ESPN Watkins: Statistics that you might not have noticed

[WoodysGirl]

October 13, 2009, 11:33 AM

By: Calvin Watkins


Here are some interesting things I took from the Cowboys-Chiefs game on Sunday:


Of the 10 biggest Cowboys' plays, six came out of the shotgun, including Miles Austin's two touchdown receptions which came to 119 total yards.


A good sign for the Cowboys' offense was their last five possessions. Dallas scored two touchdowns and picked up a field goal, which shows some progress for the offense. They punted only once, in overtime, and they took a knee at the end of regulation.


Tony Romo threw 34 passes on Sunday and a team-high 15 were targeted to Miles Austin. Patrick Crayton was targeted eight times and Jason Witten got six throws his way.


A lot of people are down on Anthony Spencer because he has no sacks and isn't providing enough pressure. Well, against the Chiefs he was credited with three quarterback hits and was tied for the team lead with two tackles for loss.


Kevin Ogletree isn't the answer as a kick returner. He did average 23.5 yards a return, nice, but he fumbled one out of bounds and for a team that can't afford mistakes, especially from a bottom-of-the-roster type of player, you have to be near perfect.


Witten is spending more time blocking than running routes, reminds me of 2006, when the offense had him doing the same thing. Witten averaged 14.2 yards a catch in Week 1 but hasn't reached a double-digit average in receptions since.

 

[Future]

Witten is spending more time blocking than running routes, reminds me of 2006, when the offense had him doing the same thing. Witten averaged 14.2 yards a catch in Week 1 but hasn't reached a double-digit average in receptions since.

Something is seriously wrong with that. I don't know the schematics of it, but that needs to change.

 

[dadymat]

Something is seriously wrong with that. I don't know the schematics of it, but that needs to change.

i agree but if our pass protection dont get better we will continue to see Witten in blocking

 

[DallasEast]

Kevin Ogletree isn't the answer as a kick returner. He did average 23.5 yards a return, nice, but he fumbled one out of bounds and for a team that can't afford mistakes, especially from a bottom-of-the-roster type of player, you have to be near perfect. - Calvin Watkins

Holy Premature Evaluation, Batman!

 

[Future]

i agree but if our pass protection dont get better we will continue to see Witten in blocking

The best pass protection is guys who can get open. Witten is one of those guys.

Let teams like Philly or whoever send 6 or 7. Then let me see a safety or LB who doesn't come that is stuck in man on Witten. A 3 step drop should be enough time to get Witten about 10 yards down the field and with a little separation. Should be money.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I have a hard time complaining when the Cowboys statistically have the best offense in the league. Witten blocking is clearly opening up the run. If the running game continues to be a success I don't see how you can complain about Witten not getting enough catches unless A)the passing game starts to suffer or B)You have him on your fantasy team. Witten is doing what a tight end is suppose to do. But he is a an asset in the passing game. I just don't know if I have a problem with him blocking and not being the passing threat he was the past two seasons.

 

[Future]

Witten pass-protecting is just another example of Jason Garret's chicken ish playcalling. He consistently lets the defense dictate what the offense is going to do instead of making them react. How about go right at them when they blitz instead of turtleing?

This attitude makes me madder than 10389 false starts.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Witten is spending more time blocking than running routes, reminds me of 2006, when the offense had him doing the same thing. Witten averaged 14.2 yards a catch in Week 1 but hasn't reached a double-digit average in receptions since.

People figured out that the Cowboys have issues when blitzed. Therefore, Witten stays in to block. He is damn good at it. I would be more likely to trust him rather than Bennett.

The biggest issue I see is with Witten staying in the block, Bennett should be more active catching the ball and that isn't happening.

 

[DanteEXT]

I have a hard time complaining when the Cowboys statistically have the best offense in the league.

No they don't, at least not according to someone I know. His statement, it's all about points and they rank 11th in the only stat that matters.

Not saying I agree with him.

 

[AbeBeta]

Witten pass-protecting is just another example of Jason Garret's chicken ish playcalling. He consistently lets the defense dictate what the offense is going to do instead of making them react. How about go right at them when they blitz instead of turtleing?

This attitude makes me madder than 10389 false starts.

Gee, should he not use Barber to block either then?

Your idea of play calling would show us again how bad we are when Romo is out of the lineup

 

[CowboyMike]

Holy Premature Evaluation, Batman!

On what side, man? You could make the case that a lot of people have prematurely evaluated Ogletree. He could turn out to be good, but a kick off returner is pretty much a talent thing. Either you've got it or you don't.

 

[Future]

Gee, should he not use Barber to block either then?

Your idea of play calling would show us again how bad we are when Romo is out of the lineup

Yea...but Romo is in the lineup.

I'd keep MBIII in to block I'm not saying go with 0 help to the oline. But I think that instead of trying to literally stop the blitz, make the defense stop calling it. Throw their aggression right back in their face.

 

[NextGenBoys]

Yea...but Romo is in the lineup.

I'd keep MBIII in to block I'm not saying go with 0 help to the oline. But I think that instead of trying to literally stop the blitz, make the defense stop calling it. Throw their aggression right back in their face.

That's his point.

You play like you're suggesting and we're gonna get Romo killed again.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

No they don't, at least not according to someone I know. His statement, it's all about points and they rank 11th in the only stat that matters.

Not saying I agree with him.

Someone you know? You can check at ESPN or NFL.com. Cowboys statistically have the best offense in the league and the fact that their 30th in field position makes that feat even that much better. They don't have the points to back it up and thats in part due to some questionable throws by Romo and calls by Garrett.

 

[DanteEXT]

Someone you know? You can check at ESPN or NFL.com. Cowboys statistically have the best offense in the league and the fact that their 30th in field position makes that feat even that much better. They don't have the points to back it up and thats in part due to some questionable throws by Romo and calls by Garrett.

I was kinda being an ******** there. It stemmed of a conversation I've been having with a Colts fan today. I mentioned the #1 overall offense and he flipped his lid. His argument is that points are the only thing that matter and that the Cowboys are 11th in PPG so far.

 

[rkell87]

Someone you know? You can check at ESPN or NFL.com. Cowboys statistically have the best offense in the league and the fact that their 30th in field position makes that feat even that much better. They don't have the points to back it up and thats in part due to some questionable throws by Romo and calls by Garrett.

feild position is why we are #1 you can get more yards than other teams without scoreing

 

[DallasEast]

On what side, man? You could make the case that a lot of people have prematurely evaluated Ogletree. He could turn out to be good, but a kick off returner is pretty much a talent thing. Either you've got it or you don't.

He's only attempted four returns in one game. Is that the criteria now for drawing permanent conclusions of a player's particular ability?

 

[jzcowboy]

I was kinda being an ******** there. It stemmed of a conversation I've been having with a Colts fan today. I mentioned the #1 overall offense and he flipped his lid. His argument is that points are the only thing that matter and that the Cowboys are 11th in PPG so far.

Tell him that PPG is a team stat, so that's a different argument.