Game Observations...feel free to share after the game

[FuzzyLumpkins]

DUDE! Were you watching when Bates was playing? It was like another linebacker in there on D. He was something special to watch on defense and special teams. This Beriault has a long way to go to live up to Billy Bates. He may not even make the team!

Next thing I will hear is that Romo is more athletic than Staubach because in the two quarters of preseason games he has played his career QB rating is better!

Don't get crazy and talk bad about Billy Bates! He wasn't a great player maybe, but he was a great Cowboy!

Yeah I was and he was so game changing back there that they only ever brought him in when they went to 6 DBs and needed an extra safety.

Great on special teams, but, as are most fan favorites, terribly overrated.

 

[wileedog]

I must disagree. The farther Bariault gets from the LOS, the more scared I become. The terrific hit on, I think it was the TE, he was too soft on the guy. By only a foot or so, but he was still a bit soft. Bariault is like Roy in coverage....but more like Roy. Think of Roy concentrated. His effectiveness diminishes at a radioactive rate of decay as he moves away from the LOS.

I'm not disagreeing with you, but in fairness Bariault did have one sure pick if Fowler didn't tip that ball.

 

[TruBlueCowboy]

I really only paid the most attention to the first teamers.

Some things I thought needed to be worked on:

-- Front 7 needs to get better against the run. I know a lot of times the safeties weren't doing much to help but against a polished, veteran line and runner such as the Seahawks, Dallas looked like it could have some big problems. Watch out for teams like Kansas City on the schedule this year. Luckily, with big bodies like Ferguson and Spears coming back, and more aggressive playcalling, I'm sure it will get better. I think the entire front 7 needs to improve in most areas. This game was all on them with the soft playcalling and they looked pretty bad at times.

-- The offensive line needs to look like what it did in the 2nd quarter, not the 1st. It was very uncomfortable how for about 20 minutes, Julius couldn't find any holes.... at all!

-- Bledsoe looks like about what expected. A younger Testaverde, and still has some of those nagging issues that got him kicked out of Buffalo. I hope Witten gets more involved with Bledsoe in future games. I think Bledsoe will do fine with the bus driver role, but don't expect anything else.

-- Left side of the offensive line (especially with Rivera missing!) still looks vastly superior to anything the Boys put on the other end.

Some positives:

-- The Cowboys finally have some PLAYMAKERS!! Julius started making some great moves to get the yardage! Nothing more needs to be said about DeMarcus Ware! He single-handedly kept the Cowboys in the game. With a vanilla offense and defense, and at many times looking outmatched against Seattle, it was the playmakers who made the difference, something the Cowboys haven't had for many years. Roy is about as close as they've come before Parcells. I give Parcells and his recent drafting all the credit. We're finally starting to build up a collection of guys who will change games when all else fails.

-- Unless he looks different in other games, I don't think we'll see much of a dropoff from Cundiff to Cortez.

-- Cowboys are improving and starting to gel. They look like a unit that will get better with time which is what you always hope for, but late game, and late season slides have been a huge worrisome trend lately and this young team looks like a roster that will get better as the game or season goes on.

 

[Gaede]

-Julius gets no run blocking. The other backs didn't get a whole lot either. It's dissapointing, but still kind of comforting in that Thomas and Barber looked good at getting yards where there are none.

-I really like Barber, think he's just nervous or something. He's not afraid of contact, and actually lowers his head frequently to run over DBs. Love his running style. After his fumble, he came out and ran very hard. At this point though, you can't cut Thomas, because then you have two rookie backups. You can't cut Barber--if you do, he's not coming back. Thirty one teams will claim him off waivers. Thompson might be the man out unfortunately.

-Pass rush, especially from the second team defense and Kalen Thornton, was excellent. Wallace didn't have time to do anything.

-Beriault-love him. Fast and strong. Got to keep him on the team.

-Crayton-looking at him, I've never thought that much of him. Nothing stands out. But he has great hands, and I definitely feel much better about third WR now. Morgan should be cut, but won't be. Cause if we lose one reciever to injury, who's going to play (if Morgan were cut)? Copper? Crowder? Unfortunately, I think Morgan stays on the team.

-Burnett didn't get a lot of tackles, but the guy is always around the ball. Always. Even on special teams. He'll be starting by midseason. He looks great blitzing too.

-Petitti had a rough game. He was beaten by alot of stunts. But he's a rookie playing a new position. What do you expect? He looks like a RT (HUGE!) and is very strong.

-Backup QBs both sucked.

-Bledsoe has a gun. I didn't know he could throw it so fast.

-Secondary was awful. Who knows why? I'm not making excuses for Newman anymore. If he can't play at this level, he can't play.

-Roy had a beautiful safety blitz that could've netted the Boys a safety, but he missed the tackle! Would have been beautiful.

 

[Gaede]

Haha, either there's something wrong with my screen or my last reply is purple

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I think it's interesting to see the comments on Henson.

I honestly think that Henson really had only one poor throw. The INT was the result of inexperience. If you rewatch that play, you will notice a couple of things. First and fore most, Henson really did an excellent job of evading pressure on that play. The rush came and he elluded it really nicely. The next thing that jumps out about that play is that Henson actually had more time then I think he believed he had. His immediate instinct was to ellude and then get rid of the ball. He went right to his security blanket. The ball placement, was actually not too bad on that. He just didn't recongnize the short and deep coverage in that zone. Had he pumped once, that probably would have opened Witten up. The other thing was that Henson did have a man clearing. I want to say it was Crayton but I can't be sure. He had a guy running what looked like a flag to the right side of the field.

The other pass that could have been questionable was a side line thow to the right side. Again, the ball was thrown to the right area with proper velocity. The receivers pattern looked kind of flat so I don't know it it was a question of a poor route run or just a poor pass. I think you give the benifit of the doubt on that one. Tough to tell. Other then that, I really thougth all of his passes were really pretty good.

 

[Hollywood Henderson]

MY "Hollywood" notes...
On Hensen's pick, He was pushed up in the pocket from pressure from Pettites man...He looked MUCH better & more poised then what writers & sportys casters have been saying...I think he will be fine...In time!
I like Hensen betetr then Romo, he just lacks the arm strength to be effective and what was that throw right to the Seahag by Romo?

Ware stole the show, just think how effective the whole D will be once Fergy gets back and other players are included in killing QB's!

The DB's will be fine, they just need to make picks when they have the chance...Once the D starts game planning it could be very special!
Offense will be fine once...Rob gets comfy at RT, he is improving and will be fine (I hope by SD)
Berry-O is simply a FOOTBALL player and looks to be MUCH betetr then lil Billy Bates ever was...(Good guy & STer only)

We do need Rivera back & healthy for this to work though, he is the Oline glue...

I like Bledsoe's toughness, sure to gain respect in the locker room!
JJ was fine and showed some great moves inside where there wasn't much room...

Barber was Mr Butter fingers and might lose his position if TT comes on...
A-Train has a role too, he is tough and has 2 over 1000 years on his resume...Not a great player, but a HUGE upgrade vs slow eddie last year!
Glad Polite showed the masses we need a FB..Who can block and do other things...A big upgrade vs Barnes & Anderson IMHO...

Crayton looks like he is ready to make impact plays this year!
Its not so much because Morgan is bad, but Crayton has stepped UP!
Lets also remember (Before too many jump on Morgan) he is one that could have shoulder surgery and is being TOUGH & playing!

As long as Bledoe can gell with his receivers, they will score points and the D can finally attack & put pressure on teams like we haven't seen since Doomsady days!

 

[jazzcat22]

I agree, cant understand the Henson crucifying by the fickle folks here...he threw one bad pass...had two drives stopped by dropped balls (one drive likely would have been a TD drive if not for Morgans drop) and had to fend for himself on alot of plays because of bad pass protection

David

I guess some of us aren't QB coaches like others. I thought Henson did ok. He wasn't horrible. I thought some of Romo's passes looked as if he had bad mechanics also. But then again, I'm not a coach. what was that pass he was trying to throw away and was almost intercepted in the middle of the field. Guess people forgot about that, unless Henson threw it. But then again, the WR could have blown his route. Saddle 'em up, and head 'em out for next week.

 

[Crown Royal]

The first quarter might have shaded your opinions differently regarding Davis and Singleton. Seattle was basically playing pitch and catch all over the field. It was disgusting. Singleton had a couple of nice open field tackles that were definitely worthy of praise and Davis surprised me with a helluva hit on Jeramy Stevens. Other than that, their areas were open whenever Seattle wanted to throw in there. I don't know that it was always their fault, but some of it had to be. It happened too often.

With Singleton, it may come down to the vet salary guarantee. If Shanle can hold the fort til Burnette is ready, I'm not sure Singleton has a place here.

The line was OK. Seattle seems to have some good DTs but I don't think their DEs are much to consider despite the money they've paid out. I don't know how much Wistrom played, but I don't remember hearing his name. The other DE they signed from St. Louis was pretty much shut down by Petitti. I don't remember him doing anything either.

Has Shanle been moved outside? He has been playing inside throughout camp.

As I understand it, Burnett and Als are the two names competing at OLB. Regardless of who wins (though I still think, at this point, Als is the starter in San Diego), I don't see either going anywhere this season. We are just too young and shallow at the position, we have to pay that 2 mil.

 

[adbutcher]

Very interesting where did I hear those words before?

Want to borrow my sig pic, because you are going to need it?

My powers of persuasion have claimed yet another conspirator.

I don't want to obey but I...I...I...must.

What happens when you read the defense correctly, drop back swiftly, and loft the ball to the WR?






























An interception! Every throw that Romo made the defensive back had an equal chance at the ball. That is why I hold my breath on every one of his throws.