Quick thoughts from Week 3

[Galian Beast]

First let me start with Ezekiel Elliott, because there were so many irrational haters out there calling for him to be benched and calling him a bad pick, potentially even a bust.

This kid had a great game. 140 yards rushing and 20 yards receiving. I could only imagine what would have happened with Romo in the game. McFadden had a year high of 152 yards last year. Elliott is knocking on that door after just three games.

Not sure why we can utilize him better in the red zone though. He got robbed of 3 touchdowns generated much by his own contributions to the offense. I know it looks like he took himself out on one (with Dunbar), but the touchdowns for Morris and especially Prescott (which was poorly executed and only got him concussed) should have been Zeke's.

After 3 games (minus MNF) finds himself tied for 2nd among all NFL rushers. Ahead of Lamar Miller who so many of us wanted in the offseason. He's only going to get better. Is he going to get the rookie rushing record? Probably not, but I do think by midseason you're going to see him get some 200 yard games when Romo returns, so I don't think it's not worth discussing.

Defense continues to do their best out there, but it clearly still isn't enough. The lack of a pass rush will continue to haunt us. We really need Lawrence out there. I think with him and Crawford as book ends, we might have significant improvement. Still need to see more out of Sean Lee though.

I don't think Garrett did a great job, but I don't think he did a poor one either. His teams tend to take care of the bad teams like this one. I do question his decision to throw that challenge flag though. And with the resources we put into the line and the running back position, I'd like to see us go for it on 4th and short (with properly field position) a lot more. Definitely need to see more running in red zone. We saw more of it last night which was great.

 

[noshame]

That challenge flag was so lame it had to come from upstairs

 

[Donhyphen]

Your all over the place. I like it good post.

 

[Donhyphen]

Yea can they not see that big Tv.

 

[John813]

The decision making has improved quite a bit IMO for EE. Game 1 he was going full speed, and not using his vision to find the tiny crack. Tough front 4, so no huge blame there.

I liked how he bounced out a couple runs once nothing was open inside. His burst and speed is up there in the top % for running backs.
Watching him fly then seeing Morris in is like watching a turtle and a cheetah race.

Green had some bad penalties, but Dak didn't get his blindside whacked, so overall not bad for Green.

I thought Garrett did well overall. It could of been a blowout if it wasn't for a brief change in momentum after Williams fumbled.

 

[VACowboy]

I'm always happy with a W. The offense looked good. I'm just not sure we can tell much about the Cowboys from a game against a depleted Bears team that was bad to begin with.

Anyway...

I was thrilled to see a couple of rub routes. They worked great because Witten knows exactly how to pick off DBs without touching them. More please! I will never get the complete absence of slants and crossing routes to Dez, though. That is a total head shaker for me. M. Collins had a good game and Green had his issues but I thought played surprisingly well.

 

[haleyrules]

First let me start with Ezekiel Elliott, because there were so many irrational haters out there calling for him to be benched and calling him a bad pick, potentially even a bust.

This kid had a great game. 140 yards rushing and 20 yards receiving. I could only imagine what would have happened with Romo in the game. McFadden had a year high of 152 yards last year. Elliott is knocking on that door after just three games.

Not sure why we can utilize him better in the red zone though. He got robbed of 3 touchdowns generated much by his own contributions to the offense. I know it looks like he took himself out on one (with Dunbar), but the touchdowns for Morris and especially Prescott (which was poorly executed and only got him concussed) should have been Zeke's.

After 3 games (minus MNF) finds himself tied for 2nd among all NFL rushers. Ahead of Lamar Miller who so many of us wanted in the offseason. He's only going to get better. Is he going to get the rookie rushing record? Probably not, but I do think by midseason you're going to see him get some 200 yard games when Romo returns, so I don't think it's not worth discussing.

Defense continues to do their best out there, but it clearly still isn't enough. The lack of a pass rush will continue to haunt us. We really need Lawrence out there. I think with him and Crawford as book ends, we might have significant improvement. Still need to see more out of Sean Lee though.

I don't think Garrett did a great job, but I don't think he did a poor one either. His teams tend to take care of the bad teams like this one. I do question his decision to throw that challenge flag though. And with the resources we put into the line and the running back position, I'd like to see us go for it on 4th and short (with properly field position) a lot more. Definitely need to see more running in red zone. We saw more of it last night which was great.

Yes. Good post. That about sizes it up. The FO certainly needs to stiffen the defense up in the next draft to take this club into a bright future.

 

[CATCH17]

First let me start with Ezekiel Elliott, because there were so many irrational haters out there calling for him to be benched and calling him a bad pick, potentially even a bust.

This kid had a great game. 140 yards rushing and 20 yards receiving. I could only imagine what would have happened with Romo in the game. McFadden had a year high of 152 yards last year. Elliott is knocking on that door after just three games.

Not sure why we can utilize him better in the red zone though. He got robbed of 3 touchdowns generated much by his own contributions to the offense. I know it looks like he took himself out on one (with Dunbar), but the touchdowns for Morris and especially Prescott (which was poorly executed and only got him concussed) should have been Zeke's.

After 3 games (minus MNF) finds himself tied for 2nd among all NFL rushers. Ahead of Lamar Miller who so many of us wanted in the offseason. He's only going to get better. Is he going to get the rookie rushing record? Probably not, but I do think by midseason you're going to see him get some 200 yard games when Romo returns, so I don't think it's not worth discussing.

Defense continues to do their best out there, but it clearly still isn't enough. The lack of a pass rush will continue to haunt us. We really need Lawrence out there. I think with him and Crawford as book ends, we might have significant improvement. Still need to see more out of Sean Lee though.

I don't think Garrett did a great job, but I don't think he did a poor one either. His teams tend to take care of the bad teams like this one. I do question his decision to throw that challenge flag though. And with the resources we put into the line and the running back position, I'd like to see us go for it on 4th and short (with properly field position) a lot more. Definitely need to see more running in red zone. We saw more of it last night which was great.

If Zeke lived up to his hype he might've rushed for 300 yards tonight.

1 or 2 plays did I see him get more than what was blocked for him. Shoe string tackles, no big plays, nothing really electric.


He needs to be better. He needs to make big plays and not get shoe string tackled so much.

 

[CATCH17]

 

[Hawkeye19]

EE should not only have 20+ carries a game-- he needs to be used a lot more in the passing game.

He should have 5+ screens or flat routes a game and he should be motioned out wide a few times as well to mess with the D scheme and personnel.

 

[SHAMSzy]

*** were we thinking with the QB sneak on 1st & goal at the 1? Dumb as hell

 

[Ashwynn]

If Zeke lived up to his hype he might've rushed for 300 yards tonight.

1 or 2 plays did I see him get more than what was blocked for him. Shoe string tackles, no big plays, nothing really electric.


He needs to be better. He needs to make big plays and not get shoe string tackled so much.

WOW, I guess unless he gets 500 yards a game hes a bust? Man, hes a kid learning the NFL speed. Hes going to be a very good to great player for us for years. He made some plays and picked up many yards that weren't blocked for him. Give him a chance to learn the curve and get really comfortable. Your going to be singing his praises before too long, Let the hate go and learn to enjoy the ride.

 

[Stash]

First let me start with Ezekiel Elliott, because there were so many irrational haters out there calling for him to be benched and calling him a bad pick, potentially even a bust.

This kid had a great game. 140 yards rushing and 20 yards receiving. I could only imagine what would have happened with Romo in the game. McFadden had a year high of 152 yards last year. Elliott is knocking on that door after just three games.

Is it any less "irrational" to now anoint him after one good game? Against a defense completely ravaged by injuries? I don't think so. But there's a double standard of acceptable for positive and negative comments. One is acceptable while the other isn't for some people.

Not sure why we can utilize him better in the red zone though. He got robbed of 3 touchdowns generated much by his own contributions to the offense. I know it looks like he took himself out on one (with Dunbar), but the touchdowns for Morris and especially Prescott (which was poorly executed and only got him concussed) should have been Zeke's.

I won't criticize much with regard to the play calling, but that one and the 3rd and short toss play late stood out to me as particularly dumb calls. Given your quarterback situation, do you really want to subject Prescott to a situation like that unnecessarily?

After 3 games (minus MNF) finds himself tied for 2nd among all NFL rushers. Ahead of Lamar Miller who so many of us wanted in the offseason. He's only going to get better. Is he going to get the rookie rushing record? Probably not, but I do think by midseason you're going to see him get some 200 yard games when Romo returns, so I don't think it's not worth discussing.

Miller's doing a fine job with what he's working with in Houston. Their offensive line is depleted and his quarterback is playing lousy. He would be doing well here as well and there's no evidence for anyone to talk any "told ya so!" with regard to him.

Defense continues to do their best out there, but it clearly still isn't enough. The lack of a pass rush will continue to haunt us. We really need Lawrence out there. I think with him and Crawford as book ends, we might have significant improvement. Still need to see more out of Sean Lee though.

The pass rush is the disappointment we all said it would be. Nobody can be surprised about it now, least of all the people responsible for putting it together. We have neither speed nor flexibility on the outside. 'Trying really hard' won't get it done in this league. They played arguably the worst set of tackles and worst quarterback they will face all year last night and did little or nothing. We can only hope that Lawrence is a huge difference maker when he returns because a quality quarterback will destroy this defense.

I don't think Garrett did a great job, but I don't think he did a poor one either. His teams tend to take care of the bad teams like this one. I do question his decision to throw that challenge flag though. And with the resources we put into the line and the running back position, I'd like to see us go for it on 4th and short (with properly field position) a lot more. Definitely need to see more running in red zone. We saw more of it last night which was great.

I would have asked for a measurement late in the game when they were trying to run out the clock. I was surprised that he didn't. On the plus side, it looked to me like he sat Williams for a bit after his latest blunder and, if so, I credit him for holding players accountable.

 

[Stash]

*** were we thinking with the QB sneak on 1st & goal at the 1? Dumb as hell

Especially given this team's quarterback situation. Who called that play? Sanchez?

 

[dallasdave]

Yes. Good post. That about sizes it up. The FO certainly needs to stiffen the defense up in the next draft to take this club into a bright future.

Don't forget an OT in the draft also.

 

[dallasdave]

Especially given this team's quarterback situation. Who called that play? Sanchez?

 

[Stash]

If Zeke lived up to his hype he might've rushed for 300 yards tonight.

1 or 2 plays did I see him get more than what was blocked for him. Shoe string tackles, no big plays, nothing really electric.


He needs to be better. He needs to make big plays and not get shoe string tackled so much.

Oh, the number of times he was tripped up when there was a big play waiting!



Not blaming him for it obviously, but time and time again, there were those 'almost' plays...

 

[CATCH17]

WOW, I guess unless he gets 500 yards a game hes a bust? Man, hes a kid learning the NFL speed. Hes going to be a very good to great player for us for years. He made some plays and picked up many yards that weren't blocked for him. Give him a chance to learn the curve and get really comfortable. Your going to be singing his praises before too long, Let the hate go and learn to enjoy the ride.

He's playing good.. He needs to be better than that. You can find good anywhere in the draft at that position. He was advertised as special.

 

[John813]

What's wrong with the QB sneak?

Patriots run it all the time. It worked. QB's are going to get hit time from time. Sure there's less of a chance on a sneak for an injury compared to a blind side hit.

 

[haleyrules]

Don't forget an OT in the draft also.

Could get decent OT help at a reasonable price via FA. Its defense for me...l hate to say it..but the club needs a wideout with NFL caliber speed. Anyway, think DEFENSE!!