My Concerns

[VThokie7]

I disagree with the sentiment that we needed six turnovers to be in this game. Each turnover impacted the way the game turned out, forcing the Giants to be playing from behind all game . The turnover ratio could have been roughly equal and the margin of victory remained the same. Every time the Giants came within one score, our defense stopped them. If we didn't benefit from those turnovers who's to say that trend would not have continued.

Two of those turnovers were returned for a touchdown and one got us a field goal. So had we not benefitted from turnover whether they scored or not there is 17 off the board. We won by 5.

We can't keep up that kind of turnover pace. It's quite concerning the pass defense was ripped to shreds in the second half.

 

[Risen Star]

I need to see more than one game before I can make definitive statements on what this team is.

If they light up the chiefs next week, then what?

Right. I need to see more before I say they are no better than last year.

 

[windward]

Two of those turnovers were returned for a touchdown and one got us a field goal. So had we not benefitted from turnover whether they scored or not there is 17 off the board. We won by 5.

We can't keep up that kind of turnover pace. It's quite concerning the pass defense was ripped to shreds in the second half.

And I could turn around and say that two of their touchdowns were a direct result of us playing prevent in the fourth.

 

[CyberB0b]

That's why I believe Dunbar is a better fit for this offense. His speed and quick cut would've broken some if the runs open. I really believe that DM is not a good back for this offense. JMO.

You don't need speed in this offense as a running back. Alfred Morris is slow.

 

[Staubacher]

I continue speaking about the running game and some apparently believe I think we need to run more. That is not the case. So allow me to outline what is and why I am concerned.

Before the game you were concerned about the Giants running game. LOL

 

[visionary]

i think those are valid issues, however, there were also several positives last night like physical play, swarming to the ball, play of tyron and fred

need a larger sample before we can see what this team will be this year

the next 3 games are all against teams that are decent but that i think we should beat
how we play against them will tell us a lot about where we are

there are also potential upgrades waiting in the wings in waters on OL and spencer and Rat on DL

let see how this goes

 

[Rockport]

Although I agree you can't abandon the run...I feel even more strongly that you can't abandon the vertical threat. I'm not sure what is the root of it:

• Callahan's approach
• Romo's concern for his health / bad back
• Concern by the coaches or by Romo himself that he plays too much like a gunslinger

But I see a 2013 Cowboy offense that is coming out of the gate in overly conservative fashion. That's not today's NFL. Look around the league and the top offenses are going... DOWN. THE. FIELD.

(I do wonder if past games with New York's pass rush had the team overly spooked)

Only the ones that pose a threat in the running game.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Before the game you were concerned about the Giants running game. LOL

Ah, no. I was concerned about the Dallas running game.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I'm more concerned about the play at RG. I do believe that Waters will be better than Bernardeau. It's hard not to be. He lost his balance throughout the night and almost got Romo injured as Joseph blew by him on a play and he shoved Joseph into Romo near Romo's knees. The refs called a flag on Joseph, but we escaped Bernie's ineptitude. All night long Bernie would fall or just get bulldozed. I was happy with the O-Line's performance except for Bernie's. But the problem is that if Waters comes out and gets hurt, then we are stuck with Bernie for the rest of the season.

There were a lot of factors here. I think Romo didn't want to run the ball. The other problem is that without Dunbar our RB's were Tanner and Randle. Murray got 20 carries which is a good amount. So if you give Murray a breather, then we were left with running the ball with Tanner. I'd rather pass the ball.

To me, getting the run game going well is more of the last step to a high productive, efficient and consistent offense for the Cowboys. They showed me last night that with Smith-Leary-Frederick-Free....they could provide Romo ample time to throw the ball whether it was a 4-man rush or a heavy blitz package. The key now is to be able to run the ball so defenses can't take away Dez on the deep ball. Force the defenses to start creeping up against the run, then throw over the top. Or start using play action.

So to me, the running game is more like icing on the cake that could certainly help us a lot. But, I'm more concerned with Bernie's pass protection, getting the D-Line healthy and Claiborne at this juncture.





YR

 

[visionary]

I'm more concerned about the play at RG. I do believe that Waters will be better than Bernardeau. It's hard not to be. He lost his balance throughout the night and almost got Romo injured as Joseph blew by him on a play and he shoved Joseph into Romo near Romo's knees. The refs called a flag on Joseph, but we escaped Bernie's ineptitude. All night long Bernie would fall or just get bulldozed. I was happy with the O-Line's performance except for Bernie's. But the problem is that if Waters comes out and gets hurt, then we are stuck with Bernie for the rest of the season.

There were a lot of factors here. I think Romo didn't want to run the ball. The other problem is that without Dunbar our RB's were Tanner and Randle. Murray got 20 carries which is a good amount. So if you give Murray a breather, then we were left with running the ball with Tanner. I'd rather pass the ball.

To me, getting the run game going well is more of the last step to a high productive, efficient and consistent offense for the Cowboys. They showed me last night that with Smith-Leary-Frederick-Free....they could provide Romo ample time to throw the ball whether it was a 4-man rush or a heavy blitz package. The key now is to be able to run the ball so defenses can't take away Dez on the deep ball. Force the defenses to start creeping up against the run, then throw over the top. Or start using play action.

So to me, the running game is more like icing on the cake that could certainly help us a lot. But, I'm more concerned with Bernie's pass protection, getting the D-Line healthy and Claiborne at this juncture.





YR

dont agree with you YR

the reason we consistently have an inconsistent, up and down offense year after year is because we dont have the ability to run the ball consistently
this affects our red zone and third down efficiency
it affects our ability to sustain drives

defences also know that if they show 8 in the box, romo will check out of run to pass, and that also makes us predictable

therefore, by definition, this is not icing on the cake, it is an essential element to having a really good cake

a credible threat of the run opens up the pass
we need to develop that threat

 

[T-RO]

Only the ones that pose a threat in the running game.

Not really. Denver has less of a threat in the run game than us, but enjoyed 7 touchdown passes in their opener. They only had 17 rushes for 52 yards...3.06 per rush. Today's game is about passing and it keeps skewing more and more that way.

You need to keep defenses honest with the run and you need to be able to convert short yardage. Aside from that the game's success doesn't correlate to rushing.

Green Bay got 84% of it's offense from the pass
San Fran got 82% of it's offense from the pass
Denver got 87% of its offense from the pass
New Orleans got 82% of its offense from the pass

 

[onlyonenow]

Not really. Denver has less of a threat in the run game than us, but enjoyed 7 touchdown passes in their opener. They only had 17 rushes for 52 yards...3.06 per rush. Today's game is about passing and it keeps skewing more and more that way.

You need to keep defenses honest with the run and you need to be able to convert short yardage. Aside from that the game's success doesn't correlate to rushing.

We proved that last year. Without any decent running game you will get boxed up and shipped. So the running DOES correlate despite desperate attempts to claim otherwise.

Green Bay got 84% of it's offense from the pass
San Fran got 82% of it's offense from the pass
Denver got 87% of its offense from the pass
New Orleans got 82% of its offense from the pass

 

[Rockport]

Not really. Denver has less of a threat in the run game than us, but enjoyed 7 touchdown passes in their opener. They only had 17 rushes for 52 yards...3.06 per rush. Today's game is about passing and it keeps skewing more and more that way.

You need to keep defenses honest with the run and you need to be able to convert short yardage. Aside from that the game's success doesn't correlate to rushing.

Green Bay got 84% of it's offense from the pass
San Fran got 82% of it's offense from the pass
Denver got 87% of its offense from the pass
New Orleans got 82% of its offense from the pass

And none of them have won a Super Bowl doing that. Get off the Madden game and watch / understand real football.

 

[WV Cowboy]

When discussing your concerns, or discussing our weaknesses, .. does anyone take in mind that maybe we played a pretty good team?
They have one of the top QB's, they have a strong front precense on defense, good coaching, .. have won Super Bowls, recenty.
All teams won't be as good as the Giants are.

Or does anyone take into consideration that we had to change our entire offensive approach after Tony got hurt because he couldn't throw it down the field.

It was our first game of the year, first game with a new DC, and a new defense.

We are not a finished product. We can improve, .. we have better players still getting healthy.

We did a lot of good things, .. and won the game!

Perfect conclusion for the coach, .. the team wins and there is still a lot to get after the team about in film study and practice.

All things considered, we showed well and are 1-0. Can't rest on that, but it is a good start, .. now get ready for the chefs.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Not really. Denver has less of a threat in the run game than us, but enjoyed 7 touchdown passes in their opener. They only had 17 rushes for 52 yards...3.06 per rush. Today's game is about passing and it keeps skewing more and more that way.

You need to keep defenses honest with the run and you need to be able to convert short yardage. Aside from that the game's success doesn't correlate to rushing.

Green Bay got 84% of it's offense from the pass
San Fran got 82% of it's offense from the pass
Denver got 87% of its offense from the pass
New Orleans got 82% of its offense from the pass

Except not all teams are the same.

What makes this team different is the defenses will sit back and force Romo to throw. That seems illogical because of Romo's success in the past but the ticket to stopping this offense lies in using the front four, or in a 3-4 defense the front three and a linebacker to clog the running lanes.

That can stop Dallas' rushing attack.

Then you use an umbrella defense to keep everything in front of you and take away Dez with the double.

That forces Austin and Witten to beat you.

If you cannot keep the defense honest and utilize the play action, then they sit back and create a climate where Dallas has to use the pass to drive the length of the field.

Dallas stops themselves in that scenario with either penalties or field goals.

As we saw last night. Because there is no guraabtee this defense will snag enough turnovers to make it work out like yesterday.

 

[WV Cowboy]

Because there is no guarantee this defense will snag enough turnovers to make it work out like yesterday.

True

But I'm hoping too that all QB's/offenses won't be capable of shredding our secondary the way Eli does/did.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

dont agree with you YR

the reason we consistently have an inconsistent, up and down offense year after year is because we dont have the ability to run the ball consistently
this affects our red zone and third down efficiency
it affects our ability to sustain drives

defences also know that if they show 8 in the box, romo will check out of run to pass, and that also makes us predictable

therefore, by definition, this is not icing on the cake, it is an essential element to having a really good cake

a credible threat of the run opens up the pass
we need to develop that threat

Our offense has been fairly good the past few years. Here's the rankings in FO.com's offensive efficiency rankings:

2007: 4th
2008: 17th
2009: 3rd
2010: 21st
2011: 12th
2012: 11th

The worst years (2008 and 2010) were years that Romo got injured in. Yet, the offense without a running game has been at the very least above average.

In the meantime we've had massive issues with pass protection, something harped on by Romo and the NBC announcers. I think if the O-Line stays healthy and Waters is as good as advertised, the pass protection is entirely better and the offense will be much more effective. And for all of the harping on the offense, they were responsible for about 21 points. I think at this rate, our offense will be more effective than it was last year which would make it a top-10 offense. Thus, the missing piece is getting the running game going so teams that play a deep zone coverage will consistently pay for doing so.






YR

 

[Trent]

Honestly, I'm more concerned with the defense than anything else right now.

People can praise them for the turnovers forced, and rightly so, but without those turnovers, they would have been in some serious trouble.

I didn't see near enough solid defensive series where they actually stopped the Giants' offense.

Seemed to me like if he Giants didn't turn the ball over, they scored.

Feast or famine.

And if your plan is to have to count on 6 turnovers per game, you're in trouble.

I saw this defense have real struggles against 3 wide receiver sets all night long.

Facing a one-dimensional Giants team with only a passing attack, I was hoping for better.

I dunno...I kinda thought the 1st and goal stoppage from the 1/2 yard line was pretty impressive....I felt good about how the D played overall.

 

[tantrix1969]

You don't need speed in this offense as a running back. Alfred Morris is slow.

so you're saying we need Morris?

 

[Aven8]

My concern is how the Cowboys benefitted from 5 turnovers and still had a realistic shot of losing the game.

There is no difference in this game, and the game last year where Dez' fingers hit out of bounds. We had 4-5 TO's in that game and were down what 23-0 at one point? We still had a chance to win in the end. Just like NY did last night.

It's the series between us. They know us and we know them. Romo puts up big numbers and so does Eli.