My random thoughts on yesterday's game

[Seven]

I thought it was Dak's best game. In previous games he has had some accuracy issues, primarily early in the games, but yesterday he was very accurate all game.

The national media claims that Dak has a simple game plan, but he is calling audibles often which is rare for a rookie QB. He is not a 1-read QB by any stretch of the imagination yet some media still claim that he is.

I don't have a problem with the occasional read-option. Dak is already taking less punishing in the pocket than most QBs due to the OLine's great pass blocking. He has not taken many big hits when he runs with the ball. There was a play down at the goalline where they ran read-option and he handed off to Zeke for minimal gain, but if he had kept it I think he would have been untouched for a TD.

Having said all of the above, Cousins was good also.

The Skins have a good team. The primary difference between them and the Cowboys is that they have too many knuckleheads like Norman and DeSean that are distracting them from the goal of winning with all of their antics.

Cousins and any other half decent QB should look good against the band aid brothers secondary. He had two of the worst with us and the Packers......which he hung 40+ points on.

IMO the difference was the skins' coaching. C' Mon man. You can NOT keep giving the ball back to the Cowboys especially with good field position (on-side kick.)even more so when you're trailing. The long ball to Jackson was a prime example. Work the clock....plenty of time left.

You're team can't have 500 yds of production and lose. The staff didn't understand Cowboy football......at all. Have they not been watching the last 10 weeks?

IMO, of course.

 

[rags747]

His td to Williams was on the rollout and was spot on, also his pass to Bryant in q4 was brilliant also on the rollout was a fantastic pass. The kid is pretty dam good in crunch time. He is just money when u absolutely have to have it...Really amazing stuff we are witnessing with him

 

[ringmaster]

I am very pleased with Dak's game, just wish he passed a little more than the running he was doing -- those read option plays are fine, but I like Dak when he stays in the pocket, and, while a large contingent here likes the designed run plays, I'm not a huge fan -- unless it's in the redzone. Call it ptsd from Cam and Colin. I know it's a strength of his, but his arm is his true strength -- what sets him apart from the Tyrod's and Cam's of the world. And I'm not talking about the scramble, as he's a rook, and it (scrambling when flustered, rather than stepping up) is to be expected, and better, always, than a sack. Still, Dak played great, and perhaps I'm falling victim to the yds stat, lol.

He made some big boy throws yesterday. Some BIG BOY throws. A beaut that isn't getting enough attention is the pass to Butler, the long out against the sidelines that was a blatant PI. It was gorgeous. Dak is Tom Brady. I have a thread somewhere comparing the two, and I think I'm dead on. He was deadly accurate, again. He is Tom (comparatively, as a rook) but with wheels. Doesn't make mistakes, prefers the intermediate or short routes, to the deep routes, but can make all the throws.

As Brady grew in the league, he learned to trust his deep throws/patterns. Dak has all kinds of touch on the deep pass, but he's reluctant cuz he's still wet behind the ears, much like Tom was as a rookie.

The defense is what it is, we all know it and don't like it, but I think this team can do damage as there are very few, if any, complete teams in the league this year. Plus, we forced WSH to go one dementional as has been pointed out, already, so that accounts for some of Cousins' gaudy stats. SEA is probably the closest (to a well-rounded team) as Wilson continues to heal and Graham starts to shine. Baldwin is a stud, and they just got Rawls back. Their D is stout, they scare me. Hoping some scrub team pulls an upset on them in the playoffs so we don't face them lol

But it's looking like it'll be us and them in the NFCC <knock on freaking wood>

I wasn't much in the game thread as I was preoccupied with my largish family and facetiming the boy. But I went in a few times to scream my arse off. Lol

For those of you who haven't chimed in yet, what are you thoughts on the game?? And any others, your thoughts, too!

Good post Trouty as for Seattle scaring you well not me that is the same team the 2014 Cowboys went to Quest Field and beat and this 2016 team is the same exact team and can beat this Seattle team and I hope that this game happens actually. In order to make the playoffs and remain there and go on to the SB then teams like Seattle, and New England are the teams you will have to face and I will say bring it.

 

[ringmaster]

My biggest worry is missing a wide open dez for a td on norman. Tight games that could be the difference, especially against a team like the seahawks. I know we won but that's the only consistent knock on dak I can see. But hell were still winning right

Yes he didn't see Dez on what would've definitely been the knockout blow had he seen him abused Norman for an easy TD but he will get better at going through progressions in time.

 

[Clove]

Thanks Trouty.

My assessment of the game.

I'll start with Dak Prescott. I have no clue how, why, where we got him from but thank God we got him. Everything on the planet lined up for Dak to be here. Had we lost or won one more game, could have changed the direction of who we chose in the draft. Had Romo not been hurt, I'm talking 2015. Had we had different back ups, any number of things could have altered the present as it stands. There are so many ways Dak could not have been here, it's not funny. Yet he is here and I'm very thankful for it.

Because this guy sees everything. I know he saw the one on one coverage down field earlier in the game, but decided not to take it. He didn't know if there was a sneaky safety creeping over or anything so he played it safe and ran for the first down. In this league, gambling is nice, but when it doesn't work out, it's detrimental. His passes were pinpoint accurate. His decision making ability, is second to none. He ran, he threw, he scrambled, he moved in the pocket, he did it all.

People will understand after yesterday that it's a pick your poison type situation with Dallas. Washington, like Baltimore, picked Zeke to shut down. Obviously, you can't really shut Zeke down because he still nearly got a 100 yards without a lot of carries. But if you're going to load up on Zeke, get ready for Dak to blast you. And vice versa.

Our defense was exactly what I anticipated it to be. A bend but don't break defense. I thought we made one crucial mistake on defense with the way we were schemed yesterday when we blitzed, and gave up the TD. This is why we don't blitz. If we're going to blitz, it needs to be a delayed blitz to watch and make sure the running back doesn't come out first.

All in all, we need to keep this defense off the field as much as possible until some of our guys get back there, but this defense is what it is. It's a bend but don't break defense, so we'll have to win in spite of it.

 

[haleyrules]

The all-time record for teams with 500 yards offense and no turnovers, as the Commanders did yesterday, is 89-5. And yet the rookie-led Cowboys found a way to win. It's been a joy to watch them this this year.

Giving up 500 yrds isnt a good thing...do that with Brady and there is no way the club wins.

 

[MRV52]

Giving up 500 yrds isnt a good thing...do that with Brady and there is no way the club wins.

Really? What about us hanging 500 yards on their Defense?

 

[RS12]

Giving up 500 yrds isnt a good thing...do that with Brady and there is no way the club wins.

Yeah that was very troubling. That doesn't happen often and you still win.

 

[ConstantReboot]

When Dak was yelling "Kill, Kill, Kill" it was music to my ears. Just to show that he's taking to what Romo is teaching him in practice.

Its still hard for me to believe that he's a rookie and doing those types of audibles at the LOS.

 

[CATCH17]

I am very pleased with Dak's game, just wish he passed a little more than the running he was doing -- those read option plays are fine, but I like Dak when he stays in the pocket, and, while a large contingent here likes the designed run plays, I'm not a huge fan -- unless it's in the redzone. Call it ptsd from Cam and Colin. I know it's a strength of his, but his arm is his true strength -- what sets him apart from the Tyrod's and Cam's of the world. And I'm not talking about the scramble, as he's a rook, and it (scrambling when flustered, rather than stepping up) is to be expected, and better, always, than a sack. Still, Dak played great, and perhaps I'm falling victim to the yds stat, lol.

He made some big boy throws yesterday. Some BIG BOY throws. A beaut that isn't getting enough attention is the pass to Butler, the long out against the sidelines that was a blatant PI. It was gorgeous. Dak is Tom Brady. I have a thread somewhere comparing the two, and I think I'm dead on. He was deadly accurate, again. He is Tom (comparatively, as a rook) but with wheels. Doesn't make mistakes, prefers the intermediate or short routes, to the deep routes, but can make all the throws.

As Brady grew in the league, he learned to trust his deep throws/patterns. Dak has all kinds of touch on the deep pass, but he's reluctant cuz he's still wet behind the ears, much like Tom was as a rookie.

The defense is what it is, we all know it and don't like it, but I think this team can do damage as there are very few, if any, complete teams in the league this year. Plus, we forced WSH to go one dementional as has been pointed out, already, so that accounts for some of Cousins' gaudy stats. SEA is probably the closest (to a well-rounded team) as Wilson continues to heal and Graham starts to shine. Baldwin is a stud, and they just got Rawls back. Their D is stout, they scare me. Hoping some scrub team pulls an upset on them in the playoffs so we don't face them lol

But it's looking like it'll be us and them in the NFCC <knock on freaking wood>

I wasn't much in the game thread as I was preoccupied with my largish family and facetiming the boy. But I went in a few times to scream my arse off. Lol

For those of you who haven't chimed in yet, what are you thoughts on the game?? And any others, your thoughts, too!

Dak is like Aikman with a hint of Romo and Roger haha.

 

[Tabascocat]

I am still thankful for Moore getting injured; otherwise, we might be sitting here at 3-8 wondering if it is time to see what Dak has

 

[Trouty]

Dak is like Aikman with a hint of Romo and Roger haha.

Aikman is a valid comp, too. A true pocket passer with accuracy that thrives off of the intermediate and short throws, but with elite precision. And has elite touch when going deep. It's all there. I've even used Aikman as a comp, too. Brady and Aikman are of the same ilk, interchangeable.

Completely agree, my bro, Catch.

 

[xwalker]

Dak is like Aikman with a hint of Romo and Roger haha.

Much more like Aikman than Romo.

 

[Texas_Pete]

Great post @Trouty.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Good post Trouty.

What I see from Dak is a dang good player who has the potential to be something truly scary special if he continues to improve and work hard. He has the potential there to be something really special for the Cowboys for a very long time.

 

[ConstantReboot]

Aikman is a valid comp, too. A true pocket passer with accuracy that thrives off of the intermediate and short throws, but with elite precision. And has elite touch when going deep. It's all there. I've even used Aikman as a comp, too. Brady and Aikman are of the same ilk, interchangeable.

Completely agree, my bro, Catch.

I remember you saying that he compares alot to Brady long ago. I mentioned he reminds me of Aikman.

 

[TheSkaven]

The defense is what it is, we all know it and don't like it, but I think this team can do damage as there are very few, if any, complete teams in the league this year. Plus, we forced WSH to go one dementional as has been pointed out, already, so that accounts for some of Cousins' gaudy stats. SEA is probably the closest (to a well-rounded team) as Wilson continues to heal and Graham starts to shine. Baldwin is a stud, and they just got Rawls back. Their D is stout, they scare me. Hoping some scrub team pulls an upset on them in the playoffs so we don't face them lol

For those of you who haven't chimed in yet, what are you thoughts on the game?? And any others, your thoughts, too!

I think this is a Super Bowl team - but I am worried about the defense. The Commanders, who have a good but hardly prolific offense, rolled up 505 yards of offense on us yesterday. Here is a random fact that has been digging at me: the Skins only punted ONCE the entire game.

The Cowboys could easily run the table and go 15-1 but this defense is going to have problems in the playoffs. We're 10-1 and have the best two rookies in the league so I am not going to cry myself a river - but color me worried.

 

[Trouty]

Much more like Aikman than Romo.

The Romo comp falls flat, too. Romo is a gunslinger and squirmy, oily slick in the pocket. Dak is not this.

I will say, the McNabb and McNair comps are wildly, wildly out of bounds. Frustratingly out of bounds. Way worse than a Romo comp (but the Romo comp is off, too, I agree, X).

He is a Brady/Aikman with legs hybrid, thus far. There's nothing to argue with there, there just isn't.

 

[mrmojo]

Dak is a big guy, he can stand in the pocket and because of his height can get a good look over the line. He is starting to learn good pocket presence, moving around in and out of the pocket. The slants are pitch and catch now. Every aspect of his game is getting better, the Vikings will be a good test because I'm sure they will bring the house on blitzes. Ive been behind the kid since week 1 and he hasn't disappointed yet, and i doubt he will.

 

[Trouty]

I remember you saying that he compares alot to Brady long ago. I mentioned he reminds me of Aikman.

Both are of the same ilk. You aren't wrong, my man, Reboot