Reason for Slow Starts are Simple: Nerves

[Oldschool7]

Tony Romo and the Cowboys aren't afraid to win. They aren't afraid to lose. They aren't afraid of the other team. But there is only one reasonable explanation for their slow starts to every game this season: nerves.

Here is a case of simple pre-game jitters that don't shake off until a few series have been played. Once the Cowboys' offense has gotten into the flow of the game they have been the league's best--better even than New England.

This past Sunday was more of the same: Romo misfiring, TO drops a pass, Crayton shortarms a catchable pass, Witten completely whiffing a Patriot blitzer who was right in front of him, the ever-steady Gurode losing balance on a block. Nerves.

This isn't really that uncommon. Look at other teams in the early going and you see the same. A lot of QBs overthrow/underthrow early.

I'm sure the Cowboy coaches and players don't need any suggestions but I have always believed a few good wind sprints take the edge of those jitters more than anything.

Any other ideas?

Listen to a Yanni CD?

 

[YosemiteSam]

Wow, you've got lots of opinions to share... :horse:

 

[Doomsday101]

Tony Romo and the Cowboys aren't afraid to win. They aren't afraid to lose. They aren't afraid of the other team. But there is only one reasonable explanation for their slow starts to every game this season: nerves.

Here is a case of simple pre-game jitters that don't shake off until a few series have been played. Once the Cowboys' offense has gotten into the flow of the game they have been the league's best--better even than New England.

This past Sunday was more of the same: Romo misfiring, TO drops a pass, Crayton shortarms a catchable pass, Witten completely whiffing a Patriot blitzer who was right in front of him, the ever-steady Gurode losing balance on a block. Nerves.

This isn't really that uncommon. Look at other teams in the early going and you see the same. A lot of QBs overthrow/underthrow early.

I'm sure the Cowboy coaches and players don't need any suggestions but I have always believed a few good wind sprints take the edge of those jitters more than anything.

Any other ideas?

Listen to a Yanni CD?

I think a lot of it is uncertainty and hesitation. It seems after they get a chance to look at the photos on the sideline and talk with position coaches about what the defense is doing they seem to start playing more care free.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I do think Romo does get "nerved up" at the beginning of games.

But our play calling isn't usually very aggressive either-- not like we use in the 2nd half.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

could be some valid pts there....

 

[Doomsday101]

I do think Romo does get "nerved up" at the beginning of games.

But our play calling isn't usually very aggressive either-- not like we use in the 2nd half.

We came out throwing in some of these game to start and we have tried running plays only differance I see is the execution at the get go more than I see any trouble with the playcalling. Romo had Witten open in the buffalo game and messed up, there comes a point where you have to look at the execution

 

[MichaelWinicki]

We came out throwing in some of these game to start and we have tried running plays only differance I see is the execution at the get go more than I see any trouble with the playcalling. Romo had Witten open in the buffalo game and messed up, there comes a point where you have to look at the execution

Oh no question.

That first pick vs Buffalo was the result of Romo not reading the defense correctly. Again, it could have been nerves.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I do think Romo does get "nerved up" at the beginning of games.

But our play calling isn't usually very aggressive either-- not like we use in the 2nd half.

One thing people forget is that we have a rookie OC. As good as he's been, I think it takes him awhile to figure out what the defense is doing too.

Romo said something after the Rams game that defenses were playing the run pretty tight and giving them looks that they hadn't seen before. And that once Garrett gets a good pulse of things, then they take off.

Another thing is just basic execution.

 

[Doomsday101]

Oh no question.

That first pick vs Buffalo was the result of Romo not reading the defense correctly. Again, it could have been nerves.

I think one thing we all agree on even Wade is that this is something that needs to be addressed and corrected. When playing quality teams we can't afford to play catchup like we did last week.

 

[Oldschool7]

I see a number of you site the word 'execution.'

To me that word by itself doesn't help. You have to figure out WHY execution is poor.

You can see tightness in the body language.

It's OK to be nervous. It's normal. It means you are a living person. It means you take it seriously.

I am glad to see that these guys are clutch as the game goes on. Now it's just a matter of settling in sooner.

Fear leads to fight or flight, right? The players gotta just use that nervousness to their own benefit.

Imagine all that waiting that these players have to do. Adrenaline jacking them up and then they gotta sit and stand around. Maybe some pre game routines need to be looked at.

 

[blindzebra]

Our slow starts are very simple...the OL doesn't play the first 20 minutes of games.

Sparano is our problem, he isn't getting his guys ready from the first snap.

 

[superpunk]

Our slow starts are very simple...the OL doesn't play the first 20 minutes of games.

Sparano is our problem, he isn't getting his guys ready from the first snap.

This makes perfect sense.

How much credit does Sparano get for their miraculous second-half revitalization, if he is to blame for their first half woes? How does he manage such a feat? Are there magic wands involved?

 

[Doomsday101]

Our slow starts are very simple...the OL doesn't play the first 20 minutes of games.

Sparano is our problem, he isn't getting his guys ready from the first snap.

I think that is playing a big part. I think one suggestion would be to use a page out of walsh's play book and script the 1st 15 plays. Once the offense gets into the flow we seem to play loose.

 

[AsthmaField]

Are there magic wands involved?

Of course. How else would it be done?

 

[AsthmaField]

I look at it the same as with Brett Favre.

Favre would always come out of the gates throwing high and missing open receivers. He would get so worked up that he was simply slinging it high. I remember announcers talking about it back when we were playing them in the playoffs. You could count on him being off for a series or two.

I remember thinking that Brett didn't really get going until he took a good shot. Then, after that, he'd always play well.

It's kind of the same for Tony. It takes him a little time to get going. I think he's fired up and simply has too much adrenalin (sp?) flowing through him and he's off. Once he takes a shot and settles down, he's golden.

He'll get better with this I think, just like Favre did.

 

[Freyguy]

I say with the Vikings game we should pull one of those trick plays out in the very first play to get us going. Well...i guess it depends on if we get the ball first but imagine a flea flicker to either TO or Crayton on the very first play of the game. Like what Brady tried on us. That would definately help us get going at least in this game.

 

[blindzebra]

This makes perfect sense.

How much credit does Sparano get for their miraculous second-half revitalization, if he is to blame for their first half woes? How does he manage such a feat? Are there magic wands involved?

Once they get into a flow they play better...they shouldn't need to have to play 15-20 snaps to get there.

No wands involved, so you can keep yours up your arse, if there's still room with your head up there too.

 

[superpunk]

Once they get into a flow they play better...they shouldn't need to have to play 15-20 snaps to get there.

You didn't answer the question. If it's Sparano's fault that they start slow, is it to his credit that they finish strong? Does your intense personal knowledge of Sparano's preparation methods give you this spectacular insight? If so, what would you suggest he do different to "get his guys ready for the first snap"?

Inquiring minds want to know - you seem so sure that Sparano is the root of this evil, what gives you that assurance?

No wands involved, so you can keep yours up your arse, if there's still room with your head up there too.

What's worse? Having a head up your "arse", or talking out your "arse"? Beats me. But I can't wait for another enlightening post detailing the evils of Tony Sparano, who manages to keep getting promoted despite allegedly being a complete dumb-***.

 

[blindzebra]

You didn't answer the question. If it's Sparano's fault that they start slow, is it to his credit that they finish strong? Does your intense personal knowledge of Sparano's preparation methods give you this spectacular insight? If so, what would you suggest he do different to "get his guys ready for the first snap"?

Inquiring minds want to know - you seem so sure that Sparano is the root of this evil, what gives you that assurance?

What's worse? Having a head up your "arse", or talking out your "arse"? Beats me. But I can't wait for another enlightening post detailing the evils of Tony Sparano, who manages to keep getting promoted despite allegedly being a complete dumb-***.

Ah, yes the usual spin...at least you are consistent...it's always the players, coaching plays no part in success or failure.

I hold both accountable, and did in that first post, but of course you ignored it when your it's an anti-coaching post boner popped up.

I'll let you in on a secret...I've seen dog crap with more football insight than you and your clown posse show...it's your little arrogant clique that makes this forum not worth hanging around.

 

[superpunk]

Ah, yes the usual spin...at least you are consistent...it's always the players, coaching plays no part in success or failure.

I hold both accountable, and did in that first post, but of course you ignored it when your it's an anti-coaching post boner popped up.

I'll let you in on a secret...I've seen dog crap with more football insight than you and your clown posse show...it's your little arrogant clique that makes this forum not worth hanging around.

This doesn't even approach answering how you know that Tony Sparano "is our problem". I appreciate you taking the time to show off your impressive insight into a matter you seemed to think you knew so much about.