Z's Random Thoughts

[cowboys1981]

-Travis Frederick is Jerry Jones best decision since Bill Parcells. I almost shed a tear watching him (brute) and Martin (tactically) destroying that Titans dline. I cannot wait to watch them on the film, it was a thing of beauty.

-We're a 2nd or 3rd round RT away from being an elite oline, I'm talking best in the league. I would not mind Free back for cheap for another year since we have other more pressing needs but eventually we need to get a big stud replacement in the draft. Leave Martin at guard. I really hope the Cowboys don't ignore this group...you're doing good...keep adding pieces and building depth. This isn't the time to get comfortable when you have a rapidly aging QB at the helm.

-McClain would be back in Alabama right now shooting rabbits if it wasn't for Lee's injury. It's funny how life works sometimes. That interception was one of the most athletic plays I've ever seen for a man his size. I know it's not that serious but I'm praying he's fully back mentally. Him and Lee together next year should be fun.

-The team played angry yesterday for maybe the 2nd or 3rd time under Jason Garrett. It was a spirited feisty yet clean game for both teams which made it a throughly enjoyable watch on TV...you don't always get that with the 12pm kickoffs. Even Garrett's sideline demeanor was completely different than the norm. I'm pretty sure the camera caught him dropping a **** bomb. Now if we could only find a way to duplicate that energy at home.

-You can tell Bisaccia lit into his unit all week. That was superb effort from the special teams unit. I'm not into football jerseys but if I were to buy one today it would be a Dwayne Harris one. To me that guy personifies the real RKG. Bailey is a machine. Best player relative to his position on the team. By the way, have you guys noticed all the ex-Cowboys kickers doing well around the league?

-So far Lance Dunbar does not look like a player that deserved the superstar treatment he received in the preseason. They handled him with kiddie gloves, not b/c of the injury (he's been healthy for awhile) but b/c they see him as a vital piece to the offense. I'm still waiting for it. I'm waiting for that 40-50 yd screen play from him.

-Yesterday for the first time in a long time, I saw a team that wasn't dependent on elite quarterback play. I saw a team that could plug and play nearly any above average QB and still win the game. Finally all 3 phases showed up for Mr. Garrett. This is good for the long run but still leaves a sore taste in my mouth considering Romo's contract. The team I saw yesterday is ideal for a young QB. Great special teams, great oline play, good defense. I hated the contract then, hate it even more now.

-I finally saw something tangible from Crawford yesterday in the 1st half. I like him, Wilcox and even Hitchens at times. I think I'm going to bite my tongue on all three and let them get their feet wet before I start judging them. All 3 are still obviously learning the pro game.

-We've faced two players so far I wanted a few years ago in free agency: Delanie Walker and Anquan Boldin. I think adding a physical 3rd down option like them in the future will be beneficial to this offense. Love watching them play. Did you see how he blew by Barry Church on that TD?

-That being said, I'm still not 100% sold on T. Williams. I feel like with all the attention Dez is getting, he should have had a better start to the season. Last week he did not catch the ball in traffic, this week he was non-existent.

-That smirk and fist pump from Jerry during the 4th quarter "Let's go Cowboys" chants was classic. I've never wanted to like a man so much as him.

-It's week 3 so I think it's a good time to do start doing some things to improve the roster. Let's do something to improve the interior of that defense. We're going to need more pressure than we've seen in the first 2 weeks if we're going to beat Drew Brees on turf. I know who to cut (Clutts) but do you guys have any ideas who we can bring in?

-Speaking of the defense, with a healthy Spencer and D-Law and a motived Scandrick and Brent...how good can these guys be? Is top 5-10 achievable? I'm drinking the koolaid after the first 2 weeks (I don't buy the theory that San Fran held back last week).

That was a good post.

Our boys fought a hard; clean game. I saw everyone into it. From Corners bumping to LBers moving in and out of the gaps (pre snap). Our boys played as if they wanted it.

Like you, I can't wait to see Lawrence back and I want to see how Spencer does in a 4-3 look.

I saw more of a presence in the backfield in the last two games vs two mobile QB's. It'll be fun to see how they do against Brees since he's not as mobile to escape. I can just picture McClain going full speed on a delayed blitz and watch Brees take that hit.

 

[Future]

These two stuck out

-So far Lance Dunbar does not look like a player that deserved the superstar treatment he received in the preseason. They handled him with kiddie gloves, not b/c of the injury (he's been healthy for awhile) but b/c they see him as a vital piece to the offense. I'm still waiting for it. I'm waiting for that 40-50 yd screen play from him.

-Yesterday for the first time in a long time, I saw a team that wasn't dependent on elite quarterback play. I saw a team that could plug and play nearly any above average QB and still win the game. Finally all 3 phases showed up for Mr. Garrett. This is good for the long run but still leaves a sore taste in my mouth considering Romo's contract. The team I saw yesterday is ideal for a young QB. Great special teams, great oline play, good defense. I hated the contract then, hate it even more now.

It's hard to give Dunbar much flak since they aren't really giving him any touches in the passing game. He looked good with a couple of catches against SF, his speed is certainly something that nobody else on the team has.

Pretty much agree. For the better part of a decade, the "this team goes as Tony goes" rhetoric has been entirely true. In fact, I think it makes his accomplishments all that more impressive. No Tony's skillset can be used when they need to move the ball and score quickly, rather than the entire game. In terms of a young QB...the line is so young that they should all still be here two or three years from now when a new guy takes over. I'd bet Free will be replaced next year, and you could have a situation where, assuming everyone has decent enough contracts, you have the same line for a long, long time.

 

[Jstopper]

to think we can go from one of the worst ever, to top 5 or top 10, its a bit over the top. if we finish in the low to mid 20's I think its a great step forward. and will lead to a couple of extra victories.

The 2013 New Orleans Saints told me to tell you hello

 

[jobberone]

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 loved the OP. I don't completely agree with either of you. I agree the QB has to evade some rush and take some hits. OTOH, you can ruin a QB and in Romo's case get him hurt just like any other QB in the league if you don't protect him well enough. Right now I'm extremely happy with the run blocking but not so much the pass blocking.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

The 2013 New Orleans Saints told me to tell you hello

that's completely different. they were a team in shambles in 2012, they lost their DC, their HC and one of their best defensive players and they were a team in the midst of controversy. you want to compare that to the cowboys? go ahead your choice.

 

[Sportsbabe]

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.

Loved your post ... and much respect admitting your error on RoMc.
Also the point about the discipline on D is spot on. 2ndary still a work in process.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

-I finally saw something tangible from Crawford yesterday in the 1st half. I like him, Wilcox and even Hitchens at times. I think I'm going to bite my tongue on all three and let them get their feet wet before I start judging them. All 3 are still obviously learning the pro game.

sage advice, sir.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

-Speaking of the defense, with a healthy Spencer and D-Law and a motived Scandrick and Brent...how good can these guys be? Is top 5-10 achievable? I'm drinking the koolaid after the first 2 weeks (I don't buy the theory that San Fran held back last week).

It's not kool aid. Might be illegal substance.

From one of worst defenses in history to top 5-10... Really?

They lose game 1.
Win game 2. Locker missed wide open receivers.

 

[gimmesix]

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.

Would like to see how this year plays out before even considering this. If Romo just needs some time to get all the way back to form, then there's no reason to not build on what we have and try to win before he's gone. Going after a first-round QB when Romo retires would allow us to avoid the foolishness that followed Aikman's retirement. As with most first-round QBs, one drafted that high would likely be counted on to start immediately, so there's no need to draft one until it's time for that to happen.

If the end of this year proves that it's time for that to happen, then I'm OK with it, but I don't think it would be wise to draft one if it appears that Romo still has years left.

 

[TwoDeep3]

-Speaking of the defense, with a healthy Spencer and D-Law and a motived Scandrick and Brent...how good can these guys be? Is top 5-10 achievable? I'm drinking the koolaid after the first 2 weeks (I don't buy the theory that San Fran held back last week).

I got a chuckle out of this.

 

[TimHortons]

-

Is top 5-10 achievable?

You're joking right?

 

[BigStar]

Would like to see how this year plays out before even considering this. If Romo just needs some time to get all the way back to form, then there's no reason to not build on what we have and try to win before he's gone. Going after a first-round QB when Romo retires would allow us to avoid the foolishness that followed Aikman's retirement. As with most first-round QBs, one drafted that high would likely be counted on to start immediately, so there's no need to draft one until it's time for that to happen.

If the end of this year proves that it's time for that to happen, then I'm OK with it, but I don't think it would be wise to draft one if it appears that Romo still has years left.

I hear you, but with Romo's contract set up, it really comes down to these next two seasons. I am in no way running Romo out of Dallas if productive, and he regains to form (saw some signs 2nd half). Agreed that a first round QB with the accurate pedigree would be much wiser than the cheap route taken displayed after Aikman (cap hell and mid second round investment-the baseball QBs). The first round QB would sit next season (at the most) if one is taken and Romo proves to regain to form. Romo would be 35-36 about that time.

I guess I would rather us over invest this time around seeing as first round QB contracts are nowhere near what they use to be. It wouldn't hurt (well may hurt the D a tad) to have our bases covered. Cousins has been a starting QB in this league for 3 seasons but has managed to sit the pine ( i know he was a 3rd rounder but similar situations involving the investment to the front QB).

 

[gimmesix]

I hear you, but with Romo's contract set up, it really comes down to these next two seasons. I am in no way running Romo out of Dallas if productive, and he regains to form (saw some signs 2nd half). Agreed that a first round QB with the accurate pedigree would be much wiser than the cheap route taken displayed after Aikman (cap hell and mid second round investment-the baseball QBs). The first round QB would sit next season (at the most) if one is taken and Romo proves to regain to form. Romo would be 35-36 about that time.

I guess I would rather us over invest this time around seeing as first round QB contracts are nowhere near what they use to be. It wouldn't hurt (well may hurt the D a tad) to have our bases covered. Cousins has been a starting QB in this league for 3 seasons but has managed to sit the pine ( i know he was a 3rd rounder but similar situations involving the investment to the front QB).

If we're going to develop one behind Romo, I'd prefer we seek one in the second at the earliest. If we're continuing to try to win with Romo at QB, I think that first-round pick is just too valuable to spend on a player who you plan to sit for a season.

Just look at what adding Martin has meant for our running game already this season. We forgo the possibility of that kind of impact by drafting a player in that round who is not expected to contribute. In fact, I think we do the same in the second ... which is why I'd rather see us just wait until Romo's done and go after the first-rounder then who will step in immediately. If we have the line and running game going, and have at least added a few more components on defense, it will make it a lot easier on the first-rounder to jump into the mix immediately than it was for Aikman back in 1989. ... So I guess I'm for building the rest to give Romo his best shot and then have a good structure around the new guy when it's time to bring one in.

 

[BigStar]

If we're going to develop one behind Romo, I'd prefer we seek one in the second at the earliest. If we're continuing to try to win with Romo at QB, I think that first-round pick is just too valuable to spend on a player who you plan to sit for a season.

Just look at what adding Martin has meant for our running game already this season. We forgo the possibility of that kind of impact by drafting a player in that round who is not expected to contribute. In fact, I think we do the same in the second ... which is why I'd rather see us just wait until Romo's done and go after the first-rounder then who will step in immediately. If we have the line and running game going, and have at least added a few more components on defense, it will make it a lot easier on the first-rounder to jump into the mix immediately than it was for Aikman back in 1989. ... So I guess I'm for building the rest to give Romo his best shot and then have a good structure around the new guy when it's time to bring one in.

That's fair, and we are arguing the same point, albeit a tad differently. I would be okay with the investment if Romo doesn't regain to form (1st ) but not so much if he is still a top 10 QB, etc. I wouldn't throw things @ the TV if we took a QB in the first, but would rather reload if Romo proves capable and take one in the 2nd-3rd to start developing, etc. Like you said initially, it really comes down to how productive Romo turns out to be this season and whether he is displaying true signs of decline, or just mentally/physically coming back from the surgery. The 2nd half against TEN is encouraging towards the latter scenario, and hope it continues onto STL.