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2020-2021 Regular Season: Cowboys Suffer A
Brownout And Hope To Display The Effort To Avoid A Giant Drown Out
October 8,
2020 At 11:54 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf-
- After the
second of two consecutive “half-day”
performances, “America’s Team” – with no surprise cavalry on the way
– had little choice but to find the will to align on more balanced,
three-phase, 60-minute conformances for every remaining game day.
While the Dallas Cowboys were proving that such alignment was easier
said than done, they were hosting the Cleveland Browns (less often
competitors and more often carnival BARKING clowns), and the
reasonable expectation was that “Cowboys Nation” would finally enjoy
more complete-game fun.
Such an “effort” was certainly comin', but would the result leave
hopeful fans bummin'?
Different Day, Same Quality Of Play?
The Cowboys ran the first offensive series of the game, but familiar
first half issues remained the same?
Dak Prescott (on 2nd-and-6 from just ahead of his own 28-yard line)
took the snap from under center and faked the handoff to Ezekiel
Elliott, but something was off, and the Browns were smelling it.
Cowboys right tackle Terence "Weaker Than" Steele (who narrowly
missed by flagged for a false start) was near-instantly beaten by
Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett. What followed was a simple,
single-play mistake, but “The Tortured Cowboys Fan” could not bear
it. Prescott – with the implicit knowledge he could not trust Steele
and that rolling away from oncoming pressure had mammoth appeal –
instead hesitated and was (gently) ventilated.
Dak could have easily thrown to Zeke or at Zeke's feet (if Browns
linebacker Sione Takitaki was potentially raring to decleat).
Greater pocket awareness (from a very capable fifth-year veteran,
again and again) could, should, and would reduce decisions so
careless. The Cowboys had to punt not long after and – with the
offense having remastered the now-years-long art of the slow start –
fans braced for more (but not guaranteed) disaster.
“Are you OUT OF YOUR [BLEEPING] MIND?!” you say in kind (wondering
if – to Prescott’s HUGE 2020 numbers – The Tortured Cowboys Fan has
been utterly blind).
The Tortured Cowboys Fan very-recently wrote about how the
"impossible task" has now become the daily ask. “That Announcer Guy”
was memorably and morbidly exposed to such unreal responsibility.
Prescott (without inconceivable improvements from the Dallas
defense) has no other recourse but to “warmly” engage the very same
ridiculous level of one-sided accountability. Everything that Dak
CAN control, he MUST (impossibly) control down to the syllable . . .
at least until Nolan’s nuisances learn how to consistently and
successfully play their collective role.
“DUDE – with the entire game still to be played against some pups
just begging to be spayed – there is bound to be some
satisfaction!”
you say (with an entertaining level of ignorance over whether marred
or missed opportunities would suddenly gain traction). Well, as
there is only one way to find out, let us return to the action.
The Cleveland Browns got their first shot on offense, and Browns
running back Nick Chubb gave Nolan’s neophytes their first taste of
a brutal collection of ground game dents. Exactly two plays later,
the Browns used simple misdirection to pull off quite the tater.
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield took the snap from center, tossed
it back to Chubb who flipped it to wide receiver Jarvis “Not Tom”
Landry who was headed back the other direction. The left-handed
Landry stopped and popped a 37-yard pass down the field for a
fantastic yield (to a wide-open Odell Beckham, Jr. for some
touchdown trickery of utter perfection).
Dallas safety Darian Thompson – the nearest Dallas "defender" –
could only belly flop at Beckham's feet (rather than being in
slightly-better position to keep Landry's impressive southpaw pass
to from becoming complete). YES, Yes, yes, "He Who Must Never Be
Allowed Past Your Caboose” (regardless of his unimpressive
earlier-season numbers) was believably set loose by Nolan’s
bumblers.
Dak and Co. – magically having heard the “waste not, want not”
chirping from “You Know Who” – took their second opportunity on the
day to deliver their own series de big play. Dak (on 1st-and-10 from
his own 12-yard line) took the snap from center, and faked the
handoff left to Zeke (with Cleveland defenders sneaking too much of
a peak and unable to untangle from the baited twine). Prescott
rolled back right and passed to tight end Dalton Schultz out in the
flat, with plenty of room to run (to the Dallas 35) after that. Dak
(on 2nd-and-7 from his own 40) took the snap from center and faked
misdirection handoffs to both Zeke to Amari Cooper. Then he found
Zeke for a perfectly-arranged screen (with Zack Martin, Tyler
Biadasz, and Connor Williams in position to get pretty mean). The
damage was done as Elliott reached the Browns' 41. Two players
later, Dak delivered his own touchdown tater, throwing a 43-yard
bone to his newest retriever, err, (CeeDee) Lamb, who was wide-open
before taking just a few tip-toes into the end zone.
The game was tied 7-7 and – at worst (with seemingly no desire by
either team to quench a defensive thirst) – the only question was:
which offense would go full "Spinal Tap" and turn it to eleven (and
which one would kill the high-octane buzz)?
After the Browns came up empty on their turn (thanks to some
surprising defensive pressure), Dallas would begin their next
offensive series with seemingly more yards to burn (to great fan
pleasure). Dak (on 1st-and-10 from his own 16) would fake the
handoff to reserve running back Tony Pollard and soft toss to Amari
Cooper (over a delayed-blitzing Brown's defensive back, whose raised
arms could not knock the connection off track). Cooper would pick up
the first down, and it seemed the Dallas offense was ready to – once
again – go to town. Dak would hit Cooper again on a stout, sharp
crossing route. THEN, Prescott would send a softer-than-necessary
rope in the direction of CeeDee "Man Of Focus" Lamb (who managed to
catch it after Cleveland linebacker Sione Takitaki failed to secure
an otherwise certain interception BLAM). A heart-stopping play
result – nearly the same – to Michael Gallup occurred late in the
previous game. Nonetheless, "two plays later" – which (on this day)
seemed to be a theme with America's Team – Mike McCarthy decided to
go for it on 4th-and-2 from the Browns' 20. Dak "The Surgeon"
Prescott threaded the finest of needles through two Cleveland
defenders (on destructive benders?) right into the hands of Amari
Cooper, right on the touchdown money.
The score was 14-7 and – pending a defensive collapse – Cowboys
Nation was in heaven with the aggressive scoring being dropped in
their laps. That pace would – of course – come back to haunt
Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield (with – as expected – decreasing
defensive interruption) would drive the Browns back down the field
with more gumption. He would eventually find ODB (no, not “Old Dirty
Bastard”) open towards the back of the end zone for his second
receiving score (with Cleveland starting to pick more aggressively
at the Cowboys’ most glaring defensive sore).
With the game tied 14-ALL, untimely-yet-familiar Dallas dominoes
began to fall. Prescott (on first down with just over 11 minutes
remaining in the second quarter) would go back to pass and was so
focused on a potential Tony Pollard screen to the left, that he was
unable to tightly tuck against an oncoming strip, fumble, and theft.
Myles Garrett “bending” of Steele was real, and the Browns would
recover. Cleveland would soon after score once more.
Dak (with over 9 minutes remaining in the second quarter on
1st-and-10) handed off to Zeke, who took off through a right-side
hole. Though he appeared to be on safely on his way to the ground –
at around the Dallas 48 – his ability to cover up was unsound, and
his fumble was not-so-great. Two Dallas turnovers in a row was
simply not the way to go (especially with a defense that Cleveland
was preparing to really mow).
“When it rains, it pours (and such mistakes tend to encourage
opponent scores).” The game went from 14-ALL to 28-14 with the
Browns standing, passing, and running tall. Dallas would be unable
to keep up the pace on their next possession, and Cleveland – right
before the half – would add a Cody Parkey field goal. Yes, THAT Cody
Parkey. He of the double-doink, temporarily-low self-esteem hole.
Cleveland had a 31-14 halftime lead, and it was up to Dak Wick or
John Prescott to – once again – to overcome at least “some” of the
Cowboys’ collective first half mental rot.
The Cowboys found themselves down 38-14 and unable to maintain or
finish offensive drives (just five minutes into the third quarter).
Their defense was practically playing two-hand-touch with
Cleveland's multi-headed running game due to a case of performance
hives. Dallas looked completely out of order. In fact, not until
around the eight-minute mark had Dallas forced a single 3-and-out.
What a drought.
Following a 27-yard punt return by CeeDee Lamb (with just five
minutes remaining in the third quarter), Dallas was - once again -
unable to finish their drive . . . even after they went for it,
again (on a now-routine call by Mike McCarthy on which there is
universally-held preference to more-often thrive). The pass to Lamb
was knocked away, and - in all fairness - would be one of four
Prescott passes that should have been interceptions on the day.
On The Comeback Trail (This Time Without Fail)?
Dallas would start the fourth quarter down 41-14 and still so, sooo
far on the wrong side of the border. Then, a "funny" thing happened.
The second half team began to awaken to their 30-minute theme. An
almost three-minute drive resulted in a Tony Pollard touchdown rush.
Time would shortly tell if it really WAS Dallas overcoming or a
Cleveland prevent (you from maintaining a lead) defense playing like
mush. 41-22 game following a successful Dak-to-Zeke two-point
conversion. Dak and Co. would soldier on, no matter the
more-than-likely postgame derision.
Even the Dallas defense CHOSE to get in on the act. DeMarcus "Tank"
Lawrence momentarily departed from his new normal of "all talk, no
walk" to tackle a Cleveland ball-carrier behind the line of
scrimmage on a key 3rd-and-2 play. A Browns victory was still firmly
on the way, but momentum was (not so strangely?) beginning to sway.
Dak (from the shotgun with 8:20 remaining in the contest) threw what
was nearly a short-hopper to Tony Pollard (who knelt down to turn it
aroun' and finish with a 16-yard, tackle-breaking, sideline
scamper). He understood there was no time to toss any opportunities
in the hamper. Prescott next hit Cooper and tight end Blake Bell for
consecutive completions over the middle, with the (hurry up)
offensive picking steam "just a little." Then, Prescott (from the
Browns' 26) found Dalton Schultz down the seam (between three
defenders, only one of whom tried to put Dalton in a blender), and
into the end zone Schultz would waltz. Dak would keep it for the
successful two-point conversion, and though Dallas was really
starting to cook, they needed to remain quick and lean (with no need
for schmaltz).
After another functionally-funky kickoff from Greg Zuerlein that
nearly caught the Browns' kick returner in a REALLY bad spot, it was
time for Nolan's bunch to hold down their lunch and take their shot.
With the Browns' next offensive series in full swing, none other
than Tank Lawrence got a hand on Baker Mayfield who - rather than
taking a sack - turned the other way and chose a more comfortable
slide behind-the-line-of-scrimmage thing. Mayfield had Odell wide
open down the left side – on the very next play – but he overthrew
him in a moment so delightfully-dim. Momentum continued to sway back
the Cowboys’ way.
Dak – on the very next series and with exactly six minutes remaining
(with Dallas in desperate need of more gaining) – was “matriculating
the football down the field” for another overdue touchdown yield.
First a super-skinny post to Cedrick Wilson. Then a sideline
high-point to Schultz. Then almost the equivalent of a swing-pass to
Amari Cooper. Blake Bell tried-and-failed to lure at least one
defender away, but just as Amari seemed dead to rights, he quickly
spun backwards out of a tackle and burst up the left sideline to
continue the 2020 Cowboys' "traditional" late game fight. A Prescott
designed run would pick up another first down inside the Cleveland
five (with Dallas under the gun to keep their feverish drive alive).
Then, without hesitation, Prescott threw an end zone fade to a
wide-open CeeDee Lamb for the touchdown, triggering roaring
exaltation from Cowboys Nation. The Cowboys would use more, uncommon
misdirection (with CeeDee then Zeke and - finally - to Amari Cooper)
to pass ANOTHER two-point conversion inspection. A game that was
once completely out of hand was now a tenuous 41-38 Browns lead with
certainly, entirely, surely (?) too much time for Mayfield and Co.
to have to bleed.
A Zuerlein squib was no brainless adlib, but the desired
off-the-opponent bounce did not occur. Not. One. Ounce. The Browns
were prepared for his latest invention and ultimately enjoyed
midfield retention. Still, there was almost four minutes remaining.
If Nolan's inconsistent underachievers would remain momentary
believers, Dak and Co. could continue their late-game campaigning.
Baker Mayfield – with 3:40 to go in order to finish the show – took
the snap at midfield, faked the handoff to Kareem hunt, and
egg-tossed the football to Odell Beckham, Jr. If only hustling
defensive end Aldon Smith had been able to reach (or at least
redirect) him a half-second sooner . . . ODB would not have then
tip-toed down the Dallas sideline (easily dodging every slow-moving,
defensive landmine) all the way to the end zone. While it was
impressive to see linebacker Jaylon Smith nearly match ODB step for
step (with a .01 seconds 40-yard dash difference), Smith's
initially-slow desire to engage in the first place made for the
ultimate defensive hindrance.
Go figure that Cowboys cornerback C.J. Goodwin blocked Cleveland's
extra point but – following a sloppy scrum ever so dumb – the Browns
recovered it in the end zone for a two-point conversation. The
Cowboys – towards getting out of their own way – continued to have
an aversion. Still, STILL, it was 49-38 with almost three-and-half
minutes for Dak and Co. to change the Cowboys' fate.
Once again, Dak and Co. drove down the field and appeared ready to
get within a few yards of another score, when Amari Cooper lazily
overshot his mark, an interception by Cleveland shut the door, and
the Cowboys' chances officially and totally went dark.
Short Shots And Hot Spots
YES, Yes, yes, The Tortured Cowboys Fan feels somewhat compelled to
detail the blow-by-blow of such a breathtaking, vomit-inducing
fireworks show, but future opportunities to describe such
righteous-yet-revolting performances like these (after THREE in a
row) will admittedly be met with a hard “NO.”
While it may be exciting to watch the NFC East equivalent of Ken
O’Brien’s New York Jets versus Dan Marino’s Miami Dolphins, the
sheer number of heart attacks would result in far too many fan
coffins.
The Cowboys are simply going to have to find
thus-far-painfully-evasive harmony (from coaches to scheme to each
and every player on the team) for which fans should never, ever have
to be overly smarmy.
Good Quote Or Garbage Bloat
"Our effort's been good. I mean, on certain plays some guys, I mean,
me included, there may be a lack, but overall, the effort is there.
I mean, you don't expect, we're in the NFL, you don't expect guys
full speed for 70 plays. That's not possible. But you're going to
push all you can. I mean, we know. You don't expect a backside
corner to make a play on the opposite side. If he's running full
speed the whole time, it's just not possible, to be honest." –
Dallas Cowboys safety Xavier Woods (perhaps not thinking or caring
that the word salad he tossed might not sit right with the wrong
people once it was deciphered and understood).
"In my own words, I'd call it soft. We've got to hold ourselves to a
higher standard. I call the [BLEEP] soft, and we have to get better
from it.” – Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus "Tank" Lawrence (who –
for poor play since his contract year – has put on a high tolerance
display and been unable to shift into money-earning gear). Yes, he
has (recently) been enduring a nagging knee injury, but that is not
enough for all his bloated alpha male talk followed by so much
performance perjury.
"I think it was a situation of trying to answer questions after a
poor performance is the way I would classify it. I don't think it's
a statement that can be laid up against every possible situation in
football as far as hypotheticals and things like that. We've
addressed our performance Sunday. It was poor. The coaching on
pursuit and expectations is on line with everybody's expectations
and understanding on how you play this game. There's a difference
between being prepared and how you perform." – Dallas Cowboys head
coach Mike “Human Shield” McCarthy (with a reminder to not paint all
Dallas defenders with the same brush for their seemingly-routine
mush, even though the truth still makes both coaches and players
blush).
Misery Loves Injury
Perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith has been a key pillar of
the Dallas Cowboys offensive line practically since America’s Team
drafted him ninth overall in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft.
“But, BUT” the cost of neck and spine injuries (so well-managed over
much of the past decade) has finally come due and must be paid.
Smith will be undergoing (or has undergone) neck surgery that will
see him lost to injured reserve and season-long recovery.
“W-Why are you writing his obituary?! It is just ONE surgery on a
guy who is just 29!” you nervously blurt (unwilling to acknowledge
for how many years the BIG man played hurt with an
“occasionally-bulging” disc in his spine). That he has finally
succumbed to the operating table means he is potentially closer to
the end of his career than perhaps remaining grid-iron-sturdy and
game-day-able. Time will tell if he is able to return or if Cowboys
Nation finds itself lining up for an extremely-fond farewell.
On the business side of things, if Smith were to suddenly retire, it
would tug on a $14.2M dead money string, but unless and until that
hypothetical decision comes to pass, that remains a somewhat
imaginary salary cap sting.
Right guard Zack Martin remains the only healthy-and-starting player
associated “The Great Wall Of Dallas” name but – without a few of
his other retired brothers (Travis Frederick, Ronald Leary, and even
browbeaten Doug Free) since 2014 who had kept the pocket clean and
the running game mean – the capability and consistency has obviously
not been the same. Still, and all-in-all, right tackle La’el Collins
and center Joe Looney are eventually expected back from short-term
injured reserve to help fill in at least two bricks of that
crumbling wall (while Brandon Knight, Connor Williams, Tyler Biadasz,
and Terence Steele work with Zack Martin to prevent a bigger fall).
Meanwhile, cornerback Anthony Brown (he of the broken ribs) is a GO
to return from short-term IR to potentially regain from Jourdan
Lewis his starting crown. Of course, whoever is performing best
among those plagued secondary pals – by default – will get playing
time dibs.
It appears that second-year reserve Donovan Wilson will finally get
his shot (in the next game) to start at the safety spot. Wilson was
known for having a cherished “nose for the ball,” and for his
struggling unit, it could be a nothing-to-lose and
everything-to-gain call.
Perhaps one Wilson will gain an encouraging boost from the team’s
other Wilson. Perhaps Donovan will take inspiration from Cedrick's
early-season offensive performance and push himself for some
matching defensive conformance.
While Leighton Vander Esch has not yet been "certified fresh," he
should be ready (perhaps in one more week) to help Nolan's defense
better mesh towards a more-promising peak.
Will They Or Won’t They?
The New York Giants are coming to town with more-than-a-few key
injured players they are already down. THIS group of G-Men will have
extra incentive, however, to be uncommonly competitive and even
creatively-inventive. YES, Yes, yes, as if New York needs ANY
further motivation towards tweaking Cowboys Nation.
Former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett returns to the scene of the
crime as the Giants’ new offensive coordinator . . . with an
opportunity with show he remains in his prime as a play-calling
terminator (or productivity exterminator?). For as much offseason
roster turnover as Mike McCarthy pursued, a relatively intact
offensive unit and scheme still makes for a friend-turned-foe’s
tattletale dream (with his new, information-hungry team plenty
enthused).
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- Will Dak and Co. begin their fireworks earlier than normal against a
Giants’ secondary particularly horrible? While Zeke should continue
to see opportunities in the passing game, will he be able to help
“The Average Wall Of Dallas” defy road-grading paralysis or come up
low-yardage lame?
Will Nolan's Neanderthals be able to wooden nickel Danny "Dimes"
Jones and chew on his bones? Will Dallas defenders be able to
tee-off on the Giants’ quarterback (without the benefit of Saquon
Barkley in New York’s running attack) . . . or will “Garrett’s Gang”
find an inspired way to make up for what they lack?
Will down-the-seam-nemesis Evan Engram – once again – be allowed to
roam productively-free, or will the Cowboys' secondary open their
eyes to see? Will wily veteran Golden Tate be allowed to embarrass,
taunt, and get Dallas to take the penalty-creating bait?
Will the Dallas Cowboys respond to a friendly face by begging for a
belly rub or will they be colorblind to “Red Ball” by making his new
offense look like its jogging in place (heavy on the drub)?
We shall see. We Always do.
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