Z's Random Thoughts

[AsthmaField]

I never get too upset when a corner fails to tackle a tight end. I do get upset when they fail in coverage, and I thought Claiborne did a much better job against the Titans' lesser receivers than he did against San Fran's.

In fact, all of the corners had a pretty good game ... although the Titans did miss some opportunities that teams with better QBs won't.

Well, I understand, but I can't just give Mo a pass for that. He should have wrapped him up at least long enough for help to arrive.

However, like you I think he had a pretty good game in coverage. I'm not down on him like a lot of other people are. I still think he has a chance to be a good coverage corner. I wish he could have held on to that INT, but the WR did a nice job of playing DB on that play.

 

[gimmesix]

Delanie is a physical specimen so I'm with you. I was more upset that he didn't show 6th pick instincts and try to intercept or knock down that ball. I thought he had a chance to make a play on that ball.

I can agree with that, but I'm just glad at this point that Claiborne was staying with the guy he was assigned to cover. It would have been a great step forward for him to show the ball awareness to see the throw, peel off his man and make a play on the ball.

 

[gimmesix]

Well, I understand, but I can't just give Mo a pass for that. He should have wrapped him up at least long enough for help to arrive.

Yes, that's a hold-on-for-dear-life situation and Mo instead tried to knock down a man who probably outweighs him by 50-plus pounds. Of course, usually when I see corners actually make a tackle on a running back or tight end, I stand up and applaud the fact that they didn't just run from the field screaming, "He's coming at me! He's coming at me!"

Maybe I have low expectations for corners when it comes to tackling, probably scarred forever by the sight of Deion dodging them.

 

[diehard2294]

The oline struggled some with pass protecting in the first half but seemed to settle down. The ST units and especially the coverage units were stellar. As good as Murray has been Dunbar does need more touches. At this rate they are going to wear Murray out. Hell even Randle ran hard yesterday.

If you want to buy a jersey go get a Dan"money" Bailey jersey

 

[AsthmaField]

Yes, that's a hold-on-for-dear-life situation and Mo instead tried to knock down a man who probably outweighs him by 50-plus pounds. Of course, usually when I see corners actually make a tackle on a running back or tight end, I stand up and applaud the fact that they didn't just run from the field screaming, "He's coming at me! He's coming at me!"

Maybe I have low expectations for corners when it comes to tackling, probably scarred forever by the sight of Deion dodging them.

Business decision, as he called it.

 

[dstovall5]

Good stuff, and yah, Rolando McClain has been a really nice find. Next week though we'll really see if this team as a whole is starting to turn the corner. The Cowboys of old will play down to the Rams and keep them in the game late in the 4th and possibly lose. But if we're going to turn that corner this year, than next week should be a clone of this game with Murray pounding the rock for 150+ yards.

 

[Sportsbabe]

the run blocking was great, the pass blocking was'nt as great
the defense played well in both games so far. don't see them as a top 5 but i think they can be better than last year and if we got up in the middle of the pack that would be a huge improvement

... and nobody seems to mention about the pass blocking when critiquing the QB play. Oh I forgot, another Romo-only critique. He should be able to make pin-point accurate decisions and throws no matter how many times he get knocked on his tail and has defenders in his lap. Step your game up.

 

[BigStar]

Great post! Still a Romo fan, but would be unwise not to draft one in the first next year. His throws showed more confidence/velocity after he took that blindside hit late in the first half. I am hoping that alot of his tension was related to that fear and his back holding up. After that hit, he started to hit Dez (albeit a little low) and started looking through his reads (outside). This team is too talented offensively to go through Another post-Aikman drought. Great OL, great WR, Great RB (not sure about paying him yet) etc. Would be a complete waste to not start that process ASAP to ensure some stability on the O when Romo is done.

Definitely encouraged by the D's play so far. Was totally wrong about McClain and happy to see Lee have the option to potentially move Weakside/Strong starting next year. Would be ideal for the lapses in coverage regarding TE's etc though that also relates to lacking a true FS on this team to solidify the S position (Wilcox @ SS...eventually) Rod has them playing disciplined football and is a welcomed change compared to the last couple of seasons of 'lost' faces and finger pointing.

 

[Zordon]

Good stuff, and yah, Rolando McClain has been a really nice find. Next week though we'll really see if this team as a whole is starting to turn the corner. The Cowboys of old will play down to the Rams and keep them in the game late in the 4th and possibly lose. But if we're going to turn that corner this year, than next week should be a clone of this game with Murray pounding the rock for 150+ yards.

Play down to the Rams? They are 1-1 just like us and have the top defense in the league. (12 ppg)

 

[Zordon]

... and nobody seems to mention about the pass blocking when critiquing the QB play. Oh I forgot, another Romo-only critique. He should be able to make pin-point accurate decisions and throws no matter how many times he get knocked on his tail and has defenders in his lap. Step your game up.

With all due respect, I think you need to watch more football around the league Sportsbabe. ALL QBs get hit. Even the chosen one Tom Brady is getting hit this year. Cutler took some licks last night that would have knocked Romo out the game. This thought that if the pass blocking isn't perfect then the QB has an excuse for poor play is really amateur imo. Romo's protection has been ok, not as bad as you're making it. He needs to just play better.

 

[BigStar]

The oline struggled some with pass protecting in the first half but seemed to settle down. The ST units and especially the coverage units were stellar. As good as Murray has been Dunbar does need more touches. At this rate they are going to wear Murray out. Hell even Randle ran hard yesterday.

If you want to buy a jersey go get a Dan"money" Bailey jersey

Some of this related to play calling and Romo's hesitancy with ball. Titans D were selling out on the blitz on every passing down, a quick slant, bubble screen, etc. should have been called/audible to counter, etc. The team did adjust in the second half as you pointed out and solidified the max protect schemes. I think it was a little of both (Romo and adjustment by the max protect = Free).

 

[boysfanindc]

Play down to the Rams? They are 1-1 just like us and have the top defense in the league. (12 ppg)

Not sure where you are getting Rams top D in the league or 12 pts a game, their are averaging giving up 25.5 point a game and no where near the top.

 

[dstovall5]

Play down to the Rams? They are 1-1 just like us and have the top defense in the league. (12 ppg)

Rams are considered by many to be a below average team(no QB), all they really have is a solid defense with a nasty d-line. If the Cowboys are turning the corner this year and expect to make the playoffs, beating the Rams is a must. I expect a score similar to the one of last year.

 

[Zordon]

Great post! Still a Romo fan, but would be unwise not to draft one in the first next year. His throws showed more confidence/velocity after he took that blindside hit late in the first half. I am hoping that alot of his tension was related to that fear and his back holding up. After that hit, he started to hit Dez (albeit a little low) and started looking through his reads (outside). This team is too talented offensively to go through Another post-Aikman drought. Great OL, great WR, Great RB (not sure about paying him yet) etc. Would be a complete waste to not start that process ASAP to ensure some stability on the O when Romo is done.

Definitely encouraged by the D's play so far. Was totally wrong about McClain and happy to see Lee have the option to potentially move Weakside/Strong starting next year. Would be ideal for the lapses in coverage regarding TE's etc though that also relates to lacking a true FS on this team to solidify the S position (Wilcox @ SS...eventually) Rod has them playing disciplined football and is a welcomed change compared to the last couple of seasons of 'lost' faces and finger pointing.

It would be nice to see a safety make a play like this once. I think the team believes Jakar Hamilton is the most capable.

 

[Zordon]

Not sure where you are getting Rams top D in the league or 12 pts a game, their are averaging giving up 25.5 point a game and no where near the top.

coffee hasn't gone into effect. good call.

 

[dstovall5]

It would be nice to see a safety make a play like this once. I think the team believes Jakar Hamilton is the most capable.

Wow that happened last time? That was a freaking awesome play by the Safety, he came out of nowhere.

 

[Sportsbabe]

With all due respect, I think you need to watch more football around the league Sportsbabe. ALL QBs get hit. Even the chosen one Tom Brady is getting hit this year. Cutler took some licks last night that would have knocked Romo out the game. This thought that if the pass blocking isn't perfect then the QB has an excuse for poor play is really amateur imo. Romo's protection has been ok, not as bad as you're making it. He needs to just play better.

I beg to differ and you must really don't pay attention because I will put my football knowledge up against yours and anybody else in here any time.

I never said anything about the pass blocking having to be perfect. On the contrary. With "all due respect", you need to have watched Romo play football the first 7 years of his career with the Cowboys.

Your critique of my football knowledge and your assumption that I concluded that Tony's "poor play" is due to bad pass blocking is more than an amatureish assessment of my post. It's considerable incomprehensible of what I posted. Trust, I don't want to get into a Romo rant with you because I want the QB to succeed. And besides, I think I was speaking about the pass blocking and how it can affect the QB's play and likely did but I didnot say it was the reason.

2ndly, when Brady and Cutler plays with broken ribs and punctured lungs, I might take your response to my post seriously.

 

[boysfanindc]

Wow that happened last time? That was a freaking awesome play by the Safety, he came out of nowhere.

He was the same guy who got trucked by Fred Jackson in Buffalo, but he does seem to have ball instincts, think that was his second INT of the year.

 

[Zordon]

I beg to differ and you must really don't pay attention because I will put my football knowledge up against yours and anybody else in here any time.

I never said anything about the pass blocking having to be perfect. On the contrary. With "all due respect", you need to have watched Romo play football the first 7 years of his career with the Cowboys.

Your critique of my football knowledge and your assumption that I concluded that Tony's "poor play" is due to bad pass blocking is more than an amatureish assessment of my post. It's considerable incomprehensible of what I posted. Trust, I don't want to get into a Romo rant with you because I want the QB to succeed. And besides, I think I was speaking about the pass blocking and how it can affect the QB's play and likely did but I didnot say it was the reason.

2ndly, when Brady and Cutler plays with broken ribs and punctured lungs, I might take your response to my post seriously.

Sorry I didn't mean to question your football intelligence. Sometimes I assume people don't watch football outside of the Cowboys when they believe Romo has the worst 'everything' around him. All I'm saying is his protection (with the exception of a few breakdowns) has been fine this year and certainly better than most QBs.

 

[Sportsbabe]

Sorry I didn't mean to question your football intelligence. Sometimes I assume people don't watch football outside of the Cowboys when they believe Romo has the worst 'everything' around him. All I'm saying is his protection (with the exception of a few breakdowns) has been fine this year and certainly better than most QBs.

OK. I was about to say. I am a football-ologist. I do everything I can to educate myself on the game and everything that goes on in and around it (including outside of the Cowboys bubble). I love this game.