What does it take to play 4 quarters?

[Bleu Star]

The pattern is well documented. We come out and struggle through the first half and then miraculously find ourselves in the second halves of games. I have been wondering for weeks why we don't come out in a hurry up offense to jump start the early moments of games. Apparently Garrett is comfortable with playing two quarters. Does anyone have any explanationor theory around why we have developed a propensity for starting slow ? Do you believe the return of Demarco will help make this a non issue going forward?

 

[TTexasTT]

Demarco being back cant hurt. He is such a more complete back than what we have been getting. Its still obvious he is still a little gimp but I hope he feels better this week.
We cant afford to keep falling behind like we have been. Green is such a threat and can score anytime he touchs the ball and their running game has really been looking good for the last month. This team needs to be ready and Id like to see less fancy stunts by Ryan with this replacment defense. IMO Ware just needs one job, and thats to get pressure coming off the edge. Connor is a savvy vet but isnt a starter for a reason and Simms on the other side isnt too bright and will bite on misdirections.
Initally I wanted to give Garrett props for making halftime adjustments but there is a point to where the team needs to be ready from the opening kickoff. Also, a big part IMO is that the line blocks better in the second half and Free get his brakes beat off initially. This cant keep happening and spotting these teams points is going to be more difficult to over come as the competion level increases.

 

[Proximo]

The pattern is well documented. We come out and struggle through the first half and then miraculously find ourselves in the second halves of games. I have been wondering for weeks why we don't come out in a hurry up offense to jump start the early moments of games. Apparently Garrett is comfortable with playing two quarters. Does anyone have any explanationor theory around why we have developed a propensity for starting slow ? Do you believe the return of Demarco will help make this a non issue going forward?

I think the return of DeMarco will definitely help....but it'd be a stretch to think his return alone will make it a complete non-issue going forward. An elusive QB and tough nosed RB can only make up for the subpar O-line so much.

As far as coming out in the hurry up at the very beginning, I think JG is hesitant to do that because in the event it doesn't work we'll be looking at real quick 3 and outs with little time of possession, possibly putting our banged up defense out there for even longer stretches.

I do however, think that Demarco is definitely a key part of fixing our 1st half woes. I would just really like to see us get a nice lead in the 1st half of at least one of these games and put a team away without the dramatic endings. It certainly seems like it's been a helluva long time since that's happened.

 

[SkinsandTerps]

Lack of depth and injuries on offense.

The Cowboys don't have the line to start out fast like some teams, and don't have the defense to stop them from getting back in the game.

It takes discipline, it takes heart, it takes game planning, it takes a lot...but I think it comes down to coaching more than anything, second would be the players.

Commanders are missing two of their best defensive players...and we all know their secondary is nothing to write home about. Not to mention their OL.

That's coaching. Most would look at the rosters of both teams with the injuries and say there is no way those teams are tied and both have a chance at the playoffs.

The players have to have that fire, that drive, they have to step up above expectations. We have seen this for both teams over the years with different players...and different coaches.

 

[67CowboysFan]

The pattern is well documented. We come out and struggle through the first half and then miraculously find ourselves in the second halves of games. I have been wondering for weeks why we don't come out in a hurry up offense to jump start the early moments of games. Apparently Garrett is comfortable with playing two quarters. Does anyone have any explanationor theory around why we have developed a propensity for starting slow ? Do you believe the return of Demarco will help make this a non issue going forward?

Didn't we have this slow start problem in 2007 too? Don't know what they did to fix it then but maybe they should look at their old notes.

 

[Proximo]

Didn't we have this slow start problem in 2007 too? Don't know what they did to fix it then but maybe they should look at their old notes.

This is true, and I've thought the same thing to myself over the last few weeks. However, in 2007 it wasn't near as extreme as it has been this year. But they were definitely a 2nd half team that season.

 

[TTexasTT]

Now watch this team light it up in the first half and lay a egg in the second.

 

[Idgit]

First off, I don't agree with the characterization that the team doesn't play four quarters. Mistakes early have stalled several drives this season: dropped passes and penalties.

We're fortunate in that our QB and coach are pretty good at diagnosing what goes on during the course of a game, and they're able to take advantage of what the defense leaves exposed. Part of it might be the reactionary nature of Garrett's offense--though I don't recall us starting quickly in games other than in 2007.

It's absolutely laughable that people try to attribute our recent success after the half to 'not-Garrett.'

By the same token, I don't see a lot of complaining about our defense playing poorly early and contributing to us getting into big holes.

In short, I think most of the talk about slow starts is posters looking for something else to complain about. If the team weren't winning most of these recent games, or, in the case of the last PHI game, putting up a lot of points, regardless, I'd be more sympathetic to the argument. As it is, I think we have limitations right now that make it difficult for us to score the traditional way, and we're making up for it with a very smart QB who's able to get our best players into favorable matchup situations that we can convert with.

 

[Bleu Star]

First off, I don't agree with the characterization that the team doesn't play four quarters. Mistakes early have stalled several drives this season: dropped passes and penalties.

We're fortunate in that our QB and coach are pretty good at diagnosing what goes on during the course of a game, and they're able to take advantage of what the defense leaves exposed. Part of it might be the reactionary nature of Garrett's offense--though I don't recall us starting quickly in games other than in 2007.

It's absolutely laughable that people try to attribute our recent success after the half to 'not-Garrett.'

By the same token, I don't see a lot of complaining about our defense playing poorly early and contributing to us getting into big holes.

In short, I think most of the talk about slow starts is posters looking for something else to complain about. If the team weren't winning most of these recent games, or, in the case of the last PHI game, putting up a lot of points, regardless, I'd be more sympathetic to the argument. As it is, I think we have limitations right now that make it difficult for us to score the traditional way, and we're making up for it with a very smart QB who's able to get our best players into favorable matchup situations that we can convert with.

Just starting dialogue about something that has been puzzling me.. Not complaining.. Glad we cleared that up.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Two words: quick slant

 

[Bleu Star]

Two words: quick slant

Or skinny post?

 

[Idgit]

Just starting dialogue about something that has been puzzling me.. Not complaining.. Glad we cleared that up.

Didn't mean to imply it was you doing all the complaining. (though I thought your quips like 'apparently Garrett is comfortable with playing two quarters' were meant to sound like complaints). But let me know when you've got your thread about puzzling over why we're so effective after halftime ready, and I'll participate in that one, too.

I'm a bit puzzled by the slow starts, too, honestly. Even when we can establish the run, like last week, we start slowly. It'd be easier to explain if we just couldn't move the football at all, but that's clearly not the case. And we're able to score, too, in the second half.

I think there might be something to the notion that the offense is a bit reactionary, and built on the idea that we take what we're given, and so it takes a bit of time to figure out exactly what we're being given.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

I really think the reason was clearly stated by Romo this week. He said they don't know what the opposing defense is going to do so they need the first half to figure it out. THEN they make the adjustments at halftime and they are good to go.

That is squarely on the shoulders of the head coach. It is his job to get the team prepared for what they are going to see and particularly Garrett since he is the OC as well.

 

[Idgit]

I really think the reason was clearly stated by Romo this week. He said they don't know what the opposing defense is going to do so they need the first half to figure it out. THEN they make the adjustments at halftime and they are good to go.

That is squarely on the shoulders of the head coach. It is his job to get the team prepared for what they are going to see and particularly Garrett since he is the OC as well.

You're misinterpreting that interview if you think Tony was implying this team is not prepared for it's games by it's head coach.

 

[sonnyboy]

I think there might be something to the notion that the offense is a bit reactionary, and built on the idea that we take what we're given, and so it takes a bit of time to figure out exactly what we're being given.

This and a few other things.......

I don't think Romo's strengths and our OLs weakness allow us to dictate what we are going to do offensively.

Romo's never had the strongest arm and has not been very accurate on a consistent basis. So we can't ask him to make power throws with high accuracy into the teeth of the defense's coverage.

Now he has a ton of other strengths.....
Great field vision.
Great pocket presence.
Excellent ability to move and throw accuately on the run.
Super quick release.

This and our inability to run block well relagate us to more of a counter punching type strategy.

Lets hope Murray can change that to a certain extent.

 

[Bleu Star]

I'm hopeful that Murray's presence will equate to a more balanced approach against Cincinnati and early success.

 

[Idgit]

I think there might be something to the notion that the offense is a bit reactionary, and built on the idea that we take what we're given, and so it takes a bit of time to figure out exactly what we're being given.

This and a few other things.......

I don't think Romo's strengths and our OLs weakness allow us to dictate what we are going to do offensively.

Romo's never had the strongest arm and has not been very accurate on a consistent basis. So we can't ask him to make power throws with high accuracy into the teeth of the defense's coverage.

Now he has a ton of other strengths.....
Great field vision.
Great pocket presence.
Excellent ability to move and throw accuately on the run.
Super quick release.

This and our inability to run block well relagate us to more of a counter punching type strategy.

Lets hope Murray can change that to a certain extent.

We're actually in the top ten in terms of first quarter time of possession, so it's not like we can't sustain drives. We must be having some fairly effective drives in terms of yardage not end up in points--either because of turnovers or punts after gaining some first downs each time. I can't find turnover and offensive penalty stats exploded by quarters, though. Anybody have a good resource for that?

 

[Hoofbite]

Dollar bill and a change machine.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

You're misinterpreting that interview if you think Tony was implying this team is not prepared for it's games by it's head coach.

Tony may not be purposefully implying it, but it is the obvious conclusion.

 

[Aussie Cowboy]

The pattern is well documented. We come out and struggle through the first half and then miraculously find ourselves in the second halves of games. I have been wondering for weeks why we don't come out in a hurry up offense to jump start the early moments of games. Apparently Garrett is comfortable with playing two quarters. Does anyone have any explanationor theory around why we have developed a propensity for starting slow ? Do you believe the return of Demarco will help make this a non issue going forward?

At least we are good making adjustments at half time in the locker room our inability to be able to do this at various times in the past has been one of my pet hates.


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