SI´s The Big D Blame Game

[Coy]

Good article, this guy nails it IMO.

It’s a familiar narrative: Romo wilted under pressure, throwing two picks in the final three minutes as the Cowboys blew a 23-point lead on Sunday. But the truth is more complicated—and the bigger finger points to the men calling the shots.

After blowing a 23-point halftime lead and losing 37-36 to the Packers at home in a game with major playoff implications, it was a CYA postgame in Dallas on Sunday: cover your ***. For Cowboys coach Jason Garrett, not the players. While the latter either told the truth or protected teammates, Garrett wore quarterback Tony Romo like a bulletproof vest as he faced the media in full view of owner Jerry Jones.
Romo threw two interceptions in the final 2:58. That’s what Garrett wants the headlines to be. Here’s another one he wouldn’t mind: Romo changed the play that set the course for the loss. All of that, however, deflects blame from the two biggest factors that ultimately cost the Cowboys: the refusal of Garrett and offensive coordinator Bill Callahan to run the ball with a huge lead, and the Cowboys’ joke of a defense.

http://mmqb.si.com/2013/12/16/tony-romo-jason-garrett-dallas-cowboys-green-bay-packers/

 

[Stash]

That's why I have the smallest shred of optimism.

I saw an offense with a number of weapons and an offensive line capable of helping to utilize those weapons.

I think a real coaching staff could do great things with this offense.

If we can get even passable defensive play, we might be able to rebound quickly.

 

[dware94]

Great read

 

[Crown Royal]

Wow, what an amazing read. Article basically nails what irks me about the Garrett offense. It's focus is to out chess/out think it's opponent. It puts less effort in just out executing.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

After blowing a 23-point halftime lead and losing 37-36 to the Packers at home in a game with major playoff implications, it was a CYA postgame in Dallas on Sunday: cover your ***. For Cowboys coach Jason Garrett, not the players. While the latter either told the truth or protected teammates, Garrett wore quarterback Tony Romo like a bulletproof vest as he faced the media in full view of owner Jerry Jones.

Great line.

 

[vlad]

Very good read. I don't think anyone can say that Romo didn't have a bad game - he was off all night on critical throws. He's either hurt or just had an off day, because he's never been that inaccurate.

But the problem lies in what it has since 2008 - this pass happy attack that is too tied to the defensive look. If your offense is always on its heels reacting to the D, well then its easy to dictate. I'm pretty sure at the of every game in a run-the-clock situation the other team will stack the box. Given how until recently we've shown our jumbo packages blow, why not go into 13 personnel, spread them out a bit and run from that? They can't stack 9 in the box if you have 3 WRs out. Bummer though.

 

[Gameover]

Does he know how many times romo changed runs into pass plays?

Randy galloway had a line in his column that romo has it written in his contract that he can change plays at the line of scrimmage.


If true, what's Garrett to do? Romo basically has creative control over this offense.

 

[TheStar]

This is why Garrett has to go. I have hung in there thinking he could be the coach here for a long time. Done! Tony did as he is "coached" in that situation, and that was a horrible play call. No option to throw just run. Now Tony HAS to know no matter what to not put the ball in the air. Pack burns last time out there and if we get a first on next play the game is over.

Just disgusted with the whole bunch.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

Listening to Kirwin on NFL radio, he mentioned the exact same thing as written on the article. Romo did what he was suppose to do on that play call. Had Garrett not wanted the ball thrown, he would have given Romo the play without the option for the pass.

Kirwin is not the biggest Cowboy fan or Romo fan there is, but he was disgusted with Garrett on so may levels, mainly because he is such a poor game manager, and refuses to be accountable. He and Jim Miller say the Garrett caused the Cowboys 5 games last year and at least the 2 games this year because of his poor, poor, poor game management skills.

Kirwin defended Cowboy fans, saying we deserve better than Garret and better than what better than what Jerry is giving us. He says this is America's team and fans are everywhere, and regardless of record or product, that stadium will be full, and gear will be sold. He said we are not Commanders or Dolphins fans where you will see half empty stadiums if the team is not playing well.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Wow, what an amazing read. Article basically nails what irks me about the Garrett offense. It's focus is to out chess/out think it's opponent. It puts less effort in just out executing.

I mentioned this in another thread: Just whip the guy in front of you; forget the process!

 

[Rack]

I remember the days of Emmitt Smith where teams would line up geared to stop the run, but the cowboys would come out and run it down their throats, almost even telling the D "Here we come, try and stop us".


Now, defenses basically beg us to run, GIVE us the run, but we refuse to take it. Like we're afraid if we move that cheese a bit too much the trap will spring and their necks will get broken.

 

[pastordug]

Did anyone else notice that the 2nd pic in that article "looks" as if Murray could have run outside? I agree that IF Romo makes the throw then all is forgiven. But he didn't. RUN THE BALL. PERIOD.

 

[tyke1doe]

Does he know how many times romo changed runs into pass plays?

Randy galloway had a line in his column that romo has it written in his contract that he can change plays at the line of scrimmage.


If true, what's Garrett to do? Romo basically has creative control over this offense.

Does Romo have it in his contract that he can't be benched?

If not, then bench him if he doesn't do what you, the coach, say he should do.

No getting around it, the buck starts at the top (ultimately with Jerry Jones but since he aint selling the Cowboys anytime soon ... ) with Garrett.

 

[tyke1doe]

Listening to Kirwin on NFL radio, he mentioned the exact same thing as written on the article. Romo did what he was suppose to do on that play call. Had Garrett not wanted the ball thrown, he would have given Romo the play without the option for the pass.

Kirwin is not the biggest Cowboy fan or Romo fan there is, but he was disgusted with Garrett on so may levels, mainly because he is such a poor game manager, and refuses to be accountable. He and Jim Miller say the Garrett caused the Cowboys 5 games last year and at least the 2 games this year because of his poor, poor, poor game management skills.

Kirwin defended Cowboy fans, saying we deserve better than Garret and better than what better than what Jerry is giving us. He says this is America's team and fans are everywhere, and regardless of record or product, that stadium will be full, and gear will be sold. He said we are not Commanders or Dolphins fans where you will see half empty stadiums if the team is not playing well.

That's because the other team's fans occupy half our stadium seats. Jerry World may not be filled with all Cowboys fans, but Jerry doesn't care who they root for as long as there are butts in the seats and dollars in his pocket.

 

[texbumthelife]

I have been very critical of sports journalism for a while now, but some of the best written articles I have seen in a while are coming out about the side show in Dallas. One of my favorites quotes of the season: "Garrett wore quarterback Tony Romo like a bulletproof vest as he faced the media in full view of owner Jerry Jones."

He managed to nail every single thing wrong with this team in one quote. That is money journalism.

 

[Coy]

Does he know how many times romo changed runs into pass plays?

Randy galloway had a line in his column that romo has it written in his contract that he can change plays at the line of scrimmage.


If true, what's Garrett to do? Romo basically has creative control over this offense.

If Garrett/Callahan calls a running play only, Romo does not change the play, this article basically says that he was given the option and with that and from what he has been studying the last couple of years he decided to throw the ball.

Garrett shouldn´t have given him the option, plain and simple.

 

[percyhoward]

Garrett shouldn´t have given him the option, plain and simple.

I did some research a couple of weeks back on situations like this one. 4th quarter, 8-point margin or less.

Completions of 50+ yards
4th qtr or OT, 8-point margin or less
Romo 17 comp 1031 yd 12 td
Brees 9 comp 515 yd 4 td
Favre 7 comp 453 yd 4 td
EManning 7 comp 448 yd 5 td
Rodgers 7 comp 429 yd 3 td
Green 7 comp 419 yd 4 td
Culpepper 7 comp 396 yd 4 td

If Romo sets his feet and puts that pass out ahead of Miles, it's a 65-yard TD. Romo adds to his already obscene total of 50+ yard plays.

In other words, Garrett knows better than to take away Romo's option to pass in that situation.

Which makes it even more disgusting that Garrett would criticize the decision to pass.