speedkilz88
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Friday, November 20, 2015 2:07 PM CST
By Bryan Broaddus
Football Analyst/Scout
@BryanBroaddus
IRVING, Texas – For the first time since Sept. 18, I get to break down a matchup that’s going to include Tony Romo.
Now, given some of the struggles we’ve seen from the Cowboys this season, there’s no guarantee that Romo alone will be the difference between a win and a loss in Miami this weekend. But it’s certainly fair to say the Cowboys’ starting signal-caller should give them a much better chance to win than what they’ve been dealing with.
As usual, here’s my final scouting notebook for this weekend’s matchup. What hasn’t been usual is that it lays out a look at a full-strength Cowboys team – or at least, much closer to full strength than what we’ve been watching during this seven-game losing streak.
Let’s get into it:
- All four of the running backs got work with the first offense in practice this week, but the Cowboys will likely only carry three to the game. Coaches have been impressed with how quickly Robert Turbin has come in and picked up the playbook. I would not be surprised if Darren McFadden, Robert Turbin and Rod Smith would be the three that are active against the Dolphins with Trey Williams once again sitting out.
- Keep an eye on Jason Witten in this game. The Dolphins have issues dealing with tight ends that can get up the field. I was not impressed with their safeties’ athletic ability at all. Last week the Eagles were able to get Brent Celek and Zach Ertz in space for some chunk plays that hurt this defense. I believe that Witten and Gavin Escobar can do some serious damage and it will hard for them to adjust.
- I noticed on tape that the Dolphins are such an aggressive defensive front that they tend to jump when opponents use hard counts against them. Don’t be surprised if, in a short yardage situation, Tony Romo doesn’t see if he can get a free first down.
- It’s rare in this day in age to face an opponent that has two starting cornerbacks that are 5-9 in height, but that’s the case with the Dolphins. Both Brent Grimes and Brice McCain measure in at that height. Grimes is clearly the better of the two and has to be attacked with caution. My feeling is that Grimes will likely travel with Dez Bryant in this game, which leaves McCain to deal with Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley. McCain will give up some plays as will Bobby McCain and if they are both on the field – then that’s the direction that Romo needs to be looking.
- Just going off what I saw last week, Byron Jones will start at left corner and Brandon Carr will move to the right side. I asked Jason Garrett if they had a preference of which side they would like to play Jones and he said it really didn’t matter and was comfortable wherever he lined up. When he first arrived with the Cowboys, they played him more on the left side -- which is where he played in college at UConn. Moving Carr to the right side will not be that big of an adjustment, but his line of sight and footwork will be a little different. Carr is a veteran player and he will be able to handle the transition. Look for Tyler Patmon to play out of the slot.
