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2011-2012 Regular Season: Silence Of The
Rams
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- October
27, 2011
At 11:30 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
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- The St. Louis Rams arrived at
Cowboys Stadium resembling a batting practice target from that Major
League Baseball “thingy” that had been going on across the parking
lot.
Fans – every single one of them – were bracing for a
frustration-laced Cowboys blowout win . . . or a disappointingly
close game between one desperate-yet-proud posse and one
promising-yet-self-destructive squad.
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- No one could have predicted what came next . . . but Cowboys fans
were in for a rare treat – one they may or may not experience again
for the rest of the year, or even for years to come.
Murray Moment
Denver Broncos fans everywhere are busy celebrating the official
arrival of “Tebow Time” – after seeing him lead his team to a late
game comeback and an overtime victory against the Miami Dolphins on
the road . . . in front of a gaggle of Gainesville faithful who
proudly made the trek down to South Beach to watch their golden boy
go.
Mr. Unconventional may prove – with time and technical tweaking – to
be the answer to the seemingly age-old prayers of Broncos fans . . .
who have grown desperate for the next coming of “that really
athletic guy” who used to run circles around defenders before making
some of the best passes of his career.
You know that guy – that former collegiate two-sport star who, in
his twilight, won two Super Bowls . . . only after finally receiving
some help with a real-deal rushing game.
You know that guy . . . by the name of John Elway.
While Elway was a hard-throwing, appreciably accurate, conventional
passer, he spent most of his time evading defensive jailbreaks
before running and throwing for all of those touchdowns and yards.
Though passing accuracy will prove increasingly important over Tim’s
Tebow Time, it is his leadership skills, his escapability, his
physical toughness, and his absolute will to win – “Every Which Way
But Loose” – that remind Broncos fans so much of their beloved Elway
. . . but I digress.
Dallas Cowboys fans everywhere are busy celebrating the official
arrival of a “Murray Moment” – after seeing daring DeMarco come off the bench
to break Emmitt Smith's single-game rushing record with 253 yards and help his team to a blowout
victory against the St. Louis Rams at Cowboys Stadium . . . in front
of a swarm of Sooners faithful who proudly made the trek down to
Arlington, Texas to watch one of their former collegiate star
running backs.
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- Mr. Murray may prove – with a lot more playing time (at the expense
of Felix and Tashard) – that he is the closest thing to a
well-rounded running back the Cowboys have had . . . since Emmitt
Smith – which, depending on your perspective, is either really good
or really bad.
Murray had accomplished next to nothing – like most but not all
rookies in his preliminary position – leading up to his slam-bam of
the Rams. When a head coach has been using a promising rookie
sparingly at running back and regularly on special teams, fans
should expect as much – or as little. Tashard knows all about this .
. . but I digress.
Murray’s decision-making – at the point of entry into one or more
potential running lanes and more importantly than his obvious
combination of speed and strength – could prove to be just what the
Cowboys’ offensive line needs to breathe more (or new) life into
their running game.
A number of actions clearly combined to help direct DeMarco to his
dynamic day.
There was improved offensive line blocking (yes – even against the
Rams).
There was the return of a healthy Tony Fiammetta.
There were misdirection plays called.
There were delayed handoffs made by Tony Romo.
And there were Murray’s decisions – which validated all those
actions – as he worked on the Rams’ defense like a surgeon . . .
performing precision rushing incisions.
The only real mystery – besides whether DeMarco can do it twice as
nice – is whether or not Murray can be trusted to raise the shields
for Romo on receiving downs, which will only come with more playing
time . . . that, again, must be taken from a teammate.
An NFL player “should not lose his starting job to injury” – but
Felix could eventually lose it to a player who is capable of running
to the edges and between the tackles . . . whether that player is
DeMarco or D’ Next Guy.
Felix Jones’ high ankle sprain – and Tashard Choice’s serviceable
shoulder injury – gives the Cowboys the perfect excuse to start
DeMarco Murray against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday . . . if
just to see whether or not DeMarco and the Dallas offense can
collectively repeat his colossal rushing feat against the “Dream
Team.”
While Tebow Time may have farther reaching implications for the
Broncos, another Murray Moment might be a monumental way to see if
DeMarco can amass major mileage once more.
A Banner Tanner
Even Phillip Tanner had a banner moment of his own with a few solid
runs and a tough touchdown just for fun.
Fans would probably agree that Tanner did exactly what has regularly
been expected of Tashard Choice . . . but rarely fulfilled since his
late season breakout performance of the 2008-2009 season.
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- When the Cowboys lost Tashard to a shoulder injury after just a
couple plays, they had no choice but to turn to Tanner to join
DeMarco as part of a dynamic rushing duo.
The punishing double play performance of DeMarco and Phillip would
not have seemed so shockingly good if fans had seen more – up until
this point – out of Felix “The Cat” Jones and Tashard “The People’s”
Choice.
The more the injuries occur to Felix and Tashard, the greater the
fumble-to-carry ratio gets with Tashard, the more Felix struggles
with any running lanes even remotely inside the edges . . . the more
desperate fans will become for a solution.
Whether on offense or defense, when a unit becomes a one trick pony,
fans will latch onto any hint a herd of fresh horses is heading for
a humongous heyday.
Fans simply cannot help themselves – romanticizing with holiday
visions of DeMarco and Phillip as the newest first and second string
running backs for the Cowboys . . . otherwise known as “Double Play:
Dallas’ Dynamic Duo.”
Fans simply cannot help themselves – always opening themselves up
for a potentially rude awakening by eagerly putting their eggs in
the most progressive basket . . . and hoping against hope the new
guys do not prove to be the same as the old guys.
Double Play may just have put on a “Once In A Lifetime” performance .
. . and may just make fans look like Talking Heads – saying “same as
it ever was, same as it ever was, same as it ever was” after the
Eagles game this Sunday night.
Defiant Bryant
Dez “The Sleeping Giant” Bryant finally awoke to play a complete
game – with quality receptions and a touchdown.
While he had only five catches on the day, each went for a pretty
good clip.
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- Thanks to Double Play, there remain more questions than answers
about Dez.
“Everyone in the world” knows a good running game loosens up
opportunities for receivers, as well.
Fans – all of them – know Dez can catch almost anything
(semi-accurately) thrown to him, but how much of his success was
entirely of his own creation and how much was as a result of a
run-weary Rams’ defense?
And if Dez did, indeed, decidedly design his date with destiny . . .
will fans have to be concerned that Dez will see his own shadow and
crawl back into his skill-siphoning sarcophagus like a ground hog?
Fans – after “The Running Of The Rams” – are on the edge of their
stadium seats wondering if the offense is finally, mercifully coming together .
. . and if Romo is the next player to stop defying and start
delighting for Dallas.
Finally
The Cowboys finally won a game without requiring Tony Romo to rule
(or ruin) the airways.
The Cowboys finally displayed a (wildly) successful running game.
The Cowboys finally blew out an opponent (for the first time since
their 2009-2010 playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles).
The Cowboys finally were able to close out an opponent without
having to score in the final minutes to win the game.
The Cowboys finally were able to rely on both of their starting wide
receivers for the entire game.
The Cowboys finally were able to win a game without asking their
defense to perform All Mighty miracles . . . though only one sack and
one interception against such a buckshot bunch as the Rams has to
give fans pause.
The Truth
While some fans are simply grateful for a Cowboys victory – and a
blowout at that – other more forward-thinking fans want to know if
the latest performance by America’s Team was real or Memorex.
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- “You want answers? You can’t handle the truth!”
Fans want answers – they want the truth . . . but they also fear
what they may discover.
The St. Louis Rams are one of about six different NFL teams that
currently qualify as doormats this year.
The Rams have been blown out in almost every one of their losses.
How did the Cowboys compete so completely?
How did Murray manage all that mileage?
How did Dez Bryant do battle all day?
How was Romo able to relax and resist the return of his ruinous
railway?
How did the offensive line look so fine?
How was so little surrendered from the way the Cowboys’ defended?
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- How did Garrett gather up such a
mistake-free game plan?
The ego-bruising fact is that the Cowboys played well against a bad
team.
While the oft-injured Kyle Kosier played with a steel plate in his
shoe to protect against further firing up his plantar fasciitis, he
still played well – run-blocking and protecting as needed. Montrae
“Entrée” Holland came in off the couch mere weeks after being cut
from the same roster . . . and even he still played well, too.
While Dez Bryant made the most of his opportunities to play well for
a full game, he and the other Cowboys receivers directly benefitted
from a good running game . . . which historically always sets the
table for richer route running (except for those teams with abysmal
quarterback quality).
While DeMarco Murray made the right decisions with his running lanes
and made the most of his opportunity, the Philadelphia Eagles’
defense (though soft against the run) will put up a better fight
than the Rams . . . either exposing Murray or making him even more
mythical.
While DeMarco’s monster day relieved Romo of much of his usual
pressure to perform, the Eagles will be using every tool in their
secondary belt to revive the Romo Railway.
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- While the Dallas defense kept A.J.
Feeley from feeling anything but pressure, did just enough to void
the impact of Brandon Lloyd, and stopped Stephen Jackson from
getting in on too much action – Ryan's Roughnecks will be facing a
much healthier and much more capable offense in the Eagles.
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- While even the best laid game plans
are left to chance on any given Sunday, Garrett's gang efficiently
executed almost every element of the Cowboys' calls against the Rams
. . . but the Eagles may not fall for every call like some early
holiday hams.
Fans want answers – they want the truth . . . but they will have to
wait until Sunday night to see if their Cowboys are even remotely as
good as they looked in silencing the Rams.
Will They Or Won’t They?
The Cowboys know the Eagles as well as any team in the NFL, but will
they positively prove it?
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- Will Tony "Ready To Be A Rad Dad"
Romo show up as a fine father figure and the primary point producer
of the Cowboys' household . . . making a suped-up Eagle's secondary
screw up?
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- Will Dez, Jason, and Miles be able
to collect yards and points in piles?
Will DeMarco Murray get the start against the Philadelphia Eagles .
. . and will he prove to be the next Miles Austin?
Will Phillip Tanner get a chance to tangle with Team Talon, too?
Will the Cowboys choose wisely with Choice – who wants to be bolder
with his shoulder and do the wrong thing with his hamstring – and only use him if
absolutely necessary? If "Double Play" delivers the goods again,
will Tashard even have a choice?
Will the return of Kevin Dockery conveniently dial up the depth on
the offensive line for Dallas?
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- Will Rob Ryan’s Roughnecks turn LeSean (McCoy) and DeSean (Jackson)
into Dijon?
Will Michael Vick be too quick for the Cowboys to click in . . . or
will they surround him, sack him, stick
him, and pick him?
Will they be tacklin’ and cacklin’ at (Jeremy) Maclin?
Will Sean Lee make Brent Celek look like an old relic?
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- Will Ryan's defense become even
heartier by finally welcoming back Mr. Carter?
Will the big bullies be built back up to full strength with the
return of Jason Hatcher?
Will Dan Bailey continue to be gravy . . . and will David Buehler
come back as the kickoff heavy?
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- Will Mat McBriar be able to raise
his pain threshold higher and be able to play with his favored foot on fire?
Will the Cowboys feel even more pressure to produce if the American
League Champions go on to win Game 7 of the 2011 World Series?
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- The Cowboys silenced the Rams, but
will they be able to pluck Philly's feathers?
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- The Cowboys and Eagles have equal cause to prove a performance point
on Sunday night . . . but which team will step up to the plate,
swing for the cheap seats, and make crushing contact?
Will the Cowboys take full advantage of another great opportunity to
improve at the expense of a division rival?
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- Will the remarkably reinvented and
rejuvenated Cowboys defense need to back away from backing up Ryan's
remarks about Philadelphia's "All-Hype" team? Should their staunch
support of the creative and cocky new defensive coach – who has
emboldened, empowered, and enlightened them – even be questioned?
Will the Cowboys and their fans learn more of the truth . . . and
will they like it?
We shall see. We always do.
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