Thoughts on last nights game, preseason

[dbair1967]

I was out of town and couldnt post last night (although I did try), and its probably just as well. I wouldnt have had much good to say.

First, I know its preseason. I wasnt all that concerned after the first two games. I really wasnt even all that concerned after getting run over by the Chargers offensive and defensive starters. But after last night, I will admit some concern now.

At some point being vanilla or being unwilling to show alot is not the excuse for everything. This team has too many good players to look this bad. Last night was a keystone cops like effort. I doubt many teams in the league have looked as sorry as our starting offense (AND defense) the past two games. Yes, we're missing quite a few guys. Yes, we're missing two OL starters. But no, that isnt a legit excuse for what we saw last night.

Offensively, I'm not sure what the problem is. The total inability to have anything even remotely resemble a run game is alarming. The lack of consistent pass protection is a big concern, although IMO they pass block better than run block and I think that will work itself out. Too many guys are missing assignments, dropping the ball or just not paying attention. Of the starters last night, the only guys I thought looked ok were Roy Williams and Martellus Bennett (I'm considering him a starter because of the 2 TE sets). Of particular concern on the OL was how bad I thought the right side played (Davis and Barron). Davis has not had a good preseason IMO.

Defensively I'm just as, if not more concerned now. I expected our defense to be the strength of the team. After as dominant as the starters and reserves looked against Cincy and Oakland, I was thinking this might be a really special season defensively. But the defense was awful against San Diego and then was even worse against Houston. The run defense doesnt even exist, and the pass coverage was poor. I know we didnt blitz any last night, but geez. When the other teams first unit repeatedly gashes you for 4-6-8-10 yds or more on run plays, the whole issue isnt the lack of blitzing. Alan Ball really looked bad last night to me and maybe it was just an off night, but I am concerned. Orlando Scandrick also looked excessively bad. These are two keys guys for the defense as well. Scandrick was so bad that I think they may need to have some thought about opening up the competition for that spot. He hasnt been all that good in the other games either.

There were a couple of bright spots. AOA looked like a potential gem on returns, after a rough start last week he ended strong in that game, and looked really good again last night. Buehler bombed his kickoffs. Kitna was really well. McGee looked a little better. I thought the backup OL (not including Barron in this) looked decent again. McCann looks like a keeper to me at CB, and he looks explosive in the return game as well. Butler appeared really active again too.

I guess we'll see two weeks from tonight how important, or unimportant preseason really is. I'm sure some are dissing Wade and the rest of the coaches and they do deserve some blame for this. But at some point these guys gotta suck it up and play with some conviction. I bought into the tired and injured thing as a legit excuse for the games vs Oakland and SD, but I'm not buying it for last night. I saw lack of effort more than anything else, especially by the starters. As I said above, there's just too many good players here for the team to look THAT bad. If I coached this team, these guys would be running like hell this week, and then the starters would be stuck out there against Miami until I saw some positive results. They dont deserve to be rewarded with downtime and coddling right now.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

I agree with much of what you say. The excuses being bandied out here do not justify the putrid play we're witnessing on the field.

 

[RS12]

David I pretty much agree. I too am concerned about the D getting run over the last couple games, though they are good teams. The thing is I am confident Wade can fix the defense. The O Line problems, alot of which we have been seeing for years is another story. Gurode and Davis have been getting by on reputation for a while, and I'm highly skeptical of Columbo even with his surgery. There is no excuse for the amount of mental errors. Should be an interesting game in two weeks.

 

[theogt]

Does anyone have a ratio of Buehler touchbacks to returns? I honestly can't remember any team returning a kickoff against us this preseason.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

I thought Dre and Holland were the weakest part of the line. Barron looked good to me, i didn’t notice any issues with him. Davis, well looks like Davis. When i rewatched the game i noticed Holland is terribly slow. We can’t go into the season with this guy. He is unable to block at the second level or in space.

The other reason we were unable to run was because Houston played with an 8 man front. If this was the real deal, we would have gone deep numerous times. They were daring the Cowboys to pass. I have no doubts Romo would have had a big day against this style of defense. I wonder if the Texans will take this style into the season. I think it would be a mistake because they don’t have the corners to run it.

On Defense the Cowboys look unprepared. The Texans overloaded their line and ran it to that side, the Cowboys didn’t adjust till later and they were able to stop the run. Who did play well? That would be the quicker answer. They were all terrible, even Ware. I saw him make no effort to clog up a lane and make a tackle. These guys were not in the right mindset. Stopping the run is a mentality. We know these guys can stop the run, we have seen it.

I think we will be find on defense. I think we are a work in progress on offense. We need a better option than Holland. We also miss John Phillips dearly. Nobody else has stepped up.

I think AOA will be a playmaker for us. McCann looks like a JAG to me.

 

[NextGenBoys]

I was out of town and couldnt post last night (although I did try), and its probably just as well. I wouldnt have had much good to say.

First, I know its preseason. I wasnt all that concerned after the first two games. I really wasnt even all that concerned after getting run over by the Chargers offensive and defensive starters. But after last night, I will admit some concern now.

At some point being vanilla or being unwilling to show alot is not the excuse for everything. This team has too many good players to look this bad. Last night was a keystone cops like effort. I doubt many teams in the league have looked as sorry as our starting offense (AND defense) the past two games. Yes, we're missing quite a few guys. Yes, we're missing two OL starters. But no, that isnt a legit excuse for what we saw last night.

Offensively, I'm not sure what the problem is. The total inability to have anything even remotely resemble a run game is alarming. The lack of consistent pass protection is a big concern, although IMO they pass block better than run block and I think that will work itself out. Too many guys are missing assignments, dropping the ball or just not paying attention. Of the starters last night, the only guys I thought looked ok were Roy Williams and Martellus Bennett (I'm considering him a starter because of the 2 TE sets). Of particular concern on the OL was how bad I thought the right side played (Davis and Barron). Davis has not had a good preseason IMO.

Defensively I'm just as, if not more concerned now. I expected our defense to be the strength of the team. After as dominant as the starters and reserves looked against Cincy and Oakland, I was thinking this might be a really special season defensively. But the defense was awful against San Diego and then was even worse against Houston. The run defense doesnt even exist, and the pass coverage was poor. I know we didnt blitz any last night, but geez. When the other teams first unit repeatedly gashes you for 4-6-8-10 yds or more on run plays, the whole issue isnt the lack of blitzing. Alan Ball really looked bad last night to me and maybe it was just an off night, but I am concerned. Orlando Scandrick also looked excessively bad. These are two keys guys for the defense as well. Scandrick was so bad that I think they may need to have some thought about opening up the competition for that spot. He hasnt been all that good in the other games either.

There were a couple of bright spots. AOA looked like a potential gem on returns, after a rough start last week he ended strong in that game, and looked really good again last night. Buehler bombed his kickoffs. Kitna was really well. McGee looked a little better. I thought the backup OL (not including Barron in this) looked decent again. McCann looks like a keeper to me at CB, and he looks explosive in the return game as well. Butler appeared really active again too.

I guess we'll see two weeks from tonight how important, or unimportant preseason really is. I'm sure some are dissing Wade and the rest of the coaches and they do deserve some blame for this. But at some point these guys gotta suck it up and play with some conviction. I bought into the tired and injured thing as a legit excuse for the games vs Oakland and SD, but I'm not buying it for last night. I saw lack of effort more than anything else, especially by the starters. As I said above, there's just too many good players here for the team to look THAT bad. If I coached this team, these guys would be running like hell this week, and then the starters would be stuck out there against Miami until I saw some positive results. They dont deserve to be rewarded with downtime and coddling right now.

I agree with pretty much everything, but I'm not worried about our defense.

Not only did we not blitz last night, we dropped everyone back into Cover 2/4 shells and gave up everything underneath. So we didn't blitz and had no pass rush, and gave up wide open plays underneath.

That will not happen in the regular season.

Our offense though? I'm concerned, but think we can/will fix it. No reason to think otherwise, we always start off well.

 

[AsthmaField]

I wrote this in another thread. I honestly expected last night's game to go like it did.

_______________________________

*In the 3rd preseason game of 2008 Dallas played Houston and really made them look pretty bad. Marion Barber had 75 yards on 16 carries and Romo was 15 of 19 for 166 yards and a TD. Everyone (in Dallas) was all happy about how the team looked and thought the season was going to be a breeze.

Instead, it was a dysfunctional team that limped into the latter part of the season and didn't even make the playoffs.

*Now, rewind to the 3rd preseason game of 2007. Again, it was Dallas at Houston. Dallas got manhandled, surrendering 152 yards rushing to the Texans. Marion Barber had 14 yards on 6 carries and the games leading receiver for Dallas was Sam Hurd who only did well against the Houston 3rd stringers and street free agents.

That 2007 team came tearing out of the gate and went on to win the NFC East and get home field throughout the playoffs.

That "big Dress Rehearsal" win in 2008 meant jack **** when the season started, and the "Horrible Dress Rehearsal" in 2007 only preceded what was one of the best regular seasons in Dallas Cowboys history.

The Cowboys wanted no part of that game last night. They didn't want to be there. They only wanted to get it over with and go home to get ready to go to Landover.

The coaches didn't want to do anything but evaluate. If they had wanted more they wouldn't have run a soft, cover-2 all game and given those hysterical Texans and their fans a 12 yard completion anytime they wanted. They wouldn't have run the most basic of plays on offense, and they certainly wouldn't have rotated guys like Marcus Dixon in with the starters.

That game was lost before the ball was ever kicked off. I was just happy that Dallas got out without any injuries except for a backup OL. I was also happy that they got their ***** handed to them because that means they're going to go up to FedEx with something to prove... which is very bad news for the Commanders chances.

 

[Jenky]

I was out of town and couldnt post last night (although I did try), and its probably just as well. I wouldnt have had much good to say.

First, I know its preseason. I wasnt all that concerned after the first two games. I really wasnt even all that concerned after getting run over by the Chargers offensive and defensive starters. But after last night, I will admit some concern now.

At some point being vanilla or being unwilling to show alot is not the excuse for everything. This team has too many good players to look this bad. Last night was a keystone cops like effort. I doubt many teams in the league have looked as sorry as our starting offense (AND defense) the past two games. Yes, we're missing quite a few guys. Yes, we're missing two OL starters. But no, that isnt a legit excuse for what we saw last night.

Offensively, I'm not sure what the problem is. The total inability to have anything even remotely resemble a run game is alarming. The lack of consistent pass protection is a big concern, although IMO they pass block better than run block and I think that will work itself out. Too many guys are missing assignments, dropping the ball or just not paying attention. Of the starters last night, the only guys I thought looked ok were Roy Williams and Martellus Bennett (I'm considering him a starter because of the 2 TE sets). Of particular concern on the OL was how bad I thought the right side played (Davis and Barron). Davis has not had a good preseason IMO.

Defensively I'm just as, if not more concerned now. I expected our defense to be the strength of the team. After as dominant as the starters and reserves looked against Cincy and Oakland, I was thinking this might be a really special season defensively. But the defense was awful against San Diego and then was even worse against Houston. The run defense doesnt even exist, and the pass coverage was poor. I know we didnt blitz any last night, but geez. When the other teams first unit repeatedly gashes you for 4-6-8-10 yds or more on run plays, the whole issue isnt the lack of blitzing. Alan Ball really looked bad last night to me and maybe it was just an off night, but I am concerned. Orlando Scandrick also looked excessively bad. These are two keys guys for the defense as well. Scandrick was so bad that I think they may need to have some thought about opening up the competition for that spot. He hasnt been all that good in the other games either.

There were a couple of bright spots. AOA looked like a potential gem on returns, after a rough start last week he ended strong in that game, and looked really good again last night. Buehler bombed his kickoffs. Kitna was really well. McGee looked a little better. I thought the backup OL (not including Barron in this) looked decent again. McCann looks like a keeper to me at CB, and he looks explosive in the return game as well. Butler appeared really active again too.

I guess we'll see two weeks from tonight how important, or unimportant preseason really is. I'm sure some are dissing Wade and the rest of the coaches and they do deserve some blame for this. But at some point these guys gotta suck it up and play with some conviction. I bought into the tired and injured thing as a legit excuse for the games vs Oakland and SD, but I'm not buying it for last night. I saw lack of effort more than anything else, especially by the starters. As I said above, there's just too many good players here for the team to look THAT bad. If I coached this team, these guys would be running like hell this week, and then the starters would be stuck out there against Miami until I saw some positive results. They dont deserve to be rewarded with downtime and coddling right now.

Agreed with most of this. Alan Ball could be as bad as Watkins. I said it... you cannot just put a CB back there and expect him to play S. I don't care how much the game has "revolutionized". Getting a stud ball hawking free safety is one thing. But expecting to sub in a CB to do the same is another. The safety MUST play physical. The last line of defense HAS to make the stop.

 

[mldardy]

I wrote this in another thread. I honestly expected last night's game to go like it did.

_______________________________

*In the 3rd preseason game of 2008 Dallas played Houston and really made them look pretty bad. Marion Barber had 75 yards on 16 carries and Romo was 15 of 19 for 166 yards and a TD. Everyone (in Dallas) was all happy about how the team looked and thought the season was going to be a breeze.

Instead, it was a dysfunctional team that limped into the latter part of the season and didn't even make the playoffs.

*Now, rewind to the 3rd preseason game of 2007. Again, it was Dallas at Houston. Dallas got manhandled, surrendering 152 yards rushing to the Texans. Marion Barber had 14 yards on 6 carries and the games leading receiver for Dallas was Sam Hurd who only did well against the Houston 3rd stringers and street free agents.

That 2007 team came tearing out of the gate and went on to win the NFC East and get home field throughout the playoffs.

That "big Dress Rehearsal" win in 2008 meant jack **** when the season started, and the "Horrible Dress Rehearsal" in 2007 only preceded what was one of the best regular seasons in Dallas Cowboys history.

The Cowboys wanted no part of that game last night. They didn't want to be there. They only wanted to get it over with and go home to get ready to go to Landover.

The coaches didn't want to do anything but evaluate. If they had wanted more they wouldn't have run a soft, cover-2 all game and given those hysterical Texans and their fans a 12 yard completion anytime they wanted. They wouldn't have run the most basic of plays on offense, and they certainly wouldn't have rotated guys like Marcus Dixon in with the starters.

That game was lost before the ball was ever kicked off. I was just happy that Dallas got out without any injuries except for a backup OL. I was also happy that they got their ***** handed to them because that means they're going to go up to FedEx with something to prove... which is very bad news for the Commanders chances.

Great points here. I felt the same way about last night's game especially after the first few series on offense. I knew we weren't going to show much especially having to play Houston for real in less than a month. I still don't know who/why scheduled this game in the preseason and then on top of that scheduled this game as the 'dress rehearsal' game when you play the same team in about 3 weeks. I can't think of too many situations similar to this where we played a preseason game against an opponent we were going to play in the regular season in that short of time. Has that happened to any team in recent NFL history? I know we played Oakland last preseason but it was the 1st game if I recall and then we didn't play them in the regular season until Thanksgiving.

 

[dbair1967]

Does anyone have a ratio of Buehler touchbacks to returns? I honestly can't remember any team returning a kickoff against us this preseason.

IIRC 1 or 2 were returned, 1 of them I think was a good 4 or 5 yds into the endzone.

I wish he had gotten a couple of FG attempts last night though. From what we did see I think he'll be fine. He's about the least of my worries now to be honest.

 

[jobberone]

Now this is a good thread. I agree with most. I still have concerns about the basics which is tackling and blocking as well as just plain ole execution. I attribute a lot of it to the Cowboys just didn't care about this game. They just wanted it over. I saw a little bit of competition come out in them towards the end of the first team offensive plays.

 

[percyhoward]

The lack of consistent pass protection is a big concern, although IMO they pass block better than run block and I think that will work itself out.

You're right. Run blocking isn't the key to the success of our running game. It's when the defense gets the opponent off the field, and the pass protection is just good enough to get the passing game going, that our run game opens up.

 

[Gaede]

I thought Dre and Holland were the weakest part of the line. Barron looked good to me, i didn’t notice any issues with him. Davis, well looks like Davis. .

I noticed on one of the first running plays, Barron got bullrushed 5-6 yds into the pocket, forcing Barber to take a crappy angle off tackle. I didn't watch him the whole game--so I dont know how he did overall--but that one play was pretty pathetic

 

[Fletch]

4 words:

WE WILL BE FINE.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

I noticed on one of the first running plays, Barron got bullrushed 5-6 yds into the pocket, forcing Barber to take a crappy angle off tackle. I didn't watch him the whole game--so I dont know how he did overall--but that one play was pretty pathetic

I didn’t see that, but i could have missed it. I thought he did really well. If dbair really wanted to critique the o-line, he really should re-watch Holland. He was without a doubt the worst of the lineman. I bet on the play you are talking about Holland was suppose to block his guy on the second level and never made it. He is a slug. Extremely slow to get to his run blocks.

 

[CoCo]

D looked bad for a 2nd straight week. But there is really no reason to believe they won't be very good when they hit their stride in the regular season. Everyone is back and I don't think there are many fat cats on that side of the ball. I'm patient there though last night certainly made me squirm.

On offense, no such rationalization is available. Look no further than your starting QB last night who was clearly frustrated at times. And his interview at games end was anything but dismissive of the evenings poor play. Panic? No. Concern? Yes. Unlike the D, this O-line had problems last year and the same cast of (problem?) characters are back. Outside of Doug Free I'm concerned about every one of them.

Teams are going to continue to strategize all week around bringing the heat. It is our obvious achilles heel on O. Who in their right mind is going to risk giving time for Romo to find Austin, Witten, Dez, etc?

Jason Garrett, IMO, is a huge key to this season. He's going to have to figure out how to cover for pass protection weakness. Bank on it. Some teams won't have the horsepower to bring it. But many will and you can darn well be sure come playoff time what teams will do to try to derail us.

It may very well be time to move the pocket some, or focus on some shorter drops and quicker releases. Keeping things fresh and off balance at this point looks key to keeping Tony alive.

Preseason or not, you cannot continue to expose your QB as was done last night.

We Cowboy fans may need to give this team a bit of time in the early season to find a way to weather the onslaught sure to come. And either way we need to remember this race is a marathon, not a sprint. The season will neither be won nor lost in September, but it better be time invested well by the players & coaches. People can talk SB all they want. This team has weaknesses that will need to be overcome.

 

[Zaxor]

rewatching the game I noticed that anytime we tried to pull a guard in a running play the defender would come through the hole where the guard was and make a play or would shot the gap where it was suppose to go and the blocker was just too slow to get there in time. the only time we got pretty good movement at all on the ball was the play were Gronk got the first down and all those guys just fired out... the 3 main culprits in the poor oline play were the interior 3 and not the tackles which is good because it is easier to find someone to play inside than outside... Just a side note I think there will be less mess ups with stunts up the middle with KK back in the lineup as he seems to be the brains of the oline

 

[VACowboy]

Someone made a point in another thread about the Cowboys being a veteran team with big aspirations that just wants to get to the real games. Reminds me some of the NBA regular season.

Why can't Romo be throwing slants or shallow crossing routes when the blitz comes? The whole Green Bay offense that everyone is so gaga over is based around this concept. We have the perfect personnel to do it, too: Austin and Bryant are superb after the catch. The slant is the one route that Roy runs well. He gets off the line pretty easily and is a huge load to bring down. And this goes without mentioning Witten, who should thrive in the shallow middle when blitzing linebackers vacate. Felix isn't the best blocker? Then don't have him block. Let him eek upfield, just past the line. He can catch five-yard passes in open space all day. There's absolutely no reason Garrett, Romo and company shouldn't be torching teams when they blitz.

 

[PBJTime]

Someone made a point in another thread about the Cowboys being a veteran team with big aspirations that just wants to get to the real games. Reminds me some of the NBA regular season.

Why can't Romo be throwing slants or shallow crossing routes when the blitz comes? The whole Green Bay offense that everyone is so gaga over is based around this concept. We have the perfect personnel to do it, too: Austin and Bryant are superb after the catch. The slant is the one route that Roy runs well. He gets off the line pretty easily and is a huge load to bring down. And this goes without mentioning Witten, who should thrive in the shallow middle when blitzing linebackers vacate. Felix isn't the best blocker? Then don't have him block. Let him eek upfield, just past the line. He can catch five-yard passes in open space all day. There's absolutely no reason Garrett, Romo and company shouldn't be torching teams when they blitz.

I absolutely agree with this. Let's see if they do it in the regular season.

 

[Idgit]

They looked putrid, and it doesn't matter. At all.

That's not to say that there won't be significant problems when we get to the regular season. If there are, they won't be the types of problems we saw bumbling around the field on Saturday. We're not going to get exposed in our underneath coverage, for example. And the interior line play has been the same problem for three years now. It's not getting any worse just because of a couple of exhibition games.

We had an OT injured on Sat, but at least he's not out for long. That's the only news that mattered at the end of the day. Otherwise, we're a contender in the NFC and we'll play like it come WAS.