Initial Game Review

[Nightman]

Hayden is about the only guy who doesn't jump a gap and attack.
In another words he makes zero plays but he also holds down his spot better than anyone else.

When he went out that area would get wiped. T. McClain has been really poor imho.
I like TyCraw and Mincey inside but they are not going to stand up in a hole.
McClain is not really that guy either.
Would love to have Vince Wilfork in there I think people seriously underrate the ugly but meaningful play of Hayden.

Would a guy like DDockett help this DL?

 

[Macnalty]

I think it is time to appreciate Tyron Smith and he should be mentioned in the same breathe as Larry Allen, we have a really good player in our left tackle position. Look at the run differences for the left and right. He is always getting undervalued as he was taken two ahead of JJ Watt who is also as good as it gets.

 

[xwalker]

Hey X, are you going to do a review of the offensive line? I thought their pass blocking was clearly exceptional, other wordly really, but I wasn't all too impressed with the run blocking (I won't get into another Randle debate FYI). Just wondered if you had a chance, or were planning on reviewing them as a unit? I would, but my reviews don't garner as much respect as yours.

Yes, that's my plan. I would like to take an in depth look at the run blocking to see what really happened.

My sense from the game was that the TEs and WRs had some fails in run blocking. This was a significant but overlooked part of the running success last year. o

 

[texbumthelife]

Yes, that's my plan. I would like to take an in depth look at the run blocking to see what really happened.

My sense from the game was that the TEs and WRs had some fails in run blocking. This was a significant but overlooked part of the running success last year. o

Agreed, I touched on that in my review of Randle. I also noticed, whether by design or not, there was far less blocking at the second level. I would have to go back and focus solely on that, but Freebeard for example, a guy who makes his money getting to that second level, really never got to that second level.

Asking Whitehead to crackback block a 230lb linebacker is a lost cause. Escobar needs to be split to the slot if that's what they want. I really think Sunday night was a very different approach to running the ball, as well as a different back.

I look forward to your thoughts.

 

[xwalker]

Agreed, I touched on that in my review of Randle. I also noticed, whether by design or not, there was far less blocking at the second level. I would have to go back and focus solely on that, but Freebeard for example, a guy who makes his money getting to that second level, really never got to that second level.

Asking Whitehead to crackback block a 230lb linebacker is a lost cause. Escobar needs to be split to the slot if that's what they want. I really think Sunday night was a very different approach to running the ball, as well as a different back.

I look forward to your thoughts.

If I didn't mention it, I enjoyed your review of Randle. I even posted a link to your review in another thread as evidence that Randle was decent.

 

[texbumthelife]

If I didn't mention it, I enjoyed your review of Randle. I even posted a link to your review in another thread as evidence that Randle was decent.

Good looking out and thanks! I was going to post clips and images with it, but decided to hold off. I will probably do that next week.

 

[CCBoy]

Good looking out and thanks! I was going to post clips and images with it, but decided to hold off. I will probably do that next week.

As X shows...some of us actually enjoy a football discussion that also has merit.

 

[texbumthelife]

As X shows...some of us actually enjoy a football discussion that also has merit.

Appreciate it. I have a lot more free time on my hands this semester, so I have the opportunity to go back in depth and look at things thanks to NFL.com's coaches tape. It really changes the way you see the game. I am already excited to go back and pick apart our win over the Eagles next week .

 

[BIGDen]

This is my initial reaction. I’ll review the game in more detail later on the All-22, but for now here are my thoughts:

1. I see the comments here at CZ and I think some people were watching a different game that the one I was watching.

2. Collinsworth (Turkey Neck) did his best to make an exciting game into a boring one. He was constantly harping on things that were a side note and missing the big picture.

3. The biggest disappointment for me was Dez. He was dehydrated before the half. Garrett pulled him on 1 play because he was trying to get into a fight and he just couldn’t shut up. All of this after missing most of the preseason on an injury that occurred because he was showboating (dunking over the crossbar in practice). The injury was the final insult.


4 The RBs contributed over 200 yards. Randle had a 4.1 ypc which is better than some of Murray’s games last year.

5. They had 356 yards passing for 2nd in the league and Dez only had 48 of those yards.

6. If the RBs had over 200 yards of total offense and the Cowboys were 2nd in passing with Dez making a minimal contribution, then I’m not sure how people can claim that either the RBs or the WRs totally sucked.

7. I actually thought the Cowboys were fairly clean and crisp for the most part. The turnovers and the penalty by Mincey were the only things that could be called sloppy, IMO.

8. Turnovers. The Street turnover was a perfect play by the defender. The Witten turnover was a really lucky play to have landed perfectly in the hands of the defender.. Beasley should have protected the ball better, especially once he was past the 1st down marker and had defenders on both sides. I don’t know if there are many coaching points on these other than for Beasley to get 2 hands on the ball in that situation.

9. I think T. Williams really only had 1 drop. On the other plays the defender got his hands on the ball to knock it away. The play in the end-zone was tipped at the line.

10 The pass blocking was terrific. The run blocking was physically good by most of the individual blockers but it was a little out of sync overall. One run was killed by a missed block by Lucky. I’m not certain why he was in that situation in the 1st place. I saw Leary crush some defenders to the point I was having flashbacks to LA.

10. The defense was really good. Without the Cowboys turnovers, the Giants would have struggled to score much of anything.

11. Losing Gregory sucks. He looked really good. Finding a pass rush, especially at the end of games is going to be difficult for the next 3 games with Hardy out. They’re going to wear out Mincey and Lawrence.. It was odd to only have 7 DL active.

13 The LBs looked good. Even Wilber made some critical plays.

14. Jones is apparently the TE coverage specialist which is a good idea considering how pass catching TEs have emerged in the modern NFL.

15. I can’t remember Claiborne giving up much of anything. I didn’t really focus on him, but I just didn’t notice it.

16. Patmon looked like Scandrick.

17. I think the hit on Bechham by Wilcox early had an effect on how Beckham played.

18. Special Teams looked good. So much for all the crying in the preseason. Keith Smith and Corey White were 2 that stood out to me.

19. Dunbar had a huge contribution to the win despite the dozens of posts calling for him to be cut this preseason.

20. To a lesser extent than Dunbar, Escobar also played well despite the hate that he gets from “fans”.

21. Romo is The Man. A few of his passes were slightly off but he came through when it mattered.

That was great. Nice job. I agree with every point you made.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

The concept that fans can't question players or coaches is the dumbest concept in history.

The general public votes on Presidents but the majority would not be qualified to do the job themselves.

Players and coaches have weaknesses. For most "fan" opinions, I could find an expert that would agree with that opinion. The ex players and coaches in the media disapprove of actions by great players and coaches every week.

The general public is a menace, full of idiots and clowns, who pefrom mental gymnastics and rationalize away every event, in order to protect their own individual self identity, ego, position, power, and self survival. They regurgitate every line without any thought. Then defend their position by any means necassary.....

The concept of voting for President and telling Michael Jordan how to play basketball is a little different.,...

Look, I do it. I do it all the time. I hate the offensive game plan. The plan to replace the departed Murray. I hate every part of it and I think they are wrong.....

But really. It wasnt even a questoin. It was a statement. Stop doing this Jason! really.......we really want Jason Witten to stop being aggressive in trying to make a play?

And what if he doesnt? What happens then?

 

[BIGDen]

On that Witten interception, I kept thinking back a cpl years ago, to the pass behind him that bounced up off his foot into a defenders hands... I think that was against the Giants too.

It was definitely against the vagiants and I too thought of that play. Over the years it seems like almost every crazy bounce goes their way when we play them. Also, if there's a reviewable play, it will break our hearts almost every time against them. Whether it be Dez's finger OOB on a game-winning catch, or a knee touching just before they fumble, or the ball hitting Witten's foot and not the ground before being picked. Ugh. I'm so glad it ended the way it did. I REALLY (especially living in NJ) did not want to lose that game. Their fans' tears have been absolutely delicious the past 2 days.

 

[CCBoy]

The general public is a menace, full of idiots and clowns, who pefrom mental gymnastics and rationalize away every event, in order to protect their own individual self identity, ego, position, power, and self survival. They regurgitate every line without any thought. Then defend their position by any means necassary.....

The concept of voting for President and telling Michael Jordan how to play basketball is a little different.,...

Look, I do it. I do it all the time. I hate the offensive game plan. The plan to replace the departed Murray. I hate every part of it and I think they are wrong.....

But really. It wasnt even a questoin. It was a statement. Stop doing this Jason! really.......we really want Jason Witten to stop being aggressive in trying to make a play?

And what if he doesnt? What happens then?

Alrightie then, the bulldong stuff aside...now, what did you have to eat for Sunday Night's game?

 

[texbumthelife]

It was definitely against the vagiants and I too thought of that play. Over the years it seems like almost every crazy bounce goes their way when we play them. Also, if there's a reviewable play, it will break our hearts almost every time against them. Whether it be Dez's finger OOB on a game-winning catch, or a knee touching just before they fumble, or the ball hitting Witten's foot and not the ground before being picked. Ugh. I'm so glad it ended the way it did. I REALLY (especially living in NJ) did not want to lose that game. Their fans' tears have been absolutely delicious the past 2 days.

I think some of that has to do with the level of aggression and violence that play us with. It's also the reason we pull off so many big plays against them. Gotta take the good with the bad.

The Giants are a prime example of what happens when you play a risk taking style of defense and don't have the talent. The risks begin to outweigh the reward, eventually.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

Alrightie then, the bulldong stuff aside...now, what did you have to eat for Sunday Night's game?

KFC. some wings..... some homemade sweet ice tea...

couldnt enjoy any of it, because I saw Romo trying to make freaking tackles out there on more then one occasion!

If Jason Witten just plays fundamental sound football , maybe I couldve enjoyed my dinner!

 

[CCBoy]

KFC. some wings..... some homemade sweet ice tea...

couldnt enjoy any of it, because I saw Romo trying to make freaking tackles out there on more then one occasion!

If Jason Witten just plays fundamental sound football , maybe I couldve enjoyed my dinner!

Triple meat and cheese Whataburgers, onion rings, and a large chocolate malt...followed by french onion chips and bean dip.

After the first half muggins in the turn-overs, I settled down to watch Romo in the second half. But was blank faced until Romo just willed the game around with very solid offensive support by his team mates. The offensive line was clutch when all was on the line.

 

[xwalker]

The general public is a menace, full of idiots and clowns, who pefrom mental gymnastics and rationalize away every event, in order to protect their own individual self identity, ego, position, power, and self survival. They regurgitate every line without any thought. Then defend their position by any means necassary.....

The concept of voting for President and telling Michael Jordan how to play basketball is a little different.,...

Look, I do it. I do it all the time. I hate the offensive game plan. The plan to replace the departed Murray. I hate every part of it and I think they are wrong.....

But really. It wasnt even a questoin. It was a statement. Stop doing this Jason! really.......we really want Jason Witten to stop being aggressive in trying to make a play?

And what if he doesnt? What happens then?

It seems that you don't get the point of a fan message board.

Someone is basically pointing out to other fans that they don't like that move that Witten makes. If you want to dispute it then do some research to see if it has been a good move or bad move most often in the past.

When you post that someone has no business telling Witten what to do, that just a weak response when you don't have a legit reply.

He was not telling Witten what to do. He was telling a group of fans his opinion. There are a couple of Cowboys message board guys that actually try to contact the team to tell them what they're doing wrong, but I don't think that applies in this situation.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

It seems that you don't get the point of a fan message board.

Someone is basically pointing out to other fans that they don't like that move that Witten makes. If you want to dispute it then do some research to see if it has been a good move or bad move most often in the past.

When you post that someone has no business telling Witten what to do, that just a weak response when you don't have a legit reply.

He was not telling Witten what to do. He was telling a group of fans his opinion. There are a couple of Cowboys message board guys that actually try to contact the team to tell them what they're doing wrong, but I don't think that applies in this situation.

So now you are instructing another member on this board on how to dispute, argue, form an opinion, and respond to other posts made by other members? And you are determining what is weak and what is not?

Have I entered some weird cult, where if I dont reply and act and beleive the same things as the other cult members I will be ousted? Sort of like Stepford Wives or something??

 

[CCBoy]

So now you are instructing another member on this board on how to dispute, argue, form an opinion, and respond to other posts made by other members? And you are determining what is weak and what is not?

Have I entered some weird cult, where if I dont reply and act and beleive the same things as the other cult members I will be ousted? Sort of like Stepford Wives or something??

Don't be looking for a great meal from wild strawberries if on survival training...other wise, be realistic when scavaging. Dandelion leaves are always more numerous and filling if in need. One just needs a little salt to make it more palatable.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

Don't be looking for a great meal from wild strawberries if on survival training...other wise, be realistic when scavaging. Dandelion leaves are always more numerous and filling if in need. One just needs a little salt to make it more palatable.

I think u may be more out-there then I am. And , Im out there!

time to go home.

 

[CCBoy]

I think u may be more out-there then I am. And , Im out there!

time to go home.

Not at all, that is exactly what a first year Cadet learns when on Survival Training while attending the US Air Force Academy.