Mid-season Thoughts

[Gadfly22]

1. It's just a shame that Escobar and Street -- two large, physically imposing men -- can just disappear off the face of the Earth. While I'm not a conspiracy theorist, I don't know if we can rule out alien abduction.

2. David Irving. Figured to be more bottom-of-the-roster churning. Maybe not.

3. Not a single carry for Christine Michael. I thought the mid-week stories about being yelled at and in the doghouse were overblown, but maybe not.

4. I'm sure I saw Rod Smith -- the fairly new 6'3" 226 lb RB -- flanked out at receiver a couple times. What's up with that?

5. Cassel's pick-6 was terrible, but he seemed slightly inaccurate in general in the 2nd half. Beasley had to make an awkward catch, and several more throws were just a bit off. Tired arm?

6. I've gone over the NFL Rulebook carefully, and I can't find the provision that prohibits the Cowboys from running play action on 1st down. You know, the down where the defense really stacks up at the LOS. Must be in an amendment somewhere. And the empty backfield -- hate it.

7. Given the consistent 4th quarter fades by the defense, is it time to re-consider the team's overall conditioning? Or is it just a matter of inadequate depth and keeping starters on the field too long?

 

[CATCH17]

Awesome post.

Needs a little more hate and venom but I enjoyed the sarcasm.


#6.. lol...

 

[Vanilla2]

The defense is playing over their heads to try and compensate for the lack of offensive fire power. IMO.

And that's why they run out of gas.

I think we will see this team give their all next Sunday and hopefully it's enough to win this time around.

 

[DallasCowboys2080]

its always something to keep Jason Carrot from being held accountable (Ultimately GM Jerry but yeh he is way more untouchable) for a disgrace of a team. But we are so close in games! Romo is out! Excuses excuses. There is no reason for this team to loose 6 STRAIGHT. Ridiculous. Thats the sad thing is Jason Carrot always has something covering his *** everytime we have a ****** season. Always something. Who gives a **** if you give great speeches. Can you win a game without Tony Romo in 2015? Thats what I care about. Not about your speech giving and clapping ways. I have no idea why Jerry is so enamored with this mediocre run of the mill HC. Hypnotized I guess. Geezus man will this ever end? You can't put your team in a position to win without Tony Romo? Really? And you are a professional HC? COME ON!!!!!

 

[Everson24]

6. I've gone over the NFL Rulebook carefully, and I can't find the provision that prohibits the Cowboys from running play action on 1st down. You know, the down where the defense really stacks up at the LOS. Must be in an amendment somewhere. And the empty backfield -- hate it.

7. Given the consistent 4th quarter fades by the defense, is it time to re-consider the team's overall conditioning? Or is it just a matter of inadequate depth and keeping starters on the field too long?

I really agree with both of these. Why does Garrett hate play action so much? We had an 1800 yard rusher last season and we ran the ball into 8 and 9 man fronts on first down 83% of the time. When we did pass it was rarely off play action. It drives me crazy because I watch other good running teams like the Steelers use it to get their WRs wide open.

This seems to be the worst conditioned team I can remember. It is noticable in the first halves of games. Absolutely pathetic. Jimmy Johnson used to say "fatigue makes cowards of us all". Where is the tough hard nosed coach we saw right after Wade was fired? Jason Garrett is far too soft with this team.

 

[RS12]

Nice post.

 

[JohnsKey19]

8. Hayden is still peeling himself off the AT&T turf. But not to worry, he still managed to grade out at a B for the night.

 

[ghosttown cowboy]

Doesn't the CBA mandate that the players are to be babied during training camp and during the season, thus restricting their ability to get in and or stay in shape...the stat last night of our 4th quarter ineptness on defense was startling...

 

[cowboyschmps3]

Rod Smith lined up at fullback on that toss to McFadden on 3 and 1. Fake to him the to DmC.

 

[perrykemp]

6. I've gone over the NFL Rulebook carefully, and I can't find the provision that prohibits the Cowboys from running play action on 1st down.

You've made this reader crack a smile.

 

[texbumthelife]

1. It's just a shame that Escobar and Street -- two large, physically imposing men -- can just disappear off the face of the Earth. While I'm not a conspiracy theorist, I don't know if we can rule out alien abduction.

I put this squarely on the playcalling.

2. David Irving. Figured to be more bottom-of-the-roster churning. Maybe not.

I like this kid. He is a disaster inside against the run, but he has pass rush ability from inside and out. He should be looking at a short contract.

3. Not a single carry for Christine Michael. I thought the mid-week stories about being yelled at and in the doghouse were overblown, but maybe not.

When Garrett AND Linehan are having words with you, you're done.

4. I'm sure I saw Rod Smith -- the fairly new 6'3" 226 lb RB -- flanked out at receiver a couple times. What's up with that?

I thought I noticed that too. They seem to be using him as more of an H-back

5. Cassel's pick-6 was terrible, but he seemed slightly inaccurate in general in the 2nd half. Beasley had to make an awkward catch, and several more throws were just a bit off. Tired arm?

This is not an excuse, but Cassel got hit quite a bit yesterday, even outside of the 5 sacks. He definitely got a little rattled. That pick-6 was awful though.

6. I've gone over the NFL Rulebook carefully, and I can't find the provision that prohibits the Cowboys from running play action on 1st down. You know, the down where the defense really stacks up at the LOS. Must be in an amendment somewhere. And the empty backfield -- hate it.[\quote]

Could you also show me the one where it says they have to stay dedicated to this 12 and 22 formation, even though we are atrocious in it?

7. Given the consistent 4th quarter fades by the defense, is it time to re-consider the team's overall conditioning? Or is it just a matter of inadequate depth and keeping starters on the field too long?

I am confused because we are supposed to be doing this "rush men in waves" thing, but those waves usually last a couple series each. Doesn't make since to me.

 

[PAINFROMUKRAINE]

Doesn't the CBA mandate that the players are to be babied during training camp and during the season, thus restricting their ability to get in and or stay in shape...the stat last night of our 4th quarter ineptness on defense was startling...

Training Camp must have been called Camp Carrot Cake since Cupcake was under Wade's Reign. The CBA only mandates practices with pads so conditioning training should not be an issue. Bring back the Laundry Mile. I would make everybody run the Laundry Mile everyday during training camp. They are suppose to be top conditioned athletes not "out-of-breath" NFL players after a hurry up offense by Philly. To be winded in the 2nd Quarter really shows how much this team was ill prepared for Philly. Rod and Jason should have been embarrassed. I would have made them run laps around the stadium or wind sprints after the game. I guarantee you that they would get in better shape or suck it up and play hard no matter how tired they are in the future. Maybe Jerry will be "too tired" to sign their paychecks this week.