PoetTree
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It's Pass Rush.
Period.
Now, don't get me wrong; I know there have been other problems, untimely mistakes, gaffed decisions. But if you really wanna pin down what ails our team this year and is primarily responsible for our 5-5 record, it's the fact that we don't generate a pass-rush from the front-4. Not with any consistency. Not with any urgency. Not with any excellence.
What's to blame for that?
Injuries.
Period.
Everyone agrees that Marinelli has been doing an outstanding job this year. Even the most ardent of critics recognize the relative success he's had with the pieces he'w working with. But objectively, the pieces he's working with are almost entirely castoffs from other teams. There's only so much coaching can do. At some point, you need bonafide talent.
A line of Spencer, Ratliff, Hatcher, and Ware would have made all the difference this season. Then we'd be bringing fresh guys like Selvie, Wilbur, Rayford, Crawford, Nevis and/or maybe even Everette Brown off the bench in what would then be a very favorable rotation of rushers. But relying on those guys as starts week in and week out? It's simply not enough.
When the Giants beat the then-undefeated Patriots in the Superbowl, does anyone really believe their corners were better than Carr, Claiborne, and Scandrick? I don't. Were their linebackers really better than Lee, Carter, Durant and/or Sims? I don't believe so. But what they had, in excess, was a pass-rush that wouldn't quit. Premier starters, and athletic depth that could come in fresh and whip tired offensive lineman. The result? A 4-3 that functioned exactly the way it's supposed to.
I've been as frustrated this season as anyone. I had high hopes, as of course I do every year as a Cowboys fan. It's easy to spiral into a negative view that makes everything look like it's wrong. But in truth, forgiving the various mistakes or poor decisions that happen to ALL teams in the NFL, if I really look at this thing from an unemotional standpoint, I think the fact of the matter is the injuries that have ravaged our d-line and forced us to start street-players or those whom truly should only be backups and/or 3rd-stringers have put us in an almost unwinnable position --and I think the coaching staff deserves some praise for keeping us as relevant as they have.
It's not to overlook any other problems we've had, but honestly:
What team in the NFL could lose ALL four of it's starting d-linemen for either all or most of the season, and still be in first-place for the Division?
Unfortunately, this is a problem that cannot be corrected this season and I think we are relegated to just giving it our all and going as far as we can; make a good show of it. But as much flack as they've taken, even from me, I think this very same coaching staff --if given a pass-rush the likes of which they were planning for-- could provide Playoff and/or Championship-quality play next season. At least, on defense.
Offense is another story, and I think Callahan needs to go; and if I'm Jerry, I throw as much money at Norv Turner as I can, make him assistant head coach --whatever-- to get him in here to run this offense at a professional level. Because injuries aside, I think the offense has been far more of a disappointment this year than the defense. But I digress...
Period.
Now, don't get me wrong; I know there have been other problems, untimely mistakes, gaffed decisions. But if you really wanna pin down what ails our team this year and is primarily responsible for our 5-5 record, it's the fact that we don't generate a pass-rush from the front-4. Not with any consistency. Not with any urgency. Not with any excellence.
What's to blame for that?
Injuries.
Period.
Everyone agrees that Marinelli has been doing an outstanding job this year. Even the most ardent of critics recognize the relative success he's had with the pieces he'w working with. But objectively, the pieces he's working with are almost entirely castoffs from other teams. There's only so much coaching can do. At some point, you need bonafide talent.
A line of Spencer, Ratliff, Hatcher, and Ware would have made all the difference this season. Then we'd be bringing fresh guys like Selvie, Wilbur, Rayford, Crawford, Nevis and/or maybe even Everette Brown off the bench in what would then be a very favorable rotation of rushers. But relying on those guys as starts week in and week out? It's simply not enough.
When the Giants beat the then-undefeated Patriots in the Superbowl, does anyone really believe their corners were better than Carr, Claiborne, and Scandrick? I don't. Were their linebackers really better than Lee, Carter, Durant and/or Sims? I don't believe so. But what they had, in excess, was a pass-rush that wouldn't quit. Premier starters, and athletic depth that could come in fresh and whip tired offensive lineman. The result? A 4-3 that functioned exactly the way it's supposed to.
I've been as frustrated this season as anyone. I had high hopes, as of course I do every year as a Cowboys fan. It's easy to spiral into a negative view that makes everything look like it's wrong. But in truth, forgiving the various mistakes or poor decisions that happen to ALL teams in the NFL, if I really look at this thing from an unemotional standpoint, I think the fact of the matter is the injuries that have ravaged our d-line and forced us to start street-players or those whom truly should only be backups and/or 3rd-stringers have put us in an almost unwinnable position --and I think the coaching staff deserves some praise for keeping us as relevant as they have.
It's not to overlook any other problems we've had, but honestly:
What team in the NFL could lose ALL four of it's starting d-linemen for either all or most of the season, and still be in first-place for the Division?
Unfortunately, this is a problem that cannot be corrected this season and I think we are relegated to just giving it our all and going as far as we can; make a good show of it. But as much flack as they've taken, even from me, I think this very same coaching staff --if given a pass-rush the likes of which they were planning for-- could provide Playoff and/or Championship-quality play next season. At least, on defense.
Offense is another story, and I think Callahan needs to go; and if I'm Jerry, I throw as much money at Norv Turner as I can, make him assistant head coach --whatever-- to get him in here to run this offense at a professional level. Because injuries aside, I think the offense has been far more of a disappointment this year than the defense. But I digress...
