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2011-2012 Regular Season: Cowboys Clocks
Cleaned
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- November
5, 2011
At 4:30 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
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- The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia
Eagles had equal cause to prove a performance point last Sunday
night.
Fans – every last one of them, from Dallas to Philadelphia – were
beyond anxious to see which team would step up to the plate, swing
for the cheap seats, and make crushing contact.
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- The Eagles started fast, hit for the cycle, and are probably still
pecking pieces of Cowboy from in-between their talons . . . long
after they stopped circling the bases.
Cowboys fans – some with their eyes wide open and others afraid to
look – wanted to find out the truth about their team . . . even if
they did not like what they saw.
Dennis Green once said – after a colossal collapse by his Arizona
Cardinals against the Chicago Bears – “they are who we thought they
were and we let them off the hook.”
The Cowboys and their fans were reminded – again – in their flop
against Philly, what every professional sports team eventually
learns and should never forget.
You are never quite as good as you think . . . and you can always
play worse than you think possible. If you do not prepare as if you
are going into battle for the very last time, you can lose to any
opponent on any given Sunday.
Are the Cowboys who fans thought they were? It depends on your
perspective.
Ryan Rap Reversal
Jerry Jones and Jason Garrett knew what they were getting (into)
when they hired Rob Ryan as the Cowboys’ next defensive coordinator.
More than the son of Buddy and the brother of Rex, the Cowboys
Organization was receiving a relentless routine, an unrepentant
rowdy rap, and the righteous resolve to reincarnate a rotten
defensive unit into some real roughnecks.
It is (very) old news that – during the pre-season – Rob Ryan
refuted Vince “Short Horn” Young’s “Dream Team” remark by referring
to the Eagles as the “All-Hype Team.”
Fans – all of them – expected such a ballsy banter to become instant
bulletin board material for the suddenly free-spending Eagles.
The Eagles played more like beagles to start off the season, and fan
fears seemed far away – especially with creeping and customary
concerns about their own Cowboys.
When “Iggles Week” finally arrived, the national media wanted more
from Ryan, and who was he to refuse another rousing response? He
explained if the Eagles really needed his original comment to get
excited for a contest with the Cowboys, then, his brash boys were
going to beat those bird brains badly.
The big day arrived for Ryan’s big bullies – the night before
Halloween . . . with a national television opportunity to make good
on his punishing promise of making bald Eagles out of their Philly
foes.
Ryan’s Roughnecks were expected to be up to the task of vexing Vick,
lassoing LeSean, manhandling Maclin, derailing DeSean, and stopping
Celek . . . to say nothing of what the Cowboys’ offense might have
done after ruining the Rams the previous week.
The whistle blew to begin a stellar struggle that never started.
Rob’s big bullies tried to blitz from the beginning – trying to
create the same confusion for Vick that worked so well against Tom
Brady three weeks prior. Rob’s game plan was royally rejected, and
the Cowboys only succeeded in confusing themselves . . . and getting
completely carved up like so many pumpkins.
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- The Eagles had their flight gear on, because they flew out to a
21-point lead faster than Dan Michaels and Chris Collinsworth could
even say “and the Cowboys go 3-and-out once again.”
The Eagles eventually, mercifully won 34-7 – absorbing DeMarcus
Ware’s 4-sack success with their own punishing performance (of
nearly 240 rushing yards and 500 total yards) which they were
prepared to proudly produce.
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- Fans – all of them – would not have been shocked to learn the
Cowboys have trademarked “Stink at the Linc” . . . having done it so
well before and after an apparent blip in 2009 (when they
convincingly beat the Eagles three times in a row).
Fans – all of them – would not have been shocked to learn the Eagles
were wearing t-shirts underneath their jerseys that night . . . that
read (on the front) “The Cowboys Will Know What Time It Is . . .”
and (on the back) “When We Clean Their Clocks.”
Andy Reid read Ryan a rude reversal of his pre-season rap . . .
calling successful plays at will and giving Philly fans a real
thrill.
Ryan – for his part – took full responsibility for a horrible game
plan and ill-prepared players from his top-10 NFL defensive unit.
Ryan – for his part – may have called a good game plan and may have
prepared his players well . . . only to see them show up emotionally
flat and failing to launch (after running around, over, and through
the St. Louis Rams).
Ryan – for his part – may have called a risky game plan and may have
required no extra special preparation of his players, only to see
that risk backfire early and often, shaking his players to their
collective confident core . . . and attempting to make adjustments
far too late to make any difference.
Ryan – for his part – hopes it was the first and last time he fades
with shades of Wade.
Garrett’s Gang Gags
While Ryan’s Roughnecks were ripped by the Eagles with regularity,
Garrett’s offensive gang also gagged on game day.
Garrett prefers his players to view the season is a marathon, rather
than a sprint . . . with each game as an individual battle within a
much larger war.
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- Fans – most of them – would agree with his perspective while adding
that each game still requires equal attention, respect, and results
. . . no matter at which point in the marathon the games are
occurring.
Garrett tried to get his gang to run the ball early and often, but a
quick strike Eagles game plan ruined his ability to run the rock.
If the Cowboys had been ahead by seven instead of Philly, Garrett
would have been far more inclined to allow DeMarco to make the mushy
middle of the Eagles’ defense look silly.
Once the Eagles got up by two and three scores, that mushy middle
was able to stiffen and tee off . . . making life for Romo awfully
rough.
Fans – all of them – need not worry, however, about any stunted
growth by DeMarco Murray. The Eagles did not stop DeMarco Murray.
Fans can extrapolate from his 70 yards on 8 carries, and he was set
for another fine day.
While DeMarco Murray sure seems to be the real deal, Tony Romo
continues to look artificial . . . even behind an offensive line
which managed to give him no time at all against the Eagles.
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- The Eagles defenders were dancing back to nearly every huddle
singing “domo arigato, Romo Roboto,” but this would come as no
surprise as Garrett (from the sidelines) and Romo (from the field)
appeared to make almost no adjustments to the different looks Philly
was using to dig in its defensive hooks.
While Romo is determined to avoid mental mistakes at the total
absence of any kind of risk, he has ironically run the risk of
becoming a top flight bus driver . . . and wasting his natural
skills and instincts.
Romo knew his pocket protection was in for a long day after his
first series of the game, and it was surprising to see how few
rollouts (and even gadget plays) Garrett and Romo utilized . . . to
create some kind of separation from Eagles’ defensive linemen.
Romo’s career as a starting NFL quarterback began with a willingness
to both perform from the pocket and run for it when the defensive
heat became too intense.
Years later, Romo has almost completely abandoned his escapability
and on-the-run passing thrills.
Romo – nearly healed rib or not – must reach deep down and
rediscover his natural attributes until his offensive line finds a
way to give him cover.
While Romo does not need to scramble exactly like Vick, he would do
well to remember his mobile skills will help the entire offense –
including his double-covered star receivers – deliver a positive
performance that can stick.
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- While Laurent Robinson has made a
convenient living on the single-coverage he has been given, Garrett
knows he needs to galvanize his entire roster of receivers . . . and
dictating to defenses which wish to avoid playing Whack-A-Mole
against multiple offensive weapons.
It is ultimately up to Garrett to create a mobility carrot – along
with reliable receiving threat, T.O. (“Throwit Outofbounds”) – that
will help prevent Tony from turning into a quarterbacking phony.
Packer Effect Please
The Green Bay Packers had to endure a ridiculous number of injuries
– from very early on last season – on their way to becoming the
reigning Super Bowl Champions.
The injuries were not merely a bench player bash – with the Packers
losing what seemed like 10+ starters to injured reserve last season.
There was a point at which the Packers were 3-3 and at an early
season crossroads, compounded and contorted by those injuries. Green
Bay had no choice but to rely on their depth and pray they had
prepared their bench players well enough to get the job done.
Many NFL fans – in general – thought the Packers made it into the
playoffs by sheer luck . . . or by a Chicago Bears team which had a
first round playoff bye and needed to rest a few players.
All NFL fans found out the Packers made it into the playoffs by
sheer force of will . . . and continued to force their will upon
their post-season opponents until reaching their crowning
achievement.
The Cowboys had suffered their share of injuries to start the season
but – with even more medical mayhem leading up to this season’s
midpoint (with Sean Lee, Mike Jenkins, Mat McBriar, and Kevin
Kosier) – the same super scenario does not appear to be on deck for
Dallas.
While the Packers (last season) consistently struggled to keep their
roster from turning to rubble, the Cowboys (this season) have
conveyed the competitive consistency of a toddler with tummy
trouble.
It would not matter – from starter to second string – who the
Cowboys had geared up for the gridiron grind.
It takes just one disinterested, distracted, or ill-prepared player
to create one possible way to lose each and every remaining game
this season.
It takes just one disinterested, distracted, or ill-prepared player
to give fans serious pause about the true identity of America’s
Team.
While fans – all of them – might be screaming from the top of
Cowboys Stadium “Packer Effect, Please,” . . . the Cowboys’ need to
create competitive consistency in game planning, player preparation,
play calling, and play execution before Dallas can even dream of
deploying such a destiny.
Summoning Curvin Richards
Fans – most of them – have a vivid memory of the reserve running
back who made the absolute least of his limited opportunities to
spell Emmitt Smith . . . and he paid the price, being made an
example by Jimmy Johnson and his “poor performance policy.”
Fans figured Kevin Ogletree would be the first victim of Jason
Garrett’s very own “poor play policy” . . . but that honor strangely
went to Bryan McCann – who, in a real head-scratcher – had not
performed poorly at all.
Fans – a couple weeks later – expected Kevin Ogletree to be next in
line with a pathetic performance against the Redskins . . . but that
honor went to Tashard Choice.
Choice may have played poorly through a puny number of plays . . .
but not quite to the useless level of Curvin Richards.
Fans should wish Tashard well, because promise unfulfilled is
irritating to anyone . . . no matter the team – and even the
Redskins with whom he recently signed. After all – at this point,
with the Redskins succumbing to a startling number of injuries –
Tashard could do well, and Washington could still lose.
Time will tell if Garrett’s decision to trim Tashard – rather than a
more blatant bonehead – will be in poor choice.
Fans watched in horror – during Sunday night’s game – as Martellus
“More Blatant” Bennett allowed a perfect pass and certain catch to
glance off his facemask and into the opportunist arms of Asomugha
Nnamdi.
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- While Martellus Bennett played no defense against the Eagles, he
continued to do nothing to help his teammates on his latest
offensive opportunities.
Jerry Jones is determined to see Martellus “Mentally Bereft” Bennett
succeed as a pass-catching tight end with the Dallas Cowboys (and
heir-apparent to Jason Witten) . . .
rather than kick him to the curb like Curvin. A healthy fear of a
team other than the Cowboys successfully completing Martellus'
mental makeover has also given Jerry a hitch in his giddyup.
Jerry insists Martellus “Monumental Bust” Bennett is “going
nowhere,” and that he is one of the Cowboys’ best blockers . . . who
could one day be converted into an offensive tackle.
While fans are simply left to conduct spirit-summoning séances –
hoping to convince the ghost of Curvin Richard’s career to collect
another crappy casualty . . . time will tell if Jerry’s belief that
Martellus is “going nowhere” is negatively prophetic.
Ring Of Honor
Larry Allen, Charles Haley, and Drew Pearson represent three of the
very best players at their respective positions in the history of
NFL and Cowboys football.
Larry Allen, Charles Haley, and Drew Pearson are to the past what
Tyron Smith, DeMarcus Ware, and Dez Bryant are to a potential future
in Dallas.
Larry Allen, Charles Haley, and Drew Pearson – for all their great
skill and accomplishment – will tell you that achievement of their
successes still required full team participation.
While full team participation – 60 minutes by everyone on the game
day roster – is a commitment conundrum to the current Cowboys, it
may be the only way by which Tyron, DeMarcus, and Dez can perform on
their post-season promise and, themselves, be inducted into the Ring
of Honor . . . just like their championship winning predecessors
will be during the upcoming Seahawks game.
Larry, Charles, and Drew will tell you anything less rings hollow.
Will They Or Won’t They?
Cowboys’ fans – all of them – wanted to find out the truth about
their team . . . even if the truth cut like a knife and left a wound
that would not close.
Cowboys fans wanted fillet of Philadelphia last Sunday but – sadly –
they were served something "steamy and stewed" for a pre-Halloween
handout.
Cowboys fans were tricked into realistically hoping for a win and .
. . treated to a nose full of Philly foot fungus.
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- The Cowboys have been preparing all week to face their second
straight set of “Angry Birds,” in the Seattle Seahawks.
The Seahawks have been pretty bad and banged up . . . but not so
much to prevent them from surprising yet another team that might
attempt to overlook them.
While Pete Carroll has been spending part of his week applauding the
progress of his former USC player – Tyron Smith – he is also
delighting in the possibility of another mistake-prone team
underestimating the Seahawks.
Will Garrett and Ryan ever again allow the Cowboys to overlook any
facet of any opponent for the rest of this season and beyond?
Will Sean Lee prove to be the Peyton Manning of the Cowboys’ defense
– where his absence for any length of time absolutely cripples the
middle of the Cowboys’ defense?
Will Bruce Carter be prepared enough to make his bruising presence
felt – in place of Lee if need be – with a handful of plays designed
to let him think less and freelance more? Will anyone be playing
harder than Carter – who has been starving for game day play?
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- Will Orlando Scandrick be hot in
Jenkins spot and out of the slot?
Will Tyron, DeMarcus, and Dez honor Larry, Charles, and Drew with
powerful and purposeful performances?
Will DeMarco Murray pick up where he left off with another great
gridiron ground game?
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- Will the fate of McBriar's foot be
left to the fit-and-finish of a metal plate . . . or will dynamite
Dan have to transform into "McBailey," once again, and perform
beyond the norm? Would Romo resort to sandpaper on his hands to be
bold during holds?
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- Will Dez dig down deep and continue
to refine his route running? How badly does he want to be the next
Michael Irvin . . . or better?
Fans feel it. Fans know it. Fans have returned to that painfully
familiar time in the season where the Cowboys appear to be on the
brink of failure or recovery.
Fans understand – at this point – that no amount of screaming or
kicking in televisions will improve or hurt the Cowboys level of
motivation and success.
Only the Cowboys can draw up a game plan that both fits their
available talent – from end to end on their roster – and outsmarts
their given opponent.
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- Only the Cowboys can execute their
given assignments no matter who they may be playing – making key
reads, key blocks, key tackles, key pass deflections, key
interceptions, key fumble recoveries, key runs, key fakes, key
passes, key catches, key field goals, key punts – and a variety of
other key intuitive, real-time decisions on any given play . . .
that have a huge impact on wins and losses which many – but not all
– fans may never truly appreciate.
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- Only the Cowboys can outhustle,
outmuscle, and outrun their opponent.
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- Only the Cowboys can finish drives with points instead of punts.
Only the Cowboys can make their vexing mental mistakes vanish.
Only the Cowboys can take the Seahawks seriously.
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- Only the Cowboys can keep their
clocks from getting cleaned.
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- Only Rob Ryan's game day play calls
can speak louder than his pre-game prattling . . . but will they?
Only the Cowboys – from Jerry to the janitors – can approach the
rest of their games this season as golden opportunities . . . but
will they?
We shall see. We always do.
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