For The TO Fans... A Highlight Video

[TheDude]

I never stated that the season was "lost" after the Washington game or "due to GB's coverage." I asserted that the offense became less effective once GB revealed TO's inability to beat press coverage consistently and TO began complaining about a lack of opportunities.

And I explained quite thoroughly why the Cowboys had success against GB yet struggled against Washington. Against Green Bay, they were patient on offense, and relied on the running game. Against Washington, they were not patient; they ran the ball only 8 times (giving no carries to Felix Jones), and forced passes to TO in order to placate him.

Or....perhaps dedicating so many to "game plan against TO" made them vulnerable to other areas (i.e running for 200yds). Washington may have used the same double team, but they squashed the run - or kinda since the OC decided to run 8 times and none for Felix. So, the same game plan that worked a week before is abandoned next week. How anyone says that a coach who placates a WR to the detriment of the team is blameless is being myopic.

In your criticism of JG for his management of TO, you conveniently omit these points: Two other teams have dismissed TO for his selfish and contentious behavior. One of those was the Philadelphia Eagles, who have one of the best coaching staffs in the NFL over the past decade. For whatever criticism you can heap on Garrett, he's certainly not alone and in very good company.

First, TO was technically a FA in SF he wasn't dismissed. They were in cap hell and he wanted out and basically forced the issue. That team was rebuilding and the situations were not the same. Philly may have good coaches, but they have been duly criticized also (ask any Philly fans about the 70 - 30% pass run ratio). In your effort to pin all blame one player, you fail to acknowledge any of Garrett's failures. If he "runs the offensive side" then:

• Why was Brad Johnson on the team?
• Why did Proctor play half the season for Kosier before Holland smelled the field?
• Why did he abandon the run at Wash,? The team who used the same tactic a week before was torched when the run was relied on just like the way the second Wash game went. If TO complained and Garrett gave in, he is not a leader. If he stayed with appeasing TO at the expense of the team he is incompetent
• How can 3 draft pick RW11 go 10 for 189 in 10 games?
• How could Choice not take the Felix or 2nd back role starting with the Rams game? Why does he really only get a chance at Pitt, where he performs above expectations. Who was that evaluator?
• Why did Ed Reed and Ray Lewis basically say that the Cowboys offense was simple and streetball?

Garrett has a mediocre track record thus far. I just find it laughable that in 2007 everyone loved a guy and the next year he is the only issue to some and now the team is better that one person is gone.

The team will be better if they execute better, don't commit penalties, dont throw "punts", stay healthy, have better oline play. If not they will be worse than last year.



I hope they go 16-0, and if they do, it won't be because TO is gone, it is because new people stepped up and they figured out how to finish

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Or....perhaps dedicating so many to "game plan against TO" made them vulnerable to other areas (i.e running for 200yds). Washington may have used the same double team, but they squashed the run - or kinda since the OC decided to run 8 times and none for Felix. So, the same game plan that worked a week before is abandoned next week. How anyone says that a coach who placates a WR to the detriment of the team is blameless is being myopic.

The conclusion that Washington "squashed the run" is not a valid one; the Cowboys were gaining 4 yards per carry, which is a decent average. They simply lacked patience and persistence with it.

Oh, and would you mind producing these posts in which Garrett is absolved from all blame? I would love to see them.

First, TO was technically a FA in SF he wasn't dismissed. They were in cap hell and he wanted out and basically forced the issue. That team was rebuilding and the situations were not the same. Philly may have good coaches, but they have been duly criticized also (ask any Philly fans about the 70 - 30% pass run ratio). In your effort to pin all blame one player, you fail to acknowledge any of Garrett's failures. If he "runs the offensive side" then:

The Eagles have one of the best records in the NFL over the past decade. The reputation of their coaching staff is very solid. We can play semantics and debate the meaning of "dismissed" all day long, but the crucial point here will still remain -- SF did not want TO anymore, despite his reputation as one of the top two receivers in the league.

Once again, would you mind producing these posts in which I've "pinned all blame on one player"?

Interestingly enough, myopic more aptly describes a person who argues the points he thinks his opponent is making rather than the points his opponent is actually making.

I have yet to absolve any player or coach from criticism. I'm simply explaining why TO's release was necessary to the future success of the Cowboys offense.

Why was Brad Johnson on the team?

• Why did Proctor play half the season for Kosier before Holland smelled the field?
• Why did he abandon the run at Wash,? The team who used the same tactic a week before was torched when the run was relied on just like the way the second Wash game went. If TO complained and Garrett gave in, he is not a leader. If he stayed with appeasing TO at the expense of the team he is incompetent
• How can 3 draft pick RW11 go 10 for 189 in 10 games?
• How could Choice not take the Felix or 2nd back role starting with the Rams game? Why does he really only get a chance at Pitt, where he performs above expectations. Who was that evaluator?
• Why did Ed Reed and Ray Lewis basically say that the Cowboys offense was simple and streetball?

I've emboldened the only point that's relevant to my argument. However, I've addressed this point on two separate occasions already.

The Cowboys abandoned the run against Washington in an effort to appease TO. You're certainly free to criticize Garrett for this move, but you should also recognize that Garrett is no different from the other coaches who have worked with TO in the past.

I'm not absolving Garrett simply because I'm criticizing TO. To assume otherwise would be myopic.

 

[jswalker1981]

I can see Roy making those tough catches, and fades in the end zone. And then I can see Miles catching those long bombs. He definitely has the talent to get deep, the only question is if he can stay healthy.

But TO was good here, just too much mouthing off.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I can see Roy making those tough catches, and fades in the end zone. And then I can see Miles catching those long bombs. He definitely has the talent to get deep, the only question is if he can stay healthy.

This is very plausible and very possible. Both cases. Agreed.

But TO was good here, just too much mouthing off.

Unfortunately, agree here too. He just couldnt do it. Be quiet that is. He talked to too many talking heads.

 

[SultanOfSix]

Did Garrett suddenly forget how to utilize his abundance of weapons? Of course not. He was trying to placate his mercurial but vociferously selfish wide receiver, who, despite being thrown to 20 times during the game, still managed to complain about a lack of opportunities. From there, the offense went on a downward spiral.

Did Garrett lose some of his ability to call the offense with the departure of Sparano? It can be argued that he did.

Did TO's ability deteriorate so much in one year, or did Garrett just not know how to exploit another team's weaknesses as other teams caught onto what he was trying to do?

It really is a moot point that the coaching staff abandoned its offense in order to appease TO. What does that say about the coaching staff then?

These are all debatable points that will most likely be answered this year. TO has more of a disadvantage though as his physical skills will deteriorate as age catches up to everyone, whereas Garrett's career is in its youth and has the potential to improve. It is quite possible that Sparano was more responsible for the team's success in the previous year than Garrett was, seeing that the team's talent was seemingly upgraded last year with the addition of even more weapons on offense with Jones and Choice, and the improvements of Austin and others.

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

Me too...!

I hope Roy will keep his mouth shut!

More importantly I hope his keeps his weight down as he looked like Antonio gates last year.

His rear is too big to play WR at a high level (separate from DB's)

 

[CATCH17]

Did Garrett lose some of his ability to call the offense with the departure of Sparano? It can be argued that he did.

Did TO's ability deteriorate so much in one year, or did Garrett just not know how to exploit another team's weaknesses as other teams caught onto what he was trying to do?

It really is a moot point that the coaching staff abandoned its offense in order to appease TO. What does that say about the coaching staff then?

These are all debatable points that will most likely be answered this year. TO has more of a disadvantage though as his physical skills will deteriorate as age catches up to everyone, whereas Garrett's career is in its youth and has the potential to improve. It is quite possible that Sparano was more responsible for the team's success in the previous year than Garrett was, seeing that the team's talent was seemingly upgraded last year with the addition of even more weapons on offense with Jones and Choice, and the improvements of Austin and others.

Losing Todd Haley hurt too.

When I watched Cardinals games this year I noticed teams covering Fitzgerald the same way teams covered Owens.

When that happened against Arizona they exposed teams in the flats.

What did Dallas do? We kept throwing downfield into the defenses teeth.

TO did his job. He ran off coverages. But we never took advantage of it like we should have.

I like JG but he better change some things in his playcalling this year and not shy away from letting Felix Jones become awesome.

 

[DallasEast]

TO just is a melodramatic presence, even when he doesn't intend it and in 2008 it became apparent that the tangibles of his services as a wideout were being surpassed by the media circus and locker room power plays he's prone to do, so it was decided his departure would be more beneficial than being on the roster in 2009; it really is that simple.

No one can state that Terrell Owens could accept a totally unnecessary, one-on-one, nationally televised interview, in which he complains about his role within a struggling offense, etc., and conclude that he didn't fully intend to be viewed as being melodramatic--especially when he was fully aware prior to that interview of how the media would naturally react afterwards.

 

[ilovejerry]

[youtube]F8QujGqvtkU[/youtube]

That was a great idea to mix in the a new version of the good the bad ugly theme for todays athelete..Great ball player.. I just hope we can adjust to letting him go..we will finally see if he was that bad an influence in the locker room ....There is no excuse this year no one to blame....no scapgoates...this should make for a very interesting season...by the way who did that theme track?

 

[khiladi]

Post of the day.

But you were saying it was injuries that caused Dallas to lose... Now all of the sudden they lost because they were forcing the ball to TO?

 

[khiladi]

Losing Todd Haley hurt too.

When I watched Cardinals games this year I noticed teams covering Fitzgerald the same way teams covered Owens.

When that happened against Arizona they exposed teams in the flats.

What did Dallas do? We kept throwing downfield into the defenses teeth.

TO did his job. He ran off coverages. But we never took advantage of it like we should have.


I like JG but he better change some things in his playcalling this year and not shy away from letting Felix Jones become awesome.

That is the whole point people fail to understand. The ARizona Cardinals offense became stagnant by the end of the year, and it was only when they started emphasizing the run that they picked things back up. People act as if LF was like Superman, making catches all over the place, even when double-covered. The guy was totally shut down against the Steelers when double-covered, until he finally got single-coverage in the 4th.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Didn't notice. Thanks. I assume it was when he threw a downfield block.

Nah. The one Crayton caught was in the back of the endzone. No idea why it was in an Owens highlight reel. All he was doing was running a route in the endzone and Crayton caught the ball for a TD. Weird.

TO was pretty good for us and chances are he is going to be pretty good for the Bills. I hope Roy steps it up else we will look pretty foolish getting rid of TO because we caved to the media.

He was very good for us, great at times. I imagine with all the weapons in Buffalo, just like here, he'll do well there still as well.

Where is the proof that Fitz made all his plays when it mattered most? The Super Bowl? If that is the case, then you do realize that Fitz was doubled the whole game and did absolutely nothing. The only time he actually scored was when he got single-coverage. For example, the slant TD was one-one-one coverage, with no help over the top.

And further, to use Fitzgerald as an example to dis-prove TOs abilities has nothing to do with perspective. So what if Larry is a better WR now, if one even wants to argue it. That is like comparing rubies to emeralds, as if only one lacks value, when in fact both have value.

Really? Only time he actually scored was on one on one? He did nothing in the Superbowl huh?

Hmmm...funny...his 7 catches for 127 yards and 2 TDs seem to indicate otherwise. But, hey, what do I know. Apparently he completely disappeared in the game that mattered most. When, btw, the majority of those catches came in the second half when they were fighting to win it. But, yeah, he sucks in the big games. For sure.

30 receptions, 546 yards and 7 Tds in 4 post season games this last year. He COMPLETELY disappeared, without a doubt. Didn't do a thing unless he was single covered.

If the word clueless had a picture next to it in the dictionary it would no doubt be yours they used.

 

[khiladi]

However, the Cowboys showed patience against Green Bay. Despite little offensive success early in the game, they were persistent with their running game -- Marion Barber and Felix Jones -- and relied on Miles Austin, who made two big plays downfield. The Cowboys pulled away in the final quarter, and won by a healthy margin.


The following week, Washington employed the same strategy, jamming TO at the line with safety help over the top. Unfortunately, the Cowboys did not demonstrate the same patience they had in the previous game: They ran the ball only 8 times; failed to give Felix Jones a single carry; and, did not incorporate Miles Austin until it was too late. .

Huh? Felix Jones had six carries against Green Bay, and one of his carries he broke a 60 yard run. He had less carries against Green Bay than he did against the Commanders. As far as incorporating Miles Austin in Green Bay, they incoroprated him late. He had two catches late, and theywere in single coverage. He came in the ball game late just as he did against the Commanders.What patience are you even talking about? The Commanders totally dominated the TOP by 17 minutes because they were running the ball. At the same time, the Cowboys did spread the ball, with Witten catching 7 passes and Crayton catching 7 passes. In the case of the Commanders, they didn't get beat by Miles Austin. How can one argue they were forcing the ball to TO when all the stats say otherwise?

 

[khiladi]

Really? Only time he actually scored was on one on one? He did nothing in the Superbowl huh? Hmmm...funny...his 7 catches for 127 yards and 2 TDs seem to indicate otherwise. But, hey, what do I know. Apparently he completely disappeared in the game that mattered most. When, btw, the majority of those catches came in the second half when they were fighting to win it. But, yeah, he sucks in the big games.

It is a nice spin to what I was saying. "The only time he actually scored was when he got single-coverage. For example, the slant TD was one-one-one coverage, with no help over the top."The point is people making it seem that Fitzgeral was getting all his in double-coverage. Fitzgerald's 2 TDs came against single-coverage. He was doubled the whole first half and was silent. To act as if LF is making catches all day in double-coverage is absurd. The Cardinals offense was essentially stagnant the end of the season and when they went into the play-offs they made a considerable effort to run the ball. That opened things up for them.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Huh? Felix Jones had six carries against Green Bay, and one of his carries he broke a 60 yard run. He had less carries against Green Bay than he did against the Commanders. As far as incorporating Miles Austin in Green Bay, they incoroprated him late. He had two catches late, and theywere in single coverage. He came in the ball game late just as he did against the Commanders.What patience are you even talking about? The Commanders totally dominated the TOP by 17 minutes because they were running the ball. At the same time, the Cowboys did spread the ball, with Witten catching 7 passes and Crayton catching 7 passes. In the case of the Commanders, they didn't get beat by Miles Austin. How can one argue they were forcing the ball to TO when all the stats say otherwise?

Really? He did? zero carries is actually more than 6? Cause that's what he had against the Skins was a whopping ZERO carries.

But, yeah, clearly Felix had more carries against Washington than Greenbay.

 

[bysbox1]

Our whole team disappears in those situations and has for quite a few years now regardless of the players on the roster.

 

[khiladi]

No receiver, and I mean no receiver, is going to beat the double-coverage all the time, whether TO, Andre Johnson or LF. They are rarely going to beat it, and the way they beat it is the coaches take advantage of the schemes the defense is offering.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

It is a nice spin to what I was saying. "The only time he actually scored was when he got single-coverage. For example, the slant TD was one-one-one coverage, with no help over the top."The point is people making it seem that Fitzgeral was getting all his in double-coverage. Fitzgerald's 2 TDs came against single-coverage. He was doubled the whole first half and was silent. To act as if LF is making catches all day in double-coverage is absurd. The Cardinals offense was essentially stagnant the end of the season and when they went into the play-offs they made a considerable effort to run the ball. That opened things up for them.

Well there were plenty of times when Owens got single coverage, and wasn't pressed, and there are a couple of pictures above to show some of it, when he didn't even beat the single coverage.

I like Owens. I think he was great while here. But you trying to miminize Larry, and what he brings to the table, simply because you're feelings are hurt about TO being gone is crazy.

I'm sure the Steelers just decided to be nice in the second half and instead of continuing to double cover him they just decided to let him run free all over their secondary.

Because all defenses do that. They just decide, you know what we've shut this guy down long enough lets let him get the ball now.

Please.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

No receiver, and I mean no receiver, is going to beat the double-coverage all the time, whether TO, Andre Johnson or LF. They are rarely going to beat it, and the way they beat it is the coaches take advantage of the schemes the defense is offering.

No one is saying they will. No one expects them too. The point is that LF still seems to be able to on more occassions than most recievers in the NFL.

No one with any brains would expect a WR, even Jerry Rice in his prime, to beat double coverage all the time.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

And actually, while I'm at it, while I think Fitz is great, and fun to watch, I think Andre Johnson is actually the best WR in the NFL and often gets over looked because of who he plays for and the piss poor QB play he gets. Yet he still puts up his numbers and doesn't have to go around complaining about it all the time.

I'd love to have Andre Johnson. If I had my choice of any WR right now it would be him, hands down.