Polamalu vs. Woodson

[KJJ]

Thanks for posting this. I can only speak on what I saw from Polamalu. I just didn't think he was that good of a coverage safety. Great player, don't get me wrong. He was perfect for what Pittsburgh did with him but I think he's a JAG if he played in a traditional Safety role. JMO

I doubt anyone who drafted Polamalu would have forced him to play a traditional safety role once his instincts took over and they recognized the playmaker they had. Players are drafted to play in a particular scheme but once coaches see what they have in a player they adapt this is what the Steelers did. The plan was never to have Polamalu flying all over the field but he was instinctive and the Steelers recognized when he's freed up and allowed to use his instincts he's a tremendous playmaker.

Staubach wouldn't have been the QB he was had he been forced him to play traditional drop back QB. Landry conceded and allowed Roger to run and make plays because it worked. Dorsett wouldn't have been the special back he was if he was forced to run every play where it was designed. When something is working you make exceptions all great coaches do.

 

[Future]

I doubt anyone who drafted Polamalu would have forced him to play a traditional safety role once his instincts took over and they recognized the playmaker they had. Players are drafted to play in a particular scheme but once coaches see what they have in a player they adapt this is what the Steelers did. The plan was never to have Polamalu flying all over the field but he was instinctive and the Steelers recognized when he's freed up and allowed to use his instincts he's a tremendous playmaker.

Staubach wouldn't have been the QB he was had he been forced him to play traditional drop back QB. Landry conceded and allowed Roger to run and make plays because it worked. Dorsett wouldn't have been the special back he was if he was forced to run every play where it was designed. When something is working you make exceptions all great coaches do.

Was Bill Parcells a great coach?

He did the exact opposite with both Tony Romo and Julius Jones. For one it worked, for the other...not so much.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I doubt anyone who drafted Polamalu would have forced him to play a traditional safety role once his instincts took over and they recognized the playmaker they had. Players are drafted to play in a particular scheme but once coaches see what they have in a player they adapt this is what the Steelers did. The plan was never to have Polamalu flying all over the field but he was instinctive and the Steelers recognized when he's freed up and allowed to use his instincts he's a tremendous playmaker.

Staubach wouldn't have been the QB he was had he been forced him to play traditional drop back QB. Landry conceded and allowed Roger to run and make plays because it worked. Dorsett wouldn't have been the special back he was if he was forced to run every play where it was designed. When something is working you make exceptions all great coaches do.

I don't agree with this. Jimmy, for example, would not have played him. He believed in speed at all positions and that was not Polamalu. That was Woodson. In fact, Roger had to change his game to get on the field. Did he extend plays? Yes, he did do that but he was coached not to do that until the play broke down. Roger was better then Craig and Coach Landry knew that but he didn't see the field until he learned to play within the offense.

 

[KJJ]

Was Bill Parcells a great coach?

He did the exact opposite with both Tony Romo and Julius Jones. For one it worked, for the other...not so much.

Parcells was a great coach and abandoned his 4 yards and a cloud of dust offense for a passing offense once he recognized the playmaker Romo was in the passing game. As for Julius Jones Parcells didn't tolerate fumbles and it got into the head of Jones. All he had to do was hang onto the ball but thinking about it affected his running. He was never effective back once he left the Cowboys can't blame Parcells for that.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Parcells was a great coach and abandoned his 4 yards and a cloud of dust offense for a passing offense once he recognized the playmaker Romo was in the passing game. As for Julius Jones Parcells didn't tolerate fumbles and it got into the head of Jones. All he had to do was hang onto the ball but thinking about it affected his running. He was never effective back once he left the Cowboys can't blame Parcells for that.

No. Parcells coached balance. He didn't give up his style of football. He made sure Tony understood the importance of making good decisions, getting rid of the ball and a good play is not always the glamor play. Sometimes a good play is eating the ball instead of taking a chance with it. Throwing the ball away and living for another day. Not putting your defense in poor down and distance. I think Parcells tried to teach all of these things to Tony. What happened after Parcells left is a little different story but I don't think he changed his philosophy much.

 

[Future]

Parcells was a great coach and abandoned his 4 yards and a cloud of dust offense for a passing offense once he recognized the playmaker Romo was in the passing game. As for Julius Jones Parcells didn't tolerate fumbles and it got into the head of Jones. All he had to do was hang onto the ball but thinking about it affected his running. He was never effective back once he left the Cowboys can't blame Parcells for that.

None of that is even close to right.

In 2006, the Cowboys had 506 pass attempts vs. 472 rushing attempts. That's basically a 50/50 split. He was never even the coach when Romo was the day 1 starter.

The problem with Julius Jones wasn't the fumbles, it wasn't his running style. BP wanted the cloud of dust to eliminate negative runs and, in turn, it suffocated JJ's running style.

 

[KJJ]

I don't agree with this. Jimmy, for example, would not have played him. He believed in speed at all positions and that was not Polamalu. That was Woodson. In fact, Roger had to change his game to get on the field. Did he extend plays? Yes, he did do that but he was coached not to do that until the play broke down. Roger was better then Craig and Coach Landry knew that but he didn't see the field until he learned to play within the offense.

I would love to get Jimmy's view of Polamalu. Speed wasn't everything with Jimmy or he wouldn't have drafted Emmitt or Alvin Harper. Jimmy wanted playmakers and although Emmitt didn't have speed he made plays as did Harper. Polamalu was a playmaker can't imagine Jimmy not wanting a player like him. I would have to hear it from him before I would believe it. Roger never totally played within the system but he made plays and the Cowboys were winning with him at QB which is why he ended up the QB. Morton was more Landry's style of QB a traditional drop back passer but he was mistake prone he had 21 int's in 72.

 

[KJJ]

No. Parcells coached balance. He didn't give up his style of football. He made sure Tony understood the importance of making good decisions, getting rid of the ball and a good play is not always the glamor play. Sometimes a good play is eating the ball instead of taking a chance with it. Throwing the ball away and living for another day. Not putting your defense in poor down and distance. I think Parcells tried to teach all of these things to Tony. What happened after Parcells left is a little different story but I don't think he changed his philosophy much.

He made sure Romo understood the importance of making good decisions but the offense was opened up more once Romo became the QB. Romo was going down the field much more than Bledsoe did during the 06 season.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I would love to get Jimmy's view of Polamalu. Speed wasn't everything with Jimmy or he wouldn't have drafted Emmitt or Alvin Harper. Jimmy wanted playmakers and although Emmitt didn't have speed he made plays as did Harper. Polamalu was a playmaker can't imagine Jimmy not wanting a player like him. I would have to hear it from him before I would believe it. Roger never totally played within the system but he made plays and the Cowboys were winning with him at QB which is why he ended up the QB. Morton was more Landry's style of QB a traditional drop back passer but he was mistake prone he had 21 int's in 72.

Alvin Harper wasn't slow. On Defense, Speed was everything to Jimmy. That's why he didn't keep Walls. That's why he got rid of Eugene Lockhart. One of the first things Jimmy said when he got to Dallas was that the overall team speed had to change. The reason Jimmy moved up to get Woodson, a player that nobody else coveted, was his speed. I can agree with you on Emmitt but you also have to remember that Jimmy recruited Emmitt out of Escambia. He watched him and new him. Jimmy knew exactly what he was getting and in truth, Jimmy only thought that Emmitt would last for 4 or 5 seasons. He never thought Emmitt would be the player he turned out to be. If you look at who we drafted at RB, Tony Bowls (Speed Guy), Curvin Richards (Speed Guy), Derrick Lassic (Speed Guy), I think Emmitt was the exception but I acknowledge it. You made a good point with Emmitt.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

He made sure Romo understood the importance of making good decisions but the offense was opened up more once Romo became the QB. Romo was going down the field much more than Bledsoe did during the 06 season.

I think that's more about Bledsoe's ability at that point in his career and less about a change in philosophy.

 

[Future]

He made sure Romo understood the importance of making good decisions but the offense was opened up more once Romo became the QB. Romo was going down the field much more than Bledsoe did during the 06 season.

That's b/c Bledsoe sucked not b/c of a scheme change.

 

[KJJ]

None of that is even close to right.

In 2006, the Cowboys had 506 pass attempts vs. 472 rushing attempts. That's basically a 50/50 split. He was never even the coach when Romo was the day 1 starter.

The problem with Julius Jones wasn't the fumbles, it wasn't his running style. BP wanted the cloud of dust to eliminate negative runs and, in turn, it suffocated JJ's running style.

There was balance but the offense was opened up once Romo took over. Romo was going down the field much more than Bledsoe. Romo had much better chemistry with TO than Bledsoe. TO didn't have a single 100 yard game with Bledsoe during the 06 season but had three 100 yard games with Romo. The problem with Julius was the fumbles which is why Parcells came down on him. He was running great but was putting the ball on the ground. Once Parcells got on him he began running like a FB with both hands on the ball and lost his playmaking ability. The long runs disappeared and he began to fade. He was worse in 07 under Wade averaging only 3.6 a carry which was the lowest during his stint with the Cowboys.

 

[KJJ]

Alvin Harper wasn't slow. On Defense, Speed was everything to Jimmy. That's why he didn't keep Walls. That's why he got rid of Eugene Lockhart. One of the first things Jimmy said when he got to Dallas was that the overall team speed had to change. The reason Jimmy moved up to get Woodson, a player that nobody else coveted, was his speed. I can agree with you on Emmitt but you also have to remember that Jimmy recruited Emmitt out of Escambia. He watched him and new him. Jimmy knew exactly what he was getting and in truth, Jimmy only thought that Emmitt would last for 4 or 5 seasons. He never thought Emmitt would be the player he turned out to be. If you look at who we drafted at RB, Tony Bowls (Speed Guy), Curvin Richards (Speed Guy), Derrick Lassic (Speed Guy), I think Emmitt was the exception but I acknowledge it. You made a good point with Emmitt.

Harper wasn't slow but he wasn't a 4.3 guy it was his leaping ability that led to most of his big plays. Had he been a speedster he would have taken that slant vs SF in the 92 title game the distance. I'm aware Jimmy was about speed but he was also about having playmakers. Several of the "speed" players Jimmy drafted didn't workout most notably Alexander Wright. Jimmy didn't think Emmitt would turn out to be the player he did no one did which is why Blair Thomas was drafted ahead of him. Even Jimmy had Blair Thomas rated ahead of Emmitt.

 

[KJJ]

I think that's more about Bledsoe's ability at that point in his career and less about a change in philosophy.

Bledsoe still had the arm but not the decision making which is why a change was made. Parcells recognized before Romo ever took his first regular season snap that he was a playmaker which is why he held onto him never exposing him on the practice squad. The Cowboys needed a spark in 06 and Romo provided it.

 

[KJJ]

That's b/c Bledsoe sucked not b/c of a scheme change.

The Cowboys needed a spark in the passing game and Parcells went away from what the team did early in the season and had Romo go down the field. Bledsoe was averaging 6.9 per attempt in 06 and Romo averaged 8.6 per attempt which is his career high.

 

[Future]

The Cowboys needed a spark in the passing game and Parcells went away from what the team did early in the season and had Romo go down the field. Bledsoe was averaging 6.9 per attempt in 06 and Romo averaged 8.6 per attempt which is his career high.

Except for the fact that isn't true.

Romo's YPA was higher than Bledsoe's b/c he could extend plays. It had nothing to do with the offensive philosophy.

 

[KJJ]

You say that like it is a sin to be a FAN.

If it was a sin to be a FAN 80% of this board would be headed you know where. lol You and a few others act like it's a sin to be objective. None of you have a shred of evidence to support Woodson being on par or better than Polamalu. There's not one all-time safety ranking that has Darren Woodson ranked ahead or even close to Polamalu. Woodson wasn't apart of an all decade team, never won a defensive player of the year award and isn't even in his own teams hall of fame. You don't have any credible source that you can provide a quote from who claims Darren Woodson was on par or better than Polamalu. All you have to support your option are other biased Cowboy FANS.

 

[KJJ]

Except for the fact that isn't true.

Romo's YPA was higher than Bledsoe's b/c he could extend plays. It had nothing to do with the offensive philosophy.

It is true Parcells allowed Romo to make plays because the team was struggling and needed a spark from a QB who wasn't nail to the turf. Parcells allowed Romo to be the playmaker his is.

 

[Vtwin]

There was balance but the offense was opened up once Romo took over. Romo was going down the field much more than Bledsoe. Romo had much better chemistry with TO than Bledsoe. TO didn't have a single 100 yard game with Bledsoe during the 06 season but had three 100 yard games with Romo. The problem with Julius was the fumbles which is why Parcells came down on him. He was running great but was putting the ball on the ground. Once Parcells got on him he began running like a FB with both hands on the ball and lost his playmaking ability. The long runs disappeared and he began to fade. He was worse in 07 under Wade averaging only 3.6 a carry which was the lowest during his stint with the Cowboys.

It only "opened up" because Romo opened it up with his scrambling ability. Bledsoe had no time to get the ball down the field and could not extend the play. Romo could extend the play and get the ball down the field like Parcells intended all along. I am sure Parcells would have preferred it be done from the pocket but he, just like the rest of us, saw that that just wasn't going to happen.

The same line that couldn't give Bledsoe the time get the ball down the field also could not consistently open up the running game. It took Barber, who didn't need no stinking line, to get consistent yards in the running game.

If only Jerry had started drafting lineman back then.....

 

[Plankton]

Alvin Harper wasn't slow. On Defense, Speed was everything to Jimmy. That's why he didn't keep Walls. That's why he got rid of Eugene Lockhart. One of the first things Jimmy said when he got to Dallas was that the overall team speed had to change. The reason Jimmy moved up to get Woodson, a player that nobody else coveted, was his speed. I can agree with you on Emmitt but you also have to remember that Jimmy recruited Emmitt out of Escambia. He watched him and new him. Jimmy knew exactly what he was getting and in truth, Jimmy only thought that Emmitt would last for 4 or 5 seasons. He never thought Emmitt would be the player he turned out to be. If you look at who we drafted at RB, Tony Bowls (Speed Guy), Curvin Richards (Speed Guy), Derrick Lassic (Speed Guy), I think Emmitt was the exception but I acknowledge it. You made a good point with Emmitt.

Richards and Lassic were very similar to Emmitt Smith in terms of size, and Richards had good shiftiness, but neither were real speed guys (both ran in the 4.5 range).

The story about how Tony Boles was cut was an interesting one. He asked Harper to borrow his Mercedes, and Boles never returned with it.