Well, looking back on it I guess it is only fair to note that I was not only wrong about the outcome of the Dallas/NE game; but I was a little off on the score and the fact that I thought it would be a high scoring affair.
(But, I was dead-on about the pressure that the defense would put on Brady and the pick that Sean Lee would have as a result)
Through 5 games the Boys are 2-3 (very well could be 5-0, but you are what your record says you are) and they sit alone in third place in the NFC East. While in third place in their respective division, they are the only team who is undefeated in their division. In addition, before the season I went through and predicted their overall record choosing which games they will win and which games they will fall short. At this point in the season they are exactly where I thought they would be losing the games I expected them to lose.
Panic? Now? NO WAY!
In my best estimation they are sitting pretty heading into the second quarter of the season on thier way to a 10-6 record while making the playoffs.
Lest we forget, they had a shortened offseason and it will only take some time to "gel" as a result. This week should be a sure fire win over a Rams squad at home without Sam Bradford. Heck, put Sam Bradford in the game and they should still win by 2 TD's.
The Cowboys will get it together. The season is 16 games long and what matters is hitting your stride at the right time. My hope is that they are able to recognize the flaws/weaknesses in the team early and get hott at just the perfect moment.
As a case in point; look at the Packers last year. They had a bad five game stretch in the first half of the year where they committed 11 turnovers in those five games while going 2-3 over that stretch. In the second half of the year they had another 5 game stint where they turned the ball over 7 times during that period and went 2-3 again.
All the teams go through it. The Packers learned from it; why cant the Cowboys do the same and become a better team because of it?
I have them beating the Rams in week 7, losing to the Eagles on the road in week 8, and then going on a 6-7 game win streak.
Its important that Jason Garrett let his quarterback play. He is human. So am I. So are you. We all make mistakes and the trick is to delicately balance the good with the bad. Romo has single handedly lost a game this year (i.e. the Jets in week 1), but he has also single handedly won while not at 100% (i.e. the 49ers in week 2). You gotta ride #9 all the way into the sunset. He is the franchise QB. There is nobody better on the roster and without Romo the team has ZERO chance of making the playoffs.
This team has the weapons on offense but unfortunately that is where the issues lie. They have to get the ball in the end zone and score touchdowns if they want to beat the good teams in the NFL. Field goals wont cut it. Jason Garrett has to let his offense "loose" and believe in them the way I believe in them. With Felix Jones gone for a few weeks hopefully rookie DeMarco Murray can step up to help get the ground game going.
The defense seems to be healthy again and in fine shape right now and if we can get the offense on track we should be sitting pretty.
Be patient with the Cowboys. Let them work things out. Believe in them and you will find yourself in the playoffs in a Conference where there is currently only one real team which is 6-0 and seems to be above the rest of the field.
I BELIEVE!
FIN
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
A True Underdog Story
So the Cowboys are heading to Foxboro this weekend as a 7 point underdog.
7 points? Really?!?!
We are talking about the worst defense in the league in New England facing one of the more fomidable offenses in the league in Dallas. Granted, the Pats have a spectacular offense as well headed up by the Dalai Lama himself, Tom Brady.
Lets consider the fact that the Cowboys finally have a healthy secondary, a healthy wide receiver corps, and a health-IER Tony Romo who has got to be angry and in a rather cantankerous mood after the roller coaster ride that was the first four games of the year.
Everybody talks about how the Patriots can score points, but the Cowboys can score points too against this swiss cheese defense. Besides, how can you not love the way the Boys defense matches up against the New England wideouts.
Noboby is big and gruesome like 'Megatron,' or the Vincent Jacksons and Andre Johnsons of the league. These are smaller wide receivers who are technically sound with terrific route running abilities, but the athletic secondary of Dallas should be able to contain those guys providing Ware can put some pressure on #12. Demarcus Ware & Co. will be reeking havoc in the backfield all day; while Sean Lee hides in the lurches waiting for the quick dumpoff only to pick off the presumably untouchable Brady.
If the Cowboys can limit turnovers and find a way to get the run going I think they can eek out a win on the road. I love the Boys coming off a bye and the schedule laid out before them after this week is more than favorable.
Its been a few years since the Cowboys were a team to be reckoned with and I feel strongly this is the week that starts the train rolling in a positive direction.
Since Miles Austin is healthy again and with Dez Bryant to compliment him on the other side - while Witten keeps the safeties honest - I really like thier ability to sling it all over the field.
Romo's stat line: 33-44 425yds. 4 TD's
Take the high-powered offense of the Cowboys plus their stingy #2 ranked defense and the sum is greater than the Brady-led offense of the Pats plus thier sapless, feeble, rickety, porous #32 ranked defense.
The total equals Cowboys 37 - Pats 31.
Write it down, take a picture, pass it around, and dont forget who told you.
FIN
7 points? Really?!?!
We are talking about the worst defense in the league in New England facing one of the more fomidable offenses in the league in Dallas. Granted, the Pats have a spectacular offense as well headed up by the Dalai Lama himself, Tom Brady.
Lets consider the fact that the Cowboys finally have a healthy secondary, a healthy wide receiver corps, and a health-IER Tony Romo who has got to be angry and in a rather cantankerous mood after the roller coaster ride that was the first four games of the year.
Everybody talks about how the Patriots can score points, but the Cowboys can score points too against this swiss cheese defense. Besides, how can you not love the way the Boys defense matches up against the New England wideouts.
Noboby is big and gruesome like 'Megatron,' or the Vincent Jacksons and Andre Johnsons of the league. These are smaller wide receivers who are technically sound with terrific route running abilities, but the athletic secondary of Dallas should be able to contain those guys providing Ware can put some pressure on #12. Demarcus Ware & Co. will be reeking havoc in the backfield all day; while Sean Lee hides in the lurches waiting for the quick dumpoff only to pick off the presumably untouchable Brady.
If the Cowboys can limit turnovers and find a way to get the run going I think they can eek out a win on the road. I love the Boys coming off a bye and the schedule laid out before them after this week is more than favorable.
Its been a few years since the Cowboys were a team to be reckoned with and I feel strongly this is the week that starts the train rolling in a positive direction.
Since Miles Austin is healthy again and with Dez Bryant to compliment him on the other side - while Witten keeps the safeties honest - I really like thier ability to sling it all over the field.
Romo's stat line: 33-44 425yds. 4 TD's
Take the high-powered offense of the Cowboys plus their stingy #2 ranked defense and the sum is greater than the Brady-led offense of the Pats plus thier sapless, feeble, rickety, porous #32 ranked defense.
The total equals Cowboys 37 - Pats 31.
Write it down, take a picture, pass it around, and dont forget who told you.
FIN
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
You Cant See the Forest For the Trees
At it again; eh, Romo sadists?
It's funny how you can completely berate and hurl brickbat at a guy after one week of football; quickly followed by saying what a tremendous leader and pacesetter he is for his football team the next two weeks, only to cut him down again in week 4.
Yes, in week 4 he threw two "pick 6's" after taking a commanding 24 point 3rd quarter lead and ended up with a total of 3 INT's for the game.
Those things are true. But, lets not lose sight of the forest through the trees.
The big picture is this: the Cowboys came out against the Lions and successfully threw on them. The running game seemed to be stifled right out of the gate, but the pass was working. At least for one half. Jason Garrett smelled blood at halftime and wanted to come out and put the final nail in the coffin instead of just running the ball up THREE scores and milking the clock against the formidable and very HOTT Detroit Lions.
I think the real issue is the fact that the Cowboys were unable to score a TD in the first quarter while sitting on the two yard line. Remember, they went for it on 4th and goal from the 1 yard line and came up short. If they are able to score that TD then we are not even having this conversation. Then nobody would be back sipping on the Haterade and throwing poor #9 to the wolves like everyone was so quick to do this week.
The Cowboys MUST run the ball better. You cant keep putting the ball in Romo's hands asking him to throw the ball to his receiver corps which consists of Kevin "the waterboy," Laurent "the towelboy," and Jesse "I won a TV game show to make it on an NFL roster." Dont forget he is standing behind an offensive line that consists of a center who doesnt know the difference between the sound of thier own QB's voice who is standing BEHIND you vs. the sound of the defensive tackle IN FRONT OF YOU on the opposing team.
Tony Romo has the All-Mighty-and-Powerful Jason Witten who is as consistent as the rain is wett; but beyond him, Dez Byrant is playing at 70% capacity and Miles Austin has hamstring issues of some sort. It seems as though his hammy is not doing well, but he hasnt tweeted the MRI so no one knows for sure.
So there you have it. He has a future Hall of Fame tight end and two more wideouts who are great when healthy, but the key here is: GREAT WHEN HEALTHY. The rest of his receiver corps might as well consist of Marcia Brady, Edward Scissorhands, and Charlie Brown. His offensive line is young, inexperienced, and seems to have much of the same deficincies of Helen Keller. Oh yeah, dont forget about his head coaches inability to call a play which will allow them to score from inside the 5 yard line.
When you are Tony Romo and you are surrounded by the Bad News Bears of professional football you are bound to stumble a bit out of the gate. The guy is a competitor, a fighter, and passionate leader. All traits you want in an NFL QB, but lest not forget what he has to work with.
If Picasso was given a canvas but no paint would he still be one of the best known figures in 20th century art? If Ward and June Cleaver never had "the Beav" would we have even had one of the best situational family comedies to come from mid-twentieth century? If Charlie Sheen didnt have liquor, coke, and a whole gaggle of whores would we even know what "winning" really meant?
Much like the aforementioned, Tony needs more help. He needs a running game. He needs an offensive line. He needs somebody healthy to throw the ball to who isnt some washed up dude selected fresh from the local gas station. And, most of all, he needs someone who can call the plays for him. Plays that put them in a postion to win. What he DOESNT need is another critic nor another arm-chair quarterback.
Tony only does what he is told, but the guys "up top" have to do a better job of putting him in a position to win. Give him the tools necessary to win. And turn him loose. Until then, he will continue to do the best he can with what he has and what he has aint much.
So, please! I emplore you. Take a step back and look at the whole picture. For you cant see the forest through all those trees and the ENTIRE blame cant fall on Romo's shoulders.
Its all about the TEAM.
FIN
It's funny how you can completely berate and hurl brickbat at a guy after one week of football; quickly followed by saying what a tremendous leader and pacesetter he is for his football team the next two weeks, only to cut him down again in week 4.
Yes, in week 4 he threw two "pick 6's" after taking a commanding 24 point 3rd quarter lead and ended up with a total of 3 INT's for the game.
Those things are true. But, lets not lose sight of the forest through the trees.
The big picture is this: the Cowboys came out against the Lions and successfully threw on them. The running game seemed to be stifled right out of the gate, but the pass was working. At least for one half. Jason Garrett smelled blood at halftime and wanted to come out and put the final nail in the coffin instead of just running the ball up THREE scores and milking the clock against the formidable and very HOTT Detroit Lions.
I think the real issue is the fact that the Cowboys were unable to score a TD in the first quarter while sitting on the two yard line. Remember, they went for it on 4th and goal from the 1 yard line and came up short. If they are able to score that TD then we are not even having this conversation. Then nobody would be back sipping on the Haterade and throwing poor #9 to the wolves like everyone was so quick to do this week.
The Cowboys MUST run the ball better. You cant keep putting the ball in Romo's hands asking him to throw the ball to his receiver corps which consists of Kevin "the waterboy," Laurent "the towelboy," and Jesse "I won a TV game show to make it on an NFL roster." Dont forget he is standing behind an offensive line that consists of a center who doesnt know the difference between the sound of thier own QB's voice who is standing BEHIND you vs. the sound of the defensive tackle IN FRONT OF YOU on the opposing team.
Tony Romo has the All-Mighty-and-Powerful Jason Witten who is as consistent as the rain is wett; but beyond him, Dez Byrant is playing at 70% capacity and Miles Austin has hamstring issues of some sort. It seems as though his hammy is not doing well, but he hasnt tweeted the MRI so no one knows for sure.
So there you have it. He has a future Hall of Fame tight end and two more wideouts who are great when healthy, but the key here is: GREAT WHEN HEALTHY. The rest of his receiver corps might as well consist of Marcia Brady, Edward Scissorhands, and Charlie Brown. His offensive line is young, inexperienced, and seems to have much of the same deficincies of Helen Keller. Oh yeah, dont forget about his head coaches inability to call a play which will allow them to score from inside the 5 yard line.
When you are Tony Romo and you are surrounded by the Bad News Bears of professional football you are bound to stumble a bit out of the gate. The guy is a competitor, a fighter, and passionate leader. All traits you want in an NFL QB, but lest not forget what he has to work with.
If Picasso was given a canvas but no paint would he still be one of the best known figures in 20th century art? If Ward and June Cleaver never had "the Beav" would we have even had one of the best situational family comedies to come from mid-twentieth century? If Charlie Sheen didnt have liquor, coke, and a whole gaggle of whores would we even know what "winning" really meant?
Much like the aforementioned, Tony needs more help. He needs a running game. He needs an offensive line. He needs somebody healthy to throw the ball to who isnt some washed up dude selected fresh from the local gas station. And, most of all, he needs someone who can call the plays for him. Plays that put them in a postion to win. What he DOESNT need is another critic nor another arm-chair quarterback.
Tony only does what he is told, but the guys "up top" have to do a better job of putting him in a position to win. Give him the tools necessary to win. And turn him loose. Until then, he will continue to do the best he can with what he has and what he has aint much.
So, please! I emplore you. Take a step back and look at the whole picture. For you cant see the forest through all those trees and the ENTIRE blame cant fall on Romo's shoulders.
Its all about the TEAM.
FIN
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