Post Game thoughts

[dbair1967]

It's a win, thats the best thing you can say about it. It was a huge win. It obviously wasnt pretty but its probably the best we can hope for with Johnson at QB.

1) For those bashing Jason Garrett you need to go back and watch this game again. We had guys open all over the place, it was just a classic case of a QB being unable to deliver the ball. Even most of his completed passes were poor throws. Further, I dont see how anyone can complain about a 3rd and 14draw play when the QB can barely throw the ball 15 yds to begin with. Once we get Romo back healthy, RW, Owens, Crayton, Austin, Witten and Bennett are going to cause alot of problems IF the OL will get its act together.

2) If somebody had told me we'd score only one td, be held to 172 yds of total offense and force no turnovers, I'd say thats a sure recipe for a blowout loss, yet we won the game. Tampa's gotta be wondering how they lost on the plane ride home.

3) I think I read they had 6 drives start in our territory and they managed only 3 FG's..outstanding defense, especially vs the run. Tampa came in 8th in the league in total offense, 9th in rushing offense and was averaging 23.0 pts per game. We held them way under all those averages.

4) Time for Henry to hit the glue factory I think. The difference in speed between him, Jenkins, Scandrick and Ball is VERY noticeable. The pass coverage seemed better to me after Henry went out with his injury.

5) Boy was Brad Johnson awful. After 3 straight 3 and outs I really thought Bollinger was coming in, as he had his helmet actually ON at one point.

6) Great catch by Roy Williams for the TD, one of the few passes Johnson actually threw ok. RW also had a great catch on the ball he was interfered on. He was constantly open, as were a number of our other guys. I think it was Austin who was wide open down the seem for an easy TD when Johnson instead dumped the ball off to Barber for a 1yd gain. Johnson also badly underthrew Curtis on a ball that was nearly picked, and that would have been an easy TD.

7) Our draft class is looking pretty damn good IMO. Jenkins and Scandrick both look like outstanding CB prospects. Felix Jones is already a major weapon, and Martellus Bennett is going to be extremely good. Tashard Choice is icing on the cake.

8) Nick Folk is simply one of our best late rd picks in recent memory, maybe ever.

9) Brad Johnson is going to get destroyed next weekend. I watched alot of the Giants/Steelers game and the 4th qtr domination by the Giants front 7 was very impressive. They rush the passer better than any team in football, and our OL is really struggling. This is another reason why todays win was so huge and why last weekends loss was so bad. I really didnt think we'd win today, but I absolutely see very few ways we could win in NY next weekend. Our offense is stuck in the mud with Johnson at QB, he is no threat to get the ball downfield we cant run the ball consistently and our defense cant force turnovers.

10) By the way, the 172 total yards of offense was the lowest in franchise history for a win. Next lowest according to DMN was a win vs Cleveland in 1970 where we gained 174 yds.

11) I cant figure out which stat is more unbelievable. The fact our team defense has a horrendous 2 picks in 8 games, or the fact that Jason campbell has NONE in 8 games.

Huge win today. Ugly, but it was much needed. If we can just get guys healthy and get the defense and OL to play consistent, maybe we can still make a run.

 

[kmd24]

We did force a turnover, but it was on ST.

 

[Tusan_Homichi]

I couldn't agree more on Brad Johnson and Anthony Henry.

And man, is that Rams game last week looking like a real lost opportunity right about now or what? I have a feeling we're going to be kicking ourselves at the end of the year for that one.

 

[Hostile]

I always love David's post game thoughts.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I love being back!

 

[dbair1967]

We did force a turnover, but it was on ST.

I meant defensive turnovers

 

[CF74]

I couldn't agree more on Brad Johnson and Anthony Henry.

And man, is that Rams game last week looking like a real lost opportunity right about now or what? I have a feeling we're going to be kicking ourselves at the end of the year for that one.

If we start BJ next week I'm gonna be kicking somebody!!!

 

[dbair1967]

If we start BJ next week I'm gonna be kicking my somebody!!!

get ready to kick

 

[goliadmike]

Spot on dbair. I'm going to be captain obvious here and say a QB that went 19 of 33 for a 122 yards with a 75.6 QB rating ain't gonna cut it! I Don't see how he can improve those numbers with that arm I have seen for the past two weeks.

 

[CF74]

get ready to kick

 

[Aikmaniac]

Always an even-keeled analysis.

I look forward to it after every game...win or lose.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

It's a win, thats the best thing you can say about it. It was a huge win. It oviously wasnt pretty but its probably the best we can hope for with Johnson at QB.

1) For those bashing Jason Garrett you need to go back and watch this game again. We had guys open all over the place, it was just a classic case of a QB being unable to deliver the ball. Even most of his completed passes were poor throws. Further, I dont see how anyone can complain about a 3rd and 14draw play when the QB can barely throw the ball 15 yds to begin with. Once we get Romo back healthy, RW, Owens, Crayton, Austin, Witten and Bennett are going to cause alot of problems IF the OL will get its act together.

I don't get the Garrett bashing either. The offense's stats since he's taken over have been downright excellent and have greatly improved from the Parcells era.

At the risk of sounding like I'm bashing Parcells (I'm still a Parcells fan) I'm not an "execution is everything" type of fan. However, when your QB has about zero accuracy on anything over 10 yards you could be Bill Walsh and your offense will struggle. TB was daring Johnson to throw the ball and he had plenty of great opportunities and he struck out just about every time.

2) If somebody had told me we'd score only one td, be held to 172 yds of total offense and force no turnovers, I'd say thats a sure recipe for a blowout loss, yet we won the game. Tampa's gotta be wondering how they lost on the plane ride home.

We did force a turnover, although Dallas didn't win the game on that turnover because Dallas couldn't even manage to score on that turnover. Dallas won because the passing efficiency battle was about even (76.7 vs. 75.6) and Dallas ran the ball a tad bit better...and on the Dallas TD the Bucs made a lot of penalties. In essence, it wasn't like the Bucs played very well either.

3) I think I read they had 6 drives start in our territory and they managed only 3 FG's..outstanding defense, especially vs the run. Tampa came in 8th in the league in total offense, 9th in rushing offense and was averaging 23.0 pts per game. We held them way under all those averages.

Well, it was nice to see that when a negative play happened against the defense they didn't fold up like a cheap tent and give up a TD. That to me has been one of the big issues. For instance, they could face the opposing team on their opposing team's 10 yard line and give up a 25 yard pass and despite the opposing team only being on their own 35 yard line, in the past they were almost guaranteed to continue to drive and score a TD. Here they played with some confidence, minimized their mistakes and stiffened up and forced TB to kick field goals.

4) Time for Henry to hit the glue factory I think. The difference in speed between him, Jenkins, Scandrick and Ball is VERY noticeable. The pass coverage seemed better to me after Henry went out with his injury.

Amen. Henry is looking worse than Jacques Reeves, and I'm not exaggerating.

8) Nick Folk is simply one of our best late rd picks in recent memory, maybe ever.

Yep, and Jerry will never get any credit for it. Meanwhile Parcells refused to go draft a kicker and it stymied the team during his tenure.

11) I cant figure out which stat is more unbelievable. The fact our team defense has a horrendous 2 picks in 8 games, or the fact that Jason campbell has NONE in 8 games.

Tough call. Dallas is actually getting to the QB, so only 2 picks is pretty amazing for a team on pace for about 48 sacks this season. OTOH, I think it's easier to get picks than it is to not throw a pick. Although I still believe that Campbell is to be had if he faces a decent defense that can contain their running game. He had a great game today while the Lions contained the run, but it was obvious the Lions were selling out hard against the run and their defense is atrocious anyway. In reality, Clinton Portis is probably the league MVP at this point.

Huge win today. Ugly, but it was much needed. If we can just get guys healthy and get the defense and OL to play consistent, maybe we can still make a run.

I figure Dallas has to go 10-6 to make the playoffs. I figure they lose Sunday versus the G-Men and then they have to go 5-2 to make the playoffs. Problem is that they face the Steelers, Ravens, Commanders, G-Men and Eagles after the bye. They can certainly do it given Romo's win percentage as a starter and remember, Dallas beat a 5-3 TB team with Brad Johnson as the QB. But, a lot of things have to fall in place and the defense has to play close to the level that they played today against the Bucs.





YAKUZA

 

[AtomicDog]

To me, todays win was huge! (duh), but considering how we've been playing, I was wondering when and where our next victory would come from. Credit the D for playing well and blame TB for just whiffing on a big hanging curve ball which has been the Cowboys the last month.

I actually didn't watch the game live. I was watching my boy play in a fall baseball tournament and he pitched to close out the game and had a nice double. But my thoughts were never far from how the Cowboys were doing. So happy the Cowboys and the Braves won today!!!!!!

 

[kmd24]

It's a win, thats the best thing you can say about it. It was a huge win.

Couple of other angles that may be important - 1) it was a conference win and 2) it gives us a tiebreaker over TB in the wildcard race. Better to lose to StL and beat TB than the other way around.

 

[Biggems]

It's a win, thats the best thing you can say about it. It was a huge win. It obviously wasnt pretty but its probably the best we can hope for with Johnson at QB.

1) For those bashing Jason Garrett you need to go back and watch this game again. We had guys open all over the place, it was just a classic case of a QB being unable to deliver the ball. Even most of his completed passes were poor throws. Further, I dont see how anyone can complain about a 3rd and 14draw play when the QB can barely throw the ball 15 yds to begin with. Once we get Romo back healthy, RW, Owens, Crayton, Austin, Witten and Bennett are going to cause alot of problems IF the OL will get its act together.

2) If somebody had told me we'd score only one td, be held to 172 yds of total offense and force no turnovers, I'd say thats a sure recipe for a blowout loss, yet we won the game. Tampa's gotta be wondering how they lost on the plane ride home.

3) I think I read they had 6 drives start in our territory and they managed only 3 FG's..outstanding defense, especially vs the run. Tampa came in 8th in the league in total offense, 9th in rushing offense and was averaging 23.0 pts per game. We held them way under all those averages.

4) Time for Henry to hit the glue factory I think. The difference in speed between him, Jenkins, Scandrick and Ball is VERY noticeable. The pass coverage seemed better to me after Henry went out with his injury.

5) Boy was Brad Johnson awful. After 3 straight 3 and outs I really thought Bollinger was coming in, as he had his helmet actually ON at one point.

6) Great catch by Roy Williams for the TD, one of the few passes Johnson actually threw ok. RW also had a great catch on the ball he was interfered on. He was constantly open, as were a number of our other guys. I think it was Austin who was wide open down the seem for an easy TD when Johnson instead dumped the ball off to Barber for a 1yd gain. Johnson also badly underthrew Curtis on a ball that was nearly picked, and that would have been an easy TD.

7) Our draft class is looking pretty damn good IMO. Jenkins and Scandrick both look like outstanding CB prospects. Felix Jones is already a major weapon, and Martellus Bennett is going to be extremely good. Tashard Choice is icing on the cake.

8) Nick Folk is simply one of our best late rd picks in recent memory, maybe ever.

9) Brad Johnson is going to get destroyed next weekend. I watched alot of the Giants/Steelers game and the 4th qtr domination by the Giants front 7 was very impressive. They rush the passer better than any team in football, and our OL is really struggling. This is another reason why todays win was so huge and why last weekends loss was so bad. I really didnt think we'd win today, but I absolutely see very few ways we could win in NY next weekend. Our offense is stuck in the mud with Johnson at QB, he is no threat to get the ball downfield we cant run the ball consistently and our defense cant force turnovers.

10) By the way, the 172 total yards of offense was the lowest in franchise history for a win. Next lowest according to DMN was a win vs Cleveland in 1970 where we gained 174 yds.

11) I cant figure out which stat is more unbelievable. The fact our team defense has a horrendous 2 picks in 8 games, or the fact that Jason campbell has NONE in 8 games.

Huge win today. Ugly, but it was much needed. If we can just get guys healthy and get the defense and OL to play consistent, maybe we can still make a run.

1. I would still like to see TO moved around more. I would like to see more slants and crossing routes for him. I would also like to see some Choice as more than a decoy.

2. We had 1 turnover on STs.

3. Other than Henry, our D was OUTSTANDING

4. I concur

5. I too was hoping for Bollinger

6. Don't forget the pass to TO where Owens went inside, then cut outside at about the 8, and the ball was too far to the outside. Had he connected there it would have been 6.

7. Sweet draft, but Choice needs more touches, especially with Felix out.

8. One of my favorite players on the team....I just reread your comment....I thought you said probably the best ever, and I was going to bring up Staubach....but you said one of the best ever, so no need to bring up Staubach.

9. The Giants D will send Johnson to an early grave.

10. Yds are overrated.....the best measuring stick is Scoreboard, and we had it today.

11. The latter. I can't believe Campbell hasn't turned the ball over.


BTW, if not for Watkins stupid penalty, we may have won by 7. That penalty took us out of FG range even before the drive started. The drive ended up being a total cluster....and a complete waste of a turnover.

 

[cowboyz]

spears had a great game. so did tank.

the dline really controlled the line of scrimmage. that's why they held them to 9 pts.

 

[TNCowboy]

spears had a great game. so did tank.

the dline really controlled the line of scrimmage. that's why they held them to 9 pts.

Canty didn't.

On one of the 4th down plays, it looked like he was literally picked up and carried 5 yards down the field.

 

[Apollo Creed]

spears had a great game. so did tank.

the dline really controlled the line of scrimmage. that's why they held them to 9 pts.

Pump your adjective breaks kid. Joe Montana had great games, Emmitt Smith had great games, Charles Haley, La'Roi Glover, Dexter Coakley even has had some great games.

However, I have never seen Marcus Spears or Tank Johnson have a 'great' game.

 

[TNCowboy]

4) Time for Henry to hit the glue factory I think. The difference in speed between him, Jenkins, Scandrick and Ball is VERY noticeable. The pass coverage seemed better to me after Henry went out with his injury.

Larry Brown said the same thing on the post-game show.

 

[ddh33]

Great win. Not a pretty win, by any stretch of the imagination. But this one was needed, and I think it meant a lot. Basically, it buys you time, keeps you alive, and gives you a better chance if you can get your horses back.

Hated to see Witten hurt. Hopefully he won't be out long. Henry also hurt himself today, and while I hate to see anyone hurt, I didn't think the team missed him - more on that later.

Great game by the defense. Everyone who has been busy killing Wade and company should probably give them credit now. This team was written off for dead, and even though the whole world was against them, they rallied. I think that's something you can build on.

Really impressed by the rookies in the secondary on this team. Jenkins and Scandrick really flashed today. Jenkins has great burst, and Scandrick just plays the right way; he's a tough one. I thought the secondary was much better when those young legs got in there. It actually seemed like the defense turned up the heat then too. It was enough to make me think that Anthony Henry is the guy the coaches have the least confidence in...Even though he isn't a rookie, I thought Alan Ball looked good too.

The front seven did a much better job of getting pressure on the QB and tackling people today. Ware's sack streak ended, but he played a very good game. I thought Bradie, Zach, and Burnett all played well too.

Marion Barber was the offense today. The numbers won't look pretty, but when you consider how much of it he had to do completely bu himself, you start to appreciate him. He looked like a leader too, for those fans who value that stuff.

The best thing I can say about Brad Johnson is that he didn't lose the game. He tried to, but he didn't. Not only does he not have any kind of arm strength, he's not very accurate either. Bad mix. Makes for tough going for the offense - even if you do have a lot of weapons.

Speaking of weapons, welcome to Dallas, Roy Williams11. He made a couple of nice grabs, and he did enough to make everyone excited about what could be when Romo gets back.

Since we were talking about rookies earlier, I think Martellus Bennett deserves some credit too. I really like his talent.

How many games have you seen where the punter makes one of the most memorable hits in the game? Well done, Sam Paulescu.

But for all of the people talking about character, I thought this was the game where you got to see that Dallas does have some. They fought hard and did enough to get the win. They need to play better next week. Whether they can or do, I still think we learned a little something about everyone in that lockerroom.