Smoke and Mirrors

[Kaiser]

This was an easy game to like obviously, to me the difference in the team this year is that this is a team that you KNOW will put away a bad opponent. The last couple of years it was a team that you hoped would do so, but you didn’t feel it in your gut. Its still not a Super Bowl team, but it is a team that will win games in the playoffs and I’m happy with that at this point. There is plenty to build on going forward.

The offense continued to roll, for all the same reasons. I saw some criticism on Twitter that Dallas should have pounded the running game instead of exploiting the secondary with Dez, but that’s kind of like the comparison between killing a rat with a shotgun or a M16. The outcome is the same and there isn’t much doubt about it.

The defense is still smoke and mirrors IMO with Marinelli continuing to show why he is a tremendous DC. You have a bunch of average guys like Mincey and young guys who figure to improve like Wilcox, Hitchens, Lawrence, etc. But Marinelli is the glue holding it all together.

Lawrence was active and will contribute by the end of the season. Selvie is still a non-factor, which is disappointing.

Sterling Moore plays like a 3rd CB some games and a 4th CB others (like today), but I’ll take it.

Wilbur played poorly but is still an OK as depth. Hitchens played well, which is very good for a rookie that had to learn more than one position in making the transition to the NFL. (and you know its coming…) Anyone that thinks he was a bad draft pick is delusional.

Melton and Spencer didn’t make a lot of plays but still look like they are both rounding into form, the big key for the playoffs IMO is those two plus Demarcus Lawrence getting a pass rush.

If Josh Brent comes back and takes up two blockers like he did before his jail time, it will be a big boost for the pass rush as well.

I’m still on the fence about Bruce Carter coming back, even after the big play today. I think it will come down to either Carter or Durant taking a lower contract offer. One of those rounds out the starters, with Hitchens pushing for a starting job but perhaps being a very good backup at all three spots.

 

[CowboyStar88]

I saw zero smoke and mirrors from the D today. I saw a DC mix up the blitz and allow this team to play man. The had 4 sacks a bunch of pressures and 3 TO and held a team to 14 points.

 

[perrykemp]

I thought it was a solid effort today defensively.

Probably the only negative I can point to is that I keep holding out hope that Carr somehow starts playing to his contract and games like this continue to show he is a below average (but not terrible) NFL CB at this point. Sterling Moore is a 4th CB or so.

 

[DuDa]

Selvie is still a non-factor, which is disappointing.

He caused a fumble and was solid in the run game.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I’m still on the fence about Bruce Carter coming back, even after the big play today. I think it will come down to either Carter or Durant taking a lower contract offer.

My money is on Durant.

 

[Kaiser]

I saw zero smoke and mirrors from the D today.

I come not to bury Marinelli but to praise him. This team is playing like it could end up in the NFC Championship Game (not the SB) if it gets a few breaks - and the defense clearly doesn't have the talent level for that. That is what I mean by "smoke and mirrors", its as much about the coaching as the players for them to be playing as well as they are.

 

[texbumthelife]

Colt McCoy laughs at the OP

 

[Idgit]

We lack talent on defense. The good news is, we don't lack for coaching or effort. And we don't lack talent on offense except at backup QB. We'll add a lot of players to the defensive side of the ball in the coming off seasons.

For the first time since Parcels was here, we've got a plan, and we've got a fairly obvious objective ahead of us for how to make the team even better. And we've got what looks like a reasonable playoff team right now, as we speak. The only open question--and it's a huge one--is what we do for a QB since the most important position on the field is the position group with the most obvious question marks starting with Tony's age and health, and extending right down to his backup.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

When I think of a smoke and mirrors defense, I picture a defense that is doing something peculiar schematically to hide a shortcoming. This defense isn't overly complex schematically. In fact, it's quite simple; they play most teams straight up. They aren't hiding a weakness, in my opinion. We know what their weaknesses are, and teams have exploited them when they've been able to.

 

[Idgit]

When I think of a smoke and mirrors defense, I picture a defense that is doing something peculiar schematically to hide a shortcoming. This defense isn't overly complex schematically. In fact, it's quite simple; they play most teams straight up. They aren't hiding a weakness, in my opinion. We know what their weaknesses are, and teams have exploited them when they've been able to.

This is a good point. We're less smoke and mirrors, and more just pretty average (below average, really) overall in terms of talent. We tackle well, though, and hustle. It's easy to like watching a team play when everybody plays hard and hustles all the time.

 

[jazzcat22]

Colt McCoy laughs at the OP

9 out of 10 times Colt would be crying....

 

[jazzcat22]

Call it smoke and mirrors, call it what you want.
I see effort. Rather from the more talented players, or less talented players.
Yes we need more talent. The coaching has been great. Had a 2 game drop and today still some signs of the holes in the defense.

But the effort is there.
2 weeks to heal, and prepare for the stretch run

 

[cowboys1981]

Smoke and mirrors? No! If you're going to look at one side of the ball and call smoky mirrors I will remind you this is the same defense that held Seattle and NO in check. This defense kept us locked in last week into the 4th and kept us in it vs Washington despite some bad tackling.

When you look at the defense the past few years I can't help but notice teams aren't running it down our throat like they used to. On top of that we're seeing 11 players that are swarming to the ball and playing physical.

Another element that is helping our defense is the play and execution of our Oline that is sustaining our balanced attack. You may want to look at one side of the ball and call smoke and mirrors, but if you're going to suggest smoke and mirrors you have to look at this team as a whole.

In season's past we were one dimensional on offense and paid for it late in the year giving teams 10-12 games worth of tape showing that one dimension. It's no wonder we struggled towards the end.

This season we're the most balance team and that has created the succes on offense and it has also been a big contributor to the success we've had on defense.

 

[30yrheel]

I'm surprised anytime this defense stops anyone. It has a lot of holes with some players that just flat out suck (Carr, Church for example).

 

[nalam]

My money is on Durant.

Durant hasn't finished the season healthy , (2 in a row ? ) we are a bit snake bit in the LB position, lee , Durante and McClain hobbled .....

 

[ElGatoGrande]

Some of the play calling in the second half made me want to throw a brick through a plate window but the Cowboys did what they needed to do against a bad Jaguar team.

 

[romothesavior]

We lack talent on defense. The good news is, we don't lack for coaching or effort. And we don't lack talent on offense except at backup QB.

I think the offense and defense are polar opposites of each other, a yin and yang kind of thing.

The offense has tons of talent, but they're held back by inept coaching with very little situational awareness.

The defense is really light on talent, but the coaching staff gets the very most out of them every week.

 

[xwalker]

This was an easy game to like obviously, to me the difference in the team this year is that this is a team that you KNOW will put away a bad opponent. The last couple of years it was a team that you hoped would do so, but you didn’t feel it in your gut. Its still not a Super Bowl team, but it is a team that will win games in the playoffs and I’m happy with that at this point. There is plenty to build on going forward.

The offense continued to roll, for all the same reasons. I saw some criticism on Twitter that Dallas should have pounded the running game instead of exploiting the secondary with Dez, but that’s kind of like the comparison between killing a rat with a shotgun or a M16. The outcome is the same and there isn’t much doubt about it.

The defense is still smoke and mirrors IMO with Marinelli continuing to show why he is a tremendous DC. You have a bunch of average guys like Mincey and young guys who figure to improve like Wilcox, Hitchens, Lawrence, etc. But Marinelli is the glue holding it all together.

Lawrence was active and will contribute by the end of the season. Selvie is still a non-factor, which is disappointing.

Sterling Moore plays like a 3rd CB some games and a 4th CB others (like today), but I’ll take it.

Wilbur played poorly but is still an OK as depth. Hitchens played well, which is very good for a rookie that had to learn more than one position in making the transition to the NFL. (and you know its coming…) Anyone that thinks he was a bad draft pick is delusional.

Melton and Spencer didn’t make a lot of plays but still look like they are both rounding into form, the big key for the playoffs IMO is those two plus Demarcus Lawrence getting a pass rush.

If Josh Brent comes back and takes up two blockers like he did before his jail time, it will be a big boost for the pass rush as well.

I’m still on the fence about Bruce Carter coming back, even after the big play today. I think it will come down to either Carter or Durant taking a lower contract offer. One of those rounds out the starters, with Hitchens pushing for a starting job but perhaps being a very good backup at all three spots.

I saw zero smoke and mirrors from the D today. I saw a DC mix up the blitz and allow this team to play man. The had 4 sacks a bunch of pressures and 3 TO and held a team to 14 points.

I think by "Smoke and Mirrors" that Kaiser is saying that they are over-achieving. They have limited talent overall on defense, but are managing to play well enough to win games.

Today, they were without what are arguably their 2 best players (RoMc and T. Crawford) and still played a decent game.

 

[perrykemp]

I'm surprised anytime this defense stops anyone. It has a lot of holes with some players that just flat out suck (Carr, Church for example).

Church doesn't suck. He is a premiere run stopper and probably slightly below average in pass coverage. Pull it together and you have an above average safety.

Carr on the other hand is a shell of the guy I remember playing in Kansas City and is dipping below mediocrity and becoming a liability.

 

[xwalker]

I think the offense and defense are polar opposites of each other, a yin and yang kind of thing.

The offense has tons of talent, but they're held back by inept coaching with very little situational awareness.

The defense is really light on talent, but the coaching staff gets the very most out of them every week.

Good description.