker in the 3-4. GRADE: B
Keith Brooking: The team doesn't miss Zach Thomas because Brooking, the other inside linebacker, is faster and more physical. Thomas was respected in the Cowboys locker room last year but didn't speak up as much. Brooking called out the team for not practicing enough and they responded. Along with James is one of the top tacklers on the team. GRADE: A
DeMarcus Ware: He's playing with a bad foot, gets double- and sometimes triple-teamed. Ware gets chipped, held and pushed yet still has a team-leading five sacks. The highest-paid defensive player in team history (six years, $78 million) is a force every time he steps on the field at outside linebacker. GRADE: A
Victor Butler: Playing pretty good on special teams, is among the team's top five in tackles, and his sack of Donovan McNabb in the fourth quarter Sunday was his best play of the season. His two sacks of Carolina's Jake Delhomme in Week 3 has given the coaches confidence in his abilities to make plays. GRADE: C
Bobby Carpenter: About two years ago, the nickel linebacker didn't look comfortable on the field. He was trying to find a place in the 3-4 scheme. Carpenter will tell you he's more at home in a 4-3. This year, he forgot about those things, got his first sack since his rookie year in 2006, and he's playing with more confidence. GRADE: B
Mike Jenkins
B
SECONDARY: Cornerback Mike Jenkins leads the team with three interceptions and strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh is a major upgrade at this position.
Terence Newman: The veteran cornerback is more physical this season as evident by his hard hits on wide receivers and his three forced fumbles. Newman trusts second-year corners Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick more so he's playing relaxed. He's been inconsistent at times and his health was an issue the last two years, but Newman is still a quality player. GRADE B
Mike Jenkins: Earned the starting right cornerback job over Scandrick and has put a choke hold on the position. The Cowboys like his physical presence and his anticipation -- he grabbed his third pick of the season by jumping the route in Philadelphia. Among the team-leaders with 10 pass breakups. GRADE B
Orlando Scandrick: Played with so much confidence early in the year, but lost some when Jenkins beat him for the job. He's still good in the slot and plays with a confidence the coaches like. Opposing quarterbacks threw two long balls his way and he could have knocked the passes down if he had turned his head. GRADE C
Alan Ball: He's still a little raw on defense. His biggest impact is on special teams, where he's among the team leaders in tackles. His speed and tackling abilities keeps him on the roster. GRADE C
Ken Hamlin: Is in the top five in total tackles from the free safety spot, but hasn't made too many impact plays. Hamlin has no forced fumbles or interceptions. He's always around the ball, especially on tipped passes, but doesn't come up with any. Has not produced consistent enough in the first eight weeks. GRADE C
Gerald Sensabaugh: Is an upgrade over what the Cowboys had at strong safety last year -- Roy Williams. Sensabaugh can cover most tight ends, play physical and has seven passes defensed and one interception. Is playing with a cast on his broken right thumb. GRADE A
Pat Watkins: Performed OK when Sensabaugh missed a game while recovering from thumb surgery. He's athletic but still can't get on the field in certain defensive packages. Watkins is one of the Cowboys' better special teams players with 13 total tackles. GRADE B
Patrick Crayton
A
SPECIAL TEAMS: The addition of new coach Joe DeCamillis has improved on everything, from how much time is spent on special teams to the end result.
Mat McBriar: The punter is third in the NFL with a net average of 41.8 yards, and he's tied for first in the NFC with 20 punts inside the 20. McBriar has changed his mechanics to punt the ball higher to get more fair catches and allow his team to get downfield. Teams have 130 return yards against the Cowboys, sixth in the NFC. GRADE A
Nick Folk: He's tied for fifth in the league with 14 field goals, but he's already missed three this year. As a rookie last year, he missed just two. What concerns the Cowboys some is that he's 4-for-7 between 40-49 yards this year. In 2008, Folk went 10-for-11. GRADE C
David Buehler: Has made the biggest impact as a kickoff specialist. He leads the league with 17 touchbacks -- last year the Cowboys had none when Folk was kicking off. Buehler, a rookie, also covers punts. GRADE A
L.P. Ladouceur: Hasn't had a bad snap this year, extending his streak to 309 games on punts, 125 on field goals and 187 on PATs in his career. He's one of the more trusted special teams players. GRADE A
Patrick Crayton: He struggled as a punt returner, prompting the team to grab Allen Rossum after he was released by San Francisco. But Crayton responded when Rossum injured his hamstring on his first return vs. Atlanta. Crayton has returned two punts for touchdowns since and is second in the NFL with a 16.1 average. GRADE B
Felix Jones: Is ranked 32nd among kick returners with a 20.9 average. His knee injury hampered his improvement in this area. The team would rather use Miles Austin but he's a starter at wide receiver, so it's best Jones remains at this position until someone else steps up. GRADE C
The following players get an incomplete grade because they haven't played enough if at all:
Montrae Holland, Duke Preston, Pat McQuistan, Stephen McGee, Jason Williams, Curtis Johnson, Allen Rossum, Michael Hamlin, Steve Octavien.
Practice squad players were not graded.
ESPNDallas.com
Archive
IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys reached the halfway point of their season in sole possession of first place in the NFC East at 6-2.
The last time the Cowboys were below .500 after eight regular-season games was 2004, when they were 3-5.
It's almost impossible to predict where this team will finish, but Dallas' 20-16 victory Sunday night at Philadelphia has given this team a boost.
"It was a chance for us to go in there on the road against a division rival and put it away," inside linebacker Bradie James said. "With it being the midpoint of the season, you really want to know. You want to know as players what you can count on and who you can rely on when the funk hits the fan, and we know we can definitely rely on each other."
With that, it's midseason report card time, and we tell you who among the active game-day roster players is doing well in the first half and who needs improvement.
Here's the defense. To see the grades for the offense, go here.
Calvin Watkins' midseason Report Card: Defense
Jay Ratliff
A
DEFENSIVE LINE: Wade Phillips can't stop talking about nose guard Jay Ratliff. The depth is strong with Junior Siavii, Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher as backups.
Marcus Spears: He's got two sacks and seven quarterback pressures this season at left end. He has fewer tackles (26 to 36) than at this same time last year, but he didn't pick up his first sack of 2008 until December. His tackle of Donovan McNabb on a fourth-and-1 was one of many highlights this year. GRADE: B
Jay Ratliff: The nose tackle has four sacks, 14 quarterback pressures and a team-leading eight tackles for loss. Amazing considering he's double-teamed on most plays. He seems destined to pick up his second consecutive Pro Bowl berth and he reminds Phillips of former Houston Oilers nose guard Curley Cup. GRADE: A
Igor Olshansky: When the Cowboys let Chris Canty go in free agency, they picked up Olshansky. And he's played in more games, eight to two. Olshansky got off to a slow start, but he's emerged with a strong presence the last few weeks with his quarterback hurries. GRADE: B
Jason Hatcher: At times, Hatcher has been inconsistent from the end position on passing downs. Yet, Hatcher is among the team-leaders in quarterback pressures with 10. The team would like to see him get more tackles for loss. GRADE C
Junior Siavii: The Cowboys front office wanted Siavii to work out for the team last season to put some pressure on backup nose tackle Tank Johnson. But Phillips wouldn't do it. With Johnson gone, Siavii gets about 14 snaps a game and has played well. But it's hard for him to get more snaps with Ratliff playing at a Pro Bowl level. GRADE: C
Stephen Bowen: He's been a pleasant surprise this year. He's made several hard hits, 13 pressures on the quarterback and showed an ability to play end and tackle. If the team wants to make a change at one of the end spots, Bowen is the man who could challenge for a starting spot. GRADE: B
DeMarcus Ware
B
LINEBACKERS: This unit has one of the best pass rushers in the game, DeMarcus Ware, and its young talent group has made plays in key spots this year.
Anthony Spencer: When the Cowboys cut Greg Ellis, it was to allow Spencer the chance to grow as a strong-side linebacker. Spencer has pressured quarterbacks 15 times but has no sacks. Offensives are still doubling Ware because they're not afraid to let Spencer roam free. He's doing a fair job against the run. GRADE: C
Bradie James: Had the best season of his career last year and didn't make the Pro Bowl. The inside linebacker is still one of the leading tacklers, but can't get to the quarterback consistently on the blitz. He's improved his pass coverage skills and is good vs. the run. James doesn't get enough credit for playing with another inside linebacker in the 3-4. GRADE: B
Keith Brooking: The team doesn't miss Zach Thomas because Brooking, the other inside linebacker, is faster and more physical. Thomas was respected in the Cowboys locker room last year but didn't speak up as much. Brooking called out the team for not practicing enough and they responded. Along with James is one of the top tacklers on the team. GRADE: A
DeMarcus Ware: He's playing with a bad foot, gets double- and sometimes triple-teamed. Ware gets chipped, held and pushed yet still has a team-leading five sacks. The highest-paid defensive player in team history (six years, $78 million) is a force every time he steps on the field at outside linebacker. GRADE: A
Victor Butler: Playing pretty good on special teams, is among the team's top five in tackles, and his sack of Donovan McNabb in the fourth quarter Sunday was his best play of the season. His two sacks of Carolina's Jake Delhomme in Week 3 has given the coaches confidence in his abilities to make plays. GRADE: C
Bobby Carpenter: About two years ago, the nickel linebacker didn't look comfortable on the field. He was trying to find a place in the 3-4 scheme. Carpenter will tell you he's more at home in a 4-3. This year, he forgot about those things, got his first sack since his rookie year in 2006, and he's playing with more confidence. GRADE: B
Mike Jenkins
B
SECONDARY: Cornerback Mike Jenkins leads the team with three interceptions and strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh is a major upgrade at this position.
Terence Newman: The veteran cornerback is more physical this season as evident by his hard hits on wide receivers and his three forced fumbles. Newman trusts second-year corners Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick more so he's playing relaxed. He's been inconsistent at times and his health was an issue the last two years, but Newman is still a quality player. GRADE B
Mike Jenkins: Earned the starting right cornerback job over Scandrick and has put a choke hold on the position. The Cowboys like his physical presence and his anticipation -- he grabbed his third pick of the season by jumping the route in Philadelphia. Among the team-leaders with 10 pass breakups. GRADE B
Orlando Scandrick: Played with so much confidence early in the year, but lost some when Jenkins beat him for the job. He's still good in the slot and plays with a confidence the coaches like. Opposing quarterbacks threw two long balls his way and he could have knocked the passes down if he had turned his head. GRADE C
Alan Ball: He's still a little raw on defense. His biggest impact is on special teams, where he's among the team leaders in tackles. His speed and tackling abilities keeps him on the roster. GRADE C
Ken Hamlin: Is in the top five in total tackles from the free safety spot, but hasn't made too many impact plays. Hamlin has no forced fumbles or interceptions. He's always around the ball, especially on tipped passes, but doesn't come up with any. Has not produced consistent enough in the first eight weeks. GRADE C
Gerald Sensabaugh: Is an upgrade over what the Cowboys had at strong safety last year -- Roy Williams. Sensabaugh can cover most tight ends, play physical and has seven passes defensed and one interception. Is playing with a cast on his broken right thumb. GRADE A
Pat Watkins: Performed OK when Sensabaugh missed a game while recovering from thumb surgery. He's athletic but still can't get on the field in certain defensive packages. Watkins is one of the Cowboys' better special teams players with 13 total tackles. GRADE B
Patrick Crayton
A
SPECIAL TEAMS: The addition of new coach Joe DeCamillis has improved on everything, from how much time is spent on special teams to the end result.
Mat McBriar: The punter is third in the NFL with a net average of 41.8 yards, and he's tied for first in the NFC with 20 punts inside the 20. McBriar has changed his mechanics to punt the ball higher to get more fair catches and allow his team to get downfield. Teams have 130 return yards against the Cowboys, sixth in the NFC. GRADE A
Nick Folk: He's tied for fifth in the league with 14 field goals, but he's already missed three this year. As a rookie last year, he missed just two. What concerns the Cowboys some is that he's 4-for-7 between 40-49 yards this year. In 2008, Folk went 10-for-11. GRADE C
David Buehler: Has made the biggest impact as a kickoff specialist. He leads the league with 17 touchbacks -- last year the Cowboys had none when Folk was kicking off. Buehler, a rookie, also covers punts. GRADE A
L.P. Ladouceur: Hasn't had a bad snap this year, extending his streak to 309 games on punts, 125 on field goals and 187 on PATs in his career. He's one of the more trusted special teams players. GRADE A
Patrick Crayton: He struggled as a punt returner, prompting the team to grab Allen Rossum after he was released by San Francisco. But Crayton responded when Rossum injured his hamstring on his first return vs. Atlanta. Crayton has returned two punts for touchdowns since and is second in the NFL with a 16.1 average. GRADE B
Felix Jones: Is ranked 32nd among kick returners with a 20.9 average. His knee injury hampered his improvement in this area. The team would rather use Miles Austin but he's a starter at wide receiver, so it's best Jones remains at this position until someone else steps up. GRADE C
The following players get an incomplete grade because they haven't played enough if at all:
Montrae Holland, Duke Preston, Pat McQuistan, Stephen McGee, Jason Williams, Curtis Johnson, Allen Rossum, Michael Hamlin, Steve Octavien.
Practice squad players were not graded.
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Mr. Watkins, are you grading him as a defensive or special teams player?Chocolate Lab;3069956 said:
:bang2:
TwoDeep3
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AdamJT13;3069249 said:
Mike Fisher's article on Blogging the Boys talks about the little yards.
It has nothing to do with total yards for a game. It is the little yards that convert third downs into first downs. The moving the sticks yards.
The reason Dallas won and the Eagles did not.
DallasFanSince86
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Chocolate Lab;3069956 said:
Uh Calvin... Folk wasn't a rookie last year.
