Random thoughts after re-watching the Skins game

[xwalker]

My pet cat Parnell looked really good. It's fun to watch him put defenders on the ground often and generally bully defenders around.

The Skins didn't get pressure on Weeden. They did line up about 8 guys right on the line on one play, but Weeden threw the ball immediately after the snap.

I'm just curious why they didn't get more pressure on him considering that Romo seemed to be under pressure on most snaps. My guess is that the Skins D-Coordinator and players have spent so much time analyzing every little detail of Romo that they found some way to take advantage of it. They probably figured out exactly how Romo would respond when they showed certain looks which includes Romo changing the play or changing the protection scheme.

Obviously, it was a small sample size with Weeden only throwing a few times, but it was interesting because normally it's the opposite in terms of the backup QB getting more pressure than the starter would.

I thought Weeden looked good. His throws were quick and accurate. It's hard to know how he would respond if he did get more pressure or couldn't make a quick throw, but in general he did what he needed to do.

In regards to Romo getting pressured/sacked, I don't think much of it was the fault of the OLine. Martin couldn't get off his initial block on a stunt, but other than that most of the blame seemed to be elsewhere. I think the DT was holding Martin which prevented him from getting to the OLB on the stunt. Murray missed at least one critical blitz pickup. The routes on some plays were too long and slow to develop. There were some plays where Romo should have known where the extra rusher was coming from, but didn't seem to see it.

More running plays at critical times would have been good, IMO. Running to the right behind Martin/Parnell seemed like it always got at least a few yards. I thought a pitch type outside run would have been good a couple of times. When the Skins would overload the line, the flat area looked vulnerable with no defenders in good position to defend it.

 

[BAT]

My pet cat Parnell looked really good. It's fun to watch him put defenders on the ground often and generally bully defenders around.

The Skins didn't get pressure on Weeden. They did line up about 8 guys right on the line on one play, but Weeden threw the ball immediately after the snap.

I'm just curious why they didn't get more pressure on him considering that Romo seemed to be under pressure on most snaps. My guess is that the Skins D-Coordinator and players have spent so much time analyzing every little detail of Romo that they found some way to take advantage of it. They probably figured out exactly how Romo would respond when they showed certain looks which includes Romo changing the play or changing the protection scheme.

Obviously, it was a small sample size with Weeden only throwing a few times, but it was interesting because normally it's the opposite in terms of the backup QB getting more pressure than the starter would.

I thought Weeden looked good. His throws were quick and accurate. It's hard to know how he would respond if he did get more pressure or couldn't make a quick throw, but in general he did what he needed to do.

In regards to Romo getting pressured/sacked, I don't think much of it was the fault of the OLine. Martin couldn't get off his initial block on a stunt, but other than that most of the blame seemed to be elsewhere. I think the DT was holding Martin which prevented him from getting to the OLB on the stunt. Murray missed at least one critical blitz pickup. The routes on some plays were too long and slow to develop. There were some plays where Romo should have known where the extra rusher was coming from, but didn't seem to see it.

More running plays at critical times would have been good, IMO. Running to the right behind Martin/Parnell seemed like it always got at least a few yards. I thought a pitch type outside run would have been good a couple of times. When the Skins would overload the line, the flat area looked vulnerable with no defenders in good position to defend it.

Pitches/sweeps aren't the most efficient running plays in a ZBS. It limits the cut back options.

 

[DogFace]

Nice post. I agree with every point.

 

[pugilist]

good analysis

seems like it was just a "bad night" for Linehan (not adjusting the game plan) and Romo (not seeing things correctly among other things)

this just makes me want to see Weeden more. Not because I want there to be some QB controversy or because I think he's better than Tony. He obviously prepared well for the Wash game and I have confidence he will do it again for Zona if needed. The smart thing to do imo is let Tony get back to 100% as much as possible and put him back out there after the bye

 

[Nova]

It was my biggest complaint of Romo a year ago other than his arm strength. He does a bit too much pre-snap sometimes, lets the play clock run down and lets the defense tee off with their pass rush.

Don't get me wrong, you have to make adjustments at the line at times, but sometimes Romo just overthinks it rather than just hiking the ball and making a quick read. He's just not very assertive like Weeden and Orton are/were. He's much better than those guys, but I feel he gets in his own way at times trying to be too perfect.

 

[xwalker]

Pitches/sweeps aren't the most efficient running plays in a ZBS. It limits the cut back options.

ZBS is only a part of the Cowboys running scheme. They run power, traps, counters and all that stuff. Fred was on the radio a few weeks ago and he mentioned that basically they know that the Zone type runs won't always get yardage, but they often setup the defense to be vulnerable to other types of runs. For instance, the Cowboys tend to like the run the Zone stretch to the left often. This gets the defenders anticipating it and will start jumping to the (offensive) left at the snap. When they come back and run Power Right, if those defenders cheated towards the (offensive) left then they're out of position for the Power Right run.

My point with the pitch play (I'm thinking just a pitch outside run, not a sweep) is that with all of the defenders either up on the line or in coverage, that it's really difficult for them to get out to the flat. Even if the pitch play does not gain yardage the 1st time, it will get the defenders to look for it and can cause them to be a step delayed in pass rushing.

 

[xwalker]

It was my biggest complaint of Romo a year ago other than his arm strength. He does a bit too much pre-snap sometimes, lets the play clock run down and lets the defense tee off with their pass rush.

Don't get me wrong, you have to make adjustments at the line at times, but sometimes Romo just overthinks it rather than just hiking the ball and making a quick read. He's just not very assertive like Weeden and Orton are/were. He's much better than those guys, but I feel he gets in his own way at times trying to be too perfect.

Agree. Romo is a really good QB, but he does seem to over-think things at times.

I've never really understood not having at least 1 shorter route on pass plays. The Cowboys often seem to have all the the routes being intermediate to long with the short middle of the field vacant. I think it has something to do with Romo not liking to have underneath defenders that are hard to see when his primary target is an intermediate route, but it seems like it makes him more vulnerable to being pressured/sacked. He can't even throw the ball away because there are no receivers nearby and it would be intention grounding.

 

[JoeKing]

Very astute observations.

Big picture... losing to the lowly Commanders may have been the best thing for our Boys. It can be the catalyst that ignites our players attention to details being laser focused. If each of them do their job, we win.

 

[xwalker]

Very astute observations.

Big picture... losing to the lowly Commanders may have been the best thing for our Boys. It can be the catalyst that ignites our players attention to details being laser focused. If each of them do their job, we win.

I do think this team is good at studying the film and learning from their mistakes; whereas, in some past years I didn't have that feeling.

It's really amazing how good this OLine is considering their overall lack of experience. Martin is a rookie. Parnell has less game experience than Martin. Fred and Leary are just 2nd year starters. Tyron is the grizzled veteran at 23 years old. If the OLinemen made mistakes in this game, I think they correct them with film study. Also, I think Linehan will make some corrections. I am concerned about some veterans like Murray missing a simple blitz pickup and his continued fumbling.

 

[gimmesix]

The Skins didn't get pressure on Weeden. They did line up about 8 guys right on the line on one play, but Weeden threw the ball immediately after the snap.

I'm just curious why they didn't get more pressure on him considering that Romo seemed to be under pressure on most snaps. My guess is that the Skins D-Coordinator and players have spent so much time analyzing every little detail of Romo that they found some way to take advantage of it. They probably figured out exactly how Romo would respond when they showed certain looks which includes Romo changing the play or changing the protection scheme.

Obviously, it was a small sample size with Weeden only throwing a few times, but it was interesting because normally it's the opposite in terms of the backup QB getting more pressure than the starter would.

I thought Weeden looked good. His throws were quick and accurate. It's hard to know how he would respond if he did get more pressure or couldn't make a quick throw, but in general he did what he needed to do..

I noticed that, too. The Commanders seemed to be more content to play coverage against Weeden, almost as if they didn't think he couldn't beat him with his passing. Based on the preseason, I would have brought pressure because Weeden didn't show he could handle it well at all, throwing some absolutely awful passes up for grabs.

 

[jazzcat22]

I still think Weeden should start next game or even 2.
Have Romo for the stretch run.

 

[RS12]

Parnell does not hurt the run game at all,in fact it looks like they can right to the right at will. OTOH Weedon played well but if he played more than a game or two you would discover that the Browns were right about him. He had a good O Line there and some weapons but is not an NFL starting QB.

 

[mahoneybill]

Agree. Romo is a really good QB, but he does seem to over-think things at times.

I've never really understood not having at least 1 shorter route on pass plays. The Cowboys often seem to have all the the routes being intermediate to long with the short middle of the field vacant. I think it has something to do with Romo not liking to have underneath defenders that are hard to see when his primary target is an intermediate route, but it seems like it makes him more vulnerable to being pressured/sacked. He can't even throw the ball away because there are no receivers nearby and it would be intention grounding.

Agree. I think a lot of his ints have come from LB'ers in the past, and this may be why that area of the field in effect has been eliminated in the passing scheme.

 

[TonyRomo17]

Parnell does not hurt the run game at all,in fact it looks like they can right to the right at will. OTOH Weedon played well but if he played more than a game or two you would discover that the Browns were right about him. He had a good O Line there and some weapons but is not an NFL starting QB.

He didnt have a good O-line in the Browns

 

[RS12]

He didnt have a good O-line in the Browns

Joe Thomas is the LT in football, Alex Mack one of the best centers, the rest of the line at least average. I stand by my post.

 

[big dog cowboy]

More running plays at critical times would have been good, IMO. Running to the right behind Martin/Parnell seemed like it always got at least a few yards.

You mean like 2nd, 3rd or 4th downs in OT? I still don't understand the pass mentality trap we fell into last Monday.

 

[CCBoy]

X, I'm thinking that this past game, was very important to Parnell's NFL future. He has finally arrived into the mix...and excelling.

 

[AbeBeta]

My pet cat Parnell looked really good. It's fun to watch him put defenders on the ground often and generally bully defenders around.

The Skins didn't get pressure on Weeden. They did line up about 8 guys right on the line on one play, but Weeden threw the ball immediately after the snap.

I'm just curious why they didn't get more pressure on him considering that Romo seemed to be under pressure on most snaps. My guess is that the Skins D-Coordinator and players have spent so much time analyzing every little detail of Romo that they found some way to take advantage of it. They probably figured out exactly how Romo would respond when they showed certain looks which includes Romo changing the play or changing the protection scheme.

Obviously, it was a small sample size with Weeden only throwing a few times, but it was interesting because normally it's the opposite in terms of the backup QB getting more pressure than the starter would.

I thought Weeden looked good. His throws were quick and accurate. It's hard to know how he would respond if he did get more pressure or couldn't make a quick throw, but in general he did what he needed to do.

In regards to Romo getting pressured/sacked, I don't think much of it was the fault of the OLine. Martin couldn't get off his initial block on a stunt, but other than that most of the blame seemed to be elsewhere. I think the DT was holding Martin which prevented him from getting to the OLB on the stunt. Murray missed at least one critical blitz pickup. The routes on some plays were too long and slow to develop. There were some plays where Romo should have known where the extra rusher was coming from, but didn't seem to see it.

More running plays at critical times would have been good, IMO. Running to the right behind Martin/Parnell seemed like it always got at least a few yards. I thought a pitch type outside run would have been good a couple of times. When the Skins would overload the line, the flat area looked vulnerable with no defenders in good position to defend it.

More likely the reason they didn't get pressure on Weeden is that they were not concerned with him beating them. You play this team and you have to focus on the Romo-Bryant combo first and foremost. Some teams do that by doubling Bryant all day. The Skins focused on not giving Romo time to find him (yes, they also doubled but not like others have). Once Romo leaves the game, the focus becomes Bryant.

 

[Wood]

My pet cat Parnell looked really good. It's fun to watch him put defenders on the ground often and generally bully defenders around.

The Skins didn't get pressure on Weeden. They did line up about 8 guys right on the line on one play, but Weeden threw the ball immediately after the snap.

I'm just curious why they didn't get more pressure on him considering that Romo seemed to be under pressure on most snaps. My guess is that the Skins D-Coordinator and players have spent so much time analyzing every little detail of Romo that they found some way to take advantage of it. They probably figured out exactly how Romo would respond when they showed certain looks which includes Romo changing the play or changing the protection scheme.

Obviously, it was a small sample size with Weeden only throwing a few times, but it was interesting because normally it's the opposite in terms of the backup QB getting more pressure than the starter would.

I thought Weeden looked good. His throws were quick and accurate. It's hard to know how he would respond if he did get more pressure or couldn't make a quick throw, but in general he did what he needed to do.

In regards to Romo getting pressured/sacked, I don't think much of it was the fault of the OLine. Martin couldn't get off his initial block on a stunt, but other than that most of the blame seemed to be elsewhere. I think the DT was holding Martin which prevented him from getting to the OLB on the stunt. Murray missed at least one critical blitz pickup. The routes on some plays were too long and slow to develop. There were some plays where Romo should have known where the extra rusher was coming from, but didn't seem to see it.

More running plays at critical times would have been good, IMO. Running to the right behind Martin/Parnell seemed like it always got at least a few yards. I thought a pitch type outside run would have been good a couple of times. When the Skins would overload the line, the flat area looked vulnerable with no defenders in good position to defend it.

Broddius broke this down at depth. His basic conclusion was that Tony Romo vision went from looking down the field at WRs to just looking at line of scrimmage at guys who were gonna hit him next. Once QB vision has been reduced to that extent it's really difficult to sustain drives. I am betting skin players didn't want Weeden in OT because as you mentioned his quick release was voiding those blitzes.

 

[Wood]

More likely the reason they didn't get pressure on Weeden is that they were not concerned with him beating them. You play this team and you have to focus on the Romo-Bryant combo first and foremost. Some teams do that by doubling Bryant all day. The Skins focused on not giving Romo time to find him (yes, they also doubled but not like others have). Once Romo leaves the game, the focus becomes Bryant.

I don't agree. They were still crowding the line but Weeden was getting it out in a hurry with much more zip. Dallas wins that game if he stays in.