Norm Hitzges tears Jason Garrett a new one

[utrunner07]

However, he better start feeding Felix Jones the rock, or his road is going to be very dicey, imso.

Um..pretty sure our record is much better without felix than with felix. Not sure what your obsession with him is. He pretty much has lost all standout speed that used to make him special. Jones should be getting the ball only on occasion when Murray needs rest, he is absolutely the #2 back on the team.

 

[utrunner07]

They are just now learning as a team...I have to see what kind of team it turns out to be at the end of the season.

Lot of truth to this, Garrett was pathetic sunday but all his problems can easily be fixed.

 

[wileedog]

Meh.

Someone like Zrinkill can bookmark this, but IMO in 2 or 3 years we are going to be back to the coaching search. Garrett is a nice improvement over Wade, but he isn't taking us anywhere we haven't been the last 16 years.

Chan Gailey was a decent coach. Didn't win squat either. Don't see Garrett any better than him at this point, and often times worse on game days.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

So Garrett gives a lame excuse justifying his incompetence to the media and fans, but owns up to his idiocy in front of the players? That would take some serious psychological gymnastics, but I guess it isn't out of the question.

Doesn't seem that difficult a concept to me. He tells his players he *** up and it was his fault, but he knows the media is a different entity so he doesn't admit he was wrong to them because he knows theyd be all over him for it.

Either way, no matter what happened.. seems to me like alot of people are reading way too much into it. When im defending Garrett, you know some of you are going overboard with your criticism of the guy.

 

[wileedog]

you know some of you are going overboard with your criticism of the guy.

He lost a game with outright stupidity. He deserves everything he gets this week and more.

 

[ternewt24]

wow.

listen to every single word.

i agree 100% with this man.

the management issues go deeper than the blunder at the end of regulation.

http://theticket.com/Portals/2/UserFiles/User104443/Norm-CowboysGameManagement12-5-podcast.mp3

How true!!! Sad isnt it!

 

[RoyTheHammer]

He lost a game with outright stupidity. He deserves everything he gets this week and more.

He didn't lose the game by himself. We put up 13 points all game against the Cards. It shouldn't have come down to the last second field go in the first place. Even after he called the TO, Bailey had plenty of time to set up and make the kick. Garrett didn't lose that game for us.

 

[wileedog]

He didn't lose the game by himself. We put up 13 points all game against the Cards.

You're right, I forgot to blame the Offensive Coordinator for having no answer to the constant Card blitzing.

Oh wait....

It shouldn't have come down to the last second field go in the first place. Even after he called the TO, Bailey had plenty of time to set up and make the kick. Garrett didn't lose that game for us.

He deliberately managed the game to set up a 49 yard FG, hardly a gimme for anyone. Then iced his own kicker.

I blame him more than any player despite the play of the Oline or the defense which did its typical late collapse.

I agree most times it is players who win or lose games. This is one of those phenomenally bad coaching jobs that actually overcome the players efforts in its badness.

 

[SaltwaterServr]

He didn't lose the game by himself. We put up 13 points all game against the Cards. It shouldn't have come down to the last second field go in the first place. Even after he called the TO, Bailey had plenty of time to set up and make the kick. Garrett didn't lose that game for us.

Its his position to put the team in the best position to win for the entire game. The lack of adjustments, the failure to respond to continual blitzing while having a pair of running backs who excel at the screen game, the departure from the running game in third and short situations, etc etc, ad nauseum, are just some of the reasons Garrett DID lose that game for us.

No matter how well equipped the operator, if the battlefield commander concocts a losing plan of attack the operator's best efforts will still lose the battle.

Garrett's planning and lack of adjustment lost this battle and two more along a vein of similarity. He's supposed to be one of the greatest football minds out there, one of only a miniscule percentage in the entire sphere of influence of the NFL, and yet he's looking very short to fill the part.

He may yet fill the part, but our team will suffer as he grows.

 

[UVAwahoos]

Harbaugh was only going to leave Stanford for one job, SF. He used Miami to get a better offer from the Niners. He wasn't moving his family from the Bay Area.

Link?

I'm pretty sure Jerry could have influenced him to come here. Either way, we should have at least interviewed some other peeps to see what was available. Garrett has been mediocre at best since 2008.

 

[Kangaroo]

Garrett is a bad game manager. And he never admits he is wrong.

Kind of Like Jimmy or Big Bill or many other great coaches you think Lambordi ever admit he was wrong.

Hell Bill Bellicheck never thought he was wrong for going for it on 4th down in his own side of the field or when he tried to ice the kicker who missed and then turned around and made it because of the time out.

Typical over reaction by fans.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Kind of Like Jimmy or Big Bill or many other great coaches you think Lambordi ever admit he was wrong.

Hell Bill Bellicheck never thought he was wrong for going for it on 4th down in his own side of the field or when he tried to ice the kicker who missed and then turned around and made it because of the time out.

Typical over reaction by fans.

Yup. Im not the biggest Garrett fan in the world, and i think he has game management issues for sure.. but the reaction right now is ridiculous, although slightly hilarious too. ha

 

[28 Joker]

Um..pretty sure our record is much better without felix than with felix. Not sure what your obsession with him is. He pretty much has lost all standout speed that used to make him special. Jones should be getting the ball only on occasion when Murray needs rest, he is absolutely the #2 back on the team.

Felix Jones is the best running back on this football team, imo. Plus, Jones is the fastest, most explosive player that the Cowboys have on offense and completely taking the football out of his hands is beyond absurd.

Furthermore, Jones' 14-115 (8.2 YPC) game against the Commanders was the best game by a Dallas running back this year. Only a dubious hold on Bennett, according to Gruden, kept that game from being a 14-133 game for Felix Jones. 17 touches, 155 total yards...40 yard run- 9 in the box; 29 yard run- 10 in the box. LeRon Landry (Washington's best player on defense) played against Jones and didn't even play against Murray. Bryant had one leg. It was Robinson's first game. QB had bad ribs...

By the way, the Commanders coaches disagree with you, and they stated that they were more concerned about Felix Jones, and they totally stuffed Murray and held him to 2.9 YPC. Matt Mosley reported this and so did the Fox broadcast.

I simply defend Felix Jones against constant, absurd, malicious, false attacks like your ridiculous false statement about Jones' speed. I guess you missed the first Commanders game and Jones' 69 yard kickoff return. I guess you missed Jones pretty much outrun the entire Giants defense last year on his 71 yard bomb.

Also, you must have missed this against Arizona:

Murray 12-38 (3.2 YPC)

Jones 6-36 (6.0 YPC)

Jones picked up where he left off against Arizona last year, except he was rushing at a better clip than his 4.8 YPC last year. Felix Jones is more explosive through the hole, and the Cardinals obviously have some problems with Jones' speed and quickness.

DeMarco Murray hasn't been picking on the putrid Rams and very poor Bills and suspect Eagles rush defenses lately, has he? Have to love that putrid Rams defense. That 91T, with 6 in the box, was like taking candy from a baby. The Russian judge marked Murray down for degree of difficulty. I give Murray credit, though. He took advantage of his opportunity. I will say Seattle has a good run defense, but Murray had a superbly blocked game that day, too, something Felix Jones didn't even come close to seeing against S.F., Detroit, or New England.

What was Murray's YPC against New England and Detroit? 3.0 and 3.1, respectively... New England held Murray to 11-34 (3.1 YPC) Tulius Choice out rushed Murray against Detroit.

DeMarco Murray earned his yards, and I'll give him credit for it. I think he's a good football player and respect him unlike you do Jones. My primary goal is to defend Jones and not attack Murray, but sometimes the facts on the field dictate how I respond.

However, I don't think Murray is the "super player" that many fans and media have hyped him up to be. I really don't think he's any better than Marshawn Lynch.

Run efficiency matters, and DeMarco Murray is averaging 3.35 YPC during his last 3 games. By the way, Arizona gives up 4.0 YPC, and Murray only managed 3.2 against them. Jones averaged 6.0 YPC in the game last week and 4.8 last year @ Arizona, with a done Colombo and Davis, McGee at QB, no Dez Bryant or Robinson, and Gronkowski at fullback.

So, questioning this coaching staff for not challenging the Arizona Cardinals to stop a hot Felix Jones is absolutely a legitimate point.

 

[dboy214]

felix is not a better blocker or receiver than demarco. but it think they are comparable runners. different styles.

garrett abandoned the run too early vs. arizona...felix seemed to be on his game, but wasn't given more opportunities after halftime.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Felix Jones is the best running back on this football team, imo. Plus, Jones is the fastest, most explosive player that the Cowboys have on offense and completely taking the football out of his hands is beyond absurd.

Furthermore, Jones' 14-115 (8.2 YPC) game against the Commanders was the best game by a Dallas running back this year. Only a dubious hold on Bennett, according to Gruden, kept that game from being a 14-133 game for Felix Jones. 17 touches, 155 total yards...40 yard run- 9 in the box; 29 yard run- 10 in the box. LeRon Landry (Washington's best player on defense) played against Jones and didn't even play against Murray. Bryant had one leg. It was Robinson's first game. QB had bad ribs...

By the way, the Commanders coaches disagree with you, and they stated that they were more concerned about Felix Jones, and they totally stuffed Murray and held him to 2.9 YPC. Matt Mosley reported this and so did the Fox broadcast.

I simply defend Felix Jones against constant, absurd, malicious, false attacks like your ridiculous false statement about Jones' speed. I guess you missed the first Commanders game and Jones' 69 yard kickoff return. I guess you missed Jones pretty much outrun the entire Giants defense last year on his 71 yard bomb.

Also, you must have missed this against Arizona:

Murray 12-38 (3.2 YPC)

Jones 6-36 (6.0 YPC)

Jones picked up where he left off against Arizona last year, except he was rushing at a better clip than his 4.8 YPC last year. Felix Jones is more explosive through the hole, and the Cardinals obviously have some problems with Jones' speed and quickness.

DeMarco Murray hasn't been picking on the putrid Rams and very poor Bills and suspect Eagles rush defenses lately, has he? Have to love that putrid Rams defense. That 91T, with 6 in the box, was like taking candy from a baby. The Russian judge marked Murray down for degree of difficulty. I give Murray credit, though. He took advantage of his opportunity. I will say Seattle has a good run defense, but Murray had a superbly blocked game that day, too, something Felix Jones didn't even come close to seeing against S.F., Detroit, or New England.

What was Murray's YPC against New England and Detroit? 3.0 and 3.1, respectively... New England held Murray to 11-34 (3.1 YPC) Tulius Choice out rushed Murray against Detroit.

DeMarco Murray earned his yards, and I'll give him credit for it. I think he's a good football player and respect him unlike you do Jones. My primary goal is to defend Jones and not attack Murray, but sometimes the facts on the field dictate how I respond.

However, I don't think Murray is the "super player" that many fans and media have hyped him up to be. I really don't think he's any better than Marshawn Lynch.

Run efficiency matters, and DeMarco Murray is averaging 3.35 YPC during his last 3 games. By the way, Arizona gives up 4.0 YPC, and Murray only managed 3.2 against them. Jones averaged 6.0 YPC in the game last week and 4.8 last year @ Arizona, with a done Colombo and Davis, McGee at QB, no Dez Bryant or Robinson, and Gronkowski at fullback.

So, questioning this coaching staff for not challenging the Arizona Cardinals to stop a hot Felix Jones is absolutely a legitimate point.

Which brings me to my next point.. don't. smoke. crack.

 

[JoeCorrado]

felix is not a better blocker or receiver than demarco. but it think they are comparable runners. different styles.

garrett abandoned the run too early vs. arizona...felix seemed to be on his game, but wasn't given more opportunities after halftime.

Garrett must a have a really lousy memory.

He stated very clearly that those two would split carries and that having them both around was good because whichever was having success on a given day, would get the ball.

But then again he always says how important it is to be balanced on offense.

And how important time management is. Got to manage the game.

And how you want to put your guys in the best position to be successful. You know, like setting up Bailey to give him the best possible opportunity to win the game for us?

Guess he forgets a lot.

 

[28 Joker]

felix is not a better blocker or receiver than demarco. but it think they are comparable runners. different styles.

garrett abandonedthe run too early vs. arizona...felix seemed to be on his game, but wasn't given more opportunities after halftime.

We agree on your second statement. I do acknowledge that Murray's receiving skills appear to be good, and he was known for his receiving skills and pass protection at Oklahoma.

On your first statement, I don't think Murray is any better of a pass protector than Jones. Murray is bigger, but Felix Jones has been one of the best pass protectors at the RB position since 2009 according to PFF. I saw Jones absolutely decleat London Fletcher this year. Garrett called that first Commanders game Jones' best game as a Cowboy. Jones has jacked up DEs, too. What Jones did with a dislocated shoulder in that game has gone extremely unappreciated, imo. The degree of difficulty was very high, and Jones torched the Commanders on only 17 touches.

Jones is an excellent receiver, too. Jones caught 48 of 49 catchable passes in 2010 and led the NFL in catch rate (92.3%). Jones has very good hands and put up 450 receiving yards in 2010 (48 catches) and had the longest pass play of the year for the Cowboys(71T). Plus, Jones was 5th in the NFL in total YAC in 2010 and ranked third in the NFC in total YAC. Jones' YAC per catch and YAC per target were better than LeSean McCoy's in 2010. McCoy led the NFL in YAC in 2010.

I've only seen Tony Romo throw one deep pass to Jones since Jones has played in Dallas, and he didn't make that play. The only other wheel route or deep pass that I've seen thrown to Jones was by Jon Kitna. Jones dove and caught the 35 yard pass.

However, Felix Jones sucks up the shorter and intermediate throws and is very dangerous in open space. (see his 29 yard reception against Washington this year). Jones is extremely good and dangerous on screen passes, but we have not seen them this year.

I don't doubt that Murray can't catch the ball and run, because I've seen it, but he is no better than Jones, imo. Jones has proven production to back him up, too. JMO

 

[28 Joker]

Which brings me to my next point.. don't. smoke. crack.

I deal with facts, not drugs...

Go ahead and ignore them all you want to...

You are certainly not alone...

 

[RoyTheHammer]

I deal with facts, not drugs...

Go ahead and ignore them all you want to...

You are certainly not alone...

There are alot of misleading facts in that post you made, that was my point.

Im with ya all the way on Felix being a dangerous back, but he's never proven he can be the guy to get us over the hump. In limited oppertunities Murray has shown flashes of being that guy already.

You said Felix has had the best day of any running back on the team with his 14 carries for 115 against Washington like you're completely ignoring Murray's 25 for 250 against the Rams.

Also you talk about Murray having a low ypc lately, completely disregarding that aside from a couple carries against the Cardinals, Felix hasn't averaged 4 ypc or more since week 3 of the season.

Meanwhile, Murray has done that 5 times since then, including against 2 teams in the top 6 in run defense in the NFL.

 

[kramskoi]

The part I will never be able to understand ......

• 5 years as OC, with very mixed results at best, and he "still needs to learn game management."
• Yet, he had the OC job so "down cold" that the owner thought he deserves a promotion, yet his old job still keeps coming back to kill this team (13 points against THE CARDINALS)

I really can't think of another coach in the league that gets the benefit of the doubt more than Garrett has had in his entire career. Garrett couldn't hold Sean Payton pee bucket, yet he is called the next great football mind by most here.

Ultimiately, this is on Jerry Jones. He started to tingle after hearing the words, process, stacking, building, evaluating, etc. He couldn't remember the Brad Johnson, Felix Jones 0 carries at Wash 08, etc, etc, etc.

I have said it for a year, this Ivy league ego / double speak will NEVER admit he was wrong. I work with these people daily, and they assign blame to inanimate entities and masters at passively assigning blame to others.

He states he didn't trust a negative play (negaitve thought process) on Offense (his side of the ball). So he "can't answer if Tony could.." , "Saw the 30", etc, etc, etc

uke:

A very telling and worrisome observation in your final sentence. I just wonder how many here actually thought that many of the issues that plagued this team, and indeed this offense, would cease under the complete control of Garrett. I won't pontificate but there was a formula that existed when the Cowboys were kings of the postseason and Garrett of all people witnessed it first hand. The Cowboys were never about finesse and shotgun offense. They were about a bruising running game sprinkled with play-action and precision passing. They had a coach with brass "under-plunder", who always used positive psychology to push his team to the edge of its considerable abilities. The Cowboys have none of this right now and we see the results.

The difference between Payton and Garrett is overtly palpable, in both demeanor and attitude. He believes in Drew and Drew believes in him, without reservation or equivocation. Can we say the same about Garrett and Romo?...

I admit to prior reservations about Garrett and he will undoubtedly make mistakes, but this one was merely a pin-*****...the next might be a stab through the heart. I am with Norm on this one and if anyone disagrees lets just agree to disagree. It extends beyond a simple icing of a kicker. Norm reiterated many problems with Garrett's decision-making and play-calling, not to mention his continued lack of commitment to the running game despite the level of interior line play. He's been doing this for years and Norm makes an argument that is becoming harder to ignore without at least a modicum of skepticism. Norm expresses the sentiment that many fans share about Garrett. It's ugly and populist but it exists nonetheless. Fans that watched this team run roughshod over the NFL in the nineties know what a championship team looks like and the current edition ain't it.

I think Garrett as some good qualities. He has turned around a team that is more or less the same from a season ago. He deserves his chance but cracks are beginning to show and he might be biting off more than he can chew. I think it was premature to let Gurode walk and Costa, for better or worse is a decision they may now regret. They will sink or swim on the play of the line...sunday will tell the truth and if the Philly game was any indication...I won't even say it.