Manwiththeplan
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 14,268
- Reaction score
- 7,763
This may get moved to the rant zone, so I apologize if this isn't the place, but despite the fact that we were not competitive today against the Patriots, I'm feeling good about where we currently stand. When Dez went down, I had the feeling that we could weather the storm if other players stepped up, but when Romo went down, it was all about staying alive until Romo comes back, and at this point, we have failed at that. However, I think with a few changes, we can win enough games before Romo comes back that we will not only make the playoffs, but win the division. What has me feeling this way, is the defense. Yes, it was only 1 half of good football, but they literally received no help from the offense. Assuming Randy Gregory plays in week 7, I think we have a real chance to make Eli play his worst game of the season. There was literally a night and day difference in the pass rush last week vs the Saints compared to this week vs the Patriots. Also, as I'm typing this, the Giants trail the 49ers 27-23, which means that if the Giants lose, we will be no worse than .5 games out of first place after next week. If they do win, it still puts us only 1.5 games behind them.
I really see a run for us over the next few weeks, but a few changes HAVE to be made, for starters, Weeden needs to sit, plain and simple. He inspires no confidence, has no pocket presence and shows no willingness to pressure a defense by throwing it down field, except when it's a do or die situation, like the last drive against the Saints. He's literally so bad, that you can not fairly evaluate any of the offensive skill players. I never thought TWilliams was a #1 receiver, but he's better than this. He has been completely invisible since Romo went down, and while I did not expect him to put up numbers comparable to last year, all he's had is a few garbage time catches. I'm not sure what Cassell will give us, but I don't think he'll get sacked every other third down and he'll keep opponents from stacking the box every down. I love Romo, but he isn't God, he isn't capable of making a bunch of nobodies look as good as they have in the past. Beasley isn't getting enough space to operate and Williams and Escobar aren't getting any looks.
Also, Christine Michael and Joseph Randle need to switch roles, like now. This team had an identity last year and it was physical play and as long as Randle is our RB, that will not be our identity. Randle is certainly worth using, he's quick and explosive, but he should be getting 5-10 carries a game and Christine Michael needs to be the starter. By the time we play the Giants, he should know the playbook enough to supplant Randle.
Finally, La'el Collins needs to be the starting LG. As good as Leary is, he's limited. Faster DTs will beat him occasionally and there are times when he will be over powered. And he's also no where close to being the reason we are struggling. If Romo were out there, some of the plays where he gets beat likely would have been plays where Romo eludes the rusher and makes a big play, however, I am confident that we have a better player sitting on the bench.
I think that if we start these 3 guys against the Giants, we at least will begin to resemble the team we were last year.
I really see a run for us over the next few weeks, but a few changes HAVE to be made, for starters, Weeden needs to sit, plain and simple. He inspires no confidence, has no pocket presence and shows no willingness to pressure a defense by throwing it down field, except when it's a do or die situation, like the last drive against the Saints. He's literally so bad, that you can not fairly evaluate any of the offensive skill players. I never thought TWilliams was a #1 receiver, but he's better than this. He has been completely invisible since Romo went down, and while I did not expect him to put up numbers comparable to last year, all he's had is a few garbage time catches. I'm not sure what Cassell will give us, but I don't think he'll get sacked every other third down and he'll keep opponents from stacking the box every down. I love Romo, but he isn't God, he isn't capable of making a bunch of nobodies look as good as they have in the past. Beasley isn't getting enough space to operate and Williams and Escobar aren't getting any looks.
Also, Christine Michael and Joseph Randle need to switch roles, like now. This team had an identity last year and it was physical play and as long as Randle is our RB, that will not be our identity. Randle is certainly worth using, he's quick and explosive, but he should be getting 5-10 carries a game and Christine Michael needs to be the starter. By the time we play the Giants, he should know the playbook enough to supplant Randle.
Finally, La'el Collins needs to be the starting LG. As good as Leary is, he's limited. Faster DTs will beat him occasionally and there are times when he will be over powered. And he's also no where close to being the reason we are struggling. If Romo were out there, some of the plays where he gets beat likely would have been plays where Romo eludes the rusher and makes a big play, however, I am confident that we have a better player sitting on the bench.
I think that if we start these 3 guys against the Giants, we at least will begin to resemble the team we were last year.
