some good, some bad, some awful

[dbair1967]

Have to be pleased with the 1st team offense save two plays...Romo missing another gimmee TD deep down field (Owens) and Romo's boneheaded Quincy-esque endzone interception...if not for those two plays, we end up with 31 pts and over 300 yds in one half...otherwise, everything was great

Unless they are just majorly holding back though, this defense has the looks of swiss cheese...I know getting Newman, Spencer and Burnett back will help some, but geez...the pass coverage tonight was absolutely pathetic...the pass rush was always late getting there and the run defense was shoddy. We've now played 3 preseason games and have managed one sack (on the 2nd play of preseason at that).

Then there's the special teams...been watching this team since 1975, and this years units have the making of being the worst I have ever seen. It's just a train wreck, and I cant believe Jerry let Wade keep Bruce Read. It's definitely going to lose a game or two for us this yr, absolutely no doubt about it.

Back to the good, I think other than the obvious (1st team offense) that we can all feel pretty good about Brad Johnson and Martellus Bennett...I think Doug Free looks fine as the top backup OT. Nick Folk is just money on field goals and tonight his kickoffs were excellent. Matt McBriar hit a bomb on his only punt. Adam Jones will be by far the best punt returner we've had since Deion in his prime here, and we will have a dramatic impact on field position and probably have 1 or 2 returns for TD's... Despite Felix Jones' fumble, I still feel very good about him.

I just have no confidence in the defense or special teams though...both look bad, and the expression on Phillips face tonight shown over and over again late in the 4th qtr speaks volumes for me. It's just a 3rd preseason game, and he looked like a guy who just found out his dog just died. I think he knows the defense is a huge problem and knows we're in trouble. I suspected the special teams might be an issue, but I never thought our defense would be this lousy looking even with 3 guys out.

Hopefully they (defense, special teams) prove me wrong, but it looks like to me our offense is gonna have to score 28-31 pts a week for us to win on a week to week basis. I really thought we'd win 12 or 13 games this yr, but after what I've seen so far in preseason 10 or 11 might be a more accurate prediction. We have the makings of the early 80's Chargers here IMO.

David

 

[RCowboyFan]

I had the same feeling and thoughts, right on the money there.

 

[Cbz40]

At this point in time The 1960 Special Teams were better than this team.

The is still a little suspect....I hold judgment until I see the entire package.

 

[ejthedj]

I think the D will be decent, not great. I am concerned, but it seems like we give up the most on quick turnarounds or big ST plays. Basically, if we just kick it away and they start in normal field position, the D is pretty good. Otherwise, they suck

So, we gotta cut down the turnovers and we have to teach the D some mental toughness. That is the biggest worry

 

[Goldenrichards83]

Nice post dblair. Our defense has some wholes in it and a major part of it is the scheme. We play 10-12 yards off the receivers when we have nothing but man to man corners. I don't expect us to play man to man 100% of the time but why are the DBs so far off the receivers. The pass rush was there but they made quick throws allnight because of the separation. I hate to think this but Brian Stewart seems overmatched at times.

As far as our special teams its an embarrassment. I love wade Phillips but his special teams seems to always play like crap where ever he goes. I don't know if its Bruce Read or we just have crappy players. Whatever it is something needs to be done because no team has won the Superbowl with crappy special teams.

 

[windward]

I think the D will be decent, not great. I am concerned, but it seems like we give up the most on quick turnarounds or big ST plays. Basically, if we just kick it away and they start in normal field position, the D is pretty good. Otherwise, they suck

So, we gotta cut down the turnovers and we have to teach the D some mental toughness. That is the biggest worry

well when backed up deep in our own territory, we held them to fgs

 

[windward]

Nice post dblair. Our defense has some wholes in it and a major part of it is the scheme. We play 10-12 yards off the receivers when we have nothing but man to man corners. I don't expect us to play man to man 100% of the time but why are the DBs so far off the receivers. The pass rush was there but they made quick throws allnight because of the separation. I hate to think this but Brian Stewart seems overmatched at times.

As far as our special teams its an embarrassment. I love wade Phillips but his special teams seems to always play like crap where ever he goes. I don't know if its Bruce Read or we just have crappy players. Whatever it is something needs to be done because no team has won the Superbowl with crappy special teams.

Lol, I thought I read"Our defense has some ****** in it"

 

[chinch]

seems to be a continuation of what has happened here for a while.

terrible ST, soft D and mistakes-o-rama whenever it matters.

 

[links18]

Agree totally with the OP. The defense looked lousy, save for the 1st 2 series. Can't understand why the D keeps missing the QB and why teams consistently complete passes. No fire on that side of the ball.

The O looked good, save for the turnovers. Romo though seems a bit off, missed TO, threw a boneheaded pick. It seems he is good for one of those plays a game. Barber was a beast, but Felix's inside running left something to be desired.

The special teams is a total disaster, save the kickers. We are looking like a 10-6 team right now.....

 

[DaBoys4Life]

Have to be pleased with the 1st team offense save two plays...Romo missing another gimmee TD deep down field (Owens) and Romo's boneheaded Quincy-esque endzone interception...if not for those two plays, we end up with 31 pts and over 300 yds in one half...otherwise, everything was great

Unless they are just majorly holding back though, this defense has the looks of swiss cheese...I know getting Newman, Spencer and Burnett back will help some, but geez...the pass coverage tonight was absolutely pathetic...the pass rush was always late getting there and the run defense was shoddy. We've now played 3 preseason games and have managed one sack (on the 2nd play of preseason at that).

Then there's the special teams...been watching this team since 1975, and this years units have the making of being the worst I have ever seen. It's just a train wreck, and I cant believe Jerry let Wade keep Bruce Read. It's definitely going to lose a game or two for us this yr, absolutely no doubt about it.

Back to the good, I think other than the obvious (1st team offense) that we can all feel pretty good about Brad Johnson and Martellus Bennett...I think Doug Free looks fine as the top backup OT. Nick Folk is just money on field goals and tonight his kickoffs were excellent. Matt McBriar hit a bomb on his only punt. Adam Jones will be by far the best punt returner we've had since Deion in his prime here, and we will have a dramatic impact on field position and probably have 1 or 2 returns for TD's... Despite Felix Jones' fumble, I still feel very good about him.

I just have no confidence in the defense or special teams though...both look bad, and the expression on Phillips face tonight shown over and over again late in the 4th qtr speaks volumes for me. It's just a 3rd preseason game, and he looked like a guy who just found out his dog just died. I think he knows the defense is a huge problem and knows we're in trouble. I suspected the special teams might be an issue, but I never thought our defense would be this lousy looking even with 3 guys out.

Hopefully they (defense, special teams) prove me wrong, but it looks like to me our offense is gonna have to score 28-31 pts a week for us to win on a week to week basis. I really thought we'd win 12 or 13 games this yr, but after what I've seen so far in preseason 10 or 11 might be a more accurate prediction. We have the makings of the early 80's Chargers here IMO.

David

I agree with you on this I'm upset that Felix didn't get any first team reps. I wanted to see those packages with him and Barber....

 

[RainMan]

Agree totally with the OP. The defense looked lousy, save for the 1st 2 series. Can't understand why the D keeps missing the QB and why teams consistently complete passes. No fire on that side of the ball.

The O looked good, save for the turnovers. Romo though seems a bit off, missed TO, threw a boneheaded pick. It seems he is good for one of those plays a game. Barber was a beast, but Felix's inside running left something to be desired.

The special teams is a total disaster, save the kickers. We are looking like a 10-6 team right now.....

Total up all Felix's preseason carries and the pre-draft book on him seems pretty spot on.

Elusive and very fast in short space; great weapon in the passing game; doesn't necessarily have real breakaway speed; goes down on first contact too easily; may not be a great inside runner.

I think it'll be a shame if we don't use him on kickoffs. I realize he's a potentially valuable part of the offense, but that's a part of the game he excels at.

 

[SacredStar]

One great thing......

Our penalties were way down and Dallas played a more disciplined game.

That is huge.

 

[gbrittain]

Lol, I thought I read"Our defense has some ****** in it"

:laugh2:

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Tony Romo has to keep working on his touch with the deep ball... And for the love of biscuits will he just throw the ball away near the end zone, you CAN'T have turnovers in the redzone!!!!! I think he had a pretty good game though.

Felix Jones looked a lot like Julius Jones tonight, not breaking many tackles... Again the fumble in the redzone, he'll see the bench if that continues.

 

[windward]

seems to be a continuation of what has happened here for a while.

terrible ST, soft D and mistakes-o-rama whenever it matters.

What part of the game "mattered" today?

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I was very pleased with the first team units. The defense I thought played extremely well allowing only 13 points (When all the starters were in save Newman) especially given that twice the horrible special teams units gave the ball the Texans at the Cowboys 35 and they held them, both times, to field goals which is pretty impressive.

The offense looked really good outside of the over throw by Romo to TO and then him trying to force that darn football into Curtis and getting it picked off.

I thought Brad Johnson, working with the starting O-Line (But once again not getting to throw out there with TO and Witten and Barber in the game) looked pretty good. Other than the one throw to the sideline, that he needed to throw quicker (To Jefferson), he did pretty good with the back up WRs. That deep throw was really nice too and it was a shame it was a step to far for the WR.

The special teams play was just God awful (Coverage teams were I mean) but the Kickoff and Punt return teams were not bad at all (When Jones returned his punt and Stanbach was returning kicks before his fumble and injury).

 

[Woods]

One great thing......

Our penalties were way down and Dallas played a more disciplined game.

That is huge.

That was a big positive.

Now, if we can cut down on our turnovers and force some.

 

[windward]

The special teams play was just God awful (Coverage teams were I mean) but the Kickoff and Punt return teams were not bad at all (When Jones returned his punt and Stanbach was returning kicks before his fumble and injury).

Not to mention McBriar and Folk were very solid.

 

[gbrittain]

As far as our defense goes, I am just taking the "Missouri" stance...Show Me.

I know statistically the Cowboys D was top 10, but they did not have a dominating presence.

This defense should not just be a top rated defense statistically, but it should be a dominating defense.

I do not see a dominating defense so far this pre-season and did not see it last year.

We shall see.

Definitely too early to judge what is coming this year by what is happening in pre-season though.

 

[bbgun]

Nice post dblair. Our defense has some wholes in it and a major part of it is the scheme. We play 10-12 yards off the receivers when we have nothing but man to man corners.

How right you are. Mike Jenkins isn't even on the screen.

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