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2009-2010 Regular Season: Postgame -
Feasting On Falcon
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- October 30, 2009
At 2:00 AM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
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- Results Through Respect
Many of the greatest teams in sports history will tell you that
respecting the potential of your opponent is almost as important as
the superior natural talent and intellect you would use to pummel
your opponent into submission.
My last article spoke of “making your bye week your best week,” and
the Cowboys were clearly thinking along the same lines. They got
both physically and mentally healthy.
After a slow first quarter, the Cowboys showed the ultimate sign of
respect for the Falcons by beating them in nearly every facet of the
game for the remaining 45 minutes. While the Cowboys could have
simply showed up and hoped for the best, they simply left no stone
unturned . . . out of respect for the potential of the Falcons.
One play here and one play there could have transformed this great
win into a horrible loss. This is the name of the game in the NFL:
“On any given Sunday.” The Cowboys did their jobs during the bye
week so that they could succeed on Sunday against a bunch of
birds with some pretty sharp talons.
The key moving forward is that it does not and should not take a bye week to put
this preparation policy into practice every week for every opponent
. . . for every win.
Outstanding Offense
NFL fans know the drill: the quarterback typically receives the
lion's share of credit
for a win or the majority of the blame for a loss. Fans – even the incredibly
impassioned ones – also understand that it takes two or an entire
offense to tango.
Tony Romo did an excellent job of reviving his old 2007 self against
the Falcons – standing tall in the pocket, rolling out, dancing
around tacklers, tuckin’ and runnin’, and making accurate passes to
the efficient tune of 21-29 for 311 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no turnovers. Romo
had an excellent dance partner for the second game in a row – in
Miles Austin – who delivered 6 catches for 171 yards and 2
touchdowns.
While the recently demoted Patrick Crayton could have spent the
entire game
sulking, he did the exact opposite in teaming with Romo on an
amazing touchdown play right before halftime. Objectively – after
seeing Romo evade several large tacklers in a space no larger than
a bedroom closet – all the wide open Crayton had to do was make a
5-yard touchdown catch . . . and catch it he did.
No one was more pleased by Crayton’s catch than Wade Phillips and
Jason Garrett, who collectively need all hands on deck in order to
get the Cowboys moving even further in right direction.
Not So Offensive Line
The Cowboys’ offensive linemen could have easily continued their
troubling pattern of bird-brained performances – against what had
been a pretty feisty Falcons defensive unit.
While the offensive line allowed Romo to get sacked twice, they
managed enough pass protection throughout the game – and enough
run-blocking in the fourth quarter – for a much needed victory.
One thing remains clear moving forward: the offensive line is the
only part of the Cowboys’ offense that has yet to find its inner
efficiency. Flozell Adams showed some real improvement in this game
– this one game - which is sandwiched between the last game and the
next game, which will be followed by nine more regular season games, which may be
followed by one or more post season games.
The offensive linemen can either continue to toe the line of
inconsistency or they can begin to control the line of scrimmage on
a regular basis - fulfilling and validating the great promise
they began to show back in the electric season of 2007.
One solid performance in one solid game does not make a solid season
. . . unless that performance occurs in the Super Bowl.
Do Not Fixate - Use All 8
The absence of a personality like T.O. – rather than his talent –
has quite literally transformed the Cowboys offense into a system
that encourages utilizing the open receiver - any open receiver - no
matter the person or the personality. All of the receivers on the
team – high-paid, low-paid, good hands, bad hands, healthy, or
injured – seem to be subscribing to this type of system . . . and
the fruits of that labor have finally begun to show up in the past two games.
The very worst thing Romo could do at this point – besides
generating turnovers
– would be to focus exclusively on Miles “To Go” Austin and bypass
all of his other possible weapons (in order of most regularly and
successfully utilized in the passing game): Jason Witten, a
healthier Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Felix Jones, Marion Barber,
Tashard Choice, Martellus Bennett, and Sam Hurd.
The development of trust between a QB and his receivers obviously
plays a huge role in this process, and Romo is going to want to play
pitch and catch with only his most reliable teammates. The open
receiver – the one with the hot hands and not necessarily the best
hands – will continue to be Romo’s favorite target. When an opposing
defense takes away that target through double and even triple
coverage, Romo will have to turn to the next best target - and they had better be ready.
I am primarily referring to Crayton (even after his timely touchdown
catch) and Bennett to a lesser degree. Crayton tends to get overcome
with the “Sam Perkins Malaise” (SPM) on certain plays. Fans of the
NBA’s Dallas Mavericks will remember Sam Perkins as a former college
basketball teammate of James Worthy and Michael Jordan. Perkins was
also a very good power forward for the Mavericks – for a number of years
– who would occasionally go into a zone where he would literally
look half-asleep or more interested in passing the ball than taking
the open shot . . . and, thus, inviting the weight of
responsibility, credit, and blame into himself.
Crayton – from play to play – can go from “the best set of hands on
the team” (as described by Bill Parcells) to “the worst set of hands
from the 2007 playoffs” in mere seconds. Crayton has increasingly
excelled at entertaining pre-game interviews. He will quickly find
himself in the middle of great post-game interviews if he can he
bring his mind in line with his prototypical pass-catching hands.
The alternative has Crayton playing Sam Perkins on the bench while
Sam Hurd is playing on the field.
Martellus Bennett, of course, possesses excellent raw skills, and he
is still a work in progress. After a bit of a space cadet rookie
season, he seems to have come around nicely this year – even with
limited use. When his number is called for more than 3 catches for
30+ yards (his numbers from the Falcons game), Bennett will hopefully be ready for action
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avoid the SPM at a time when Romo really needs him.
At the end of the day, Romo could do far worse than relying on the suddenly
spectacular Miles Austin as his current number one receiver. Once
opposing defenses begin rolling their coverage towards Austin and
really challenging him, Romo will be pleased to have such a wide
range of offensive alternatives from which to choose.
Dominant Defense
The Cowboys defensive unit did its very big part in nearly
demolishing the Falcons’ offense. Some would say the Falcons’
offense was completely demolished, but 21 points – with none coming
in garbage time – would indicate otherwise.
After an arduous first quarter – where Terence “Toast” Newman snuck
onto the field for a few disappointing plays – the Cowboys’ defense
came alive to whip the Falcons offensive linemen, physically
overpower their receivers, terrorize their QB, and act like
quicksand around their running game.
The “real” Terence Newman was found bound and gagged in the Cowboys’
locker room as the second quarter began. After rejoining his
defensive teammates – with his head on straight – Terence and the
rest of the Cowboys’ secondary went out of their way to repeatedly
jam the Falcons’ receivers and apply head-turning hits play after
play.
Mike Jenkins – he of the infamous Brandon Jacobs side-step tackling
skills – actually played out of his mind against the Falcons’
receivers. He gave no quarter, legally manhandling their receivers
and also coming up with a nice, timely interception. Orlando
Scandrick delivered from the slot resulting in a second interception
as well.
Jenkins – to be clear – had been steadily increasing the quality of
his performances since the season began, but he really made a case to be
considered the new stud of the Cowboys’ secondary. All Jenkins has
to do is repeat his performance – or his new-found consistency –
again and again and again for the rest of the season.
Gerald Sensabaugh showed no ill-effects from his heavily-bandaged
thumb, and Ken Hamlin seemed to feed off of his solid center field
play – adding to the secondary’s afternoon of “greatest hits.”
Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ defensive line – led by Jay “Hulk Smash”
Ratliff and DeMarcus “Every” Ware – had the Falcons’ offensive line
pretty confused for most of the game, resulting in four sacks of a
roughed up Matt Ryan, including a fantastic forced fumble by
Ratliff.
The linebackers – led by a revenge-minded Keith Brooking and Bradie
James – helped clog Michael Turner’s running lanes and cut off any
escape routes for Matt Ryan. The oft-ridiculed Bobby
Carpenter even showed up to give Tony Gonzales a solid run for his
money.
Truly Special Teams
It was the best of introductions – with Alan Rossum’s first return
of 16 yards – and it was the quickest of farewells seeing Rossum go
down with a hamstring injury and out for 2-4 weeks.
Regardless of the bad luck beginning to Rossum’s
stay with the Cowboys, special teams coach Joe DeCamillis had his
personnel running and tackling on all cylinders for the sixth
straight game.
Patrick Crayton was forced back into return duty – understandably to
every fan’s horror – only to show that, with some perfect blocking,
he still has the skills and enough speed to take it to the house.
While Felix Jones may be ready to “return” to duty, there will
always be a heavy dose of paranoia involved in any decision allowing
him to remain part of the kamikaze squad known as special teams. He
will ultimately get tackled on both offensive and special teams
plays, thus, all you can do is hold your breath and pray that he
does not get “prematurely hurt” – just like fans had to do with the
multi-faceted Deion Sanders.
David Buehler – Nick Folk’s foot focused understudy – has continued
to deliver more and more touchbacks on his kick-offs, providing a
luxurious reprieve to his special teams tackling teammates.
More Harm Than Good
The Cowboys’ "other" star wide receiver Roy “Weapon In Waiting” Williams has
been a true professional in the face of Miles Austin’s impressive
and increasing tag team performances with Romo. It was mighty mature
of Williams to admit – without being prodded – that he had a bad
game.
Williams even indicated his approval of the Cowboys sticking with
what has been successful, rather than attempting to force feed him
the football. Fans who have been angry with Williams’
performances since last year would accuse Williams of being only too
happy to accept Jerry’s millions in return for a cushy spot on the
Cowboys’ bench.
Count me among those who believe Williams is taking a legitimate
team-first approach to the situation. He knows he will get his
opportunities, especially once defenses begin to roll their coverage
over to Austin . . . or whoever happens to be the next flavor of the
month. To be clear – Williams will simply be one of many who will
receive opportunities as changes in coverage occur, game in and game
out.
While his coaches and teammates expect him to play if he can, I
doubt the torn cartilage around his three bruised ribs has healed
enough for him to get over the high-and-dry hit he took during the
Denver game. He laid himself out for a poor Romo pass, and he paid
the price – taking a monster hit from Bronco’s linebacker D.J.
Williams.
If Roy Williams was suffering from a case of “hearing footsteps” –
especially on crossing routes – it should be no surprise to anyone.
Add the fact that teams will continue to try to take Roy Williams
and other targets away from Romo – forcing Austin to continue
proving he is for real – and it may take that much longer for
Williams to get back into the swing of the offense.
My thoughts are far less an apology – for Williams’ quality of play
and productivity – and more an acknowledgement of the conspiring
conditions Williams must overcome.
If he is still unhealthy – and continuing to brace for the jarring
hit that may never come on the catches he absolutely must make –
then, he should sit for a longer period of time. The team cannot
afford such a mental and physical limitation, however temporary.
While the post-T.O. Cowboys offense is designed to make use of all
available weapons, it is not designed to make use of the walking
wounded – outside of ultimate tough guy Jason Witten.
Williams simply needs to get healthier – as soon as is reasonably
possible by NFL standards – and his pass catching teammates need to
continue to be ready to perform in his place. Austin – from the
former position of a back-up fighting for playing time – is all too
familiar with the nagging and untimely injuries that can derail
opportunities and stardom. And if Williams truly is healthy, he
needs to reclaim his focus – just like Crayton – so he can dial up
some of those urgent “911” connections fans have been so desperate to
finally
witness.
Repurposed Rumors
Any time there are rumors circulating about the Cowboys, everyone –
even their sworn grid iron enemies – pay attention.
The NFL trade deadline came and went with Jerry Jones standing firm
on his current roster of talent. This does not mean he was unwilling
to listen to offers and – as most of us have learned by now – there
was at least one offer involving one of the Cowboys’ younger
up-and-coming players.
Speculation suggests the trade inquiry involved either Martellus
Bennett – the little-used but talented back-up tight end to Jason
Witten – or Jay Ratliff – "the little nose tackle that could"
someday help make the Cowboys’ defensive line a controlling force on NFL Sunday
for years to come.
The deal being offered to Jerry allegedly involved a high quality
player and / or draft pick as compensation. Regardless of what was
offered, Jerry’s inaction – for better or for worse – has converted
that offer into an empowering rumor.
That rumor has manufactured more attention for the Cowboys.
That rumor has reminded the Cowboys’ players that – under the right
circumstances – no one is untouchable, and Jerry is always
interested in learning of ways he can improve his team.
That rumor should fuel both Bennett and Ratliff to play even better
and harder, because their future contract value has potentially been
enhanced by the interests of another team.
Bennett is similar to an oversized Shannon Sharpe with the speed of
most wide receivers. He simply needs more exposure as a deadly
option in the slot and in the Cowboys’ two tight end sets.
Ratliff is already a beast that anchors a defensive line with great
potential. He simply needs his line mates to take better and full
advantage of his powerful push towards opposing QB’s and running
backs.
Do Not Mock These Birds
The Cowboys know better than to underestimate a wounded Seahawks
team heading into their game this weekend.
It does not matter that Walter Jones – the pro bowl blind-side
protection for Matt Hasselbeck – has been shelved for the season . .
. and probably his career. It does not matter that pro bowl
linebacker Lofa Tatupu has also been lost for the year. It
does not matter if Hasselbeck continues to play hurt since last
season.
The Seahawks have shown up to past showdowns with the Cowboys – with less
– and still won. Last year is last year.
The Cowboys made great use of their bye week, preparing well, and
successfully dispatching with one bird of prey. The Seahawks,
however, are birds of a different feather who would love nothing
more than to crow about a surprise victory at the Cowboys new nest.
Will the Cowboys be cocky - giving the Seahawks a chance to become
mocking birds? Will the Cowboys aggressively pursue them for a solid
60 minutes? Can the Cowboys repeat and improve upon the Falcon
feathers in their hats . . . turning the Seahawks into Seagulls?
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shall see. We always do.
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