Manster68
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Fun…but FRUSTRATING
By Manster68
Cowboys Pride Staff Writer
The Dallas Cowboys opened the 2007 season with many storylines. They displayed offensive firepower and undisciplined defensive execution and tackling. Opening day showed that there are some young players ready to break out. It also showed some young veterans to be lacking in one capacity or another. When the final gun sounded, and all is said and done for the Cowboys 48th Opening Day, the Cowboys came away with a 45-35 shootout with the Giants. The most points Dallas scored on opening day since 1971 when the Cowboys put up 49 points on the Bills.
Going into this season, one of the main storylines was how Wade Phillips was going to turn the defense around. After one week, there is much work to do. It is going to be continually frustrating as nose tackle Jason Ferguson is now out for the season with a torn bicep. Ferguson was a key component in run defense. Now with him not in the lineup, teams will have more success running against the Cowboys. It is going to be a rough season watching this team defensively.
On top of losing Ferguson, not having Terrance Newman out there was doubly as bad. Newman and Ferguson were two of the three players that Dallas could ill afford to lose (the third being Ware). If the quarterback gets time to throw, with Henry and Reeves as the corners, it is going to be ugly. The pass rush MUST be top-notch to cover up these deficiencies. If not, then Cowboy fans can expect to give up 35 points and 438 total yards.
Remember, there was a reason why Jacques Reeves and Nate Jones were drafted in the 7th round. They lack certain tools to be a starting corner in the NFL. However, they do have the tools to play “In a Pinch” and contribute on Special Teams (in which they were primarily selected for and have done well over the years).
Also remember, we are now in the era of free agency and salary cap. This prevents teams from obtaining quality backups in most phases of their team. So when key injuries strike, teams are handcuffed for either a significant portion of the season, or the remainder of the season. This happened to Philadelphia a few years ago, and it looks like it is happening to both the Cowboys and Giants now.
The 2007 Dallas Cowboys will be 1991 revisited – beautiful offense, but Red Sea defense.
Offensively, the Cowboys have come full circle from the days of 2001 and 2002 when Quincy Carter, an aging Emmitt, and a Swiss cheese offensive line played. Tony Romo got sacked once, but most of the time had adequate opportunity to throw. Much credit goes to Jason Garrett, who allowed Romo to get the ball downfield and utilized Jason Witten. This offense has a chance to be special… very special.
The most satisfying part of Sunday Night were the big plays by Patrick Crayton and Sam Hurd. Many people were screaming for a wide receiver in the first round. Either a Dwayne Bowe or a Robert Meachem (who was inactive for the Saints last Thursday) some said would be ideal for this team.
WRONG!
What is ideal is that Dallas showed loyalty in Tony Romo, passed up on Brady Quinn, grabbed Cleveland’s first round pick, traded back up with a division rival to acquire a player that was desperately needed due to the uncertain status of Greg Ellis. Anthony Spencer made some key plays in his NFL debut. There is NO WAY I am regretting his selection at this time.
Yes, as much as I admire Terry Glenn for what he brings to the Cowboys, this offense can go to war with Crayton and Hurd opposite Owens. Austin and Stanbeck are still developing, and they might contribute later in the season. Crayton proved in his rookie season that he could deliver a dagger shot when he caught that bomb against the Commanders. Hurd took advantage of his opportunity and made the most of it as well. You just have to love that.
Terrell Owens was the Terrell Owens we wanted to see last year. That one-handed grab was incredible. His first catch in the third quarter was very significant as well. I would have liked to see him involved in the first half a little more, but when Dallas scores 45 points and run up 478 yards of total offense, who am I to criticize?
Two other players I am not criticizing are Nick Folk and Matt McBriar. All of Folk’s kickoffs went to the two-yard line or beyond. Even though his first field goal was only 31 yards, we fans have seen them missed in the past. This one was drilled right down Main Street. McBriar proved why he was an All-Pro with two blasts that were fair caught inside the 20. Those punts were beautiful!
This is going to be a fun, but frustrating season folks. Key injuries on defense are handcuffing this team until somebody steps up and legitimately replace the losses of Newman and Ferguson. The offense has proven that it can be on the highest echelon of offenses in the NFL.
This roller-coaster ride has just begun.
By Manster68
Cowboys Pride Staff Writer
The Dallas Cowboys opened the 2007 season with many storylines. They displayed offensive firepower and undisciplined defensive execution and tackling. Opening day showed that there are some young players ready to break out. It also showed some young veterans to be lacking in one capacity or another. When the final gun sounded, and all is said and done for the Cowboys 48th Opening Day, the Cowboys came away with a 45-35 shootout with the Giants. The most points Dallas scored on opening day since 1971 when the Cowboys put up 49 points on the Bills.
Going into this season, one of the main storylines was how Wade Phillips was going to turn the defense around. After one week, there is much work to do. It is going to be continually frustrating as nose tackle Jason Ferguson is now out for the season with a torn bicep. Ferguson was a key component in run defense. Now with him not in the lineup, teams will have more success running against the Cowboys. It is going to be a rough season watching this team defensively.
On top of losing Ferguson, not having Terrance Newman out there was doubly as bad. Newman and Ferguson were two of the three players that Dallas could ill afford to lose (the third being Ware). If the quarterback gets time to throw, with Henry and Reeves as the corners, it is going to be ugly. The pass rush MUST be top-notch to cover up these deficiencies. If not, then Cowboy fans can expect to give up 35 points and 438 total yards.
Remember, there was a reason why Jacques Reeves and Nate Jones were drafted in the 7th round. They lack certain tools to be a starting corner in the NFL. However, they do have the tools to play “In a Pinch” and contribute on Special Teams (in which they were primarily selected for and have done well over the years).
Also remember, we are now in the era of free agency and salary cap. This prevents teams from obtaining quality backups in most phases of their team. So when key injuries strike, teams are handcuffed for either a significant portion of the season, or the remainder of the season. This happened to Philadelphia a few years ago, and it looks like it is happening to both the Cowboys and Giants now.
The 2007 Dallas Cowboys will be 1991 revisited – beautiful offense, but Red Sea defense.
Offensively, the Cowboys have come full circle from the days of 2001 and 2002 when Quincy Carter, an aging Emmitt, and a Swiss cheese offensive line played. Tony Romo got sacked once, but most of the time had adequate opportunity to throw. Much credit goes to Jason Garrett, who allowed Romo to get the ball downfield and utilized Jason Witten. This offense has a chance to be special… very special.
The most satisfying part of Sunday Night were the big plays by Patrick Crayton and Sam Hurd. Many people were screaming for a wide receiver in the first round. Either a Dwayne Bowe or a Robert Meachem (who was inactive for the Saints last Thursday) some said would be ideal for this team.
WRONG!
What is ideal is that Dallas showed loyalty in Tony Romo, passed up on Brady Quinn, grabbed Cleveland’s first round pick, traded back up with a division rival to acquire a player that was desperately needed due to the uncertain status of Greg Ellis. Anthony Spencer made some key plays in his NFL debut. There is NO WAY I am regretting his selection at this time.
Yes, as much as I admire Terry Glenn for what he brings to the Cowboys, this offense can go to war with Crayton and Hurd opposite Owens. Austin and Stanbeck are still developing, and they might contribute later in the season. Crayton proved in his rookie season that he could deliver a dagger shot when he caught that bomb against the Commanders. Hurd took advantage of his opportunity and made the most of it as well. You just have to love that.
Terrell Owens was the Terrell Owens we wanted to see last year. That one-handed grab was incredible. His first catch in the third quarter was very significant as well. I would have liked to see him involved in the first half a little more, but when Dallas scores 45 points and run up 478 yards of total offense, who am I to criticize?
Two other players I am not criticizing are Nick Folk and Matt McBriar. All of Folk’s kickoffs went to the two-yard line or beyond. Even though his first field goal was only 31 yards, we fans have seen them missed in the past. This one was drilled right down Main Street. McBriar proved why he was an All-Pro with two blasts that were fair caught inside the 20. Those punts were beautiful!
This is going to be a fun, but frustrating season folks. Key injuries on defense are handcuffing this team until somebody steps up and legitimately replace the losses of Newman and Ferguson. The offense has proven that it can be on the highest echelon of offenses in the NFL.
This roller-coaster ride has just begun.
