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2011-2012 Regular Season: Toe To Toe With
An Old Foe
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September 30, 2011
At 11:20 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
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- Cowboys’ fans have been on a
rollercoaster ride for the early portion of the 2011-2012 season.
The game one loss to the Jets saw fans ready to chase down Tony Romo
with torches and pitchforks . . . after giving away what might have
been a transformative Dallas victory.
The game two win against the 49ers resulted in fans being shocked
that Romo could return from being gaveled into the grid iron . . .
and awed by his will to win.
An unexpected transformation had begun.
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- The 18-16 game three win against the Redskins on Monday night
resulted in fans being pleased with another win against an old foe
but scared to death for Romo’s safety . . . in the presence of a few
falsely-focused and poorly-prepared teammates.
The transformation has continued for Romo – expanding to his
teammates and fans alike.
Reviled But Rarely
Respected
The Redskins arrived at Cowboys Stadium fresh off their first 2-0
start in years – seemingly ready to add to that total . . . and be
alone in first place in the NFC East.
The Cowboys arrived at Cowboys Stadium fresh off a false start and a
fantastic finish – which led to a 1-1 start . . . and a chance to
join the Redskins and Giants atop the division.
The Redskins were relatively healthy, and the Cowboys looked like
Custer right before he went down on one Wounded Knee.
The Redskins would not have it any other way, and they were more
than happy to reenact that old battle . . . with incredible
historical accuracy.
The Cowboys and Redskins “enjoy” a divisional rivalry that dates
back more than 50 years.
While Dallas leads the overall series 61-38 with two ties, the
Redskins lead their extremely rare post-season face-offs 2-0.
Dallas has won 20 division titles with Washington winning seven of
them.
Dallas appeared in eight Super Bowls – winning five of them.
Washington has appeared in five Super Bowls – winning three of them.
While the Cowboys and their fans had developed a healthy hatred and
reasonable respect for the 49ers, there is no respect, nor any love
lost for the Redskins.
The Redskins are reviled but rarely respected in Cowboy Country and
vice versa – to be sure.
Both teams could be headed into the final game of the season having
lost all their games and tied in the first of two games they play
head-to-head every year – and fans would think they were watching
the NFC Championship Game . . . which is always better than the
Super Bowl unless the Cowboys are playing in it.
Fans used to hear Cowboys players used to make caustic remarks about
the Redskins (and any other long-time rivals) on a regular basis,
and vice versa. The early-era players were taught and expected to
hate each other. A Cowboy sharing a friendship in the good ‘old days
with any of his “sworn enemies” – Washington Redskins, New York
Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, or St. Louis Cardinals – was
immediately frowned upon and sternly discouraged.
Friendships between two staunchly opposed players were viewed as bad
for the fan base. The more rabid the fan base, the more they would
spend to make sure the opponent / opposing fans knew for what they
stood and for whom they cheered.
Fans, nowadays, will hear Cowboys players make respectful comments
about coaches, players, and schemes on the Redskins – and vice versa
– but that is only to avoid generating unwanted bulletin board
material for the opposition. If coaches, players, and team owners
did not so often occupy the media spotlight, the commentary might be
closer to what fans from either team so to each other.
Fans can wonder how this rivalry might have been different if the
Cowboys had not selected Pro Bowl quarterback Eddie LeBaron from the
Redskins roster in the expansion draft of their first year.
Fans can wonder what level of courtesy they might be enjoying from
Redskins fans if Cowboys fans had not indulged in a few “chicken
dances” and “turkey tricks” early in the rivalry.
While the vast majority of Dallas fans came to terms with the
Cowboys' raw and rude Redskins relationship
long ago, the newer novice fans need wonder no more . . . as the Cowboys and Redskins have gone
after each other – no matter the circumstances – nearly every year
of their collective existence.
Cowboys’ fans have lovingly referred to the Redskins as the
Deadskins, the Foreskins, and the Potato Skins (always the
appetizer, never good enough to be the entrée) among others.
Redskins’ fans have returned the favor with Cowgirls, Cow Patties,
and other odiferous identifiers.
There have even been hilarious TV commercials . . . well, hilarious
for Cowboys fans.
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- There was also a TV spot where Ed “Too Tall” Jones – if memory
serves – placed Joe Theismann on a locker room coat hook. Jones was
6’ 9” (prior to getting old) and Theismann was 6’ 1’ (prior to his
career ending leg injury) – making for an absolutely hilarious scene
. . . but I digress.
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- Today’s Cowboys and Redskins organizations – from top to bottom –
are a far cry from the days when they both regularly enjoyed
success.
Then, again, it was the Cowboys and Redskins on Monday night
football. They tossed out all the records, all the silly names, and
all the injury struggles in favor of a gritty, grind-it-out, give
none, get none game on the grid iron.
Hallarious
DeAngelo Hall must have arrived at Cowboys Stadium in a separate
sponsored vehicle – having painted a target onto injured Tony Romo.
He left Cowboys stadium having turned that target on himself . . .
again. Hall has a history of hollering “happy” thoughts and a
horrible habit of going haywire.
While he spent the entire game seemingly searching for Romo’s rib,
the D.C. press was busy fitting him for a bib . . . to go along with
his highly publicized post-game tantrum, err, interview.
“Don’t talk to me, alright?!” Oh, right – that was Ryan Leaf . . .
but I digress.
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- The rest of his defensive teammates should be extremely bitter . . .
at themselves. They inflated their value with pre-season predictions
of post-season dreams. They believed the hype – just like Dallas did
last season – and the Redskins came up short.
DeAngelo received no Hall pass and neither did the Redskins. Give
none, get none.
Plan B
Rookie placekicker Dan Bailey not only proved his clutch value for
the second straight game, he went on overload – knocking six
straight field goals through the uprights . . . with not a single
swerve from dead center.
Dan singlehandedly delivered every Dallas point against suddenly
woebegone Washington.
Fans are only human and – after living through years of maddeningly
inconsistent kicking – they are ready to anoint a new Cowboys
Kicking King . . . and boot David Buehler from the roster.
The same fans who are sick and tired of seeing a poor kick and a
kicker getting fired . . . should be the first people to remember
that kicking fame is fleeting.
Bailey – by all accounts – has done a marvelous job . . . over three
whole games.
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- Bailey should, indeed, be feeling really good about himself right
now – and he should be using that confidence to remind himself that
each game is a new opportunity to continue his fine run . . . or get
run right off the roster.
Bailey was originally brought in as a Plan B to Buehler – the
strong-legged kicker with limited accuracy.
After three whole games – with 13 more to go – Buehler looks to
Bailey’s Plan B . . . which is just fine with The Tortured Cowboys
Fan.
Even if Bailey continues to improve, he is – on average – straining
to reach the end zone on his kickoffs.
Can he improve his leg strength and become more like an old school
placekicker . . . who can and will make most of the kicks that come
his way? Yes, he can. Can he overexert and injury himself in an
admirable attempt to become the “Every Kicker?” Yes, he most
certainly can.
The Cowboys publicly are grateful for Bailey, but still need Buehler
to be their kickoff specialist.
The Cowboys privately cannot believe their good fortune of possibly
having found a solution a placekicker – to go along with a balls-out
(of the end zone) kickoff specialist.
The Cowboys privately are hoping Buehler – upon his return after the
bye week – continues cranking beautiful touchbacks.
The Cowboys privately are praying Buehler will get a safe, long
distance opportunity – right before the end of the first half this
season and beyond Bailey’s range – and nail it right down the middle
. . . giving him just the confidence boost he needs to slowly but
surely reawaken the Cowboys kicking competition.
The Cowboys’ kickers know they can never
comfortably kick back . . . and they
never know when Romo and the offense may suffer a negative scoring
attack.
Bad Decisions & Bonehead
Mistakes
Tony Romo lost the first game of the season by making a bad
decision, and he accepted full responsibility for it.
Romo has not made a truly bad decision since that time – with the
exception of one ultimately meaningless interception against the
Redskins. Coughing up the football after being hit – by someone
other than DeAngelo “Don’t Ask How” Hall – worked out fine with a
quick recovery by Felix.
When it comes to stupid mistakes, fans were expecting them to come
in boat loads from a Cowboys defensive unit with generally unchanged
personnel from last season, a sloppy secondary . . . and an entirely
new and potentially confusing playbook.
It was Romo’s younger teammates, however – particularly along the
offensive line and at the wide receiver position – who have made an
alarming number of bonehead mistakes . . . resulting in Tony’s
terrible aches (and pains).
The 49ers game – post fracture and puncture – was just the tip of
the mistake mountain.
The Redskins game exposed a few offensive players – Doug Free, Kevin
Ogletree, and Phil Costa – as unilaterally unprepared or suffering
from severe amnesia . . . with Martellus Bennett and Tashard Choice
getting honorable mentions, as well.
Free Can Be Costly
Doug Free incurred two blatant holding penalties – performing as if
he had experienced a time warp back to the playoff scene of the
Metrodome malfeasance . . . and, once again, failing to fend off
quarterback crushers.
Some fans may believe Free was employing the old adage “better to
get caught holding and allow your quarterback to live another for
another play . . . than to get beaten and lose him for the day.”
While Romo’s current physical condition may, indeed, warrant such an
approach, none of Free’s offensive line-mates had such a problem.
Some fans may believe Free’s line-mates had no such problem, because
they felt even a roughed up Romo was still Houdini . . . escaping
the most terminal of defensive jail breaks.
Nonetheless, Brian Orakpo is no DeMarcus Ware (at least not right
now) – and while Romo was sacked no more than once, Free’s holding
penalties made him look like a dunce . . . especially on at least
one play where the Cowboys’ rushing attack was beginning to gain
ground.
Free – outside of Kyle Kosier – is one of only three true veterans
on the offensive line (when Derrick Dockery returns from injury).
Contrary to popular belief, Romo is not necessarily interested in
mimicking a mid-career Elway by dangerously venturing beyond the
pocket whether it is collapsing or not. Romo needs and deserves as
much maturity from his gridiron bodyguards as possible – even when
in perfect health . . . as has been punishingly proven with the far
more elusive Michael Vick.
Doug Free received a nice pre-season fee for his promising
protection of the Cowboys’ QB. Doug is not free to be a costly
football flop . . . nor can he cause hysterics pretending he is a
modern day Phil Pozderac (a former fan favorite, for sure).
The Cowboys are counting on Free to earn his money – doing a better
and smarter job of protecting Tony.
Ogletree Not Branching Out
Kevin Ogletree is much narrower problem – in stature, in playbook
knowledge, and in focus (with the vacant stair he so often shares
with Martellus Bennett).
Kevin Ogletree had a Choice moment in the first quarter of Monday
night’s game – having the ball punched out of his grasp and
recovered by the Redskins who, thankfully, were only able to get a
field goal out of it.
There are a handful of NFL defenders who are strong enough to cause
a fumble no matter how tightly the football is tucked away, but that
is only if they are able to grab you, steady you (from your
preferred moving target status), and, then, dislodge you from the
football. The theory of carrying a football through gruesome
gridiron traffic involves having the football tucked tightly between
the pit of your elbow and the palm of your hand.
The worst thing that could happen – away from the warm embrace of
that “handful of NFL defenders” – is having your arm flapped up and
down like a chicken wing. Most ball carriers – running back or
receiver – would generally agree it “ain’t no-thing but a chicken
wing” . . . but I digress.
The other end of the spectrum showcases Ogletree’s sudden lack of
playbook knowledge towards where his number should be located when
it is called in an opponent’s red zone.
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- Romo was looking for Ogletree in the red zone – expecting Kevin to
cross-face on his route, and he went in the opposite direction.
Ogletree mentioned nothing about adjusting to the defense and
cutting his route short . . . so he was clearly unaware of the spot
to which Romo was throwing.
All Romo could do was shake his head by the bridge of his nose.
Romo threw a relatively deep pass down the right hand side for a
sideline-hugging Ogletree – who got his hands on the would-be
touchdown catch and could not squeeze it tight enough for the
Redskins defender not to knock it loose. The Cowboys may, indeed,
need to call in the desperate-for-football Tiki Barber to show
Ogletree how to tightly squeeze and hold onto the ball . . . but I
digress.
All Romo could do was shake his head by the bridge of his nose
(which was probably about to break).
While Ogletree redeemed himself by making a nice reception of a Romo
pass thrown behind him, he simply has no excuse not to know Jason
Garrett’s playbook after three years on the Cowboys’ roster. Jason
Garrett has yet to have his Jimmy Johnson moment, but Ogletree has
reason to worry that Garrett may be considering the departure of his
very own Curvin Richards.
While Ogletree may never be as good as Danny Amendola (the
would-be-excellent slot receiver the Cowboys released in the
off-season two years ago – who is now Sam Bradford’s favorite target
with the Rams), the Cowboys organization and its fans will never
know his true capabilities if he does not finally begin branching
out with his knowledge of the playbook and his desire to play well.
Ogletree knows this year’s Cowboys team requires reliability from
all of its players – as often as possible.
Ogletree knows freshly-signed Laurent Robinson bounced back from a
vicious hit to make most of his catches.
Ogletree knows it may only a matter of time before Jesse Holley is
able to volley past him with a better grasp of the playbook.
Ogletree knows he should be intensely motivated to be as crisp in
his assignments as possible . . . without encouraging Jimmy Robinson
and the Cowboys to be as crisp in his “execution.”
Costa At What Cost?
Phil Costa began the Redskins game in pretty good shape (including
his tender knee condition).
A strange thing started occurring, however, as the game moved along.
Phil Costa began to undergo a scary transformation. His jersey
number changed from 67 to 65. He grew a little heavier and a little
taller . . . and the name on the back of his jersey read GURODE!
Cowboys fans felt like they were being (mis)treated to a compilation
flashback of every bad snap Andre Gurode ever launched over Tony
Romo’s head . . . through the embodiment of Phil Costa.
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- Fans knew better – rubbing their collective eyes and realizing there
was no more Andre to kick around anymore . . . and no monster movie
transformation to blame on Costa’s costly mistakes.
While Phil and Andre apparently remain friendly after the Cowboys’
pre-season business decision, could fans blame Gurode for laughing
his head off? “And they thought I was the only center who could snap
footballs to the moon! HA!” Then, again, he may be unlucky enough to
receive a second opportunity to snap footballs into deep space with the Ravens
. . . but I digress.
Costa got lucky on the last of his bad snaps – on third and 21, late
in the fourth quarter – when recovered like a basketball player,
rolled right against an all out blitz, waited, waited a little more,
and hit Dez Bryant in stride for a first down . . . followed by a
foolish and frustrated facemask penalty on DeAngelo “Habitual Hot
Head” Hall.
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- Costa told Romo the Redskins were simulating his snap count –
causing Phil to flip the football back before Tony was ready for the
feed.
Logic dictates that it would be strange for Costa to have not had
that problem all game long in San Francisco . . . and suddenly have
it multiple times against the Redskins.
Is former Cowboy Stephen Bowen capable of such sour grapes (after
being “forced” to sign a big money deal with the Redskins) that he
would simulate Romo’s snap count? Though Bowen admitted as much, he
is only human and – like any other player who switches teams – he
will do whatever he can to give his new team an edge against his old
team.
The Cowboys formally accused the Redskins – and specifically Bowen –
of illegal simulation of Romo’s snap count (which each occurrence –
by rule – causing a 15-yard penalty). Costa has since half-heartedly
recanted his accusation that Bowen was the sinister simulator.
Fans know that for all the promise Phil showed in the pre-season, he
is still essentially a rookie at the center position. Fans also know
Phil can take a timeout to specifically address and correct the
problem, rather than continue to tick off Tony.
Costa will be allowed to continue and encouraged to improve but . .
. at what cost?
Bennett Buffoonery
While Martellus Bennett “of the tremendous untapped talent (and
underwhelming focus)” did little to destroy Dallas’ chances at
victory on Monday night, he did little to improve them . . . as
usual.
Bennett – one of (thankfully) only a few underachievers on the
Cowboys’ roster – was called for a holding penalty on the second
long run of the night for Felix Jones, with just over 14 minutes to
go in the fourth quarter. Fans know how precious a successful
running game is to a well-balanced Cowboys offense and to Romo’s
improving health.
Martellus also dropped what can best be called a mini fade route in
the end zone . . . after his Redskins defender merely waved one hand
in front of him. Do even the most seasoned of pass catchers lose
focus when facing the furiously waving fingers of their defenders?
Yes, they can and, yes, they do – but fans are desperate to see
Martellus catch anything or catch the next cab out of Dallas.
While Martellus is not always asked to perform the simplest of
“stupid pet tricks,” he is not asked to deliver under the most
exotic of circumstances, either. The “Martellus Mantra” has always
been that he is an excellent blocker – with great potential as a
receiver.
John Phillips can catch (almost) as well as Jason Witten . . . and
the Cowboys appear to have a better chance at seeing improved blocking
from Phillips well before Bennett blossoms with consistent catching.
Fans would love nothing better than to see Bennett break from his
baffling buffoonery, but “a roster spot is a terrible thing to
waste.”
Little Choices
The Cowboys finally realized a rushing revival as Felix Jones was
cat quick in clawing big gainers out of the Redskins’ backside on
his way to a 115-yard performance on just 14 carries. Felix had done
his job – with a still-wounded wing no less – it was time for
Tashard to turn down the lights.
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- The two minute warning had just concluded, and fans breathed a sigh
of relief as the Cowboys moved further into the Redskins’ red zone .
. . with a game ending touchdown or sixth straight field goal in
their sights. Romo made a routine handoff to veteran running back
Tashard Choice on third down – who ran wide right, fighting for
yardage. Instead of gradually giving up and going to the ground
while inbounds, Tashard allowed himself to be run out of bounds . .
. with 1:52 left in the game.
If the Cowboys actually succeeded in making a sixth straight field
goal to take the lead, the Redskins still had ample time to course
correct with a comeback kick of their own. Everyone in Cowboys
Nation knows Tashard can be a very productive runner in the Cowboys
system with a little reasonable blocking.
Choice also knows it is the little choices by which he will continue
to be judged – and for which he will or will not be rewarded with
playing time . . . that will increasingly be shared with DeMarco
Murray.
Leadership Seen AND Heard
Cowboys’ fans love their field generals as much as they love their
Super Bowl wins.
Cowboys’ fans are used to – no, spoiled by – a certain kind of field
general . . . who leads by example and has no problem tearing into
teammates whose bonehead mistakes cause turnovers and turmoil.
Troy Aikman (Loud) and Michael Irvin (Louder) were the last such
leaders who would give Cowboys culprits an earful during an
offensive series, on the way off the field, and while on the
sideline.
These leaders – to be clear – were not merely about yelling. They
did not expect the impossible – just unwavering focus and perfect
execution out of themselves and their teammates . . . at every
position on the roster.
Fans should remember – with shock (and even a little horror) –
seeing Aikman and Emmitt Smith heading toward the sideline after a
failed series . . . and seeing Aikman lay into Emmitt (most likely
or missing a blocking assignment). There was a collective gasp
across Cowboys Nation at that moment: “OMG! Emmitt must have really
messed up for Aikman to bite his head off like that!”
Emmitt (who had his caustic moments, too) certainly yelled something
back, but whatever Emmitt did wrong in Aikman’s eyes did not happen
again in that game . . . at least.
And Michael Irvin . . . well, was there ever a game when he was not
either exclaiming to encourage excellence or screaming to scold
screw-ups? Fans will tell you it was an absolute rush to see the
Cowboys up by a score of 21-7 before halftime and seeing Michael
spur on the crew to do even better, to achieve even more.
Televised game announcers always like to say “as long as that team
has that player, they always have a chance to win.” This was hollow
lip service to most NFL teams, but it was true with the Cowboys.
Aikman and Irvin gave the Cowboys more than on-the-field
productivity.
Aikman and Irvin held their teammates accountable in a way that
must have made Jimmy Johnson giggle himself to sleep at night. Jimmy – by all accounts – was far more demanding than the two of
them combined.
Since that time, however, poor performances had been faintly
followed with on-the-field chatter like “Ho, hum, head down, hardly
hear you.” Oh, sure – certain coaches would put the wood to certain
players out of the public eye . . . or attempt to humiliate those
players through the media.
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- If those “troubled youths” had any inkling they could not be
immediately replaced, or that salary cap restrictions made their
ouster impossible, or that they were favored by the team owner – or
that their own teammates would not hold them to a higher standard
than paycheck collector . . . then, nothing (but a hired hit man)
motivated those players to anything more than an
average-but-cash-comforted existence.
Fans who were wondering if they would live long enough to see
another Cowboys player rise to his teammates’ “emotional rescue,”
need wait no longer.
Romo was a changed man after the 49ers game and – over the course of
the Redskins game – he was putting on his best ache man, err, Aikman
rendition. He finally had enough of the bonehead mistakes by a
variety of his teammates and – one after another – let them have it
on national television . . . warming the cockles of fans’ hearts
everywhere.
Aikman has returned, err, Romo has reached a higher level of loud
and proud leadership! Romo had emotion! Romo actually yelled at his
youthful and well-intentioned teammate! Romo actually followed up
that very public persecution by nurturing and specifying to each of
his mentally melted down men where to go on many plays throughout
the game.
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- “Raving Lunatic” Romo reserves the right to revert back to “Reduced
Language” Romo, though fan complaints would be worse than they were
after the Jets game . . . so, maybe – just maybe – Romo has turned a
vocal leadership corner.
Teammates who actually prefer a loud field general would do well,
however, to remember one simple thing – regardless of the volume
level: “Doing what you need to do and being where you need to be are
enormous keys to efficiency . . . and not pissing off your QB.”
An injured Tony “Two Shots” Romo – at the end of the day – still
managed to match a healthy Grossman (who had a better offensive
line) throw for throw and also gained slightly more yardage. Romo
got wrenched again, but he – once again – showed the guts to get it
done.
It should not be lost on Cowboys fans that Garrett quietly called a
good game . . . and any failures were those of his offensive players
– not his play selection.
Romo gave all the credit to Rob Ryan’s defense – and the desire of
his own offensive teammates to keep coming back from each merciless
mouthful for every mistake they made.
Grossly Delusional
T-Rex Grossman was apparently pretty bored back in the pre-season .
. . while awaiting his clear ascension to the Redskins starting
quarterback role.
"We're fine being the sleepers right now. You know, we're just
waiting in the wings, ready to take over the NFC East. Nobody's
talking about us. That's right where we want to be. You look at us
from top to bottom out here, there's a bunch of great players. And
we don't need people saying we're the best right now, but when it's
all said and done, I really feel like this team's gonna win the
East," said Grossman.
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- Any NFL fan looking for amusement
would agree T-Rex was simply making the same deluded pre-season
statements that most deficient (quarterbacks and) teams delight in.
He made a yawner statement to which fans affixed a sticky note that
read "Come back to us at the end of the regular season with a
division crown and, then, we will take you seriously."
Fans, prognosticators, players, coaches – in fact, entire
organizations – looked on without any further acknowledgement of
what the Grossman had so boldly proclaimed.
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- Fans just knew he was not finished.
Fans just knew he could not leave well enough alone. Fans knew he
would say one more thing to remind everyone that his brain truly is
the size of a walnut.
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- "I look around, this offense from
top to bottom is better than that offense I had in Chicago," said
Grossman.
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- I can tell you – as a Cowboys fan
living in Chicago – that I have watched more Bears games than I care
to admit . . . with many of them being from the T-Rex era. While he
may technically be correct about having better talent on offense
with the Redskins than he did with the Bears, an offense still needs
a competent and consistently healthy quarterback.
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- The first few years of his career
exposed Grossman as being born of balsa wood . . . and his
competency had Bears fans screaming for the likes of Brian Griese
and Kordell Stewart. YES, even Kordell was preferred to Grossman . .
. which says it all.
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- Grossman was not even legitimately
in the discussion as for the reasons why the Bears made the Super
Bowl against Manning and the Colts. Grossman's turnovers – seemingly
an issue for him every other game for that entire season – were the
only reasons (again) that the Bears could not pull out the Super
Bowl victory against Manning and the Colts.
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- While players with wounded egos are
generally reminded "It is not about you – it is about the team," in
Grossman's case, it was always and continues to be about him, his
poor play under pressure, and his terrible turnovers.
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- While fans know full well how
unpredictable the NFL has become, it seems a safe bet – for now –
that Grossman is grossly delusional . . . and, somehow, if the
Redskins do manage to win the NFC East, his teammates will have
accomplished that feat despite T-Rex – not because of him.
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- Dominating AND Special
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- T-Rex – if he is anything – is
consistent, and it was all about him succumbing to Rob Ryan's
defensive pressure. The short-armed prehistoric passer turned in his
turnovers right on time.
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- The Dallas defense displayed another dominating performance –
outside of one blown coverage touchdown . . . which was eerily
similar to the Sanchez-to-Keller blown coverage touchdown from the
Jets game.
Redskins’ running back Tim Hightower was – quite literally – allowed
to sneak into the left corner of the end zone for an easy touchdown
catch. Keith Brooking was the closest defender, but his bit-lip
reaction suggested someone else was at fault . . . and was going to
hear about it on the sideline.
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- Sean Lee continued his punishing pattern of roaming the field like a
middle linebacking monster.
Besides leading the team in tackles, Lee made another instinctive
interception that was turned into one of six valuable field goal
vaults.
He also recovered the football following a game sealing strip-sack
of Grossman by Anthony Spencer (for Hire).
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- Keith Brooking has been honorable –
and realistic – about stepping aside so the speedier Sean
could start. Brooking – like all of his defensive teammates – has
learned there is no "R&R" in Rob Ryan's system and that everyone
gets a piece of the action. Brooking continues to get plenty of playing time, Sean
continues gaining (thus far) positive experience, and Rob Ryan
continues reinforcing the depth of his defensive roster.
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- DeMarcus Ware – for his only sack of the night – came tearing around
the corner, nailing Grossman, and causing a fumble . . . that was
called back. Grossman clearly fumbled, but Garrett chose not to
challenge.
On the very next play, Ware – once again – was hot on Grossman’s
heels, forcing a Redskins offensive lineman to quite literally
tackle him to stop another sack attack. The expected holding penalty
was not called.
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- Ware should be pleased with these
results either way. Ryan has established a system which generates
almost unlimited opportunities for DeMarcus to do damage to whomever
he is facing . . . wherever he is facing them. While Ware must still
make the most of the opportunities to come, it is clear he will
collect sacks far more often than he will be taken down by an
offensive tackling tackle.
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- I have always liked Ed "Big Guns" Hochuli – and his
complete body of refereeing
work – thus, it must have just been the rest of his crew who thought they were
back in San Diego during the takedown travesty happening to DeMarcus . . . but I digress.
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- Jason Hatcher continued his good work in occupying multiple blocks,
but he suffered a calf strain just a few minutes into the second
quarter. Marcus Spears capably replaced him in the lineup for the
rest of the game and avoided his usual low-productivity blame.
Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins – for at least one game – appeared
to be up to their old Pro Bowl tricks again. While both dropped easy
interceptions, they otherwise had some of their old magic going.
“One game at a time” is exactly how fans should be viewing any
positive performances by Newman and Jenkins . . . lest they get
jinxed back into their former embodiments of beaten, bandaged, and
brain dead.
While a handful of players stepped up to deliver the highlights,
“the rest of the defense” fulfilled their assignments so that those
highlights could, once again, be had. Rob Ryan continues to call on
his entire defensive complement of Dallas defenders . . . leaving an
unfriendly stench on the bench.
-
- What some fans may have yet to notice is that Rob will also send out
a surprising number of his defensive starters as part of Joe
DeCamillis’ special teams unit.
Redskins’ kicker Graham Gano had a kick blocked by starting safety
Gerald Sensabaugh and recovered by Keith “Ole’ Backer” Brooking.
Fans should expect to see more starting quality special teams as the
year progresses . . . unless there is another unreasonable rash of
injuries.
While it has, indeed, only been three games, fans should be thrilled
with Rob Ryan’s results. Many coaches would traditionally force
players to earn their way onto the game day grid iron.
Ryan may, indeed, run lean and mean practice sessions, but he has
clearly reversed the formula – forcing players to earn their keep
and establish their roster depth through participation beyond just
practice.
Will They Or Won’t They?
The Detroit Lions drive into Dallas riding a wave of revival normally
reserved for Motor City automakers.
There have been suggestions that this season’s hungry Lions are
starving for stardom . . . and resemble the
1991 Dallas Cowboys.
Will Matthew Stafford, Calvin “Megatron” Johnson, and Jahvid Best
perform like Troy Aikman, Michael “The Playmaker” Irvin, and Emmitt
Smith against a revved up Rob Ryan defense?
-
- Will Newman and Jenkins continue
their cornerback comeback performance or revert back to last year's
defensive doormats?
-
- Will Marcus be able to throw
finely-sharpened Spears at Stafford – and reinforce run-stopping
with Ryan's "big bullies" – in place of the injured Jason "The
Hatchet Man" Hatcher?
Will Romo raise his game against a dive-bombing Detroit defense?
Will Dez Bryant be able to do damage against the Lions without doing
more damage to himself?
Will Jason Garrett choose Jesse "Holier Than Thou" Holley and lively Laurent Robinson over
"Out Of Position" Ogletree . . . or will Kevin be given another chance to catch on?
Will Dan Bailey be able to continue his consistent kicking? Will he
be able to outhustle the Lion's Jason Hanson . . . if the contest
comes down to the last kicker standing?
Will the Cowboys offensive linemen have their collective head on a
tighter swivel and give “Raging Romo” the time and protection he
deserves?
-
- Will Garrett be able to draw up the
offensive schemes – and will Hudson Houck be able to reinforce the
solid leveraging techniques – that successfully discourage his youngsters from experiencing
devastating daydreams?
Was Felix a lucky cat against the Redskins, or will he continue
reaching the edges, darting between the tackles, and hitting the afterburners against another
Romo-focused defensive line? Will fullback Tony Fiammetta be the
latest hamstrung hero to help Romo and the offense reach higher and
fight harder?
-
-
-
- Will the Cowboys be able to fend off
the "Ghosts in the Darkness" and outlast
another opponent for the third straight game?
We shall see. We always do.
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