Goods/Bads

[theogt]

Kowalski did okay, considering he's a rookie UDFA. But I went back and watched and counted four times in the first half that his man broke free into the backfield.

I agree he's got some potential, and he battled hard. But he just didn't look ready to me tonight. Having to rely on him would really worry me. For Romo's sake. I don't want any more bones sticking out of his earhole this year.

I agree with you about Nagy - he looked solid and I could see him starting this year at some point.

I didn't count four times.

 

[honyock]

I didn't count four times.

I have listed the 1st, 3rd and 8th plays of the second possession. (The last of those could have been a miscommunication between he and Kosier). Also the 4th play of the 3rd possession.

 

[28 Joker]

Bill Nagy secured himself a start at the Jets tonight (imso), and I expect him to take that opportunity and continue to get it done. I think Nagy put the final nails in that starting LG job, tonight. If Andre Gurode's roster spot is in jeopardy, what does that say about Holland? I saw Jerry Jones talking about Holland, and I could tell that he is not happy at all with him.

I saw Kevin Kowalski pan-cake a guy on Felix Jones' TD. I think he probably made the team tonight.

I'm a Jesse Holley believer now. He made this team, tonight.

 

[28 Joker]

Kowalski did well, especially for a guy I didn't even really know of before the game started. Nagy continues to do well. I think our offense could function if we found ourselves in a position where we had to actually rely on these two.

How are we hitting on so many young linemen now? I've always been amazed at how other teams seemed to manage just plugging in no-name guys on the O-line, but we only had turn styles as backups.

Jason Garrett has changed the offensive line profile, and that means the Robert "Busters" and James Martens of the world are null and void, in Dallas.

 

[CowboyMike]

They need to do something about the DL. Jay Ratliff is not the same guy he was a few years ago and the ends are JAGs to the fullest extent. I did like Jason Hatcher, but other than that, just didn't see much out of them.

It's going to be a long year on defense watching Ratliff get driven 5 yards down the field over and over again.

The writing has been on the wall with his level of play in decline for the past two years.

Kool Aid drinkers will tell you otherwise.

Last year Rat declined but I don't know where you get this last 2 years stuff. In 09 he was unstoppable. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for this year until I actually see him playing poorly in meaningful games with a defense that has actually grasped the new system (and when someone not named Igor is not starting next to him).

Ratliff needs to be an end not a NT

Spears may be the most underrated player on our team.

Ratliff needs Spears next to him in order to be Ratliff. Spears eats up double teams for him and lets Rat do his thing. Without Spears, Rat is just a double teamed undersized NT.

He'll be fine once Spears is back in the lineup.

 

[honyock]

Bill Nagy secured himself a start at the Jets tonight (imso), and I expect him to take that opportunity and continue to get it done. I think Nagy put the final nails in that starting LG job, tonight. If Andre Gurode's roster spot is in jeopardy, what does that say about Holland? I saw Jerry Jones talking about Holland, and I could tell that he is not happy at all with him.

I saw Kevin Kowalski pan-cake a guy on Felix Jones' TD. I think he probably made the team tonight.

I'm a Jesse Holley believer now. He made this team, tonight.

I agree with you on Nagy. He may have won the starting job tonight.

 

[CowboyStar88]

Bill Nagy secured himself a start at the Jets tonight (imso), and I expect him to take that opportunity and continue to get it done. I think Nagy put the final nails in that starting LG job, tonight. If Andre Gurode's roster spot is in jeopardy, what does that say about Holland? I saw Jerry Jones talking about Holland, and I could tell that he is not happy at all with him.

I saw Kevin Kowalski pan-cake a guy on Felix Jones' TD. I think he probably made the team tonight.

I'm a Jesse Holley believer now. He made this team, tonight.

I have always thought Holley was serviceable if he had to play WR in a pinch. He is also a solid special teams player. I have been preaching this for a while. So we will see I think they keep Miles Dez KO Harris and Holley and if they keep a 6th I am think it ill be Johnson.

 

[theogt]

I have listed the 1st, 3rd and 8th plays of the second possession. (The last of those could have been a miscommunication between he and Kosier). Also the 4th play of the 3rd possession.

- Agree with 1st.

- On the 3rd, that was actually Smith's man.

- On the 8th, he was in the second level and his guy wasn't in the backfield. The way he immediately slips to the second level, either that was his assignment or he completely had no intention of blocking anyone else, thus blowing his assignment. We don't have enough information to determine if that is the case and the evidence points otherwise.

- On the last play, his guy did get by him, but he was able to get his hands on him and keep him out the play. It was a designed quick slant, but I'm not sure the defender would have gotten to Romo if the play had been a longer developing one.

I count that as one real "free defender" and another where he nearly screwed up but kept his guy out of the play. Nice recovery at least.

 

[honyock]

- Agree with 1st.

- On the 3rd, that was actually Smith's man.

- On the 8th, he was in the second level and his guy wasn't in the backfield. The way he immediately slips to the second level, either that was his assignment or he completely had no intention of blocking anyone else, thus blowing his assignment. We don't have enough information to determine if that is the case and the evidence points otherwise.

- On the last play, his guy did get by him, but he was able to get his hands on him and keep him out the play. It was a designed quick slant, but I'm not sure the defender would have gotten to Romo if the play had been a longer developing one.

I count that as one real "free defender" and another where he nearly screwed up but kept his guy out of the play. Nice recovery at least.

You're right on the 3rd. That was Smith's man, and he broke free pretty late anyway.

On the 8th, like I said in my first post, it may have been a missed communication between he and Kosier. A tackle slipped cleanly between the two of them.

On the last play, I don't see that you have much argument. His guy just beat him cleanly, right off the bat. He got bailed out partly because Romo released the ball quickly, and partly because his guy slowed down when Felix Jones slid up to help block him. But Kowalski was beaten cleanly, and only got his hands on the guy because Jones slowed him down.

Having said all that, he showed something out there. I'll give him credit for hanging in there in a tough spot and fighting. I'd be surprised if he's ready to be counted on.

 

[realtick]

Kool Aid drinkers will tell you otherwise.

Exactly, where's newnationcb? He can post some still shots of Ratliff running out of the tunnel pregame, which will somehow be his argument that Ratliff isn't getting pushed around.

 

[theogt]

On the last play, I don't see that you have much argument. His guy just beat him cleanly, right off the bat. He got bailed out partly because Romo released the ball quickly, and partly because his guy slowed down when Felix Jones slid up to help block him. But Kowalski was beaten cleanly, and only got his hands on the guy because Jones slowed him down.

He slowed down because Kowalski got his hands on him and punched him outward, in an attempt to wall him off. I actually think Kosier screwed up on the play too because he hesitates as the defender passes him, leaning in as if he was supposed to be chipping him (which he didn't).

Here's what I think happened on the play. I think it was a designed run to the left. Romo motioned Witten over, then audibled to a pass (by tapping his rear) after he saw the coverage and Dez. You can tell it's a run play initially because the offensive line (who doesn't see the tap) run blocks rather than pass blocks. And if it's a run to the left, Kowalski's job is just to wall off the defender, which he did just fine. Hardly a case of letting a guy get to the backfield freely.

As a side note, Witten got away with a false start.

 

[28 Joker]

Actually, it was Bill Nagy who pan-caked a Vikings player on Felix Jones' TD. I saw that on the replay. Greeetings, from Nagy.

Kowalski pan-caked a guy on Jones' 11 yard run on third and 1 according to Vela.

Bailey kicked the ball good. I don't trust Buehler at all, and I hope they go with someone else. I"m all for Bailey after tonight. I need to re-watch the game and see the kickoffs. I know the Vikings had a big return and the kickoff looked short. Kick-off coverage needs to be cleaned up some.

Dallas' run defense was putrid tonight for sure. That certainly will not cut it, especially in the NFC East. I know Spears was out, but still. The middle of Dallas' defense was absolutely shredded on the ground. I think the Cowboys need a bigger, stronger nose tackle. Olshansky is gone, imo. Spears will help big time. The Jets and Commanders are probably licking their chops. This needs to be fixed, fast.

Manny Johnson played good, too.

Orlando Scandrick played good.

Big play from Sensabaugh and Ball on the kick block and TD... I think Sensabaugh bit on a double move and Elam just didn't make the play on the ball.

The kicking game will be critical for the Cowboys, because their defense is not getting nearly enough pressure on the quarterback, and the run defense is a concern, imo. Spencer did get a sack.

Cowboys have to win on offense and special teams . Defense is a work in progress. Nice pick by Sensabaugh, and he has been hitting hard, too. I like the effort.

 

[28 Joker]

I agree with you on Nagy. He may have won the starting job tonight.

That guy is a player. Nagy is tough, smart, extremely athletic, and he understands how to block with leverage and use angles. That is straight from Garrett.

It was Nagy who pan-caked that Vikings player on Felix Jones TD.

 

[28 Joker]

I have always thought Holley was serviceable if he had to play WR in a pinch. He is also a solid special teams player. I have been preaching this for a while. So we will see I think they keep Miles Dez KO Harris and Holley and if they keep a 6th I am think it ill be Johnson.

Yeah. Manny Johnson had a good night tonight. He could be the 6th if they keep 6. I still think they might look and see if Green Bay cuts a WR they like. I think they will check the waiver wire, not necessarily for a veteran. I think it would be a young player.

Demetrius Moore is tearing it up for the Raiders. I wanted the Cowboys to draft him.

Holley did make some impressive plays tonight. I have to give that guy some credit for sure. He has showed me something this camp and pre-season.

That throw Romo made to Ogletree was perfect. (near TD).

 

[TheCoolFan]

After watching the replay videos that Hairic posted in the News forum:

• Jay Ratliff was awful. Hopefully this was just rust because he was getting handled in the running game and not doing anything on pass rushes 1 on 1.
• Kenyon Coleman was bad as well. His specialty is supposed to be stopping the run but he could not shed his blocker and get to the RB
• Igor was Igor, part of the reason why the 1st team D was bad at stopping the run again
• You saw a noticeable difference in the first drive of the 2nd half when our 2nd team D did a much better job stopping the run vs. Minnesota's 1st team offense. Josh Brent was doing another good job of eating up blockers to free up the other LBs and DEs to make a play.
• Bradie James and Sean Lee didn't do a good job of getting in the trenches and making the play inside. They were slow to react on a bunch of running plays
• Tyron Smith had a rough start against Brian Robison but he really got better as the game went on. Had trouble on the spin move but everything else was very good
• Phillip Tanner does a good job of running hard after contact. He bounces off tackles and fights for the extra yard. If he wants to make the team, he has to show that he can pick up those short yardage situations.

 

[realtick]

I thought the defense in general (1st & 2nd team units) did a poor job of tackling overall. McCann had a play where he should have stopped Harvin, but didn't wrap up and simply tried to shoulder bust him which didn't work. Wasn't impressed with Scandrick's effort tackling tonight.

- I really like watching Tanner run; he's got a great motor and forward lean.

- Lonyae Miller just isn't showing much as a runner. You can use the line as an excuse, but Tanner is running with pretty much the same crew.

- You could tell Murray had some rust, as he was tripping up on his own feet when stutter stepping.

- I'd like to see Sean Lee show up more. He was pretty invisible today. Yet, in other games he shows up and is active.

- Holley looked good as a receiver.

- Where's D. Harris? Weren't folks crowning him the #3 after preseason Week 1, lol?

- Nagy looked good for the most part.

- Choice just has that feel for a RB.

 

[Bluestang]

I am huge fan of Ratliff but for a guy that is supposed to draw double teams and beat them, he is not cutting it. Ratliff has a great motor but when he is doubled he is getting pushed/pancaked off of the LOS. I'm not sure about Brent, because he flashes but then he brain farts and doesn't play with good technique on other plays. After watching all the preseason games up to this point, Rat needs to be a DE. He will be alot more effective if he can beat just one guy, or if he can eat up a double team on the end the outside backers will make plays. We should have went after the NT from Cleveland when he played last year for Rob. (forgot his name)When I watched him vs NO because he was stout at the POA in the middle the other guys on the front had a chance to make plays.

The middlebackers played afraid and didn't close their lanes. I can see the rationale because if they commit and AP bounces it to the outside or busts through the other lanes it's to the house. AP makes teams look silly and causes alot of stress on backers and we saw that tonight. The guy is a flat out beast. You can't load up in the box because McNabb does have the skills to beat your corners. The Vikings were one play away from making it to the SB with a good QB, remember that ladies and gents.

Elam had a chance to break up or intercept the McNabb pass. He read it well and Sensabaugh played it like he should have. Sensi carries the reciever back to the inside so Elam can come underneath to make the play. Maybe Elam was a tad late seeing the route but he still recovered to try and make play. It's a game of inches.

The Bennett injury is unfortunate but I'm done with this guy. The new attitude and focus is too late IMO. And for all that is worth the guy drops passes in crucial times. Garrett called plays for him in those crucial moments and he has not proven trustworthy. Not sure if he can be traded but let him walk after this season. Phillips is a more consistent guy and blocks better believe it or not.

Love the youth movement on the O-line. There will be growing pains and lots of blitzes thrown at the line, but Romo will see it and signal the hot to the wideouts like he did on the Dez slant. Speaking of Dez, he just looks great. Coach Robinson has done an excellent job with him and he looks like he knows the playbook well. We don't know if that was due to Romo's offseason workouts, Coach Robinson's efforts with him, or both. Whatever the case our wideouts are going to be a nightmare to gameplan for.

And finally, penalties...yes I said penalties. How many did the starting offense commit? If that doesn't get your noodle going then god bless you.

 

[Tusan_Homichi]

Is it just me or is Romo throwing the ball a bit harder? Or maybe his release is a bit faster or the ball is coming out faster? I'm not sure, but something is different and I don't think it's because I'm on crack, although I am.

 

[perrykemp]

I for one am crossing my fingers Ratliff can turn it around --- he is the above average talent on the DL -- we need him to perform badly.

All off-season I've been worrying about the pass defense.. I'm starting to worry more about the run defense at this point...

 

[VACowboy]

I for one am crossing my fingers Ratliff can turn it around --- he is the above average talent on the DL -- we need him to perform badly.

A lot of people will tell you that Rat is an All Pro NT and any talk of him moving to DE is nonsense. I'm not one of them. A 3-4 defense needs an immovable rock in the middle of its front, and Ratliff isn't it.