Manster68
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You are never great all the time, but you are great when you have to be. That seems to be the moral of the story in Dallas’ 23-20 thriller in the Meadowlands last evening. The New York Giants went into this game with a wounded lion mentality and played a fabulous game. They held Dallas’ potent offense pretty much in check, despite being banged up, giving up only two touchdowns and several field goals. Big Blue had many chances to take a commanding lead in this game, only to come up six seconds short. This game will be remembered for a long time in this illustrious rivalry.
The one big mistake the Giants made was tying the game up with still one minute left on the clock. This is at least the third time new sensation Tony Romo has driven the Cowboy offense down the field for a chance for a score either before the half, or at the end of the game. As each game passes, the more evident it becomes that the time sitting behind Vinny Testaverde and Drew Bledsoe was so valuable. Romo kept plugging away on a day in which he struggled; yet when the game was on the line, he was magnificent. That throw to Jason Witten might have been the best pass so far in his young career. Hopefully more will follow.
Dallas’ defense struggled some as well. Understanding that nobody’s perfect, they had difficulties with a very determined Giants running attack. Many times, Dallas would stuff Tiki Barber; however, he would then break a run for 10-20 yards. The direct snap on 3rd and 2, which went for 19 yards, was a great call. Brandon Jacobs broke a few as well.
Despite no sacks today, Demarcus Ware proved again that he is worthy of playing in Hawaii next February. The tackle on Jacobs on the 4th and 1 late in the first half was clutch. This was Ware’s second biggest play this season. Second only to the 4th and 2 play against Peyton Manning and the Colts just two week ago (knocking both Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne off of their routes).
The Cowboys defense was certainly bending. I was noticing some fatigue with the missed tackles on the final drive by Eli and company. One of the facets to this game was Dallas did hold the Giants to field goals on two of the three times Big Blue was inside the 5-yard line. This was definitely one of the reasons why the Cowboys won this football game. The Giants offense gave Dallas everything they had. Eli Manning played a great game as well.
When Aaron Glenn and Bradie James dropped those interceptions, and Grammatica was lining up for the game-winning field goal, especially after Flozell Adams’ false start, for some reason, I had flashes of Washington racing through my mind.
Carolina better take care of business with Philadelphia tonight, because they will have their hands full with the Giants on a short week.
This does not have the feel of the previous two seasons, where Dallas looked like they were wearing down and losing games. The Cowboys won a huge game on the road in December. A huge game against a Giants team that at least proved they are worthy of post-season play. Players are stepping up and making clutch plays. Aaron Glenn, despite dropping the interception, made a beautiful read and at least broke up the play – costing the Giants four points. Akin Ayodele stuffed Jacobs on the 4-yard line. Bradie James came in on a blitz so fast that I haven’t seen since Darren Smith and Ken Norton ten years ago.
Then of course, there is Marion Barber.
This lowly 4th round, second year veteran is slowly becoming the second most important player on Dallas’ offense. However, that being said, DO NOT START HIM OVER JULIUS! If it is not broke, then DO NOT fix it!
Yes, Julius Jones is struggling. There seems to be a good rapport between the two, and the specific roles that they play. One of the reasons why Barber is so effective in the red zone is because he is so fresh. He is fresh because of Julius’ carries, which pound the defense earlier in the drives. I will recognize that Barber is Dallas’ best running back right now, but until Julius starts putting the ball on the turf, there is no reason to mess with the chemistry these two team players have.
FINAL ANALYSIS: When Bill Parcells had his good seasons with the Giants, Patriots, and Jets, his teams had many tough victories like the one we witnessed in the Meadowlands, and two weeks ago against Indianapolis. In 1990, Parcells made a switch at kicker and brought back Matt Bahr. All he did was make clutch kicks that ended hopes for a 49er 3-peat.
Here is hoping that Martin Grammatica can do the same for the Cowboys. He is only 31 years old, also.
The one big mistake the Giants made was tying the game up with still one minute left on the clock. This is at least the third time new sensation Tony Romo has driven the Cowboy offense down the field for a chance for a score either before the half, or at the end of the game. As each game passes, the more evident it becomes that the time sitting behind Vinny Testaverde and Drew Bledsoe was so valuable. Romo kept plugging away on a day in which he struggled; yet when the game was on the line, he was magnificent. That throw to Jason Witten might have been the best pass so far in his young career. Hopefully more will follow.
Dallas’ defense struggled some as well. Understanding that nobody’s perfect, they had difficulties with a very determined Giants running attack. Many times, Dallas would stuff Tiki Barber; however, he would then break a run for 10-20 yards. The direct snap on 3rd and 2, which went for 19 yards, was a great call. Brandon Jacobs broke a few as well.
Despite no sacks today, Demarcus Ware proved again that he is worthy of playing in Hawaii next February. The tackle on Jacobs on the 4th and 1 late in the first half was clutch. This was Ware’s second biggest play this season. Second only to the 4th and 2 play against Peyton Manning and the Colts just two week ago (knocking both Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne off of their routes).
The Cowboys defense was certainly bending. I was noticing some fatigue with the missed tackles on the final drive by Eli and company. One of the facets to this game was Dallas did hold the Giants to field goals on two of the three times Big Blue was inside the 5-yard line. This was definitely one of the reasons why the Cowboys won this football game. The Giants offense gave Dallas everything they had. Eli Manning played a great game as well.
When Aaron Glenn and Bradie James dropped those interceptions, and Grammatica was lining up for the game-winning field goal, especially after Flozell Adams’ false start, for some reason, I had flashes of Washington racing through my mind.
Carolina better take care of business with Philadelphia tonight, because they will have their hands full with the Giants on a short week.
This does not have the feel of the previous two seasons, where Dallas looked like they were wearing down and losing games. The Cowboys won a huge game on the road in December. A huge game against a Giants team that at least proved they are worthy of post-season play. Players are stepping up and making clutch plays. Aaron Glenn, despite dropping the interception, made a beautiful read and at least broke up the play – costing the Giants four points. Akin Ayodele stuffed Jacobs on the 4-yard line. Bradie James came in on a blitz so fast that I haven’t seen since Darren Smith and Ken Norton ten years ago.
Then of course, there is Marion Barber.
This lowly 4th round, second year veteran is slowly becoming the second most important player on Dallas’ offense. However, that being said, DO NOT START HIM OVER JULIUS! If it is not broke, then DO NOT fix it!
Yes, Julius Jones is struggling. There seems to be a good rapport between the two, and the specific roles that they play. One of the reasons why Barber is so effective in the red zone is because he is so fresh. He is fresh because of Julius’ carries, which pound the defense earlier in the drives. I will recognize that Barber is Dallas’ best running back right now, but until Julius starts putting the ball on the turf, there is no reason to mess with the chemistry these two team players have.
FINAL ANALYSIS: When Bill Parcells had his good seasons with the Giants, Patriots, and Jets, his teams had many tough victories like the one we witnessed in the Meadowlands, and two weeks ago against Indianapolis. In 1990, Parcells made a switch at kicker and brought back Matt Bahr. All he did was make clutch kicks that ended hopes for a 49er 3-peat.
Here is hoping that Martin Grammatica can do the same for the Cowboys. He is only 31 years old, also.
