State of the Boys at the Bye

[jobberone]

He hasn't faced Hardy yet.

Gregory, Mincey, Hardy, and Lawrence should be able to make them hurry. And that's ok to limit his drops and shrink the playbook.

If they can get that kind of pressure and force Eli to throw the ball with limiting the run, then we can jump some of the short routes and divert those slant ins to the outside. If we can do that successfully as well as limit the long intermediate and deeper routes then we can make them miserable.

 

[Corso]

Any chance we can get this thread back on topic?

Any chance I can get a good crayfish recipe?

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

bet we don't beat the giants

If this was the FB Jamboree and Truck Hitch Sale-abration and it was last call I would fight you for saying that. Just lucky for you you are not at the FB Jamboree. On the other hand I might buy you a drink and just gift you a warning.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

It is, but that's the other thing. With the new offense, Eli gets rid of the ball awfully quick. He's hard to pressure. We did a good job on him and, especially on OBJ last time, and I do think we'll be able to move him off the spot. Especially if Gregory is back. It would really be nice if we could conduct some of those 15 play drives that take 8 minutes off the clock and end in touchdowns. Tough to remember what that looks like, though. If nothing else, Cassel should be able to give us a shot of converting after a false start penalty or a negative run, where Weeden never really could.

The Cowboys can force Eli to hold the ball longer by sitting on the short routes. Of course, if your defensive backs are going to jump everything short, the pass rush has to get there or you are royally screwed.

 

[Stash]

You do live in a fantasy world where everyone tells the whole truth all the time. You think a player is going to admit anything he does not have to? Or a team?
You seem to have this bizzare idea that Martin and Leary were 100%. As I mentioned since you are neither a doctor nor know them you cannot say diddly squat about their physical condition.

But somehow you can? And you can speak for them about their injuries and those injuries being the cause for their underperforming?

 

[Stash]

QB play is the key IMO. Gotta have some drives and keep the defense off balance some. I think this will be a good game.

Have to look competent at the very least. And the guys they do put in the field have to show that they're capable of making plays.

Opposing defense's are playing things very tight because they neither fear nor respect Dallas' current offense, running or passing. Some one or some thing needs to change that. I hope between Cassel, Collins, and mor of Christine Michael, and the hopeful return of Dez Bryant, that one or more of them can help us to accomplish that.

It would be nice for the team to put a complete game together with at least the majority of their projected parts on the field.

 

[jobberone]

Have to look competent at the very least. And the guys they do put in the field have to show that they're capable of making plays.

Opposing defense's are playing things very tight because they neither fear nor respect Dallas' current offense, running or passing. Some one or some thing needs to change that. I hope between Cassel, Collins, and mor of Christine Michael, and the hopeful return of Dez Bryant, that one or more of them can help us to accomplish that.

It would be nice for the team to put a complete game together with at least the majority of their projected parts on the field.

Here's my take on what has happened.

You had a QB who could not threaten down the field. The field suddenly became primarily an underneath passing game with rare downfield attempts and infrequent intermediate routes; at least until we had to attack that way.

That allows you to stack the box and play single deep with 8-9 guys within 10 yards (often closer) to the LOS. No one is going to consistently run block that. You can try to ball control and run that ball down the field but you can't make mistakes and you have to back them out of the box on occasion.

If we can open up the intermediate routes at least then we will be able to run 90+% of the playbook and the run game will be closer to what we had last year.

 

[Stash]

Here's my take on what has happened.

You had a QB who could not threaten down the field. The field suddenly became primarily an underneath passing game with rare downfield attempts and infrequent intermediate routes; at least until we had to attack that way.

That allows you to stack the box and play single deep with 8-9 guys within 10 yards (often closer) to the LOS. No one is going to consistently run block that. You can try to ball control and run that ball down the field but you can't make mistakes and you have to back them out of the box on occasion.

If we can open up the intermediate routes at least then we will be able to run 90+% of the playbook and the run game will be closer to what we had last year.

I see it as a factor, certainly, but not the only factor. I felt that the running game was inconsistant and struggling a bit, even before all of the other issues occurred, and those issues magnified what was already there.

Im seeing that single high safety look consistently as well, and I think the only way to back opponents out of it is to make them pay by going down the field. Until they do, I think they'll see it consistently. Even with a change at quarterback, if players like Street, Escobar, and Whitehead can't make plays when they're out there, not much will change.

Hopefully, Dez returns and draws his usual attention. That should allow the other regulars, like Williams, Witten, and Beasley to do their thing. If that happens, at least Cassel should have options.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

It is, but that's the other thing. With the new offense, Eli gets rid of the ball awfully quick. He's hard to pressure. We did a good job on him and, especially on OBJ last time, and I do think we'll be able to move him off the spot. Especially if Gregory is back. It would really be nice if we could conduct some of those 15 play drives that take 8 minutes off the clock and end in touchdowns. Tough to remember what that looks like, though. If nothing else, Cassel should be able to give us a shot of converting after a false start penalty or a negative run, where Weeden never really could.

No one gets rid of the ball faster than Brady and they got to him quite a bit early.

 

[jobberone]

I see it as a factor, certainly, but not the only factor. I felt that the running game was inconsistant and struggling a bit, even before all of the other issues occurred, and those issues magnified what was already there.

Im seeing that single high safety look consistently as well, and I think the only way to back opponents out of it is to make them pay by going down the field. Until they do, I think they'll see it consistently. Even with a change at quarterback, if players like Street, Escobar, and Whitehead can't make plays when they're out there, not much will change.

Hopefully, Dez returns and draws his usual attention. That should allow the other regulars, like Williams, Witten, and Beasley to do their thing. If that happens, at least Cassel should have options.

I think it is THE factor. Better QB better offense.

 

[burmafrd]

But somehow you can? And you can speak for them about their injuries and those injuries being the cause for their underperforming?

I know you don't realize it but you just made my case as regards YOUR lack of knowledge.

 

[Stash]

I know you don't realize it but you just made my case as regards YOUR lack of knowledge.

Take whatever you can get.

 

[mahoneybill]

Due to injuries, we have a lack of our best talent to put on the field... for that reason, we suck. As those chess pieces return to the chess board, we will get better. How good will we get? At full strength, IMO we should be better than last year.

Agree. Hopefully we an be in the mix in December and getting stronger to make a run

 

[mahoneybill]

Have to look competent at the very least. And the guys they do put in the field have to show that they're capable of making plays.

Opposing defense's are playing things very tight because they neither fear nor respect Dallas' current offense, running or passing. Some one or some thing needs to change that. I hope between Cassel, Collins, and mor of Christine Michael, and the hopeful return of Dez Bryant, that one or more of them can help us to accomplish that.

It would be nice for the team to put a complete game together with at least the majority of their projected parts on the field.

Agree. We have short handed and even when at closer to full strength with players who were actually available we haven't played a full 4 qtrs with minimal penalties, dropped int's, missed fumble recoveries, or a decent return game to get better field position

 

[Stash]

Agree. We have short handed and even when at closer to full strength with players who were actually available we haven't played a full 4 qtrs with minimal penalties, dropped int's, missed fumble recoveries, or a decent return game to get better field position

Exactly. It seems it's always been something this season. Shooting ourselves in the foot week one. A struggling run game and losing Romo in week two. A defensive collapse in week 3. Receivers disappearing in week 4. And a totally inept offense in week 5 wasting a very good defensive effort. If they can get anything to come together during the same week, I like our chances.

 

[mahoneybill]

Exactly. It seems it's always been something this season. Shooting ourselves in the foot week one. A struggling run game and losing Romo in week two. A defensive collapse in week 3. Receivers disappearing in week 4. And a totally inept offense in week 5 wasting a very good defensive effort. If they can get anything to come together during the same week, I like our chances.

Lets hope we see that. I for one would like to see us get it together all on all sides of the ball