My meaningless thoughts on the game...

[Yakuza Rich]

- I'm officially on the GROZ bandwagon. I think overall, he's probably about the 16th best D-Coordinator in the NFL right now. We could do worse, but we could do better. The one thing I notice about this team is that we very rarely have a pass rusher go unblocked. Teams know when we are going to blitz, who is blitzing, and where they are blitzing. He's not the worst D-Coordinator out there, but every season Dallas does things or brings people in to improve the pass rush and every season it's just not there. At best are pass rush is decent. Overall it's so-so. And every year there's some excuse or even worse, no excuse for it and I think the common denominator is that Zimmer can't coach a defense that can get a good consistent pass rush. He's still a decent D-Coordinator, but he'll never be a very good D-Coordinator until he figures that out. We need better.

- This just in, Tony Romo can really play. Notice how the O-Line is playing much better now? Even his 2 sacks were coverage sacks.

- I didn't have too much of a problem with the last face mask call. That's usually getting called when the helmet gets turned like that. The refereeing got off to a horrendous start, but started to come around. Washington should've never been in position to get that ball anyway.

- Good to see the board isn't blaming Vandy. The bar I was at was livid at him for some reason. Also didn't help that FOX kept panning shots of him afterwards. Not sure how you block somebody and kick the ball at the same time.

- I like Matt McBriar and all, but sometime before I die I would like to see him pin the opponent inside their own 5 yard line.

- That was the first true, legit goal line stand I've seen from Dallas in a long time.

- While I like how Dallas uses so many multiple formations and their beautiful designs of their passing patterns, it seems like there's an inordinate amount of time the opposing defenses know exactly what play we are going to run. The safety comes to mind and usually when we bootleg too.

- Seems like opposing offenses try to run towards the strongside (Spears and Ellis) on normal running plays and use their misdirection or trick plays to run towards the weakside (Canty and Ware) since Ware tends to overcommit at times to runs the opposite side.

- Are nickel package blitzes suck.

- I like Bradie James and all, but I do wish we had something more dynamic at ILB. Ayodele has to play a role that doesn't lend way to needing a dynamic player at that spot, but Bradie just doesn't seem to be playing at the same pace as he was last year. Just a step too slow.


- Overall, I've got a pretty good idea of what this team is about. Talent wise and coaching, they are pretty good. Unfortunately, they seem to shoot themselves in the foot at least 5 times a game. Sometimes they can overcome that, sometimes they can't. I think every team in the league shoots themselves in the foot to a certain extent, but the legit good teams are able to overcome that. I'm starting to believe more and more of that is due to our lack of a pass rush as DeMarcus Ware can't do it all. A better pass rush would probably lead to some more turnovers, especially in games like this. I think the other part is that the defense is decent at forcing turnovers, but not really good at it (and part of that is due to the pass rush as well).

Dallas was up 19-12 when Owens dropped that TD pass and I couldn't help but think to myself "I've smelled this skunk before." And then Roy drops a surefire INT and I couldn't help but think we were losing this game. Even when Vanderjagt was attempting the 35 yarder, which I was confident he would make, I kept thinking about something not being right that Dallas would win despite those 2 huge "shot in the foot" type of plays by Owens and Roy.

Still, part of me is a bit happy since Romo really impressed me quite a bit and I think the O-Line was vastly underrated as they had to play with Bledsoe's ineptitude. So now we've got a 26 year old QB and outside of Rivera, a pretty young and somewhat promising O-Line. But we still manage to lose these games where we outgained the opponent, had a better time of possession, a turnover advantage and had a 35 yarder to win the game.

So I've got a whole lot of mixed emotions on this one. But I promised myself that as long as Dallas went 5-4 in the first 9 games, I would contend that they have a solid chance of making the playoffs. Albeit we could've really used that one.



YAKUZA

 

[BlueStar22]

Nice post. If Parcells does come back year, I believe there are sure to be a few shakeups on the coaches staff. Who do you think doesn't make it back? I think Zimmer goes, Sparano goes, Haley goes, the special teams coach goes.

 

[Billy Bullocks]

Our early schedule was definately mroe difficult than the latter portion, on paper.

I thought we would be 2-1 after the roadtrip (pre roadtrip). After last week, 3-0 looked very real.

 

[ddh33]

I always look forward to your thoughts.

I couldn't agree with you more about Zimmer. Some here act like he's the worst in the business. Clearly, he's not. No, he's pretty good, and that's it. But that's the problem. This defense has better than "pretty good" talent. Instead, the defense never seems to be that dominant defense that it ought to be. And please be advised, I'm not using the word dominant in an '85 Bears sense. The defense should be better...

After two games, Tony Romo is the best thing to happen to Dallas in a while.

Basically, I agree with you on everything else, but that last comment is one I want to echo. This team still has a good shot at doing something. They've got to quit committing football suicide with the penalties though.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Nice post. If Parcells does come back year, I believe there are sure to be a few shakeups on the coaches staff. Who do you think doesn't make it back? I think Zimmer goes, Sparano goes, Haley goes, the special teams coach goes.

I don't think Haley goes anywhere. For the most part, the receivers aren't the problem (except when Owens drops TD passes). Haley has developed Crayton, a 7th round pick and Sam Hurd looks like he has some upside as well. Haley probably isn't on top of any other team's lists for O-Coordinator and he's done a relatively decent job.

I'm still on the fence on Sporano. He did an excellent job with the TE's in his first year. Last year the O-Line was horrendous, but they were banged up. this year the O-Line has made a lot of strides and is a good run blocking team. I think continuity is very important for the O-Line, so I'm leaning towards keeping Sporano.

Zimmer will probably stay. I don't think he'll get a job elsewhere. I repeat ad nauseam how important sacks are and how strongly they correlate to winning in the NFL. A lot of people place the blame on Dallas focusing on stopping the run first, but that doesn't take into account how poorly Dallas blitzes teams. It's been that way since 2001. We've improved the talent, utilized a different scheme and have an offense that can score points and force opponents to throw the ball. Yet the defense still cannot provide a good pass rush. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what's the problem.


YAKUZA

 

[Gaede]

I remember seeing us line up for the 'all-out' Zimmer blitz a couple of times and I just muttered in anger...

Anytime we choose to blitz its always with everybody right down the middle. the result? people run in to eachother and fall down--easy 15 yard completion

 

[tyke1doe]

Good thoughts.

This defense has to start getting pressure on the quarterback, or it won't help us advance in the playoffs, if we get there.

Romo is very encouraging.

But the penalties are a killer. We've got to get that under control.

On to Arizona.

 

[BlueStar22]

I don't think Haley goes anywhere. For the most part, the receivers aren't the problem (except when Owens drops TD passes). Haley has developed Crayton, a 7th round pick and Sam Hurd looks like he has some upside as well. Haley probably isn't on top of any other team's lists for O-Coordinator and he's done a relatively decent job.

I'm still on the fence on Sporano. He did an excellent job with the TE's in his first year. Last year the O-Line was horrendous, but they were banged up. this year the O-Line has made a lot of strides and is a good run blocking team. I think continuity is very important for the O-Line, so I'm leaning towards keeping Sporano.

Zimmer will probably stay. I don't think he'll get a job elsewhere. I repeat ad nauseam how important sacks are and how strongly they correlate to winning in the NFL. A lot of people place the blame on Dallas focusing on stopping the run first, but that doesn't take into account how poorly Dallas blitzes teams. It's been that way since 2001. We've improved the talent, utilized a different scheme and have an offense that can score points and force opponents to throw the ball. Yet the defense still cannot provide a good pass rush. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what's the problem.


YAKUZA

so you think Zimmer is re-signed since is contract is up after the year.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I remember seeing us line up for the 'all-out' Zimmer blitz a couple of times and I just muttered in anger...

Anytime we choose to blitz its always with everybody right down the middle. the result? people run in to eachother and fall down--easy 15 yard completion

I'd garner that most blitzes are up the middle since it's the shortest path to the QB. Problem is that we show the blitz up the middle LONG before the ball is snapped. The opposing O-Line can then pick out who is blitzing. And since we stunt only about 2-3 times a game, they know exactly where those blitzers are going.

Go to a bar and watch multiple games on different TD's. I see a ton of teams getting to the QB when they blitz because somebody goes unblocked because the O-Line doesn't recognize the blitz or gets confused. Then watch Dallas play and recall the last time a Dallas pass rusher had a free shot at the QB.



YAKUZA

 

[Yakuza Rich]

so you think Zimmer is re-signed since is contract is up after the year.

Probably. Parcells likes him. If Parcells happens to retire (I don't think he will), the new coach will probably want to keep the assistants around since they know the players pretty well.


YAKUZA

 

[dirt]

something that may be off base but, as a U of Michigan fan, in the past I could help but wonder at the similarities between the Cowboys d and the Wolves D. Prior to this year, despite the quality of athletes on the field, the defense was a cautious bend but dont break type--What struck me as similar, and i would complain about it to anyone in the room, was the pass rush. Pass rush was pretty much engage the man in front of you, contain and bull rush. Much the same as what the Cowboys do now. Blitzing was predictable and ineffective. Then they hire Ron English to coach the defense and he brings an attacking defense with an attitude. If you follow college football, you can see the amazing difference. Same athletes, but now let loose to make plays. It just seems that our d plays cautiously without that attitude. Ware is our only pass rush threat. Ellis can get pressure depending on the match up but is painfull to watch in space. You watch other teams that time and disguise blitzes and wonder why our blitzes always get picked up. Roy Williams should be used to maximize his strengths--use him as a weapon. Our middle blitzes never get through . I envy the Steelers and their defense. You cant tell me they have better personnel, but it is used effectively. Zimmer must be replaced with someone from the 3-4 attacking defense mentality. Cause havoc and become feared. Bill seemingly has fixed the offense with a radical move to Romo, now do something for the defense

 

[Bleu Star]

My meaningless thoughts on the game...

Excellent post. I agree with everything you said. I honestly believed we would go 6-3 because I was fooled by our defense into believing so. 5-4 coming home isn't so bad and I did see a lot of good things out there (namely Romo and MB3).

MB3 needs more PT.

 

[Clove]

I said it before the game and I'll say it again. Romo can take us to the Super Bowl, but he won't. This team goes as far as the defense will allow them, and this defense with the staff behind it , is useless.

 

[Billy Bullocks]

I defended Zimmer, but he is not creative. I thought he did an admirable job in 2003.

First of all, he isn't a 3-4 guy. He doesn't seem to understand the whole point is to mask the rush.

I trusted BP because I think he knows how to run a defense, and you would think his endorsement of Zimmer was a good thing. Im starting to doubt this staff a little bit.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I defended Zimmer, but he is not creative. I thought he did an admirable job in 2003.

First of all, he isn't a 3-4 guy. He doesn't seem to understand the whole point is to mask the rush.
.

He simply doesn't know how to mask the pass rush period. Hasn't since he's been the D-Coordinator when we were using the Cover 2 scheme. And we mostly blitz out of the nickel package, where we still don't disguise the blitz well.

It isn't a 3-4 thing. Any defense needs to be able to disguise their blitz well. Ours doesn't. And after years of improving the talent on defense, changing schemes, etc. we still cannot disguise the blitz effectively. And for me, Zimmer is the final denominator.



YAKUZA

 

[CrazyCowboy]

This just in, Tony Romo can really play. Notice how the O-Line is playing much better now? Even his 2 sacks were coverage sacks.

one word

AWESOME!

 

[Cbz40]

Our Blitz.....how many times have we seen it. Our blitzers rush in and they bounce backwards.....They remind of the steel ball in a pinball machine they just keep bouncing off the bumpers. Disguise a Blitz????? I would die of a heartattack if we ever did it.

Thanks for the post.....I always look forward to them.

 

[Clove]

Our Blitz.....how many times have we seen it. Our blitzers rush in and they bounce backwards.....They remind of the steel ball in a pinball machine they just keep bouncing off the bumpers. Disguise a Blitz????? I would die of a heartattack if we ever did it.

Thanks for the post.....I always look forward to them.

Maybe if we blitzed more often, we would actually have a feel for it. That disturbs me as well.

 

[BlueStar22]

Parcells needs to put in a call to Belichick since Zimmer doesn't seem to know what he's doing. Hell Zimmer needs to put in a call to Belichick and some of the other 3-4 gurus. I thought Parcells was this great defensive coach but it appears what we've known all along, Belichick was the genius. I just find it hard to believe that Parcells leaves Zimmer on his own when it comes to schemes and decisions.

 

[SacredStar]

Dallas was up 19-12 when Owens dropped that TD pass and I couldn't help but think to myself "I've smelled this skunk before.




YAKUZA

Owens said after the game that he owes the team for that drop, and he knows he let the team down.

Hopefully, he makes amends with more stellar play in the future.