Players playing well

[Rick_Deckard]

On that play (and many others), we used a four-man zone underneath, with man coverage by our corners and a free safety in the deep middle. Roy had the short left-middle zone. Roy didn't bite on a play fake, he let Smith run by him because he wasn't responsible for anyone going deep. He was responsible for the short zone.

I love this board because of posts like this. Thanks for setting me straight. I wish we could get good analysis like this from the media.

 

[Rack]

Columbo - Right now he's Dallas' best lineman.

Gurode - Hasn't done anything dumb yet. I know that doesn't sound like much of an endorsement, but very few doubted his physical skills. It was what was under the helmet that was holding him back.

Funny, those two were the biggest question marks, yet they've played our best football.

Although I think Kosier and Rivera have been solid as well.


The only OL player that has stunk it up (and it hasn't been every game) is Adams.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

I like Witten a lot, but he is not playing as well this year as he did in previous years. He has dropped several passes and I think he had a poor day blocking on Sunday. Maybe my expectations of him are too high because he has been so good up until now, but I hoped for better so far. I'm still optimistic that he will have a good year, but I can't list him as one of the players having a good year.

I read during TC that he was working on trying to gain yards after the catch instead of concentrating only on catching the ball. I have to wonder if that has caused some of the drops.

You seem to be confusing "putting up numbers" with playing well. Witten had a relatively low "thrown at" rate for a premier TE last year and it's dropped even lower this season.

And anybody who compares any game from this year to last year will see a dramatic improvement in Witten's blocking.

Don't be among the mindless who allow one play early in the season influence your opinion of a player.

 

[LaTunaNostra]

I love this board because of posts like this. Thanks for setting me straight. I wish we could get good analysis like this from the media.

And I love this board because of posts like THIS.

Ie, not beating a dead horse to appear 'right', and accepting that someone else might have looked a bit closer and seen a bit more.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

Funny, those two were the biggest question marks, yet they've played our best football.

Although I think Kosier and Rivera have been solid as well.


The only OL player that has stunk it up (and it hasn't been every game) is Adams.

I wouldn't quite call Rivera "solid" but I do agree with you. It is amazing that the three "new" starters are the three best players.

 

[Rick_Deckard]

You seem to be confusing "putting up numbers" with playing well. Witten had a relatively low "thrown at" rate for a premier TE last year and it's dropped even lower this season.

And anybody who compares any game from this year to last year will see a dramatic improvement in Witten's blocking.

Don't be among the mindless who allow one play early in the season influence your opinion of a player.

I think you are the one who is confused. I never said anything about his numbers. I said that he has dropped passes and blocked poorly. I saw him on Sunday and then I came home and watched it several times on TV. I am not judging him on one play. He is doing OK, but he is not playing at a Pro Bowl level. Therefore, I can't say that he is having a good year. I like the player too, but face the facts.

 

[ZeroClub]

Ill give some love to Fergy, Spears, Canty ect.

Yeah, and let's add Ratliff to the list too.

Ellis, Ware, and Ratliff are in a 3-way tie as sack leaders - each with 2.5 so far.

At this pace, the Cowboys will finish the season with three double digit sack players. Not bad, even if the double digit is "10."

Great to see Julius Jones consistently playing well. He looks a lot better than last year. (being healthy and better blocking makes a difference)

 

[Aikbach]

IF Colombo is our best lineman, what does that say about our Oline? He was on the way out of football 1.5 years ago, being released by the Bears.

Calm down, greta lineman are rarely first round prospects in Cowboy history at least.

Did you know that Mark Tuinei and Nate newton were both undrafted free agents that started playing defensive end in Dallas after being claimed off of Commander waivers before moving to the O-line? Did you know that Kevin Gogan was a late 6th round pick? Erik Williams and Mark Stepnoski were 3rd rounders? Hall of Famer Rayfield Wright was taken in the 11th round. You find talent where you can and make the best of it, even Larry Allen whom was taken in round two was presumed a puzzling reach when originally drafted. Patience is the key.

Kyle Kosier is a former 7th round pick. Marc Colombo is waiverwire claim, Marco Rivera was a 6th round pick that did time in NFL Europe. Only Gurode and Adams were taken with expectation. Adams is coming back from injury and Gurode is FINALLY showing something. Patience is the key, remeber even the vaunted line of yesteryear suffered growing pains.

 

[Aikbach]

Akin Ayodele has been the greatest bust of late, an expensive one as well. Canty's pass rush is probably second on the list.
Pat Watkins didn't look like a rookie until last Sunday.

 

[baj1dallas]

I realize that "quarter of the season" and "four (4) games" may be lost on you but picking out a few poor blocks by Witten in a single game doesn't mean that he's not upgraded his blocking substantially from a year ago.

I don't really think Witten is blocking all that well either. I've seen him miss numerous blocks when he's lined up in that wham formation. He'll get in the guy's way but fails to to completely negate him most of the time. It's understandable considering he's a TE, but I don't think he is nor ever will be a great run blocker.

 

[Yeagermeister]

After a quarter of the season, here's who I'm pleasantly surprised with.


Columbo - Right now he's Dallas' best lineman.

Gurode - Hasn't done anything dumb yet. I know that doesn't sound like much of an endorsement, but very few doubted his physical skills. It was what was under the helmet that was holding him back.

Witten - Blocking like an actual TE this year. He really seems to be making up for his lack of action in the passing game by opening holes or shielding off defenders for long gains.

McBriar - One bad catch but he's booming punt after punt. A 40+ net average is rarer than rare.

Williams - People want to harp on one bad angle in Philly or even a TD allowed vs. Tennesee but he still has two picks and a fumble recovery after four games.

Hurd - Looked better on special teams than I thought he would.

How dare you post something positive

 

[StanleySpadowski]

How dare you post something positive

Sorry. : : :

 

[AdamJT13]

I wish we could get good analysis like this from the media.

The media doesn't care enough about the team to break down game film. The play happens, they assess blame, they might question the coach, then they move on. I guarantee you JJT, Clarence Hill, Todd Archer, Matt Mosley, Mickey Spagnola and the rest of them don't Tivo games and analyze every play like many of us on this board (and others) do.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

My point exactly...we are luckly to have him under these circumstances.

what circumstance? he's healthy now and is obviously pretty talented, see 1st round selection

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I read during TC that he was working on trying to gain yards after the catch instead of concentrating only on catching the ball. I have to wonder if that has caused some of the drops.

good observation, that may be part, if not all of the problem, as he's usually a sure-handed guy