RS12
Well-Known Member
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- No one has more respect for this Seattle defense than me. I told their general manager, John Schneider, that before the game. What was disappointing from an offensive prospective was that there were opportunities to make some key plays, and the Cowboys didn’t. I thought Matt Cassel missed Dez Bryant two times early in this game. He had him on an arrow route on the first drive that would have likely resulted in a touchdown. His second miss was on “9” route out of max protection where Bryant had separated from Richard Sherman. Cassel also struggled to find Terrance Williams, who had one of his best games running routes. Williams got open on a slant against off coverage and then a third-down comeback that was well executed. Then, after the Hardy interception, Williams ran a beautiful corner route in the end zone, but Cassel chose to go underneath to McFadden for only a three yard gain. But the play that Cassel would likely like to have back in the game was the final drive, where Cole Beasley went vertical down the right side of the field and was wide open. Beasley would have easily put the ball in field goal range if Cassel had just been able to see him.
- I can’t begin to tell you how athletic a play it was for Greg Hardy to intercept that ball. For Hardy to react to Marshawn Lynch going into the flat, playing off a low block and then getting his hand up all in the same motion just tells you what kind of rare, reactionary athlete he is.
- Another big missed opportunity, this time for the Dallas run game. Scott Linehan called a crack toss going to the left with James Hanna and Gavin Escobar blocking down inside. When I saw the play from the press box, I thought McFadden was going to score, but instead the result was a gain of only four yards. It was a beautiful design with the down blocks, but also getting Tyron Smith and La’el Collins out on the edge. Smith was able to kick Kam Chancellor to the outside with Collins trailing behind him. Collins had a full head of steam and was running through the alley looking upfield. Collins didn’t see Cary Williams sitting behind Chancellor and went right past him. If he had been able to adjust and make that block, there was nothing but clear sailing up the sideline, as Jason Witten hustled across the field to get that final block on Earl Thomas. Collins might have missed that one adjustment, but his play along with Tyron Smith on that left side was outstanding. Both are working nicely together.
- After the game, I had a question about whether Barry Church should have carried tight end Luke Wilson up the seam on the play that resulted in a Seahawks touchdown. The film showed that was exactly the case and it was a mistake on his part. Just by the positioning of Jeff Heath, I knew there was a mistake. Heath was on the other side of the field. There was no way that he could have been in coverage from where he was. It was Church’s job in that particular coverage to carry Wilson.
- On their final drive, the Seahawks were able to convert on three of their four third down attempts.
