Impact of no Dez

[plymkr]

It's going to be hard to win a SB without Dez. You can't judge things on the Giants game because the Giants aren't that good.

I agree with your overall statement but I want to add a little to it. I agree that the giants are not a good team and we shouldn't judge our future off of beating them. But, and this is a big but, the Giants game is very encouraging for 2 reasons. One: we played most of the game without Dez, either he was dehydrated and/or his foot was broken. And considering we had 3 turnovers for 17 points is the only reason that game was close. No turnovers for us and they're not even in the game. But we did turn the ball over and we needed two touchdowns in crunch time and it was obvious we were passing. Our offense walked down the field and scored without the 2nd best receiver in the league. That's encouraging

Two: Another encouraging thing is ODB got a first down within the 5 yard line with 2 minutes left in the fourth quarter. For all intents and purposes that game was over. I re-watched it yesterday (the 2nd half anyway) and when ODB got that first down after we got gashed for a huge run it did not look good. Seriously man, that game should have been over. It's very encouraging to me that our team fought to the very end and won that thing, offense and defense. Our players do not give up. Our coaches do not give up. The dallas cowboys were defeated on sunday night but our team, as Irvin stated, reached into the jaws of defeat and pulled out a victory. Our team will not give up because we lost Dez. This team finds ways to win. I'm confident that if Dez comes back in december fully healed we will make a playoff/super bowl run.

So yes, even though we beat the giants who suck, we can be encouraged at the heart of our team from top to bottom. The coaches will get Escobar and one of the raw receivers involved in the offense and when Dez comes back we'll have even more weapons in our arsenal.

 

[xwalker]

I'm starting to come to the belief that Dez will miss the balance of the season. Without a true number 1 and so-so results of the running game, how will this season go?

Linehan will really earn his money this year. Packers lose Nelson and Pats have no true number 1 WR, yet the win and compile points. Will the same happen here? It may, though it will take some games to adjust.

Thoughts?

The other receivers were going to get single coverage with or without Dez. Most CBs play a side so the top CB generally won't be following Williams.

The extra defender that was used to double Dez will now be in the box which will make running more difficult.

It appears that the package with Dunbar, Beasley, Witten, Williams and either Escobar or another WR is going to be difficult to cover. The extreme quickness of both Beasley and Dunbar together as receivers will put a strain on some defenses.

If they keep LBs in the game then there will be mismatches. If they have multiple small slot CBs to cover both Beasley and Dunbar, the Cowboys will start running from that personnel group. A 4 CB defense will get mauled by the Cowboys blockers.

 

[Junglist]

Yes, it would hurt, but this is still a dangerous offense.

And the defense is significantly improved with its pass rush.

The season doesn't hinge on Dez, though it'd be awfully nice to have him. The season does hinge on Romo staying upright, however.

Well F'ing said! I agree whole heartedly.

 

[xwalker]

Can't argue with this. WR is one of, if not the, thinnest position groups on the team. I mean, Devin Street is a starter now. I think we're going to see a lot more short stuff to the RBs and TEs, out of necessity. Whether that will be enough, who knows. The downside of that is what we saw in the first two drives on Sunday: when it takes you many many plays to drive downfield, the odds of the drive-killing error go way up.

Escobar will get more snaps. He has terrific hands and underrated athleticism.

We could see Dunbar in with another RB on the field if they need more from a 3rd receiver.

 

[DFWJC]

The defense will have help a lot.

The offense will still score in the top 10, but not as much as they would've,most likely.

 

[DallasCowboys2080]

a reporter in Philly (Phil Seridan) said that the eagles will have to change what they do defensively because they are not sure what the Cowboys offense is going to look like with Dez out. How will Cole Beasley and T.WILL be used without Dez there? The Eagles do not know that. Coaches don't like uncertainty and Chip Kelly especially does not like uncertainty

 

[Wolfpack]

If I am the Eagles, I really only fear Romo carving me up. That means I'll bring pressure to see if I can get to him and keep him off balance. If anything I'd double Witten and bring heat to at least get ball out quick.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

We will see more empty backfield.

 

[DallasCowboys2080]

If I am the Eagles, I really only fear Romo carving me up. That means I'll bring pressure to see if I can get to him and keep him off balance. If anything I'd double Witten and bring heat to at least get ball out quick.

can you double witten and bring heat and not leave someone open for a quick dink or dunk?

 

[Wolfpack]

can you double witten and bring heat and not leave someone open for a quick dink or dunk?

Yes but it's a press cover 0 at that point. It's a risk for long gain if someone misses a tackle but no one should be wide open.

 

[JD_KaPow]

Yes but it's a press cover 0 at that point. It's a risk for long gain if someone misses a tackle but no one should be wide open.

I agree that Philly will blitz us and make us prove we can beat it. Teams have done that very effectively in the past. If we can beat it, it will stop. If we can't, it will be a long painful night for Tony.

 

[DallasCowboys2080]

i remember there were a few games last season where teams blitzed effectively to throw Romo off (washington for example) and we adjusted in later games during the season. but we had dez and murray. wonder what linehan will do now.

 

[cowboys1981]

My guess is he's back in 8 weeks on SNF vs Philly.

Until then, make every receiver, TE and RB a target in the pass game. Give opponents more than one target to plan for in preparations.

 

[Wolfpack]

i remember there were a few games last season where teams blitzed effectively to throw Romo off (washington for example) and we adjusted in later games during the season. but we had dez and murray. wonder what linehan will do now.

Running the ball and play action slows that down or the screen game / pitch / wheel outs to Dunbar should work.

I just hope they don't ask Romo to do it all from shotgun all day by making hot reads.

 

[TrailBlazer]

Wide receivers don't win games. QB'S do. And we got a good one. Everybody wanted Beasley and Dunbar and escobar to get some chances well here ya go. It's time.

 

[Venger]

This is where the line is going to pay off - big time. Romo gets time to throw, it doesn't matter if you and I are running patterns - one of us will end up in a gap where Romo can stand up from his recliner in the pocket and toss us the ball. With time to throw, most QBs can beat you with pedestrian WRs. You won't have Dez's ability to make a play on a tough ball, say go high in good coverage to get a toss, but with time, and options both at WR, TE, and RB it appears now, Romo will just pick you apart. Again, thanks to pass protection...