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2010-2011 Regular Season: Bobble Head Boys
Gift Wrap Game To Scrappy Skins
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- September 15,
2010
At 11:17 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
The Cowboys’ first game of the season seemed sadly similar to the
training camp travesty fans feared would force its way onto national
television this past Sunday evening.
It must have been Dan Snyder’s birthday, because the Cowboys
lavished his team with bountiful gifts at the end of each half –
resulting in the best gift of all.
Cowboys’ fans would have preferred Snyder receiver something simpler
– like platinum bookend Cowboys’ helmets along with a book entitled
“Constant Spending With No Good Ending."
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- Yes – as fans expected – the rival
Redskins played their brains out, and they were not going down
without a tooth and nail fight.
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- Yes – as fans suspected – their own
Cowboys just might have allowed themselves to forget the Redskins
are always out for blood.
The Decision
Though NBA superstar Lebron James was on-hand to watch his favorite
team flub what should have been a season-opening victory, “the
decision” had nothing at all to do with him.
While Jason “Red Ball” Garrett relied on another interesting mix of
play calls throughout the game, there was nothing specifically wrong
with Garrett’s call that led to Tashard Choice’s fumble and gift
touchdown to the Redskins to end the first half.
There was nothing wrong with Tony Romo’s toss to Choice – empowering
Tashard to run the ball in the first place. The only thing wrong was
Choice’s rare inability to hold onto the ball when tackled.
Every running back is trained to wrap up the football in close
quarters. Choice’s fumble may have been the first fumble of his
young NFL career, but there was no excuse not to wrap up the
football – one arm on top of the other.
Choice has been an excellent situational (as well as starting)
running back for the Cowboys, and it takes but one bad play to wash
that excellence away.
Choice could have been standing still, and he still would have
coughed up the football if he did not wrap up. Fans certainly
noticed the bionic vice grip Dez Bryant had on every pass he caught.
A coach has the right to call a conservative or kneel-down play to
end a quarter, a half, or a game. If a coach is concerned that one
of his players is incapable of wrapping up a football – at a
standstill or at a slow jog – then, that player should not even be
allowed onto the field.
Every player a coach puts out on the field – from running back to
receiver – should know that if the football somehow makes it into
their hands . . . that they should hold onto it like it is a one
billion dollar winning lottery ticket.
Every player a coach puts out on the field – from Ronald McDonald to
the Hamburglar – should know that if he has an opportunity to apply
a blatant hold on an opposing player . . . that they should avoid
that hold like it was a thousand year plague . . . but I digress.
The decision was not the issue. The toss was not the issue. The
effort to run was not the issue. The lack of a wrapped up football
was the issue – the only issue.
Fans and prognosticators may disagree with that singular focus –
just like Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert disagreed with
Lebron’s decision to join the Miami Heat.
Gilbert suggested Lebron was a coward and a quitter – if memory
serves. Lebron understandably took exception to such a label, and he
has sworn to use Gilbert’s comments as motivation for his efforts
for his first season in Miami and beyond.
Fans and prognosticators have suggested Red Ball was just as robotic
and uncreative as ever with his playbook, Romo – as well as he
played – forgot how to simply throw the ball out of bounds if all
else failed, and Choice suddenly became a hard-working fumbler.
Fans can only hope that Red Ball, Romo, and Choice take exception to
these labels – yes, fair or not, accurate or not, even after one measly game – and use those cat
calls as motivation for their efforts for the rest of the 2010
season and beyond.
More Mileage And Dez Does D.C.
Miles Austin continued where he left off last year – delivering
another solid game of multiple catches, 100+ yards, and one
touchdown.
Dez Bryant also had a pretty good first game – making almost as many
catches for a little over half the yardage and showing nice upper
body strength. It was impressive watching him applying “Judo flips”
to the Redskins’ secondary.
While their collective performance was a great sign of productivity to come,
Austin and Bryant did deliver a couple route-running mistakes which
could have led to Tony Romo interceptions on successive plays in the
fourth quarter.
Bryant is still learning and Austin may have cut a couple of his
routes short in an attempt to help a scrambling Romo, but
route-running mistakes are to be avoided like any other game day
gaffes.
Ray Sherman has encouraged Austin to come out of the blocks lower to
the ground in order to prevent defenders from immediately
determining where his route would take him.
Drew Pearson indirectly offered up the same advice for Roy Williams
early in training camp. Time will tell whether or not Roy will give
it a shot.
Michael Irvin used to regularly get off the line of scrimmage from a sprinter’s stance, and he went on to have a pretty good
career.
Roy Was Ready
Roy Williams made an impressive catch early in the game – going up
high and getting creamed as a result – but it may have also resulted
in another nagging injury.
He must have felt like he was back in Denver – when last he had to
climb the ladder for a catch only to get smashed by an oncoming
defender.
It is safe to say Romo had absolutely no intention of hanging Roy
out to dry either time, but that is what occurred. If Romo and the
Cowboys hope to get more out of a willing Williams, they need to
find better ways to connect with him in stride – with a few more
fade routes from the slot – rather than the “upright and locked
position” which has helped hinder his performance.
While part of the equation involves beating the defender to the
spot, Roy is only human – shockingly – and the Cowboys cannot afford
to have him wearing any more “lay me out” signs on his back.
It is certainly easy for an armchair quarterback to point out an
obvious problem, but until that obvious problem is obviously
alleviated, it will be too obvious to ignore. If the problem lies in
the route running, someone – quarterback or receiver – must be man
enough to point it out, immediately dissolving all the armchair
chatter. Fair enough.
Nonetheless, if not for Barron’s holding penalty on the final play
of the game, Roy would have won the game with a timely touchdown
catch – and fans everywhere were waiting with baited breath to
congratulate him, as well.
Maybe Roy will receive another shot at scoring on Sunday. Fans will
take any point-producing performances after short-circuiting against
the Skins.
Martellus The Menace
Martellus Bennett went bonehead on a great catch by Austin early in
the fourth quarter – when he applied a crack-back block to a lunging
defender.
Martellus knows – when he is not being productive catching passes or
making clean blocks – that he must avoid silly mistakes at all
costs. Martellus knows he has very little room for error – no matter
how in love the Cowboys brass is with his physical skills, because
it is his brain that makes it all come together. Martellus’ brain
continues to play catch-up with his body.
John Garrett – tight ends coach and brother of Jason Garrett – once
suggested that Bennett and Witten are interchangeable, if memory
serves. I let out a good long laugh . . . after clearing my lunch
from my windpipe.
The Garrett brothers know full well that whatever greatness
Martellus displays in practice must be repeated on game day – and
game in and game out.
Positively Pozderac
“Holding – Number 75 – errr, 71.”
Phil Pozderac is long gone and retired, but the memory of his
playing days continues to create sleep apnea for Cowboys fans
everywhere.
It appears Pozderac has returned – at least in spirit. He has a new name and number: Alex Barron, #71.
Barron has been the most penalized player in the NFL over the past
few years . . . and he did not disappoint in his first official game
as a Dallas Cowboy. He simply killed all the suspense for those few
fans who really believed he was up for a clean and dominant game.
Barron almost single-handedly succeeded in destroying the efforts of
his new teammates to win their first game of the season – with three
holding penalties.
Barron said – last week – that he was prepared, that this was not
his first rodeo . . . as a rodeo clown rather than a Cowboy.
Cut Barron as if he was former running back Curvin Richards and Wade
was former head coach Jimmy Johnson? The Cowboys must first have a
viable replacement who will perform better but certainly no worse.
Even if Wade was that brave – with Jerry’s permission, of course –
he knows such a move is better served towards the end of the season
when playoff entry is on the line.
While Barron made himself available for at least one of the most
destructive penalties, he was only one of several Texas
troublemakers who collectively managed 12 penalties for 91 yards.
The Redskins were supposed to be the team in disarray – still
learning brand new offensive and defensive systems. There were no
really good excuses for the Cowboys in general.
Pozderac – as an aside – must simply marvel at how he has reached
Scott Norwood status even though his performances never had a chance
to prevent the Cowboys from winning a Super Bowl, as Norwood’s did
the Buffalo Bills. Pozderac – from all accounts – was and is a good
person who simply could not cut the NFL mustard.
Pozderac is smart enough, however, to understand how powerfully poor
his performances were so many years ago – scarring Cowboys fans for
at least two decades. Fans really believed there would never be
another offensive tackle quite as offensive as Pozderac and, then . .
. Alex “The Rodeo Clown” Barron was invited to The Ranch.
Pozderac – in my mind – can finally exhale when he goes out to
mingle at sports events . . . that is until Barron finally figures out how
to keep his hands to himself (and he may just redeem himself at some
point this season).
Nonetheless, Doug Free – under the pressure of such high
expectations – experienced one false start penalty in an otherwise
very productive game. Doug should feel free to keep up the good work
and maybe even become a legitimate example to those on the offensive
line who are clowning around.
Rushing Restriction
The only time Alex Barron was in a reasonable zone of productivity
was during the rushing plays where Felix Jones was on the prowl –
gaining good chunks of yardage during one or two series – if memory
serves.
Red Ball restricted the rushing attack right at a point where it
might have really begun to wear down a tiring Redskins defensive
line.
Hind sight is 20-20, and the next opportunity to set Felix free is
just days away.
Double DeMarcus Damage
DeMarcus Ware and his defensive mates were - in general - pretty
dominant. They still managed to allow Redskins tight end Chris
Cooley to "sneak" over the middle and down the seams for a good
number of catches and yards.
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- The Cowboys may simply be content to
let Cooley "get his" as long as it occurs within the 20 yard lines
and not the red zone. Then, again, maybe the Cowboys were more
worried about Santana Moss.
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- It is safe to say both players have
spent significant time shooting annoying little arrows at the
Cowboys' secondary for the past few years . . . and maybe - one day
- the Cowboys will finally figure out how to completely shut down at
least one of them for an entire game.
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- DeMarcus’s injury with four minutes left in the game was
unfortunate and – thankfully - it neither hindered his immediate
health nor the Cowboys’ efforts to win their first game of the
season.
He attempted to tackle Redskins running back Larry Johnson low.
While Ware was not wondering where he was, he never returned to the
game – diagnosed with a neck strain.
In the event that DeMarcus begins a pattern of straining his neck
every year – which no one, of course wants to see – Anthony Spencer
and Victor “The” Butler should continue to get more and more
valuable with every snap of the football.
Choosing Sides
While DeMarcus got called for an offside that allowed one Redskins
drive to continue, Orlando Scandrick went scatterbrained with
another offside that gave the Redskins a first down rather forcing
them to settle for a field goal.
You do not have to be an expert to know full well that – as a
defensive football player – you must react to the movement of the
football and nothing else.
If the football moves, you move.
If the lead zebra does not think the center moved the ball, then –
hopefully – instant replay is enabled to prove your innocence or,
gulp, stupidity.
Several great defenders in NFL history explained how they could tell
– from a quarterback’s cadence – when the football was going to
be snapped back to him.
“Several great defenders” does not refer to all and – just like some
people in society are incapable of reading lips – some defenders are
incapable of jumping a quarterback’s snap count.
Choosing sides is easier than it sounds. Choose not to give your
opponent free yardage and new life.
If the football moves, you move.
Buehler? Buehler?
While no one can argue the potential for promise possessed by David
Buehler, no one can argue that Buehler did not have a panic attack
on his only field goal attempt of the game – a miss – that was
makeable by most place kickers.
While a successful kick would have left the Cowboys with no
less than or within three points of a tie game, the final score – objectively – had far less
to do with Buehler than Choice and Barron.
While some fans are screaming for the Cowboys to add a kicking
veteran (or convince Coach Boniol to come out of retirement), others
would like to see the Cowboys stay the course . . . and score more
red zone touchdowns to offset Buehler’s potential growing pains.
It appears – for now – with just one measly game in the books, the
Cowboys are going to continue using the kicking leg with which they
stepped onto the field to start the season.
Speeches Worth Sharing
Keith Brooking performed his regular pre-game speech to his
teammates with great emotion and enthusiasm. Brooking even gives the
Ravens’ Ray Lewis a run for his energized money.
Brooking – from all accounts – is a person of excellent character,
and he means everything he says to his teammates. He greatly
appreciates and understands his responsibility as one of the
established and experienced leaders of America’s Team.
That appreciation and understanding, however, does not guarantee the
perfect speech – nor does it guarantee captivation of younger more
impressionable minds . . . the most vulnerable minds on game day.
Brooking makes his best attempt to bring his teammates into a
collective focus before each game – with some players taking his
speech to heart and others putting forth a little less heart.
After the lackluster performance against the Redskins, Brooking
should consider an alternative speech that might reach a bit deeper
and further with the entire team – maybe even the entire
organization.
“Do not buy into the hype! We have work to do!
Do not buy into the hype! Mental mistakes can waste physical talent!
Do not buy into the hype! Anything can happen on any given Sunday!”
Do not buy into the hype! Do not underestimate our opponent!”
Do not buy into the hype! Once we stop working, we stop winning!
Do not buy into the hype! We have work to do!”
If you are going to say something to your teammates before heading
into battle, you might as well say something as potent and simple to
grasp as possible. You want everyone’s head equally in the game –
during the pre-game, during regulation, and during the post-game
celebration.
Wading Through The Muck
Wade Phillips indicated – during a halftime interview – the Cowboys
should have simply knelt down to end the first half. Fans would have
been encouraged if he had stood by his seemingly accusatory
statement the next day, as it would have indicated some kind of
effort to hold his offensive coordinator to a higher standard.
Wade has stated in the past how fiercely loyal he is to his coaches
and players – even those he had no hand in hiring – placing himself
directly in the line of fire for most mistakes even if the source of
those mistakes obviously rests elsewhere.
Fans realize that Wade – Camp Cupcake comments aside – is a low
profile defensive coordinator being asked to run an entire football
team. Fans would appreciate audible or visual proof that Red Ball
is, indeed, answerable to the head coach of America’s Team – and not
just Jerry Jones – though fans are in agreement this will probably
never occur.
Fans realize how often Red Ball is made available for interviews of
any kind. Red Ball is, after all, a former NFL quarterback with a
thick enough skin to handle even the toughest of inquisitions.
Actions are louder than words but – unless you are Ryan Leaf – words
can go well with actions.
Fans realize that Wade feels uncomfortable looking directly into the
camera or into the eyes of a post-game interviewer and making
commanding or defiant comments – unlike Bill Parcells, Barry
Switzer, Jimmy Johnson, and Tom Landry – especially after a loss.
Dave Campo and Chan Gailey displayed no such on-camera shyness
either, but their collective time as head coach of the Cowboys was
altogether forgettable . . . but I digress.
Actions on the field are stronger than piercing stares and
iron-willed challenges off the field – but they can be the
difference between looking like an inspiring leader and looking like
Eeyore from “Winnie the Pooh” or Snuffleupagus from “Sesame Street.”
Fans realize these audible and visual cues they desire from Wade and
Red Ball are just cream filling for a cake that is being baked over
the course of an entire NFL season – but until the cake looks and
tastes good enough by itself, fans would appreciate hearing about and
seeing a little more of the cream filling that keeps the cake in one
piece.
Dare To Compare
What about everyone else? Cowboys’ fans should not care that some of
the other Super Bowl contenders – from the Chargers to the Colts to
the Jets to the Vikings – also lost their first games to begin the
season.
While there is nothing wrong with emulating certain admirable
qualities of other NFL organizations, the Cowboys are not supposed
to do as the Romans do or lower themselves to the level of
competition.
“Well, at least we were not the only top team to lose on opening
day” is simply not an acceptable mindset for any coach or player
affiliated with the Dallas Cowboys.
No, the Cowboys do not have to be absolutely miserable or sick over
such an unexpected loss . . . though that would be a good start.
No, the Cowboys do not have to stop shaking hands with and hugging
players from the opposing team after a loss . . . though that would
be a good start. Alex Barron had a nice, big, confident smile on his
face after the loss to the Redskins . . . but I digress.
The NFL has become far too PC (Politically Correct) when it should
be far more like MAC (Majorly Aggressive Competitors). And you
thought I was making a computer reference . . . but I digress.
If the Cowboys bring their best effort – complete preparation and
focus – and their opponent still outhustles them for a victory, that
result would be acceptable. Fans simply wish to see and deserve to
see tangible proof – in every single game – that their team is
making every reasonable effort to win . . . with the effort being
the meat and the win being the gravy.
The most basic of reasonable expectations – shared by fan and NFL
franchise alike – is to outperform everyone else – not to merely
keep up with everyone else.
While you cannot win them all, there is nothing wrong with trying
like a bunch of men possessed to do so.
It does not matter if it is the first game or the last game of the
season. Stop watching the scoreboard for other games. Stop looking
at the division standings. Stop comparing to everyone else. Start
focusing exclusively on what you need to do to defeat each opponent
each week until there are simply no more opponents to defeat.
Coaches and players are only human, but Bachman-Turner Overdrive
said it best in 1973:
“Taking care of business, every day.
Taking care of business, every way.
I’ve been taking care of business, it’s all mine
Taking care of business and working over time.
Work out.”
Lucky Versus Ugly?
Speaking of Winnie the Pooh, the Chicago Bears are hoping to be the
second straight lucky team to steal some honey from the Dallas
Cowboys.
What kind of hive will await the Bears at Cowboys Stadium? Will they
face a bunch of bumbling bees or an organization of angry hornets?
Will Marc Colombo and Kyle Kosier come back healthy and productive –
and remain healthy for more than one game?
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- Will the Cowboys have to keep Witten
on the line to assist Colombo with proper pass protection against
the potent Peppers - or will Witten resume his rightful place as the
Cowboys' most readily reliable receiver?
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- Will the Cowboys focus too much on
Peppers and end up getting shellackered by Urlacher?
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- Will Cutler cut like a knife and
really begin to master Martz's machine?
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- Will big yardage continue to be
Matt's forte for the second straight game?
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- Will Romo ram red zone receptions
right down the throats of some recoiling Bears?
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- Will Dez and the Dallas receivers
deck the Bears' defense?
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- Will Felix filet the Bears' front
seven?
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- Will Marion mash the Monsters of the
Midway?
Will the real Dallas Cowboys show up against another team - that on
paper and in reality - they should beat?
Will the Bears simply amount to a bunch of Pooh this Sunday?
Should fans halt any and all assumptions – however reasonable –
until the Cowboys have at least matched last year's accomplishments?
We shall see. We always do.
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