Healthy Dez and Miles

[Galian Beast]

I can't express how excited I am about this combination. With them going up against the WORST pass defense in the NFL; it's like putting in cheat codes in a video game...

If Robinson is good to go again next week, I'd like to see a lot of spread offense. I really wish Fiammetta can get into this game this week. He could be the last piece of the puzzle for us.

If the offensive line can play like they did against a much better front 4 in detroit... I'm salivating at the thought of what this offense can do healthy. Felix Jones healthy again too?!

I realize everyone is afraid of the Patriots offense, but we actually match up really well against them.

Who do you think is easier to shut down? Calvin Johnson or Wes Welker? I'm gonna tell you right now that it is Calvin Johnson. And we managed to shut him down til Sensabaugh got hurt. You shut down Welker, then you force Brady to use everybody else. Then it becomes up to Sensabaugh and Lee to do their work against Gronkowski and Hernandez, and I have a lot of confidence in them.

Two weeks to prepare and you don't think Sean Lee is going to have a great game? Sensabaugh has shut down just about every tight end that we've played against.

Jenkins on Deon Branch? I like that match up. Our secondary definitely matches up against them. Orlando Scandrick's return is absolutely key. I could even see Ball against Aaron Hernandez.

Rex Ryan just lost to the Pats, you think Rob isn't going to get vengeance? You don't think Rex isn't going to be helping Rob this week?

With the exception of Revis, we have a better defense than the Jets. I think that has become quite clear in the last few weeks. And we certainly have a better offense than they do. We might have the best offense in the NFL if we can run the ball more consistently, which you have to believe going on we will.

Things that are in our favor

- Felix Jones is getting healthier as we speak.
- DeMarco Murray is getting more experience.
- Offensive line is gelling.
- Patriots are ranked 21st in the nfl in yards per rushing attempt.
- The return of Dez and Miles should put a stop to 8-9 men in the box.
- As Fiammetta gets healthy, he may become a cog in our run blocking.

I realize that a lot of you don't have faith in this team. I'm saddened to see that, but I don't think I've ever been more excited about our team's ability to not only beat an opponent, but make a run (if we can stay healthy).

5 weeks into this season, and we have the 4th ranked defense (yards). Who saw that coming? We thought we would be good, but we thought it would take a while. Orlando Scandrick coming back should make our secondary much better, just as Newman returning did.

We have the 6th ranked offense (yards). Without a healthy #1 or #2 receiver, and a #1 running back, and our QB has been injured since Game 2... Still ranked 6th...

Do we have problems running the ball, perhaps, but have faith again that we will get better there, and hope that Fiammetta is a go this week.

 

[EPL0c0]

I think I'm most excited to see how they'll use Robinson in the slot and how that will effect coverage on Witten and/or the pressure teams bring against Romo.

 

[JackOfNoTrades]

couldn't have said it better myself - we do have a lot to be excited about. And Romo will have 2 weeks worth of rest and recovery.

Really my only concern is our coaching. Don't get me wrong, I like Red but think his inexperience hurts us at times. And as you mention how well we stack up at critical positions on the field, the coaching area we don't.

 

[Flinger]

Very good post, sir. My first thought was to be careful about statements such as going up against the worst pass defense in the NFL. But, then you backed up your assertion with plausible options.

Question - how much value to you place on the Belichick vs Garrett battle?

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I'm excited and have some confidence about our offense against that Defense.

I do feel that our Defense will have the chance to make some plays that could be the difference but I'm also going in accepting the fact that Brady and Welker are going to make their plays. They're just not going to be totally shut down.

 

[Dallas]

I would prefer to put Dez and Robinson on the outside and let Miles work the slot.

He is UNSTOPPABLE from the slot. Oh-my-goodness Miles Awesome!!

 

[Galian Beast]

Very good post, sir. My first thought was to be careful about statements such as going up against the worst pass defense in the NFL. But, then you backed up your assertion with plausible options.

Question - how much value to you place on the Belichick vs Garrett battle?

I think it's a bit overestimated. Situations will come up in the game, that people will look back on and question who was right or not. If we lose, we were wrong, if we win we were right... Pretty much the cut of it.

I think Rob Ryan brings in a huge dynamic that is overlooked by many on the outside. He beat Tom Brady last year with junk on defense. We're better at every facet and it shows in the stats.

Rex Ryan for the most part showed us what to do. He shut down Wes Welker save for one huge pass. If not for a few questionable calls, I think the Jets beat the Patriots. On top of that, the Cowboys offense is a different tier than the Jets.

 

[Eskimo]

I would prefer to put Dez and Robinson on the outside and let Miles work the slot.

He is UNSTOPPABLE from the slot. Oh-my-goodness Miles Awesome!!

I think Miles struggled in the slot due to "slow hands" - lots of tipped balls on those short passes. For this reason, I think it is better to have Miles outside.

I think Robinson would benefit most in the slot as it will be tougher for CBs to be physical with him when he can release in either direction. He also appears to have the quick hands needed to play in the slot.

Dez can play anywhere but it is better to keep the mental demands of playing multiple positions down for him.

 

[Dallas]

I think Miles struggled in the slot due to "slow hands" - lots of tipped balls on those short passes. For this reason, I think it is better to have Miles outside.

I think Robinson would benefit most in the slot as it will be tougher for CBs to be physical with him when he can release in either direction. He also appears to have the quick hands needed to play in the slot.

Dez can play anywhere but it is better to keep the mental demands of playing multiple positions down for him.

This is funny how people can see 2 completely different things. That's football.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

I would prefer to put Dez and Robinson on the outside and let Miles work the slot.

He is UNSTOPPABLE from the slot. Oh-my-goodness Miles Awesome!!

Yeah this is what I was thinking, I figure Miles will be in the slot, and Robinson will be on the outside like Olgetree was before he got demoted. It will be nice to see this offense really healthy and together, and will make it hard on any D to defend them.

I do believe that Romo has had to force some passes into places that he didn't want to earlier in the season cause he lacked all our weapons. Well now that shouldn't be as much of a problem, and all we have to worry about on offense is protecting Romo.

 

[Galian Beast]

I think I'm most excited to see how they'll use Robinson in the slot and how that will effect coverage on Witten and/or the pressure teams bring against Romo.

I think Austin will be in the slot to be honest.

Robinson played really well as Z receiver. And I think Dez will remain the X, and Austin will come in and play the Y.

This really pressures a piss poor defense. I think you have to respect Robinson, or get beat by him all day like what happened against Detroit (save for the interception).

I think Austin who has played well in the slot, creates a challenge that honestly the Patriots can't match. Not even sure who would cover him or Dez, let alone what they can do if Austin is in the slot.

First of all you have to match them all up with corners... so you have to go nickel. This means you are left with two linebackers and two safeties. You still have to account for Dez and Miles deep... and you still have to account for Jason Witten who now is almost certainly in single coverage (or Dez or Miles is) and the second linebacker has to account for Felix Jones... 1 on 1.... with essentially no help because the safeties are playing deep or is on Witten.

Question? What happened to the blitz?

Three receiver sets with Jason Witten as the extra skill player... you really can't blitz. If you don't get there, you have three dynamic players who will absolutely punish you.

So the Patriots deal this week is to not get beat in one on one situations... too bad they are the worst defense in the nfl, too bad we have some of the best skill position players in the nfl.

Question Two.

How effective are you going to be in stopping the running game playing out of the nickel all day?

I know people don't like it, but I expect A LOT of shutgun formations and A LOT of play action pass.

Felix is going to have a great game either through the air or on the ground. If you have him in your fantasy league, please start him.

 

[Galian Beast]

Yeah this is what I was thinking, I figure Miles will be in the slot, and Robinson will be on the outside like Olgetree was before he got demoted. It will be nice to see this offense really healthy and together, and will make it hard on any D to defend them.

I do believe that Romo has had to force some passes into places that he didn't want to earlier in the season cause he lacked all our weapons. Well now that shouldn't be as much of a problem, and all we have to worry about on offense is protecting Romo.

They were calling the Lions the best front 4 in the nfl, and the line did a great job against them. The Patriots are far from that. In 5 games they have 8 sacks. Might not be the most telling stat, but from the games I've seen them in, they aren't getting there.

 

[Boston Cowboy]

While I like your enthusiasm, if you haven't watched the Patriots offense at work, then your assessment is really off base.

I am going to assume you meant that Calvin Johnson is harder to cover than Welker, given that the rest of your comment alludes to that assumption. I'd disagree. They are both dangerous, and CJ is one of the best in the game, but Welker gives you a little more versatility than CJ. There's a reason why he now holds the record for the most receiving yards through the first 5 weeks of a season, and it's not because the rest of the receiving corps was blanketed.

If Red/Rob should agree with you and decide that Ball should cover Hernandez, then game over. The NE tight ends are beasts. They are as athletic as WRs and can block like TEs...you know, what we wish Bennett would become. This offense can hurt you from any position. While their running game hasn't been explosive (and when, over the last decade, has it ever been), BJGE and the rookie Riddley are very good. BJGE carved up the vaunted Jets run D for over 130 yards.

This is a dangerous offense.

What gets me excited is that Rob was able to beat the Pats when he was in Cleveland, so he knows what works and what doesn't (as well as being able to watch the tape from yesterday). He has, without a doubt, a much deeper and talented group than he did in Cleveland and, as you say, the corners are getting healthy.

At the same time, Bill B knows what worked yesterday and can study the tape from last year/the earlier games this year to see what confused the Pats last year and make the adjustments. It's going to be a hell of a chess match.

The key will be keeping Brady et al off the field as much as possible. If we utilize Miles/Dez/Laurent/Witten in the passing game and force NE to help in coverage, then the running game should prove vital and dangerous and take those precious seconds off the clock. Our offense is just as dangerous but, at key times, has made some costly mental mistakes. At least Red has better clock management skills than the fat guy in Philly.

I like the Boy's chances this weekend. Hopefully, I will be at the game cheering them on to victory.

 

[Doomsday]

I think I'm most excited to see how they'll use Robinson in the slot and how that will effect coverage on Witten and/or the pressure teams bring against Romo.

I have a feeling we will see Robinson on the outside and Miles in the slot. That would be a match up nightmare for teams as Miles is very good in the slot and Robinson looked very comfortable on the outside.

 

[Hostile]

Miles returned to practice today.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

They were calling the Lions the best front 4 in the nfl, and the line did a great job against them. The Patriots are far from that. In 5 games they have 8 sacks. Might not be the most telling stat, but from the games I've seen them in, they aren't getting there.

Well I agree with a healthy offense, we will have an advantage that we really haven't had all season. What it comes down to is what we can do with Brady, can we tackle Welker after those short passes, can we blanket him and their otherwise average receiving corp at all times.

You better believe with both of their TEs healthy, they will get James 1 on 1 with one of them more than once in this game (not good for us). Brady has only been sacked 8 times this year, despite having the second most pass attempts in the league. We have to get to him, and that won't be as easy as it sounds just cause we have had success all season in getting pressure.

I believe we can win, but we won't just walk in there and be able to do whatever we want. It will be a fight, and turnovers will probably be the key.

 

[brickman]

I am very excited. We are on the right road. It might be a little bumpy but we are definitely going in the right direction.

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

Brady standing in the backfield without alot of pressure is a scary proposition. The Cowboys MUST get after Brady or we lose the shoot out.

 

[DandyDon1722]

They way it shapes up seems to be they will have impossible match up problems with our skill positions and we will have impossible match up problems with their skill positions, especially their tight ends who get down the field.

So, the only logical conclusion is it will come down to three things: Defensive scheme, turnovers and the kicking game.

God strike me dead but I like our chances.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

[youtube]oHLvbWkmbRQ[/youtube]
[youtube]gyQ7u9o2F28[/youtube]

Our offense is back. The superbowl run starts here.​