Dal at Bal
This was a good game which I think we should have won. There were a few plays which cost us the game. OT had a TD hit him in the hands and he didn't make the play. He also appeared to not finish a route which may have stalled another drive. Free and another player (I think Phillips) had a false start which stalled a drive which ended in a field goal. We gave up a ST TD on a KO that was the big back breaker. Bryant was probably interfered with and missed a 2 pt conversion. We missed a FG at the end of the game which would have won it. With one exception Romo was fantastic. For those who think he never throws a ball away you're wrong; at least this game. Wish he would have throw one more away though. Murray gets more yards than he should fairly often. He's not an elite RB IMO but he's a very good one. For the Jones haters, he had a pretty good game but he's not the back Murray is. Thank you Jason Witten. For those who don't think Jason Garrett likes to run you need to review this game. I thought he should have used more play action passes but oh well. We ran the ball down their throats on a few possessions. Many of those runs were up the middle. Without looking I think Balt was missing its starting NT; someone verify that please (I'm being pinched for time right now).
We ran the ball extremely well esp in the first half. We were still able to run effectively in the 2nd half although we did miss Murray. I didn't watch the entire line but you see things and they all played pretty well as you'd expect running the ball that well. Free and Bernie picked up the blitz fairly well and stunts, too, although not many of those. Balt picked the right moments with the blitz and they used it and executed it well. It caused Romo problems. He threw 1 INT and he was pressured and it was on him. We ran 42 times for 227 yds. Romo was 25-36-261-2-1 with one sack. We had 30 first downs and they had 19. Balt did not turn the ball over. They rushed for 88 and Flacco was 17-26-234-1-0. This was just a good football game execution wise and also to watch. I had to rewind several times because I was watching the game and not Free.
Free had a very good game. He and/or ?Phillips had the false start that I think stalled a drive resulting in a FG. He still had a little problem with bull rushes but not as bad as before although that may just be who he played. They definitely weren't as powerful as the DE for TB who was a handful. His zone blocking was good as was the drive blocking. He is pretty mobile for an OT and pulled at least once and was used a couple of times to sprint out to block on the edge for a WR screen. He did reasonably well although at times he seems a little hesitant about who to hit at the second level. As a player that's going to happen as you don't know what the RB is doing or going. Still he could do better IMO. OTOH, he had several blocks at that level that generated yards for the RB. When he locks up on a second level defender they are out of the play generally. He sealed well. His pass protection was good and he gave up no sacks or pressures this game. Again the few times he was bull rushed he gave up ground but it wasn't a problem for that play nor was it that bad.
I wish I had time to look at all the OL but I'd like to get thru all the games. I want to say I have no agenda and I've been pleasantly surprised by his play so far with a few exceptions. At this point the only parts of his game I'm concerned with is how he handles the bull rush, some inconsistency, and perhaps with what appears to be effort at times. He has not been dominating at all but that's ok. He just needs to do his job.
I don't mind the criticism and I'm the first to admit I'm not the best guy on this forum to critique the OL as I really never played or coached it. However, I think I'm being reasonably accurate with what's happening. I'm certain I could probably word things better. If you disagree I'd prefer you be looking at the All 22 and all of his plays for that game. Also, if you can put up the time marker for any plays you'd like to go over that'd make it much easier for me to find the exact play you're referring to.
I'm enjoying this but it is taking up more time than I thought it would. I'll finish this but I'll be more careful what I volunteer for in the future.
If anyone wants to do a game or more please do. I won't be able to do another game until Monday most likely. Next up is Dal vs Car.
