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2014-2015 Regular Season: Weeden Stoned With
London Calling
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- November 8,
2014
At 10:57 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
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- “America’s Team” was just getting
over some messy mistakes – in play calls and execution – which
propelled an undermanned Washington Redskins team to victory . . .
with the help of a few regrettable breaks.
Tony Romo – a short-term casualty from that game – was undergoing
his own version of “This Is Spinal Tap” . . . to recover from yet
another head-shaking spinal flap. The knee-to-the-back – received
from the Redskins’ blitz attack – might normally have been rated a
seven on the pain scale . . . but it went to eleven.
While Romo returned towards the end of the game, another
game-winning score he would not claim. Following a week of
examination and daily attention, he ultimately knew better than to
attempt to play in the next game . . . not to mention with a
transverse process under such physical duress.
Backup QB Brandon Weeden had kept it pretty clean – filling in for
Romo in the fourth quarter against the ‘Skins . . . and gave the
Cowboys a seemingly reliable replacement for Romo on which to lean.
The Cowboys were hosting the up-and-coming Arizona Cardinals – who
were looking to build their lead in the NFC West into a comfortable
nest . . . and Dallas needed Weeden to execute smart signals.
The Cardinals were expected to put nine in the box – to keep DeMarco
Murray from getting out of the starting blocks . . . and challenge
Weeden to throw accurate rocks.
While there was hope Weeden – in his first Dallas start – would not
be a passing game dope or fall apart, Cowboys Nation needed serious
indulgence in running game hedonism . . . just to be safe and limit
their exposure to Weedenism.
Nesting Comfortably
Everyone knew that a blitz-heavy team like the Cardinals was going
to follow what the Redskins did and then some . . . expecting to
batter, bruise, and leave the Cowboys’ QB – whoever he might be –
plenty numb.
Everyone knew that same Cardinals defense would overload the box to
try to stop Murray cold . . . and dare the Cowboys’ QB to be bold.
Everyone knew the Cardinals offense – powered by head coach Bruce
Arians’ creative play-calling – was capable of putting Marinelli’s
Men an efficient mauling.
Before Cowboys Nation could really begin to cringe at the potency of
Carson Palmer’s passing syringe . . . Cowboys’ rookie cornerback
Tyler Patmon – on the Cardinals’ first offensive series – made an
interception, ran it back for a rare defensive touchdown, and
temporarily allayed fan worries.
The Cowboys were up 7-0, and fans were excited to potentially have a
new defensive hero. Fans grew calmer – thinking Marinelli’s Men may
yet prove to be a collective Palmer embalmer. Even though their lead
would soon swell by three points more, fans just knew the Dallas
offense would have to produce serious yardage and score.
Much had been made of Weeden receiving all the first team reps
during “Romo Wednesdays” – the days on which Tony would receive
extra treatment for his back. The Cowboys organization – because of
this and in full confidence – had indicated to all who listened that
little was expected to change with their offensive attack.
The Cardinals – as expected – were facing not only a Tony phony . .
. but a backup – after weekly, invaluable first team reps – who did
not have the mental makeup to take the appropriate steps and avoid a
game day crackup.
The Cardinals convinced “The Hans” there would be no crime in
running Murray less than 19 times into their aggressive defensive
front – even though not doing so would repeatedly put the Cowboys’
offense in the hands of a (sudden) mental runt . . . and result in
punt after punt.
Weeden – when the Cowboys needed him most – was putting on a
disappointing performance worthy of a rousing roast . . . and upon
which Arizona’s defense was feedin’.
Weeden – when the passing game needed him to show timing and a
little touch – helped his receivers not so much . . . and left Dez
Bryant pleedin’.
Weeden – when wise decisions were required – struggled and misfired,
made turnover mistakes, gave the Cardinals unearned breaks . . . and
to his coaches’ instructions he was not entirely heedin’.
Weeden – when Marinelli’s Men needed him to maintain long
possessions – experiencing regressions rather than going through his
progressions . . . and allowing Carson Palmer to cause defensive
bleedin’.
Marinelli’s Men did enough to help Weeden win but – without
sufficient success from Cleveland’s former number one pick –
Garrett’s Gang proved unable to make up the difference and turn the
victory trick.
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- This was also the second game in a
row where the Cowboys' special teams had lost its glow. As halftime
approached, the Cardinals flew so aerodynamically around the
Cowboys' line formation – just like they had been coached – and
blocked a 35-yard Dan Bailey field goal. Arizona's Patrick Peterson
scooped up Bailey's kick like any old pick and ran down the sideline
with visions of scoring . . . until getting t-boned by a hustling
Jason "Bull" Witten so goring.
The Arizona Cardinals may have been on the road, but their generous
hosts – the Dallas Cowboys – lost 28-17 by ruining their own chances
repeatedly . . . and ensuring the
red birds were nesting comfortably.
Weeden was stoned (by the Cardinals defense and his own poor
decisions) with London calling . . . and the widely-held belief is
that Romo must return to ensure more accurate offensive incisions to
prevent further fan balling.
Will They Or Won’t They?
While current Dallas Cowboys’ players have never played an NFL game
(preseason or regular season) overseas, America’s Team is a veteran
participant in the former preseason “American Bowl” series.
The Cowboys played the inaugural American Bowl against the Chicago
Bears in 1986 in London. Great Britain's first official dose of the
NFL was received extremely well when all was said and done. Though
the overseas trip took its toll, it represented an incredible
international opportunity around which the NFL was determined to
establish a critical business goal.
The Cowboys’ latest trip to the UK is no longer a mere preseason
practice session. Dallas needs to be ready to play the Jacksonville
Jaguars in this real deal regular season exhibition.
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- While Ronald Leary will be returning
to action from a groin injury, the front line
focus may well be on Doug Free . . . making an earlier-than-expected
foot fracture recovery. Free's presence will be even more critical
on the right . . . towards keeping Romo's spine feeling fine and his
jersey sparkling white.
Rolando McClain – if he plays – will certainly be monitored to make
sure he does not have one of those painfully bad coverage days.
Tyrone Crawford also has a balky knee that should keep him out of
this latest contest. That is all anyone has heard.
Will DeMarcus Lawrence build upon last week’s modest beginning . . .
and leave Rod Marinelli practically grinning? Will Henry Melton
continue to advance and give the rest of his sack-starved defensive
teammates a greater backfield chance?
Will the Cowboys’ secondary stand a better chance – against Blake
Bortles – of breaking free from their corner coverage trance . . .
or will Brandon Carr and company continue to stall out – causing
Cowboys Nation to angrily shout?
Will Tony Romo be cleared to go toe-to-toe with the Jaguars’
sack-amassing defense . . . or until game time will Jerry, Jason,
and team doctors remain on the fence?
Will the “Best Offensive Line in the NFL” get its groove back in
time for DeMarco Murray to resume giving defenses hell? Will the
Hans continue to infuse Joseph “The Underwear Vandal” Randle and
Lance Dunbar into the Cowboys’ offense in order to give Murray a
spell?
Will an energized Cowboys team win in a route – or will they
underestimate another team they are expected to beat . . . and allow
the Jaguars to scratch their eyes out?
We shall see. We always do.
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