The most significant negative tonight was our

[Woods]

Special Teams play in general.

The long punt return and the KO return for a TD by Houston stunk.

And the missed FG attempt and the bobble on the hold on another attempt.

I'm sure BP will get most of this cleared by pretty quickly.

As for Cortez, I think we'll probably bring in somone this week, or wait for the cuts for more competition.

On the positive side, I loved how our defense forced turnovers!

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Special Teams play in general.

The long punt return and the KO return for a TD by Houston stunk.

And the missed FG attempt and the bobble on the hold on another attempt.

I'm sure BP will get most of this cleared by pretty quickly.

As for Cortez, I think we'll probably bring in somone this week, or wait for the cuts for more competition.

On the positive side, I loved how our defense forced turnovers!

It was even worse if you consider many of the Texans plays were called back on the returns due to them committing penalties.

 

[Woods]

It was even worse if you consider many of the Texans plays were called back on the returns due to them committing penalties.

Yes, and I was surprised by the number of penalties the Texans committed in general.

I think we had a major lapse on special teams today. Hopefully most of it is not major stuff and can be corrected.

 

[Rezz]

Yeah ST didn't look too good, I have no idea who was in on the Swinton return, but you know Swinton isnt exactly garbage on returns...so I can live with that...

 

[50cent]

I 'm sorry, I have to disagree. I thought the most disappointing aspect was our Oline run blocking. The last 2 weeks have shown me when our running game is in check, we can move the ball with ease. The way we came out tnight blocking for the run was pathetic. When we put Guode in at center it did seem to pick up. He might have won the job tonight and solved our run blocking woes.

 

[Woods]

Yeah ST didn't look too good, I have no idea who was in on the Swinton return, but you know Swinton isnt exactly garbage on returns...so I can live with that...

In fact, didn't ALL of Houston's points come off Special Teams?

I may be mistaken, but I thought the FG made by Brown of Houston came off a long punt return.

 

[Rogerthat12]

yep..ST sucked tonight point blank..we need work

 

[50cent]

Oh yeah, from what I saw and the came from the few clips that were shown on the NFL Network, I saw guys like Bruce Thornton, Condo, and Bickerstaff on STs missing tackles and taking bad angles. I just don't think we are going to rely on them this year for STs. I guess that why I'm not so disappointed with ST.

 

[Cbz40]

We still need alot of work on the OL as well.

 

[cowboyeric8]

In fact, didn't ALL of Houston's points come off Special Teams?

I may be mistaken, but I thought the FG made by Brown of Houston came off a long punt return.

you are correct sir.

 

[jlust22]

It's hard to truly judge preseason, but the 1st team offense has been pretty bad. Bledsoe has been the QB for 17 series. They have gone 3 and out in 9 of the series. They have gotten only 1 1st down in 6 of the series and they have had 2 TD drives. The Cowboys are 10/42 on 3rd down conversions in the three games, but with Bledsoe at QB, they are 1/17. I think the offense is still without a doubt the biggest concern on the team. I am not convinced they will be able to produce a lot of points.

 

[CowboyManDan]

It's hard to truly judge preseason, but the 1st team offense has been pretty bad. Bledsoe has been the QB for 17 series. They have gone 3 and out in 9 of the series. They have gotten only 1 1st down in 6 of the series and they have had 2 TD drives. The Cowboys are 10/42 on 3rd down conversions in the three games, but with Bledsoe at QB, they are 1/17. I think the offense is still without a doubt the biggest concern on the team. I am not convinced they will be able to produce a lot of points.

Good post. There are reasons to be concerned by our 1st team offense. JJ has run well, but the passing game and the general offensive line needs improvement. Bill probably wants to have a ball control offense, but you need 1st downs.

 

[Woods]

It's hard to truly judge preseason, but the 1st team offense has been pretty bad. Bledsoe has been the QB for 17 series. They have gone 3 and out in 9 of the series. They have gotten only 1 1st down in 6 of the series and they have had 2 TD drives. The Cowboys are 10/42 on 3rd down conversions in the three games, but with Bledsoe at QB, they are 1/17. I think the offense is still without a doubt the biggest concern on the team. I am not convinced they will be able to produce a lot of points.

I think a lot of the uncertainty on offense can be attributed to the OL.

When given time, I think Bledsoe is o.k., but he definitely needs time.

I'm hoping when Rivera comes back, and with Petitti improving, the OL will start to come together soon. It's going to take Petitti awhile to get used to the various stunts, blitzes, etc.

 

[big dog cowboy]

OK so the reason for our bad O-line play is......what exactly?

Flo - solid
LA - solid
AJ, Dre - solid
Rivera - solid
Petitti - still learning/getting better
Campbell - solid

 

[Cbz40]

OK so the reason for our bad O-line play is......what exactly?

Flo - solid
LA - solid
AJ, Dre - solid
Rivera - solid
Petitti - still learning/getting better
Campbell - solid

The screens....they are not holding their block long enough

We are still very suspect stopping the rush up the middle.

I still think we are still weak at stopping the speed rusher of the edge.

Run blocking still has to be crisper.

Not getting off together on the snap.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The screen is still in our playbook?

 

[Champsheart]

OK so the reason for our bad O-line play is......what exactly?

Flo - solid
LA - solid
AJ, Dre - solid
Rivera - solid
Petitti - still learning/getting better
Campbell - solid

The problem is a couple of things.

1. They are bringing to many to block with the blitz.

2. We are trying to counter act that with screens, which obviously we still suck at.

We have to come up with something else, which sucks because the screen is a great antidote to the blitz.

We have been running so many screens, I think Big Bill is really giving that a chance to work, but it obviously is not.

He will come up with something else.

 

[Champsheart]

In fact, didn't ALL of Houston's points come off Special Teams?

I may be mistaken, but I thought the FG made by Brown of Houston came off a long punt return.

Yep, are special teams where bad tonight.

The way I look at it is Houston got 9 points of special teams.

We got -6 on special teams. We botched the FG, and missed a 31 yarder.

That is a 12 point differnce on ST.

This game could have easily been 27-0.