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2016-2017 Regular Season:
Bucs Booted,
Division Of Givin’, And Facing Ferocious Felines
- December 23, 2016 At 3:47 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
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- The pressure was so thick, “The
Tortured Cowboys Fan” could cut it with a knife.
Dak Prescott and “America’s Team” – over the previous two weeks –
had suffered through some unexpected offensive strife. Lessons
learned against the gritty defenses of the Minnesota Vikings and New
York Giants would surely result in some well-reasoned play-calling
and route-running tweaks.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers – winners of five consecutive games – were
AT&T Stadium-bound. They were red-hot pirates determined to kick ass
and take names . . . and show their Sunday night national television
audience the Dallas Cowboys were not yet worthy of being crowned.
While Tampa’s defense was expected to maximize their mimicry of what
the Giants and Vikings attempted in games prior . . . Florida’s
Famous Jameis (Winston) and wingman wide out Mike Evans were also
expected to exfoliate the Cowboys defensive secondary towards a
victory that would get them closer to their own postseason desires.
Would Dak and Co get back on track . . . or would Cowboys Nation
suffer a heart attack?
Would Marinelli’s (Perpetually Undermanned) Men – suddenly without
DeMarcus “Tank” Lawrence – continue digging deeper, using more of
the bottom of the roster within a line so thin . . . and stick with
the same defensive parlance?
Bucs Booted
The Cowboys were on offense to start the game . . . with Dak and
Company looking every bit the earlier-season unit that was hard to
tame.
Winston would offer an early assist – deep in his own territory – by
projecting his best Eli Manning wet football story. Winston’s arm
went forward, the football shot upward, and it was added by rookie
defensive tackle Maliek Collins to the Cowboys’ nearly bare turnover
cupboard.
While “Dak to Dez” – a phrase with which Cowboys Nation has only
intermittently become accustomed – in the end zone fell incomplete .
. . Zeke Elliott – always ready to compete – easily administered his
latest touchdown to the home crowd like PEZ.
Two series later, Dak would attempt to do one better . . . running
one in himself as quite the high stepper.
The Buccaneers were driving towards the Cowboys’ red zone as the
first half was coming to a close . . . but Winston threw an
interception in the end zone for which free safety Byron Jones had a
timely nose.
Dallas would find itself up 17-6 heading into halftime . . . having
shown the ability to significantly widen the score but suffering
untimely penalties by some of the usual suspects. Still, with
another two quarters to go, the Cowboys had thus-far delivered a
result that – compared to the previous week did not wreak and – was
pretty sublime . . . even with ongoing signs (primarily on offense)
of mental neglect.
While the unshakeable Dan Bailey found himself struggling twice
(from surprisingly short distances) in the first half, he
rediscovered his rhythm before the contest ended thrice (with
successful instances) to have the last laugh.
The Bucs began the third quarter determined to show prognosticators
they were right about their ability to move the ball on Marinelli's
Men. Brandon Carr had perfect position on an ill-advised 42-yard
deep pass from Winston . . . but Carr's deflection inexplicably went
the wrong direction, landing securely in the hands of a surprised
Adam Humphries for unexpected touchdown fun.
After another risk-free Cowboys’ offensive series ended too soon
with a punt, Tampa mixed in some no huddle against Marinelli’s Men
and scoring another touchdown to not only get back into the hunt . .
. but to also take their first lead against the NFC’s top seed.
It was 20-17 and – following Dan Bailey’s first successful (and
game-tying) field goal of the night – backup strong safety (and
generally underappreciated utility player) Jeff Heath stepped in
front of another inaccurate Winston javelin throw, picked it off,
and had room to go . . . returning it 19 yards to the Tampa 22.
Dak and Co were ready to restart their attack. After seeing Zeke
scoot for two, the Cowboys had seemingly succeeded on another
scoring chance, with Dak throwing to Lance (Dunbar) for 20 . . . but
another avoidable holding call set them back. They settled for
another Bailey kick, right on the money, making the score 23-20.
The Bucs were harassed into another punt. Though facing an inferior
offensive lineman performing like a mental runt, 6’8” defensive end
David Irving consistently applied pressure on Winston from his
current roster role so rotational. While he is the closest player
Dallas has ever had to former 6’9” Cowboys star defensive end Ed
“Too Tall” Jones, Irving may still remain situational. Still,
Marinelli should have growing confidence that – at the postseason
tables – he can roll the bones if Irving is suddenly required to
demonstrate full-game stones.
Dak turned to Jason “Old Reliable” Witten for a quick 3-yard fit-in
. . . but in applying his tried and true “Stiff Arm Charm,” he never
saw Tampa linebacker Kwon Alexander ready to collide from the
opposite. Witten’s patented maneuver – of applying a stiff arm and
pivoting off it for forward progress – has helped him immensely over
his career . . . but opposing defenders occasionally catch onto it.
Nonetheless, the ball was out, Jason wanted to shout (obscenities
too intense for the national television audience in his vicinity),
but there was no time to pout.
Marinelli’s Men – once more, from their “32 Dime” package fans have
come to adore – firmly applied the cane in allowing Tampa no more
than a 5-yard gain.
While the Bucs' punt would pin Dak and Co on their own 4-yard line,
they ended up just fine. That key possession – highlighted by a
42-yard Zeke running play – left nothing to question. Dallas would
reach the Tampa 15-yard line before another Dan Bailey 3-pointer
made it 26-20 . . . forcing the Bucs to dig down deep – with little
time left towards a victory theft – for a touchdown scorer.
The teams would exchange punts before Marinelli’s Men would come to
insist on an Orlando Scandrick interception that would ultimately
end the contest.
With the Bucs booted, it would become of keen interest to everyone –
from real players to prognosticators to fantasy footballers (worried
about their end-of-season jackpot dollars) – how the Cowboys would
approach their remaining two games to end the regular season.
Penalty O Plenty
The Dallas Cowboys were back on their consecutive wins track but –
with the continued, controllable pre-snap penalties – they are still
cutting themselves too much slack.
While young players – like special-teamer and raw reserve receiver
Vince “Little LeBron” Mayle – will not always answer their coach’s
instructional prayers, they are also rarely asked to do more than
what they are already supposed to know or what is fair.
While no one is perfect, the well-learned, regularly-practiced
veterans – like Doug Free or Brandon Carr – are unrelentingly
counted on to execute with the accuracy of an atomic clock . . . and
not create unnecessary reasons for their team’s success to encounter
an unrecoverable block.
The Cowboys are no different than any other team struggling to
maintain a zero blunders theme . . . in that they must find a way to
better put the brakes on (mostly) controllable mental mistakes.
If penalty o plenty – heading into the playoffs – remains a theme .
. . the Cowboys – like in 2007 – may run out of steam no matter
their talent or scheme.
Division Of Givin’
A Washington Redskins’ loss gifted the Cowboys an early postseason
berth, then, the Philadelphia Eagles brought the New York Giants
back down to Earth . . . triggering a transition of the NFC East
title so vital to a Dallas team that had more than shown its worth.
Dallas – as a bonus – was also blessed with the top seed and home
field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. The Cowboys have the
onus of making all their hard work finally payoff.
The NFC East may be the division of givin’ . . . but – with the
potential of facing the Giants for the third time this season –
Dallas absolutely must treat their first round playoff bye with the
mentality of do-or-die. Anything less for themselves or Cowboys
Nation will practically look like treason.
Pro Bowl Hole
Matthew Stafford and Sean Lee may be playing with chips on their
shoulders after being snubbed from Pro Bowl recognition.
The NFL announced this season’s Pro Bowl participants – from
starters to reserves . . . they, as always, made some players and
their fans happy and, for others, hit quite a few nerves.
While the Big Three of “The Great Wall” – Tyron Smith, Travis
Frederick, and Zack Martin – took their easily assumed positions and
the Cowboys’ two otherworldly rookies (Dak Prescott and Ezekiel
Elliott) were rewarded with what fans hope will be but the first of
their own postseason cookies.
Almost every team – as stated – has one or two overlooked players
for which voter selections are violently aerated. Former Cowboys’
Landry-era linebacker, Eugene Lockhart, was known as the “Hittin’
Machine.” Sean “General” Lee is Dallas’ modern day hittin’ machine
and far, FAR more . . . as THE defensive leader who repeatedly,
game-in and game-out making quick, clean tackles to keep all manner
of opponent from a score.
Lee – arguably the NFL’s 1A or 1B tackler this season – was left off
the recognition list . . . people (from fans, to prognosticators to
teammates) are pissed, and – about the Pro Bowl hole – there is less
than no good reason.
The silver lining for the Cowboys’ best defensive player and fans
everywhere . . . is this snub should only further fuel Lee’s desire,
effort, and production towards a much greater, Super Bowl goal that
would allow everyone to no longer care. Celebrating in Houston is
what the Cowboys would rather do . . . and ending up in Orlando
would mean America’s Team failed to follow through.
Eventuality Of Physicality
Since just before the NFL and NFLPA “agreed” to tighten up their
drug-testing rules, players – from the specimen so perfectly fit to
the talented-but-poorly-conditioned twit – have been injury fools.
The sheer number and timing of injuries continues to defy the
reasonable logic through which “The Tortured Cowboys Fan” views the
effect on teams so tragic.
“On Any Given Sunday” used to be a warning about never
underestimating your opponent, no matter how they look on paper.
Now, it more accurately warns against critical healthy talent
suddenly becoming injury-vanquished vapor.
The Cowboys – like the other 31 NFL teams growing or maintaining
winning themes – must continuously juggle their roster rotations,
give overachievers promotions, place underachievers on permanent
vacations, and burn the remaining fat with a weekly, scout-sourced
churn.
Cornerback Morris “Claymore” Claiborne has literally been reduced to
a “crotchety” old man with his most recent injury – an avulsion
fracture deal from which he desperately trying to heal. While he
aims to return for the Cowboys’ first playoff game . . . it may be
the NFC Championship Game before Mo is able to re-enter the game day
frame.
While defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence – and his bad back – has been
granted a reprieve from the final two regular season games, but he
and his reasonably-healed spine will be critical to Marinelli’s
attack once “Win Or Go Home” games are officially on the line.
While linebacker Justin Durant left the Tampa Bay game with an elbow
injury with a little under 4:30 left in the fourth . . . it is quite
amazing his historically injury-prone body has lasted this long, for
what it is worth. He may also receive a much-needed break . . . from
the last two games because – just two weeks later, it will be go
time and – there will be entirely too much at stake.
Overachieving role-player and defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford – on
whom Dallas took the sample-size bait and signed for pricey market
rate – may also take a much needed rest if offered.
Underachieving defensive tackle Cedric Thorton – an offseason free
agent from the Eagles (who has shown dashes and flashes) on whom
Dallas spent a small fortune – may also need some additional time
for his own lingering injury if he expected to properly respond to
the sound of the postseason gun.
Offensive tackle Tyron Smith – a perennial all-star member of “The
Great Wall Of Dallas” – has been managing a stinger-turned-herniated
disc for most of the season, and a break for him certainly comes
with exceptional reason . . . if the Cowboys hope to drink from the
postseason’s golden chalice.
There are certainly others from the injury list . . . for which – if
given the opportunity – there would be additional time missed.
And yet . . . there is arguably and equally good reason for a
surging team to do every reasonable thing it can to avoid getting
caught in a momentum-killing net. The nightmare that was 2007 . . .
revealed itself to be much less than the expected, sought-after
postseason heaven.
Rest versus rust rears its inconvenient but conceptually-relevant
bust . . . when playing to win remains a momentum-maintaining must.
The New England Patriots – as an easy example and similarly to the Cowboys,
this season, with wins so ample – have already won their
division and are highly expected to sew up home field advantage for any postseason games
they may play. And yet . . . while the Patriots might occasionally
be expected to perform like they are playing with house money (and
usually plenty of it, honey), they almost always function as if they
are in humbling debt.
The Patriots – however and for the sanity of all –
cannot really continue to be the ONLY team in the NFL that continues
to so purposefully play late-season football (whether or not it is
meaningful towards their postseason haul). While the Patriots
admittedly and obviously rely on a long-established,
particularly-rigid but proven culture – unlike the Cowboys –
they do not face the same personnel / performance / adherence
vulture. The Cowboys may – one day – enjoy the same roster depth . .
. as defined by near-complete coach-to-player trust, player willingness, and
player readiness to unflinchingly and unquestionably follow instructions with few concerns of backups
/ role players coming up unimaginably small.
The Dallas Cowboys – outside of locks at QB and running back, with a
slice or two of wide receiver – do not have the same roster depth as
their ‘sportsbook suggested’ Super Bowl opponent . . . thus, all the
insufferable hand-wringing over the continued risk of
injured-starter involvement.
And still, STILL, 2007 is a cobweb from which Cowboys Nation cannot
seem to shake loose. A great number of fans – and headline-creating
prognosticators – are determined to maintain grips like alligators .
. . until they see how well the Cowboys have attempted to cover
their postseason caboose.
Momentum – (almost) regardless of who can still physically line up
to play – is more important than any individual award like the MVP (Most Valuable Player),
OPOTY (Offensive Player Of The Year), ORPOTY (Offensive Rookie
Player Of The Year), DPOTY (Defensive Player Of The Year), or ROTY (Rookie Of The Year)
trophy at the end of the day.
“You play to win the game! You don’t play just to play.” – Herm
Edwards, current ESPN football analyst, former NFL head coach (of
the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets), and former NFL player
(for the Philadelphia Eagles).
If – as expected – more than a few of the Cowboys’ starters cannot
suit up for the remaining two regular season games . . . it remains
critical that those players who ARE available to perform have been
properly prepped to pull out victories – in the absence of those
vexed by injuries – rather than be roster-depth-rejected.
The eventuality of physicality has been a part of the NFL – and so
many other less-physical professional sports since the dawn of paid
competition . . . and until players can begin magically healing
themselves from catastrophic injuries, teams will have to continue
working through roster attrition and the constant challenges of
player personnel.
Will They Or Won’t They?
A great number of folks within Cowboys Nation are already adjusting
their fantasy football rosters . . . expecting the Cowboys – over
their last two regular season games – to run out professional
imposters.
The recently resurgent Detroit Lions are headed towards Dallas’ den
on a desperate mission . . . to fulfill a late-season push to punch
their playoff ticket and win their division.
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- As has been stated over and over ad
nauseam . . . teams – at this stage of the season – will either play
to win or keep too many of their starters mummified in a
postseason-friendly museum.
Cowboys Nation – seemingly so close to powerful playoff potential –
does not want to see America’s Team engage in a repeat of their 2007
methodology . . . and risk another premature loss of their
postseason credential.
The Dallas Cowboys are officially expected to activate defensive end
Randy “TBT (Talented But Troubled)” Gregory to face Detroit’s
ferocious felines but – after so much time away – will he fade early
in his return to Marinelli’s d-line once he gets to play?
Will Roger Goodell flip the script, formally count Randy’s “missed
drug test” as failed, make him spend another season feeling jailed,
and ensure – during the postseason – of Gregory the Cowboys are
stripped?
Will a determined group of Motown Manes – no longer with Megatron to
help them turn it on – be able to pop their claws . . . or will the
Cowboys be able to expose their flaws?
Will Dak and Co continue their promising recovery from their
Meadowlands meltdown of two weeks ago . . . or will a(n
equally-wounded but) hungry Lions squad manage to slow their
offensive flow?
Will the Cowboys begin another winning streak . . . or will they
have suddenly reached their peak?
We shall see. We always do.
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