YR's My Meaningless Thoughts On The Game...

[Yakuza Rich]

- I think the big key to this game is who can win the battle out on the edges when the Commanders have the ball. I haven’t been really that impressed with Rex Grossman. He misses high with his passes, a lot. And he still looks like a 1-read QB for the most part that can occasionally make a 2nd read, but not with any consistency. But, Shanahan has done a great job with him by getting the running game going early and mixing up the receiver he’s going to with that 1st read, just enough to throw off defenses. I think the first step is to not let them set the edge and that will make them count on Grossman more. He may have one of those games where he throws a lot of times for a lot of yardage, but that should be good because I don’t believe he’s that effective if he has to throw 30+ times a game.


- The other key from what I’ve seen is that they usually look for Santana Moss first instead of Chris Cooley. But what’s even more unusual for the Skins, is that they look for Moss to sit down and find a hole in the zone where they usually had him go for the deep stuff. In fact, it’s obvious now that *Fred Davis* is their #2 guy to throw to as he has 11 catches while Chris Cooley only has 2 receptions. From what I’ve seen, the Commanders like to switch it up a bit on 3rd downs and have Davis go deep while Moss sits in the zone to get the first down.


- Hopefully Miles, Dez and Romo can go on MNF. I honestly believe that we can beat their secondary deep. I think the weak spot on their defense is Reed Doughty and with Witten, I think it can give them fits as to what Haslett wants to do.


- I’m assuming that miss by Bailey from 21 yards away against SF was McBriar’s fault. They seemed to be going over on the sidelines and it looked like it was a bad hold. One thing I like about Bailey is he hits a fade ball and as Lee Trevino once said, you can talk to a fade…but a hook won’t listen.


- You know why this defense has been fun to watch so far? Because for the first time since the 90’s, we have a D-Coordinator who creates enough confusion that opposing offenses are badly missing assignments. When defensive players go into the QB unabated, good things will eventually happen.


- That being said, like I mentioned in the Meaningless Thoughts Post after the SF game, this is when the defense greatly disappoints…after good performances on the road and coming back home. I remember it being a problem under Parcells, but not nearly as bad as under Wade. I’m hoping the new regime can put a stop to it.

- I’m surprised nobody brought this up (or at least what I’ve read so far), but didn’t the playaction pass to Holley remind you a bit of the playaction pass to Rocket vs. the Commanders?


- Speaking of Holley, I’ve been thinking about him all week. Y’know, I don’t think it’s easy to be a fringe NFL player. But he shows that if you have some inner faith in yourself and you work at and earn it thru special teams, good things can happen. I was listening to Sirius XM and they were talking about his celebration and how he should ‘act like he’s been there before’, but my thoughts were ‘he’s never been there before.’


- I don’t think it’s a must win game, particularly given how early in the season it is and how many injuries we’ve racked up. But, I think it’s a good opportunity (a word Garrett likes to use) to make a statement. Go 2-1, with this many injured players and a Jets game we should’ve won, it sends a statement. Go 2-1 with this many injured players and a hampered QB, it sends a statement. Go 2-1 and beat the 2-0 Commanders who are flying high, it sends a statement.







YR

 

[Gaede]

Agree about Holley. His celebration reminded me of Austin (smiling during that KO return in Seattle, his breakout game 2 years ago)...These guys work their ***** off against all odds, damn right they're gonna be excited.

 

[JBS]

Great write up YR! I enjoyed your quick breakdown of Grossman and the Skins attack, as well as the matchups. With Landry expected to be returning, Im not sure how much Reed Doughty is going to play.

 

[adbutcher]

You know why this defense has been fun to watch so far? Because for the first time since the 90’s, we have a D-Coordinator who creates enough confusion that opposing offenses are badly missing assignments. When defensive players go into the QB unabated, good things will eventually happen.

Indeed. I cannot emphasize this enough. When I looked at the good defenses last year the common theme is confusion and chaos. However, when I looked at our defense I saw instant pre-snap recognition by the QB and OL and for the most part our blitzes getting swallowed up and ineffective.

- I’m surprised nobody brought this up (or at least what I’ve read so far), but didn’t the playaction pass to Holley remind you a bit of the playaction pass to Rocket vs. the Commanders?

This was a huge discussion right after the game. IIRC, Dub G initiated the thread.

 

[Sonny#9]

- I think the big key to this game is who can win the battle out on the edges when the Commanders have the ball. I haven’t been really that impressed with Rex Grossman. He misses high with his passes, a lot. And he still looks like a 1-read QB for the most part that can occasionally make a 2nd read, but not with any consistency. But, Shanahan has done a great job with him by getting the running game going early and mixing up the receiver he’s going to with that 1st read, just enough to throw off defenses. I think the first step is to not let them set the edge and that will make them count on Grossman more. He may have one of those games where he throws a lot of times for a lot of yardage, but that should be good because I don’t believe he’s that effective if he has to throw 30+ times a game.

In Grossman's 5 starts with the Commanders, these are his numbers:

@ Dallas (L 33-30): 25/43 58.1% 422 yrds 4 TD 2 INT
@ Jacksonville (W 20-17): 19/39 48.7% 182 yrds 1 TD 1 INT
New York (L 17-14): 29/44 59.1% 336 yrds 2 TD 1 INT
New York (W 28-14): 21/34 61.7% 305 yrds 2 TD 0 INT
Arizona (W 22-21): 25/43 58.1% 291 yrds 2 TD 2 INT

I definitely agree that the Shanahan's have done an excellent job with Grossman -- however I think he;s been fairly effective throwing more than 30x a game (save the Jacksonville game last year). (On a side note: This also is what drove me nuts this off-season with all the "Rex Grossman LOLZ...they'll miss McNabb LOLZ!" from the media. They clearly didn't see the difference in the offense under Grossman)

The other key from what I’ve seen is that they usually look for Santana Moss first instead of Chris Cooley. But what’s even more unusual for the Skins, is that they look for Moss to sit down and find a hole in the zone where they usually had him go for the deep stuff. In fact, it’s obvious now that *Fred Davis* is their #2 guy to throw to as he has 11 catches while Chris Cooley only has 2 receptions. From what I’ve seen, the Commanders like to switch it up a bit on 3rd downs and have Davis go deep while Moss sits in the zone to get the first down.

Davis could potentially give you defense fits. Would James/Sensebaugh be covering him most of the game? If so, he could be a big mismatch for you. He is really breaking out. The other thing is, they have done much better spreading the ball around. For YEARS it was Moss, Cooley, RB. That was the progression.

And Moss sure does love to play against the Cowboys...

Hopefully Miles, Dez and Romo can go on MNF. I honestly believe that we can beat their secondary deep. I think the weak spot on their defense is Reed Doughty and with Witten, I think it can give them fits as to what Haslett wants to do.

The Skins D -- while vastly improved -- still is prone to that big play (albiet made by some fairly decent receivers in Nicks and Fitzgerald). I am pretty sure Austin won't play (thankfully) and Bryant is banged up. This is the unit that really scares me about the Cowboys. Their receivers are good.

That being said Landry will most likely play. Although he isn't great in coverage, he is miles better than Reed Doughty. I hope he isn't so amped up, he runs around out there like Lavar Arrington, ignoring his assingnments for the big play or the big hit.

My hope is the Skins bring enough pressure the Cowboys are forced to keep Witten in to block. That guy kills us, repeatedly.

- You know why this defense has been fun to watch so far? Because for the first time since the 90’s, we have a D-Coordinator who creates enough confusion that opposing offenses are badly missing assignments. When defensive players go into the QB unabated, good things will eventually happen.

I think both defenses have done a great job improving in this area. The Commanders have 7 sacks in 2 games (would equate to 56 on the season). Kerrigan is going to be a tough matchup for Smith, and they have a much more active D-line this year.

- I’m surprised nobody brought this up (or at least what I’ve read so far), but didn’t the playaction pass to Holley remind you a bit of the playaction pass to Rocket vs. the Commanders?

I STILL HATE YOU MATT STEVENS!

- I don’t think it’s a must win game, particularly given how early in the season it is and how many injuries we’ve racked up. But, I think it’s a good opportunity (a word Garrett likes to use) to make a statement. Go 2-1, with this many injured players and a Jets game we should’ve won, it sends a statement. Go 2-1 with this many injured players and a hampered QB, it sends a statement. Go 2-1 and beat the 2-0 Commanders who are flying high, it sends a statement.

I think it's a bigger game for the Commanders. They have to beat the dinged up Cowboys on the road to send a statement of their own: We are not the same ol' Commanders. The Arizona game last week is definitely a game they would have lost in the past: dominating TOP, yards, everything but the scoreboard.

This is another one of those games.

 

[DBOY3141]

I disagree that this is a must win game. Every player on that team should look at each game as must win. I don't trust the psyche of this team. If they lose to Washington, Detroit is no push over, then it's the Pats.

This team could easily be 1-4 after 5 games.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I disagree that this is a must win game. Every player on that team should look at each game as must win. I don't trust the psyche of this team. If they lose to Washington, Detroit is no push over, then it's the Pats.

This team could easily be 1-4 after 5 games.

I don't like to put it as a must win game because going 1-2 just isn't a 'season is over' record.

I would want the Cowboys to beat the Commanders in a game of hopscotch. But, the smarter teams and coaches realize that we want to win every game we play in and we have certain expectations each time we play a game. But, if we lose we cannot just say 'well, season's over.'

Good coaches have expectations that are within their team's control. They expect that their team will be prepared, that their players will play hard and with intensity and that they will put their team in the best position to win. Focus on the process...and the result will take care of itself.










YR

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

In Grossman's 5 starts with the Commanders, these are his numbers:

@ Dallas (L 33-30): 25/43 58.1% 422 yrds 4 TD 2 INT
@ Jacksonville (W 20-17): 19/39 48.7% 182 yrds 1 TD 1 INT
New York (L 17-14): 29/44 59.1% 336 yrds 2 TD 1 INT
New York (W 28-14): 21/34 61.7% 305 yrds 2 TD 0 INT
Arizona (W 22-21): 25/43 58.1% 291 yrds 2 TD 2 INT

I definitely agree that the Shanahan's have done an excellent job with Grossman -- however I think he;s been fairly effective throwing more than 30x a game (save the Jacksonville game last year). (On a side note: This also is what drove me nuts this off-season with all the "Rex Grossman LOLZ...they'll miss McNabb LOLZ!" from the media. They clearly didn't see the difference in the offense under Grossman)



Davis could potentially give you defense fits. Would James/Sensebaugh be covering him most of the game? If so, he could be a big mismatch for you. He is really breaking out. The other thing is, they have done much better spreading the ball around. For YEARS it was Moss, Cooley, RB. That was the progression.

And Moss sure does love to play against the Cowboys...



The Skins D -- while vastly improved -- still is prone to that big play (albiet made by some fairly decent receivers in Nicks and Fitzgerald). I am pretty sure Austin won't play (thankfully) and Bryant is banged up. This is the unit that really scares me about the Cowboys. Their receivers are good.

That being said Landry will most likely play. Although he isn't great in coverage, he is miles better than Reed Doughty. I hope he isn't so amped up, he runs around out there like Lavar Arrington, ignoring his assingnments for the big play or the big hit.

My hope is the Skins bring enough pressure the Cowboys are forced to keep Witten in to block. That guy kills us, repeatedly.



I think both defenses have done a great job improving in this area. The Commanders have 7 sacks in 2 games (would equate to 56 on the season). Kerrigan is going to be a tough matchup for Smith, and they have a much more active D-line this year.




I STILL HATE YOU MATT STEVENS!




I think it's a bigger game for the Commanders. They have to beat the dinged up Cowboys on the road to send a statement of their own: We are not the same ol' Commanders. The Arizona game last week is definitely a game they would have lost in the past: dominating TOP, yards, everything but the scoreboard.

This is another one of those games.

you can still hate matt stevens all you want...but first ballot HOFer bit like a dog on a bone on the play fake...did not slow Rocket down one bit. Much like Aaron Glenn did not slow Santanna Moss down one bit when he caught those 2 TDs on Monday night a couple of years ago. I for one was not nearly as mad as some people that Roy Williams could not keep up with Santanna Moss. Roy has never and will never be as fast as Santanna Moss...so how was he supposed to stop him when Moss was running straight at him full speed? And Matt Stevens was supposed to do the same with the Rocket? When the Rocket ran by the NFLs fastest man untouched?

 

[Sonny#9]

you can still hate matt stevens all you want...but first ballot HOFer bit like a dog on a bone on the play fake...did not slow Rocket down one bit. Much like Aaron Glenn did not slow Santanna Moss down one bit when he caught those 2 TDs on Monday night a couple of years ago. I for one was not nearly as mad as some people that Roy Williams could not keep up with Santanna Moss. Roy has never and will never be as fast as Santanna Moss...so how was he supposed to stop him when Moss was running straight at him full speed? And Matt Stevens was supposed to do the same with the Rocket? When the Rocket ran by the NFLs fastest man untouched?

IN a zone, you're the saftey. You don't get beat that bad deep. Even if you're Matt Stevens or a "Five-Time Pro Bowler"

 

[onetrickpony]

- I’m assuming that miss by Bailey from 21 yards away against SF was McBriar’s fault. They seemed to be going over on the sidelines and it looked like it was a bad hold.

I've seen the replay from multiple angles and I could not see where the hold was an issue. I think Baily just had a bad case of the rookie wobbles and was able to settle down as the game progressed.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

IN a zone, you're the saftey. You don't get beat that bad deep. Even if you're Matt Stevens or a "Five-Time Pro Bowler"

so if the CB does not slow the WR down. does not re-route. Nothing. The Safety is supposed to handle the WR no problem? I am just asking. Because Matt Stevens has ZERO chance of ever keeping up with the Rocket when he is coming at him full speed. So all I am saying is that much like with Roy, it is not all on Matt Stevens. Maybe the defensive play call is bad. Maybe the pass rush needs to get there. Maybe Darrell needs to bump him to slow him down. But to ask Matt Stevens to turn and run with the Rocket after the Rocket is 25 yards into his route running straight ahead....is a recipe for disaster.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I've seen the replay from multiple angles and I could not see where the hold was an issue. I think Baily just had a bad case of the rookie wobbles and was able to settle down as the game progressed.

I asked a former Arena football kicker about placeholding last year and he told me that you really can't see the quality of a placehold on TV in a game. But he said that often times something that looks like a decent hold to the average viewer can be a very bad placehold. There's more to it than catching it, putting it down and making sure the laces are out. According to him theres other things like the way the ball should be tilted and where the ball is dropped, etc.

He explained to me that where the ball is placed on the ground is crucial as he used the analogy of imagine trying to hit a golf ball, but at the top of your swing, the ball moves. He said 'you can still hit it pretty well, but the adjustment can often make you miss an easy one and the kicker gets all of the blame.'

Not saying that is exactly the case for sure here, although it appeared that McBriar was explaining what happened there to the coach after the miss.







YR

 

[JD_KaPow]

I disagree that this is a must win game. Every player on that team should look at each game as must win. I don't trust the psyche of this team. If they lose to Washington, Detroit is no push over, then it's the Pats.

This team could easily be 1-4 after 5 games.

Dallas must win one of the next two games - 1-4 is clearly a disaster. That said, if you have to win one of the next two, then this one is clearly not a must-win. If we lose this one, then the DET game is a must-win.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

so if the CB does not slow the WR down. does not re-route. Nothing. The Safety is supposed to handle the WR no problem? I am just asking. Because Matt Stevens has ZERO chance of ever keeping up with the Rocket when he is coming at him full speed. So all I am saying is that much like with Roy, it is not all on Matt Stevens. Maybe the defensive play call is bad. Maybe the pass rush needs to get there. Maybe Darrell needs to bump him to slow him down. But to ask Matt Stevens to turn and run with the Rocket after the Rocket is 25 yards into his route running straight ahead....is a recipe for disaster.

Especially back then, when the illegal contact rule was hardly enforced.







YR

 

[shockandroll]

Great write Yak! I'm really torn on this game in terms of what to do. I think this is a team we have a chance against going with back ups and we're going to need everything we have to beat the Lions, imo. Part of me thinks rest them and try to steal a win against the Skins with the B team and let the healed up guys fight it out with the Lions. Of course, there is a chance we lose both games doing that and while 1-2 is not a big deal, 1-3 is much bigger.

Part of me also thinks just rest everyone who needs it through the bye and hope we can steal a win and be 2-2 at the bye and come out guns blazing! But then, don't you always put the guys who give you the best chance to win that day on the field no matter what?

One thing is sure, the hurt guys will stay the same or get worse if they play and should we lose anyway, we'll be 1-3 after the bye and beat up. I'd sure rather be 1-3 and healthy than 1-3 and beat up. I might prefer to be 1-3 and healthy than 2-2 and beat up.

Man, I picked a bad day to quit drinkin!

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Dallas must win one of the next two games - 1-4 is clearly a disaster. That said, if you have to win one of the next two, then this one is clearly not a must-win. If we lose this one, then the DET game is a must-win.

I agree. Although I think assuming that we'll lose to the Patriots is silly. The Pats lost to the Browns last year and quite frankly...were dominated by the Browns.

I won't say the Pats are not a good team (although if SD had a brain and better coaching, they could've won that game easily)...but it's the NFL. Just when you think a team is set to win a game...they lose.

Look at the Ravens. They destroyed the Steelers in week 1, then lose to the Titans.

Ish happens in the NFL






YR

 

[Clove]

Good write up as usual.

 

[WoodysGirl]

- I’m assuming that miss by Bailey from 21 yards away against SF was McBriar’s fault. They seemed to be going over on the sidelines and it looked like it was a bad hold. One thing I like about Bailey is he hits a fade ball and as Lee Trevino once said, you can talk to a fade…but a hook won’t listen.

What do you mean by a fade ball vs hook?

- I’m surprised nobody brought this up (or at least what I’ve read so far), but didn’t the playaction pass to Holley remind you a bit of the playaction pass to Rocket vs. the Commanders?

It was discussed and both vids of the plays were posted.

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218659

 

[Yakuza Rich]

What do you mean by a fade ball vs hook?

For a right footed kicker, a hook will curve from right to left (which is what most kickers do). The fade will curve from left to right.











YR

 

[WoodysGirl]

For a right footed kicker, a hook will curve from right to left (which is what most kickers do). The fade will curve from left to right.











YR

Ok, gotcha.