Thoughts about the Bucs - Judgement day is upon us!

[JoeKing]

Record-wise the slate is clean. But losing 9 games in the regular season tells you who the Bucs really are. The Cowboys should be able to impose their will on the Bucs.

 

[DuncanIso]

Record-wise the slate is clean. But losing 9 games in the regular season tells you who the Bucs really are. The Cowboys should be able to impose their will on the Bucs.

Gonna be tough when Dak can’t throw a football 5 foot

 

[JoeKing]

All good.

But Dak can’t throw.

Over under on 3 and outs…

5

If Dak can't throw then how did he miss 5 games and still get almost 3000 yards passing and 23 TDs?

 

[Creeper]

I agree with a lot of what you wrote. I worry about Godwin too. I think he could have a big game against the Cowboys. In the first game, Julio Jones had a big 48 yard catch so I would not rule him out either. The key, as you said is make Brady uncomfortable in the pocket. If he throws deep make him pay. Don't commit penalties but get close enough so a clean hit as he throws or immediately after he throws doesn't get flagged, but he still feels it. Brady likes to pretend he is a young 45 but I think he worries that his older bones and joints can't take the punishment they used to take. The good news is Brady is not a thread to tuck and run, but he still will run a few yards for a 1st down if they leave the field wide open for him.

I think the Cowboys are going to give up at least 24 points. Even with LVE and Hankins coming back I just think this defense has been off the last month or so. If they do not get turnovers they don't make enough stops. CB2 is a big issue and I will be shocked if Xavier Rhodes is the answer. This game is all on Dak and the offense. If they can't run the ball then it is all on Dak. But I also think a slow game benefits the Bucs who would like for Dallas to keep the score down and the game close so Brady can win it at the end. Brady is no dummy, he doesn't need to be a hero given his career as maybe the greatest QB ever. He will take what the defense gives him. It does not bother him to throw a dozen 6 yard passes in a row if the defense plays soft. He doesn't feel the need to be aggressive. He may be the most patient QB in the league.

 

[xwalker]

Throw out the records, nobody is going to care who is hurt, who isn't playing, find a way to advance! The Cowboys haven't won a road playoff game since 1992, if they want success this year, they must end that drought! Judgement time for both MM and Dak Prescott!

Offense

-Two years ago, Kellen Moore decided not to test the best run defense in football and pretty much relied on Dak's arm. This worked with great success as the team lost a close game to a heavy favorite SB winner. This year, they actually were running the football well, but Moore gave up on it way too early, even when the Bucs weren't ahead by much. They must stay balanced to be effective.

-Going back two years ago, Dak had great success against Todd Bowles blitz packages, in the game this year, he used the Denver strategy by playing deep shell coverage and forcing Dak to pass the football in tight windows. He refrained from blitzing at all. Our receivers really struggled winning their matchups, especially on the outside. TB corners like to play a lot of off coverage, Dak must take the underneath throws and get the ball out quickly. Must be mindful over the middle as TB employ's two excellent ballhawks in David and Whitfield Jr.

-Their best pass rusher is on the ir, but still have Joe Tryon and Vita Vea to deal with inside. If the OL can contain Vea from blowing up the pocket, Dak should have a relatively clean pocket to work with.

-Offensive success with be all about the early downs, get into third and manageables and they should be able to drive the football, get into third and longs and they will have similar results as their 1st matchup this season when they have 8 men in coverage. Balance is the key, force them to get out of that shell coverage and blitz Dak.

Defense

-1st game was all about the Cowboys inability to stop the Bucs rushing attack, not Brady and the passing game. This sounds crazy, where the Bucs couldn't run against anyone throughout the season. They killed us on the outside runs to RE side, lineman pulling where Diggs was forced to take on lineman on the outside. This cannot happen again. With Hankins returning, you would think he can hold up some blockers, which will allow our linebackers to run to the football better.

-Yes, Mike Evans is the team's best deep threat, but it's Chris Godwin who is the biggest threat in the passing game. He does all his work underneath this season and they like to throw many screen his way. He is the receiver Brady looks for on third downs. Quinn has a difficult decision, does he look to take Godwin out with Diggs or does he protect the deep shots against Evans? Rest assure, the Bucs are going to attack the corner opposite Diggs, where Hooker needs to protect whomever is out there.

-There OL is very suspect, especially up the middle, however, their pro bowl Center, Jensen might be returning. Brady doesn't take many sacks and he is the quickest thrower in the league. That doesn't mean you cannot pressure him into making bad throws and mistakes. The way to pressure Brady is up the middle in his face, always has struggled with this. Quinn needs to move Parsons around and find the best matchups.

-The Giants won 2 SB's with a distinct formula against Brady. Generate pressure with the front four, play press coverage on the outside. I don't care who the Cowboys have starting at corner, Giants had a bunch of no names who had success with this strategy against better offensive personnel we will see.

Yes, the 2022 regular season including last weeks game is irrelevant.
- The Cowboys success from week to week is not predictable based on previous week performances.
- It's also not predictablel based on quality of opponents.

The winning formula during Dak's career:
- Cowboys rushes for over 100 yards.
- Opponent rushes for less than 140 yards.

• The biggest issues is the health and readiness of players returning from injury issues:
  • LVE
  • Hankins
  • Biadasz

• The 2nd biggest issue is CB #3 and the type of coverage they decide to use on the majority of snaps.
  • They played primarily man in the 1st half of the season.
  • They played some recent games with more zone than man.
  • The coverage appears to be related to who plays the 3rd CB position.
  • In the game that Alexander played, it was more man with Alexander as the Nickel CB and Bland outside.
  • In the same game it was more zone with Wright at outside CB.
  • The choise appears to be Rhodes or Wright.
  • Quinn says Rhodes looks good and picked up the scheme very quickly.
  • I expect them to start with Rhodes but they might rotate between Rhodes/Wright to some extent.

 

[75boyz]

That depends largely on MM and his ability to convince the team that they still have much work to do while Jerry gloats to every mic he can find.

Maybe I’m just conditioned to know that they have not built on success in a very long time.

Realistically, when you get deep in the playoffs, our “simple” schemes that everyone seems to know don’t cut it and we get mauled. But Jerry wants his control. The great minds are elsewhere with freedom.

I expect to beat Brady. Barely and ugly. Then I expect Philly or SF to make us look like fools, and Jerry and kid think we are so close, when we were really three difficult wins away from winning a title. That’s pretty far.

The only real improvement in the off-season will be the first round pick, and the same exact thing will happen next year.

Until I see something different…..like gaining momentum from a big win instead of considering it a monkey off their back and mail it in from there, this is what I expect out of Jerry’s Cowboys in the playoffs.

Don’t confuse that with hope, which I always have. I guess I’m a little sick of hoping beyond hope, when I know the addition of a proven player or two would make a difference….or at the very least, be willing to try it after much failure otherwise.

An absolute master piece summary matching my feelings as well. Great job, man.

 

[quickccc]

DEFENSE

- Pass rush vs Brady is more about up the middle. Edge rush doesn't disrupt him as much.
- Overall our pass rush has really declined and leveled off.
- Blitzing him usually a defeated plan.
- Concerned that Parsons is physically worn down at this point.
- Have we’ve been moving Dlaw inside as a rusher on 3rd down nickel ?
- Disappointed with DT pass rush this season.

- Flat plan, cannot have RB Leonard Fournette & co killing us vs run. Worse rush attack killed us for 152 yards rushing.
- I’m not confident about this Quinn defense per this 2nd half of season.

- People can criticize Bucs offense, but if opposing backup QBs are doing a number on us,.. what do we think GOAT Brady is gonna do ?

- We need Diggs vs Evans, … Have to gamble on Wright vs Godwin .. no more starting McMullen – and Xavier Rhodes is JAG now.
- Expect Bland remain at slot/3rd CB

- We need stop the run
- Effective, consistent sack-pressure game from Brady
- Limit Bucs big plays
- Create Turnovers
- Bucs only average 17 points per game but yet we’re having our own defensive issues, with even backup QBs.
- But if this game comes down to one last drive – Brady will do us in.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Bones' unit need a rebound game.
Could victory .. (or defeat) come down to a last drive winning FG ?

 

[quickccc]

• The biggest issues is the health and readiness of players returning from injury issues:
  • LVE
  • Hankins
  • Biadasz

• The 2nd biggest issue is CB #3 and the type of coverage they decide to use on the majority of snaps.
  • They played primarily man in the 1st half of the season.
  • They played some recent games with more zone than man.
  • The coverage appears to be related to who plays the 3rd CB position.
  • In the game that Alexander played, it was more man with Alexander as the Nickel CB and Bland outside.
  • In the same game it was more zone with Wright at outside CB.
  • The choise appears to be Rhodes or Wright.
  • Quinn says Rhodes looks good and picked up the scheme very quickly.
  • I expect them to start with Rhodes but they might rotate between Rhodes/Wright to some extent.

Thanks for Sharing ...

- i'll revisit this CB situation more in the future offseason.

- Seems they trust and want Bland to handle the slot - they want to find vet game experience
because they do not trust the seldom played, inexperienced Wright at this point.

- I'm watching the CB matchups. Maybe me but could maybe the coaches do not want the RCB candidates to
be switching from one end of field to another ?

- Me? i'd strongly prefer Diggs vs Evans all night long.. Trevor once limited Evans to just two catches for very minimal yards.
The other CB side (whether Antonio Brown or Julio Jones) vs the Bucs...has bee/ will be a flat out adventure...

If that's so,..then expect Mike Evans vs Wright, Rhodes, and

 

[Cowboyny]

Yes, the 2022 regular season including last weeks game is irrelevant.
- The Cowboys success from week to week is not predictable based on previous week performances.
- It's also not predictablel based on quality of opponents.

The winning formula during Dak's career:
- Cowboys rushes for over 100 yards.
- Opponent rushes for less than 140 yards.

• The biggest issues is the health and readiness of players returning from injury issues:
  • LVE
  • Hankins
  • Biadasz

• The 2nd biggest issue is CB #3 and the type of coverage they decide to use on the majority of snaps.
  • They played primarily man in the 1st half of the season.
  • They played some recent games with more zone than man.
  • The coverage appears to be related to who plays the 3rd CB position.
  • In the game that Alexander played, it was more man with Alexander as the Nickel CB and Bland outside.
  • In the same game it was more zone with Wright at outside CB.
  • The choise appears to be Rhodes or Wright.
  • Quinn says Rhodes looks good and picked up the scheme very quickly.
  • I expect them to start with Rhodes but they might rotate between Rhodes/Wright to some extent.

I rather see them in many coverage against Brady, as he will know where to go in zone coverage. You are right, Wright is more of a zone only corner, who struggles in man. Probably going to see a bunch of combinations. Too bad Joseph wet the bad, as he would of been our best, press corner option.

 

[Cowboyny]

exactly I am harping on this , lets see Quinn and the Boys can put a scheme to do this and pull off.

It all starts with win the trenches.

 

[Cowboyny]

Yes but the fly in the ointment is that we dont have nearly the front 4 that the giants had in 07 and 11'

I think the 11' team had JPP, Osi, Kiwi and Tuck - thats 4 guys that got to the QB, we barely have one in Parsons and he's not the same guy as last year or the beginning of this year.

The other guys feasted when Parsons was reeking havoc - now recently, not so much.

We have a good enough pass rush to be able to pressure a suspect OL. When right, we an be as good as anyone in this league. Question is, where has this been in the 2nd half of the season?

 

[Cowboyny]

Watch how our team plays on " Grass" field .. on the Road vs the GOAT Brady.

Will be no surprise that Brady will be going after a struggling Nashon Wright ..and i wonder who will be the sub when Wright gets dinged ?
Joseph ? ... McMullen ?.. .Xavier Rhodes ?

I think it's going to be a combination, Wright probably gets the start, but we will see Rhodes as well. Pressure will help a suspect secondary, can they harass Brady and make him move in the pocket?

 

[Cowboyny]

Record-wise the slate is clean. But losing 9 games in the regular season tells you who the Bucs really are. The Cowboys should be able to impose their will on the Bucs.

They did beat us bad in our own stadium. Records mean nothing, playoffs are more about matchups.

 

[starfan1]

Already blaming the game on Dak and they havent even played yet. LOL

Typical troll tactic. Does it even matter how Dak plays in the game or anyone else for that matter? Or is it just Dak's fault if they lose no matter what?

where does he blame Dak i missed that.i actually thought it was decent write up.

 

[quickccc]

I think it's going to be a combination, Wright probably gets the start, but we will see Rhodes as well. Pressure will help a suspect secondary, can they harass Brady and make him move in the pocket?

Pass pressure could help ,.. but problem is our pass rush just hasn't been a strength of us the 2nd half of season...
and a lack of pass rusher against the GOAT, that's a major concern and issue.

 

[Cowboyny]

I agree with a lot of what you wrote. I worry about Godwin too. I think he could have a big game against the Cowboys. In the first game, Julio Jones had a big 48 yard catch so I would not rule him out either. The key, as you said is make Brady uncomfortable in the pocket. If he throws deep make him pay. Don't commit penalties but get close enough so a clean hit as he throws or immediately after he throws doesn't get flagged, but he still feels it. Brady likes to pretend he is a young 45 but I think he worries that his older bones and joints can't take the punishment they used to take. The good news is Brady is not a thread to tuck and run, but he still will run a few yards for a 1st down if they leave the field wide open for him.

I think the Cowboys are going to give up at least 24 points. Even with LVE and Hankins coming back I just think this defense has been off the last month or so. If they do not get turnovers they don't make enough stops. CB2 is a big issue and I will be shocked if Xavier Rhodes is the answer. This game is all on Dak and the offense. If they can't run the ball then it is all on Dak. But I also think a slow game benefits the Bucs who would like for Dallas to keep the score down and the game close so Brady can win it at the end. Brady is no dummy, he doesn't need to be a hero given his career as maybe the greatest QB ever. He will take what the defense gives him. It does not bother him to throw a dozen 6 yard passes in a row if the defense plays soft. He doesn't feel the need to be aggressive. He may be the most patient QB in the league.

If the Cowboys are unable to stay balanced, I don't like their chances.

 

[Cowboyny]

DEFENSE

- Pass rush vs Brady is more about up the middle. Edge rush doesn't disrupt him as much.
- Overall our pass rush has really declined and leveled off.
- Blitzing him usually a defeated plan.
- Concerned that Parsons is physically worn down at this point.
- Have we’ve been moving Dlaw inside as a rusher on 3rd down nickel ?
- Disappointed with DT pass rush this season.

- Flat plan, cannot have RB Leonard Fournette & co killing us vs run. Worse rush attack killed us for 152 yards rushing.
- I’m not confident about this Quinn defense per this 2nd half of season.

- People can criticize Bucs offense, but if opposing backup QBs are doing a number on us,.. what do we think GOAT Brady is gonna do ?

- We need Diggs vs Evans, … Have to gamble on Wright vs Godwin .. no more starting McMullen – and Xavier Rhodes is JAG now.
- Expect Bland remain at slot/3rd CB

- We need stop the run
- Effective, consistent sack-pressure game from Brady
- Limit Bucs big plays
- Create Turnovers
- Bucs only average 17 points per game but yet we’re having our own defensive issues, with even backup QBs.
- But if this game comes down to one last drive – Brady will do us in.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Bones' unit need a rebound game.
Could victory .. (or defeat) come down to a last drive winning FG ?

I agree, have to stop their rushing attack and force them into passing situations, that's where we may have an advantage within the trenches, but still have to protect our other corner.

 

[Portnoy1]

Watch how our team plays on " Grass" field .. on the Road vs the GOAT Brady.

Will be no surprise that Brady will be going after a struggling Nashon Wright ..and i wonder who will be the sub when Wright gets dinged ?
Joseph ? ... McMullen ?.. .Xavier Rhodes ?

K.Joseph has been retired from playing the cornerback Position this season , thought y’all already knew

 

[Einstein]

I’m in “wait and see” mode.
High hopes, low expectations.
We’ve seen this team at their best, and at their best they can beat any team in the conference.

Unfortunately their worst came last Sunday, and boy was it bad. Now everyone has a bad taste in their mouth heading into Monday night.

Which brings me to my last thought- I HATE THAT WE ARE PLAYING ON A MONDAY NIGHT. God I hate prime time games as it is. I was so looking forward to a Saturday/Sunday Cowboys playoff game. So disappointing. Can’t overstate how much I hate this.

My thoughts EXACTLY!!! I read this like... "did I write this" lol

 

[Cowboyny]

Pass pressure could help ,.. but problem is our pass rush just hasn't been a strength of us the 2nd half of season...
and a lack of pass rusher against the GOAT, that's a major concern and issue.

That is the issue, have to generate pressure against him, especially up the middle. Yes, kicking DLaw inside on the nickel, having Parsons A Gap blitzing would all help. Cannot allow Brady to stay in a spot and dissect us in the passing game.