Dallas Cowboys Nation

Monthly Archives: October 2009

Game Recap: Dallas Cowboys Defeat Kansas City Chiefs

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It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t flashy. It surely wasn’t what we expected, but the Cowboys pulled off the win against the winless Kansas City Chiefs. The game looked like it was getting out of hand as the Cowboys fell early 10-0 to the Chiefs, who only had 8 yards of offense at that time. It would take a Second half for the Cowboys to take off.

As the kickoff boomed, the Cowboys seemed to be a different team. The defense was stout, and the offense finally got something rolling. The Chiefs were able to keep up though, tying it up with 20 seconds left on the clock. In overtime, it was the impressive Miles Austin that took the ball 60 yards for the game winning TD.

Impressive Headlines:

1) Jay Ratliff’s Blocks field goal to keep the game tied up.

2) Tashard Choice runs 36 yards for a TD, sparks the running game.

3) Miles Austin’s 2 TD grabs for distances of 59 and 60 yards insures Dallas win.

4) DeMarcus Ware registers 2 sacks.

5) Tony Romo, silences critics with a QB passer rating of 113 throwing for 351 yards and 2 td’s.

6) Defense continues to get better, a sign of good things to come.


Needs some work:

1) Penalties- The Cowboys had 13 penalties for 90 yards.

2) Fourth Quarter Defense- This is the second time that the Cowboys let a team drive at the end of the game to take control

3) Getting the passing game more then 1 dimensional- We need to work on getting everyone involved and not being predictable.


Game Ball:

1) Miles Austin- Miles set a franchise record with 10 receptions for 250 yards and 2 TD’s

2) Tony Romo- A great performance after a week of scrutinty.

3) Demarcus Ware- 2 sacks… Finally


Heating Up:

These players are beginning to heat up on the field

1) Anthony Spencer- Spencer looked great today, pressuring the quarterback and being involved on plays.

2) Keith Brooking- The mans been a monster since coming over via Free Agency.

3) Tashard Choice- He’s becoming a home run threat.

4) Jay Ratliff- He’s having another Pro Bowl Caliber season

5) DeMarcus Ware- His 2 sacks today, quite possibly mean he’s figured it out again.


Final Word:

I guess I expected this game to be a bit of a blow out. However, I wont complain with the result, a win is a win. The Cowboys made more mistakes then a team who expects to win, should. The Bye week is here and there is much to be worked on, but a win gives confidence to a team that needs it with Atlanta coming to town.


Dallas Cowboys Nation: Weekly Picks

Hey guys, we’re back again with our staff picks. Every week we try and make picks and have a friendly competition among that staff. Though we missed last week, due to some unforeseen circumstances, we’re back with some solid picks this week.

The Games we will pick from are as follows:

Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens

Atlanta Falcons @ San Fransisco 49ers

New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos

Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans

Bonus: Which of the following teams currently undefeated will be handed their first loss in week 5?

Giants, Vikings, Broncos, Colts


…And now the picks!


Bryson (11-4)

Ravens

49ers

Patriots

Colts

Bonus: Broncos


Jonathan (13-2)

Ravens

49ers

Patriots

Colts

Bonus: Broncos


Bryan (14-1)

Ravens

49ers

Patriots

Titans

Bonus: Broncos


Phillip (14-1)

Ravens

Falcons

Patriots

Titans

Bonus: Broncos


Dallas Cowboys @ Kansas City Chiefs: Key to the Game

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Sunday is the day… Refocusing starts here, Silencing starts here, Revenge Starts here. After 4 weeks of uninterrupted criticism, the Cowboys begin their new season today. At 2-2, all is not lost, but could be with a loss this week. Romo could find himself in a downward spiral of unending controversy, Coach Phillips could find himself facing the most intense heat in his life, and Jason Garrett could see all his highly regarded knowledge be thrown in the trash with his future. That being said I think they will win this game, and avoid those scary headlines.

The Kansas City Chiefs have the wonderful opportunity to take their winless record and put it up against a team that is, well… pissed off. Romo needs to show that he can still control the game with his improv style, while still implementing a dominating running game. The Chiefs allow 256 passing yards a game and 128.5 rushing yards a game. Those numbers are pretty close to the Cowboys but the big one is that they allow 28 points a game. With Larry Johnson only averaging 2.6 yard a carry, the Cowboys defense, who have been re-energized as of late, will be able to focus on honing in shutting down this offenses passing attack.

The Cowboys will win as long as they focus on this weeks Keys To The Game:

1. Let Our Speed Receivers Loose- Brandon Flowers is a Solid cornerback, he has great recognition and great tackling ability but speed isn’t on his side. We need to take a few shots down field and let speed do some work for us this week.

2. Destroy the Cassel- Cassel hasn’t exactly been impressive, and the Chiefs have allowed 13 sacks this season. Expect our defense to produce and get Cassel off his rhythm.

3. Offensive Balance- Jason Garrett needs to call plays based on situation. If we’re up, run the ball. Figure out what’s working, analyze the defense, and all effective plays that helps Romo be the player that we know he can be.

4. Lock Down Receivers- Our DB’s have to be on pace here, shutting down Dwayne Bowe and Mark Bradley. A pick or two would be wonderful.

5. Don’t Let Johnson Get Rolling- Larry Johnson has been kind of a disappointment, his offensive production hasn’t be spectacular on any account. However, he has ability and we need to keep an eye on him.

Overall I see the Cowboys finishing this one with ease. We’ll head into the Bye week with a win, and a good chance to refocus and prepare for Atlanta at home.

Key Injuries:

Dallas:

Gerald Sensabaugh, Thumb- Out

Felix Jones, Knee- Doubtful

Roy Williams, Ribs- Doubtful

Marion Barber, Thigh- Probable

Kansas City:

Alex Magee, Illness- Probable

Wallace Gilberry, Head- Probable

Ikechuku Ndukwe, Shoulder- Probable


Prediction:

Dallas: 31 KC 10


Tired of Excusing The Inexcusable

Where do we go from here? As much as I want to sit here and say “people do not go into hysterics, this team will be there in the end” I simply cannot!

This team is in trouble! The type of trouble no one wants to be in, the type of trouble that could send this team spiraling out of control, like a speeding car on an icy road.

Our quarterback is trying to play in a way that is uncomfortable and unknown to him. Our coaching staff is so enamored with creating exotic plays that they think can cause other teams to play a style that they are uncomfortable with, that they have stopped trying to do the small things. The things that win championships!

The 2009 Dallas Cowboys are now officially in desperation mode, and it’s only the second week in October!

My associates here with this blog are doing there very best to try to keep everyone’s spirits up, and I am very appreciative of that!

The problem with trying to keep everyone from freaking out is that when we preach allegiance and “staying true to your fandom” we tend to block out what the truth is!

I do and always will Love the Dallas Cowboys, but I cannot sit quietly and not call this team out for failing to do the most elementary of football things. My disgust has nothing to do with winning and losing, but all to do with people simply not putting forth enough effort.

Effort is what will win and lose you football games! This effort thing that I am speaking of is something that this team is missing. To hell with T.O.! To hell with how many times Romo plays golf! To hell with “Roy Williams is not a #1”, To hell with Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett! To hell with “we just gotta keep working and getting better”!

None of those things mean anything! This team has gone thru hundreds “meetings” and “practices” with only a handful of players that actually “get it”! They are soft mentally and physically, and to be honest with you judging by the way they have played so far, I don’t think that bothers them!

Keep in mind now I am not calling one individual out, and I am not just referencing the players. I am talking about the entire staff! The saddest thing about all of this is that I really do like the people on this team.

The coaching staff here is a very intelligent staff, and very good people. The players on this team are some of the most gifted in the league. They simply have no guts!

I have tried my best to keep up with the “rah, rah, go team” stuff, but enough is enough! It is time to call it like I see it!

Jason Garrett continues to refuse to work the middle of the field while having not one, but two very big, athletic tight ends (oh by the way one of them is the best this team has ever had), no instead he decides to use one of them as nothing more than a decoy! He has as sure handed a receiver as you can find in the NFL in Roy Williams, yet cannot seem to understand the concept of the slant route (come on Jason how many times did you sit on the sidelines and watch Troy and Mike hook up on this route?). Hey Jason here is a novel idea, how about you get some receivers in motion to maybe help them create some space? How about you try and help Romo a little bit and play to his strength’s? You know maybe an occasional roll out! No your too f*@# hard headed to do that!

Wade Phillips while I commend you for trying to become what this football team needs in its leader, you just simply cannot do it! Maybe it’s time to meet with Jerry and make it known that you would be willing to step down and become solely the Def. Coordinator?

Notice to all players if your name does not appear on the list I am about to give, then I am talking to you!

Demarcus Ware, Jay Ratliff, Keith Brooking, Marion Barber, Tashard Choice, Jason Witten, Felix Jones. Tony Romo you will have your own section!


Are you guys tired of hearing the media and fans rip you guys to shreds every week? I am sure you are! Well I have a sure fire way for you to rid yourselves of all of that negative press, if you are interested in hearing it.

This is a very simple and elementary idea. Play the game like it is your last! For many of you this game of football is all you know, and you are smart enough to know that you cannot play forever. So why not go out there each and everyday and play the game like you will never get to suit up again?

The fault does not lay with your ability, it really doesn’t! The problem is with your will! You guys have lost that thing that got you to the “league”. All of you guys in college had a desire to become a professional, and now that you are one you have stopped playing with that killer instinct that got you there! Why? Is it the money? Have you all made so much money now that you are content to just ride it out? Or have you just lost the “want to”?

I and many of your fans have become so accustomed to you playing half heartedly that you no longer have to make excuses for your poor play, we make them for you! I am sick of it! YOU and only YOU are responsible for the effort that you put forth each Sunday, and the one you have been giving SUX!

Tony, Tony, Tony, I can understand the predicament you are in, I really can. We the fans have beat you over the head with wanting you to be more like Troy, that now you do not even know how to be you. Tie that in with Jason Garrett calling the plays and you are in a losing situation.

However you are in control of your destiny, not the coaches and certainly not the fans! My father told me many, many years ago, “Son be yourself and to hell with anyone who does not like who you are”! That stands true with the way you play football too. You were a very confident football player, so confident in your ability that you were willing to take a chance! Now you do not have enough confidence in yourself to find your way to the lunch room? It is gut check time Tony, time for you to step and take control of the situation or fall back to obscurity, the decision is yours.

My allegiance to this team has not wavered, but my patience is wearing thin with the group that is here.

While I still have high hopes for this team, those hopes and dreams are becoming cloudier by the second. Now if only someone would hear me and start the recovery process!



Fearless Predictions: Why The Cowboys Make the Postseason

Alright, 24 hours have elapsed and I can finally start getting over what happened at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium last night. I already know where this is going, the Cowboys lost, the world must deeply overreact, judge Tony Romo, and try and understand why our defense is the worst defense to ever play football. While this is happening the world is also forgetting it’s only week 4 and the Cowboys are 2-2… The last time the Dallas Cowboys went 2-2? 2006, where they made the playoffs .

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Now listen to me I’m not saying the Cowboys will definitely make the playoffs, they have to work on a few things:

1) Offensive Line Play- We have one of the largest most talented offensive lines in the league. They need to start playing like it, 5 sacks isn’t acceptable.

2) Gunslinging- Tony Romo will make mistakes! Period. Why not let him do it while being the playmaker he is.

3) Offensive Play Calls- Jason Garrett needs to learn a few things still about when to run and pass, it just seems like his play calls are unmethodical.

4) Defensive Dominance- Our defense has been playing well, but they need more big plays, so many big plays that teams are afraid of them. Only then will we be a feared team in the league.

Now that we’ve established what needs to be solidified. I feel confident that I have a solid feel on how the Cowboys are playing and responding to certain situations. So where will they be come January? Lets take a further look…

Week 5 @ KC- There is no way the Cowboys lose to an unimpressive Chiefs team.

Prediction: DAL 31 KC 10

Week 7- BYE

Week 8 Home against Atlanta- This will be a tough game, but the extra preperation time pays off.

Prediction: Dallas 24 ATL 17

Week 9 @ PHI- This is a tough game, and it looks like the Cowboys are gonna battle the Eagles to the bitter end..

Prediction: DAL 17 PHI 20

WEEK 10 @ GB- This is a potential wildcard grabber. I don’t worry about Green Bay, the Cowboys Run to 6-3.

Prediction: DAL 27 GB 21

Week 11 Home against WAS- A tough one but the Cowboys sweep the Redskins.

Prediction DAL 34 WAS 17

Week 12 Home against OAK- Thanksgiving… Need I say More?

Prediction: DAL 31 Oak 10

Week 13 @ NYG- Sorry Guys but we don’t split with New York, another disappointed loss and we’re 8-4.

Prediction: DAL 24 NYG 27

Week 14 @ SD- This game is a tough one, but by now the Cowboys are rolling and the Wildcard is to close to let go. Give us the WinR-1

Prediction: DAL 24 SD 14

Week 15 @ NO- Drew Brees…

Prediction- DAL 20 New Orleans 31

Week 16 @ WAS- Sweep Complete, and they need it. If the Cowboys don’t clinch this week, it’s up to home against PHI again.

Prediction: DAL 35 WAS 24

Week 17 Home against PHI- Cowboys avenge last season, pushing the heavily favored Eagles to 3rd in the NFC East.

Prediction: DAL 37 PHI 16

Now incase you lost count that gives the Cowboys a realistic 11-5 record. The Early bye week gives the Cowboys a chance to regroup and refocus, which pays dividends in the end.

Final Word-The Blame Game

Again for my weekly destruction of over critical fans. Last weeks loss was not Tony Romo’s… No ands, if’s or buts about it. It was a team loss. Communication, Football Knowledge, and Blown Assignments are the factor of that loss. There are 13 more weeks left, and if you want the Cowboys to do well, you better rally behind them. Many of you will bash my predictions, yet they are all generated the same way experts do. You know why you’ll bash them? Because you don’t believe. So get up, shut up, and Support your team. That means you Derek Eagleton!


Dallas Cowboys @ Denver Bronco’s: Keys To The Game

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A Joke? A Pretender? That’s what about half of the experts have said about the Denver Bronco’s. Well the Cowboys are about to find out for sure. In Denver’s first actual test throughout the season, they meet a Dallas Cowboys team that faces the same media analysis as they do. This game has the makings of an epic battle, and I believe we’ll see one.

The Cowboys travel to Denver to meet an offense ranked 14th in the league. Offering a potent running game headed up by Correll Buckhalter and Knowshon Moreno, and a passing attack that offers one of the best receivers in the league. Their defense is even better, the Cowboys will be reunited with Brian Dawkins, Elvis Dumervil, and Champ Bailey who will all be looking to turn this game into an onslaught.

The Cowboys bring their NFL best rushing attack against an NFL defense that is ranked 1st in points allowed and 7th in rushing yards per game (78.3). However, the Cowboys can gameplan for this attack, and this is how they should do it:

1) Rattle Orton- Kyle Orton isn’t actually Mr. Perfect. He isn’t accurate and he isn’t strong. If the Cowboy’s rush can knock him down and sack him a couple times early, he’ll be throwing more quickly to avoid DeMarcus and Company, which equals poor throws.

2) Contain The Middle Of The Field Defensively- Brandon Marshall is a strong receiver who loves the middle of the field. We need to stop him from getting there and making big plays and first downs.

3) Cover The Slot- Brandon Stokley has had a pretty good season thus far, and is becoming a common target for Orton. It’ll be up to Scandrick and the Linebackers to make sure he doesn’t break out.

4) Protect Romo- Elvis Dumervil will be coming after Romo all day, which means Flo needs to have his A game. Romo will need the time to transform into the field general he was last week against Carolina.

5) Run! Run! Run!- The Cowboys need to embrace their new philosophy. The running game should prove effective, and the more we do it the better it will be. Consistent runs set up for Play Action which Romo is incredible at. If we can establish the run game, expect the air attack to open up perfectly.

Injury Watch:

Dallas

Curtis Johnson, Hamstring- Out

Felix Jones, Knee- Out

Flozell Adams, Shoulder- Probable

Marion Barber, Thigh- Probable

DeMarcus Ware, Neck- Probable

Jason Williams, Ankle- Probable

Denver

Spener Larsen, Shoulder- Out

Ben Hamilton, Hamstring- Doubtful

Alphoso Smith, Ankle- Doubtful

Ryan Harris, Shoulder- Questionable

Brandon Stokley, Thigh- Questionable

Peyton Hillis, Head- Probable

Kenny McKinley, Illness- Probable


Prediction:

This game will be tough. It should stay close but I expect the Cowboys to prevail in the second half.

Dallas 31 Denver 17


A Tale of Two Teams

Forgive the blatant clichéd to death Charles Dickens rip off, but honestly I don’t think there is a play on words that I’ve heard that better describes the Cowboys of the last 3 years.  I touched on this briefly in my last contribution; thus far in 3 games, we have seen every aspect of the Cowboys wow us, be it the running game, the passing game, special teams, rush defense, pass defense, etc.  But, we have not seen it all happen at the same time!  The one scenario that I did not cover, though, was when the Cowboys do all show up at the same time, only not for the entire game.  To be more specific, the Cowboys in the 1st half compared to the 2nd half were two different teams against the Panthers Monday night.  It happened last year against the Bengal’s, only the Cowboys fired on all cylinders in the first half, but seem to become content with their lead in the 2nd.  The point is, yes, I’m happy the Cowboys were able to pull their collective heads out of their butt and win (I even told those who would listen in my close proximity at the bar I was at that the Cowboys were going to come back), but as a fan who would like to see this team go to the Super Bowl, I was not impressed. 

Granted, the Eagles were playing the Chiefs, but they won that game the way a good team wins – convincingly (and that with their back-up QB and rookie RB).  The Giants against the Bucs:  Is there any question who got dominated in that game?

And yet, the Cowboys in every game have made the game look closer than what it should be.  I walked away from week 1 thinking watch out for those Bucs.  Three games down and I’m not so sure.  I walked away from week 2 thinking, well, at least, the Giants didn’t blow us out; there something there to build on and improve upon.  And then coming into week 3 I heard a familiar statement that I hadn’t heard since 2008:  “The Cowboy’s have a nasty habit of playing to the talent level of their opponent,” and it really hit me hard, because this was shortly after my last contribution.  It all makes sense now.  The question left is, who is at fault? 

Honestly, I’m leaning towards Wade Phillips.  There is another cliché that often is used in regards to the Cowboys:  A team takes on the personality of their coach!  Now let’s imagine Wade gets in a fight and let’s say he is actually winning.  Which of the following sounds more like Wade’s approach in finishing off his opponent:  He keep’s swinging until someone pulls him off or he knocks the guy down, but then being the nice guy that he is, reaches down to help him up, dusting off his pants and hoping that his adversary has had enough? 

Now let’s look at a few teams that have had success over the last few years and apply that same question to their coach:

Steelers – Mike Tomlin – He keeps swinging

Patriots – Bill Belichick – He keeps swinging

Eagles – Andy Reid – He keeps swinging

Giants – Tom Coughlin – He may have to stop to take his heart medication, but by God, he’ll keep swinging.

This is not a criticism of the players coach.  The players coach can have success; there have been plenty in the history of football.  In fact, watching the chemistry that Mike Tomlin has with his players, I’d describe him as a players coach.  This is about identity and it is a universal concept that extends beyond the borders of football. 

As an adolescent growing up, if you wanted a reputation that you were not to be messed with, it wasn’t enough to throw the punch that ended the fight; there will always be another who will take a chance at the title.  You had to end it and make who ever tested you regret it and it had be done in such a manner that sent a message to any other potential contenders, hospital stay being the ultimate statement. 

In life, it is no longer good enough to do your job.  There are too many people out there without a job who are over qualified to do your job and yet are willing to do it for the lack of anything better.  No, you have to keep swinging until you make your self irreplaceable.

In your marriage, it is not nearly good enough to say you love your spouse; you have to show through action that you love them.  The same principle applies to your children and family.

I hate this, because I want to like Wade and, furthermore, I want to believe that 2009 could still be the Cowboys year to go to the Super Bowl.  But unless this team finds someone different within the organization to emulate, I have my doubts.