My Observations From Being at the Game

[Merlin]

Thompson is a keeper. The corners will not be a problem this year at all and they will allow for more blitzing and aggressiveness. The corners are our position of strength this year. TNew looks like a different player this year and he didnt bite on the receiver fake which was his pet peeve last year. Played it perfect.

Everyone needs to remember that this was the first game of the preseason. The regular season is at least three weeks away.

The offensive line as a unit sucked. Al Johnson while pulling got pushed back into the runner, thats horrible. There was a screen pass with three lineman out there and they all missed their blocks. Gurode was one of them. Barber still made 5 yards but it would have been nice if one of them made a block. Witten looks awesome and made Romo look much better that he actually was.

 

[Hostile]

"Warm ups" ...



(And that's not spin)

Like I said Ben. There was no pop on any throw that I saw. If he has a gun he was not showing it last night. Bledsoe and Henson did.

Call him Kojak because it was all lollypops.

 

[CoCo]

Let me put it this way and give the answer to this question to someone who is so much more reliable than I am.

Per Brad Sham, whom I think is one of the great football minds as far as writers that there is. He said, "there is a Super Bowl feel about the way this team practices."

Now, I was not impressed last night. The team was flat as a whole and the play calling was unimaginative. I am saying this purely from the standpoint of someone who was in the stands not in the meetings. It looked to me like Parcells pulled back on purpose last night for much of the game.

In other words, I think he got just what he wanted. A lackluster game to be angry this week in TC about. I think they were too comfortable with how things were going. I think he was secretly quite pleased last night. I say this for one reason only. On the sidelines he was not a raving lunatic, he was a teacher. It was strange to see him that calm. I bet it didn't last in the Locker room, bus, and flight.

Hos,

Wow! A Super Bowl feel? That is indeed heady talk coming from Sham. I do respect his opinion though and don't imagine he throws those words around lightly.

I hope your are correct in some of your speculations about last night. Though I usually dismiss those kinds of theories I think with Parcells in a preseason opener it is entirely plausible.

Frankly I was one of those who saw Bledsoe and Vinnie as mostly interchangeable. Vinnie's weakness IMO was not his age or lack of mobility. Rather, he seemed to force a lot of stuff. But how much of that was because he had to make up for team shortcomings like a totally bland running game when Julius was out and then the loss of Glenn?

So am I excited to now have Bledsoe? Well I was hopeful since Bill saw him as an upgrade but last nights report is not encouraging. I only hope that if Bledsoe becomes an impediment that we have a superior option sitting behind him and that Bill isn't married to sentiment.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

 

[blindzebra]

Hos,

I'm gonna give you 1 question. Its frankly much bigger than the preseason game you attended.

Can Parcells really get this team back to elite status?

His first year was impressive enough. 10-6 with admittedly some parts missing. Year 2 was a major step back. Easy to forgive if he can quickly regroup. The 2005 offseason looked like a bonanza with the draft and FA's but...

I know its utter foolishness to overreact to last nights game but despite the very good eye for talent and character that I think Parcells possesses I've recently read reports that even Parcells felt last years team did not compete. It seemed to suggest that they (gasp!) quit on him, at least in part. That is somewhat shocking to me. That discipline and effort piece is debated all the time but most would likely conclude that to be Bill's greatest strength - he gets the most from his players.

Couple that with the possibility that Parcells is too in love with some of his guys from the past and I am now amongst those who think its fair to at least ask whether Bill can get it done.

First preseason game aside, if we don't see VERY marked improvement from this team in 2005 and at least close the year as a team most experts (whoever they or we are) agree will be a force to be reckoned with in 2006, then I have to start wondering if there aren't some better options than BP. I won't give a record because that can be so deceiving based upon injuries and when things gel but undeniably significant progress must be evident in 2005 IMO.

Curious to hear your and other sane party's thoughts too.

I'll give you my impressions of what I saw and where it might lead.

We have more depth on defense, and it's better then I thought it would be. Keep in mind this was without Ferguson and Spears too.

We are going to have some tough calls to make come cut time. I will be surprised if Pepper does not land a spot taking Carson's place. Van Hoy held up pretty well when he was out there and will probably be a good PS player.

I was impressed by Fowler a lot. I was wrong about James, he looks like he's turned the corner. Shanle did pretty good. Singleton is going no place. Dat was pretty good. Ware and Burnett looked better than they played.

Beriault is our best safety not named Roy. Davis was out of position several times, Scott could have had a pick but was too slow reacting, Reese showed zip.

Our top 3 corners might be among the best in the league, there is a big ? after that though.

If they stay healthy and gel, we could be pretty good on defense and possibly very good after the bye week.

Offensively, we have talent and depth at RB and TE. Which is going to lead to really tough cuts.

The only tackle we have I'm sure about is Adams, and that is scary.

Guard looks better, because Peterman had both good and bad moments.

None of the centers played very well. Hos, Adbutcher and I wondered how stable Johnson's knee is.

We will have some tough choices at 3-5/6 at WR. Morgan and Crayton are close and Copper, Crowder, and Z. Smith all played well. I'd give Crayton the edge for #3, and that 5th spot is gonna be a dog fight.

Bledsoe scares the hell out of me.

Henson and Romo both read and reacted quicker.

Once Henson gets comfortable, there is no doubt who will win out, IMO.

The question is when will he reach that level?

To sum up, if the OL does not play a lot better than they showed last night, Bledsoe will kill any chance we have.

 

[Alexander]

In other words, I think he got just what he wanted. A lackluster game to be angry this week in TC about. I think they were too comfortable with how things were going. I think he was secretly quite pleased last night. I say this for one reason only. On the sidelines he was not a raving lunatic, he was a teacher. It was strange to see him that calm. I bet it didn't last in the Locker room, bus, and flight.

I hope you are right.

I don't subscribe that he put these players in a position to look average, but that does make me feel better if so.

 

[Alexander]

Singleton is going no place.

Just right back to the roster. And starting until Burnett is ready. Just as he is supposed to do.

 

[Fletch]

Great recap Hos. Thanks. I too was unimpressed with Bledsoe. And I too noticed he was pushing the ball.

But I will not put too much stock into the first preseason game. I'd rather lose all 4 of them if that means we can stay healthy and win when they start to count. It's all about knocking the rust off.

Let's all remember that two years ago, the year we made the playoffs by going 10-6, we lost to Arizona, in AZ, 13-0. And the game was awful. I saw more from this one than I did that game two years ago.

 

[RCowboyFan]

I hope you are right.

I don't subscribe that he put these players in a position to look average, but that does make me feel better if so.

Hm... I don't think is purposefully puting them in a position to look average, vs not planning and let them show talent etc. I.e. not scheming to bring best out them, vs Let them play plain vanilla and them seeing whats the competion in NFL is about etc.

At least thats the impression I have. Seems like AZ was lot more game planning than Cowboys anyway.

 

[Hostile]

Yo Hostile....

Nice recap...thanks mucho.

Few questions...Did Ware look as confused in person as he did on the tube?

Did Burnett look as physically gifted as he appeared on TV? (I am psyched about the guy)

Did you notice any interaction between Parcells and Henson and if so, how would you classify their relationship from afar?

Did the Cardinal TD look like a busted play?

No, Ware did not look confused but he did look tentative in coverage. The Cardinals knew he would be coming and they double teamed him quite a bit.

Burnett looks like a Greek God. He doesn't just tackle, he drives right through the tackle. He's going to be a starter very soon. Born to play football.

Yes, Parcells and Henson talked a lot. Parcells sought him out on the sidelines several times and he talked to him as opposed to yelling. Thoughts of a rocky relationship there are off base.

I think Warner was just on his game. It shouldn't have scored but the CB fell down and no one touched the WR while he was on the ground.

 

[BillsFan]

I did spend some time in your chat room last night and the nicknames are already starting for Bledsoe. Buffalo fans favorites I'd say are "Deadslow" and "The Tin Man".


Well hopefully he looks better in the next game.

 

[blindzebra]

Hm... I don't think is purposefully puting them in a position to look average, vs not planning and let them show talent etc. I.e. not scheming to bring best out them, vs Let them play plain vanilla and them seeing whats the competion in NFL is about etc.

At least thats the impression I have. Seems like AZ was lot more game planning than Cowboys anyway.

Green said in his PC early this week that they were starting their game plan for Dallas. The Cardinals approached this more like a regular season game.

 

[Kilyin]

How was Beriault's knee during the game? Was he favoring it? If he can overcome that injury he'll prob end up as the FS.

 

[Alexander]

No, Ware did not look confused but he did look tentative in coverage. The Cardinals knew he would be coming and they double teamed him quite a bit.

I would expect him to be tentative in coverage. He has rarely been asked to do that.

Burnett looks like a Greek God. He doesn't just tackle, he drives right through the tackle. He's going to be a starter very soon. Born to play football.

I like his attitude the best. He just acts like a leader.

Yes, Parcells and Henson talked a lot. Parcells sought him out on the sidelines several times and he talked to him as opposed to yelling. Thoughts of a rocky relationship there are off base.

I am sure it will be misconstrued. As always.

I think Warner was just on his game. It shouldn't have scored but the CB fell down and no one touched the WR while he was on the ground.

Warner played with conviction.

I just wish Bledsoe did.

 

[blindzebra]

Yo Hostile....

Nice recap...thanks mucho.

Few questions...Did Ware look as confused in person as he did on the tube?

Did Burnett look as physically gifted as he appeared on TV? (I am psyched about the guy)

Did you notice any interaction between Parcells and Henson and if so, how would you classify their relationship from afar?

Did the Cardinal TD look like a busted play?

Ware played a lot too, and he wore down.

Burnett looks bigger than the rest of our LBs.

Parcells put his arm around Henson before he sent him out there on the 2nd FG drive. He spoke calmly to him the entire time.

At the 2 minute warning he grabbed him by the shoulder again talking calmly Henson nodded and Parcells gave him a little hit on the shoulder pad.

After the completion to put us back in FG range for the last kick. Payton seemed really animated talking to Henson, then he stopped, pushed in on his head set, said something else and both he and Henson busted out laughing.


The TD was a fluke, Warner was trying to throw to the TE underneath.

 

[BigDFan5]

Ware played a lot too, and he wore down.

Burnett looks bigger than the rest of our LBs.

Parcells put his arm around Henson before he sent him out there on the 2nd FG drive. He spoke calmly to him the entire time.

At the 2 minute warning he grabbed him by the shoulder again talking calmly Henson nodded and Parcells gave him a little hit on the shoulder pad.

After the completion to put us back in FG range for the last kick. Payton seemed really animated talking to Henson, then he stopped, pushed in on his head set, said something else and both he and Henson busted out laughing.

You know what that means? This weeks agenda "Parcells has given up on Henson, it was obvious he resigned himself to the fact Henson sucked when he didnt get animated"

 

[Hostile]

How was Beriault's knee during the game? Was he favoring it? If he can overcome that injury he'll prob end up as the FS.

I didn't see him hesitate at all. On kick coverage as a wedge buster he was full speed ahead and made a great stop.

 

[Hollywood Henderson]

Good stuff Hos, glad you & the guys had a good game dispite the loss...

I agree, Polite is our new FB...

Glad to see people coming around to Bradie James, the guy will hurt people this year!
I also think Fowler is going to make a impact some way, some how...

BZ, good points about the Cards game planning us...The loss is No biggie in the large scheme of things...

This is a young team with just enough vets sprinkled in...It will take time to gell & gain confidence in playing together...

Just as long as were ready by the first game that matters...!
Keep the faith fella's, I still think its going to be a VERY special year!

 

[Juke99]

Ware played a lot too, and he wore down.

Burnett looks bigger than the rest of our LBs.

Parcells put his arm around Henson before he sent him out there on the 2nd FG drive. He spoke calmly to him the entire time.

At the 2 minute warning he grabbed him by the shoulder again talking calmly Henson nodded and Parcells gave him a little hit on the shoulder pad.

After the completion to put us back in FG range for the last kick. Payton seemed really animated talking to Henson, then he stopped, pushed in on his head set, said something else and both he and Henson busted out laughing.


The TD was a fluke, Warner was trying to throw to the TE underneath.

Thank you...

 

[Hostile]

I like his attitude the best. He just acts like a leader.

He sure as heck does. He was fun to watch.

 

[Cbz40]

I didn't see him hesitate at all. On kick coverage as a wedge buster he was full speed ahead and made a great stop.

Noticed Ratliff in the game a few times......any observation on this kid.