Scattershooting week 3

[jterrell]

Jason Garrett looks a lot smarter when Tony Romo audibles less. Defenses know Tony's tendencies so as he adjusts so do they it seems.

Demarco Murray needs to focus early in the game on holding onto the ball. Two early fumbles would have had him benched by many old school coaches. As good as he is, losing one early two week sin a row is really bad. I liked the look of Randle but Dunbar looks like a wasted roster space. I'd be tempted to cut Dunbar and add Ryan Williams. I know that makes 3 very similar backs but I am ok with that. If we are running 40 times a week you need 3 capable guys. But as a pure runner he might be the best in the league right now. He is north-south and runs with power and vision. Seeing a back at his peak is rare but Murray is right there.

Changing to a run oriented game means discipline on offense. You have to play clean and avoid flags. Saw some improvement there this week but it is a concern if we expect to maintain this game plan. I see no reason we can't employ this game plan virtually every week if we will remain discipline.

Romo wasn't close to sharp early yesterday but he did get better as the day wore on. He is our guy and I want to see him win big. If he does it handing off so be it but the insane criticism he has incured over the years makes me root even more for the guy.

Proper punishment for AP because he handed out improper punishment seems quite tough to figure. He went too far but it was a matter of disciplining a kid and there were no signs of long-term abuse or strikes with the hand or fist. As a Cowboys fan I think I'd welcome AP with open arms if Minny wanted to be rid of him. The worst part of a switch whipping is going out to get the switch. The little skinny ones hurt worse because they wrap on contact so you gotta find a more brittle but still thin one that doesn't break too easy. Tough deal because if it does break too easy then you gonna get extra licks if they gotta go get switch number 2.

The defense probably isn't as good as they've looked through two weeks but what exactly is the point of poo-pooing what they've done? They have outplayed expectations and that's all anyone can rightfully ask of them. The pass rush should get much better as Spencer and DLaw return. They couldn't handle Delanie Walker but every other Titan did nothing. I mean really absolutely nothing.

Mo Claiborne absolutely shut down whatever man he covered yesterday. I hate he eats credit for that long TD to Walker because Church is the safety over the top that MUST make that tackle, not the CB. Anyone blasting Mo for that performance yesterday I will automatically ignore as being football dumb. The Titans have a very solid WR corps and it really never got anything.

Ro McClain is a football player. He may be one of those unhappy people who is hard to deal with in social situations because they really just want to hit people but I can live that. Emmitt and Haley were notoriously ugly at times to reporters. It has made their after football lives less easy perhaps but on the field they were studs and on the field is what matters to me as a fan.

Jason Witten is a future Hall of Famer but that dude is serially overrated for his blocking. He flat was terrible on some plays yesterday than Troy praised him mightily for the couple of really good blocks he made. Witten needs to be better and hit his stride at Pro Bowl level for this offense to succeed on the season.

I think I'd be working Bern in with Leary. Not sure Leary is the better player and I'd like to see both guys getting reps as they try to wear down defenses.

Not sure when or how Doug Free became a better run blocker than pass blocker but it certainly appears to be the case right now. For a guy with marginal strength but excellent feet he is a weird case study. He is definitely better going forward right now than backing up. Just odd for a 6'8" guy that played LT in this league. But it is what it is.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The worst part of a switch whipping is going out to get the switch. The little skinny ones hurt worse because they wrap on contact so you gotta find a more brittle but still thin one that doesn't break too easy. Tough deal because if it does break too easy then you gonna get extra licks if they gotta go get switch number 2.

Voice of experience? Great post JT.

 

[justbob]

Nice job.

My grandpa used to call it cotton stalk tea. He would use a green cotton stalk as a switch...It worked .. I grew up to be a fine upstanding citizen.

 

[jterrell]

Voice of experience? Great post JT.

yup. my memaw was from east texas.
i used to cry the entire time i searched the tree for the right baby branch.
not sure i even felt the licks to be honest but that process was like doing hard time.

 

[Jenky]

Jason Garrett looks a lot smarter when Tony Romo audibles less. Defenses know Tony's tendencies so as he adjusts so do they it seems.

Demarco Murray needs to focus early in the game on holding onto the ball. Two early fumbles would have had him benched by many old school coaches. As good as he is, losing one early two week sin a row is really bad. I liked the look of Randle but Dunbar looks like a wasted roster space. I'd be tempted to cut Dunbar and add Ryan Williams. I know that makes 3 very similar backs but I am ok with that. If we are running 40 times a week you need 3 capable guys. But as a pure runner he might be the best in the league right now. He is north-south and runs with power and vision. Seeing a back at his peak is rare but Murray is right there.

Changing to a run oriented game means discipline on offense. You have to play clean and avoid flags. Saw some improvement there this week but it is a concern if we expect to maintain this game plan. I see no reason we can't employ this game plan virtually every week if we will remain discipline.

Romo wasn't close to sharp early yesterday but he did get better as the day wore on. He is our guy and I want to see him win big. If he does it handing off so be it but the insane criticism he has incured over the years makes me root even more for the guy.

Proper punishment for AP because he handed out improper punishment seems quite tough to figure. He went too far but it was a matter of disciplining a kid and there were no signs of long-term abuse or strikes with the hand or fist. As a Cowboys fan I think I'd welcome AP with open arms if Minny wanted to be rid of him. The worst part of a switch whipping is going out to get the switch. The little skinny ones hurt worse because they wrap on contact so you gotta find a more brittle but still thin one that doesn't break too easy. Tough deal because if it does break too easy then you gonna get extra licks if they gotta go get switch number 2.

The defense probably isn't as good as they've looked through two weeks but what exactly is the point of poo-pooing what they've done? They have outplayed expectations and that's all anyone can rightfully ask of them. The pass rush should get much better as Spencer and DLaw return. They couldn't handle Delanie Walker but every other Titan did nothing. I mean really absolutely nothing.

Mo Claiborne absolutely shut down whatever man he covered yesterday. I hate he eats credit for that long TD to Walker because Church is the safety over the top that MUST make that tackle, not the CB. Anyone blasting Mo for that performance yesterday I will automatically ignore as being football dumb. The Titans have a very solid WR corps and it really never got anything.

Ro McClain is a football player. He may be one of those unhappy people who is hard to deal with in social situations because they really just want to hit people but I can live that. Emmitt and Haley were notoriously ugly at times to reporters. It has made their after football lives less easy perhaps but on the field they were studs and on the field is what matters to me as a fan.

Jason Witten is a future Hall of Famer but that dude is serially overrated for his blocking. He flat was terrible on some plays yesterday than Troy praised him mightily for the couple of really good blocks he made. Witten needs to be better and hit his stride at Pro Bowl level for this offense to succeed on the season.

I think I'd be working Bern in with Leary. Not sure Leary is the better player and I'd like to see both guys getting reps as they try to wear down defenses.

Not sure when or how Doug Free became a better run blocker than pass blocker but it certainly appears to be the case right now. For a guy with marginal strength but excellent feet he is a weird case study. He is definitely better going forward right now than backing up. Just odd for a 6'8" guy that played LT in this league. But it is what it is.

Witten has been on the decline for 2-3 seasons now. Too slow, not as effective as a blocker, etc. I'm not hating, I just think he should be limited and Escobar and Hanna should have more opportunities.

 

[The Natural]

Mo Claiborne absolutely shut down whatever man he covered yesterday. I hate he eats credit for that long TD to Walker because Church is the safety over the top that MUST make that tackle, not the CB. Anyone blasting Mo for that performance yesterday I will automatically ignore as being football dumb. The Titans have a very solid WR corps and it really never got anything.
.

I agreed with alot in your post except for this right here, c'mon man that was an awful tackle attempt, poor technique, poor execution. Claiborne was in position to wrap up and bring the man down and he didnt do that.

 

[jterrell]

I agreed with alot in your post except for this right here, c'mon man that was an awful tackle attempt, poor technique, poor execution. Claiborne was in position to wrap up and bring the man down and he didnt do that.

There is no doubt that was a poor tackle but Deion entered the Hall of Fame as a FAR worse tackler than that.
Claiborne laid a solid lick on the guy but he is a 250 pound tight end so a form wrap up tackle was certainly the right choice there.

I still blame the safety for not even touching Walker.
I played safety and you simply do not miss on those plays because you are the last line of defense.

None of that changes the fact that all day Mo had his man flat covered. And that is what we pay him for.
He should get credit for an excellent day of work instead of whines because he failed to tackle a 250 pound TE that he threw his body at and popped squarely.

Walker ran a basic flag route. He started the route in front of Church and Church was tracking it the entire way.
He simply overran the play.

 

[sbark]

Charles Barkley, not exactly a role model, does defend AP. His quote: 'Every black parent in my neighborhood in the South would be in trouble or in jail under those circumstances'

 

[Mr Cowboy]

The defense is playing well in the front 7, which is a pleasant surprise and a credit to marinelli. The problem I thought they would have and have had for a long time is at safety. Wilcox is terrible and Church is playing out of position, he should be in the box where he can use his above average tacking skills. Since Roy lost his will, the Cowboys have not valued the safety position.

While Mo played better, he should take some heat for that Walker TD. Sure it wasn't his man, but had he wrapped up Walker and not just thrown a shoulder at him, he would have prevented a TD.

Witten is a TE, a real TE. Too many fall for the flashy TEs in todays game and wish we had one of those. But those TEs can't do what Witten do in the running the ball andeverything else Witten does. Witten doesn't leave the game when they run the ball. He does his job well, and Escobar was not brought in as his replacement, but to create the mythical mismatches that we have heard about for years.

 

[jterrell]

Charles Barkley, not exactly a role model, does defend AP. His quote: 'Every black parent in my neighborhood in the South would be in trouble or in jail under those circumstances'

It's not just Black. Southern parents prior to his generation were generous with whippings.
Some of it probably did border on abuse but a lot was just a butt whipping to teach you there were consequences.

The worst punishment I ever received was for stealing baseball cards from a 7-11. I was locked inside ALL summer.
It was far worse than any whipping ever.
I used to beg every night to get whipped and end the grounding to no avail.
I was in like 2nd grade but that was by far the worst.
I used to sit at the window and watch my friends play... including the kids who got me to steal.

 

[jterrell]

The defense is playing well in the front 7, which is a pleasant surprise and a credit to marinelli. The problem I thought they would have and have had for a long time is at safety. Wilcox is terrible and Church is playing out of position, he should be in the box where he can use his above average tacking skills. Since Roy lost his will, the Cowboys have not valued the safety position.

While Mo played better, he should take some heat for that Walker TD. Sure it wasn't his man, but had he wrapped up Walker and not just thrown a shoulder at him, he would have prevented a TD.

Witten is a TE, a real TE. Too many fall for the flashy TEs in todays game and wish we had one of those. But those TEs can't do what Witten do in the running the ball andeverything else Witten does. Witten doesn't leave the game when they run the ball. He does his job well, and Escobar was not brought in as his replacement, but to create the mythical mismatches that we have heard about for years.

I have Safety as need one and I'd draft one in round 1 so agree completely there. --as a caveat we obviously have to see where Spencer and DLaw are or DE moves to top position.

On the play in question Mo had his man blanketed and came off to pop Walker. Church made no contact and never covered anyone or took anyone away on the play.
When you allow a TD often-times it takes multiple people screwing up and that was the case there IMHO.
Mo has to wrap up and Church has to be there to clean up that play.

Witten is a great overall TE but he is definitely declining and it shows in his blocking as much as his receiving. Escobar is a far better blocker than given credit for.
Dallas can say whatever they want about second or 3rd TE when they draft them but once here the various coaches have all used them as blockers who get the rare pass.
Marty B was a 3rd OT here but he has been very solid as a pass catcher in Chicago.
I think Escobar is the long-term Witten replacement not some mythical creature at all.
We don't use him like Jimmy Graham once the game starts.
I'd start to give Witten some rest in game.

 

[Zordon]

This is like a get out of jail card for this talent depleted squad. Will they be so beholden to "RKG" that they pass on cheap talent?

Greg Hardy is a prototype 4-3 end and AP could replace an expensive Murray. Although I don't condone their behavior (mainly Hardy), I am a believer that once you serve your time/suspension, you're done. We better not mess this opportunity up if either player becomes available. Everybody already hates us regardless what we do.

 

[Carolina Cowboy]

yup. my memaw was from east texas.
i used to cry the entire time i searched the tree for the right baby branch.
not sure i even felt the licks to be honest but that process was like doing hard time.

Check on all counts. Mine were two huge willow trees that grew across the street. Come back with a small one that broke and dad would go rip a branch off. I turned out just fine.

 

[jterrell]

This is like a get out of jail card for this talent depleted squad. Will they be so beholden to "RKG" that they pass on cheap talent?

Greg Hardy is a prototype 4-3 end and AP could replace an expensive Murray. Although I don't condone their behavior (mainly Hardy), I am a believer that once you serve your time/suspension, you're done. We better not mess this opportunity up if either player becomes available. Everybody already hates us regardless what we do.

AP whupped his kid too hard. To me that's not a character concern or control issue. He needs to consider a better way perhaps and some punishment makes sense as it creates a black eye for the league but it is a different issue than Hardy.
Most parents who deliver whuppings have probably felt they whupped too hard or too many times or whatever at some point in their life.
A lot of school officials would thank a parent for delivering a whupping since schools no longer can.

Not sure what to say or do on Hardy. If that is truly a once in a lifetime issue then Dallas should consider him if available at the right price.
But threatening murder and hitting women are often signs of large issues and seldom a one time occurrence.

AP has stated he'd love to be a Cowboy and Jerry would love to have him.
Minny has been pretty mediocre with him and might be looking at building a young team.
If Minny asked Murray and a 2nd round pick I think I'd do it.
Tough call though as AP isn't a spring chicken and he doesn't play cheap.

For now I'd monitor Hardy but do not suspect I can offer enough in trade to grab him and it would be a fair amount of risk attached if I could.
I think I'd have to wait out Spencer and DLaw first.

 

[Jarv]

I was thinking maybe we could go with Bern and Leary at guards and move Martin to RT?

 

[Crown Royal]

I only saw the Walker play once. Did Mo's hit push Walker out of Church's line too much for him to readjust, or was he that far out of position?

EDIT:

Just watched it online. Yes, Church was going to where he caught it and Mo definitely moved him a good half yard away from that point and changed his course, but not enough that Church shouldn't have been there quicker anyway. 100% on Church there.

 

[AKATheRake]

Defenses know Tony's tendencies so as he adjusts so do they it seems.

Great overall post.

The bolded is dead on and I don't think most fans realize how true it is.

I'm wondering if Romo and this staff realize how true it is also.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I don't want Hardy here and I don't want Peterson here. First off, we would be much wiser to use the money Peterson would take to resign Murray. Murray is the right choice for the next 4-5 years.

 

[Zordon]

AP whupped his kid too hard. To me that's not a character concern or control issue. He needs to consider a better way perhaps and some punishment makes sense as it creates a black eye for the league but it is a different issue than Hardy.
Most parents who deliver whuppings have probably felt they whupped too hard or too many times or whatever at some point in their life.
A lot of school officials would thank a parent for delivering a whupping since schools no longer can.

Not sure what to say or do on Hardy. If that is truly a once in a lifetime issue then Dallas should consider him if available at the right price.
But threatening murder and hitting women are often signs of large issues and seldom a one time occurrence.

AP has stated he'd love to be a Cowboy and Jerry would love to have him.
Minny has been pretty mediocre with him and might be looking at building a young team.
If Minny asked Murray and a 2nd round pick I think I'd do it.
Tough call though as AP isn't a spring chicken and he doesn't play cheap.

For now I'd monitor Hardy but do not suspect I can offer enough in trade to grab him and it would be a fair amount of risk attached if I could.
I think I'd have to wait out Spencer and DLaw first.

AP has spent his entire career losing. I think if he were to come here it would be with the understanding that he's going to make financial sacrifices for the betterment of the team and his legacy. You don't just call Jerry Jones asking for job and then play hardball at the negotiating table. He's going to make a sacrifice.

I know Florio is pushing the Dallas trade scenarios this morning for clicks but there's no way we're taking on that contract. $12.75 million in 2015, $14.75 million in 2016, and $15.75 million in 2017 AND Murray AND a 2nd rounder? They should just be happy we're taking on that contract TBH.

 

[visionary]

I agree with your football takes JT but anyone who condones beating up a 4 year old --- A 4 YEAR OLD, on the premise that it was done to them is pathetic in my book

I would rec keeping the politics out of your football posts