I'm going to step back from the Cowboys for a day to give a little credit to another Dallas team which does have heart, pride stomach for a fight. Last night, the Minnesota Timberwolves, with their 6-25 record, rolled into Dallas for what was supposed to be just a ho-hum win for the Mavs. I didn't even watch the game, to be honest, because I had a few other things going on and really felt sure that Dallas would win pretty easily.
Well, I got up this morning and read the recap of the game and was shocked at this headline: "Mavericks rally from 29 down to stun Timberwolves". In fact, it took me a second or two for that to sink in...the Mavs RALLY from 29 down to stun Timberwolves. So, Dallas actually was down 29 points to a team that had only won 6 of it's first 31 games? What in the world? And then, they overcame that 29 point deficit to win? Is that really correct? That is correct. It was the Mavs largest comeback in franchise history. And I missed it. Stink!
Dallas' coach (Rick Carlisle) was ejected in the 2nd quarter for arguing non calls and Dirk received a bloody nose in a foul by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Craig Smith. I bet the Mavs looked somewhat like the Cowboys in the first half of the game. However, the Mavs appear to have something the Cowboys do not...heart and fight. The Mavericks trailed by 29 points at 70-41 early in the third quarter but continued to fight and outscored the Timberwolves 66-30 the rest of the way. Dirk had 24 point, Howard had 23 and JET had 29 off the bench to lead all scorers incuding 5 of 9 from 3 pt range.
I can't believe I missed this game but that's what I get for thinking just an ordinary Tuesday night game in late December would be mundane. This is just the right time for the Mavs to get hit a soft patch in their schedule as on 2 games separate the #2 spot through the #8 spot in the West. So, if the Mavs continue to fight like they did last night, hopefully they can surge ahead and get up into the top 4 of the conference.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
What a Lousy Way to End a Season
Well, now that I've calmed down a bit from Sunday afternoon's collapse in Filthadelphia, I thought I would give my opinions on the game, the players and the leadership/coaching (or lack thereof). I'll probably break this up into two separate posts though discussing the game and the players in one and the coaching in the other.
At the beginning of the season, I (along with A LOT of others) really had high hopes and expectations for this team. They went 13-3 last year and lost a hard fought playoff game to the eventual Super Bowl Champs. The team was featured on Hard Knocks on HBO and after starting the season 3-0, I think just about everyone had the Cowboys penciled in as the NFC representative for the Super Bowl. But that's when things started to go down hill and they never really picked up from there. The culmination of the season was a drubbing at the hands of one of the more hated rivals. I really thought Dallas would play a typical NFC East game (hard hitting and not a ton of points scored) and would do just enough to get the win. But after getting their rear ends kicked, to the tune of 44-6, a lot of people (myself included) are wondering what will happen in the off season and if they can bounce back next season.
On Sunday though, the Cowboys came out emotionless and error-prone. The offense gave up 14 pts and 4 sacks while scoring only 6 pts. The defense gave up 137 yards rushing only managed 1 sack (from Bradie James) and allowed McNabb to end the game with a 116 QB rating. Oh, and Philadelphia outscored the Cowboys, 41-0, during the second and third quarters. Against the Eagles, Dallas also allowed two of the longest fumble returns in franchise history – 73 and 96 yards. And that came on the heels of last week's game where the Cowboys allowed the two longest runs – 77 and 82 yards – in Texas Stadium history during the game's final four minutes which were also the final four minutes in Texas Stadium, period. The overall play the final two games of this season left a lot to be desired, to say the least.
The team didn't look prepared to play at all. They looked like a team that expected Filthadephia's playoff hopes would be dashed, they in turn would have nothing to play for and Dallas would get an easy win. Then when they realized the game meant as much to the Eagles as it did to them, the Cowboys did their best turtle impersonation and crawled into their shell.
How did all this happen? How did such a promising season end in ruins? How did Dallas not even make the playoffs? Here is LB Bradie James’ take on this season: “There were a lot of personalities put on this team and we didn’t jell. We didn’t find a way to jell. This past game, you could see it. When you know you’ve got something on the line and you’re playing to go into the playoffs, you know what you have to do, and you go out there and stink it up like that? That just speaks for itself.” There are several players that need to be jettisoned but at the top of my list is Pac Man Jones. What has he offered up this year that makes him worth the gamble of having him on the roster? A few pass defenses (no more than just a few) is all I remember. Trailing 17-3 to the Eagles on Sunday, with no margin for error, Jones committed a stupid personal foul when he hit Reggie Brown out of bounds, moving the Eagles to the Dallas 14 which assisted the Eagles in getting a touchdown. Then, as if that personal foul wasn't bad enough, Jones fumbled the ensuing kickoff to set up David Akers' 50-yard field goal on the first half's final play. What a knucklehead.
It looks to me like the fans take this more seriously than the players. With as much talent as that team has to not even make the playoffs is shameful but I don't see that attitude from the players. I mean, hey, they lost but they still got paid their millions and millions of dollars. A producer on the sports talk station I listen to was on the Cowboys team plane and said the flight back to Dallas was pretty festive and described the scene as “like the last day of school”, with dominoes being played in the back and lots of laughing and carrying on; if you did not know who won the Cowboys-Eagles game, you just might assume it was the Cowboys from their conduct on the plane. I was sulking most of Sunday night and I had nothing to do with the game...I just watching. These guys played in it, actually were responsible for the inept play and humiliating defeat and yet they are carrying on like they don't have a care in the world. Nice...
The Cowboys have now lost nine consecutive season finales and their streak of 12 consecutive seasons without a playoff win is now the longest in franchise history. Clearly, there needs to be some serious changes but Jerry has already said the coaching staff is staying put (at least, he won't be removing them). This thing is in such a mess right now, I don't really know what the answer is to clean it up. The team doesn't have a 1st round pick in the '09 draft as that was given up to Detroit for Roy Williams (who only caught only 19 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown over 10 games). I know there is a silver lining...somewhere. I just need time to find it.
At the beginning of the season, I (along with A LOT of others) really had high hopes and expectations for this team. They went 13-3 last year and lost a hard fought playoff game to the eventual Super Bowl Champs. The team was featured on Hard Knocks on HBO and after starting the season 3-0, I think just about everyone had the Cowboys penciled in as the NFC representative for the Super Bowl. But that's when things started to go down hill and they never really picked up from there. The culmination of the season was a drubbing at the hands of one of the more hated rivals. I really thought Dallas would play a typical NFC East game (hard hitting and not a ton of points scored) and would do just enough to get the win. But after getting their rear ends kicked, to the tune of 44-6, a lot of people (myself included) are wondering what will happen in the off season and if they can bounce back next season.
On Sunday though, the Cowboys came out emotionless and error-prone. The offense gave up 14 pts and 4 sacks while scoring only 6 pts. The defense gave up 137 yards rushing only managed 1 sack (from Bradie James) and allowed McNabb to end the game with a 116 QB rating. Oh, and Philadelphia outscored the Cowboys, 41-0, during the second and third quarters. Against the Eagles, Dallas also allowed two of the longest fumble returns in franchise history – 73 and 96 yards. And that came on the heels of last week's game where the Cowboys allowed the two longest runs – 77 and 82 yards – in Texas Stadium history during the game's final four minutes which were also the final four minutes in Texas Stadium, period. The overall play the final two games of this season left a lot to be desired, to say the least.
The team didn't look prepared to play at all. They looked like a team that expected Filthadephia's playoff hopes would be dashed, they in turn would have nothing to play for and Dallas would get an easy win. Then when they realized the game meant as much to the Eagles as it did to them, the Cowboys did their best turtle impersonation and crawled into their shell.
How did all this happen? How did such a promising season end in ruins? How did Dallas not even make the playoffs? Here is LB Bradie James’ take on this season: “There were a lot of personalities put on this team and we didn’t jell. We didn’t find a way to jell. This past game, you could see it. When you know you’ve got something on the line and you’re playing to go into the playoffs, you know what you have to do, and you go out there and stink it up like that? That just speaks for itself.” There are several players that need to be jettisoned but at the top of my list is Pac Man Jones. What has he offered up this year that makes him worth the gamble of having him on the roster? A few pass defenses (no more than just a few) is all I remember. Trailing 17-3 to the Eagles on Sunday, with no margin for error, Jones committed a stupid personal foul when he hit Reggie Brown out of bounds, moving the Eagles to the Dallas 14 which assisted the Eagles in getting a touchdown. Then, as if that personal foul wasn't bad enough, Jones fumbled the ensuing kickoff to set up David Akers' 50-yard field goal on the first half's final play. What a knucklehead.
It looks to me like the fans take this more seriously than the players. With as much talent as that team has to not even make the playoffs is shameful but I don't see that attitude from the players. I mean, hey, they lost but they still got paid their millions and millions of dollars. A producer on the sports talk station I listen to was on the Cowboys team plane and said the flight back to Dallas was pretty festive and described the scene as “like the last day of school”, with dominoes being played in the back and lots of laughing and carrying on; if you did not know who won the Cowboys-Eagles game, you just might assume it was the Cowboys from their conduct on the plane. I was sulking most of Sunday night and I had nothing to do with the game...I just watching. These guys played in it, actually were responsible for the inept play and humiliating defeat and yet they are carrying on like they don't have a care in the world. Nice...
The Cowboys have now lost nine consecutive season finales and their streak of 12 consecutive seasons without a playoff win is now the longest in franchise history. Clearly, there needs to be some serious changes but Jerry has already said the coaching staff is staying put (at least, he won't be removing them). This thing is in such a mess right now, I don't really know what the answer is to clean it up. The team doesn't have a 1st round pick in the '09 draft as that was given up to Detroit for Roy Williams (who only caught only 19 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown over 10 games). I know there is a silver lining...somewhere. I just need time to find it.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
An Embarrassing, Gutless and Pathetic Loss
A 44-6 loss in a game with a playoff birth on the line...I'm too pissed off right now to share my thoughts. I'm gonna need at least a day to digest this one. This is quite possibly the most humiliating loss the Cowboys have had since I've been watching them...and that's a long time. The Cowboys didn't look prepared and didn't look like they gave a rip. How pathetic, how gutless, how embarrassing. I don't know any other words to describe it.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
The Playoffs Start This Weekend for the Cowboys
Even though this is the last week of the regular season, this is really the 1st "playoff game" for the Cowboys meaning that if they win this weekend in Filthadelphia they get into the playoffs...if not, then they don't. That is the definition of a playoff game, win and keep going...lose and go home. Even if the Foul win, they are not automatically in the playoffs as they need other teams to lose as well for them to get in. But that doesn't necessairly mean the Foul will roll over and die. And if there is one thing I KNOW about Filthadelphia, it's that they HATE all things Dallas, especailly the Cowboys. I expect the Foul to play exceptionally hard and feed off the raucous crowd so it would behoove the Cowboys to take the crowd out as soon as it can.
When these teams met in Dallas in Week 2, it was all about offense as the Cowboys outlasted the Eagles, 41-37. Romo was 21 of 30 for 310 yards and 3 TDs. It looked like Dallas' offense had everything clicking and the Super Bowl was in the reach. My how things have changed. Since that point, Romo got hurt and missed 4 games and since his return has been up and down from game to game. Two weeks ago against the Giants, he was up and finished the game with a 113.8 QB rating. Last week against the Ravens, he was down and finished the game with a 66.2 rating.
Not only has Romo been up and down each week but so has the offense as a whole. Dallas either blows away an opponent on the strength of Tony Romo’s passing, or it inexplicably struggles to score, letting down what’s usually a good defensive effort. I think Dallas' defense will shake off what happened to them the final 4 minutes of the Ravens game and play very well in a hostile environment. I think DeMarcus Ware will play well, as he has all year, and I hope he can break Strahan's single season sack record...all he needs is 3. That would be so great especailly coming against Filthadelphia. However, the defensive secondary needs to be wary of 2 players, DeSean Jackson (who burned them for a 60 yard completion in the earlier game) and Michael Westbrook who is basically the heart and soul of that offense. So goes Westbrook, so goes the Foul's offense. Dallas needs to account for both of those guys every play.
So with both of these defenses likely to be an attack mode, it comes down to which quarterback stands tall to consistently deliver the ball downfield. Romo has got to be smarter with the ball, not force the issue and just take what the defense gives him. If he has to throw the ball away, throw and incompletion or even take a sack he should do that rather than risk turning the ball over. This is NOT the game to get cute with the ball. TO Owens seems to play well against his former teams so I'm hoping he is a little more amped up than normal for this. If that is the case, I look for him to have a big game.
I think that the game will be similar to the Ravens game where both defenses control the other's offense and the team with the fewest mistakes will win. With everything that is on the line for Dallas and all the expectations of the team and the fact that they seem to play better when their back is against the wall, I think they will emerge victorious and grab the #6 seed. And I can think of few better opponents to do that against than Filthadelphia.
Prediction: Dallas 21, Filthadelphia 17
When these teams met in Dallas in Week 2, it was all about offense as the Cowboys outlasted the Eagles, 41-37. Romo was 21 of 30 for 310 yards and 3 TDs. It looked like Dallas' offense had everything clicking and the Super Bowl was in the reach. My how things have changed. Since that point, Romo got hurt and missed 4 games and since his return has been up and down from game to game. Two weeks ago against the Giants, he was up and finished the game with a 113.8 QB rating. Last week against the Ravens, he was down and finished the game with a 66.2 rating.
Not only has Romo been up and down each week but so has the offense as a whole. Dallas either blows away an opponent on the strength of Tony Romo’s passing, or it inexplicably struggles to score, letting down what’s usually a good defensive effort. I think Dallas' defense will shake off what happened to them the final 4 minutes of the Ravens game and play very well in a hostile environment. I think DeMarcus Ware will play well, as he has all year, and I hope he can break Strahan's single season sack record...all he needs is 3. That would be so great especailly coming against Filthadelphia. However, the defensive secondary needs to be wary of 2 players, DeSean Jackson (who burned them for a 60 yard completion in the earlier game) and Michael Westbrook who is basically the heart and soul of that offense. So goes Westbrook, so goes the Foul's offense. Dallas needs to account for both of those guys every play.
So with both of these defenses likely to be an attack mode, it comes down to which quarterback stands tall to consistently deliver the ball downfield. Romo has got to be smarter with the ball, not force the issue and just take what the defense gives him. If he has to throw the ball away, throw and incompletion or even take a sack he should do that rather than risk turning the ball over. This is NOT the game to get cute with the ball. TO Owens seems to play well against his former teams so I'm hoping he is a little more amped up than normal for this. If that is the case, I look for him to have a big game.
I think that the game will be similar to the Ravens game where both defenses control the other's offense and the team with the fewest mistakes will win. With everything that is on the line for Dallas and all the expectations of the team and the fact that they seem to play better when their back is against the wall, I think they will emerge victorious and grab the #6 seed. And I can think of few better opponents to do that against than Filthadelphia.
Prediction: Dallas 21, Filthadelphia 17
Friday, December 26, 2008
Mavs Still Continue to Surge
Well, the Mavs continue to surge (15-4 in its last 19 games after opening 2-7) and got a real good win last night in Portland beating the Trailblazers 102-94. Before last night, Portland was 10-2 at home and has been one of the surprise teams this year. Portland hasn't made the playoffs since the 2001-2002 season but looks like they are set up for a while to come with solid young players like LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden, Travis Outlaw, Joel Pryzbilla and Brandon Roy. The Mavericks have played on Christmas just one other time, a win over Sacramento in 2003.
One thing that has been said about the Mavs in the past is that they are, typically, a soft team that is just content taking jump shots but don't drive to the basket that much and don't play with much of an edge. Well, last night, the Mavs definately played with an edge as Dirk spent most of the 2nd half on the bench in foul trouble and Josh Howard was ejected. Howard sent 7-foot-1 Joel Przybilla sprawling to the floor, then was hit with a technical for jawing with Przybilla, got the second technical seconds later and was ejected. Howard finished with 15 points.
Dirk did most of his damage in the first half of the game scoring 24 of his 30 points going 12-of-18 from the field. Jason Terry had 19 points off the bench. Terry has been vital coming off the bench this year and, right now, is a shoe in for the 6th Man of the Year award. I love JT but he is a one trick pony (even though he does that trick real well). And with the emergence of JJ Barea as a legitimate point guard, Terry is more valuable providing a scoring threat off the bench. I've seen some games this year where, for whatever reason, Dirk and a few other starters just weren't hitting that night. Terry came in, provided a spark and basically was a big reason they won in those games.
Speaking of J.J. Barea, he and Brandon Bass ran their own personal two-man game in the second half and combined for 14 points. They ran the pick and roll about as well as you can run it and Portland had no answer. Barea has come into his own, so to speak, the past month or so and has provided a lift at times when Dallas needed it. Although his consistency isn't quite game to game yet, there have been times where Barea looked like a poor man's version of Steve Nash. Let's hope he can continue to progress so when Kidd exits stage left, Barea can step in and fill that role.
Also, Dallas' defense has been better overall this year than it was last year. I know Avery Johnson talked, preached and, at times, screamed defense but the players just started to tune him out last year and it showed on the floor. And it looked like it would be more of the same this year thorugh the first 10 games as Dallas lost games in the final quarter multiple times. However last night, the Mavericks closed the game with a 12-2 run, while holding Brandon Roy to 0-for-3 in the final 3:33 of the game. That's the kind of defensive effort needed on a consistent basis for Dallas to contend for a playoff spot. With 7 of their next 9 games being against teams with sub .500 records, this is definatly the time the Mavs need to pad their record.
One thing that has been said about the Mavs in the past is that they are, typically, a soft team that is just content taking jump shots but don't drive to the basket that much and don't play with much of an edge. Well, last night, the Mavs definately played with an edge as Dirk spent most of the 2nd half on the bench in foul trouble and Josh Howard was ejected. Howard sent 7-foot-1 Joel Przybilla sprawling to the floor, then was hit with a technical for jawing with Przybilla, got the second technical seconds later and was ejected. Howard finished with 15 points.
Dirk did most of his damage in the first half of the game scoring 24 of his 30 points going 12-of-18 from the field. Jason Terry had 19 points off the bench. Terry has been vital coming off the bench this year and, right now, is a shoe in for the 6th Man of the Year award. I love JT but he is a one trick pony (even though he does that trick real well). And with the emergence of JJ Barea as a legitimate point guard, Terry is more valuable providing a scoring threat off the bench. I've seen some games this year where, for whatever reason, Dirk and a few other starters just weren't hitting that night. Terry came in, provided a spark and basically was a big reason they won in those games.
Speaking of J.J. Barea, he and Brandon Bass ran their own personal two-man game in the second half and combined for 14 points. They ran the pick and roll about as well as you can run it and Portland had no answer. Barea has come into his own, so to speak, the past month or so and has provided a lift at times when Dallas needed it. Although his consistency isn't quite game to game yet, there have been times where Barea looked like a poor man's version of Steve Nash. Let's hope he can continue to progress so when Kidd exits stage left, Barea can step in and fill that role.
Also, Dallas' defense has been better overall this year than it was last year. I know Avery Johnson talked, preached and, at times, screamed defense but the players just started to tune him out last year and it showed on the floor. And it looked like it would be more of the same this year thorugh the first 10 games as Dallas lost games in the final quarter multiple times. However last night, the Mavericks closed the game with a 12-2 run, while holding Brandon Roy to 0-for-3 in the final 3:33 of the game. That's the kind of defensive effort needed on a consistent basis for Dallas to contend for a playoff spot. With 7 of their next 9 games being against teams with sub .500 records, this is definatly the time the Mavs need to pad their record.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
The Agony of Defeat...and I Mean Agony
Well, my prediction of Dallas going 3-1 in December and cruising into the playoffs impolded last night (like what will be done to Texas Stadium eventually) when Dallas lost to Baltimore 33-24. I was actually at a youth Christmas party and only got to see the final 4 minutes of the first half but since I was tivoing it, I wasn't concerned about the game being on at the party. My wife sent me a text message to call her when I was on my way home. But when I did, the news she gave me about the game sent my blood pressure into orbit. She had watched the final 45 minutes of the game (not game time...real time) and proceded to tell me of the events. I just couldn't beleive it...and still can't really. How did Dallas lose that game last night? HOW?!?!?!?!?!?
I'm not saying that Baltimore was some sop team that Dallas was going to roll over. They were 9-5, like Dallas, before the game and had the #2 ranked defense in the NFL. They are a strong, physical team that generally doen't score a lot of points and relies on it's defense to help them win games (much like Pittsburgh). I really did think though that with the way the Cowboys have been playing defense lately, that they would be able to stop the Ravens and pull out a close win in front of a juiced up crowd aching for it. And if you would have told me Dallas put 24 points on Baltimore, I would have said "Dallas wins then". But it was the Cowboys vaunted defense which were the goats of the night. I still have a hard time believing the defense is what lost the game.
The game was pretty tight most of the way through, like I thought it would be, and with about 4 mintues to go in the game, Romo threw a touchdown to TO Owens to pull within 2 points. All Dallas had to do at that point was get a stop, turn the ball back over to the offense so they could drive down for a game winning field goal. I'm sure everyone else thought that would happen too. However, on Baltimore’s first snap after Owen’s touchdown, Baltimore RB Willis McGahee broke through a line bunched up to stop the run and ran 77 yards for a touchdown which tied the longest ever by an opponent at Texas Stadium. Dallas then worked down the field and Romo hit Witten in the endzone for another score again bringing Dallas within 2 points. So now was the time for the defense to step up. Even though they just allowed a long TD run, now was the time they need to focus and get a stop. Instead, on the very first play Baltimore had, RB Le'Ron McClain busted an 82 yard TD run breaking the record McGahee had tied only mintues before. Game over...
Even though Romo wasn't great (24 of 45 for 252 yards, 2 TDs and 2 Ints for a 66.3 rating) the offense played well enough to win the game. Tashard Choice played very well, again, filling in for injured Marion Barber who only carried the ball twice the whole game. The Cowboys jumped ahead 7-0 on a 2-yard touchdown by Tashard Choice, only the fourth rushing TD allowed by the Ravens all season. Choice ran for 90 yards, among the most all season against Baltimore.
Even though the defense is what lost the game for Dallas, DeMarcus Ware played at his usual high level. Choice's score was set up by Ware getting his NFL-leading 20th sack, which also caused Baltimore’s Joe Flacco to fumble. Ware had to forced fumbles in the game and is now three sacks from breaking Michael Strahan’s single-season NFL record. It would be a small silver lining if he could get those next week in Filthadelphia.
It took me a long time to go to sleep last night. I know that is completely assinine because I have no control over the game and, as my wife is fond of saying, "it is just a game...it's supposed to fun, you are supposed to enjoy it." And I do have to agree. But last night's game was important in two ways. One, it was important for Dallas to get into the playoffs. Now, even if Dallas wins next week in Filthadelphia, they will need a few other teams to lose in order to get into the playoffs. And second, it was important because that was the last football memory anyone will have in Texas Stadium as they will start play next year in their new $1.3 billion stadium in Arlington. From the looks of it on TV, only about half the crowd remained for the ceremony that featured introductions of about 100 former players. The Cowboys finished 213-100 in regular-season and postseason games at the home they moved into in 1971. I can't imagine what the crowd would have been like if the Cowboys had finished 214-99. But the loss sucked out most of the energy for the ceremony. What an utter shame.
Another thing that galled me about the game was what some Ravens players said after the game. Willis McGahee said “we spoiled their day. It was probably the best concert ever in Irving, Texas.” What? Why do you have to be a jerk dude? I actually liked you before you opened your pie hole. Now, you can go take a flying leap for all I care. I would expect that from someone that plays for the Giants, Deadskins or Foul. But where is your animosity coming from? You couldn't just win with class could you? Jerk. Same thing for Terrell Suggs who said “I hope they enjoyed their little ceremony. I guess we were kind of like the dynamite.” Now, I wish nothing but failure on Baltimore not because they beat Dallas but because they acted like Grade A horse's rears about it.
If, Dallas wins next week (and that's a big IF) and IF they somehow get into the playoff (which at this point I think is minimal at best), I think it will be one last mulligan from the sports gods. If that is the case, the defense better play their absolute best. They owe that to the offense, for once, and the fans who were at the game last night. But at this point, I don't think that will happen. Training camp seems so long ago but at that time this team was thought of as not only a Super Bowl participant but a probable winner as well. This loss is a tough one to swallow, that's for sure.
I'm not saying that Baltimore was some sop team that Dallas was going to roll over. They were 9-5, like Dallas, before the game and had the #2 ranked defense in the NFL. They are a strong, physical team that generally doen't score a lot of points and relies on it's defense to help them win games (much like Pittsburgh). I really did think though that with the way the Cowboys have been playing defense lately, that they would be able to stop the Ravens and pull out a close win in front of a juiced up crowd aching for it. And if you would have told me Dallas put 24 points on Baltimore, I would have said "Dallas wins then". But it was the Cowboys vaunted defense which were the goats of the night. I still have a hard time believing the defense is what lost the game.
The game was pretty tight most of the way through, like I thought it would be, and with about 4 mintues to go in the game, Romo threw a touchdown to TO Owens to pull within 2 points. All Dallas had to do at that point was get a stop, turn the ball back over to the offense so they could drive down for a game winning field goal. I'm sure everyone else thought that would happen too. However, on Baltimore’s first snap after Owen’s touchdown, Baltimore RB Willis McGahee broke through a line bunched up to stop the run and ran 77 yards for a touchdown which tied the longest ever by an opponent at Texas Stadium. Dallas then worked down the field and Romo hit Witten in the endzone for another score again bringing Dallas within 2 points. So now was the time for the defense to step up. Even though they just allowed a long TD run, now was the time they need to focus and get a stop. Instead, on the very first play Baltimore had, RB Le'Ron McClain busted an 82 yard TD run breaking the record McGahee had tied only mintues before. Game over...
Even though Romo wasn't great (24 of 45 for 252 yards, 2 TDs and 2 Ints for a 66.3 rating) the offense played well enough to win the game. Tashard Choice played very well, again, filling in for injured Marion Barber who only carried the ball twice the whole game. The Cowboys jumped ahead 7-0 on a 2-yard touchdown by Tashard Choice, only the fourth rushing TD allowed by the Ravens all season. Choice ran for 90 yards, among the most all season against Baltimore.
Even though the defense is what lost the game for Dallas, DeMarcus Ware played at his usual high level. Choice's score was set up by Ware getting his NFL-leading 20th sack, which also caused Baltimore’s Joe Flacco to fumble. Ware had to forced fumbles in the game and is now three sacks from breaking Michael Strahan’s single-season NFL record. It would be a small silver lining if he could get those next week in Filthadelphia.
It took me a long time to go to sleep last night. I know that is completely assinine because I have no control over the game and, as my wife is fond of saying, "it is just a game...it's supposed to fun, you are supposed to enjoy it." And I do have to agree. But last night's game was important in two ways. One, it was important for Dallas to get into the playoffs. Now, even if Dallas wins next week in Filthadelphia, they will need a few other teams to lose in order to get into the playoffs. And second, it was important because that was the last football memory anyone will have in Texas Stadium as they will start play next year in their new $1.3 billion stadium in Arlington. From the looks of it on TV, only about half the crowd remained for the ceremony that featured introductions of about 100 former players. The Cowboys finished 213-100 in regular-season and postseason games at the home they moved into in 1971. I can't imagine what the crowd would have been like if the Cowboys had finished 214-99. But the loss sucked out most of the energy for the ceremony. What an utter shame.
Another thing that galled me about the game was what some Ravens players said after the game. Willis McGahee said “we spoiled their day. It was probably the best concert ever in Irving, Texas.” What? Why do you have to be a jerk dude? I actually liked you before you opened your pie hole. Now, you can go take a flying leap for all I care. I would expect that from someone that plays for the Giants, Deadskins or Foul. But where is your animosity coming from? You couldn't just win with class could you? Jerk. Same thing for Terrell Suggs who said “I hope they enjoyed their little ceremony. I guess we were kind of like the dynamite.” Now, I wish nothing but failure on Baltimore not because they beat Dallas but because they acted like Grade A horse's rears about it.
If, Dallas wins next week (and that's a big IF) and IF they somehow get into the playoff (which at this point I think is minimal at best), I think it will be one last mulligan from the sports gods. If that is the case, the defense better play their absolute best. They owe that to the offense, for once, and the fans who were at the game last night. But at this point, I don't think that will happen. Training camp seems so long ago but at that time this team was thought of as not only a Super Bowl participant but a probable winner as well. This loss is a tough one to swallow, that's for sure.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
The Final Game at Texas Stadium
Well, I don't have much time so this isn't going to be a long post. I will write another post tomorrow or later this week reflecting on Texas Stadium and that it's time is almost over.
For the game tonight however, I think Dallas needs to follow the same formula that they played with the past two games. The defense needs to continue to play balls to the wall, lights out and the offense needs to make plays when they are there but not force anything and commit turnovers. Baltimore, just like Pittsburgh, thrives off turnovers and, if given the chance, can take an interception back for a touchdown. Baltimore (9-5) has the league’s second-ranked total defense (257.5 yards per game) and third-ranked scoring defense (15.2 ppg) so I think it's going to be another hard hitting, relatively low scoring game. And even though Dallas has several players on the injured list this week, Baltimore has several key defensive players that are banged up too. Hopefully Dallas can take advantage of that.
Baltimore needs this game as badly as Dallas so they are going to roll in and give it their best shot. They are 9-5 and like Dallas, if Baltimore wins out it will be guaranteed one of its conference’s two wild card spots. However, they benefit from playing in the same division as Cincinnati and Cleveland, so there is 4 of their 9 wins right there. The Raven's offense is ranked 21st in the league and their passing offense is ranking 28th so they don't have terribly much that scares me offensively. I think Dallas' defense can hold Baltimore down enough while the Cowboy's offense can do just enough to win. I also think that a big defensive play/turnover or play on special teams could be the difference in the game. Plus, I really don't think the football gods would deny the Cowboys a win in their final game at Texas Stadium.
My prediction: Dallas 17, Baltimore 13
For the game tonight however, I think Dallas needs to follow the same formula that they played with the past two games. The defense needs to continue to play balls to the wall, lights out and the offense needs to make plays when they are there but not force anything and commit turnovers. Baltimore, just like Pittsburgh, thrives off turnovers and, if given the chance, can take an interception back for a touchdown. Baltimore (9-5) has the league’s second-ranked total defense (257.5 yards per game) and third-ranked scoring defense (15.2 ppg) so I think it's going to be another hard hitting, relatively low scoring game. And even though Dallas has several players on the injured list this week, Baltimore has several key defensive players that are banged up too. Hopefully Dallas can take advantage of that.
Baltimore needs this game as badly as Dallas so they are going to roll in and give it their best shot. They are 9-5 and like Dallas, if Baltimore wins out it will be guaranteed one of its conference’s two wild card spots. However, they benefit from playing in the same division as Cincinnati and Cleveland, so there is 4 of their 9 wins right there. The Raven's offense is ranked 21st in the league and their passing offense is ranking 28th so they don't have terribly much that scares me offensively. I think Dallas' defense can hold Baltimore down enough while the Cowboy's offense can do just enough to win. I also think that a big defensive play/turnover or play on special teams could be the difference in the game. Plus, I really don't think the football gods would deny the Cowboys a win in their final game at Texas Stadium.
My prediction: Dallas 17, Baltimore 13
Monday, December 15, 2008
Dominating Defense
I've gotta say that I'm more than a little impressed with the way the Cowboys have been playing defense lately. In fact, since the Tampa game in late October, the Dallas defense really has only had one questionable game and that was when they played the Giants in New York. I was impressed last week when, in a hostile environment against probably the best team in the AFC in bitterly cold weather, Dallas' defense dominated the majority of the game vs. the Steelers. But Sunday night against the Giants, the Cowboys' defense put on a show that was just ridiculously good. DeMarcus Ware sacked Eli Manning on New York’s first snap and the pressure never stopped. Ware finished with three sacks, upping his NFL-leading total to 19. It was the Dallas' third straight game with at least five sacks and Ware is only 3 1/2 sacks short of Michael Strahan's season record of 22 1/2. Not only was 8 sacks impressive but it was extremely impressive who it was against. In two games against Dallas this season, Manning was sacked 12 times; he’s been sacked only 11 times in the other 12 games combined. Not only was Eli on his back a lot of the game, he was not particularly effective when he did avoid getting sacked going 18-of-35 for 191 yards and 2 interceptions for a QB rating of 43.9.
Not only did the Cowboys do a good job harassing Manning but they limited the Giants offense to only 218 total yards (72 rushing; 146 passing). The Giants offense averages 348 yards per game and leads the NFL in rushing offense at 148 yards per game. So by shutting down NY's rushing attack, they put the game in Eli's hands and could afford to pin their ears back and rush him more effectively because play action was not as effective.
True, the Giants were playing without 2 of their top 3 offensive weapons as Brandon Jacobs was out with an injured knee and Plaxico Burress is suspended the remainder of the year. When I heard that Jacobs was out on Friday, I was a little more sure the Cowboys were in a good position. Not overconfident mind you, but just a little more sure. Jacobs is one of the spark plugs in the Giants' offense. The other two guys (Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw) are good clean up players that compliment Jacobs well but Jacobs is THE key to the Giants offense. He is the bruising RB that is hard to stop when he gets a head of steam...kinda reminds me of Jerome Bettis when he was playing.
While it didn't produce eye popping numbers, the offense did what they needed to do to win the game. Despite taking a beating of his own, Romo was 20-of-30 for 244 yards and two touchdowns for a 113.8 QB rating. Oh and he did not have a turnover in the game which is a big plus. However, the offensive star actually was Choice for the 2nd week in a row. He had 91 yards on only nine carries, and he was the leading receiver with 52 yards on four catches. His 38-yard touchdown run sealed the game for Dallas. The Giants aren't too shabby on defense either as they are #4 in the league at stopping the run.
You can make the comparison that this season's Cowboys team is like last season's Giants team...and vice versa. Last year, Dallas started out 12-1 and looked like a lock to go to the Super Bowl. However, they went 2-2 in the month of December (and didn't play especially well in their 2 wins) and they lost 3 of their final 5 games including their playoff game loss to the Giants. This year, the Cowboys started out hot but had a rough patch in the middle of the year (losing 3 of 4 games) but have turned it around primarily because of the way their defense has played.
Last year, the Giants were a solid team but really elevated their level of play in December, primarily because the defense starting playing more aggressive and putting more pressure on opposing QBs (just as Dallas has done in the past 5 games) which took them all the way to the Super Bowl and helped them defeat the seemingly invincible New England Patriots. This year, the Giants started out white hot going 11-1 but have since lost their last 2 games. And with 2 games to go against Carolina and Minnesota, it is conceivable the Giants go 0-4 in December and limp into the playoffs, just a Dallas did last year.
***Note: I'm NOT saying Dallas will go to the Super Bowl here...just making a comparison between the similarities of two teams and how they each started and finished the last two seasons.
I'm just encouraged by the way Dallas is now playing on defense because the old adage is correct...offense wins you games, defense wins you championships. If Dallas is to get to the Super Bowl, their current defensive effort is going to have to continue.
Not only did the Cowboys do a good job harassing Manning but they limited the Giants offense to only 218 total yards (72 rushing; 146 passing). The Giants offense averages 348 yards per game and leads the NFL in rushing offense at 148 yards per game. So by shutting down NY's rushing attack, they put the game in Eli's hands and could afford to pin their ears back and rush him more effectively because play action was not as effective.
True, the Giants were playing without 2 of their top 3 offensive weapons as Brandon Jacobs was out with an injured knee and Plaxico Burress is suspended the remainder of the year. When I heard that Jacobs was out on Friday, I was a little more sure the Cowboys were in a good position. Not overconfident mind you, but just a little more sure. Jacobs is one of the spark plugs in the Giants' offense. The other two guys (Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw) are good clean up players that compliment Jacobs well but Jacobs is THE key to the Giants offense. He is the bruising RB that is hard to stop when he gets a head of steam...kinda reminds me of Jerome Bettis when he was playing.
While it didn't produce eye popping numbers, the offense did what they needed to do to win the game. Despite taking a beating of his own, Romo was 20-of-30 for 244 yards and two touchdowns for a 113.8 QB rating. Oh and he did not have a turnover in the game which is a big plus. However, the offensive star actually was Choice for the 2nd week in a row. He had 91 yards on only nine carries, and he was the leading receiver with 52 yards on four catches. His 38-yard touchdown run sealed the game for Dallas. The Giants aren't too shabby on defense either as they are #4 in the league at stopping the run.
You can make the comparison that this season's Cowboys team is like last season's Giants team...and vice versa. Last year, Dallas started out 12-1 and looked like a lock to go to the Super Bowl. However, they went 2-2 in the month of December (and didn't play especially well in their 2 wins) and they lost 3 of their final 5 games including their playoff game loss to the Giants. This year, the Cowboys started out hot but had a rough patch in the middle of the year (losing 3 of 4 games) but have turned it around primarily because of the way their defense has played.
Last year, the Giants were a solid team but really elevated their level of play in December, primarily because the defense starting playing more aggressive and putting more pressure on opposing QBs (just as Dallas has done in the past 5 games) which took them all the way to the Super Bowl and helped them defeat the seemingly invincible New England Patriots. This year, the Giants started out white hot going 11-1 but have since lost their last 2 games. And with 2 games to go against Carolina and Minnesota, it is conceivable the Giants go 0-4 in December and limp into the playoffs, just a Dallas did last year.
***Note: I'm NOT saying Dallas will go to the Super Bowl here...just making a comparison between the similarities of two teams and how they each started and finished the last two seasons.
I'm just encouraged by the way Dallas is now playing on defense because the old adage is correct...offense wins you games, defense wins you championships. If Dallas is to get to the Super Bowl, their current defensive effort is going to have to continue.
Friday, December 12, 2008
The Next Biggest Game of the Year
What a zoo. Just when you think the drama at Valley Ranch has died down, all the carnies start stirring the pot. Late yesterday, instead of focusing on the monumental game coming up this weekend against the Giants, the following story surfaced which indicates the team's focus is actually on each other:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3763209
How many times has Romo thrown to Owens and he had dropped the freaking ball? Witten does have some drops but they are quite rare. Also, in last week's game, Owens quit on a route that Romo threw to him on and the result of Owens just pulling up resulted in an interception by Troy Polamalu. So to me, I don't necessarily fault Romo for not going back to Owens all that often after that. But that's just my opinion. Oh, and what WR had his biggest game just 2 games ago when he had 213 receiving yards? Hmmm, any guesses?
Maybe there is nothing to this but honestly, I am about sick to death of TO Owens and the line of crap he throws out to everyone. However, this is not the usual TO Owens "I'm not getting the ball enough" garbage we've heard several times this year. There were actually multiple players who, anonymously, gave their two cents on Owens and all his antics. I certainly hope this is not the beginning of what happened between Owens and the Filthadelphia Foul when he played for them. The situation is different (Owens' issue with the Foul was that he wasn't getting paid enough) although the result could be the same.
I've never made any bones about it...I don't like the man at all just as I didn't like Deion Sanders. Owens, like Deion, is an immensely talented individual and if he uses that talent for the betterment of the Cowboys, I will cheer. But I have never cheered, nor ever will, for Owens like I cheer for Romo, Barber, Witten, Aikman, Emmitt or Michael. I can't believe this guy thinks Romo and Witten are holding private meetings without him to draw up plays to use in games. What freaking planet is this guy from?
So, after all that, the following comments surfaced this morning on the the Dallas Morning News' Cowboys blog, from Terrance Newman, where it looks like he is calling out coaches for having no accountability:
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/12/terence-newman-accountability-problems-s.html
Good lord, what is going on around here? If someone didn't know any better they wouldn't know Dallas is preparing for their next biggest game of the season. Dallas can really ill afford to lose any of their final three games if they want to make the playoffs. So that makes this weekend's game vs. the Giants pretty big. Add to that the fact that it's going to be on Sunday night football on NBC and it's even bigger. And now, with all the "turmoil" going on, the spotlight is even more on the team. Unfortunately, we will get a massive dose of all this rehashed on Sunday as I'm quite sure every pregame and post game show on FOX/CBS/NBC will be chatting this thing up. And
Up until yesterday, I was so looking forward to this game because I really thought that Dallas was getting the Giants at the most opportune time. Brandon Jacobs has been ruled out of Sunday's game and, of course, Plaxico Burress will not be in uniform as he has been suspended the remainder of the season by NY. Those two things alone are huge for Dallas. That's not to say that the Giants are completely depleted on offense. The game is still going to be hard hitting and difficult however with both Jacobs and Burress not playing, the game is more winnable for Dallas than it would have been if they were playing. I still think Dallas is getting the Giants at a good time however are they going to be able to focus long enough to get the job done or are they going to implode on the sidelines in front of the entire country?
Since I'm biased, I think Dallas will find a way to get it done this week. Both teams are beat up (Dallas has 14 players on the injury list) but this is a division game and I hope Dallas remembers what NY did to them back in early November. Dallas is the more desperate team and the game is a home game for them as well. Those facts, plus Jacobs and Burress being out for NY, leave the "W" door open just enough for Dallas to squeeze through. Like I said, it won't be easy but I think the end result will put the Cowboys one step closer to the playoffs.
Prediction: Dallas 24, NY 21.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3763209
How many times has Romo thrown to Owens and he had dropped the freaking ball? Witten does have some drops but they are quite rare. Also, in last week's game, Owens quit on a route that Romo threw to him on and the result of Owens just pulling up resulted in an interception by Troy Polamalu. So to me, I don't necessarily fault Romo for not going back to Owens all that often after that. But that's just my opinion. Oh, and what WR had his biggest game just 2 games ago when he had 213 receiving yards? Hmmm, any guesses?
Maybe there is nothing to this but honestly, I am about sick to death of TO Owens and the line of crap he throws out to everyone. However, this is not the usual TO Owens "I'm not getting the ball enough" garbage we've heard several times this year. There were actually multiple players who, anonymously, gave their two cents on Owens and all his antics. I certainly hope this is not the beginning of what happened between Owens and the Filthadelphia Foul when he played for them. The situation is different (Owens' issue with the Foul was that he wasn't getting paid enough) although the result could be the same.
I've never made any bones about it...I don't like the man at all just as I didn't like Deion Sanders. Owens, like Deion, is an immensely talented individual and if he uses that talent for the betterment of the Cowboys, I will cheer. But I have never cheered, nor ever will, for Owens like I cheer for Romo, Barber, Witten, Aikman, Emmitt or Michael. I can't believe this guy thinks Romo and Witten are holding private meetings without him to draw up plays to use in games. What freaking planet is this guy from?
So, after all that, the following comments surfaced this morning on the the Dallas Morning News' Cowboys blog, from Terrance Newman, where it looks like he is calling out coaches for having no accountability:
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/12/terence-newman-accountability-problems-s.html
Good lord, what is going on around here? If someone didn't know any better they wouldn't know Dallas is preparing for their next biggest game of the season. Dallas can really ill afford to lose any of their final three games if they want to make the playoffs. So that makes this weekend's game vs. the Giants pretty big. Add to that the fact that it's going to be on Sunday night football on NBC and it's even bigger. And now, with all the "turmoil" going on, the spotlight is even more on the team. Unfortunately, we will get a massive dose of all this rehashed on Sunday as I'm quite sure every pregame and post game show on FOX/CBS/NBC will be chatting this thing up. And
Up until yesterday, I was so looking forward to this game because I really thought that Dallas was getting the Giants at the most opportune time. Brandon Jacobs has been ruled out of Sunday's game and, of course, Plaxico Burress will not be in uniform as he has been suspended the remainder of the season by NY. Those two things alone are huge for Dallas. That's not to say that the Giants are completely depleted on offense. The game is still going to be hard hitting and difficult however with both Jacobs and Burress not playing, the game is more winnable for Dallas than it would have been if they were playing. I still think Dallas is getting the Giants at a good time however are they going to be able to focus long enough to get the job done or are they going to implode on the sidelines in front of the entire country?
Since I'm biased, I think Dallas will find a way to get it done this week. Both teams are beat up (Dallas has 14 players on the injury list) but this is a division game and I hope Dallas remembers what NY did to them back in early November. Dallas is the more desperate team and the game is a home game for them as well. Those facts, plus Jacobs and Burress being out for NY, leave the "W" door open just enough for Dallas to squeeze through. Like I said, it won't be easy but I think the end result will put the Cowboys one step closer to the playoffs.
Prediction: Dallas 24, NY 21.
Monday, December 8, 2008
What a Bummer
What an absolute kick to the nads. I was the only one out of all my friends (who I discussed the game with) that legitimately thought Dallas would win on Sunday. I really did. I thought they would need to play a low scoring, defensive style game in order to win and for 3 1/2 quarters, they did that. And then, that dreaded ending to a close game happenend when Romo overthrew a pass to Witten, deep in their own end of the field, which ended up getting picked off and run back for the game winning score by Pittsburgh. Holy cow.
Offensively, they were good in spots, but overall not all that great. I will say this...Tashard Choice was awesome in fill in duty for Marion Barber. Choice ran for 88 yards in his first NFL start, the most against Pittsburgh all season, and had 166 total yards. Those stats would have been awesome no matter who they were playing but especially playing Pittsuburgh. Romo, coming off successive 300-yard games, was decent at times and below average at times as he ended the day 19-of-36 for 210 yards, 1 TD and three interceptions. In fact, he and Big Ben Roethlisberger had very similar stats as Big Ben was 17 of 33 for 204 and 1 TD. The glaring difference between the two (and the difference in the game) was that Roethlisberger didn't turn the ball over.
Defensively though, the Cowboys were outstanding to say the least. They did everything asked of them and more. Through 3 quarters of play, the Steelers only had 89 yards of offense. It was by far the best defensive effort I've seen all year. Pittsburgh has one of the league's best running games and the Cowboys answered the bell nearly everytime and really had the game well in hand until midway through the 4th quarter. That goal line stand on 4th down was a thing of absolute beauty and at that time, I really thought that was the game...I thought Dallas would walk away with the "W". It was a championship level defensive performance and one that everyone around here has been waiting for. It's just a shame that effort was wasted. I say wasted in that the team walked away with a loss, which is really all that matters. But my hope is that the defense can look squarely in the eye of their opposition in the next 3 games and know they can go toe to toe with them on every play.
I will say that Pac Man, in his first game back from his suspension, played decent on defense as he broke up a couple of passes thrown his way. So I give him props for that. My question is this: what is doing when he returns punts? Aside from the VERY POOR decison to try to field a punt at the 5 YARD LINE (which he muffed but then recovered) all I see is a bunch of juking left and right and he even sometimes looses yardage too. Here's a hint Pac Man...run north and south, NOT east and west. You are NOT Deion who could afford to do that because there was always the possibility of the punt return going for big yardage or a touchdown. And that is what I've heard about Pac Man but until I see it, he is just another guy. And to be honest, I trust Crayton to return punts more than Pac Man.
I'm sure Romo will take a lot of heat this week and he rightfully should. I love the guy's playmaking ability, and I understand playmaking is risky by it's very nature, but Romo has got to be smarter in situations like Sunday where he threw the interception that was returned for a touchdown. The Cowboys didn't need to score at that point because the score was tied. He didn't need to force anything. Dallas could have punted the ball away and with the time left (probably around 40 seconds or so), the Steelers would have had to move the ball to get in field goal range...which would have had to be closer than normal because of the cold weather. But Romo chose to take a risk and it ended up hurting the team. Only time will tell how bad it hurt the team. I think Romo is a great QB but until he starts performing better in December/playoffs, his reputation will be "one that can't win the big one" as Petyon Mannings was.
The weather didn’t help during yet another December disappointment for Dallas, which is 17-29 in the month since 1996. I still think (and maybe it's just blind hope) that Dallas will end the month of December 3-1. And to make the playoffs, they will have to because it looks like Tampa Bay, which Dallas holds the tie breaker over, will get to 11 wins and will get 1 of the 2 Wild Cards. So that leave a gaggle of other teams, some of which will get to 10-6, vying for the last Wild Card spot. And Dallas won't hold tie breakers over many of those teams. So, to definately get into the playoffs, the Cowboys must run the table and win all three of their last games. If they continue to play defense like they did this past weekend, I think that is entirely possible. With 2 of the last 3 games at home, where there should be agreeable weather, if they don't win out there is going to be hell to pay.
If Dallas can win their remaining games and streak into the playoffs, I see Sunday's loss as the type of loss the Giants had when the lost to the Patriots last year. That loss gave NY all kinds of confidence because they lost in the last few minutes of the game proving that they could go toe to toe with New England. And that loss eventually propelled the Giants to the Super Bowl...and everyone knows the rest of the story.
Offensively, they were good in spots, but overall not all that great. I will say this...Tashard Choice was awesome in fill in duty for Marion Barber. Choice ran for 88 yards in his first NFL start, the most against Pittsburgh all season, and had 166 total yards. Those stats would have been awesome no matter who they were playing but especially playing Pittsuburgh. Romo, coming off successive 300-yard games, was decent at times and below average at times as he ended the day 19-of-36 for 210 yards, 1 TD and three interceptions. In fact, he and Big Ben Roethlisberger had very similar stats as Big Ben was 17 of 33 for 204 and 1 TD. The glaring difference between the two (and the difference in the game) was that Roethlisberger didn't turn the ball over.
Defensively though, the Cowboys were outstanding to say the least. They did everything asked of them and more. Through 3 quarters of play, the Steelers only had 89 yards of offense. It was by far the best defensive effort I've seen all year. Pittsburgh has one of the league's best running games and the Cowboys answered the bell nearly everytime and really had the game well in hand until midway through the 4th quarter. That goal line stand on 4th down was a thing of absolute beauty and at that time, I really thought that was the game...I thought Dallas would walk away with the "W". It was a championship level defensive performance and one that everyone around here has been waiting for. It's just a shame that effort was wasted. I say wasted in that the team walked away with a loss, which is really all that matters. But my hope is that the defense can look squarely in the eye of their opposition in the next 3 games and know they can go toe to toe with them on every play.
I will say that Pac Man, in his first game back from his suspension, played decent on defense as he broke up a couple of passes thrown his way. So I give him props for that. My question is this: what is doing when he returns punts? Aside from the VERY POOR decison to try to field a punt at the 5 YARD LINE (which he muffed but then recovered) all I see is a bunch of juking left and right and he even sometimes looses yardage too. Here's a hint Pac Man...run north and south, NOT east and west. You are NOT Deion who could afford to do that because there was always the possibility of the punt return going for big yardage or a touchdown. And that is what I've heard about Pac Man but until I see it, he is just another guy. And to be honest, I trust Crayton to return punts more than Pac Man.
I'm sure Romo will take a lot of heat this week and he rightfully should. I love the guy's playmaking ability, and I understand playmaking is risky by it's very nature, but Romo has got to be smarter in situations like Sunday where he threw the interception that was returned for a touchdown. The Cowboys didn't need to score at that point because the score was tied. He didn't need to force anything. Dallas could have punted the ball away and with the time left (probably around 40 seconds or so), the Steelers would have had to move the ball to get in field goal range...which would have had to be closer than normal because of the cold weather. But Romo chose to take a risk and it ended up hurting the team. Only time will tell how bad it hurt the team. I think Romo is a great QB but until he starts performing better in December/playoffs, his reputation will be "one that can't win the big one" as Petyon Mannings was.
The weather didn’t help during yet another December disappointment for Dallas, which is 17-29 in the month since 1996. I still think (and maybe it's just blind hope) that Dallas will end the month of December 3-1. And to make the playoffs, they will have to because it looks like Tampa Bay, which Dallas holds the tie breaker over, will get to 11 wins and will get 1 of the 2 Wild Cards. So that leave a gaggle of other teams, some of which will get to 10-6, vying for the last Wild Card spot. And Dallas won't hold tie breakers over many of those teams. So, to definately get into the playoffs, the Cowboys must run the table and win all three of their last games. If they continue to play defense like they did this past weekend, I think that is entirely possible. With 2 of the last 3 games at home, where there should be agreeable weather, if they don't win out there is going to be hell to pay.
If Dallas can win their remaining games and streak into the playoffs, I see Sunday's loss as the type of loss the Giants had when the lost to the Patriots last year. That loss gave NY all kinds of confidence because they lost in the last few minutes of the game proving that they could go toe to toe with New England. And that loss eventually propelled the Giants to the Super Bowl...and everyone knows the rest of the story.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Uh oh...Barber's Out vs. Pittsburgh
A friend of mine and I were talking yesterday about Sunday's Cowboys - Steelers game on Sunday. When I told him I thought Dallas would win a low scoring, muck-it-up type game (kind of like the Washington game 3 weeks ago) he asked me "even without Barber?" (Marion Barber dislocated his pinkie toe on one of his feet during the Thanksgiving Day game vs. Seattle). I told him I heard was it would be a game time decision and that I really thought he would give it a go. I mean this is probably the biggest game for Dallas to this point in the season and with the way some of the other teams have been winning, Dallas can ill afford to lose 2 of the remaining 4 games.
Well, today about mid day I got a text message saying that Barber was definitely out for Sunday's game and didn't even get on the team charter up to Pittsburgh. Ouch. Actually make that double ouch because of how the Steeler's defense is playing. Pittsburgh leads the NFL in rushing defense with 71.2 yards per game average, the lowest by any team since the 1970 NFL merger, and have not allowed an opposing back to gain even 80 yards.
With Barber out, that means the bulk of the dirty work is going to have to go to rookie Tashard Choice who Dallas drafted in the 4th round this past April. Choice, from Georgia Tech, rushed for a career-high 57 yards on 11 carries when he replaced Barber on Thanksgiving, giving him 147 yards on 30 carries this season. And really, that isn't too shaby...4.9 yards per rush. I'll take that any day. However, playing Seattle's defense and Pittsburgh's defense are pretty much night and day. Backing up Choice will be Alonzo Coleman who Dallas signed off their practice squad where he had spent the better part of the past two years.
So it looks as if Dallas' chances of coming out of Pittsburgh with a "W" don't seem that great. But you know what...I'm not backing off my original prediction. I'm sticking with Dallas winning a lower scoring slug fest-type game. I think the Cowboy's defense has improved enough in recent weeks that they can keep the game close and I think Dallas has enough weapons on offense that they will be able to score a few times which may be all that's needed.
The key to this game is turnovers though. The team who wins the turnover battle I think will win. This is where Dallas' defense can keep them in the game. However, Pittsburgh has gotten more than their fair share of takeaways this year as well. Garrett needs to call a more conservative game tomorrow and Romo needs to play more conservatively, much to the chagrin of TO Owens. With two YOUNG RBs carrying the load for the team, the offense can't really afford to take more than a couple of shots down field.
The game might also come down to which ever team can make a big play on special teams. This is where Pac Man Jones comes in. He makes his triumphant return to the lineup and will be not only returning punts but will be back returning kicks. Everything I heard in the off season about this guy said that he is dynamic when he gets the ball in his hands. But we have yet to see that...at all. So this is Pac Man's chance to shine and put everything that happened earlier in the season to rest. If he can bust a kick return or punt for big yardage, or even a TD, that could be the difference in the game.
Dallas is more desperate to get a win than Pittsburgh. That doesn't mean they want the game more than the Steelers but the Cowboys can less afford a loss right now. That plus the Steelers defense may be a bit overconfident knowing Barber is out. Or maybe I'm just hoping against hope and this is all wishful thinking. But I gotta stick with my original prediction...I think Dallas finds a way to win an ugly game.
Prediction: Dallas 20, Pittsburgh 17
Well, today about mid day I got a text message saying that Barber was definitely out for Sunday's game and didn't even get on the team charter up to Pittsburgh. Ouch. Actually make that double ouch because of how the Steeler's defense is playing. Pittsburgh leads the NFL in rushing defense with 71.2 yards per game average, the lowest by any team since the 1970 NFL merger, and have not allowed an opposing back to gain even 80 yards.
With Barber out, that means the bulk of the dirty work is going to have to go to rookie Tashard Choice who Dallas drafted in the 4th round this past April. Choice, from Georgia Tech, rushed for a career-high 57 yards on 11 carries when he replaced Barber on Thanksgiving, giving him 147 yards on 30 carries this season. And really, that isn't too shaby...4.9 yards per rush. I'll take that any day. However, playing Seattle's defense and Pittsburgh's defense are pretty much night and day. Backing up Choice will be Alonzo Coleman who Dallas signed off their practice squad where he had spent the better part of the past two years.
So it looks as if Dallas' chances of coming out of Pittsburgh with a "W" don't seem that great. But you know what...I'm not backing off my original prediction. I'm sticking with Dallas winning a lower scoring slug fest-type game. I think the Cowboy's defense has improved enough in recent weeks that they can keep the game close and I think Dallas has enough weapons on offense that they will be able to score a few times which may be all that's needed.
The key to this game is turnovers though. The team who wins the turnover battle I think will win. This is where Dallas' defense can keep them in the game. However, Pittsburgh has gotten more than their fair share of takeaways this year as well. Garrett needs to call a more conservative game tomorrow and Romo needs to play more conservatively, much to the chagrin of TO Owens. With two YOUNG RBs carrying the load for the team, the offense can't really afford to take more than a couple of shots down field.
The game might also come down to which ever team can make a big play on special teams. This is where Pac Man Jones comes in. He makes his triumphant return to the lineup and will be not only returning punts but will be back returning kicks. Everything I heard in the off season about this guy said that he is dynamic when he gets the ball in his hands. But we have yet to see that...at all. So this is Pac Man's chance to shine and put everything that happened earlier in the season to rest. If he can bust a kick return or punt for big yardage, or even a TD, that could be the difference in the game.
Dallas is more desperate to get a win than Pittsburgh. That doesn't mean they want the game more than the Steelers but the Cowboys can less afford a loss right now. That plus the Steelers defense may be a bit overconfident knowing Barber is out. Or maybe I'm just hoping against hope and this is all wishful thinking. But I gotta stick with my original prediction...I think Dallas finds a way to win an ugly game.
Prediction: Dallas 20, Pittsburgh 17
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Mavs Over .500 for the First Time
Well, after the first nine games of the season, Dallas looked like they had fallen off the mountain...literally. At that time, they were 2-7 and didn't look like they knew how or had any interest in playing defense...especially in the final quarter of those games. They just couldn't keep up the scoring pace simply because they couldn't get the stops needed to get them back in the game. However, since then, the Mavs have gone 7-1 and looks like they have pulled this thing out of the mud. I think this is important because they have done the bulk of this without Josh Howard who has been sidelined the past 6 games with a gimpy ankle. Even though Josh is a knucklehead, he's a decent basketball player the Mavs count on. So for them to turn things around this starkly without him is remarkable.
Last night, Dallas played the Clippers who beat them earlier in the season (during that 2-7 stretch). During the previous game, the Mavs got down big and fought back to even the score in the 4th quarter only to get blown out because they had nothing left in the tank to continue the fight. This looked like the same type of game last night as the Clippers (who are one of the worst teams in the league) pretty much scored at will on Dallas and held a 15 point lead going into the 4th quarter. Zach Randolph had 27 points and 10 rebounds and anyone that says they were glad the Mavs didn't get him because he is a knucklehead really doesn't know what the Mavs need and what they don't. Randolph is a beast and the Mavs made a run to try to trade for him but he went to the Clippers instead. How great would that have been if he was the inside presence vs. Dampier/Diop?
The Mavs started the 4th quarter down 15 pts and so they went from man-to-man to zone and the Clippers had no idea how to score against it. You would have thought that was the first time they had ever seen zone defense at all. Dallas closed out the game on an 18-4 run. In fact, Dallas never led in the game until Jose Barea (Jose Barea?!?!) hit the go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute as the Mavs rallied from a 15-point deficit in the 4th quarter for a 100-98 win.
Dallas' next few opponents (Phoenix, Atlanta and San Antonio) are a little stiffer competition than the Clippers but I like the turnaround and the fight the team has shown the last few weeks. I still don't think the ending result will be any different than last year (one and done in the playoffs) but at least they are playing well as a team again. Bring on the Suns!
Last night, Dallas played the Clippers who beat them earlier in the season (during that 2-7 stretch). During the previous game, the Mavs got down big and fought back to even the score in the 4th quarter only to get blown out because they had nothing left in the tank to continue the fight. This looked like the same type of game last night as the Clippers (who are one of the worst teams in the league) pretty much scored at will on Dallas and held a 15 point lead going into the 4th quarter. Zach Randolph had 27 points and 10 rebounds and anyone that says they were glad the Mavs didn't get him because he is a knucklehead really doesn't know what the Mavs need and what they don't. Randolph is a beast and the Mavs made a run to try to trade for him but he went to the Clippers instead. How great would that have been if he was the inside presence vs. Dampier/Diop?
The Mavs started the 4th quarter down 15 pts and so they went from man-to-man to zone and the Clippers had no idea how to score against it. You would have thought that was the first time they had ever seen zone defense at all. Dallas closed out the game on an 18-4 run. In fact, Dallas never led in the game until Jose Barea (Jose Barea?!?!) hit the go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute as the Mavs rallied from a 15-point deficit in the 4th quarter for a 100-98 win.
Dallas' next few opponents (Phoenix, Atlanta and San Antonio) are a little stiffer competition than the Clippers but I like the turnaround and the fight the team has shown the last few weeks. I still don't think the ending result will be any different than last year (one and done in the playoffs) but at least they are playing well as a team again. Bring on the Suns!
Monday, December 1, 2008
The Stretch Run...Not The Cowboys Favorite Time of Year
Well, I've been a little slack the past few weeks with posting thoughts on what's been going on with the Cowboys but really, I can't get too fired up about San Francisco and Seattle. Dallas did what they were supposed to do and dispensed with both with relative ease.
The annual Thanksgiving game vs. Seattle was never really in doubt as the Seahawks lost their fifth straight game and looked pretty bad doing it. It's a shame to see how far and fast they have fallen due in part to injury however the team is just not playing well. Julius Jones, who I thought would have been motivated to show Dallas just what they missed in not resigning him, showed the Cowboys what they saw the past couple of seasons when he was with Dallas. Jones was held to 37 yds. rushing on 11 carries. Now I remember why they didn't resign him. The defense racked up seven sacks—three by Ware, giving him an NFL-best 15. The offense seems to be clicking on all cylinders as they scored touchdowns on the first three drives and points on the first four. Romo looked like his old self again as he fired for 331 passing yards and 3 TDs. He is expected to be back to full strength for the next game with the splint on his finger being removed.
So, now that the Cowboys have clawed their way back into the playoff hunt, they will need to do something they haven't done since 2001...have a winning record in the month of December. And I can't think of a tougher final month they've faced in recent years than they will face this year: at Pittsburgh, home against New Yawk, home against Baltimore and they finish up the season in Filthadelphia. For any time this year, that would be brutal. But for a team that is 18-31 in the month of December since 1996, it looks almost impossible. Every one of those teams is in the top 11 defensively and 3 of them are in the top 7. So Dallas is going to have to slug it out, put their head down and bull rush their way toward the playoffs. Here's how I see the final month shaking out for the Cowboys:
Pittsburgh is the top defensive team (no surprise) in the league in just about every category. And judging from what they did to New England, in Foxboro, they are probably the top team in the AFC and more than likely will the the AFC representative in the Super Bowl. However, they are not a team that is going to put up crazy offensive numbers as they average just a little over 22 pts per game. If Dallas can jump on them early and get out to a lead, they might be able to hold them off. This is what I'm betting on but I really don't expect Dallas to get into a slug fest with the Steelers and win. But Dallas will do just enough to come away with a win.
The New Yawk Giants, much to my dismay, have just continued to roll through the season unfazed by any personnel loss or "distraction" that occurs off the field. That is definitely something I admire about the team. In the last couple of years, they have lost Tiki Barber, Michael Strahan, Jeremy Shockey, Osi Umenyiora and David Tyree and ended up with a Super Bowl win and a franchise first 11-1 start this season. Adding to that, their best offensive weapon, Plaxico Burress may not rejoin the team the rest of the year due to an off the field incident with a gun and guess what...the Giants don't even care. Why is that? Because they don't need him. They just keep winning. However, I have a good feeling about this game for Dallas...don't know why at this point but I'm calling this a "W" right now. You read it here first.
The Baltimore game is probably the trickiest of the bunch because it will be after what I think will be an extremely hard fought victory over the NFC's best team. Dallas will be emotionally and physically spent and I think Baltimore comes to town and beats Dallas pretty good...probably by 14 pts. The Ravens are a little like the Steelers in that they play hard nose physical defense, a staple of theirs, but also can hurt you with a few offensive weapons too. Their rookie QB Joe Flacco is not playing like a rookie and will be the key in their victory over Dallas.
And last, but certainly the least, the Filthadelphia Foul. This is where I think Dallas makes their mark. I think the Cowboys will have to have 11 wins to guaranty a playoff spot so this could be the determining game for that. And Filthadelpia loves to beat Dallas, especially TO Owens, so they will be pretty rev ed up. But I think Dallas goes in and beat a Foul team which will be out of the playoffs at that point and looking for a new QB...McNabb won't return to Filthy next season.
So, I have Dallas winning 3 of their final 4 games and getting into the playoffs as the #5 seed. Maybe this is just homer ism or blind faith because nothing in the recent history supports anything I just said. But something is different with this team and maybe it's the adversity they had to overcome in the middle of the season. But if the Giants, can turn their season around and use a productive December to vault into the post season, I certainly think Dallas can do it too. The gauntlet has been thrown...let's see if Dallas is up to the task.
The annual Thanksgiving game vs. Seattle was never really in doubt as the Seahawks lost their fifth straight game and looked pretty bad doing it. It's a shame to see how far and fast they have fallen due in part to injury however the team is just not playing well. Julius Jones, who I thought would have been motivated to show Dallas just what they missed in not resigning him, showed the Cowboys what they saw the past couple of seasons when he was with Dallas. Jones was held to 37 yds. rushing on 11 carries. Now I remember why they didn't resign him. The defense racked up seven sacks—three by Ware, giving him an NFL-best 15. The offense seems to be clicking on all cylinders as they scored touchdowns on the first three drives and points on the first four. Romo looked like his old self again as he fired for 331 passing yards and 3 TDs. He is expected to be back to full strength for the next game with the splint on his finger being removed.
So, now that the Cowboys have clawed their way back into the playoff hunt, they will need to do something they haven't done since 2001...have a winning record in the month of December. And I can't think of a tougher final month they've faced in recent years than they will face this year: at Pittsburgh, home against New Yawk, home against Baltimore and they finish up the season in Filthadelphia. For any time this year, that would be brutal. But for a team that is 18-31 in the month of December since 1996, it looks almost impossible. Every one of those teams is in the top 11 defensively and 3 of them are in the top 7. So Dallas is going to have to slug it out, put their head down and bull rush their way toward the playoffs. Here's how I see the final month shaking out for the Cowboys:
Pittsburgh is the top defensive team (no surprise) in the league in just about every category. And judging from what they did to New England, in Foxboro, they are probably the top team in the AFC and more than likely will the the AFC representative in the Super Bowl. However, they are not a team that is going to put up crazy offensive numbers as they average just a little over 22 pts per game. If Dallas can jump on them early and get out to a lead, they might be able to hold them off. This is what I'm betting on but I really don't expect Dallas to get into a slug fest with the Steelers and win. But Dallas will do just enough to come away with a win.
The New Yawk Giants, much to my dismay, have just continued to roll through the season unfazed by any personnel loss or "distraction" that occurs off the field. That is definitely something I admire about the team. In the last couple of years, they have lost Tiki Barber, Michael Strahan, Jeremy Shockey, Osi Umenyiora and David Tyree and ended up with a Super Bowl win and a franchise first 11-1 start this season. Adding to that, their best offensive weapon, Plaxico Burress may not rejoin the team the rest of the year due to an off the field incident with a gun and guess what...the Giants don't even care. Why is that? Because they don't need him. They just keep winning. However, I have a good feeling about this game for Dallas...don't know why at this point but I'm calling this a "W" right now. You read it here first.
The Baltimore game is probably the trickiest of the bunch because it will be after what I think will be an extremely hard fought victory over the NFC's best team. Dallas will be emotionally and physically spent and I think Baltimore comes to town and beats Dallas pretty good...probably by 14 pts. The Ravens are a little like the Steelers in that they play hard nose physical defense, a staple of theirs, but also can hurt you with a few offensive weapons too. Their rookie QB Joe Flacco is not playing like a rookie and will be the key in their victory over Dallas.
And last, but certainly the least, the Filthadelphia Foul. This is where I think Dallas makes their mark. I think the Cowboys will have to have 11 wins to guaranty a playoff spot so this could be the determining game for that. And Filthadelpia loves to beat Dallas, especially TO Owens, so they will be pretty rev ed up. But I think Dallas goes in and beat a Foul team which will be out of the playoffs at that point and looking for a new QB...McNabb won't return to Filthy next season.
So, I have Dallas winning 3 of their final 4 games and getting into the playoffs as the #5 seed. Maybe this is just homer ism or blind faith because nothing in the recent history supports anything I just said. But something is different with this team and maybe it's the adversity they had to overcome in the middle of the season. But if the Giants, can turn their season around and use a productive December to vault into the post season, I certainly think Dallas can do it too. The gauntlet has been thrown...let's see if Dallas is up to the task.
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