Various questions, what ifs and ramblings

[BrAinPaiNt]

Well the draft is approaching, but still it is not getting here fast enough.
We have had so many different threads and debates about what player to take or what position to take and so on.

So I figured I would go a different route with this one.

Here are some questions, what ifs and assorted ramblings.

1. I have always said I would rather have the team finish strong as opposed to starting strong and finish badly. Seems the last many years we have started off strongly at times and than fizzled out in the end. Not just record wise but also play wise (of course those two go together). How many times have we seen our defense come out on fire and start racking up sacks only to fizzle out at the end of the season? How many times have we seen the team come out with a good record only to see the team fizzle down the stretch?

2. To go along with #1. We have had different coaches and now another HC and DC. We have had different players, we have had different styles of defense. Now if this team once again starts off strong and fizzles at the end there would appear to be one constant over the last few years and I would wonder if anyone else thinks about this. Does Coach Joe (strength/conditioning coach) play a role in this or possibly have any responsibility in this situation?

3. New offense and Defensive game plans. This could also go along with #1.
In the past it seems we have became VERY predictable in the offensive and defensive game plans. Will this new group of O and D coaches make a change in that area? I am hoping that Wade will indeed make a change. Now we have to hope that Garrett also makes a change.

4. How or will Jerry Jones change? I think Bill did make a big impression on Jerry Jones and in many areas I hope that stays with Jerry.

5. Will Tony improve, level out or slide? I think he will improve a good deal with a revamped game plan, hopefully a better overall line play. Hoping also that his gained exp will help and he will be a little less of a gun slinger.

6. Will Julius Jones do well? I happen to believe that Julius was so worried about always moving forward and securing the ball, in order to comply with Bill, that he lost his natural instincts, maybe lost is the wrong word...held back might be better. There were too many times where he would just cross the LOS and wrap up the ball with both hands, throw his shoulder/head down and hit a defender. There was less juking in his running to miss defenders.

7. Will TO know the play book better and run his routes better? If he can put up the numbers he did last season while not getting the whole playbook or running routes that were not precise, just imagine what he could do if he is on the same page as Romo.

8. Special Teams play. Will McBriar continue to improve? Will Grammatica continue to do well? How will returns and protections do with a new ST Coach?

9. OLBs. Will Ellis be back at 100%? Will Bobby C play at OLB? Will we draft an OLB to take over?

10. Will being on so many national games this year help improve the chances of some of our players to get a probowl nod...as in Newman. Of course that is if we play well this year. Will Wades aggressive defense help bring out some players that were just so so (Canty, Spears Hatcher)?

Ok...that is enough questions and ramblings.

 

[Aikbach]

McBriar is about the only thing it would've been impossible to improve upon...except this of all years was a draft that had Daniel Sepulveda in it, a two time Guy Award winner as the best punter in the nation that also loves to hit people, he was recruited as a linebacker but his leg was so good the coaching staff at Baylor never allowed him to play even though he's 6'4 and 200 plus pounds.

Talk about an excellent last line of defense! Some team may draft him as high as the third I hear.

I love McBriar but part of me is giddy about someone who can punt directionally, hangtime and deep as a vet and hit them like a linebacker if he has to.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Well the draft is approaching, but still it is not getting here fast enough.
We have had so many different threads and debates about what player to take or what position to take and so on.

So I figured I would go a different route with this one.

Here are some questions, what ifs and assorted ramblings.

1. I have always said I would rather have the team finish strong as opposed to starting strong and finish badly. Seems the last many years we have started off strongly at times and than fizzled out in the end. Not just record wise but also play wise (of course those two go together). How many times have we seen our defense come out on fire and start racking up sacks only to fizzle out at the end of the season? How many times have we seen the team come out with a good record only to see the team fizzle down the stretch?

2. To go along with #1. We have had different coaches and now another HC and DC. We have had different players, we have had different styles of defense. Now if this team once again starts off strong and fizzles at the end there would appear to be one constant over the last few years and I would wonder if anyone else thinks about this. Does Coach Joe (strength/conditioning coach) play a role in this or possibly have any responsibility in this situation?

3. New offense and Defensive game plans. This could also go along with #1.
In the past it seems we have became VERY predictable in the offensive and defensive game plans. Will this new group of O and D coaches make a change in that area? I am hoping that Wade will indeed make a change. Now we have to hope that Garrett also makes a change.

4. How or will Jerry Jones change? I think Bill did make a big impression on Jerry Jones and in many areas I hope that stays with Jerry.

5. Will Tony improve, level out or slide? I think he will improve a good deal with a revamped game plan, hopefully a better overall line play. Hoping also that his gained exp will help and he will be a little less of a gun slinger.

6. Will Julius Jones do well? I happen to believe that Julius was so worried about always moving forward and securing the ball, in order to comply with Bill, that he lost his natural instincts, maybe lost is the wrong word...held back might be better. There were too many times where he would just cross the LOS and wrap up the ball with both hands, throw his shoulder/head down and hit a defender. There was less juking in his running to miss defenders.

7. Will TO know the play book better and run his routes better? If he can put up the numbers he did last season while not getting the whole playbook or running routes that were not precise, just imagine what he could do if he is on the same page as Romo.

8. Special Teams play. Will McBriar continue to improve? Will Grammatica continue to do well? How will returns and protections do with a new ST Coach?

9. OLBs. Will Ellis be back at 100%? Will Bobby C play at OLB? Will we draft an OLB to take over?

10. Will being on so many national games this year help improve the chances of some of our players to get a probowl nod...as in Newman. Of course that is if we play well this year. Will Wades aggressive defense help bring out some players that were just so so (Canty, Spears Hatcher)?

Ok...that is enough questions and ramblings.

Yes. Enough ramblings. All these questions have been asked before. Only better.
Yes, the draft cannot come soon enough.
Wait . . . No. 6 has validity.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Yes. Enough ramblings. All these questions have been asked before. Only better.
Yes, the draft cannot come soon enough.
Wait . . . No. 6 has validity.

At this time of the year...not too many things will be original.

Although I did try to squeeze them all into one thread.

 

[ndanger]

You know BP I was just the other day ruminating about our late season collapses and I too wondered about the jurrasic park strength and conditioning guy.I'm not saying he is solely to blame but some guys did look as though they trailed off as the season wears on.I wonder how his program stacks up against other teams.Do you know BP how long he has been with the Cowboys.My memory says he has been here quite a while.
I really believe that Parcells coaching style hindered not only Julius but a few others as well.That style may work on some guys but for the most part I believe it will soon be Extinct.
I started my carreer in the oil fields, drilling oil wells, and back in the day you worked your butt off or you were gone.You miss one day of work your gone.You whine and complain, gone.Human resources was two or more guys fightin at the end of the shift and the loser,gone.
I later became a production manager for Sturm Ruger in Arizona and quickly learned that I had to change my management style.It simply won't work in todays society.
Bill has never changed his style enough to deal with todays society and it shows in my opinion.Jimmys style was tough but much different than Bills.He could relate better to the young guys.
Since this was a ramblin thread,I went ahead and rambled about my thoughts and it appears they are similar to yours BP........BRILLIANT!

 

[5Stars]

I think with Zimmer being gone (right, he was never a 3/4 coach) and Garrett on board with a new offense, I think the team will be better. I never did like the "stay close and win at the end" like Parcell's did...

And, of course Romo...knowing that this job is now his, he will work even harder...

As far as losing steam at the end of seasons? I don't know if it's Jurasakkedaed's fault or not because the teams have stayed relatively healty during those seasons. I just think it was all a mental thing...knowing that the season is closing and the pressure starts to mount at a greater pace, and even MUCH greater with Parcells staring at you all the time, not saying a damn thing...just staring, glaring...

I hope the team is in a more relaxed atmosphere now (no! dominoes are not allowed) that a new coach is here.

So, all in all, IMO, I think the team starts out a little funky at first, but this year it PICKS UP steam towards the end of the season when all things start coming togeather...

10 - 6 is what my cranium is trying to convince me, and a playoff win and a close 2nd playoff game...but a loss.

 

[nalam]

Bill has never changed his style enough to deal with todays society and it shows in my opinion.Jimmys style was tough but much different than Bills.He could relate better to the young guys.
Since this was a ramblin thread,I went ahead and rambled about my thoughts and it appears they are similar to yours BP........BRILLIANT!

Very True !!!
:fact:

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

You know BP I was just the other day ruminating about our late season collapses and I too wondered about the jurrasic park strength and conditioning guy.I'm not saying he is solely to blame but some guys did look as though they trailed off as the season wears on.I wonder how his program stacks up against other teams.Do you know BP how long he has been with the Cowboys.My memory says he has been here quite a while.
I really believe that Parcells coaching style hindered not only Julius but a few others as well.That style may work on some guys but for the most part I believe it will soon be Extinct.
I started my carreer in the oil fields, drilling oil wells, and back in the day you worked your butt off or you were gone.You miss one day of work your gone.You whine and complain, gone.Human resources was two or more guys fightin at the end of the shift and the loser,gone.
I later became a production manager for Sturm Ruger in Arizona and quickly learned that I had to change my management style.It simply won't work in todays society.
Bill has never changed his style enough to deal with todays society and it shows in my opinion.Jimmys style was tough but much different than Bills.He could relate better to the young guys.
Since this was a ramblin thread,I went ahead and rambled about my thoughts and it appears they are similar to yours BP........BRILLIANT!

I think all styles can sometimes get old.

I remember an aikman interview where he was talking about how even Jimmy's style was getting a little old at the end. Where he would have to create some kind of drama to get the team fired up.

So when Barry came in it was a different atmosphere and maybe that was a good thing at the time.

I am hoping Wade bringing a different atmosphere helps out.

Sometimes when you have someone in charge where you are so paranoid about making a mistake you just can't seem to get things right and make even more mistakes.

 

[BARRYRAY]

The thing that struck me was how many folks we had at pro bowl and yet we didn't go anywhere in the wildcard. We underachieved for our talent level last year. The coaching staff underachieved, we at least made an effort to fix that. I do not believe that BP had what it took to take us to that next level and I think he came to that conclusion. The real problem was also that he had one year left but the rest of the staff didn't want to be lame ducks, so the staff was gone, it would have actually been harder for BP to retool because he was old and a lame duck and nobody would have come to us. We actually got better staff by getting rid of BP, now whether Wade is better than BP only time will tell..

 

[5Stars]

Another thing that might have caused the team to wear down towards the end of the season might have been because Parcells would not/did not like players going into the training room for treatment. He turned the temp way down to make anyone in there uncomfortable....!

Then what is a training room for? These players get bumps and bruises, nicks cuts, scratches, dislocated fingers, whatever...and they are to afraid to go into the training room for a steam bath, whirllpool, steam room, some massage, some form of treatment! Sheesh, I know some players might have used the training room as an excuse to miss a practice, but I'm sure there were legitimate injuries, bumps, bruses, and whatnot that actually need some treatment, yet, the players were to scared to go in there and get it for fear they would look weak in Parcells eyes?

 

[ethiostar]

B]9. OLBs. Will Ellis be back at 100%? Will Bobby C play at OLB? Will we draft an OLB to take over? [/B]

BP,
To me this is the biggest concern, which can affect just about every aspect of the team. what type of defence they can put on the field and how flexible they can be with thier LBS, How long the defence would be on the field, starting field position for the offence, etc... Regardless of Ellis's health, however, we need to draft a LB, we are extremely thin there. The question is will they draft an ILB or OLB, which depends mostly on which postion Bobby C lines up.

 

[Sabu1]

Another thing that might have caused the team to wear down towards the end of the season might have been because Parcells would not/did not like players going into the training room for treatment. He turned the temp way down to make anyone in there uncomfortable....!

Then what is a training room for? These players get bumps and bruises, nicks cuts, scratches, dislocated fingers, whatever...and they are to afraid to go into the training room for a steam bath, whirllpool, steam room, some massage, some form of treatment! Sheesh, I know some players might have used the training room as an excuse to miss a practice, but I'm sure there were legitimate injuries, bumps, bruses, and whatnot that actually need some treatment, yet, the players were to scared to go in there and get it for fear they would look weak in Parcells eyes?

Actually, I thought that was one of Parcells' strengths. No one with minor bumps and bruises were sitting out of practice or games, unlike the Switzer, Gailey and Campo years when players broke a nail and they were out a couple of weeks. He did instill some toughness in the squad.

 

[5Stars]

Actually, I thought that was one of Parcells' strengths. No one with minor bumps and bruises were sitting out of practice or games, unlike the Switzer, Gailey and Campo years when players broke a nail and they were out a couple of weeks. He did instill some toughness in the squad.

He did instill some toughness, however, maybe his tough love was a little too much, and as the season wore on without getting some form of treatment their bodies finally started to wear out some...?

Just a thought....

 

[firehawk350]

1. I have always said I would rather have the team finish strong as opposed to starting strong and finish badly. Seems the last many years we have started off strongly at times and than fizzled out in the end. Not just record wise but also play wise (of course those two go together). How many times have we seen our defense come out on fire and start racking up sacks only to fizzle out at the end of the season? How many times have we seen the team come out with a good record only to see the team fizzle down the stretch?

2. To go along with #1. We have had different coaches and now another HC and DC. We have had different players, we have had different styles of defense. Now if this team once again starts off strong and fizzles at the end there would appear to be one constant over the last few years and I would wonder if anyone else thinks about this. Does Coach Joe (strength/conditioning coach) play a role in this or possibly have any responsibility in this situation?

You forget that you have another OC. My question isn't if you start strong, I don't think you will. I think, if anything, you start weak (because of scheme and personnel adjustments) and you get better. The question is how well do you start? And do you have the right personnel to run a 1-gap scheme?

3. New offense and Defensive game plans. This could also go along with #1.
In the past it seems we have became VERY predictable in the offensive and defensive game plans. Will this new group of O and D coaches make a change in that area? I am hoping that Wade will indeed make a change. Now we have to hope that Garrett also makes a change.

The reason, IMO, why something is predictable is because it usually works. Kicking an extra point or a FG is predictable, but it works, right? That's the extreme case though. Better example... Do you run it up the middle with MBIII on third and 3 or do you try something high risk/high reward (like a screen to TO or a seam to Witten, etc)? Unpredictable isn't always best.

4. How or will Jerry Jones change? I think Bill did make a big impression on Jerry Jones and in many areas I hope that stays with Jerry.

Who knows?

5. Will Tony improve, level out or slide? I think he will improve a good deal with a revamped game plan, hopefully a better overall line play. Hoping also that his gained exp will help and he will be a little less of a gun slinger.

Good question. I think something that hasn't been address is that Romo has been under the same HC and the same scheme for four years and that likely led to his early success. After all, he knew what he was supposed to do inside and out and no one in the NFL knew what he would do. The real question is why did he start doing poorly? Was it because his team fell apart? Was it because teams figured out the best way to play against him or was it just a freak set of circumstances that we may not ever know? I would like to say I have figured it out but I think anything said on the subject will be biased.

6. Will Julius Jones do well? I happen to believe that Julius was so worried about always moving forward and securing the ball, in order to comply with Bill, that he lost his natural instincts, maybe lost is the wrong word...held back might be better. There were too many times where he would just cross the LOS and wrap up the ball with both hands, throw his shoulder/head down and hit a defender. There was less juking in his running to miss defenders.

IMO, Jones DID have a problem securing the ball, you see the way he runs with it? He holds the ball too far out and that is a problem. But I don't imagine that all his problems were Bill's fault. Personally, I think we saw the real Julius already. Sometimes great, sometimes average. Very few shifty runners are consistently good.

7. Will TO know the play book better and run his routes better? If he can put up the numbers he did last season while not getting the whole playbook or running routes that were not precise, just imagine what he could do if he is on the same page as Romo.

If Bill couldn't do get TO to focus, what makes you think Garrett or Phillips will? Jerry Jones has insured TO has job security by saying so early that he will be on the team. And you think that a newcoming coach will change that?[/quote]

8. Special Teams play. Will McBriar continue to improve? Will Grammatica continue to do well? How will returns and protections do with a new ST Coach?

Eh... We'll see

9. OLBs. Will Ellis be back at 100%? Will Bobby C play at OLB? Will we draft an OLB to take over?

Ellis probably won't be back. Bad injury plus age doesn't usually equal a full return. But I could be wrong. I don't know about the other two though

10. Will being on so many national games this year help improve the chances of some of our players to get a probowl nod...as in Newman. Of course that is if we play well this year. Will Wades aggressive defense help bring out some players that were just so so (Canty, Spears Hatcher)?

Newman needs to get a couple more INTs before he gets a probowl nod. Flat out, he's just not enough of a game-changer. Who knows how Canty, Spears and Hatcher will do.
Just did some research and it doesn't appear Spears is going to do so well iN Phillips scheme. He's a slow, powerful DE (5.03 40 / 405 lb bench) that's better suited to a Parcells' 3-4 then a 1-gap system.

Until the second half of 2004, he was just too inconsistent in attempts to apply pressure. He needs to do a better job with his hands in shedding, but does have the strength to accomplish that feat (lacks technique). Even though he ranks fifth in school history with 19 sacks, he is just an average pass rusher who must use his hands better. Until he can develop better hand usage, he will generate production as a bull rusher who can ocassionally dip and take the corner.

Chris Canty doesn't look too much better. Slow (5.0 40) not that strong for a DL (335 pound bench). It says he is slow at shooting the gaps and won't generate much pressure.

Canty is not the type that will generate much penetration into the backfield, as he is slow to shed, stays blocked too long and lacks explosion needed to shoot the gaps.

It might be that you guys grab a DE in the draft. Like Moss...

 

[5Stars]

........

Hey, firehawk, on your way to DC to go see your Commander game, can you swing by Roy, Utah and bring me two Commander jerseys?

I need one so that my dog has something to crap on, and I need the other to clean the mess up with.

How about it? Hell, I will even give you $5.00 for them...

 

[Angus]

Here's the man to play opposite Ware, I would think. Note the comparison at the bottom:

Anthony Spencer
Height: 6-3
Weight: 266
Position: Defensive End
College: Purdue


ANALYSIS

Positives: Has a developing frame with good upper-body muscle tone, tight waist and hips, good bubble, thick arms and room to add at least another 10 pounds of bulk with no loss in quickness … Has outstanding straight-line quickness, moving with an explosive burst coming off the edge … Has the quick change-of-direction agility to work down the line and his speed and range dropping back in pass coverage could see him develop into a 3-4 outside linebacker (best when having a free lane to pressure the pocket rather than bull rushing inside as a down lineman) … Really improved his ball recognition skills in 2006 and is no longer fooled by misdirection … With his better recognition skills, he vastly improved his backside pursuit skills, evident by the 21 third-down stops and five fourth-down tackles he executed in 2006 … Has the upper-body strength to consistently get leverage coming off the snap … Gets instant penetration as a pass rusher, showing proper hand technique, combined with an array of rip-and-swim moves to explosively close on the quarterback … Shows the hand delivery and punch-out ability coming off the ball, guarding his legs vs. the chop block while maintaining the angle to close on the ball … Has his best production when he beats the offensive tackle with his quickness and has the lateral range to slip in-line … Contributes on the move and has the speed needed to chase long distances and make plays along the perimeter … Relentless in his straight-ahead charge to the ball … Has that rare speed to catch plays from behind … Locks out well, delivering a powerful hand swipe to get blockers off-balance … Has improved his anchor vs. the double team (still a work in progress) … His improved hand placement in 2006 saw him no longer struggle vs. face-up blockers … Has the lateral agility to flatten down the line of scrimmage and get outside … Has the athletic agility to fit in space, using his long arms to wrap and secure … Has the functional strength to get a push on the bull rush … Shows the speed and body control to get up field and shows a good feel to work back to the ball … Will play through pain, evident by his 15-tackle performance vs. Notre Dame in 2006 despite playing with a hyper-extended knee.

Negatives: Plays with good functional strength, but relies on his speed too much … Lacks the size to gain leverage vs. double teams … When he fails to use his hands to fend off blocks, he gets covered up by offensive tackles defending the run, as he generally will lose containment … Needs to add more lower-body strength, as he lacks the leg drive to split or play off the combo blocks … Sometimes gets a little reckless in his pursuit and this results in him getting taken out of the play … When he fails to keep his pads down, he tends to lead with his shoulder before making the hit, rather than extending and securing with his arms … Lacks the ideal size to run over offensive tackles and will get engulfed and struggle to disengage when the opponent gets into his chest … Has good backpedal skills, but is a bit stiff in his hips trying to turn … Lack of size could see him as a better fit for a 3-4 alignment as a linebacker (has the speed to make plays in front of him) … Will play through pain, but missed action in several games with nagging leg cramps in 2006.

Compares To: Shaun Phillips, San Diego -- Both players were developed in the Joe Tiller system at Purdue to attack the quarterback with quickness … Both lack the ideal size you look for in a defensive end, but Phillips proved that he was capable of competing in a stand-up position … Spencer was a better prospect than Phillips coming out of college … If used in a similar system, Spencer will have just as much success in the pro ranks that Phillips has shown.
INJURY REPORT

2003: Suffered torn ligaments in his foot (third and fourth metatarsal) in April camp, and the injury prevented him from seeing action in the team's first three games.

2005: Suffered a hamstring strain in August camp … Played with the flu vs. Miami, Ohio (Sept. 9) … Suffered a hyper-extended knee vs. Notre Dame (Sept. 30) … Sprained his right foot vs. Wisconsin (Oct. 21) and wore a boot to protect the injury, missing the entire week of practice leading up to the Iowa contest … Left the Penn State (Oct. 28) and Michigan State (Nov. 4) games with leg cramps.
AGILITY TESTS

Campus: 4.63 in the 40-yard dash … 500-pound bench press … 32 5/8-inch arm length … 9 5/8-inch hands … Right-handed.
HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Bishop Luers (Fort Wayne, Ind.) High School, playing football for head coach Matt Lindsay … Three-year starter at nose guard and fullback … Two-time all-state pick and three-time all-area and all-conference selection … Was the Indianapolis Star Defensive Lineman of the Year as a senior after he recorded 65 tackles, including 24 for loss and seven sacks, with seven fumble recoveries and one interception as a member of the Class 2A state championship team … Rushed for more than 600 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 9.1 yards per carry … Recorded 82 tackles, including 21 for loss and 13 sacks his junior season … Received the team's Mental Attitude Award as sophomore … Closed out his career as the school's record holder with 73 tackles for loss and 27 sacks … Also lettered on the school's basketball team.
PERSONAL

African-American Studies major, with a minor in Law Society … Born Anthony E. Spencer II on Jan. 23, 1984 … Resides in Fort Wayne, Ind.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/spencer_anthony

 

[firehawk350]

Hey, firehawk, on your way to DC to go see your Commander game, can you swing by Roy, Utah and bring me two Commander jerseys?

I need one so that my dog has something to crap on, and I need the other to clean the mess up with.

How about it? Hell, I will even give you $5.00 for them...

Dallas dude, I'm going to Dallas. And Utah is quite out of my way. I know a couple of guys selling Archuleta jerseys cheap though, maybe you can finally put them to good use. God knows we never did.

 

[DallasEast]

IMO, Jones DID have a problem securing the ball, you see the way he runs with it? He holds the ball too far out and that is a problem. But I don't imagine that all his problems were Bill's fault. Personally, I think we saw the real Julius already. Sometimes great, sometimes average. Very few shifty runners are consistently good.

Either you have the 2006 version of Julius Jones confused with his rookie season or you can't distinguish him from Patrick Crayton. Last season, Jones was so worried about fumbling that he often ran with both arms wrapped around the ball. That, imo, somewhat affected his running style. We shall see how much so this upcoming season.

 

[5Stars]

Dallas dude, I'm going to Dallas. And Utah is quite out of my way. I know a couple of guys selling Archuleta jerseys cheap though, maybe you can finally put them to good use. God knows we never did.

Oh, I thought you were going to DC. Now, that's a different story!

I doubt you will get treated like an eagle fan would treat an opposing team fan, but, you are not going to have it easy down in Big D...

:laugh2: But, Texas Staidum, no matter what seat you get, you will have a plain view of the field. Even the cheap seats are good...as a matter of fact, I prefer them...

Try and get Keith Davis's autograph! (hopefully you will get shot doing so)!!

 

[firehawk350]

Either you have the 2006 version of Julius Jones confused with his rookie season or you can't distinguish him from Patrick Crayton. Last season, Jones was so worried about fumbling that he often ran with both arms wrapped around the ball. That, imo, somewhat affected his running style. We shall see how much so this upcoming season.

Sorry a bit of miscommunication then. The way Julius ran BEFORE Parcells told him to secure the ball was with it too far out from his body. Going through the line, to tell him to put both hands on the ball is solid technique and I'm not sure how that should affect his vision, which was the problem.