291 Comments to ‘Presser Points’: »
jarhead:
i didnt see the game, im sure they’ll run it on game of the week or replay on the network so ill probably watch it. i wonder if the one back was barber. did anyone see him blow blitz pickup on 3rd downs?
he has struggled in it so far this year.
ManTab:
so, if one guy is not catching up to what you’re trying to do you have to adjust….don’t you? replace him maybe? call for plays where this “one guy” is not so vulnerable and could cause damage such as your quarterback our indefinetly with a concusion, etc…
If I’d have to guess he’s talking about either Flo, Fasano or JJ screwing up on the blitzes. I don’t think it’s Fasano. I saw Flo screwing up once and Juluis once…never saw fasano on the inside where those blitzes were coming from (then again, that might have been the problem?).
I don’t know…I wish it was sataurday already so that I can be looking forward for thenext game and not remembering yesterday’s BS.
As I see our schedulle now, I believe this is going to be a 9-7 team or 10-6 tops.
joey2zs:
I didn’t see any egregious blitz misses by the backs. What was happening is that 3 guys lined up over Gurode, a DT and 2 LBs, one over each of Gurode’s shoulders. The back has to pick a side to plug. Once, I think, Jones picked Gurode’s right side but the LB on his left side got through and Jones couldn’t get to him in time. That’s about it.
I don’t think Flozell’s failings amount to much. The destructive pressure was the up-the-middle blitzes - even if they didn’t amount to sacks.
on the other hand, I’m not a pro football coach and I don’t have the game tape, and I didn’t teach these guys how to play football.
jarhead:
the one fat guy who asked the question about running from the 6 late in the game asked what i thought was the best question of the presser.
i have to admit that BP’s answer wasnt bad either.
ManTab:
what was the answer on running from the 6?
jarhead:
joey,
my brother watched some film and thinks it was adams and kozier who were the biggest culprits.
adams just flat out sucked last night and kozier struggled picking up stunts.
we’ll see more of these in the weeks to come until we show we can burn it.
CowboyMan:
I’m not willing to predict our 2006 record overall. I will say, that like all years, we’ll win a couple that, right now, might seem to some to be certain losses. The game yesterday was a loss that I thought would be a win. If we beat the Texans we’ll be 3-2 followed by the NYGs at home. Then three road games that should tell the tale. I don’t see a certain loss on the schedule so I think we’ll be in the hunt.
jarhead:
man,
he said if you didnt get it, you would have to clock it (3rd down) to stop the clock which means its now 4th so you only get one more chance.
he didnt come out and say it, but he strongly alluded that DB should have thrown it away (”the play was covered”). that would have given them 2 more chances to score.
im sure BP has had a little talk with DB. he made it very clear in the presser that “protecting the ball” has to be their #1 priority. He also made it clear that DB is the QB, but im sure in private he told him the hook is getting shorter.
He basically said they would only have run it on first down and didn’t, but wouldn’t on second down because if they failed they would have to spike it and leave themselves with only one more shot at the end zone instead of two.
I think it’s pretty simple. They’ve got 30 seconds and no time outs. If you run and fail, which is a good bet at the six, you’re going to waste most of your time and risking a penalty rushing to get the next play going without a huddle.
jarhead:
well,
im enjoying a day off and am going to go make dinner for my family. il watch a little MNF and chat at you guys later.
No injuries, stay POSITIVE. This was NOT A DISASTER.
Shane J:
Jar,
You are correct, and it may be good to see what happens. Refering to the ‘we will see it until we can burn it’ comment.
Better to see what ails us now than later. Kinda upset that apparently we knew exactly what the Iggles would send our way and we didn’t get it done.
I may have to give myself three days to pout about this one vs my normal two. If we wouldn’t have gotten so close to winning it, even with our faults, maybe I wouldn’t be so upset.
The Iggles are good, but they didn’t beat us without our help. I look forward to the next Iggles game.
emrdog:
what was the pressure on bledsoe like on that last INT? I can’t remember. in retrospect, it was a good idea not to run, although yesterday i thought differently
lou:
Alright, I watched the game again, and everyone is overreacting about Bledsoe AND the game. I was suprised that the game was close but at second glance we played them close. I thought Parcells didnt rip into the team enough but again it was just us holding us back.
1st, we ran an empty set 3 times. On the 1st one, the Eagles blitzed their 2 ILB, lining them up between Walker and Paterson. Walker walks right in and hits Drew, causing the 1st fumble. FLOZELL ADAMS is at fault here, he decides wayy too late to pick up Walker and goes for the outside guy Howard. Not okay in an empty set.
We ran 2 more empty sets, the first time in the first half, Howard bullrushes Marco, hits Bledsoe’s arm and its ALMOST picked by Sheppard. The 2nd one, in the 2nd half, they only rushed 4, but the pocket collapsed and Bledsoe was sacked. It was a nice play by the DLine, Columbo got picked and I believe Howard got him.
On the 1st INT, the Eagles blitzed 7, Bledsoe’s arm is hit, and there’s your INT.
The 2nd INT is all Bledsoe, an underthrow.
On one sack, Kosier had one of those mental errors on a 6 man blitz and Darwin Walker runs up and hits Bledsoe.
On another, the Eagles blitzed 8, and Walker goes untouched and sacks Bledsoe before he can even back up. I think Adams had a mental error, because Julius wrongs to the other side it looks like. I think he was Adams assignment.
Conservative play calling on D? A little, not as much as I first thought. We only all out blitzed once, and that was when we thought they were sure they were running late in the 4th and McNabb overthrew everyone.
Everyone says we aren’t Super Bowl caliber, you can’t tell yet, but at least we can run the ball. The Eagles cant do that. They pass protect real good and give McNabb alot of time but they just cant run it. Most of their “runs” are screens to Westbrook.
The last drive was what people should be mad at. Bledsoe was sacked the 1st time after the 2 minute warning and it was on him. He was trying to wait for WR’s to get downfield and was hit by 2 guys. The 2nd one, he read the progressions too slow, looking for something down field, and missed Witten. He was about to throw but got hit.
As bad as it looked the 1st time, the worst player was Watkins, not Bledsoe. He not only gave up big plays but momentum. Ware runs it back, 14-10, LJ Smith strikes, 17-14. Cowboys come back and score with Bledsoe rollout. Cowboys take the lead 21-17, big play, now 24-21. Cowboys tie it up 24-24 (nice kick Vanderjact), another huge play, 31-24. The rest is history.
Another player with a really bad game was Marion Barber. 2 times he couldnt convert on 3rd and 1, and the 3rd time Drew ran for the 1st down instead of Barber. He ran 6 times for 11 yards taking away the last garbage time play.
Our best offensive player was Julius, he looked really good out there doing everything, so far this is his breakout year (knock on wood).
Sorry for the length.
joey2zs:
It’s not a disaster yet, Jarhead. More nerves, uncertainty and INTs next Sunday, and we can point to this loss at the Eagles as the beginning of the end - of a lot. You can see how some variables could be set in place like dominos…
1. Pressure to start Romo becomes overwhelming from Jones, the Team, and Fans
2. Bledsoe is done in Dallas (he already needs to prepare for endless booing on Sunday)
3. TO truly does become a cancer
4. The team has a losing record and doesn’t make the playoffs
5. Parcells calls it a career
6. The team and its future is in disarray.
steelyeyedmissle:
Good BP teams usually peak later in the season. That’s good because this team is nothing more than a .500 ballclub that can’t win a road game unless they play a team still looking for its first win. It’s not time for doom and gloom though. We’re at the quarter pole and after watching the presser today, the players would have to be idiots not correct the mental errors.
mikhu:
Nice analysis Lou, I liked it.
I have now seen it all. Merril Hoge has cemented his legacy of being an idiot. He says it’s time to bench Roy,\b>.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2618549
mikhu:
Ooops, sorry about the formatting error.
Did you guys know those coverage errors were Roy’s fault? According to Merril they were. Doofus.
Im pissed. I tink Parcells is truly making the wrong decision. His one fault is sticking to his guys too long. Drew Bledsoe can win some games but he can not tak us to the promise land. He can not handle the blitz. It is too easy to scheme for this team. I do not think it was the Olie’s fault as much as Bledsoe’s Romo would make this line look great. Im writing off the season. For the first time, I almost want Parcells to leave with Bledsoe.
I say almost becuase usually I am a big Parcells backer and he rus great drafts but this is too much. He is wasting the season in my opinion
JAG:
@15:
You stole my thunder. I’m disappointed with the loss yesterday because I think we had a chance to beat the Eagles in Philly, probably the best division opponent on the road, and we couldn’t quite pull it off. We had some poor play that we hadn’t seen earlier this year, but we also played IMO a much better team than the Redskins (even had they had Portis and Sprints, and that was at home) and the Titans. Hopefully Watkins can learn from this because it’s gonna be hell for him facing Peyton Manning later this season. Our pass rush seemed to be disappointing as well.
All in all though, it’s still early in the year for us to throw the towel in. There’s time for the team to grow. Every year there are teams that start slow and finish strong and teams that start strong and finish awful. Hopefully we’ll deliver some payback on Christmas.
rha:
There were positives in this game just as there were in the Jacksonville game. The running game looks good. Our OL holds its own and looks dominate sometimes(even though they made some errors in both games). Our secondary as in Jacksonville blew coverages, but otherwise looked dominant (2 of 12 third down conversions). These things arguably cost us both games but are correctible.
However, in both loses, Bledsoe turned the ball over under pressure and when given time has not looked dominant. We have every reason to believe our team will get stronger except in the QB position.
emrdog:
yeah, i’m not up for “throwing in the towel”, awfully frustrated however. i was expecting playoffs out of this team and i’m seeing not that as much with yesterday’s game. maybe, MAYBE wildcard. I know it’s early but you gotta read the tea leaves. OL, Bledsoe, pash rush, and Watkins have GOT to pull something out of their butts cause we ain’t going anywhere without their improvement.
rha:
I may be in a minority, but I happen to think Romo is an excellent QB. He seems to have every skill you want. He is mobile, accurate, strong armed has and very quick release. Does he have the “X” factor, how would we ever know until he plays? There are no guarantees for sure but at some point you just have to take a chance, especially if the payoff is good. Romo looks like a good bet to me.
emrdog:
Listen, I’m all over the Romo train, believe you me. However, I still don’t think we have a clear picture of what he can do. so I don’t know if we can talk about how awesome he is just yet. BUT, i’m sooooooo willing to take the chance with Romo it’s not even funny!!!
emackn:
Disappointing loss? Absolutely. But This just might be the game that solidifies this team. I was impressed that we didn’t panic after the 10 point spot. One thing I didn’t get is if Bledsoe is calling max protect..why not go to shotgun? Too loud maybe?
I also just laughed as Philly tried that silly no-huddle on us.
And for those who saw the game, How annoying was it that they circled TO on every play??
T Zig:
Watching the game the camera man every now and then panned to the crowd to show their ignorance and there they were….. a few Dallas fans wearing TO’s jersey….. I laughed and thought, now there’s some guys with some sack…….
Tex:
Mr. Posner, maybe it is time to have that drink in Montecito - I couldn’t agree more. I wouldn’t advocate Parcells leaving (Maybe GM), too many good building blocks that were not here before the Tuna arrrived; however, as long as he continues to stick with these retread, long-in-the-tooth QBs, the season is futile. The exact same situation exists in Washington.
It takes Bledsoe about eight seconds just to make a five-step drop, and then the countless turnovers. Romo outplayed him in camp - but that is the one position I guess it doesn’t matter. We have to have an answer on Romo this year, and now is the time with two home games. Romo would give this team a spark, we certainly wouldn’t see 4+ turnovers from the QB position. Bledsoe is not the answer,and how anybody can miss that obvious fact is beyond me.
There certainly is history here - instead of finding out about Romo or Henson two years ago, the Tuna stuck with Vinny the entire 5-win season… talk about going down with the ship.
Tex:
Tex is pissed and amazed… how anyone can ignore this pink elephant in the room is truly beyond me. Bledsoe is one of the five to ten worst QBs in football and must be benched today. What more do you need to see… five pics and three fumbles? Clear as a Montecito day.
T Zig:
Raf,
I for one want to thank you for your analysis and opinions daily. Straight talk with no b.s. sites are very rare. Nice to have a therapy website like this one.
Thank-you!
Here’s what to blame for our woes:
Not Bledsoe. Not Flo. Not Kozier. Not Wilkins. Not Vandy. Not TO. Not BP.
It’s the blue jerseys.
0-2 in the blue threads. Teams have purposefully put us in our blues for both road losses, and it worked. That’s superb coaching by Del Rio and Reid. Maybe Fisher should’ve taken a page from thier book.
lou:
LOL Cosby, I was thinking the same thing. Can anyone remember the last time we won in those things? Carolina last year I think we wore them?
VTcowboys:
Start Romo…its the perfect chance; we’re at home against the Texans.
Also, I hate how the media blew up the face that TO was shouting on the sidelines. First of all, he was encouraging our Oline, and he has every right to be mad at bledsoe or the recieving coach. He didnt get hte ball and he was open all day. Not to mention, Terry Glenn was upset and yelling too. Every reciever had the right to be mad at Bledsoe’s poor play. I get so mad at how the media has chopped Owen’s post game interview and keep pointing out that he is “cancer”.
Eric R:
To all the “get rid of Bledsoe” guys,
First of all this loss is good for 2 reasons:
#1 - It will motivate these players to get better and fix what is wrong.
#2 - I think Parcells will agree with me, it is better to have a meltdown like this early on in the year, rather than late. They have time to make adjustments. At least now they are aware just “how they measure up”.
Now I will pit this challenge out to any one of you. TALK TO ME IN 6 WEEKS!!! I will give you my phone number .. call me in six weeks and tell me how bad this team is then. Mark my words … 6 weeks from now Dallas will have at least 7 wins!! 5-1 or better!!!
CNMDallasfan:
Some things to consider. Marcus Coleman is eligible to come back this week. Will he take Watkins spot? We’ll find out soon. Parcells said that he’s sticking by Drew Bledslow. 
Very disappointing. Please, please, please, someone in the Houston game give bledsoe just one broken finger on his right hand. That’s all I ask. Please? With Bledsoe at the helm, it is a sad time to be a Cowboys fan…bleak future, both short, and long term.
Ah well. Texas beat OU this weekend, that made the loss hurt a little less.
T Zig:
I witnessed DB in the pocket yesterday and noticed the same problem this man had late last year and most of his career should the truth be known.
There are qb’s that can “stand-in” the pocket with pressure, read and deliver while taking the hit. I realize DB isn’t one of those qb’s. DB’s fine until he’s in the 3-5 step drop, and then the pocket starts to close and he stops reading. (It’s like he freezes until he’s brought down)
The disturbing play I witnessed that I cannot let go of was DB tucking the ball and lowering his head when the pocket was closing prior to a hit that never came. Very reminiscent of Crissy Everetts fantom sack(s) years ago with the Rams. It was this play that really told me that we will not go to the SB with this man.
I can take a qb that occasionally misses his target or isn’t the most fleet a-foot, but they must “stand-in” and deliver. No negociating in this area. To make matters worse, he’s turning the ball over.
A new man law.
“NO TUCKING AND DUCKING WAITING FOR THE HIT”!
A wise man once told me that you are what you are. DB is what he is.
red raider:
I tell you the truth I blame the caoching staff for not adjusting they kept blitzing and we kept doing slow developing plays. We should have kept running draws and using screens to Owens side because he is a good blocker. My thoughts on Bledsoe all the turnovers were pressure related except 2. The long throw to Owens on the INT which should have been a TD but was underthrown and the last INT was unexcusable. He threw it right to Lito. I am definitely think we gave this one away just like Jacksonville. My only complaint with Bledsoe is he has to protect the ball better in the future. I am not ready for Romo yet.
jarhead:
there is plenty of blame to go around for this one.
my wife said something to me once, after my daughter’s soccer team lost. she said “it just wasnt meant to be, no matter what we did, we couldnt get a break.”
I think that happened on sunday. take the roy williams/watkins meltdown on the flea flicker. they were both in great position, defensed it well,didnt bite. yet, it was a TD. it looks like williams just kind of loses the ball.
olineman just keep missing blocks on the same old blitzes. hard to explain. it just wasnt meant to be last night.
its only mid-october. we need to wait and see where we are at the end of the 3 game road streak, we’ll know alot more by then.
we need to win a tough NFC game, on the road, convincingly. the two that come to mind are DC and carolina.
jarhead:
BTW,
living in the DC area has one benefit: I get to listen to the skin’s whine and woes all week.
alanTdot:
Well Said Jarhead.
Let’s not all go Jamestown just yet.
jarhead:
alan,
the other one i didnt mention was the CB blitz.
I mean ellis has a clear shot at mcnabb, mcnabb just kind of side stepped it. at the last moment, ellis seems to somehow lose his focus and just run straight, weird.
just not meant to be. give the iggles their magical night; after all, we single handedly destroyed them last year.
we’ll see them again.
alanTdot:
Tex,
if you are going to go superstar and refer to yourself in the third person, at least be consistent.
By the way, Where’s Drew Henson?
alanTdot:
I meant let’s not all go Jonestown….
sierrareef:
I’m not convinced the QB switch won’t happen this week. BP said not at this minute - what about by the end of the week after giving Romo some additional reps with the 1st team? A Friday/Saturday decision to avoid the media blitz.
Romo seemed like a leader, talking to TO and other players on the sideline - trying to keep them focused.
The Dallas team can improve, but so will many other teams. Does BP, or anyone else think Bledsoe is the QB of the future? Does anyone think he can put back to back to back great performances against formidable teams?
With a QB who makes quicker decisions, has a quicker release and has quicker feet, we maybe don’t have 2 losses. I think Romo can be that guy. I think this is a prime time to go his way. Not because of the Eagles game. Not becasue of the Jags game. Because Bledsoe has repeatedly demonstrated in a Cowboy uniform that he wilts in this type of game with this type of pressure.
biz is winning:
jarhead there sure is plenty of blame to go around,start with bledsoe not throwing the ball away db holding the ball too long,not steping up into the pocket,literaly yelling don’t him me please!!!!when he spots a defensive player coming unblocked,hiding like a hermit crab when the pressure is coming and totally giving up on the play when he still has another second or two.is this the guy you expect to bring us to the super bowl.i don’t think so i will guarantee you we’re going nowhere we’re just blowing smoke up our a#*@es right now.talk about wasting a year.
biz is winning:
these 3 or 4 years have been pisser with the awesome qb’s our coach brings to his team.{r testaverde,bledsoe} ha!ha!ha!ha!ha!ha1ha!ha!ha!ha!ha!what a joke!what a joke!
Fan since 1966:
So many questions re Cowboys [non]response to the Eagles blitzes…
* If, as BP says in presser, Drew was getting hit before he could even get set, why not go shotgun to buy a little time? (I’m absolutely amazed that not a single one of the mediots thought to ask about that. Have you heard anything about this from your people at the Ranch, Raf?).
* Why wait until the middle of the 4Q to roll the pocket? As Troy sardonically remarked, you’d think the brilliant brain trust would have thought of doing that a tad earlier in the game…
* Where were the screens and draws to counter the Philly blitzes? The Eagles certainly had some success with their screens vs our rush.
The Cowboys play the Eagles at least twice each year, so they knew what was coming from the Philly defense. How could the Cowboys offense look so inept and unprepared??! And how come the feeble responses/adjustments (rolling pocket, shotgun, etc)didn’t come until almost the end of the game?
Sheer coaching stubborness, stupidity, shock, or what??
Yelp about pitiful player execution all you want, but there was plenty of equally excrebably poor coaching
failures that helped lose this game.
mccourt:
Parcells should be blamed for:
1. not starting Romo January 1 2006 against the Rams
2. not substituting Romo in Jacksonville, where Bledoe’s back problems were obvious to everyone except the Cowboy coaches and trainers
3. being just another head coach, too stubborn to learn, and too dumb to adjust.
biz is winning:
mccourt i know i’m alone on this one but my opinion is parcells is overrated,when he won sb’s he won on defense and run the ball kill the clock.he hasn’t won anything since belichick left him.
biz is winning:
will the real bill step forward.
Eric R:
biz and mccourt,
Get real! .. All you want to do is throw blame, like a wet paper towel, at a wall and hope it sticks. Despite the loss, the Cowboys STILL have a good young team for a few years to come. …. Like I said, I am taking bets on how well the team fairs in the next 6 games. Put up or shut up. … You guys are the same a$$es that wanted Troy Hambrick in at RB!! Every loss, “cut this guy!” or “bench that one!”. …. When was the last team to go undefeated?? You all act like this team was going to go 16-0! Obviously this game yesterday was one of the toughest on the Boys schedule. They lost .. move on!!!!
alanTdot:
Biz
You need to back up your statement that Parcells is overrated with more than the old ‘hasn’t won without Belichek’ chestnut.
How many has Belichek won without Crennel?
Did you know that Crennel, Weiss, Belichek, and many more were assistants under Parcells?
You say he has won sb’s on defense etc, etc.
Prove it.
Tell me how he is overrated. It might take more than a single sentence to do it though. Are you up to it?
He won two SuperBowls.
He has a lenghty list of former coaches who have become successful NFL coaches, and College coaches.
You, however, are a troll of the worst kind. You slink around after losses and scribble out half thoughts and banal chatter.
You are a punk a$$ b!%(% and you need to stop boring us with your crap.
All you do is personify the Blog/web site weak link that any fool with time and a web connection can post his failings online and try and pass it off as a valid position. Go away. You bore me.
freetam:
This team needs a win against a good opponent on the road. Until, they can beat a solid team under duress they will continue to be mediocre and will never establish any true sense of confidence. We all should be pissed because this has been a trend not a one game debacle. How many big games has Bledsoe won since he has been a Cowboy against a solid team. The only win I can think of his last year against San Diego. It’s accumulation of frustration. It’s the coaching staff’s inability to make adjustments in the game. The eagles came reminds me of Jaguars game. No pressure on the qb and stupid mistakes by Bledsoe.
I like Bledsoe and I think he is a standup guy, but he does not have that “it” factor that will carry this team to the next level. If you have a mediocre offense line than you need to at least try Romo who can at least role out and make things happen.
mrwnt10:
apparantly T.O. shares our frustrations.
can’t tell if this is joking or not?
these are true text messages from T.O. and McNabb
4:10 p.m.
McNabb: Good luck 2day … not
T.O.: Can’t txt. My cell battery is low
T.O.: Nevermind. A fan just hit me w a battery. I’ll use that
5:56 p.m.
McNabb: Ha-ha. Zero catches at halftime. Now don’t go OD on painkillers
T.O.: That’s insensitive. Many Eagles fans are probably on painkillers
McNabb: Good point. Sorry
T.O.: Kidding. That’s not what happened anyway. I had 2 go 2 the hospital cuz I ate a can of your nasty soup. Tell them every can should come w a free stomach pump
McNabb: Don’t make me have my mom give u a beatdown. We both know she could
6:15 p.m.
McNabb: My coach says 2 ask your coach if they’re still on for the cheesesteak buffet after the game
T.O.: Let me ask
T.O.: He says yes. Says that’s the whole reason he made the trip
6:43 p.m.
McNabb: Nice drop on that last pass, moron
T.O.: Tnx. I got so used 2 playing w u that I’m still not used 2 having passes hit me in the hands
6:58 p.m.
T.O.: I thought u should know that your backup qb stares at your butt when you are behind center
McNabb: Enough with that. Grow up. Jeff Garcia is dating a Playboy model
T.O.: AJ Feeley is not dating a Playboy model
mrwnt10:
7:12 p.m.
T.O.: Are u going 2 buy my children’s book about sharing for your kids?
McNabb: No
T.O.: Y?
McNabb: Because I hate u
T.O.: Then u probably won’t like my next children’s book about sharing. It’s about a chubby, out of shape qb named Little D who shares with his teammates that he’s nervous about the big game by throwing up on them in the huddle
McNabb: I really, really despise u
7:44 p.m.
McNabb: Ha ha u lost. LOL
T.O.: Who knew there are qbs worse than u? I should have done some research. I need a new agent
well, you can’t deny that they have a sense of humor.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=gallo/061009&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos3
biz is winning:
eric r.you can’t be serious?taking bet’s on what?that we’re gonna make some noise in the next 6 games?imagine bledsoe in chicago in january imagine it brrrrrrr!imagine bledsoe’s dead duck in those chicago winds cmon get serious dude let’s not waste the year and give romo needed exp for next year.just kidding about chicago we don’t know who we’re gonna play but imagine if it did happen that’s scary with db at the helm.we’re done!
I was out of town for the weekend and just got back - couldn’t wait to post my opinion on the play calling and conservative offense again 
OK, here I go again. The play calling, plus the statue, DB, is driving me crazy! BP knows what philly does. They blitz!!! So what do you have to do when you KNOW they’re going to blitz? Buelher? Buelher? You adjust the play calling and go with more 3 step drops and get the damn ball out. Philly d-coordinator has stated that’s why they didn’t blitz Favre more - because he was doing the 3-step drop and firing the ball. Why, in God’s name, can Brett Favre do this but we can’t?
We have so much talent on offense and it looks like DB only recognizes TG. Hey Drew! TO is on your team now. It is ok to throw to him. Correct me if I’m wrong, but TO looked wide open on quite a few throws that went to other receivers. When the ball was thrown his way, they couldn’t always connect. I know that there were other factors involved here but this offense needs to start utilizing it’s best players much better than they have.
Whether it’s the play calling, blown assignments or whatever, one thing is for sure - Drew-the-statue-bledsoe needs to warm his ass on the bench. I cannot stand watching him back there taking all day to throw a stinking pass. It’s almost like he won’t throw unless the receiver has a five yard cushion from the db. If Romo is the future, let the future start now. We know all to well how DB handles the big games, let’s see how Romo does it. I know it was only pre-season, but Romo looked very crisp and decisive with his throws. I’m sure he would find TO a lot more than db does.
I’m all over the place and getting more pissed by the minute. So to get my blood pressure back down, I’ll stop for now.
biz is winning:
alantdot did i call you or anybody on this blog names?.you now what you’re the punk a#s bi#@ch stop crying.if you don’t want to listin just ignore what i say i don’t give a f@#k.
alanTdot:
Nice Biz, that was two sentences.
Good work.
biz is winning:
alantdot as a matter of fact you say i only come back after losses,i don’t see the need to come on this site after beating the worst team in the league and give bledsoe a medal,on top of that i can see a lot of people on this site already feeling excited about playing the 2nd sh@#@*st team in the league the texans.yeah that’s something to really brag about beating those 2 teams give me some real wins.screw bledsoe we can blow the texans out and he still S#@#s win a big game on the road and then i’ll give him his props.sad thing is he will win and sneak another 3weeks out of this season.
alanTdot:
Biz,
I am glad my prodding has gotten you to expand on your ‘opinions’.
Now lets try and make some sense with those extra sentences.
(BTW, that long bar at the bottom of your keyboard is the space bar…..)
itrustintuna:
LMAO! tell us how you feel alantdot. the troll could use hooked on phonics it appears
biz is winning:
you’re funny!do you actually think i’m taking you serious ?or you’re upsetting me?critcize my writing all you want bro i’m good.i can take it.
DALCALFAN:
BP- Thinks this is not the “minute”.
Very comforting word for for the rest of the year.
My hope here is that BP has a time in mind, a season turning game possibly, where a new dimension can be added to a solid offense; an elusive, rush evading, creative play-maker to the mix. Someone that could be a surprise on the road against a division
(BIG TIME) game. Because I’m getting tired of seeing the same ol’ game. DB getting hammered and throwing it to wide open players on the other team or losing control of the rock due to fumble or deflection. But it’s the way in which its happening to make it worse. He stands back there waiting to get hit and then at the last possible second try to turn oatmeal into a gourmet breakfest with champagne. But it’s the same ol slop. We end up losing the BIG TIME games we need to bring us above .500.
Look, we need someone with some fire. Yes there will be mistakes but the upside is much better than what we’ve witnessed the last 10 or so games.
Now some will say, “but its the line play”. The line will not provide a solid wall 100% of the time, there will be breakdowns, but if it happens to us now - play over. If it happens in Atlanta, the play is just starting to get exciting. This is the dimension we’re missing . This game is for the “swift of foot”.
It was mentioned in the Washington game as to WHY??? they did not blitz. I think other than CB/safety injuries , it could be that the skins are saving the blitz for the next game vs. Dallas. (no need for us to learn now onlt to be ready later). Washington beat the Jags(we couldn’t) and I could see a much much faster skin defense than we faced.
What I’m trying to say is we could easily be 1-3.
biz is winning:
itrustintuna i already have it cause i am a dumb a#s b@##h, remember?i’ve got the old version of hooked on phonics that’s why i can’t write.
Chandus:
Bledsoe haters!:
I’m with you guys! I’m also among those that are fed of seeing the inmobile and fond of forcing the ball Bledsoe at QB!
So, is Romo ready?
No?
Then let’s shall sign Quincy again, I don’t mind about his lack of arm strength, I don’t mind about his bad accuray and I don’t mind about him staring to his receivers! All I care is that the guy can make blitzers miss.
We would be 4-0 with him at QB.
(I haven’t ever seen the sarcasm button as ON as this…)
itrustintuna:
yesterday i was on the demote bledsoe bandwagon 100%. I do not believe that he is the qb of the future, but he may give us the best chance to win now. I bet one more meltdown will have him on the bench. and for watkins, he has played excellent up to this point. nobody expects perfection from a rookie. certainly he grew from this game.
Keep the towell for now. even in a real shi*ty performance by the ENTIRE team, we had a chance at the end.
itrustintuna:
LMAO! quincy! isnt he working at a Mcdonalds or something now?
Chandus:
On Bledsoe having to play in Chicago (if it were to happen).
Bledsoe used to play in Foxborough and New Jersey and he used to put up good numbers through the air, even in November and December.
Short term memory is a deficiency that I’m seeing often.
Cash:
I was confident we had a chance to win this game, and we did have a chance to win it. But I figurde we would split the year with the Eagles.
It was a huge win for them, but I do not think it was a huge loss for us.
biz is winning:
chandus i live in boston they don’t miss him here.
CowboyMan:
Geeze guys, we just lost a football game to a good team on their home turf. No reason to call each other names, or call for everyone on the team to be fired, traded or benched. We have to win with these guys. They’re our team. I do believe that BP will do what is necessary to win. He will play the players that give us the best chance to win. It’s also not right to call players names. Say what you want about their level of play but calling names like Vanderjerk/shank etc. is just not right.
biz is winning:
chandus foxboro is not even close to chicago in january.
larry:
Blame i ton whoever you want, the FACT is that since TO has been here, it really hasn’t made our offense much better, has it? I thought we were going to be UNSTOPPABLE with him on one side!??!
Just the facts: Keyshawn Johnson-4th in NFC receiving, 27 catches in 5 games, 2 TD’s
Oh, and a stand-up guy who actually matured as he got older, and a tough guy who makes a great teammate.
Face it-if Owens couldn’t find a way to bust out in this game, he isn’t going to.
Could be Bledsoe, him, a combination, age-I’m just pointing out facts-he hasn’t done crap 1/4th of the way through the season
larry:
two key issues behind our on-field problems
1) No Michael Irvin type leader on this team-Bledsoe doesn’t have the mentality to be a leader, and no one else plays that role-which is a bad power vacuum to have with Mr Owens around
2) There IS NO Off. Coordinator!!!!! RAFAEL, are you ready to admit “Play-calling†, or more specifically an ability to make adjustments during the game offensively, is a problem!!! I’ve said for a year the Parcell’s obstinence in this area kills us. He makes a good game plan, and when everything goes well, or it’s a weak team, fine. But when we run into problems we adjust slower than Bledsoe’s release! Did I indeed actually see you use the phrase ‘play calling’ in your 2nd half title??
Specifically-too much pressure? Roll out! What a concept- Oh, we did it once IN THE LATE 3RD or 4TH QTR>!! Oh, how about a screen pass?? We ran one, but again, too little too late!
Hey, I know-30 years ago Tom Landry brought back the Shotgun! No, too crazy. When other teams are beating our game plans we seem unable to adjust-Parcells should be the “Leader†on this team and let others in the booth run the offense.
Dave:
We aren’t going to see a QB change, but I think we might start seeing McQuistan active on gameday. If Flo continues to struggle I wouldn’t be surprised to see B.P. make the change.
It sucks we lost to Philly, but it was a division game on the road that emotionally was 53 against 1.
larry:
The nfc is not that easy-I’m noting less parity this year, and more good teams/bad teams. There are 6 playoff spots. Let’s assume we don’t win the division (then it’s a moot point) And assume Carolina, Chicago, and Seattle are in-
That leaves 2 wild card spots for us, 2 other NFC East teams, Vikings, Atlanta, New Orleans, and don’t look now but the Rams are 4-1. We are 1 of 7 teams looking at 2 wild card spots. Some of those teams may drop off-but we may too.
We better win every ‘easy’ game, cause someone’s gonna go 10-6 and get left out this year
Chandus:
Biz:
chandus foxboro is not even close to chicago in january.
Is the diference as large as the weather in Dallas and in Chicago? No. Bledsoe has thrown in bad weather, that’s what I tried to meant. But more importantly, this team has a running game to go with what can be a good passing game.
chandus i live in boston they don’t miss him here.
And why would they miss him? Right now, and for the past few years, they have had a much better QB and I haven’t ever said otherwise.
CowboyMan:
I thought DB held the ball way to long on several occassions Sunday. I guess throwing the ball out of bounds when no one is open is harder to do than it looks. On one play I think he eclipsed Danny White’s record, against the 1980 Falcons, for holding the ball. Of course DB was eventually sacked while White threw to Drew Pearson for a TD. Would the NFL put an astesik next to DBs record hold time and mention the TD vs. Sack thing?
lou:
Good article to read, def the truth.
CowboyMan:
Larry, It’s way to early to use stats to make your case against Owens. KJ, without SS in the line up was Carolina’s number one receiver. Lets add it all up around Thanksgiving and see where Owens stands.
alanTdot:
Chandus,
Is Bledsoe going to rebound?
Dave,
I just don’t see McQuistan doing better than Flozell this year.
Biz,
Just kidding man, just kidding.
Luke.:
A lot of people blamed Zimmer and Watkins for the corner blitz, but this is a textbook example of an offense with a QB that can make a play. The corner (Henry) blitzes and he free safety (Watkins) moves up on the WR. The corner gets to the oline, Ellis slips his blocker who slid to block Henry, Ellis has a free shot on McNabb, McNabb is looking at his WR (Haskett) who stoped on a short route, Watkins see’s this so he moves up to take away McNabb’s quick option or hot read. Ellis has McNabb in his hands, the play has worked it would seem, but McNabb makes a play that good quarterbacks make against the blitz, he takes one step up with Ellis sliding off him and throws a perfect pass about 30-40 yards down field to Haskett who has turned his stop into a go route. 87 yard touchdown.
This is what good quarterbacks can do, not all the time but sometimes, against a blitz, this is why teams have to be careful about blitzing to much, because if the oline pick’s it up or more importantly if the QB can handle the situation by using his athletic ability the secondary, no matter how good, can be exposed for a huge play.
When you have a quarterback that can not handle the blitz (and nobody can honestly debate that Bledsoe has ever been able to handle the blitz) teams like the Eagles lose their fear about blitzing too much. The Eagles just blitzed up the middle over and over, the oline sometimes picked it up and sometimes did not, that’s no surprise that’s just what happens in the NFL, the problem was we never ever made a single play against it, heaven forbid that our QB could actually make a play himself, even when the oline picked it up we never made a single big play out of it, even with fantastic receivers like Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn, and Jason Witten against a weakened secondary. This just absolutely encourages teams to attack our oline all game because even if they lose the battle with the oline the odds are in their favour the Drew won’t make a play.
Please don’t take this as a ‘Bledsoe Sucks’ or throwing the QB under the bus for a one bad loss. I know players sometimes just have bad games and that they can bounce back, but this is not one bad game this is a consistent pattern that stretches over 14 seasons now, 14! It is what it is. The people who keep claiming he can bounce back, bounce back to what? When has he proven himself a playmaker, a winner?
Luke.:
Also, and I think this is contributing to Bledsoe’s very poor play, he’s seems to have lost zip on his passes. How many times has he under thrown, and I mean significantly 5-15 yards type, receivers who were breaking open deep. I don’t remember this specific thing being a problem with him so much last year but it’s been a major one this year. Is this back thing he had still giving him trouble, is it worse than Dallas is letting on? Does this explain Parcell’s not yet comment regarding Romo? Y’know for Parcell’s saying ‘not yet’ and ‘not this minute’ is very unlike him. He normally wacks this stuff on the head immediately. Remember Vinny and Drew Henson, when he constantly went to battle with the press about how Henson wasn’t ready (which of course he was right). But this time we get ‘not this minute’. It just me or does ‘not this minute’ pretty much mean soon?
larry:
CowMan!! Can’t use stats to compare?? Isn’t TO supposedly the BEST in the league??
Are you saying he’s not our #1, Glenn is?
OK, we’ll check later in the year.
Sorry we didn’t reach that 200 yards rushing, though I gotta say they ran it better than I expected. I really wish you’d been right.
Here’s hoping we can beat Houston (They’ll be pumped for us)
Luke.:
Eric R,
(This is about a comment you posted a couple of times on the last thread).
I agree with you on the need for ‘timing’ and ‘early release’ passing. But you statement that ‘Aikman could learn so why can’t Bledsoe’ is exactly the problem. Bledsoe hasn’t learnt in 14 season’s of the NFL, what makes you think he can get it now?
You don’t think coaches have been trying to get Bledsoe to get rid of the ball quicker in the past 14 years? What do you think the whole buzzer going off after 2.5 seconds at training camp was all about? The coaches were saying loud and clear, hey Drew get rid of the bloody football!
The difference between Aikman and Bldesoe my friend is that Aikman was a young learning quarterback and he made the adjustment when he was young, also he was just more talented, smarter, athletic, quicker release, better vision, more accurate etc etc.
It is what it is. Drew still doesn’t get it, he can’t do it. There were multiple times in that game were receivers were open, he didn’t even have to throw early they were already open, yet he waited and by the time he threw it the coverage had arrived. Why o’ why, after 14 years of not getting it, incapable of doing it, despite being coached by some of the NFL’s best coaches, why do people expect him to all of a sudden ‘get it’?
Luke.:
Jarhead,
From a few posts back you said;
“he [Parcells] made it very clear in the presser that ‘protecting the ball’ has to be their #1 priority.â€Â
Do you think a coach has said that to Bledsoe before? I mean he’s only thrown 205 interceptions and fumbled 123 times in his 192 game career.
Tex- Anytime you want to have that drink, I’m in.
Sierra- I hope you are right. Parcells truly needs to go to Romo. I know that Romo is inexperienced ad we do not know completely what he is made of but I truly like what I see. He was playing against our defense and outplaying Bledsoe. He gets the ball out quick. He has moxie and leadership qualities. He has a strong arm and is accurate. He may make some mistakes but I highly highly highly doubt he will make as many as Bledsoe. He just threw a 102yard interception when we could have tied the game. OMG. Jim Rome was saying that TO pointed him out and said everything but called him gay. Ill call him gay. He looked very scared out there. He was ducking and looking to go down on several plays before the rush even got there.
This could be a good team even a great team with ROMO. We need to know and now is the BEST time to find out.
Im with Sierra. I hope Houston knocks Bledsoe out for at least 4 games.
Chandus:
alanTdot:
Have you seen Bledsoe at his best?
I know I have, I didn’t saw him this past Sunday and I haven’t seen him in the previous 4 games.
He’s connecting with Glenn, yeah, I think that by now, that’s automatic, but other than that, I’ve seen him missing Owens, Witten, Crayton and Fasano or they are dropping perfectly thrown passes.
Parcells’ comments on this subject fall in line with this, he also realizes that he hasn’t seen the Bledsoe that’s keeping Romo at bay.
You know, it’s still early and if Bledsoe starts taking care of the ball better than what he has done so far (Which I’ve also seen) he’s going to be good enough to keep his critics quiet.
And it wouldn’t be the 1st time, old timers should remember the 2005 Offseason, when our team acquired Bledsoe.
Another thing. I do not think we are using TO or Witten enough. We need to put them in the game plan and demand that Bledsoe throw to them. He has his favorite target and when he’s covered he does not know what to do. Damn it. I do not want Bledsoe to QB this team. And all you should know this….although I watched Romo outplay him in camp…I wanted Bledsoe to begin the season. I wanted Bledsoe to do well. I’d give him JAX but now its happened twice. We can not win against good pass rushing teams with this guy. Forget it
Sam.Iam:
It would have been great to steal one in Philly. Yeah, it’s disappointing, but if we hold serve Dec 25 and split with Philly…it’s basically what I was expecting going into the season. I’m not that crushed.
We played tough D mostly and Watkins hopefully learns from yesterday’s trainwreck.
We have Carolina, Washington, and Arizona on the road after the next two home games with Houston and Giants. I like getting Carolina first, with us coming off two homes in a row. Carolina hasn’t been impressive but Delhomme has just been finding a way. Washington and Arizona completely suck. Washington may be playing Jason Campbell by that time.
Anything can happen, but I think 4-1 over the next 5 games is very doable. 5-0 is not unthinkable.
CowboyMan:
DonnyP: did you take a Skip Bayless pill or something. “…ducking and looking to go down on several plays before the rush even got there.” Flat out BS. Bledsoe was hit and hit hard on several occasions but was not looking to go down. Not liking a player gives you no special entitlement to make up BS criticisms of them. Gay? Well, I’ll stay out of that comment, maybe you talk from experience on that subject.
Luke.:
Cowboyman,
donny is right, there was at least one play were Bledsoe was not getting touched but the pocket closed in a little on him and he tucked the ball and started walking forward waiting for the hit…
Luke.:
Hahaha, Joe Theisman just picked the Bears to go 19-0! He is truly an idiot!
aikman1:
all is not lost…this game for philly was like new orleans vs atlanta a few weeks ago…emotionally they had the edge and we had the jitters
its a long way away but all things being equal between now and then i say we beat the eagles on xmas day by 10 no problem
this division is VERY WINNABLE…even with DB at QB…now going to chicago in january with DB is a whole ‘nother story
i think we win the next 2 games…
the following three road games will determine our season…if we can come out of this stretch 6-3 (4-1 over next 5 games) then we have a pretty good home stretch
11-5/10-6 is very realistic and this could very well win our division
elharpo:
McNair just lost a big game on the road. I guess you had better replace him.
sierrareef:
Seems to me that most people agree the switch from Bledsoe to Romo will eventually occur. It also seems to me that Parcells is also in agreement with the eventual switch - his “not just this minute” speaks volumes.
My concern is: if not now, when?
First - let’s look at Romo. He’s not a rookie - he’s a seasoned, untested veteran. He got extensive playing time in pre-season and he performed quite well. He’s not likely to become a better prepared QB for a meaningful game by continuing to sit on the bench. He has plenty of talent around him to help him adjust to the increased speed of the game. If he starts now and is successful, he’s got 12 more games to get himself ready for the playoffs.
Now Bledsoe. Coaches need an excuse to sit the guy they proclaimed their starter - Parcells now has it. Bledsoe had repeat performances against the Jaguars and Eagles - both games found Bledsoe being a major contributor to the team’s collapse. He’s not a leader, he’s not the future - relegate him to a backup role.
Finally, if not now - when? Bledsoe will win again and probably win more then he loses. But when do you pull the plug? Certainly not after a win. After another crucial loss? Maybe one that loses you the division title? When?
Now - I think the time is now. I still think it might happen this week - just not this minute. Insiders - let us know during practice if Romo starts getting more 1st team plays. I think Romo starts against the Texans.
Sierrareef,
Go listen to Parcells’ press conference. “not this minute” was the answer to the first Bledsoe question. Five minutes later he cuts off a question with “I’m not changing quarterbacks.” Period.
It’s not happening this week, unless Bledsoe pulls up lame.
Eric R:
Luke,
This is a TEAM thing!! I was THE FIRST person here to say Bledsoe needs to protect the ball better. Turnovers kill! But if you sit here and say, “lets bench him”, then lets bench half the team, because a bunch of guys made critical mistakes Sunday. Including linemen!!
Eric R:
biz,
Blah blah blah …… you would have Hambrick and Henson starting if you had the choice!
Say something meaningful.
Since you run away and hide everytime someone challenges you with a solid arguement, I’ll be da man and give you something to chew on for a while. Mark these words down -
The Cowboys will win AT LEAST 5 of their next 6 games!!
If I am wrong, call me out all you want. But at least I am bold enough to say something with juice! … “Bench Bledsoe” is a sorry sorry whine. .. Say something meaningful. Get a dictionary. Hooked on phonocs. Maybe even The History of the NFL book. Your whines are falling short of making a point. Babies whine. Maybe you should just go get a pacifier. But please stop the crying!
Len:
Lou (#15) said:
Everyone says we aren’t Super Bowl caliber, you can’t tell yet, but at least we can run the ball. The Eagles cant do that. They pass protect real good and give McNabb alot of time but they just cant run it. Most of their “runs†are screens to Westbrook.
I couldn’t agree more. We have to remember here that:
a) teams that can’t run don’t win championships. The Eagles had a drive in the 2nd half Sunday with 3rd and inches and elected to throw, resulting in a punt. I saw that play and thought to myself, regardless of the outcome of the game, the Eagles will never win a championship under Andy Ried because they don’t…run…the…ball. Come winter, that will lose you the game.
b) We all knew going in to the season that the Eagles would run up their record early in the season because of the schedule, while Dallas would struggle some, but then later in the year the Eagles’ record would crash to the earth, with the combination of road kills and the aforementioned lack of a running game, while Dallas would add wins with the opposite - home a lot with a good running game.
The only caveat to this prediction is Bledsoe’s historical tendency to start the season strong and then fade late. What we’ve seen so far in Dallas is what fans have always said in other cities–that after a while he gets shell shocked, which greatly affects his performance. He’s starting poorly this year; does this exacerbate the problem? I fear it does, and for the first time ever, I’m in the start Romo camp now.
Luke.:
Eric,
Yes this is a team thing but there is a particular individual on that team who is playing at a level much lower than anyone else on the team, it’s not even remotely comparable, can you pick which one?
A rookie safety, Watkins, who’s had three strong games and one bad?
An offensive line overall this season that has been ok, the only player with real troubles is Flozell who seems to have not completely became the player he was after the knee injury. There might be more improvement in him, or maybe he’ll never be the same, I think it’s too early to tell.
The punter is one of the best in the league and has kicked amazing in his first three games, he made one horrible mistake to start the game before recovering to finish well. He has no prior history of making this type of mistake.
A quarterback who has thrown 7 interceptions in 4 games. Who has been sacked 10 times in 4 games. And has fumbled 3 times in 4 games. This quarterback has a 14 year history of doing the same thing. He’s thrown 205 interceptions in 192 career games. He has also fumbled 123 times and been sacked 461 times as well. After 14 years he still holds the ball too long, can’t avoid even the scent of pressure, can not make quick reads or releases.
Teams that turn the ball over don’t win, who keeps turning the ball over for Dallas. I don’t understand why you are getting so upset over this, it’s just basic facts. A bunch of people keep complaining that the nobody can give any real reason about why they don’t think Bledsoe is the answer, everyone keeps saying ‘you just hate Bledsoe, you don’t have anything to say’. Well I’ve stated my reasons politely and rationally in a bunch of posts and nobody wanted to answer them. Then I disagree with your silly Aikman and Bledsoe comparison and you get all upset and rattle of something about the NFL being a team game. Well I never would have guessed! I haven’t heard one person on this site make a rational argument for why we should stick with Bledsoe.
mccourt:
Bledsoe and Owens deserve each other:
Bledsoe can’t throw, and Owens can’t catch. Both of those guys, in their youth, were good, but time catches up with all of them. Flozell also looks past his use-by date. My recommendation is to play Romo, Rector, and McQuistan, for those 3 guys, and to leave Bill at home, watching the game on TV.
CNMDallasfan:
I have a question for all my fellow Cowboy fans. What-…excuse me…who would you be willing to give up in order to obtain someone who you could really trust behind center? No one comes to mind immediately…scratch that. Matt Schaub does. I think that we might be in a position to trade for someone. Now will we do that? Most likely not.
Also, am I the only one who is a bit disappointed in this years draft class? Carpenter has done…well…nothing. Fasano seems like he might prove useful. Hatcher…meh…that’s 50/50. Skyler WHO??? Watkins…well, ok 50/50. Stanley? Nothing. Our 2 OTs? Nothing. I feel like we completely wasted our first round pick. With Bradie and Akin inside, and Ware and Ellis outside, and then with Singleton, Fowler, and Burnett backing them up, it really seems like we threw away our first round pick…
Watching highlights of the Eagles yesterday on ESPN hurts. What hurts more is knowing tha