Weekly Roundup: Titans at Cowboys

Welcome to another edition of the Weekly Roundup. This week I had the opportunity to speak with Jimmy from Music City Miracles the top rated Tennessee Titans blog, and discuss this week’s game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tennessee Titans.

We exchanged five questions with each other, and below you will find what Music City Miracles had to say in response to our questions. Then switch over there to see what we had to say to their questions.

(1) In the Off Season the Titans were not able to retain the services of Albert (I like to stomp on peoples heads) Haynesworth. How will his departure change the dynamics of the team and more so the defense in particular?

It won’t change things as much as people think. The Titans were already heavily using a rotation at the defensive tackle spot and will continue to do so. They obviously do not have a guy as talented as Haynesworth in that rotation, and you could argue that no one else in the NFL does either, but they think they can replace the production with the guys they have.

(2) I have never really “gotten up” for a Pre Season game, but many Cowboy followers including myself believe that this game means a ton as far as the development of the team. What is the overall feel of the Titan fanbase towards this game?

It is a preseason game. The Vince Young people are hoping he gets some time with the first team, but other than that it will just be another preseason game.

(3) I keep hearing that the Titans want Vince Young to become a better passer and not rely on his legs so much, but then when he gets in to play the plays selected for him seem to be primarily boot legs, and option plays, do the Titans have a plan for him? Or are they simply going through the motions until they can release him?

The plays called for him are not primarily boot legs and option plays. Do they run more of that stuff with him than Collins? Sure, but there is an obvious reason for that.I can assure they are not just going through the motions until they release him. They honestly feel that they have a team capable of winning the Super Bowl, and they are one injury to a 36 year old quarterback away from counting on VY. It would be dumb to give up on him considering how small the window is for winning a championship in this league.

(4) Who are some of the Titans that Cowboy fans should keep an eye on in this game?

The Titans have a very talented rookie class that is headlined by first round wide receiver Kenny Britt, third round tight end Jared Cook, and fifth round running back Javon Ringer. All 3 of those guys have made big plays in camp and games so far.

(5) Last year the Cowboys were given a ticket to the Super Bowl before the season ever started and we all know how that worked out! The Titans however were somewhat of a surprise. Can the Titans pick up where they left off last year to make another push for the trophy? And if they can what aspect of their game is going to allow them to do so?

I honestly believe they can. Jeff Fisher knows what it takes to get these guys back to the level they played at last season.

I also believe the offense will be a lot more potent this season with the editions of Nate Washington, Britt, Cook and a drastically slimmed down LenDale White. This should be more than enough to compensate for the loss of Albert.

Bonus: All of us here at Dallas Cowboys Nation would like to send our thoughts and prayers to the McNair family and the Tennessee Titans and all of their fans for the loss of Steve McNair.

Once again a big thank you to Jimmy and the guys over at Music City Miracles, and be sure you all head over there to see our answers and leave them some good natured comments, and keep it clean folks!

The Glass Half-Full Perspective – Cowboys Vs Raiders

This response to the Cowboy’s vs. Raider’s game is a little late because my son was sick the Friday following the game up until Monday of this week. Better late than never…

Call it ESP(N),but I had a premonition about Thursday night, as noted a few articles down in” Expect the worse when the Cowboy’s meet the Raider’s tonight.” I prepared myself for the worse in view of one concept that I think tend’s to be overlooked by the average fan: An offensive or defensive unit is only as strong as it’s weakest member. If you consider the “youth movement” that has absorbed the majority of the attention concerning the Cowboy’s, there are quite a few player’s out there still learning their positions, which mean’s regardless of how fast they can run the 40, their mental speed is still going to be relatively slow.

Here are just a few quick observation’s from the glass half-full perspective:

1: In an effort to keep this team healthy, Wade has prohibited tackling throughout training camp. Therefore, missed tackles are going to happen at this stage in the process.

2: Newman, Jenkins and Hawkins were all hurt, which represent the 1st, 2nd/3rd, and 4th Corner’s on the depth chart. Hawkins was recently cut, so the Cowboy’s are placing quite a bit of faith in Mickens and Brown to turn the corner, so-to-speak.

3: Should a 2nd teamer be forced into action in the regular season, he’ll be surrounded by 1st teamer’s, not more 2nd teamer’s. That’s a huge difference to consider.

4: If anything, the Raider’s are fast. Al Davis covet’s speed over all attributes a player can have. Judging angles on a team filled with speedster is not typically an ability younger defensive player’s playing in a new position are going to do well at this point.

5: I’d prefer my rookies to be overly-aggressive in the preseason than invisible. Victor Butler, despite his many instances of over-pursuit, still looked decent for a player in a stand up role vs. his three-down technique in college.

6: Play calling is generally extremely vanilla during the pre-season. I’m sure many of you may have noticed the running game being relied on quite a bit, especially in the closing minutes of the game. If anything, that should have served as a reminder that the coaching staff was not trying to win the game.

7: How about that starting unit? Granted, the first series wasn’t pretty for either unit, defense or offense. But the offense made up for it with their second chance, moving down the field, Romo getting the ball into the hand’s of a variety of different weapons to score and take the lead. Despite a few debilitating penalties, the starting defensive unit was able to limit the Raider’s to a field goal, and that being very short-handed in the secondary. As previously stated, it’s too early to judge the second and third unit’s considering the youth; but if they are still a turnstile come the fourth game of preseason, concerns will be warranted.

Cowboys at Raiders Highlights

Just a little video recap of last nights game – there were some good things happening at the start, which is good to see. Now we just need some more of it.

Bryan’s Brain: Hell Yea I’m Ready for Some Football!

Hey guys just wanna give you something tasteful to read as you enjoy the beginning of football season. The media keeps saying don’t expect to see much but you know what it’s football so SCREW YOU MEDIA. Just knowing my boys are on the field, that’s enough to me, so take your 6 figure salaries and SHOVE THEM! Now here are the things on my mind.

- Michael Vick just signed a 2 year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles… If you’re worried about this, you’re crazy. Expect it to take some serious time to pick up the game speed and knowledge as well as the mechanics. Just another issue to add to the demise of the injured birds.

- I was listening to 105.3 the fan the other day and they were discussing the toughest guy on the field. Most of the consensus said Jay Ratliff or Marc Columbo…we’ll you oversized loving radio hosts who have a better job then I do, I think your wrong! You want to know who the toughest guy on the Cowboys is? I’ll give you 2 Joe Decamillis or Jason Witten.

- Lastly, I just want you guys to know my take on the wide receiver situation. If Sam Hurd doesn’t get a fair chance to be the 2 receiver then something is wrong. He has shown speed and ability, making fantastic catch after fantastic catch. More often then not he’s out performing Austin and Crayton. Be fair Coach…Be fair!

That’s a look into my brain tonight, game night, and lets do one last thing….everyone take a deep breath, pray to god, that no one gets freaking injured tonight!

Expect The Worst When The Cowboy’s Meet The Raiders Tonight

I know, I know, I know. You are probably hoping this game will be the cold smooth tasting beer that chases that bitter cold shot that was 44 to 6 at the hands of the Eagles out of your mouth. But the truth is, especially if Tuesday’s practice was any indication, tonight very well may get ugly. But for all of you who felt that Wade was soft in past camps, that aforementioned ugly is largely the result of him listening to your pleas for more intensity. These guy’s are tired. They are sore. The rookies brains likely feel as though they are going to explode. Chances are this will be a game filled with mental errors, misreads, bad timing, and poor execution. Now, I’m not certain on that point, but it would be a mistake to expect otherwise.

But just because it’s probably going to be ugly, doesn’t mean there won’t be anything worthy of watching. Rather than looking for a great team effort, look for great individual efforts. That’s what Wade will be looking for. Watch for those guy’s who realize their chances to shine are limited and give this game everything they got, regardless of how little the win actually means. Watch for those guys competing for the last spot of their perspective position. There are more battles in this camp than there has been in a long time with the Cowboy’s which should generate some fervency from specific players and yield some pretty good results of players who, at least, reach benchwarmer status. Which is exactly what the Cowboy’s organization had in mind when they forgoed the temptation to trade up for specific players and actually drafted 12 rookies.

My main concern for tonight is the over-reaction we are likely to see tomorrow if thing’s don’t happen the way we need them to in the regular season. Don’t be an idiot and lament the miscues of Romo and Roy Williams. The fact that Roy will likely be shadowed by the highest paid CB in the business, Nnamdi Asomugha, may contribute to their lack of connections. Don’t crucify the rookie LB’s who all are converting from different positions played in college. Take it easy on the rookie QB who spent the vast majority of his career handing the ball off. And let’s definitely not jump off the nearest bridge, should DeCamallis Dallas Cowboy’s debut as special team’s coach, fall flat because rookies bite on the temptation to move out of their lanes to go directly after the returning ball carrier.

This football team is a work in progress. You wouldn’t judge an artist by a painting 1/4 of the way finished. You wouldn’t judge an author by a book’s rough draft. You wouldn’t judge a president by his first year in office. So, please, don’t judge these Cowboy’s by their first game in preseason.

Preseason Week 1 Preview: Cowboys at Raiders

dcnlogo The 2009 NFL season is just around the corner now. We’re four games away from the first regular season game – but that doesn’t mean we don’t still have some football to look at this month. The Titans and Bill got the preseason started and in a pleasing way I might add, but the Dallas Cowboys start this Thursday night against Oakland, in Oakland.

Millions are watching to see what the Cowboys are going to do this season. Not only because Terrell Owens was cut, not only because of how badly they lost to the Eagles in the 2008 regular season finale, and not only because our injury prone team is seeming just that, injury prone – and it’s still before their first preseason game.

Training camp injuries for us are like pads and helmets – don’t step on the field without ‘em. That’s how it’s been going since Felix Jones first went down last year, and he wasn’t even the first injury of the year. Terence Newman was the first last year, and he was either first or a damn close second this year too, with Mike Jenkins possibly edging him out on that one. Their injuries aren’t supposed to be serious, but our DB core will be missing both of its starting corners for this weeks game and why shouldn’t they sit out? After last year, I don’t think there is a man in this organization that doesn’t think long and hard about playing a hurt guy.

But there’s still so much more to it – the first preseason game – so I’ve got my fellow fans here to help me break it all down for you, one unit at a time. First up?

Continue reading →

Weekly Roundup: Cowboys vs Raiders

raiders The Dallas Cowboys are soon headed to start their preseason against the Raiders, and to get us ready for the first game of 2009, we’ve put together a quick Q&A with Silver and Black Forever. It’s what we like to call our Weekly Roundup!

Silver and Black Forever also sent some questions to us about the Cowboys – you can view our answers to their questions by going to Dallas vs. Oakland.

1. Do you have a preseason prediction on how the Raiders season will end up?

My general sense is that the Raiders will improve upon last seasons’ 5 win total and field a much more competitive team overall than in 2008. Although the Raiders have a very difficult schedule facing off against such playoff caliber teams like the Chargers, Steelers, Ravens, Eagles, Cowboys, and Giants, I predict the Raiders will end the season at 8-8, 2nd place in the AFC West, and out of the playoffs.

I am hopeful that the Raiders win more than 8 games this year but the core players on offense are still in the developmental stage of their careers and Head Coach Cable is still trying to gain traction. The difference between a small incremental gain in victories and a big leap will be the improvement of JaMarcus Russell, the run defense, and passing attack.

2. Is it true that Al Davis sleeps in a casket?

Very funny Cowboy Nation! No, it is categorically false although Davis is known for being a late night person or nocturnal owl.

3. What happened to Darren McFadden? Is he just struggling with the NFL game, or did we really get the best running back from Arkansas last year?

Unfortunately Darren McFadden suffered a severe turf toe injury in the 2nd game of last season vs. KC and was never completely 100% healthy or able to get into a rhythm for the vast majority of the season. My projections for McFadden this year are 1,800 yards total from scrimmage (run + reception yardage) and 10 TDs. And no, you didn’t get the best RB from Arkansas last year. McFadden is on the cusp of super stardom.

4. Darrius Heyward-Bey? Really??? What the heck happened there?

The Raiders drafted the best available WR that fit their system. As you probably know, the Raiders put a premium on speed and the ability to stretch the field with the vertical offense. DHB was the fastest player at the combine and came from a pro style offense at Maryland. WRs that came from a spread offense like (Crabtree or Maclin or Harvin) were not looked upon as a good fit for the Raiders offense. My personal preference for our #7 pick would have been LT Monroe or DT Raji.

5. Do Raiders fans have something to look forward too this year, or is this season going to be a struggle?

I’m quite certain that this season will have it’s peaks and valleys. The Raider fans have a lot to look forward to in 2009. There is a sense in Raider Nation that Tom Cable is the right guy, at the right time to work in harmony with Al Davis. Stability at Head Coach and a core of very exciting, talented young players such as Russell, McFadden, Bush, Schillens beings hope. In addition, the way that the Raiders concluded their 2008 campaign on a positive note with wins vs. Houston and Tampa Bay showed the promise of a better future.

We want to extend our thanks to Silver and Black Forever for participating in this week’s edition of Weekly Roundup, and wish them luck as they face off against a much better team!