Quick thoughts before rewatch

[visionary]

Agree about Fassel

Diggs got a pick but also got schooled. He has to be more disciplined out there

 

[JD_KaPow]

If I recall correctly, the humidity in TB was really high and it is an open air, real grass, stadium. So that probably had a lot to do with that 60 yard kick in TB being short, and is ammo for why kicking that ball was a terrible call.

I don't think the humidity in LA was high, and I'm not sure if that stadium is fully indoors or not, it sure seems to have a lot of protection from the elements and is not natural grass.

So I think this week was MUCH better than last week when it comes to kicking conditions.

It's a 59-yard FG and your kicker was 3-of-9 from 50+ last season (not to mention what happened last week). Of the three options there--go for it, punt, FG attempt--the FG attempt is clearly the worst.

 

[fivetwos]

Haven't read many fan recaps yet so apologies if anything is repeated....

-Anyone miss Gallup? Cedric Wilson played well, especially early. We are absolutely stacked there.

-The first drive was key since it ate up an eighth of the entire game. At least part of the reason why our still growing defense gave up only 17.

-Loved how the world assumed pass when Pollard was in so early and they ran it with him. Moore had another excellent game mixing things up...and its refreshing to feel like the staff had an actual game plan an we executed it, as opposed to just showing up and doing what we do.

-Speaking of that drive....I've got to be a bit hypocritical....you just can't go for it on that 4th down so early in your own end. They pulled this reckless crap last year. Being aggressive is one thing, being stupid is another.

-The safeties had a good game, especially Kearse. Him, among others seemed to be much better at wrapping up on tackles than we have been used to. If Kearse somehow emerges as the top S of all that were brought in....wow.

-Speaking of DBs, things just feel different. We actually try for interceptions and get them. The lack there dates back to the Switzer days IMO. Diggs has for sure taken the next step and is on his way to being one of the leagues best.

-I recall hearing last year that Fassel has free reign to call whatever. That has to be taken away. Last year was a complete debacle but I figured it was due to desperation. You simply cannot call for an all out block in the spot he called it in. If you ask me, he is trying to get himself noticed. If MM is smart he clips his wings.

-After all the grief over Collins, Steele really showed up and played well. That's a massive plus if he is for real, and Id suggest that #71 quit crying victim and find his way on to the field. Coach Jerry, in all his glory talking game plan on national tv, seemed quite excited about Steele.

Sorry folks I screwed up the field position on the OP.

For some reason I thought we were on our own 46-47.

I definitely agree that risk/reward is greatly in favor of going for it there.

Missed FG gives opponent excellent field position, and a punt nets maybe 20 yards. May as well take the shot. Doesn't appear that MM is at all against it.

 

[IceStar-D7]

Yep. Have to do my re watch also. I'm tough on my team but I just want the best for them and out of them. I like the fight they showed yesterday,We as in they....just have to build on it.

 

[sbark]

Agree about Fassel

Diggs got a pick but also got schooled. He has to be more disciplined out there

Cowboys gotta clean up ......several times Herbert was rolled out to his right on 3rd down and long
Presumably to get away from Parson, Osa pressure
Dallas DB lost coverage every time it seemed on throwback across

 

[CouchCoach]

Remember when Mike Leach use to do this at Tech every chance he got over 10 years ago? I guess everyone else is just getting caught up.

Leach was one of the first college coaches to go meet with the Pulaski High coach in Arkansas that always went for it, never punted, always used the onside kick and was probably the father of analytics in football.

 

[SackMaster]

It's a 59-yard FG and your kicker was 3-of-9 from 50+ last season (not to mention what happened last week). Of the three options there--go for it, punt, FG attempt--the FG attempt is clearly the worst.

I'm just going to chalk it up to:

• He had a bad game in TB
• The kicking conditions in TB were less than ideal
• He may be doing very good in practice

What has happened has happened, both good and bad. We only have the option of moving forward from here.

 

[visionary]

Cowboys gotta clean up ......several times Herbert was rolled out to his right on 3rd down and long
Presumably to get away from Parson, Osa pressure
Dallas DB lost coverage every time it seemed on throwback across

the biggest things that separate great defenses from good defenses are discipline and tackling

we seem to have a good scheme but need to work on those

 

[Clove]

Nice write up:

My complete observations since I've rewatched the game already

* Gallup needs to come back, he's the alpha to Cedric
* Kearse was dominant - The most dominant safety play I've seen in years
* Biadiaz was below average - We need to find a secondary center
* We need talent, or should I say, MORE talent at TE (If Possible)
* The Linebacker play when Micah was rushing the QB needs more speed
* Speaking of linebacker play - Jaylon & LVE had pretty good games
* OSA is going to be a monster at DT - Can't wait till Gallimore is back also
* In the near future, teams will not be able to target Diggs - They'll pay
* The coaching job was great - All coaches make mistakes (otherwise, there would be an undefeated season)
* Our offense could've put up monster numbers, the game-plan called for mostly runs
* Our offense was barely on the field all day long
* Micah Parsons' is a force to be reckoned with - My only negative was that he was held out a bunch in this game - NO NO NO

Summary: The game-plan called for runs since they were sitting back in the deep zone, and the Cowboys destroyed them.
The Lesson: The Cowboys are versatile so don't go in trying to stop one thing -

 

[fivetwos]

What are you talking about? They went for it on 4th-and-5 at the Chargers 41, not in their own end.

It was a classic example of being stuck in no-man's-land. Out of FG range. A punt will net you 20-30 yards. Going for it is by far the best alternative.

I would have been furious if they punted there. Giving up the ball without a fight for only 20 or 30 yards of field position is a bad trade

Sorry folks I screwed up the field position on the OP.

For some reason I thought we were on our own 46-47.

I definitely agree that risk/reward is greatly in favor of going for it there.

Missed FG gives opponent excellent field position, and a punt nets maybe 20 yards. May as well take the shot. Doesn't appear that MM is at all against it.

Welp.....I'm just beginning the rewatch.

You just won't believe it but we went for it on 4th and 1 from our own 49 on the first drive of the game.

I suppose what you were referencing is on the way, but I now stand by the OP.

Lesson learned on my end.

 

[JD_KaPow]

Welp.....I'm just beginning the rewatch.

You just won't believe it but we went for it on 4th and 1 from our own 49 on the first drive of the game.

I suppose what you were referencing is on the way, but I now stand by the OP.

Lesson learned on my end.

Haha you're right, forgot about that one. Of course, I'll always support going for it on 4th-and-1 from anywhere close to midfield.

The Football Reference game summary shows us 0-1 on 4th down. I guess that one doesn't count because we converted on penalty.

 

[eromeopolk]

Boy Cedric looked dynamic as hell on that play and the #1 was fitting.

Everyone is contributing on offense and are playmakers. All of them.

He wore #1 in college at the Cowboys farm system Boise St. University. That means he was on of the best players and athletes on the team...injuries kept him from that early round selection. He was a JC transfer to Boise Cowboy State and former QB in high school. If he is over the injuries, he will easily replace Gallup (I like to keep both).

 

[Whirlwin]

Everyone is going for it on 4th down at times that don’t make sense and they could be anywhere on the field.

Just get used to that. Analytics are saying go for it so teams are doing it and it’s kinda working.

it’s not something I like doing. But they do it , In madden all the time. I guess the percentages say do it. But I wouldn’t do it on are side of the field . Automatically giving up three points, I don’t get it

 

[CATCH17]

it’s not something I like doing. But they do it , In madden all the time. I guess the percentages say do it. But I wouldn’t do it on are side of the field . Automatically giving up three points, I don’t get it

NFL is played like a video game.

This ain’t Madden no longer applies.

The Kids who grew up playing Madden knew long ago to not receive the ball first because scoring before half and getting it back after halftime was game breaking.

Going for it more.

Mobile QBs who can throw.

These spread concepts.

All these things have been done by 14 year old kids for over a decade and now the NFL runs their team that way. It’s hilarious.

I honestly believe a lot of these QBs got good at reading coverages because they probably played so much Madden growing up.

 

[GMO415]

Even though time of possession was even, LA appeared to have the ball forever starting the second half. I thought Dak was going to start riding the stationary.

 

[Whirlwin]

NFL is played like a video game.

This ain’t Madden no longer applies.

The Kids who grew up playing Madden knew long ago to not receive the ball first because scoring before half and getting it back after halftime was game breaking.

Going for it more.

Mobile QBs who can throw.

These spread concepts.

All these things have been done by 14 year old kids for over a decade and now the NFL runs their team that way. It’s hilarious.

I honestly believe a lot of these QBs got good at reading coverages because they probably played so much Madden growing up.

That’s scary. Although I do have two Super Bowl rings LOL

 

[Whirlwin]

NFL is played like a video game.

This ain’t Madden no longer applies.

The Kids who grew up playing Madden knew long ago to not receive the ball first because scoring before half and getting it back after halftime was game breaking.

Going for it more.

Mobile QBs who can throw.

These spread concepts.

All these things have been done by 14 year old kids for over a decade and now the NFL runs their team that way. It’s hilarious.

I honestly believe a lot of these QBs got good at reading coverages because they probably played so much Madden growing up.

I remember they give Tom Landry such a hard time. For being a computer guy

 

[fivetwos]

Haha you're right, forgot about that one. Of course, I'll always support going for it on 4th-and-1 from anywhere close to midfield.

The Football Reference game summary shows us 0-1 on 4th down. I guess that one doesn't count because we converted on penalty.

Ok so you meant the 4th and 5 from their 45 with about 5 minutes left in the half.

Yep, going is the right call but an interesting debate because in the age when you were actually allowed to play defense, punting was often the chosen strategy.

Possessions/opportunity > field position these days.

 

[Frosty]

Everyone is going for it on 4th down at times that don’t make sense and they could be anywhere on the field.

Just get used to that. Analytics are saying go for it so teams are doing it and it’s kinda working.

Look no further than Sunday Night Football....Chiefs vs Ravens......Harbaugh went for it on 4th down with the game on the line........ HC are going for it on 4th downs now more than ever.... Cant Win the game Punting the ball to these explosive offenses.....put the game into your playmakers hands and let them do their job.

 

[JD_KaPow]

Ok so you meant the 4th and 5 from their 45 with about 5 minutes left in the half.

Yep, going is the right call but an interesting debate because in the age when you were actually allowed to play defense, punting was often the chosen strategy.

Possessions/opportunity > field position these days.

Pretty sure going for it was always the best strategy. It's just that historically, coaches were uber-conservative. The fact that you can't gain much field position with a punt from that position (the 41, not the 45) really makes a difference.