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2016-2017 Postseason: Cowboys Hope To Send Green
Bay Packing In Divisional Round Game
- January 12, 2017 At 11:53 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
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- The Dallas Cowboys got to sit back
and watch wildcard weekend – studying who they might face in a
handful of days – rather than being on vacation and depressingly
playing pretend.
The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Detroit Lions, and the Green Bay
Packers proved too big for the New York Giants. (Some but not all)
Prognosticators – and specifically some of the usual suspects
–immediately got busy displaying unreasonable defiance.
“Aaron Rodgers – that baaaaaaaad man – led the Pack on a now-seven
game winning streak, and they have chosen the perfect time to peak!
Any of the remaining teams facing them are going to come up totally
meek!”
“What about the Cowboys? Sure, they beat the Pack during the regular
season, but the one-and-done pressure is completely different in the
postseason! Aaron Rodgers regularly makes winning into an art and –
given the chance during his next stop in the big dance – he will
pick them apart!”
“America’s Team” – let there be no doubts – even after the
unimaginable circumstances of their unexpectedly stellar 13-3 year .
. . still have more to prove or find themselves on the outs (even
with their super goal so very near).
While there may, indeed, be something to playoff experience –
especially to an offense being led by two rookies who (with two
largely-known exceptions) generally made the regular season resemble
a cake walk . . . it is the Cowboys’ defense about whom everyone
should want to talk.
Marinelli’s Men have only gotten better since facing the Packers . .
. having progressively done so in the absence of a number of their
best defensive attackers.
The Packers are expected to make adjustments – with a full season’s
worth of tape to study – and if you do not believe that, as George
C. Parker famously said: “I’ve got a bridge to sell you, buddy.”
The Cowboys can also be expected to fine tune their play call
selections, tighten up their technique, and put a fork in their
recent propensity to pile up pointless penalties.
Some players – however – are just determined to risk it all, appear
completely unreliable to their coaches and teammates, and suffer a
great big fall.
Legit Suspension Or Unfair Invention?
Count The Tortured Cowboys Fan among those who believed there was no
doubt . . . Randy “POTential” Gregory (seemingly “The Man Without
Fear” facing his third non-PED drug-related suspension in a single
year) would eventually be deemed out.
While some within Cowboys Nation want to tell Goodell to go to hell
for sending Gregory on another unhelpful vacation . . . Randy's latest
penalty is a legit suspension, not an unfair invention.
Gregory’s story – as fans will remember – involved him missing
rather than failing yet another drug test in November. Just like a
certain Steelers’ star running back – and for all the reminding
resources following NFL players everywhere – there is ZERO excuse
(save auto accidents, kidnappings, or death) for ever missing a drug
test appointment and allowing your return to NFL action to go so
grossly off track.
It may appear – to the more myopic – the NFL put the Cowboys in a
bad spot . . . but Goodell gave Dallas a benefit by even allowing
Gregory a two-game shot. It is clear that Goodell did not consider
or begin to hear Gregory’s appeal of his third suspension until
Randy – from his second punishment – was in the clear. If Goodell
had been aggressive – or the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement)
had allowed for a quicker pace – he might have heard and ruled on
Gregory’s appeal of his third suspension weeks before his second
suspension was even completed . . . leaving Cowboys Nation feeling
even more defeated about a defensive front still seeking a deeper
rotation.
The timing of Gregory’s suspension – on the flipside – worked out
well in allowing the Cowboys the opportunity to fill his roster spot
with a player who might further improve a group already pretty hot.
The Cowboys – under Jason Garrett – have remained impressively
aggressive with their roster churn . . . being proactive to avoid
the untimely heat of (repeated) suspension burn. When in doubt with
the talent of their practice squad, they consider what is available
through a free agency group potentially more broad.
In that vein – and in being wisely weary with the questionable
status of Tyron Smith, La’el Collins, and Ronald Leary – the Cowboys
did something quite sane. They signed Cleveland castoff and
offensive lineman Jonathan Cooper. He was once the extremely
promising former top draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals – 7th
overall . . . and (following his recovery from a first year broken
fibula) he failed to catch on with the New England Patriots at all.
He seemingly reached rock bottom with the Browns who – again –
allowed him to leave town.
While the irresponsible and clearly-addicted Gregory was made into a
playoff party pooper, newly-signed Cooper could prove a real trooper
. . . potentially doing fine as an additional reserve at multiple
positions (center and guard . . . roles the smaller, more mobile
Cooper does not find too hard) across the offensive line.
Cooper represents an inexpensive look-see at a potentially
“misdiagnosed” player who may yet have another prayer at the very
least . . . or – with refreshing instruction during accelerated
playbook absorption – a magically reawakened blocking beast. Cooper
– as unimaginable as it may be – could become just second former
Arizona top pick (since LARGE Leonard Davis) to join the Cowboys to
go from lost to found to turning his career around.
Speaking of careers, Gregory – who now will be suspended for at
least the entire 2017-2018 regular season – will have to apply for
reinstatement and when that time comes, Randy will have to give
Goodell a FANTASTIC, drug-free reason. As Raiders linebacker Aldon
Smith can attest, it is not a given the suspension will last just
for the year, and Gregory may have to go beyond “perfect gentleman”
to regain (some of) Goodell’s trust and get the NFL to reinvest.
Gregory has until the end of next season to prove he has developed
the rule-following maturity to function within an NFL game day
capacity. Randy can either demonstrate that IT factor or – like
Rolando “Purple Drank” McClain (another talented train wreck who
has only succeeded in causing the Cowboys pain) – he could see his
once-promising NFL career seemingly go right down the drain.
Towards The Awards
As the various voting committees head towards finalization of some
of the highly anticipated year-end NFL awards . . . many fans of all
32 teams are typically going out of their myopic gourds.
“My team’s player is the best! Forget all the rest!”
“Look at his incredibly stats! He even has superior tatts!”
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- “My coach has big game
playing-calling skills that are beyond reproach!”
Cowboys Nation – as remarked earlier in this edition of The Tortured
Cowboys Fan – is no longer immediately preoccupied by what America’s
Team would be doing on vacation. Fans can and are debating whether
Dak or Zeke should share or individually receive one of three or
four different shiny pieces of recognition.
Sometimes the equation towards successfully identifying the best
players within "NFL Nation" requires a bit more gestation.
Fans will PAINFULLY recall how – by and large – the 2015 absence of
Tony Romo made a playoff contender look entirely too small. It
mattered not who was inserted at QB – as a collectively horrid
performance by all save for the mildly promising Kellen Moore . .
. would shut the door on each roster imposter who simply could never
do enough to take charge.
Who is more valuable to the Cowboys – Dak or Zeke? Overlooked QB
attack or expected RB freak?
Dak – with largely the same offensive line and a playbook that was
steadily expanded with each new game – performed beyond anyone’s
dreams . . . save for his own (when it took another well-chronicled
back injury to Romo and successful preseason exposure to convince
the Cowboys’ staff to consider throwing him more than a backup
bone).
While Dak has Zeke at his side, as an incredible, pedigreed,
three-tool teammate (run, catch, and block) with whom he has been
able to confidently ride . . . there is an argument that with a
(gasp) healthy Darren “Run DMC” McFadden and certainly DeMarco
Murray (who rediscovered his lead back groove following his
Tennessee move), similar success for Dak could have been plied.
During their time with the Cowboys, while Murray had been and
McFadden has been regularly utilized in both the running and passing
games . . . Zeke has almost exclusively been asked to rely on his
running when attempting to kick ass and take names. Thus, one could
also (easily) argue Zeke has merely been a victim of circumstance .
. . and might (easily) outstrip his predecessors in both rushing AND
catching if given half a chance. The facts are undeniable that Zeke
– if his wall continues to stand tall and if he is not unreasonably
overused – once his career is all said and done could leave many
defenses feeling completely abused and have zero fun.
Best yet, there is NO argument that a strong, punishing running game
. . . continues to be a good friend to Marinelli’s Men, a
perpetually thin Dallas defense that – for some time and until this
season – has been used to taking the game-losing blame.
Still – for as great as Zeke has been (and is expected to become) .
. . it is extremely hard to overlook a quarterback situation that –
until this season – has been unbearably thin and (when teams knew
they could stack the box to stop the guy toting the rocks) proved
all the difference between a loss and a win.
The Tortured Cowboys Fan – while completely acknowledging Zeke’s
ready-made-greatness (with an eye towards those future accolades he
may yet achieve behind a solid offensive line and in front of a
Cowboys Nation that wants to believe) . . . cannot ignore the fact
that – prior to Dak’s arrival and in the absence of Romo – the
Cowboys’ QB situation was devastatingly aimless.
The Cowboys could have a completely healthy “Great Wall Of Dallas,”
a bull-dozing Zeke Elliott, an absolute warrior in Jason Witten, a
dazzling Dez Bryant, a brilliant Beasley delivering a “Lump Of
Cole,” a timely toe-tapping Terrance Williams, and occasional proof
“The (Brice) Butler Did It,” but without a (more than) competent
quarterback who can make more than one reasonable read and avoid
most of the mistakes that make his supporters eyes bleed . . .
nothing else matters when defenses can sell out on the run and wait
for the Cowboys’ QB to leave his team’s chances in complete tatters.
While Dallas certainly could have pushed Zeke’s carry total higher,
balance is absolutely critical to maintaining an offense that – when
called upon – is capable of catching fire.
The Tortured Cowboys Fan recommends Dak Prescott for MVP but would
not dissuade voters from nominating Dak and Zeke as co-MVPs . . .
for they are a most dynamic duo, as nearly every fan sees. Neither
player may realistically win – due to other great (and
long-established) talents in the
player bin – but the focus here is on the Cowboys’ players best
qualified to rise above the hyper-competitive din.
The OROTY (Offensive Rookie Of The Year) award is an entirely
different story. Whereas Dak was rarely asked to overextend his
range and play-making ability . . . Zeke demolished the competition
with scary stats and gory agility.
The Tortured Cowboys Fan – for the OROTY – easily recommends Elliott
for regularly killing it.
The DPOTY (Defensive Player Of The Year) – like the OPOTY (Offensive
Player Of The Year) – is much more complicated to be clear. The
Tortured Cowboys Fan can easily see Sean “The General” Lee being in
top-5 consideration . . . but if he is not chosen – due to plenty of
quality competition – Cowboys Nation should not suffer severe
constipation.
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- The COTY (Coach Of The Year) . . . is
something Jason Garrett has certainly earned – having to make do
with an unproven rookie when his veteran starting quarterback was
forcibly churned – but he is also
competing with more than one deserving peer.
While the annual AP All-Pro selections are far less exclusive,
America’s Team still collected their most since 1969. The Tortured
Cowboys Fan views the All-Pro selection plan as leaning much more
towards the consistently good and far less towards those
demonstrating a few flashes in the pan. Zeke Elliott, Tyron Smith,
Zack Martin, Travis Frederick, and Sean Lee – in that vein – did
more than fine.
Nonetheless, as voter tallies are officially gathered for the more
prestigious awards, here is hoping they pluck two or three of the
right (Cowboys) chords.
Will They Or Won’t They?
The theme of the Cowboys’ 2014 postseason was “Finish The Fight” . .
. and if not for a now-infamous rule-restricted catch, a critical
playoff victory Dallas potentially would have gone onto hatch. They
unfortunately failed to do it right.
Cowboys Nation may have revenge in mind for that season’s
floundering “Frozen Tundra” finish . . . but success will only occur
with a focus on execution and mistakes to diminish. Fans can cheer
and shout, but it is all on the players to be functionally stout.
The Cowboys found the near-perfect formula for restricting (Aaron)
Rodgers in their regular season 30-16 victory (causing Green Bay's
big cheese to relinquish multiple turnovers without any defensive
trickery) . . . but the postseason is different, which makes that
game distant history.
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- While the Cowboys may have lost
defensive end Randy Gregory at a time when they need as many chasers
as possible to help smother the modern day Rodgers, err, “Roger The
Dodger” . . . the loss of Green Bay’s top wide receiver Jordy Nelson
(reportedly to broken ribs) may make the monstrous mission of
Marinelli’s (capable) Men a bit more manageable.
Will Dallas – however – take the bait . . . (ignorantly) thinking
Rodgers will be helpless to stop Marinelli’s Men from boxing him
into a coverage crate? Rodgers’ receivers know they can drop a few
less and run crisper routes against zone or man-press . . . but will
the Cowboys’ secondary (with a freshly returning Morris Claiborne)
force those receivers – once again – to bail and fail . . .
especially concerning Rodgers’ new normal, the Hail Mary?
Will the Cowboys – instead – treat all remaining Packers receivers
as if they are capable of catching anything from their re-energized
“King Of Fling” . . . rather than potentially playing crazy, looking
lazy, and winding up dead?
Will Dak and Zeke and Co. perform with well-rested but renewed
purpose . . . executing in such a way that a great Dallas divisional
round win will surface?
Will Jason Garrett – no matter how much confidence he and the team
have in Dak – dare to insert Tony Romo if, IF the contest is coming
down to the wire and a critical spark is suddenly needed in their
offensive attack? Dak is expected to perform (very) well but – in
the face of a “win or go home” bell – Red Ball is expected to do
everything he must to keep the Cowboys’ latest postseason
opportunity from possibly becoming another premature bust.
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- Will the Dallas Cowboys take the next step
towards finishing this
fight? Can they do it right on January 15th, Sunday night?
We shall see. We always do.
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